Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: May 7th

And they said one to another, Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?- Luke 24:32.

When the fire of divine love burns in the heart, disciples cannot refrain speaking of it to each other. But how transient are the frames of God’s dearest children! Too apt are the strongest believers to live upon sense and feeling, instead of faith and promises. The former may, and often doth fail in enjoyment, but the latter is founded upon the firm immutable foundation of the God of truth, therefore is sure and infallible.

These disciples were just before in dejection and despondency. The time was come for resurrection-comfort, but their Lord not appearing as they expected, they were sad. Jesus was with them, but they knew him not. He upbraids; "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all the prophets have spoken!" Then he expounds the scriptures concerning himself. Presently the fire kindles in their hearts. But it seems that it was soon past: yea, gone before they spoke of it. "Did not our hearts burn?" how sweet WAS it! what ravishing moments WERE those! Doubtless they could have wished them to have continued always. So they should if the master saw good. If Jesus knew it was best, every disciple should enjoy hearts ever warm, ever glowing with the heavenly flame of divine love. It verily is sweet to sense. Those who have been "baptized with the Holy Ghost, and fire" of divine love, will speak of it to the glory of Jesus, and long for more lasting enjoyment of it. This best wine is reserved for the last.

Disciple, soon shalt thou drink thy fill, without danger of being intoxicated. But thou must wait the promise, as these disciples did. Thou must go to the same place where they now are, before thy thirsty soul is perfectly satisfied. May it be our present concern, that we give Jesus no cause to upbraid us for folly and unbelief, in not abiding by the prophets, promises, and his testimony! We are to live upon the truth of the word, and not upon fire and feeling within. But yet, disciples should ever be on their guard against such who deny the experienced comforts and joys of the Holy Ghost. Be not put off with dry notions, which are like the pale light of the waning moon; but administer not the animating warmth of the meridian sun. For, saith Jesus, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life."- John 6:63.

If sweet be our frame,

We thank his dear name:

If bitter we pray,

And Jesus so loves us, he takes it away.

Or if it remain,

And we are in pain.

We cheerfully bear,

And bless our kind Saviour who suffers it there.

Above all, taking the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:16.

When Christ has the heart, it will say, if I can see nothing of Christ in the text, that text is nothing to me. Here is a shield of defence. What is it? A mere assent of the mind? A cold consent of the tongue, to some certain propositions? Is this the shield of faith, which will cover my head, and defend my heart in the day of battle? Is it believing a system of doctrines, without having the heart warmed with love, or the life influenced by the power of them, that the apostle exhorts me above all to take? O no, nothing less is this shield of faith than Christ, precious Christ. Never, never have any idea of faith, without including its author and object. Otherwise it is a mere non-entity: a notion which has no real existence but in fancy. When we hear people insist, that faith is our righteousness-that faith is imputed to us for righteousness, we are led to think they take up, and are in love with some fancied excellence in themselves, instead of the excellence and glory of the Lord our Righteousness. It is him the grace of faith ever exalts. Have you faith? Is Christ the glory and excellence of your faith, and of your heart? Then above all, or over all things else, take this shield of faith. Fiery darts, shot from the burning malice of hell, are flying thick around us. Such as strong temptations exciting burning lusts, blasphemous injections, horrid thoughts of God, debasing thoughts of Christ, distressing and despairing ones of the hope of salvation by him. O how do these fiery darts of the enemy tend to burn up the peace, hope, consolation, and joy of the soul. Ah, says Satan, you a child of God-you a believer in Christ-you an heir of glory-your faith is fancy, your hope delusion. You are a cursed sinner in all you do. You had better give over your profession, give up your hope, and enjoy yourself in the world, for all your expectations are only vain. What can the poor sinner say? How repel, how quench such fiery darts? Only by taking the shield of faith. Holding up the work of Jesus for him against them all. My Saviour’s blood atoned for my sins-his blood cleansed from all sin-all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven-in his righteousness I am justified from ALL things-there is NOW NO condemnation to me, for I am IN Christ Jesus. All this I believe. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?

Not faith, but Christ alone’s my shield;

By faith I him confess:

I stand unconquer’d in the field,

For he’s my righteousness.

Father, I bless thee for thy Son,

And thou O Spirit, for thy faith,

And Christ for all which thou hast done,

For vict’ry over death.