the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portions
September 26—Morning—Isaiah 22:4
"And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his father’s house."—Isaiah 22:24.
And who is this but Jesus, the true Eliakim and Governor of heaven and earth? Jesus sweetly explained it himself, when declaring himself possessing the key of David. Revelation 3:7. And hath not God the Father literally given all things into his hands? Is there any thing which Jehovah hath kept back? Hath it not pleased the Father, that in him should all fulness dwell? Is not Jesus the head over all things to the church, which is his body? Is he not the Almighty Lord and Treasurer of all things—grace here, glory hereafter? And is not our Jesus the administrator of all things in the world, both of providence and grace? My soul, is there aught remaining to hang upon Jesus? Pause, hast thou hung upon him all the glory of thy salvation? Pause again, my soul. Is all and every title given? Is there aught kept back? Is there any Achan in the camp of thine heart? Forbid it, Lord. See to it, my soul, (for it is thy life,) that thou art "hanging all the glory of the Father’s house upon Jesus?" Make him not only the Alpha, but the Omega also of thy salvation. And as the Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hands; so do thou come to him for all things, receive from him all things, and ascribe to him all things, in the receipt of grace here, and glory hereafter—that Christ may be all, and in all, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
September 26—Evening—John 4:6
"Jesus-wearied with his journey."—John 4:6.
My soul, art thou wearied with the labours of the day, and glad that the evening of rest is come? Look unto thy Lord! Behold Jesus wearied with his journey. As part of the curse, this, among other consequences, seized upon the Lord of life and glory, from the moment he became flesh: "It behoved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren." All the sinful frailties and infirmities of our poor nature; all the calamities to which human life is exposed, in the thorns and thistles which the earth is made to bring forth to man, and the dust of death, into which, as Jesus spake by the spirit of prophecy, he knew Jehovah would bring him (Psalms 22:15.) these were the very conditions to which the Redeemer subjected himself, in the days of his flesh, when" he was made sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him:" and hence his whole life was a life of weariness, sorrows, and affliction. And he not only felt in himself the common wants, and was exposed to the common miseries of nature; but, living as in an hospital of woe, amidst the sick and wounded, he participated in every groan he heard, and, as the prophet spake of him," himself bare our sicknesses, and carried our sorrows.’’ And what can bring relief to the pilgrimage tears of the redeemed, or so sweetly soothe the wearied frames of his people both in body and soul, as looking unto Jesus? Precious Lord! Do I see thee wearied with thy journey; and shall I repine at mine? Hadst thou not where to lay thine head; and shall I feel hurt if the world refuse me a lodging? Was the Son of God, though rich, yet condescending to be poor: and though the Lord of life and glory, yet "a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;" subjecting himself to hunger, and thirst, and weariness, and affliction; tempted, and buffeted, and despised; yea, "a worm, and no man, a reproach of men, and the outcast of the people?" Oh Lord! how sweetly accommodating is thy blessed example to all the tried and trying circumstances of life! Grant me, dear Lord, as oft as sorrow, weariness, disappointment, and any of the afflicting dispensations incident to human life come upon me, grant me to be looking unto thee; and I would say, "Jesus was wearied with his journey!"
