William Mason --Spiritual Treasury for the Children of God
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Come and see! Amen!
Thanks for sharing the nice song too brother
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Thanks for sharing the nice song too brother
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
P
Come and see! Amen!
Thanks for sharing the nice song too brother
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
Thanks for sharing the nice song too brother
Matthew 7:7
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Matthew 11:28
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
John 1:35
Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; 36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!
Matthew 13:16
But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.
November 23,
Freely ye have received, freely give. Mat_10:8.
Christ spake these words to his apostles. They had their commissions immediately from him, to preach his everlasting gospel. Many of the clergy, who pretend to be their successors, cannot receive this saying. Their learned lumber (because unsanctified) cost them too much to be dispensed for nought. Free-grace truths they cannot give freely. They have not freely received them into their own hearts. Expect to receive nothing from such unconverted ministers. Pity them: pray for them. Avoid their errors: be courteous to their persons. Private Christians, as well as ministers, have freely received out of the fulness of Christ: therefore, O soul! you and I are concerned in these words.
(1st.) What have we received? the free favour of God; in the rich grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This comprehends all things from God: this includes all things in God. Have we repentance unto life? It is by his grace. Have we faith in, hope on, and love to Christ? All springs from the grace of Christ. Have we a new heart, spiritual affections, holy desires? The grace of God bestowed them.
How? (2d.) Freely. Like the lilies of the field, which toil not, neither spin, to obtain their rich fragrance and beautiful tinge-the God of nature freely bestows both: so on us, he freely bestows the riches of his grace. Neither, by toil, could we perform conditions, nor by spinning fulfil terms, to entitle ourselves to it. We have freely received life from the dead; justification from condemnation: pardon from guilt; sanctification from unholiness; the assured hope of heaven from the dread of hell. O consider the rich and free bounty of the Giver; the misery and unworthiness of the receiver; and say, art thou not bound to obey his command.
(3d.) Freely give-thyself, thy whole soul and body, gifts and abilities, time and talents to God, the justifier; to Jesus, the Redeemer; and to the Spirit, the Sanctifier. Freely give the hatred of thy heart to thy sins, the abhorrence of thy soul to Satan, contempt of thy spirit to a vain world, love to thy brethren in Christ, pity to thy fellow-sinners, good will to all men, and food to thine own soul daily, from Christ and the word of his grace. This is the sweet exercise of faith, through the power of the Spirit. Thus free grace operates upon new-born souls. “They gave their own selves unto the Lord.” (2Co_8:5.) O the power of this truth! “Christ gave himself for our sins.” Gal_1:4.
Lord, I am thine, redeem’d by grace,
I freely give myself to thee:
By pow’r divine I seek thy face-
How matchless is thy love to me:
Let free-grace love be all my boast,
For worth and worthiness I’ve none:
I feel that operates the most,
To love the Lord for all he’s done.
Freely ye have received, freely give. Mat_10:8.
Christ spake these words to his apostles. They had their commissions immediately from him, to preach his everlasting gospel. Many of the clergy, who pretend to be their successors, cannot receive this saying. Their learned lumber (because unsanctified) cost them too much to be dispensed for nought. Free-grace truths they cannot give freely. They have not freely received them into their own hearts. Expect to receive nothing from such unconverted ministers. Pity them: pray for them. Avoid their errors: be courteous to their persons. Private Christians, as well as ministers, have freely received out of the fulness of Christ: therefore, O soul! you and I are concerned in these words.
(1st.) What have we received? the free favour of God; in the rich grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This comprehends all things from God: this includes all things in God. Have we repentance unto life? It is by his grace. Have we faith in, hope on, and love to Christ? All springs from the grace of Christ. Have we a new heart, spiritual affections, holy desires? The grace of God bestowed them.
How? (2d.) Freely. Like the lilies of the field, which toil not, neither spin, to obtain their rich fragrance and beautiful tinge-the God of nature freely bestows both: so on us, he freely bestows the riches of his grace. Neither, by toil, could we perform conditions, nor by spinning fulfil terms, to entitle ourselves to it. We have freely received life from the dead; justification from condemnation: pardon from guilt; sanctification from unholiness; the assured hope of heaven from the dread of hell. O consider the rich and free bounty of the Giver; the misery and unworthiness of the receiver; and say, art thou not bound to obey his command.
(3d.) Freely give-thyself, thy whole soul and body, gifts and abilities, time and talents to God, the justifier; to Jesus, the Redeemer; and to the Spirit, the Sanctifier. Freely give the hatred of thy heart to thy sins, the abhorrence of thy soul to Satan, contempt of thy spirit to a vain world, love to thy brethren in Christ, pity to thy fellow-sinners, good will to all men, and food to thine own soul daily, from Christ and the word of his grace. This is the sweet exercise of faith, through the power of the Spirit. Thus free grace operates upon new-born souls. “They gave their own selves unto the Lord.” (2Co_8:5.) O the power of this truth! “Christ gave himself for our sins.” Gal_1:4.
Lord, I am thine, redeem’d by grace,
I freely give myself to thee:
By pow’r divine I seek thy face-
How matchless is thy love to me:
Let free-grace love be all my boast,
For worth and worthiness I’ve none:
I feel that operates the most,
To love the Lord for all he’s done.
I have found that "giving freely" to most people causea them all sorts of angst. I don't charge for counseling and tell the women that this is their gift from the Lord - I just am who He uses. But this is SO hard for them to accept. Because they have been paying others for this service. I tell them that when they turn down a gift from another person, they are not receiving the fullness of Christ as He wants to give Himself to them freely.
Women (is it men, too?) seem to have no trouble giving - ah...but the receiving is a different matter. The feeling worthy enough without paying back is difficult - (which usually turns out to be my first session with them).
I can totally understand why so many people have trouble believing we bring no works to the Father to gain favor, acceptance and eternal life. It is our nature.
Women (is it men, too?) seem to have no trouble giving - ah...but the receiving is a different matter. The feeling worthy enough without paying back is difficult - (which usually turns out to be my first session with them).
I can totally understand why so many people have trouble believing we bring no works to the Father to gain favor, acceptance and eternal life. It is our nature.
P
'earning' seems to be the human default mode.
my dad was a great giver. he taught me so much without saying one word.
but one thing he taught was 'giving is good; receiving is not'.
i still have so much trouble asking for and receiving help.
do you think we humans not only want to work for what we get,
but it just makes us feel better about ourselves? (not good in all cases)
i have to check for any self salvation projects i may have going on from time to time...
my dad was a great giver. he taught me so much without saying one word.
but one thing he taught was 'giving is good; receiving is not'.
i still have so much trouble asking for and receiving help.
do you think we humans not only want to work for what we get,
but it just makes us feel better about ourselves? (not good in all cases)
i have to check for any self salvation projects i may have going on from time to time...
November 24,
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. Isa_42:1.
Angels reproved disciples of old with, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” (Act_1:11.) How much do we deserve this reproof? Why stand ye gazing upon the vanities of the earth? Soul, what art thou looking at? What is the object of thy intention tonight? Be it what it may, God calleth to thee, and demands audience of him, and attention to him. It is for your comfort and his glory. The Majesty of heaven speaks to sinful worms of the earth. Behold. Take off your eyes and thoughts from every object; be all eye, ear, and attention to me. Ye poor, miserable, law-condemned, sin-distressed souls, look at, and take special notice of my servant. Wonder, adore, rejoice, and love. My beloved, my co-equal Son, who is Lord of all, becomes man, takes on him the form of a servant, to do my will perfectly, and to finish your salvation completely. Whom I uphold. Carnal reason bow. Satanic pride avaunt. High thoughts submit to faith’s mystery.
Not a God upheld by a God: but a perfect man upheld by a perfect God. Christ, as perfect man, was too weak to sustain the ponderous load of a world of sin; and to support the suffering of divine wrath, in atoning for sin and satisfying divine justice. Therefore, all the fulness of the godhead dwelt in him bodily, to uphold his manhood. O sinners, in your precious Saviour behold the man: adore the God. Mine elect. Christ was chosen to the office of God’s servant and our Saviour. Chosen in the eternal council and covenant before time, to assume human nature in the fulness of time. In whom my soul delighteth. Says St. John, “We know that we are of God,” (1Jn_5:19.) How? By this sure mark, this infallible evidence, we are of one mind with God. Doth God’s soul delight in the person and work of his beloved Son? So do ours. Is God’s soul delighted, that Christ hath satisfied his justice, magnified and made honourable his law, and finished salvation for miserable sinners? So are ours. Then, as surely as our souls delight in Christ, the Lord’s soul delights in us. We are called Hephzibah, that is, the Lord’s pleasure is in thee. Thou art married to him. His soul delighteth over thee. (Isa_62:4.) He hath given his Spirit to thee: for, says Christ, he shall receive of mine, my love, my atonement, my redemption, my righteousness, my salvation, my resurrection, ascension, and intercession, and shall shew it unto you. Thus he shall glorify me in your eyes and in your hearts. Joh_15:15.
God calls, my soul attend,
Behold his precious Son,
In form of servant he did send,
Salvation work he’s done.
This is the joy of faith:
This is the spring of love:
Behold this to thy latest breath,
Till thou shalt sing above.
Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth. Isa_42:1.
Angels reproved disciples of old with, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” (Act_1:11.) How much do we deserve this reproof? Why stand ye gazing upon the vanities of the earth? Soul, what art thou looking at? What is the object of thy intention tonight? Be it what it may, God calleth to thee, and demands audience of him, and attention to him. It is for your comfort and his glory. The Majesty of heaven speaks to sinful worms of the earth. Behold. Take off your eyes and thoughts from every object; be all eye, ear, and attention to me. Ye poor, miserable, law-condemned, sin-distressed souls, look at, and take special notice of my servant. Wonder, adore, rejoice, and love. My beloved, my co-equal Son, who is Lord of all, becomes man, takes on him the form of a servant, to do my will perfectly, and to finish your salvation completely. Whom I uphold. Carnal reason bow. Satanic pride avaunt. High thoughts submit to faith’s mystery.
Not a God upheld by a God: but a perfect man upheld by a perfect God. Christ, as perfect man, was too weak to sustain the ponderous load of a world of sin; and to support the suffering of divine wrath, in atoning for sin and satisfying divine justice. Therefore, all the fulness of the godhead dwelt in him bodily, to uphold his manhood. O sinners, in your precious Saviour behold the man: adore the God. Mine elect. Christ was chosen to the office of God’s servant and our Saviour. Chosen in the eternal council and covenant before time, to assume human nature in the fulness of time. In whom my soul delighteth. Says St. John, “We know that we are of God,” (1Jn_5:19.) How? By this sure mark, this infallible evidence, we are of one mind with God. Doth God’s soul delight in the person and work of his beloved Son? So do ours. Is God’s soul delighted, that Christ hath satisfied his justice, magnified and made honourable his law, and finished salvation for miserable sinners? So are ours. Then, as surely as our souls delight in Christ, the Lord’s soul delights in us. We are called Hephzibah, that is, the Lord’s pleasure is in thee. Thou art married to him. His soul delighteth over thee. (Isa_62:4.) He hath given his Spirit to thee: for, says Christ, he shall receive of mine, my love, my atonement, my redemption, my righteousness, my salvation, my resurrection, ascension, and intercession, and shall shew it unto you. Thus he shall glorify me in your eyes and in your hearts. Joh_15:15.
God calls, my soul attend,
Behold his precious Son,
In form of servant he did send,
Salvation work he’s done.
This is the joy of faith:
This is the spring of love:
Behold this to thy latest breath,
Till thou shalt sing above.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Isaiah 62:10
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
Psalm 22:23
Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.
29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
[video=youtube_share;kzJqoDzR2tY]http://youtu.be/kzJqoDzR2tY[/video]
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
Isaiah 62:10
Go through, go through the gates; prepare ye the way of the people; cast up, cast up the highway; gather out the stones; lift up a standard for the people.
11Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
12And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
John 10:28
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and my Father are one.
Psalm 22:23
Ye that fear the LORD, praise him; all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him; and fear him, all ye the seed of Israel.
24For he hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him; but when he cried unto him, he heard.
25My praise shall be of thee in the great congregation: I will pay my vows before them that fear him.
26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.
27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.
28For the kingdom is the LORD'S: and he is the governor among the nations.
29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.30A seed shall serve him; it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation.
31They shall come, and shall declare his righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that he hath done this.
[video=youtube_share;kzJqoDzR2tY]http://youtu.be/kzJqoDzR2tY[/video]
November 25,
Let me see the king’s face. 2Sa_14:32.
Beloved Absalom was now in a state of exile from his royal father. He had shed his brother Amnon’s blood. The king was enraged against him. Though he suffered Absalom to return to his house at Jerusalem, yet says he, “Let him not see my face.” Still there was love, great love in David’s heart, towards his son. Thus, O believer, thy heavenly Father may hide away his face in anger, because of thy provocations. That’s thy hell. But his love never abates. It is always the same towards thee, from everlasting to everlasting. That’s thy heaven to know. Was it not so, hell had long since been thy portion and mine. O think of, believe in, rejoice for everlasting, unchangeable love: love, that will never be wearied out by thy sins, till it hath brought thy soul, where sin and sorrow shall be no more for ever.
But, was Absalom quiet and easy, to return to his house at Jerusalem? No, amidst all his enjoyments, there was a fly in the pot; his mind was corroded: his heart unhappy. Why? The king would not see him: and as though he had but this one desire in his soul, and all other enjoyments were nothing without this, says he, “Let me see the king’s face.” He could not rest till this request was granted him. Some folks are very fond of having their fortunes told. O soul, dost thou desire to know thy state? Thou mayest very easily know tonight, whether thou art in the way to heaven or hell. Is it the one desire of thy soul, to see the king’s face? the face of the King of kings-the King of saints, the friend of sinners? Is thy soul restless and unsatisfied without this sight? Though surrounded with all that heart can wish, yet art thou saying? “Lord I cannot live at a distance from thee, without the smiles of thy love, the sight of thy reconciled face in Jesus. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me, and I shall be whole: quite happy and comfortable. The light of thy countenance will make me exceedingly glad.
In thy smile is heaven: in thy frown is hell.” Here is a blessed and sure evidence, that thou art a child of God. Here is the proof of thy faith, and the regeneration of thy soul. It is disposed to God: as a loving desire, an earnest pressing after, enjoying the comforts of his Spirit: a sight of his face, and a sense of his love. You will not, you cannot, rest upon doctrines of grace, without experiencing the grace of the doctrines in your heart: not to be satisfied with believing the everlasting love of God, without feeling it shed abroad in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.
My gracious Redeemer I’ll love,
His praises aloud I’ll proclaim,
And join with the armies above,
To shout his adorable name.
After that another treat
[video=youtube;put1U0eqSrc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=put1U0eqSrc[/video]
Let me see the king’s face. 2Sa_14:32.
Beloved Absalom was now in a state of exile from his royal father. He had shed his brother Amnon’s blood. The king was enraged against him. Though he suffered Absalom to return to his house at Jerusalem, yet says he, “Let him not see my face.” Still there was love, great love in David’s heart, towards his son. Thus, O believer, thy heavenly Father may hide away his face in anger, because of thy provocations. That’s thy hell. But his love never abates. It is always the same towards thee, from everlasting to everlasting. That’s thy heaven to know. Was it not so, hell had long since been thy portion and mine. O think of, believe in, rejoice for everlasting, unchangeable love: love, that will never be wearied out by thy sins, till it hath brought thy soul, where sin and sorrow shall be no more for ever.
But, was Absalom quiet and easy, to return to his house at Jerusalem? No, amidst all his enjoyments, there was a fly in the pot; his mind was corroded: his heart unhappy. Why? The king would not see him: and as though he had but this one desire in his soul, and all other enjoyments were nothing without this, says he, “Let me see the king’s face.” He could not rest till this request was granted him. Some folks are very fond of having their fortunes told. O soul, dost thou desire to know thy state? Thou mayest very easily know tonight, whether thou art in the way to heaven or hell. Is it the one desire of thy soul, to see the king’s face? the face of the King of kings-the King of saints, the friend of sinners? Is thy soul restless and unsatisfied without this sight? Though surrounded with all that heart can wish, yet art thou saying? “Lord I cannot live at a distance from thee, without the smiles of thy love, the sight of thy reconciled face in Jesus. Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon me, and I shall be whole: quite happy and comfortable. The light of thy countenance will make me exceedingly glad.
In thy smile is heaven: in thy frown is hell.” Here is a blessed and sure evidence, that thou art a child of God. Here is the proof of thy faith, and the regeneration of thy soul. It is disposed to God: as a loving desire, an earnest pressing after, enjoying the comforts of his Spirit: a sight of his face, and a sense of his love. You will not, you cannot, rest upon doctrines of grace, without experiencing the grace of the doctrines in your heart: not to be satisfied with believing the everlasting love of God, without feeling it shed abroad in your heart, by the Holy Ghost.
My gracious Redeemer I’ll love,
His praises aloud I’ll proclaim,
And join with the armies above,
To shout his adorable name.
After that another treat
[video=youtube;put1U0eqSrc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=put1U0eqSrc[/video]
November 26,
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. Heb_11:30
Doubtless, this story has been food for the profane wit of scoffing infidels. To see Joshua and his army, with seven priests blowing rams’ horns, marching round Jericho, once every day and on the seventh day, seven times-what could the men of Jericho think? Doubtless, that it was the foolish parade of a set of weak-headed men. Had they told them, Behold, on the seventh day’s blowing of the rams’ horns, the strong walls of your city shall fall down at our shouting, without any human power; they would have laughed them to scorn, as a set of dreaming enthusiasts. The obedience of faith is the scorn and ridicule of carnal men. What of that? Our Lord was pleased with it. They had his word for their warrant. They believed his word. They did as he commanded. The event was as he promised: the Lord soon made it manifest, who were the fools and madmen,
But, (1st.) why is it said, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down?” Was not this effected by the power of God? Yes: but it was according to the faith of the Israelites: and agreeable to the word of God, which was the ground of their faith. Divine faith and divine truth are inseparable. So it is said, “By faith we are justified, and have peace with God.” (Rom_5:1.) “Yet it is God who justifieth.” (Rom_8:33.) Faith hath no more hand in procuring justification, than the Israelites had in throwing down the walls of Jericho. The righteousness of Christ solely obtains this for us. But as they did, so we do by faith-shout, Christ and salvation. All opposition from sin and Satan fall before us. We see the kingdom of heaven open to us.
(2d.) Here was the obedience of faith. Though, to carnal sense and reason, the means commanded were even ridiculous, yet they obeyed. Study the Lord’s word: obey his will: attend his ordinances: look to the Lord for the promised blessing.
(3d.) Here is the patience of faith. They encompassed the city seven days, and repeated their work. O Christian, be not weary. Hold on and hold out, till the seventh day, the sabbath of thy eternal rest comes. Says Bishop Hall, “A good heart groans under his infirmities, fain would be rid of them: strives and prays: but when he hath done all, until the end of the seventh day, it cannot be.” But, (4th.) at God’s time, the walls fell: not one moment sooner. His word cannot fail. So, believer, at God’s appointed time, (you are immortal till then) shall your body, the prison walls of your soul, fall. O then, faith may shout, “for there remaineth a rest for the people of God.” Heb_4:9.
Faith looks at God’s omnipotence,
Consults not reason vain:
Soars far above our sight and sense,
And brings us precious gain.
Increase our faith, thou dearest Lord,
That we may shout thy praise,
Get daily comfort from thy word
Of pardon, love, and grace.
[video=youtube;NRJHKzU_t1M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRJHKzU_t1M[/video]
By faith the walls of Jericho fell down. Heb_11:30
Doubtless, this story has been food for the profane wit of scoffing infidels. To see Joshua and his army, with seven priests blowing rams’ horns, marching round Jericho, once every day and on the seventh day, seven times-what could the men of Jericho think? Doubtless, that it was the foolish parade of a set of weak-headed men. Had they told them, Behold, on the seventh day’s blowing of the rams’ horns, the strong walls of your city shall fall down at our shouting, without any human power; they would have laughed them to scorn, as a set of dreaming enthusiasts. The obedience of faith is the scorn and ridicule of carnal men. What of that? Our Lord was pleased with it. They had his word for their warrant. They believed his word. They did as he commanded. The event was as he promised: the Lord soon made it manifest, who were the fools and madmen,
But, (1st.) why is it said, “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down?” Was not this effected by the power of God? Yes: but it was according to the faith of the Israelites: and agreeable to the word of God, which was the ground of their faith. Divine faith and divine truth are inseparable. So it is said, “By faith we are justified, and have peace with God.” (Rom_5:1.) “Yet it is God who justifieth.” (Rom_8:33.) Faith hath no more hand in procuring justification, than the Israelites had in throwing down the walls of Jericho. The righteousness of Christ solely obtains this for us. But as they did, so we do by faith-shout, Christ and salvation. All opposition from sin and Satan fall before us. We see the kingdom of heaven open to us.
(2d.) Here was the obedience of faith. Though, to carnal sense and reason, the means commanded were even ridiculous, yet they obeyed. Study the Lord’s word: obey his will: attend his ordinances: look to the Lord for the promised blessing.
(3d.) Here is the patience of faith. They encompassed the city seven days, and repeated their work. O Christian, be not weary. Hold on and hold out, till the seventh day, the sabbath of thy eternal rest comes. Says Bishop Hall, “A good heart groans under his infirmities, fain would be rid of them: strives and prays: but when he hath done all, until the end of the seventh day, it cannot be.” But, (4th.) at God’s time, the walls fell: not one moment sooner. His word cannot fail. So, believer, at God’s appointed time, (you are immortal till then) shall your body, the prison walls of your soul, fall. O then, faith may shout, “for there remaineth a rest for the people of God.” Heb_4:9.
Faith looks at God’s omnipotence,
Consults not reason vain:
Soars far above our sight and sense,
And brings us precious gain.
Increase our faith, thou dearest Lord,
That we may shout thy praise,
Get daily comfort from thy word
Of pardon, love, and grace.
[video=youtube;NRJHKzU_t1M]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRJHKzU_t1M[/video]
"We see the kingdom of heaven open to us."
That has been my kind of faith for years. Faith is seeing. (I'll bet those people marching around the wall saw it fall long before it did.) I think that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment for healing saw herself being healed even before she touched Him.
Every day I have to ask myself, "What am I seeing?" Especially when the sight of the eyes tell me differently.
That has been my kind of faith for years. Faith is seeing. (I'll bet those people marching around the wall saw it fall long before it did.) I think that the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment for healing saw herself being healed even before she touched Him.
Every day I have to ask myself, "What am I seeing?" Especially when the sight of the eyes tell me differently.
November 27, Blessed Thanksgiving
He received from GOD the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 2Pe_1:17.
These words furnish poor sinners with matter for sweet meditation. Spirit of truth, help us to see the honour and glory of the Father and Son in them, and to get comfort from them.
Here is, (1st.) a silencing answer to that objection: you rob the Father of his honour and glory, by ascribing so much to the Son Jesus. Have you never been assaulted with this temptation? It comes from the enemy of God and sinners. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? But God and we are agreed. Our faith puts all the honour and glory of our salvation upon God’s beloved Son. There God himself puts it. IN his beloved Son, God is well pleased, and with us also IN him.
(2d.) Here see the nature of faith. It causes the soul both to imitate and obey God, and to be well pleased with what God is, the dear Man, his beloved Son.
(3d.) Though, to the eye of nature, Jesus appeared as a mere man, in abject poverty, contemptible meanness, and lowest abasement; yet the Father gives him the highest honour and glory, because he magnified his holy law and made it honourable: satisfied his divine justice, and brought everlasting honour and glory to every attribute and perfection of his nature. So that now, “God is just, and the justifier of sinners who believe in Jesus.” Then, under a sight and sense of your ruined nature, innumerable sins, and dreadful apostasies from God, put honour and glory upon the Son of God this night. His work and salvation, God is well pleased with. It has satisfied heaven for all thy sins: let thy conscience be satisfied with Jesus, and glory of him and in him alone.
For thy encouragement herein, (4th.) consider St. Peter, who wrote these words. He was honoured to be on the mount: saw his Lord’s transfiguration: heard these words from the excellent glory-and yet, O shocking to think of! this same Peter, with horrid oaths and curses, denied that he knew the man, whom God the Father had so lately honoured and glorified. Yet there was an inexpressible fulness of grace in Jesus for him. Out of Christ’s fulness, Peter received grace upon grace, whereby he was recovered from his fall, restored to repentance, and preserved to salvation. O may the dear Saviour look our hearts into godly sorrow and holy love, that we may say, “This is my beloved Saviour, in whom I am well-pleased.”
If God in Jesus is well pleas’d,
Such glory to him gave,
We ne’er can honour Christ too much,
Who came our souls to save.
O, Lamb of God! we lift our eyes
Up to thy gracious throne:
Grant us thee daily more to prize,
And call thee, Lord, our own.
[video=youtube;qLy8ksqGf9w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLy8ksqGf9w[/video]
He received from GOD the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 2Pe_1:17.
These words furnish poor sinners with matter for sweet meditation. Spirit of truth, help us to see the honour and glory of the Father and Son in them, and to get comfort from them.
Here is, (1st.) a silencing answer to that objection: you rob the Father of his honour and glory, by ascribing so much to the Son Jesus. Have you never been assaulted with this temptation? It comes from the enemy of God and sinners. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? But God and we are agreed. Our faith puts all the honour and glory of our salvation upon God’s beloved Son. There God himself puts it. IN his beloved Son, God is well pleased, and with us also IN him.
(2d.) Here see the nature of faith. It causes the soul both to imitate and obey God, and to be well pleased with what God is, the dear Man, his beloved Son.
(3d.) Though, to the eye of nature, Jesus appeared as a mere man, in abject poverty, contemptible meanness, and lowest abasement; yet the Father gives him the highest honour and glory, because he magnified his holy law and made it honourable: satisfied his divine justice, and brought everlasting honour and glory to every attribute and perfection of his nature. So that now, “God is just, and the justifier of sinners who believe in Jesus.” Then, under a sight and sense of your ruined nature, innumerable sins, and dreadful apostasies from God, put honour and glory upon the Son of God this night. His work and salvation, God is well pleased with. It has satisfied heaven for all thy sins: let thy conscience be satisfied with Jesus, and glory of him and in him alone.
For thy encouragement herein, (4th.) consider St. Peter, who wrote these words. He was honoured to be on the mount: saw his Lord’s transfiguration: heard these words from the excellent glory-and yet, O shocking to think of! this same Peter, with horrid oaths and curses, denied that he knew the man, whom God the Father had so lately honoured and glorified. Yet there was an inexpressible fulness of grace in Jesus for him. Out of Christ’s fulness, Peter received grace upon grace, whereby he was recovered from his fall, restored to repentance, and preserved to salvation. O may the dear Saviour look our hearts into godly sorrow and holy love, that we may say, “This is my beloved Saviour, in whom I am well-pleased.”
If God in Jesus is well pleas’d,
Such glory to him gave,
We ne’er can honour Christ too much,
Who came our souls to save.
O, Lamb of God! we lift our eyes
Up to thy gracious throne:
Grant us thee daily more to prize,
And call thee, Lord, our own.
[video=youtube;qLy8ksqGf9w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLy8ksqGf9w[/video]