Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: August 10th

The wisdom that is from above, is first pure, then peaceable, etc.- James 3:17.

True knowledge centers in this one point, namely, that Jesus is our wisdom; even as the sun is the only source of all light. From hence light is communicated to the earth freely. As that hath no power to influence the sun to shed forth its comforting beams of light, so neither are we able or willing, while in a state of sin and folly, to exert any power to procure wisdom. But unasked, unsought, unmerited; Jesus, who is emphatically styled WISDOM, came down from above, that wisdom might once more be found in our nature. In him most conspicuously shone forth every perfection of purity, peace, gentleness, etc.

This is our gospel to believe, that thus Jesus hath "abounded towards us in all wisdom."- Ephesians 1:8. So also it is the rich experience of his members, that "out of his fulness we all receive." Hence we are made wise unto salvation, for we know, love, and approve of Jesus, as "made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." This is our chief glory, to glory in HIM, who is our greatest glory: this our highest wisdom, to glory in him who is our wisdom.

Nature with all its powers is averse to this; but wisdom seeks and apprehends us; causeth us to hear her voice, to be in love with her beauty; or we should never have had so much as one desire after her. The cry after wisdom, is wisdom in the heart. A desire after Jesus, is from Jesus being known to the soul. Thus Christ prevents us; he first cometh from above to us, then we soar from beneath towards him.

This is the purity of true wisdom: it hath no mixture with any thing from beneath. All the human systems and carnal schemes which the "wise of this world" call religion, as well as the impurity of the flesh, it turns from. It brings purity of affection to Jesus only, like a chaste virgin who has but one object of love: it brings peace to the soul through the same object. Thus where Christ dwelleth in the heart by faith, that soul dwells in wisdom, and is united to purity and peace, etc. When the soul hath but once tasted this wisdom that cometh from above, there is an insatiable thirst after more; that so from this uncorrupted fountain the pleasing streams of purity, peace, gentleness, mercy, and good fruits, may incessantly flow. "Thus wisdom is justified of all her children."- Matthew 11:19.

Nature with open volume stands

To spread her Maker’s praise abroad;

And ev’ry labour of his hands,

Shews something worthy of a God.

But in the grace that rescu’d man

His brightest form of glory shines;

Here, on the cross ’tis fairest drawn

In precious blood and crimson lines.

The sweet wonders of that cross,

Where God the Saviour lov’d and dy’d!

Her noblest life my Spirit draws

From his dear wounded bleeding side.

The heirs of promise. Hebrews 6:17.

Consider, (1st.) An heir of promise, is one who has no just right, or legal title, to an inheritance; but as it is ensured to him, by the promise of the owner: just so the Lord makes sinners, who have no right, or title, to this heavenly inheritance, a free promise that they shall be heirs to it. (2d.) When was this promise made? “Before the world began, God who cannot lie, promised eternal life.” (Titus 1:2.) (3d.) To whom could the promise be made, seeing man was not then created? It was not made to man, but for man: not for any thing in man: nor does the promise receive any stability, by any thing done by men. It was made in the eternal council and covenant, by God the Father, to his co-equal Son; for and in behalf of all the heirs of God. (4th.) Who are the heirs of promise? God knows every one of them. We know their name: it is sinner. In the fulness of time, he makes them manifest, and they have blessed evidence and assurance of their being heirs. For, as the Father gave them to Christ, the Spirit draws them, and they come unto Christ. This is the blessed evidence of heirship. They are refugees. They flee for refuge from the curse of the law, the desert of sin, every hope, and all help in themselves, to lay hold of Jesus, their trustee, to whom the promise was made, in whom it centers, and through whom it shall certainly be fulfilled. But neither their fleeing, nor their faith, makes them heirs; but being heirs in Christ, they are enabled to flee to him, believe in him, and enjoy the comfort of it. (5th.) See then, ye believing heirs how safe your state, how secure your inheritance, “It is reserved for you.” (1 Peter 1:4.) God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise, the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath. (Hebrews 6:17.) O the love of God! O the horrid blasphemy of men! They who say, an heir of promise may be damned, charge the great God with perjury! For, (5th.) The inheritance is not by works. Not for any thing we have done, or can do: not for any grace given us. But being heirs by promise, grace is given us, that we should live and walk, like sons of God, and joint heirs with Christ. As you did nothing to make yourself an heir of promise, and to get a title to eternal life, so you can do nothing to forfeit it. It is impossible for God to lie. He cannot be forsworn. His promise cannot fail. Yet, if you do not live like an heir of God, your faith will grow weak, your comfort low; you will lose sight of your title, and your Father will visit your offence with a rod. Psalms 89:32.

I have no right to be an heir,

Of God’s most rich inheritance;

His promise gives to all a share,

Who place in Christ their confidence.

Then Lord I humbly come to thee,

A sinner vile, wretched and poor;

O grant me clearly now to see,

I’ve entered in by Christ the door.