the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.- Romans 12:12.
The gospel brings us from a hopeless into a hopeful state; but not into an independent one. We are never to expect freedom from trials and tribulations in this vale of tears; they lie in our way to the end of our hope, the enjoyment of God in glory. Faith takes hold of something that is material, and maketh the soul triumph in hope. Hope makes the soul joyful, and excites to patience. Tribulations cause a throne of grace to be prized, a covenant God in Christ to be sought unto and delighted in. In the rough waves of difficulties, in the storm of affliction, in the boisterous sea of temptation, hope is an anchor to the soul; when that is cast within the veil the vessel shall safely ride out every storm; though tossed, it shall not be driven from its moorings; it keeps the soul safe and steady.
The grace of patience is ranged between the joy of hope and the constant exercise of prayer, as though it could not exist without either, but is supported and strengthened by both. Jonah sleeps sound in the ship, but prays hard in the whale’s belly. Distress and hope raise an importunate cry. A hopeful soul will be much in prayer; and the more in converse and communion with God, the soul will more thrive in every grace of the Spirit. "Ask, and ye shall receive," is the grand charter of heaven. Yea more, lest children grow remiss, be sparing in their addresses, and content themselves with any portion, when the exuberance is necessary, saith our munificent Lord, "Ask and receive, that your joy may be full."- John 15:11. Sip not at the streams; but drink large draughts at the fountainhead.
Ever remember, Christian; the life of sense is contrary to the life of faith. Walking after the flesh, gratifying its lusts, conforming to a sinful world, deadens the life of the soul, indisposes it to prayer, makes hope decline, impatience prevail, and all the graces wither. And canst thou delight to live at a distance from thy Saviour? What! without a sense of his peace and love? Wouldst thou not fear to die in such a frame? "Keep yourselves in the love of God," is an evangelical exhortation, Judges 1:21 -looking unto Jesus under every circumstance-avoid every thing contrary to love-study to be diligent in those means which tend to excite and strengthen the liveliness of faith, the comforts of love, the joy of hope, and the patience of the soul. "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall."- 2 Peter 1:10.
Saints, at your Father’s heav’nly word,
Give up your comforts to the Lord;
He shall restore what you resign,
Or grant you blessings more divine.
Just in the last distressing hour,
The Lord displays deliv’ring pow’r;
The mount of trials is the place
Where we shall see surprising grace.
I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be. Exodus 8:23.
Thus speaks the sovereign Jehovah to the haughty, stubborn monarch Pharaoh. Loving children delight to treasure up in their memories the words of an affectionate father: they love to reflect on them, and draw comfort from them. O that we may do so to-night, by this speech of our heavenly Father! Consider, (1st.) here is a people distinguished from a people. The Lord has a people among a people, chosen out of a people. These he particularly calls his own-my people. They are so, by everlasting love, eternal choice, and covenant grace. (2d.) Though near and dear as they are to the Lord, yet they may for a season continue under the power of, and suffer oppression from their enemies. Though the love of the Lord’s heart is ever set upon you, and the eye of his providence is ever over you, yet he may seem to leave you. O! tarry the Lord’s leisure, and be strong. Though deliverance stay, yet wait for it: the Lord will surely appear. For, (3d.) the Lord puts a division between his people and others. He separates them by his power; calls them by his grace; and, according to his rich mercy, divides them from the wicked: or, as it is in the margin, puts a redemption between them. O, believer, there is not a plague which you deserve, and others suffer, but the redemption of Jesus stands between, has averted from you, and therefore can never fall upon you. Precious indeed, beyond conception of expression, is this redemption! It shall be manifest so to be; for, (4th.) there is a set-time for it. To-morrow shall this sign be. Ah, soul! to-day thou seest the wicked in great prosperity-not burdened with sin, harassed with temptation, and bowed down with sorrow as thou art. Do not envy, but pity them. Remember thy Lord’s words, to-morrow, and his sign. St. Paul gives it you, “In nothing be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.” (Philippians 1:28.) O, study this precious text: there is much instruction in it. Have you adversaries for Christ’s sake? It is now evident, they are in a state of perdition; but you of salvation. The Lord is at hand. O love, look, and long for his appearing. Rejoice in his cross, which is the sign of your salvation: by that you shall overcome. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 6:14.) And see, that, while you glory in the cross, you likewise strive to adorn the doctrine of God your Saviour, in all things. Titus 2:10.
To-day the wicked, great and strong,
Hector the saints of God:
To-morrow God will change their song
In hell, their dark abode.
Cheer up my soul! Be not dismay’d;
Christ thy redemption is:
His sov’reign pow’r, his saving aid
Shall lead thy soul to bliss.
