Daily Devotionals

Spiritual Treasury For The Children of God

Devotional: December 14th

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.- Romans 13:11.

It is an affecting case, but a real truth, that wise virgins are apt to slumber and sleep as well as the foolish. Through the pressures of a body of sin and death, and the opiates of worldly ease and self-indulgence, they sometimes fall into a drowsy state, and a sleepy frame of soul. Hence, they lose their former delight in religious duties and spiritual exercises. Their love to God and their brethren in Christ grows cold; their zeal for the glory of Jesus and his precious truths decline. The enemy takes great advantages against them, and would triumph in their entire destruction. But that can never be, for the Lord prevents it. "He that keepeth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps." Will the loving father suffer his dear children to sleep in their beds till devoured by raging flames? If we being evil, have such love for our children, how infinitely greater is the love of our heavenly Father? Therefore he alarms souls and awakens them to duty and watchfulness.

Thus Paul, his faithful watchman, lifts up his voice of warning, cries the hour, and reproves disciples as acting unbecoming. It being both unreasonable and unseasonable for them who know the time of day to indulge sloth and heaviness. It is high time to awake out of sleep. Come, Christian, look around thee, look up. The Saviour reigns. It is broad day. See the sun shining. Nay it is in its meridian. And thou art just got to thy journey’s end. Just in sight of thy Father’s house. Thy Lord is coming to meet thee. What! wilt thou sleep on and take thy rest? The Spirit speaks to thee in this word, "Now is thy salvation nearer than when thou first believed." The Lord is at hand. "Let thy moderation, in care after the things of this world, be known unto all men." What art thou grasping so much of perishing things for? Thou canst not hold them long. Off hands, before death makes thee quit thy hold. Think what thou art spiritually born for, called to, and art just going to take possession of. Verily, if thy soul is broad awake, thou seest things as they really are. TIME, with all its toys and pleasures, how short! ETERNITY, with all its rich glories and inestimable blessings, how long! Jesus, with all his endearing amiableness, in his adorable person, precious offices, blessed promises, and glorious work and finished salvation for thee, as the best object of all thy hope, love, peace, and joy. For shame, sleep not when the delightful presence and heavenly fellowship of such a friend may be enjoyed. If thou hast lost the sense of this by sleep, O resolve with the church, "I will give no sleep to mine eyes, until I find the Lord."- Psalms 132:4-5.

How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against GOD? Genesis 39:9.

Look now at young Joseph, and say, is not this the noblest reasoning against a fierce temptation? Here is a youth in the bloom of life, in the vigour of nature, passions ran high, affections strong, a violent temptation presents, a fair seducer solicits. Yet, amidst all this, with the coolness of age, with the grace of faith he reasons, and with a holy fortitude of soul he withstands and overcomes the sin. Here is a blessed lesson for you, ye youth! nor less instructive to me, and to you, ye aged! Every period of life has its peculiar temptations. Ye children of special grace, ye contenders for its glorious doctrines, consider, (1st.) what is implied in this, sin against God? Would not Joseph have sinned against the best of masters: against the wife of his master: against his own soul? Doubtless: but his God is above and beyond all other objects. The love of his gracious God was in his heart; the fear of his covenant God was before his eyes; the glory of the God of his salvation was near and dear to his soul. O believer! remember when tempted to commit sin, it is a great wickedness against the everlasting love of God your Father; the dying love of God your Redeemer; the reviving love of God your Comforter. Though sin cannot sink your soul into a hell of endless torment, yet it will surely bring a hell of misery into your conscience. Remember, it is against God. Look to him. Flee from sin. With every temptation, God will make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. God is faithful. “He will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” (1 Corinthians 10:13.) Consider, (2d.) the force of his reasoning. How can I sin against God? Lay a peculiar emphasis upon God and I. Here it is not criminal, not arrogant, to introduce that little letter of great sound, I. What a peculiar spirit of the fire of generous love and holy energy is there in this question, how can I sin! Is it possible that I, hell-deserving, yet heavenbeloved I, can wilfully and deliberately sin? I sin against my God! Can I set at nought his love, I wilfully violate his law, I deliberately defy his power? Impossible! His grace teaches me to deny all ungodliness. The love of Christ constrains from it. If lusts prevail, the sense of love is lost. O, let love abound over lust! Jesus, save me. This is the reasoning, this the prayer of genuine faith and generous love. “Sin shall not have the dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:14.) “The grace of God teaches us.” Titus 2:12.

What man on earth can sin withstand,

When suited to his lust,

Unless upheld by God’s right hand?

For he himself is dust.

Lord, then thy saving grace impart,

When sin invades my soul:

Let love be strong within my heart,

And faith my lusts control.