Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: November 16th

But rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.- Luke 10:20.

It is matter of great joy to faithful ministers of the gospel to see the work of their Lord prosper in their hands, Satan dethroned, and the kingdom of Jesus set up in the hearts of poor sinners. Our Lord by no means discourages rejoicing on this account; but his loving heart would not have it terminate and centre in this only; for their success may abate, a season may come when they may take up this lamentation, "Lord, who hath believed our report?", we see no more tokens of thy victorious grace. Therefore, lest their hands should hang down, and their hearts grow dejected and faint in their labours, he directs them to an inexhaustible fountain of consolation and joy: "Your names are written in heaven." Always rejoice in this. Remember you are always, "unto God a sweet savour of Christ, as well in them that perish as in them that are saved."- 2 Corinthians 2:15.

This is also a sweet lesson to every Christian. It is, doubtless, cause of great joy to find and feel the power of sin and Satan subdued, corrupt lusts mortified, disorderly passions restrained, unruly appetites brought into subjection, and the meekness and power of Christ to have the rule and government in one’s heart. For these spiritual blessings we are inexpressibly indebted to the Holy Spirit, through the faith of Jesus. Notwithstanding, "in this rejoice not" (only and chiefly) saith Jesus, He leads us from the streams to the fountain; from the effects to the cause. "Rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." In times of heaviness, through manifold temptations, frames may vary. In seasons of darkness, feelings and comforts may decline, "nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are his."- 2 Timothy 2:19. But can any one know that his name is written in the book of life? Doubtless: else there is no meaning in our Lord’s words.

How can one rejoice on this account, if he do not know it? Though we cannot read the book of life, yet we have the records of truth. These reveal it plainly, and assure us, "We are the children of God, by faith in Christ Jesus."- Galatians 3:26. If we have faith in Jesus, the faith of God’s elect, this is an evidence of our adoption, and we may, we ought to rejoice. So Paul, who had the mind of Christ, speaking of some whose names are written in the book of life, immediately adds, "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say rejoice."- Philippians 4:4. But may not our names be blotted out? No; that is impossible. We are assured, "whatsoever God doeth it shall be for ever; nothing can be put to it or taken from it."- Ecclesiastes 3:14.

Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone. Galatians 6:4.

“ A day is coming, when the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is,” (1 Corinthians 3:13.) O how much wood of pride, hay of self-love, and stubble of self-complacency, will then be burnt up; Yea, and it will be entirely owing to the rich grace, and finished salvation of Jesus (not for any work of ours), that our souls too, are not in that day cast into unquenchable fire. Why then does the apostle bid us prove our own work? That we may be joyful? Alas! says the convinced humble sinner, I have not a work that I dare look at, but instead of giving me joy, it occasions sorrow. “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Lord be gracious to me, an unprofitable servant. Is this the confession of thy heart? Prove it by the word of God. Thou wilt find it agreeable thereto. Rejoice in thyself for it. Give glory to him, who taught thee to know thyself, and put into thine heart the language of grace. Thou art saved from selfrighteousness and self-confidence. Rejoice in that. It is thine own work to believe, the power is the Lord’s. Prove thy work of faith. Does it fix on Jesus alone? Does it work by love to him, to his rejected truth, his despised people, and his scorned interest and glory? Rejoice in thyself, but give all glory to Christ, who is the author of thy faith. Are the commands of Christ, as well as his salvation, precious to thee? Dost thou love and pursue holiness, knowing, in this way only, thou canst enjoy fellowship with Christ? Dost thou hate sin and eschew it, as contrary to the glory of Christ, the faith of thy heart, the peace of thy conscience, and the life of thy soul? Rejoice in thyself. Thou art highly distinguished by the Spirit of truth and holiness. Thou art born of him, thou art a new creature in Christ. Thy grief and concern for thy sins and shortcomings, are evidences of the purity of thy heart. Though they lay thee low in humility, yet they should never prevent the abounding of joy in thyself. There is an essential difference between the humble joy of faith, in the heart of a poor sinner, and the self-righteous joy of a poor Pharisee. He rejoices, because he sees a difference between himself and others-that he is more righteous than others-has a better title from himself to God’s favour and kingdom, than others. Hence he despises, and glories over poor sinners. The other rejoices in himself, for what he is to him, has done for him, and has wrought in him, in consequence of love-union. Hence his works spring from faith-are done in faith-and in all he desires to eye his Lord’s glory; and while he has no confidence in the flesh, he rejoices in Christ Jesus. (; Philippians 3:3.)