Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: February 17th

That in me ye might have peace, in the world ye shall have tribulation: But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.- John 16:33.

Such is Christ’s legacy to all his brethren: peace in him: tribulation in the world. Every disciple shall receive these bequests. The former, a triune God of truth and faithfulness is engaged by promise and oath to give. The latter, from the combined trinity, the world, flesh, and the devil, every follower of Jesus will be sure to receive. But, alas! how apt are we, when in the mount of peace with Jesus, to cry, ’Tribulation shall no more affect me!’ On the other hand, when in the dreary valley of tribulation, then we are ready to conclude, ’O there is no end to my troubles; I shall see peace no more.’ This was the case with David. One while we find him triumphing: "In my prosperity I said I shall never be moved."- Psalms 30:6. At another, mournfully complaining, "Thou hidest thy face, and I am troubled."

Too, too apt are we to judge of God’s love to us by his providences, instead of his promises. Tribulation in the world is as necessary for the soul as peace in Jesus; or our loving Saviour would not have appointed it for us. One is not incompatible with, nor destructive of the other. Nay, is it not oft the case with thee, O Christian, as of old, that "as sufferings abound, consolation abounds also"?- 2 Corinthians 1:5. Hast thou access by faith into the same grace with the church of old? dost thou with them "rejoice in hope of the glory of God?" learn the same note which they sung: "We glory in tribulation." Why? Because they knew that "all things work together for good." Therefore they found by experience these soul-reviving effects: "knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost given unto us."- Romans 5:2-5.

Thus as Christ is ours, all things are ours. Tribulation and distress in the world are ours, as well as hope, patience, peace, love, and joy in Jesus. Sweet is it to observe how our dear Saviour words his legacy: it is like a cross richly ornamented with jewels of infinite value. Tribulation in the world stands encompassed with PEACE in the front, GOOD CHEER and VICTORY in the rear. "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"- 1 John 5:5.

Hath my dear Lord this world o’ercome,

In which I’ve trials great!

Be of good cheer then, O my soul,

Thy vict’ry is complete.

Faith in my Lord doth share the spoils,

And bring me peace of mind:

What tho’ the world doth smile or frown

In Christ I vict’ry find.

Now abideth faith, hope, charity. 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Where do these graces abide? in regenerate hearts. What is faith? a precious grace, the gift of God to miserable sinners. Lord, give us the comfort of it to-night. Say some, ‘faith is an assurance that my sins are pardoned; that Christ loved me, and gave himself for me.’ Indeed it is not. They further add, ‘No one has faith without this assurance: if they have it not, they are in a state of wrath.’ This is false: this notion has inflated many with a vain hope, while it has distressed sincere souls without reason. Many who contend for this assurance of faith, believe a lie with it; for they say, ‘Those whom Christ has so loved as to die for, and whose sins are now forgiven, may at last perish.’ Such an assurance is not worth a straw. This is not the faith of God’s elect; for it gives the lie to Jesus, who is the author and finisher or our faith: it contradicts his double oath, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he who believeth on me hath everlasting life.” (John 6:47.) Leave the vain notions of such; look into the divine word for the true nature of faith. It is neither more nor less, than a belief of God’s word: giving credit to God for what he speaks therein; “Believing on his Son Jesus Christ, according to his commandment.” (1 John 3:23.) Dost thou believe thus in thine heart? then, faith abides there. Consider, there is faith, and “the furtherance and joy of faith.” (Philippians 1:25.) If you have faith, though but as a grain of mustard-seed, you will see Christ as precious to you, a miserable sinner; you will receive him as the most inestimable gift of God, to save you, a lost sinner; you will go to him, as the one object of your hope, and the chief desire of your soul; you will rely on his death, as the only requirement for your sins, and trust in his righteousness alone to justify you; you will lay hold on him as the only refuge for your guilty soul; you will live upon him, that you may find joy and peace in him, and grow up into him in all things; you will glory of, and in him alone, saying, “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus.” (Galatians 6:14.) Hence, you will grow out of conceit with yourself; dead to sin, dead to your own righteousness, and dead to the world. This, this is the faith of the operation of God, which lives and abides in new-born souls. “In thus believing, we may be fully assured, God will fill us with all joy and peace.” Romans 15:13.

Father, I bless thee for the gift

Of Christ, thy precious Son:

Spirit, in praise my soul I lift,

For faith, my Lord to own.

Let precious faith in Christ abide,

With all its healing pow’r:

To cleave to Christ, whate’er betide

Me in the darkest hour.