Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: August 9th

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.- Psalms 119:165.

All inward peace and tranquility of mind arise from the knowledge and love of the law of the Lord. But hath not the apostle told us, "the law worketh wrath?"- Romans 4:15. Have not believers experienced a sense of wrath in the conscience, through "the knowledge of sin by the law?" Yes, verily. But this law, the moral law, is subservient to the everlasting law of love, the eternal covenant of grace and peace; therefore in time "it was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;" even Jesus, the seed of the woman, in whom the law of peace and salvation centered; of whom the ceremonial law was a shadow; and by whose holy life, the moral law received perfect obedience to all its demands, and a full satisfaction for all its curses and penalties by his sin-atoning sacrifice.

This eternal law, or purpose of God, was manifested by promise from Jehovah himself to the sin-convicted pair immediately after their fall; and confirmed again both by promise and oath to Abraham and his seed, which is Christ. "This law or covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect."- Galatians 3:17. No; this law of life, by promise, is "sure to all the seed." It is immutable, it is unchangeable, therefore not one of them can perish. Hence this law of salvation is the delight of believers. They have great peace from it. For with Paul, they know "the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made us free from the law of sin and death."- Romans 8:2. Hence with David they say, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Though many things from within and without grieve and offend them, yet nothing from the law of grace and truth which came by Jesus Christ shall. Christ is not "a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence to them; they stumble not at the word of his grace." They are not offended because it teacheth that salvation is all of grace, according to election, through the blood and righteousness of Christ; applied to their souls in faith by the Holy Spirit. No; all this is their consolation and joy. The commands of Jesus do not offend them, they are all in love: "His commandments are not grievous."- 1 John 5:3. Thus, all their joy and rejoicing is in Christ Jesus only, while they confidently and comfortably hope for eternal life, by God’s purpose and grace, according to the everlasting law of love, and his free gift by Jesus Christ.- Romans 6:23.

I am the LORD, I change not: therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6.

Religion without feeling is like a dead carcass. Feeling without truth, is only nature warmed by fancy. Those are the only precious feelings which are caused by the word of God. That is a joyful season, when we can say, “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil.” (Psalms 119:162.) Why such exceeding great joy? Because, the word of God testifies of the immutable nature, and unchangeable love, of a covenant God, to poor sinners. I am the Lord, Jehovah, Father, Son and Spirit. I change not. There’s the believer’s security from destruction. In this consists his safety, unto salvation. For alas! we are poor, changeable creatures. Now, our souls are strong in confidence, warm with love, joyful through hope, enlarged in prayer, with Christ in our view, and glory in our eye. Anon, a cloud arises in the horizon of our hearts- unbelief prevails-lust rages-corruptions roar-all nature is in ferment, and the soul in distress. Then, what has it to look to, for hope, and turn to, for comfort? an unchangeable God, who is of one mind: with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. (Job 23:13, James 1:17.) A precious “Jesus, who is the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” (Hebrews 13:8.) The Lord thy God, in the midst of thee, is mighty, he will save: he will joy over thee with joy: he will rest in his love: he will joy over thee with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17.) The different frames and feelings which distress us, do not affect God, nor cause any change in his love to us. A changeable God, must be an unhappy being like ourselves.

But God never changes in his love, purposes and grace to us. For, (1st.) He did not love us, choose us, and set his heart upon us, on account of what he saw in us: but as he viewed us in the Son of his love. We are unrighteous sinners in ourselves. But he sees in Christ an everlasting atonement for our sins, and an everlasting righteousness to justify us: therefore he is ever pleased with us in Christ: ever of one mind concerning us: ever rests in his love to us, and joy over us. No change in us, can ever affect his mind, his love, or his joy. Hence learn, (1st.) Not to live upon your frames and feelings, nor upon any thing you are in yourself. Bless God for lively frames and comfortable feelings, but know, these are not Christ: they do not make you acceptable to God. But (2d.) Look to, and live upon, what you are in Christ. That is your glory. God so views and loves you. Look here, live here, and rejoice. So you will (3d.) be like God, of one mind unto Jesus, live upon him, and walk to the glory of your God and Father in him.

God never changes in his love,

As feeble men do think:

To-day their souls he might approve,

To-morrow let them sink.