Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: January 28th

Ye have need of patience; that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.- Hebrews 10:36.

Are the Christian’s exercises great, and his patience small? Yet can he ever be at a loss to know by whom this grace is increased? Verily the Lord he serveth is "the God of patience."- Romans 15:5. Hath he need of patience? Hear the Comforter’s declaration, by St. Paul: "My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory." Mind, disciple, this is covenant mercy; therefore, with every other grace it comes through a Mediator: hence it is added, "by Jesus Christ."- Philippians 4:19. "We do the will of God when we believe on the name of his Son Jesus, and love one another."- 1 John 3:23. "And all the promises are in Christ Jesus, yea and amen," sure and certain to every believing soul. "By faith we have the earnest of eternal life." "Having received the first fruits, the harvest shall follow in due season." But there are many conflicts to be engaged in, a great sight of afflictions to be endured on earth, before we shall be crowned in glory; therefore, patience is necessary. Patience must have its perfect work. By faith we stand-by patience we endure. Believing, we look forward in hope; this brings patience in sufferings.

But Satan has a very poignant dart, which he dared to cast at Jesus; no marvel that he shoots it against us also-"If thou be the Son of God," why doth thy loving Father suffer such distress and affliction to fall on thee? Faith can answer, All is my Father’s will: All is from his love-all shall be to his glory; and all shall be for the good and profit of my soul. I cannot doubt his love-I dare not murmur against his dispensations- I desire patience under all-I will not cast away my confidence-time is short-sufferings are but for a moment- eternity is near-afflictions are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. "Through Jesus, we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."-"We glory in tribulation, knowing that tribulation worketh patience."- Romans 6:2-3. "Yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith."- Hebrews 10:37-38. Christ accomplisheth the most glorious things in us by degrees.

Patience must endure the whole military exercise. It is as necessary as faith to the enjoyment of the promised inheritance. "Through faith and patience we shall inherit the promises."- Hebrews 6:12.

’Tis God that lifts our comforts high,

Or sinks them to the grave;

He gives, and (blessed be his name)

He takes but what he gave.

If smiling mercy crown our lives,

Its praises shall be spread;

And we’ll adore the justice too

That strikes our comforts dead.

The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against ungodliness and unrighteousness by men. Romans 1:18.

One sin ruined the whole race of Adam. It brought curse and wrath upon every soul of man. Every man that ever lived, that now lives, and that ever shall live upon this earth, is by nature a child of wrath; and the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against his sin, not one soul excepted. How is this wrath revealed? (1st.) At the giving the holy law on Mount Sinai. (Exod. 19.) There the Lord revealed all the terror and glory of his majesty, as the most holy, sin-hating God. O think of the mount that burned with fire! the blackness, darkness, and tempest!-the awful sound of the trumpet!-the terrible voice of words, which they who heard, entreated they should not be spoken any more. And so terrible was the sight, that even Moses said, “I exceedingly fear and quake.” (Hebrews 12:21.) O! think of this; and think not what is called the least sin, a little thing: for it has lighted up the fire of God’s wrath. (2d.) See the wrath of God revealed, in drowning the old world, in burning Sodom and Gomorrah, in the matter of Korah, and in his judgments upon the ungodly in all ages. “God is angry with the wicked every day.” (Psalms 7:11.) The fire of his wrath and indignation ever smokes against all sin. Remember this, and be watchful. (3d.) Reflect on the wrath of God, revealed from heaven, when he took vengeance on his beloved Son, for the sins of his people. See our iniquity-bearing, sin-atoning, curse-sustaining Lamb of God on the cross. There see what sin is. There view the indignation of God against, it, his justice punishing it, and the awful vengeance he executed upon it. O my soul, think of thy Saviour’s inconceivable sufferings for sin. Here see the exceeding sinfulness of sin. View its crimson dye, in the purple gore of the Son of God. Ever think of this; love the Lamb, and strive against all sin. For, (4th.) The wrath of God is revealed against sin, even in his own children. He equally hates their sins, will punish sin in them, and them for sin too. Beware of any doctrine that makes light of sin; or, as though God has not the same abhorrence of sin, indignation and wrath against sin, in his own children, as well as others. Do not hold the truth in unrighteousness. Never think of reconciling a holy God to abominable sin. (5th.) The wrath of God is revealed in the conscience of his people. By the law is the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20.) And the law worked wrath. (chap. 4:15.) It fills the mind with terrible apprehensions of the wrath of God, and a fearful looking for of his judgment, and fiery indignation against sin. Bless Jesus, that his blood cleanseth from all sin. And, lastly, remember the awful day when “God will take vengeance on them who obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ.”