Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: January 23rd

O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.- Psalms 42:6.

In times of dejection and distress, the thoughts of a dear friend, who has comforted us in times past, tend to alleviate the mind. If we are assured of his love to us, we question not his readiness to assist us. So under the affecting loss of a dear brother, Martha addresses the Saviour, "Lord, if thou hadst been there, my brother had not died."- John 11:21.

Inexpressible blessedness, to live in a holy familiarity with the God of love! How simple are David’s words! how freely doth he pour out his complaints, and tell God of his sorrows! though his soul was bowed down within him, heaviness of mind beset him, the sweet sunshine of joy was overcast by the dark cloud of sorrow, yet faith’s piercing eye looks through all. Regardless of his own frames and feelings, he has direct recourse to God.

O my God, how sweet, how animating are appropriating views to the soul! Though cast down, though dejected in self, and all within heightens the gloom, yet all above is hopeful and encouraging. Though no confidence about us, yet Jesus is before the throne for us. I will not, I cannot, I dare not forget this. Rejoice not over me, O mine enemy; I will still remember my God; my thoughts shall be yet towards him; my hope is in him; my expectations from him. Though it is now dark, I will remember past times of light and love. Though now bowed down, yet my God has been the lifter-up of my head. The light of his reconciled face in Jesus hath shined upon me.

Clouds may intercept my joyful views of this, but not prevent his sight of me, nor turn away his love from me. My case is before him. My soul lies open to his view. The times of refreshing shall come from his presence. He rests in his love. Such are the reasonings of faith. Departed saints’ experience should encourage living saints’ confidence. Cast down, mourning souls, when they enjoy not God’s comforts, should meditate on his loving purposes, rich promises, and free grace in Christ Jesus; holding fast by the word of his truth, "God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."- 1 Corinthians 1:9.

Amidst temptations sharp and long

My soul to this dear refuge flies:

Hope is my anchor firm and strong,

While tempests, blow and billows rise.

The gospel bears my spirit up;

A faithful and unchanging God

Lays the foundation for my hope

In oaths, and promises, and blood.

Thou shalt swear, the LORD liveth. Jeremiah 4:2.

A rebel under an attainder, a malefactor under sentence of death, cannot be sworn to give evidence in any court. Such is thy case, O sinner! Thou art naturally under an attainder, as a rebel against the King of kings; and art under sentence of death, by the law of God. But if an earthly monarch, by a royal act of sovereign mercy, forgives a rebel, and pardons a malefactor, they are then good evidences in court. So it is with thee, O believer! thy attainder is taken off, thy pardon is passed under the broad seal of heaven, by a sovereign act of thy gracious Lord: but never forget the love of Jesus, who obtained this for thee. Well, now thy Lord challenges thee: “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord.” (Isaiah 43:10.) He subpoenas us into court. He commands us, ye shall swear. The Lord, in our days of ignorance, got great dishonor from us, by our taking his holy and sacred name in vain. If not by profane oaths and horrid imprecations, (which, alas! few have been free from) yet in many other ways. Now, we are pardoned by him, and returned to him, he will get honour and glory from us. Swearing an oath is, (1st,) for the confirmation of the truth: (2d,) to put an end to all strife. (Hebrews 6:16.) Christian, attend to the form of thy oath: thou shalt swear, the Lord liveth. Can you swear this in truth, from your own knowledge. Hearsay evidence cannot be admitted in any court. O! but if thy heart be quickened, and turned to the Lord; if thou believest in the Son of God-verily, thou canst give sure evidence that the Lord liveth! The Lord Jesus liveth in thee by faith. Thou hast fellowship with him who saith, “I am he who liveth and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of death and of hell.” (Revelation 1:18.) Solemnly attest, and steadily persist in this truth, in the presence of angels and men. Confirm it by thy solemn oath, before the Judge of all; so shall it put an end to all strife in thy own conscience. As surety as the Lord hath quickened thy spirit, he liveth to save thy soul to the uttermost. Honor thy Lord, by thy sacred testimony to his life, and life-giving influence. Record thy solemn oath to thy Lord, in the court of conscience. Produce it against the false accusations, and lying evidence of Satan. Fulfill thy Lord’s word: “Unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.-In the Lord have I righteousness and strength.” (Isaiah 45:24.)

Lamb of God, in thee we trust,

On thy fixt love depend:

Thou art faithful, true, and just,

And lovest to the end.

Heav’n and earth shall pass away,

But thy word shall firm abide:

That’s thy children’s steadfast stay,

When all things fail beside.