Daily Devotionals

Mornings and Evenings with Jesus

Devotional: November 26th

They shall show forth my praise. - Isaiah 43:21.

THERE are two ways in which “this people” “show forth” God’s praise. The first is subjectively. Thus, we read, “All his works praise him.” How? By evincing his agency; by wearing impressions of his attributes, of his power, and his wisdom, and his goodness, employed in their production. And if we enter into the world of grace, we see how Christians passively show forth his praise,-how they display his praise as to his grace, in his kindness towards them that believe in Christ Jesus.

Some of them, therefore, were allowed to go such lengths as to render it impossible that they should ever return. Saul of Tarsus seemed beyond the possibility of being reclaimed: even those who were acquainted with their own hearts were afraid of him; and when he essayed to join them, they drew back as sheep from a wolf. Yet we hear him say, “I was a blasphemer and a persecutor, and injurious, yet I obtained mercy.” As if he had said, “Now let any despair if they can.” While this discovers the freeness of his grace, it equally shows its power. To take a sinner and turn the whole tide of his soul another way requires the mighty power of God. The worse the materials, the more is displayed the ability of the workman. Now, if we only think of his taking from the ruins of the fall such a people as this, and making them an “eternal excellency, the joy of many generations,” we shall at once see who deserves all this praise. Themselves? No; but the God of all grace.

Then they not only show forth his praise passively, but, secondly, actively. Not only by what they are, but by what they do. Men may subserve a purpose, without intending it, without ever meaning it,-by an overruling providence. Thus, we are told that the “wrath of men shall praise him.” But God’s people are his willing subjects: they hold themselves at his disposal, and ask, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” They consider all they have as belonging to him,-all their senses, faculties, and substance; and then, instead of improperly expending it, they adore the Giver, and dedicate it to him. They “honour the Lord with their substance”, and with the first-fruits of all their increase.” This is the result:-“They shall show forth my praise.”

Men may have nothing more than the desire of accomplishing some particular object; and how often are their purposes broken off and their plans frustrated! but it is otherwise with God. He says, “I will work, and who shall let it?” God speaks like himself. He is almighty, as well as infinitely wise. As in the first creation of the world he spake and it was done, so in the new he calls things that are not, and they appear. While others dishonour him, “this people,” says he, “shall show forth my praise.” They shall have the inclination, and they shall have the power, the opportunity, and the means of praising me. When? Principally hereafter, when their power shall be equal to their work, and their wishes too; when they shall praise him by still serving him, not simply by singing, as it is sometimes imagined, for it is written, “They shall serve him day and night in his temple.” But here, also, even now, he gets himself glorified!

Here we have an advantage which the glorified above have not; that is, we have the power of doing good and of exercising charity, of clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and healing the sick, of extending and advancing the kingdom of God. “The living, the living, they shall praise thee.”

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. - 1 John 3:13.

THE Christian can do very well without the world’s approval. The world has its influence, and there are many who are much influenced by it, but with regard to the world’s dislike of Christians, we observe, First, That for their sakes it is letter it should he so. For if we are redeemed out of the world, if we are Spiritual, we need not lament their distance from us. The more remote they are, the more safe shall we be from their influence. It is not easy to mingle with the heathen, and not learn their worship. Even Joseph, when in Egypt, learned to “swear by the life of Pharaoh.”

Secondly, There is nothing peculiar in this. Moses endured scorn and reproach rather than run into sin. David was ridiculed for reposing his all in God. Isaiah was sawn in sunder for his fidelity. The Apostles were considered the scum and the off-scouring of the earth, and not one of them died a natural death but John, and he in his old age was banished and worked as a slave in the Isle of Patmos; and when Paul was apprehended, on his way to Damascus, the Saviour said to Ananias, “I will show him how many things he is to suffer for my name’s sake.”

Shall we refuse to drink of the cup that they drank of, and be baptized with the baptism which they were baptized with? What are our trials compared with those that have been endured by the many that have gone before?

Thirdly, It hated the Master. “He was despised and rejected of men.” When will his poor followers remember that his name was cast out as evil, and that “the servant is not above his Master, nor the disciple above his Lord?” “Ye know,” says the Saviour, “it hated me before it hated you.” And is not this enough? Can we refuse to suffer in such company?

Fourthly, If the world knoweth us not, and hateth us, it will hereafter know us. “Wisdom will be justified of her children.” The day of the “manifestation of the sons of God” is coming. Then every cloud will be dispersed, and “the righteous shall shine forth as stars in the firmament of heaven.” “Then shall they return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God, and him that serveth him not.” “I will bring them to thy feet,” says God, “and they shall know that I have loved thee.” But is not this anticipated by the world now?

In their dying hours they begin to see things as they are. “I have always observed,” remarks Mrs. Savage, the daughter of Philip Henry, “that the people of the world never speak well of it at parting.” How often might we hear them say, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.”

Fifthly, If the world in its ignorance of Christians hateth us, God does not; and it is he on whose frowns or smiles depends our misery or our happiness. It is “a light thing to be judged of man’s judgment; he that judgeth us is the Lord. In his favour is life, and his loving-kindness is better than life.” This puts “joy into our hearts, more than when their corn and their oil and wine increases.” Let them curse, but bless thou.