Daily Devotionals

John Gossner's Treasury

Devotional: September 9th

Ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 2 Corinthians 6:16; Leviticus 26:12. What nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for? Deuteronomy 4:7.

What a glorious congregation is that which is a living temple to the Lord! A "living God" must have a living temple. Dead idols are in dead stone-houses. What condescension in God toward us! How this love ought to humble us! How ought we not, as the temple of God, to consecrate our body and spirit to the Lord. Dear soul, how can you ever forget who it is that dwells in you, whose house and temple you are? Your heart is consecrated to the Lord by the blood of Christ, with which you are bought; do not destroy, desecrate, and dishonor that temple by unworthy thoughts and emotions. On the contrary the thought that God "dwells" and "walks" in you, should awaken and maintain an untiring watchfulness in order that you may walk, think, speak and act worthily of that God who is so condescending to you, who remains so near to you, and exalts and honors you so highly in having chosen your heart as His dwelling-place and throne. All this is difficult for us to believe. It is too great, too much, too gracious; but Christ Himself has said it (John 14:23). And as the Lord even in the old covenant has solemnly declared and promised it, and as every pious soul who enters into his own heart and with faith and humility seeks the Lord there, finds Him and enjoys communion with Him, we cannot doubt it. We have what we believe and what the faithful One has promised. Only let us be His people, faithfully devoted to Him, clinging to Him with true hearts, and He will never cease to be our God, our Immanuel.

Let me never from Thee stray.

Keep me in the narrow way,

Fill my soul with joy divine,

Keep me. Lord, forever Thine!