Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: May 15th

The liberal deviseth liberal things; and by liberal things he shall stand (or be established).- Isaiah 32:8.

We all naturally act from selfish principles, and with mercenary views, because we are under the legal covenant, "Do this and live." Hence saith one, ’If doing righteousness and performing good works will not justify and save me, as good sit still and do nothing, no matter how wicked I am.’ Saith another, ’To be sure, we are justified by faith only, but then I must fulfil the terms and conditions of the gospel, for my holiness and obedience secures my salvation.’ Such poor creatures reason carnally; their principles are only selfish, their views are mercenary. God is not served at all, but pride and self are at the bottom of all they do; to establish a righteousness of their own is their chief aim. The glory of God is not sought; his grace is overlooked; Jesus is depreciated in his work and office, as though all his toils and sufferings, holy life and bitter death, had only procured salvation upon a better bargain and easier terms for us. Such principles are servile, base, and dishonorable to a God of grace and love. Vain the talk of such about working for God; they do nothing for God, but want to earn something from God for themselves: take away the idol SELF from them, and then all working is at an end with them.

But the liberal soul acts from gracious principles, and deviseth liberal things. He sees salvation is all of free grace and free gift by Jesus. He is our all: he hath done all, suffered all, obeyed in all things, prevails for all things, and makes all effectual to the soul’s perfect, complete, and final salvation.

’The Saviour is in mine eye; he is in mine heart; he is my Alpha and Omega, my first hope and last stay. My views are to his glory. O when I deserved nothing but hell, love, electing, everlasting love looked on me with pity, and was manifested to me through Jesus by the word and Spirit: therefore it is I long, I love, I delight daily to glorify the evergracious and ever-loving triune God. I cheerfully devote my all to him who hath done all for me, who hath loved me and given himself for me. My life of faith, of hope, of love, of holiness, centers in Jesus, and is from him. If I have but a cup of cold water to give, I give it in my dear Lord’s name, in love and gratitude to him.’ Such are the generous sentiments of the liberal soul; and, saith wisdom, "By liberal things he shall stand." Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free. He shall be established on the firm foundation of eternal truth, against the power and subtlety of Satan, and all the human systems and precarious schemes of man’s devising. "The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his; and let every one that nameth the name of Christ, depart from iniquity."- 2 Timothy 2:19.

But some are fallen asleep. 1 Corinthians 15:6.

It is the united testimony of faithful witnesses, that Jesus is risen indeed. But what is this truth of a risen Saviour, to a dead sinner? He hears it, but without any affections of heart, joy of soul, desires to rise with Christ, or hopes of enjoying him. But when, by the grace of Christ, the soul is quickened to know him, then the believer rejoices in his resurrection, as the best news that ever saluted his ears, or reached his heart. Then, he delights to read the testimony of the witnesses, to this glorious event. Yea, he also becomes a witness of it himself, for he has an inward testimony of it by faith. My heart has felt joy on seeing Charity-children at Easter, with this label upon their breast, He is risen. It is this blessed truth, which changes the king of terrors, into an angel of comfort: turns that frightful monster, death, into the image of sweet sleep. For Christ died for OUR sin, and rose again for OUR justification. So sure as by faith, we now live in Jesus; so at death, we shall fall asleep in Jesus, and awake in his presence, in his perfect likeness, to behold his eternal glory. O what a sweet, what a refreshing sleep is this to souls, wearied and fatigued with the burden of sin, the temptations of Satan, the exercises of the flesh, the trials of the world, the cruelty of enemies, etc. But, melancholy truth! the apostle’s words are verified of some of Christ’s witnesses, in another sense. “Some are fallen asleep” spiritually. They are fallen from living actings of faith, lively exercises of grace, lively discharge of duty, living, loving, and walking with heaven in their eye, and Christ in their hearts, into dull, heavy, sleepy frames of souls.

O this is very dishonorable to Christ, uncomfortable to themselves, and great concern to lively, warm-hearted disciples! This is brought on some by sitting under a sleepy ministry. This scripture adage is fulfilled, “Like priest, like people.” Worldly company, carnal pleasures and profits are sleepy opiates to the soul. O let us be concerned, that we sleep not as do others. Let us attend lively, warm-hearted, soul-searching ministers. Keep company with such sorts of Christians. Avoid light, trifling, drowsy, speculative professors. Let us cry to our Beloved. He has said, “I will cause the lips of those who are asleep to speak.” (Song of Solomon 7:9.) They shall speak, (1st.) to God in earnest prayer, to be kept from sleeping frames. (2d.) To their brethren in Christ, to animate and quicken them to run the heavenly race, looking unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:2.

Is sleep becoming saints of God,

In the meridian day?

What! sleep when you should look abroad,

Arise, and watch and pray!

Thou risen Saviour, let us hear

Thy sweet, thy quick’ning voice:

Command us sleepy frames to fear,

And in thy love rejoice.