Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 15th

Jesus said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.- Luke 22:46.

The dull, sleepy frames of disciples, though natural to them, are by no means commendable in them, nor are they to find excuses for them, as though this was a sleepy state of the churches, and so we were to lie down and take our rest. This is injurious to the honor of our dear master, brings discredit upon his cause and interest, is very uncomfortable, and exposes sleeping souls to many and great dangers: though love may excuse it, yet will Jesus sharply reprove for it. Why sleep ye? wherefore do you indulge yourselves with sloth when you are called to activity? sleep is unreasonable when danger is near. Ye know, my beloved disciples, your adversary Satan is ever wakeful, watchful, busy in plotting and seeking to rob you of your shield of faith. Is this a time to be sluggish? to fold your hands and cry, a little more carnal ease and worldly pleasures, a little more spiritual slumber? Most inexcusable to be taking sleepy opiates of pleasure to indulge the flesh, and intoxicating draughts from the world to drown the Spirit. What meanest thou, O sleeper? "arise and call upon thy God." Say not "I am in an unsuitable frame, dull, and heavy." Thou readest of no such reply from these drowsy disciples to their master. Wilt thou stay till thou art rich before thou wilt be industrious? He who calls to duty is both able and willing to give strength in duty, and power to perform it. Take with you words and say, Jesus will give the Spirit to pray. Ever remember, prayers move God, not as an orator moves his hearers, but as the cry of a beloved child moves an affectionate father; when we are out of the reach of danger, prayer will be needless. But when will that be? not in this life; not till every enemy is destroyed; that will not be till death is swallowed up in life.

Now there is danger from temptation. Temptation cannot hurt us, but entering into the temptation will. Jesus was in all things tempted like as we are, yet without sin; his temptations were all without him; they could not enter in to defile him; but they may us: when the love of the world enters and prevails, the sense of the love of God is lost: when the lusts of the flesh get power, the consolations of the Spirit are not enjoyed; when ease and happiness are expected from any other object but Jesus, the precious Saviour is slighted and disesteemed: then our views of his love are eclipsed, and our souls miserably darkened. "The end of all things is at hand, be ye therefore sober and watch unto prayer."- 1 Peter 4:7.

How precious is our Saviour’s love!

How tender his complaint!

He hates the sloth we’re subject to,

But yet he loves the saint.

Let us, therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded. Philippians 3:15.

St. Paul says, his preaching Christ, warning and teaching every man of his ruined state, in all wisdom, was to this great and glorious end-To present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. (Colossians 1:28.) How often have our minds been distressed and dejected, (I speak for one) from seeing our imperfection in all we are, and in all we do? Instead of this, we are called, again and again, to rejoice in the Lord alway,” (Philippians 4:4.) This we shall do, if our consciences be made perfect, by the blessed work of Christ, received by faith, as was observed in the last meditation. O rest not short, of perfect satisfaction in this matter. The work of Christ has perfectly satisfied God’s justice and truth, and rendered honourable his holy law: why should it not then perfectly satisfy your conscience, and make it perfect? Now, we are exhorted to be like minded. In what respect? You will see in the foregoing verses. (1st.) Rejoice in the Lord. This is the happy privilege of every believer; yet, how sadly neglected! It is a command by which the Lord is as much honoured, as by obeying any one of the ten commandments. Consider this: be concerned to practise it. (2d.) Beware of those who have confidence in the flesh. St. Paul calls them dogs, and evil workers; as though they were ever barking and caviling against the perfection which is in Christ Jesus, and opposing somewhat of their own to it. (3d.) Worship God in the spirit; in the life and spirit of the gospel of grace and peace. (4th.) Count all things loss for Christ, by which you gain all things. Renounce your own righteousness, for the righteousness of Christ received by faith. Desire to be found in Christ living, dying, and at the judgment. (5th.) Win Christ, and wear him by faith, from day to day, that you may be made conformable to his death, in dying to sin, self, and the world. (6th.) Follow after Christ: knowing that all your perfection is in him, that you may apprehend him, catch faster hold of him, cleave more stedfastly to him, abide more comfortably in him; that you may enjoy more sweet fellowship with him, for which Christ apprehended you, when you was posting to hell. O never forget his love in this! Take faster hold of him. (7th.) “Press towards the mark, for the prize of your high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Your calling is clear. The prize is before you-a crown of righteousness. The Lord, the righteous Judge, holds it out for you, and will surely give it you. Looking to him by faith-“Forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before”-Christ and glory.

Tho’ perfect now, we still press on,

Perfection’s prize to gain:

We live by faith on God’s dear Son,

Till all our foes are slain.