Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: December 21st

That we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge, to lay hold on the hope set before us.- Hebrews 6:18.

Man is equally fallen from God with the devil. There is only this difference between them; sovereign grace provides hope for men, and not for devils. JESUS is the only hope for lost sinners. To him the heirs of promise flee. In him they find a refuge from every danger. Like the man-slayer under the law, who was in danger of death on every side, and no way of safety but in the city of refuge, which God appointed for him. Here his life was safe. The law of God was his protection. No one durst take vengeance on him. Such was God’s provision for him. Infinitely superior are the settlements of grace. The salvation of the soul, with eternal life and glory are for ever secured to us by God’s immutable counsel, his inviolable promises-Yea more, God has pledged himself; he hath confirmed all by his OATH. O, the cursed nature of unbelief! It makes the God of truth a liar: it would prove the God of faithfulness perjured. O, the devilish nature of pride! It would share in the glory of salvation; it disowns our damned state; and therefore denies the sovereignty of grace. Pride rises into wrath at distinguishing grace, that God should bestow his favor upon whom he pleaseth, which he owes to no one. For who hath deserved his grace? Glory to the rich grace of our God, a present refuge, a present hope are freely set before us; and strong consolation enjoyed by us NOW.

Are the eyes of our understanding enlightened to see Jesus, the hope of our calling? the insufficiency of every other hope? Have we fled from every refuge of lies to Jesus, and laid hold on him by faith as our only hope? This is by the grace of the holy Spirit. He is our comforter. He administers strong consolation to our souls from Jesus. The "immutability of God’s counsel; and the confirmation of his oath" center in JESUS. See thy distinguishing grace, O believer, and rejoice. Not only safe, but happy; not only secure, but joyful. This is grace upon grace. Not only glory in reversion, but grace in possession. You see your calling, brethren; and the riches of your inheritance with all saints. These are your strong holds, ye prisoners of hope. Though imprisoned in a body of sin and death; exposed to unbelieving doubts and fears; liable to sore trials and conflicts with your adversary, Satan; yet ever consider this; nothing but consolation, strong consolation awaits you in Christ Jesus. He is your constant refuge, your only hope: "Abide in me," saith the Lamb. He would have us be simple of heart; so shall we be joyful in spirit. For verily, if we look to any other object but Jesus, we shall smart for it. We can draw comfort from no other. In Jesus we can triumph with joy; and challenge with confidence "who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect."- Romans 8:33.

Keep thy heart with all diligence. Proverbs 4:23.

Camden reports, that “Redwald, king of the east Saxons, the first prince of this nation who was baptized; yet, in the same church, allowed an altar for Christ, and another for the heathen idols.” How many professors imitate him! Their hearts are not whole with Christ. They are sons of folly. This a charge of wisdom to all her children. Consider, there is but one object can make your heart happy. There are a thousand that promise happiness, but only give misery. Keep thy heart in [the sense of] the love of God. (Judges 1:21.) Give all diligence to this blessed end. Unless you do, vanity may prevail in the mind, error in the understanding, perverseness in the will, the affections may be inordinately set upon other objects, than thy Lord; and so thy conscience will contract fresh guilt. Then thou mayest be left to bemoan a hard heart, and an absent God: darkness may surround thee; fears and terrors haunt thee; the ghost of long departed sins may arise and distress thee; the prospect of death and eternity appear horrible to thee: the day of judgment most dreadful, while Satan will triumph over thee, with “There, there! so would I have it.” Then may thy heart upbraid thee, with, All this is come upon thee, because thou wast not diligent, to watch its motions, to keep out the enemy, and to keep up sweet, communion and holy fellowship with thy best Friend, thy loving Saviour. O! say not with some, (who have more of the notion of Christianity in the head, than the experience of it in the heart) Why all this legal stuff about keeping the heart? Hath not the Lord said, “I will keep it night and day, lest any hurt it?” (Isaiah 27:3.) Yes, blessed be his name, he has. Would you therefore abuse his love? Behold, I show you a mystery. But it is the mystery of iniquity, which works in such, causing them to oppose the declaration and promises of the Lord, to his commands and exhortations. The former are taken up as a plea, for such corrupt notions. Because you depend on the Lord’s providence for preservation, would you be careless of the doors of your house, and not use diligence and care to keep out thieves? Lord, stir up my soul to give all diligence. Though, not for our diligence, we shall be saved; yet, in a way of diligence, we shall escape many snares and evils, and enjoy safety and comfort. “The soul of the diligent shall be made fat.” (Proverbs 13:4.) Such shall feed upon heavenly truth, grace, and love. Their souls shall prosper, and be in good health; whilst careless triflers with God and their own souls, shall go to rest with dejection, rise with distress, and live in awful suspense.

No peace of soul, no joy of heart,

Unless we watchful are

To walk in truth, from sin depart,

And shun each treach’rous snare.

Then, O my soul, would’st thou enjoy

The smile of thy dear Christ?

Whatever would thy peace destroy,

Be careful to resist.