Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 12th

For Christ is entered into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us.- Hebrews 9:24.

How highly was Zacharias honored! He heard the gospel of salvation from the mouth of an angel; who said, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God, and am sent unto thee, to shew thee these glad tidings." But we see the awful effects of unbelief. Though thus beloved, and honored of God, yet he was struck dumb for a season- Luke 1:20. Though God most dearly loves his people in Christ, yet, he sees their sins, and with fatherly affection chastises for them. Do we not see somewhat of our own case here? For, as faith inspires the heart and tongue with boldness, so unbelief strikes us dumb. We cannot speak a word, nor offer a plea for our poor souls, if faith lose sight of Jesus. But he never forgets us. Our souls are never neglected by him. The Lamb is in the midst of the throne FOR us. In our nature, in the same human body, which was hanged on the tree, with five pierced wounds in his hands, his feet, and precious side, he appears in the presence of God. There, like some victorious conqueror, who has gloriously delivered his country from the cruelty and rage of a merciless enemy, he glories in the scars he received in the field of battle.

When Jesus wept over dead Lazarus; see how he loved him, said the Jews. But when poor sinners think of our dear Lord’s wounds, crucifixion, agonies and death, O what infinitely greater reason have we to say, See how he loved us! see how he still loves us. Notwithstanding all our base, unloving behaviour to him, still, O soul-affecting truth! still, he appears before God, FOR US; he presents his once mangled body; he pleads his once bleeding wounds in our behalf, as the atoning sacrifice for our sins, for our salvation. Thus glorified Jesus, now appears in the presence of God, for us; as our dear Mediator, loving Lord, and precious Saviour, our affectionate advocate, and powerful intercessor. But saith the adversary, "This is a cunningly devised fable." What profit is this to me? saith carnal reason, backed with unbelief. But, the Spirit of truth bears witness to this; first, in type and figure under the law; and, now in reality and substance in the gospel. To this very end, that at any time, when sin burdens the conscience; sorrow bows down the heart, doubts arise in the mind, and fears oppress the spirit, the poor sinner may, with confidence, thus consider Jesus: look unto him; and call upon him: and find this to be the food of his faith, and the support of his soul: "for if God (Jesus) be FOR US, who can be against us?"- Romans 8:31.

Lift up your eyes to th’ heav’nly seat,

Where our Redeemer stays;

Kind intercessor, there he sits,

And loves, and pleads, and prays.

Petitions now, and praise may rise,

And saints their off’rings bring;

The priest with his own sacrifice

Presents them to the King.

Wherefore look ye so sadly to-day? Genesis 40:7.

A sympathizing spirit at all times becomes Christians. They are called “to rejoice with them who do rejoice, and to weep with them who weep.” (Romans 12:15.) Joseph could not observe the sad looks of his fellow prisoners, without inquiring the cause. They said, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter for it.” Mind the use Joseph made of the distress. He refers them to the Lord. “Do not interpretations belong unto God?” O may the Lord help us to make some improvement of this. Consider, (1st.) Christians are all fellow prisoners in a body of sin and death. (2d.) We are all subject, at one time or another, to have cause for sad looks. (3d.) We should imitate Joseph. Be of a sympathizing spirit. Feel for one another’s distress. Inquire the cause of our brethren’s sad looks. (4th.) As he did, so we should refer to the Lord. Aim, as enabled by the Lord, to speak a word in season, that if the Lord please, we may be interpreters to them, of God’s mind concerning them; may be a means of unriddling the dark and perplexing schemes of Providence, of unfolding the mysteries of godliness to them. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2.) Consider you are under the law of Christ. This is a law of love. O what a blessing doth the Lord make one Christian to another. How often are we enabled to solve each other’s difficulties, and made a mean of setting each other’s souls at liberty? But, (5th.) Consider Joseph as a type of our dear Saviour. We cannot look sadly, but his eye of compassion is upon us, his heart of love is towards us. “For we have not an high-priest who cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are.” (Hebrews 4:15.) To one disciple in distress he saith, “Wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:31.) To others, “Why are ye troubled? Why do thoughts arise in your hearts?” (Luke 24:38.) To another, a sorrowful woman, “Why weepest thou?” (John 20:15.) Think of his loving heart and tender speeches to sinners. Carry your cases of conscience to him, and spread the causes of your sadness before him. He is a blessed messenger of peace; precious interpreter of the ways of God to our souls. (Job 33:23.) He will shew us the path of life. “In his presence is fulness of joy, at his right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11.

My heart is pain’d, my face is sad,

Thy absence, Lord, I mourn:

Thy presence doth my soul make glad:

Return, my Lord, return.

My sins and follies I confess,

The cause of all my woe:

I plead thy blood and righteousness;

Thro’ them let comfort flow.