Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 8th

Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: We shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple.- Psalms 65:4.

Mr. Bunyan, in his Pilgrim’s Progress, observes, "Christiana’s heart was so enamoured, by the affecting sight of Christ’s cross, by faith, that she wished all her carnal friends, to partake, in what she saw, and felt. But she was reminded, that faith’s views are of special grace." They are streams which flow from the river of God’s electing love. Every man whom the Lord chooseth, "is blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ." This is evidenced by spiritual life. Seeing all grace, love, and happiness center in Jehovah, he delights to draw nigh to him, because confident of access, by a new and living way consecrated through the flesh of Jesus. Here is no fiery law, no flaming sword, to terrify and affright the believer, in his approach to God. But the Lord himself causes him to approach his presence. Love, not only invites, but sweetly constrains him to come, as a child to its loving parent. "The Father draws to the Son, and the Son reveals the Father," by the Holy Spirit, as a God of love to poor sinners. Without this, no soul can, or will, ever come unto God.- John 6:44. See thy special mercy. Adore that sovereign grace, which reigns over all thy pride, and stubbornness. And do I thus approach my Lord? O what infinite treasures of grace are secured by covenant-love and promise! Not a sudden fit of pleasure, or transient delight in the ways of God, do such experience; but they shall "DWELL," their residence shall be near the Lord in spirit, and they shall be satisfied from Jesus.

All the glory and magnificence of the temple was only typical of Jesus, who exceeds in glory. All the glory and goodness of the Lord is treasured up in, and communicated from him, as man and Mediator to poor sinners. Come then as a needy beggar to receive.

O the super-abounding goodness of the Lord, to cause poor, headstrong, high-minded rebels to approach him, and be satisfied with him! Most joyful claim of faith, "The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in him."- Lamentations 3:24. A glimpse of Christ’s glory and goodness sickens the soul to every other object. A lively faith, engages the affections towards him; love is very jealous, and excites watchfulness against what may disturb its happiness, or destroy its comfort. "I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me."- Psalms 13:6.

We choose our God and then we’re blest,

And in his courts we dwell:

Lo, here we find perpetual rest,

And of his goodness tell.

But how came we the Lord to choose,

Who are for sin accurst?

This myst’ry we will soon disclose.

Because, God chose us first.

Unto him who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Revelation 1:5.

Paul denounces the most dreadful curse upon every one who loves not the Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 16:22.) Why does any sinner love Christ? Because he believes the love of Christ to sinners. See the awful curses of unbelief. It rejects the love of Christ: It sets at nought his salvation: It seals the sinner under the curse of his sins, the wrath due to his sins; and binds him over to eternal damnation for his sins. But the unawakened sinner smiles at all this: For he does not believe one word of it. Lord, leave not my soul under this sin of sins, of all sins the most heinous and cursed! O help my unbelief! (1st.) See the preciousness of faith. It works by love; even by the love of Christ manifested to us. It receives and embraces his love to the heart: there it works peace in the conscience, delight in God, access to God, boldness before God, joy in God, fellowship with God, conformity to God, and longing for the eternal enjoyment of God. For, (2d.) Our sins which are the cause of separation and distance from God, and shyness of God, are washed away. How? By Christ’s own blood. O wonderful to think! O joyful to believe! The holy Son of God hath washed us-us unholy, us ungodly, us hell-deserving, sinners, from our sins in his own blood. He hath done it. This precious, this mighty work is for ever finished, Christ hath once appeared, for ever put away our sins by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26.) What says his Father of him? “In my beloved Son, I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17.) What saith he of us? “Your sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17.) What say you? Is all this true? is all this a fact, or a fable? Upon our belief of this depends our comfort and holiness: And from the faith of this springs glory to God in the highest. For, (3d.) If we firmly believe this, we shall joyfully join the redeemed in earth and heaven, in giving praise and glory to Christ, for washing us from our sins in his own blood. But you say, I have sin in me, I mourn over it, and groan under it. That is sense. This sense is needful to keep you humble before Christ. Yet faith is above sense. It glorifies Christ for washing away from before God’s sight, the very sins you feel. You have the sense of fear, that you shall be damned for your sins. That is a holy fear. That keeps you from sinning. But faith says, “There is no condemnation to me, I am in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1.) My sins are all washed away. I am perfectly cleansed from them all. And my Lord says, “Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.” Song of Solomon 4:7.

Before we sinn’d Christ loved us,

And when we fell his blood he spilt:

Believe his love displayed thus,

To wash and cleanse us from all guilt.