Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: October 5th

What doest thou here, Elijah?- 1 Kings 19:13.

The prophets, as well as the children of the Lord, are sometimes found where they ought not to be. Elijah had now taken up his residence in a cave in the wilderness. What work could he do for his master here? What glory could he bring to his name in a barren mountain? Here were no lambs of God’s flock to be gathered, no sheep of Christ’s pasture to be fed, no torn sheep to be healed and nourished by his word and doctrine. It seems as though he thought all his work was at an end, his zeal quite worn out; and in a fit of fear, unbelief, and despondency, he retreated from public opposition to the dreary mansions of a mountainous cave for rest and quiet. But the Lord followed him, caused him to hear his voice, calls him to new work, endues him with fresh strength, and animates him with the pleasing assurance that he had seven thousand faithful servants yet in Israel. But poor Elijah thought he was left alone.

See the effect of judging according to appearances. Carnal reason is a bad judge in spiritual things. The wisdom of the flesh, ever determines contrary to the wisdom of God. Beware of your frames, O disciples. If on the mount, in the sunshine of comfort, be not vain and confident, with "I shall never fall." If in the gloomy valley, where light and joy are obscured, be not cast down and dejected. "The Lord reigneth: rejoice in him." Though clouds and darkness are round thy God and Saviour, yet "righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne."-Psalms 97. Above all, beware of thy conduct. Fly not to places of sinful vanities, and vain gratifications.

These can never profit thy soul. Nay, if dark and uncomfortable, what canst thou expect but to be darker and more uncomfortable still? This is a farther remove from the Saviour’s love and presence. What canst thou expect, but this cutting reproof, this keen interrogation, "thou man of God, what dost thou HERE?" If Elijah was reproved, for being in a barren wilderness, how canst thou answer it to God thy loving Saviour, for being found on worse than barren ground; where the alluring baits of sin; the poisonous weeds of Satan grow in abundance, to beguile and destroy unstable souls. O soul, hear the call of thy beloved Lord! "Depart ye, depart ye, this is not your rest." Know your glorious privilege. "Ye are the temple of the living God. God dwells in you, and walks in you." Listen to his voice, speaking to your souls. "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and I will receive you: and I will be a Father unto you, (ye shall enjoy the sweet knowledge of it,) and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty."- 2 Corinthians 6:17-18.

Forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the LORD. 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Christian knowledge is the source of comfort, and the spring of obedience. The knowledge of God’s love to us in Christ, received into the heart by faith, animates us to be, and to do, what the Lord calls us to in our lives. St. Paul appeals to Christians, Ye know-what? that you are called, not to loiter, but to labour: not to stand idle, but to work: not merely to talk of the truths of Christianity, but to walk in the ways of the Lord. But what constitutes it the sweetest of all labouring, working, and walking, it is the labour of love, the work of faith, and the walk of hope. And we have Christ’s presence and power in all. We know, we are fully persuaded, we are divinely assured, our labour is not in vain: for it is in the Lord. It is begun by his grace, tarried on by his power, IN sweet fellowship with him, IN love to him, IN dependence on him, IN assurance that we are accepted in him; and therefore, IN an humble hope and loving desire to glorify him. Such a soul labours lawfully. His labour is accepted: his work shall be crowned: he is blessed now by his Lord: he shall be blessed eternally with the Lord. The humble soul draws back. The self-abased heart, jealous of his dear Lord’s honour, cries, “Forbear! I am an unprofitable servant: have no merit: I come short in all I do: my desert is hell. I claim nothing at my Lord’s hand: I am a poor sinner, who must be infinitely and eternally indebted to the riches of free grace.”

True, O soul! thou dost not work, like free-will hirelings, for wages; yet, as a free-grace labourer, thou shalt have a freegrace reward. Not of debt, due to thy merit; but of grace, by thy Lord’s free promise. Not a crumb of comfort, not a drop of cold water, given in the name of Christ, to one of his, but thy Lord notices in love, takes kindly at thy hand, and will never, never forget. O matchless love of Christ! he gives grace to miserable sinners; his grace works to will and to do in their hearts; and he rewards hell-deserving sinners with gifts of grace in time, and with the riches of glory in eternity. O blessed Master! O precious labour! O joyful recompense of reward! Say now Christian, is not here all encouragement to diligence and activity? O go on labouring for thy Lord’s glory. Large wages seeking IN, not for thy works. Confidently mayest thou say, with St. Paul, “There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:8.

I dare not work my soul to save,

That work my Lord hath done;

But would I work like any slave,

From love to God’s dear Son.

No works of faith can be in vain,

Because they’re wrought in love;

Since now our enmity is slain,

We work for Christ above.