Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: February 20th

That I may win Christ.- Philippians 3:8.

No sooner had good king Hezekiah established his throne in righteousness, restored religion in his kingdom, set his whole heart to serve the Lord, and his God prospered him, but an invading Sennacherib enters his territories, and encamps against his fenced cities.- 2 Chronicles 32:1. Scripture and experience daily preach to God’s children, "This is not your rest:" You are in a militant state. Though Jesus hath taken possession of the soul, and cast out the strong man armed, think not of folding your arms, and saying, I shall see war no more; for your adversary has many after-games to play. He will not only encamp against your fenced cities, and attack your out-works, but will also attempt your very heart and mind. Beware of such suggestions as these, they are the whispers of a destroying foe: "Come, you are now an excellent Christian; you have a tongue to speak for Jesus, you don’t live and act as the rest of the careless, sinful world, you have made great advances in holiness, now you have somewhat to glory in yourself before God." Jesus, Master, save us in this hour of Satan’s attack! When in such a storm, better to cast overboard all the heavy lading of selfconfidence to right the ship. "A haughty spirit goeth before a fall."- Proverbs 16:18.

Let us ever remember, Jesus is all our gain and all our glory. We are still poor sinners. By renouncing all, and cleaving to him, we enjoy all in him. No fruits produced, no comforts experienced, but by abiding in him. What! possess Jesus, and yet want to WIN him? Yes. O there is much more knowledge of, peace from, love to, joy in, and conformity to JESUS, to be gained and experienced, than any of us have yet found! Jesus-enamoured hearts, like avaricious gamesters, never, never think they have enough of Jesus in time, till they have gained the full enjoyment of his matchless charms in glory. They renounce all for his sake. Wherefore? on terms and conditions to barter for an interest in Christ? No: gracious, loving hearts detest such base undervaluing thoughts of their infinitely precious Saviour. Shall the dross and dung of our doings and performances be put in competition with his most glorious excellency, who is our prize, our portion, our treasure? "Whom have I in heaven but thee, or what is there on earth I desire in comparison of thee?" will ever be the language of faith.

My God, my life, my love,

To thee, to thee I call;

I cannot live if thou remove,

For thou art all in all.

What empty things are all the skies,

And this inferior clod?

There’s nothing here deserves my joys,

There’s nothing like my God.

The smilings of thy face.

How amiable they are!

’Tis heav’n to rest in thy embrace,

And no where else but there.

He hath put a new song in my mouth. Psalms 40:3.

Some sing, when they have cause to be sad: others are sad, when they have reason to sing and rejoice. Some go on merrily to hell; others go on sorrowing to heaven. When the grace of Jesus is in the heart, a new song is put into the mouth. This is a song of new covenant love. This we are to sing all our days on earth, and for ever and ever in glory. In passing the streets, we meet with many occurrences, which remind us of our Beloved. It is sweet to spiritualize carnal things. I was much delighted with a carnal song, which concludes thus:

All the time is thrown away,

But what is spent in love.

I thought this was very true of the love of our Saviour. This Psalm is applied to Christ in his manhood state. (Heb. 10.) A new song was put in his mouth on our accounts. He says, “Many shall see it, and fear, and trust in the Lord.” See hence, our spiritual joy springs from seeing Christ’s work in our salvation: knowing that he experienced his Father’s upholding power, as man and mediator; and beholding his triumph over all his and our enemies. Look at this; yea, look and look till you can say, O, Jesus! my whole soul loves thee. For hadst thou failed in thy work, my soul had been irrecoverably lost, for ever. But, now thou hast finished thy Father’s work and my salvation, I am saved for ever. I see it; I trust in the Lord: and, having this confidence in my heart, this song is put into my mouth, “Salvation to our God, which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10.) Now, I can adopt my Saviour’s words, “Thou hast brought me up from a horrible pit, out of miry clay; set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Therefore, “I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise unto my God, while I have my being.” (Psalms 104:33.) I charge thee, O my soul! never, never forget the horrors of dread, the terrors of fear, the agonies of pain, and conflicts of sufferings, thy Lord endured from men and devils, and from his Father’s fiery wrath and inexorable justice, for thy sins and thy salvation! O, sing of His mighty conquests! Rejoice for his glorious triumphs over all the powers of sin, death, and hell. Well might the apostle exhort believers thus, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10.) “The ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with songs; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” Isaiah 35:10.

Old songs of vain and carnal mirth

No more delight my heart;

New songs of Jesus’ life and love,

Spread joy thro’ ev’ry part.

Thou loving Spirit! thee I praise,

For grace, of Christ to sing:

He is my joy, my righteousness,

My Saviour and my King.