the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen, are temporal; but the things which are not seen, are eternal.- 2 Corinthians 4:18.
The faith of the gospel stamps vanity upon the righteousness, glory, and happiness of every object short of Jesus. When the soul beholds the King in his glory, it pours contempt upon all things beside; all the transient objects of time and sense die in esteem while the crucified Saviour is in view; this is our greatest gain, our chiefest glory. Far, infinitely beyond all the reasonings of vain philosophy, is the Christian’s sight by faith, to reconcile his mind to afflictions, endure with patience under, and give victory over them. Thus Moses "endured, seeing him who is invisible."- Hebrews 11:27. Though the eye of nature hath not seen, nor the uncircumcised ear hath heard, nor can the carnal heart conceive the spiritual things of God’s covenant, Jesus’s incarnation, and the Spirits revelation; yet the enlightened, heaven-born soul, sees these things in open vision by the eye of faith; to look at them is his chief delight and joy, to obtain clearer views of them his daily study, to converse and be more familiar with them is his chief happiness, his heaven begun on earth; a strange mystery to his natural self and to the carnal world, is the believing soul; to love and converse with an unseen Saviour, to look to invisible objects, to derive all happiness from things that are not seen; no marvel that there should be so great fight of opposition from fallen nature and carnal reason against such a life.
Soul, ever remember with humility and thankfulness, our dear Saviour saith, "unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God."- Mark 4:11. "These things are hid from the wise and prudent." O disciple, whilst thou dost adore the Father’s love, dost rejoice in the Son’s grace, remember thou art wholly indebted for all this rich discovery to the divine Spirit; give him eternal glory; grieve not the Spirit, who is the glorifier of Jesus, by turning thine eyes to any other object for righteousness, peace, and happiness. Is Christ thine all? Are the unseen things of his kingdom thy portion? Be a chaste virgin to thy Lord. "Where thy treasure is, there let thy heart be also." Happy for thee to find with Paul, "I die daily." I am dying to the world while living in it; I find and feel many pains and disorders in my frail body as sure forebodings of hastening dissolution; I know perfectly that the day of the Lord is coming, that each breath I draw brings nearer this solemn advent. What then should I look to? Upon what should my affections be placed? Blessed be God for revealing these eternal things as our portion. "Be careful for nothing," etc.- Philippians 4:6.
The LORD is able to give thee much more than this. 2 Chronicles 25:9.
Thus spake the prophet to Amaziah, king of Judah. “He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart,” (ver. 2.) His works were externally right, but he was destitute of uprightness of heart towards the Lord. Our Saviour forbids, “Judge not according to the appearance.” (John 7:24.) Be not hasty in judging of any one. Nay, not of thy own state neither, merely from a few external actions. Look well to thy heart. See that there is upright honesty and integrity at the bottom of thy conduct. If otherwise, it will soon be made manifest. So it was with Amaziah. This chapter records three abominable evils which he fell into. Confidence in an arm of flesh-Idolatry-Pride, which proved his destruction. As to the first, he hired one hundred thousand mighty men of valour, to strengthen his army against his enemies, for one hundred talents of silver, i.e. thirty-five thousand, three hundred pounds sterling. A prophet of the Lord is sent, to forbid his going to war with these hired forces. He takes the warning, but is concerned at losing so large a sum of money. The prophet adds, “The Lord is able to give thee much more.” Had he consulted the Lord upon his expedition, he had saved his money. But he asked not counsel from him. O Christian, lean not to thine own understanding. Seek to thy Lord. Consult his will in his word. Beg for his direction in every enterprise. Otherwise, though the Lord may kindly send a messenger to thee, yet thou wilt suffer loss and gain vexation. If thou hast taken a wrong step, do not obstinately pursue it. Better suffer the loss of any thing, than thy Lord’s favour. Amaziah was wrought upon by the prophet’s word. He sent back the hired forces, and gave up the loss of his money. O sweet word, the Lord is able to give thee more than this. He can, and he will repay every loss thou sustainest in doing and suffering his will. Does thy enemy fret and tease thee from day to day? Are thy violent passions ready to break out against him, and to revenge thyself upon him? O give up all. Give way to no unholy tempers. Be content to suffer for thy Lord’s sake. Is not thy Lord able to make it up to thee? Remember he says, “Whatever ye give up for my sake and the gospel’s sake, ye shall receive an hundred fold now, and in the world to come eternal life,” (Matthew 19:29.)
My soul, count Christ thy greatest gain,
Who gave up all for thee:
His love and grace do ever reign,
From sin to set thee free.
Not one good thing will he withhold,
To make thee truly blest:
Against thy foes he makes thee bold:
O give up all for Christ.
