the Third Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God
My son, give me thine heart.- Proverbs 23:26.
Many are the competitors for the heart of man. Though our dear Father and best friend, lovingly calls for the free-will offering of this precious jewel, yet we are foolishly inclined to give it to our worst enemies. This pleasing world, with all its gay scenes of happiness and joy, attracts our affections, enchants our minds, and bewitches our senses; so that we love it dearly, devote our hearts to it cheerfully, and dread the very thoughts of leaving it greatly.
"Thou shalt have no other gods but me," saith Jehovah. We own the duty, and decry the wickedness of worshipping an idol; though all the while we are serving the god of this world: he blinds our eyes, and we see it not. The grace of God, though sovereign in its operations, yet acts not by force and compulsion as upon mere machines, destroying the will, and dragging men to heaven by the hair of the head, as some in contempt please to assert. No; the service of our Lord is perfect freedom. He loves a cheerful giver. Glory to his grace, "he opens the eyes of our understanding, to know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of his glory"- Ephesians 1:18. Then we see Jesus as our portion, and treasure, then we willingly and cheerfully devote our hearts to him. Is the miser’s gold his god? does it captivate his heart and affections? why so? Because he sees that in it which suits his disposition, and excites his pleasure. So it is of every other idol suited to nature and sense. "Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also." Spiritual affections can only be happy from spiritual objects. The heart can only be happy in God, cheerfully given up to him in faith and love. This is the very essence of vital godliness.
Our Father invites us to spiritual joys. ’I know, my children, in your present state, clothed with flesh, you have many lovers which would rival me in your affections, but cheerfully devote your heart to me. Let your eyes be upon my ways. Consider my love to you. I gave my beloved son to die for you. My spirit hath called you to enjoy my love. It is my good pleasure to give you a kingdom: therefore, in love to my glory, and for your comfort, I demand your heart as a free-will offering.’ O where is the faithful, grateful soul, but in ecstasy of love will cry out, Give, Lord, the power to do what thou commandest, and command what thou wilt?
My heart dost thou demand, my Lord
A willing sacrifice to thee!
O take and keep it ev’ry hour
From every bold usurper free.
When Satan tempts and sins allure,
From thee, to draw away my heart;
Strong in thy grace, make me endure,
And never from thyself depart.
I go to prepare a place for you. John 14:2.
If any person, destitute of the provisions of life, had a promise from some noble lord, I will amply provide for you-I will go this day to court, and get a place for you: if he believed his word, and depended on his power, it would fill the heart with joy. Suppose he actually succeeded to the most desirable place, and that it was in no one’s power to dispatch him: what then? Why, this would add to his comfort. But, though no one could take his place from him, yet, alas! there is one, who will very soon summons him to another, in the place appointed for all living. Ah! this gives a damp to every earthly enjoyment. Off hands, from all: quit your hold of all: for you hold all earthly possessions by a very uncertain tenure. But, hear your Lord: rejoice at His words. (1st.) I go; willingly and cheerfully, through the most dreadful scenes of horror, agony, and death. I go, to face, fight with, and conquer all the powers of earth and hell for you. Such is my love to you, that, rather than you shall perish in hell for your sins, I go, to suffer all the torments of pain which you have deserved. Love to you, willingly carries me through all; makes me cheerful in all; and causes me to triumph over all, that I may enter into heaven for you. Dear Lord, let us have a feeling of this thy precious love in our hearts to-night. (2d.) To prepare a place. I will not reign alone in my Father’s kingdom; to think no more of you, nor care no more of you. But as it is his good pleasure to give you the kingdom, I will enter and take possession of it as your forerunner. There I will plead my blood shed for you, my righteousness to justify you, and my salvation to glorify you. (3d.) For you. Who? What is the character of those for whom Christ prepares this place? Had they never displeased their Lord? Did they never offend him? Alas! which of them shall we fix on as a perfect character? Peter denied him, with oaths and curses. All shamefully forsook him. Might they not then forfeit their place in glory? Yes, if love did not reign, and grace abound in the heart of Christ, over all the aboundings of sin. O foolish thought of base unbelief, that Christ should prepare a place in heaven for those who might eternally perish in hell! But see them described, (verse 1.) They had troubled hearts about Christ, and believed in him. Judge yourself to-night. Do you believe in Christ? Is your heart troubled, lest you should lose him? Do you long for the eternal enjoyment of him? Rejoice: he has prepared a place for you. “Where he is, there shall you be also.” John 14:3.
O Thou, who dost prepare a place,
A mansion in the sky,
For sinners, thy redeemed race!
Lord, to my soul draw nigh.
Prepare my soul, and make me meet
To see thy face above,
That I in heav’n may take my seat,
And praise thee for thy love.
