the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
Though he fall he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.- Psalms 37:24.
The absolute declarations and promises of scripture are ever to be considered as having relation to, and dependence upon the covenant of grace. Hence, whatever is asserted concerning the salvation of lost sinners, is an exhibition or display of the grace of the covenant by Jesus Christ. When men see not the nature of the covenant, ordered in all things and sure, they make the promises of the gospel as it were a mere rope of sand. Not seeing salvation, established upon the sure foundation of God’s immutable love and faithfulness, they make it depend on human wisdom, power, and goodness. Poor comfort for sensible souls. Though pride for a time may keep up the vain hopes of the self-righteous and self-deluded-How long? Till they are tried by fire.
The just man’s standing is of God’s power. His falls are from his own frailty. That he is raised from his falls, is from the sovereign love and covenant faithfulness of his God. But, is not God able to keep us from falling? Doubtless his power is almighty. He can take away all sin and corruption out of us: and not suffer temptation from Satan, the world and the flesh, ever to attack us. Yea, he can instantly change us into angelic purity. But this is not his will. The Lord sees it most for his glory that we should be just what we are-believe his truths-live upon his promises-rely on his power from day to day, or it should be otherwise. All things are in being for the elect’s sake. All things "work together for their good,"- Romans 8:28. Satan may tempt souls as he did Christ, to cast themselves down to prove the power of God. Carnal hearts may say, "let us do evil, that good may come." Each shew what spirit they are of. Saints express the inward disposition of their souls by other language. Gracious works proceed from gracious hearts which are influenced by divine truth and everlasting love. Saints’ falls are suffered, to humble them for sin, wean them from their pride, self-righteousness, and selfsufficiency; to deaden them to the love of the world, and to endear Jesus more and more to them; to teach them the usefulness of ordinances; to exercise their graces; to purge out their dross; to enable them to succour others with the assurance of comfort and protection, which they themselves have found from our Saviour. So he displays the wisdom, power and faithfulness of a covenant-God. Thus he makes souls meet for glory, and causes them to long more for the heavenly inheritance. Saints may fall, and do fall into many things that hurt and bruise them. This is their shame; it causeth sorrow and grief; and excites watchfulness. But fall into hell they cannot, they shall not, because they are upheld by the arm of omnipotence; and Jesus declares, "I give them eternal life."- John 10:28.
He who eateth me, even he shall live by me. John 6:57.
Why is the meek Saviour so very wroth against self-righteous people, while he is nothing but love and tenderness to poor sensible sinners? Why does he stamp the highest indignity and contempt on the character of the former, while he receives the publicans and harlots with open arms? Is it not hard, because a man esteems his own righteousness, and values his own perfection, that the Saviour should reject him? Are we not to do good, to be very good, yea, to strive to be as righteous as an angel? Yes, we are to have a better righteousness than angels ever had. But if we think that righteousness is to be obtained by us, to cover our wicked nature, to recommend us to God, and to justify us either first or last, in whole or in part, we deceive ourselves-the truth is not in us-there is the pride of the devil at the bottom of all this. “Woe unto us, we are full, but we shall hunger.” (Luke 6:25.) If full of a proud conceit, and high opinion of our own righteousness, our souls will famish and starve. “The full soul loatheth the honeycomb.” (Proverbs 27:7.) It has no appetite to feed upon Christ, and to live by him, as its only food and clothing. “Blessed are they who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (Matthew 5:6.) That soul is truly convinced of sin, by the Spirit, who sees he has no righteousness of his own, is sensible, that he must perish everlastingly, without a perfect, spotless righteousness; knows this is only in Christ, and therefore hungers and thirsts after his righteousness. This is the soul who eats Christ- feeds upon him, and shall live by him. A hungry soul is a self- emptied soul. Is yours such? Does it go out after Christ, as a hungry appetite does after food? Will nothing satisfy you, but the flesh and blood, the righteousness and atonement of the Son of God? Bless the Lord, you have David’s experience, “I will go in the strength of the Lord God.” He fed on Christ, and received his strength from him. “I will make mention of his righteousness, even of his ONLY. My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee, and my soul which thou hast redeemed.” (Psalms 71:23.) Holy Paul’s language is yours: “I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord. I esteem all things but dung, that I may win Christ. The whole and sole desire of your soul is, to be found in him,” (Philippians 3:9.) You have the sure word of Christ. You shall live by ME. Live by his grace in time: live with him in glory to all eternity.
‘Tis sweet to live and daily feed
On Jesus’ flesh and blood:
His flesh and blood are drink indeed,
To all who’re by him lov’d.
Lord, may I love thee more and more,
For every word thou saith:
Increase my hunger ev’ry hour,
To feed on thee by faith.
