Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: June 20th

Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel the Saviour.- Isaiah 45:15.

Mourning under a sense of sin, and complaining of inbred corruptions, are consistent with faith in Jesus, and rejoicing in his salvation. Sorrowing under the painful sense of an absent God, has been the experience of saints in all ages; few, if any, have been exempt from it. And this is an evidence that they have felt his comforting presence, enjoyed the smiles of his love, and rejoiced in the light of his countenance. So the life and love of the soul is manifested. A Christian is known by his sorrows, as well as joys. He sorrows after a godly sort.

But why should a God of love hide himself from his dear children? We may say, he is a sovereign, and answer in the words of Elihu, Job 33:13 -"He giveth not account of any of his matters." But it is most sweet to say with David, "Continually let the Lord be magnified, who hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants."- Psalms 35:27. Therefore when God hides himself from the souls of his believing children, it is in love, wisdom, and faithfulness to them: it is to advance his own glory, and to further the prosperity of their souls. But he never leaves himself without a witness in their hearts, for we see the church addresses him though he hideth himself- sweetly applies to him as Jesus the only SAVIOUR, and utters her complaint before him, "Thou hidest thyself," and I am troubled. So the withdrawing of the comforting warmth of the sun, makes vegetable nature droop and languish, and it mourns in silent sadness. But the root is still alive, and it will, when the sun returns, bring forth its fruit in due season.

Backward springs, often produce the most plentiful harvest. So the Lord teaches his sovereignty, roots the soul in humility, prevents the growth of spiritual pride, reproves a careless walk, chides for worldly-mindedness, causes great searchings of heart, embitters sin, excites to holy mourning, calls forth earnest longings, restless seekings, and fervent prayings. "Saw ye him whom my soul loveth?" will be the restless enquiry of a loving, deserted heart. I cannot live without him: his presence is heaven; his absence is hell. Soul, ever beware of lending thine ear for a moment to any base suggestion, contrary to this sweet declaration of an unchanging God of truth and love: "In a LITTLE wrath I hid my face from thee for a MOMENT, but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord, THY Redeemer."- Isaiah 54:8.

How boundless is our Father’s grace,

In height and depth and length:

He made his Son our righteousness,

His Spirit is our strength.

What though I mourn a hiding God,

His faithfulness I trust,

His word, his love, can never fail;

The Lord I serve-is just.

Thy Maker is thine husband, the LORD of Hosts is his name, and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel: the GOD of the whole earth shall he be called. Isaiah 54:5.

In this one verse, is a trinity of comforts. All are enjoyed in the unity of faith. The Spirit bears witness of them. Let our hearts attend to them. Consider, (1st.) thou sin-distressed, law-accursed, Satan-accused soul, Thy Maker is thine husband. Glorious gospel! Faith, listen; love, awake; hope, rejoice. In the Hebrew, Thy Makers thy husband; Father, Son, and Spirit. The triune God, who made thee, is married to thee, and in covenant with thee. How is this relation effected? God the Son comes into our nature; takes upon him our flesh. We are peculiarly espoused to Christ. (1st.) By his ministers. Says St. Paul, “I have espoused you to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:2.) (2d.) Experimentally, by faith. We know nothing of the loving, eternal designs of Christ to our souls, till, by the grace of his Spirit, we are brought to him, receive him, and give him our hearts, as our own bridegroom. Then we feel the blessings and enjoy the comfort of marriage union. We live in love, walk by faith, rejoice in hope. O Christ, make us and keep us chaste virgins to thee! (3d.) Christ is our Redeemer. Why Husband before Redeemer? I humbly conceive, to remind us of his eternal love to us; of his eternally espousing our cause; and his purpose, before time, of marrying our persons. There he took our nature, that in our nature he might redeem us to God his Father. He has effectually done it by his precious blood. Being redeemed by him, and married to him, the Father owns the relation, glories over us in him; and the Spirit sanctifies and comforts us in him. Therefore, (4th.) as an affectionate bride glories in the person, and rejoices in the titles of her husband: so, O soul, do thou in thy heavenly Bridegroom. (1st.) He is thy Maker. He, who is almighty to create, is almighty to preserve. (2d.) He is the Lord of Hosts. What can all the powers of earth and hell do against him? (3d.) He is the God of the whole earth. The Lord God omnipotent is thy Jesus. Ever glory in him, as equal to the Father, as touching the godhead. Fools deny this. The wise unto salvation believe, adore and glory in Christ as such; who only hath immortality to bestow upon dying sinners: “To whom be honour and power everlasting, Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:16.) Ever remember, we are married to Christ, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:4.

Wedded to the Lord! This I see-

O wondrous grace! O matchless love!

Lord, ever keep me chaste to thee,

That I may all thy goodness prove.

All other lovers I’d forsake-

My Lord, thy love has won my heart;

For tho’ I’m poor, forlorn, and weak,

Christ is my all, in him I’ve part.