January 10th "A Spiritual Treasury"

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

     Verily, here is a glorious assemblage of comforting truths, like a reviving cordial of rich compounds, to enliven drooping spirits.  Too often do God's children judge of their Father's love from corrupt ideas. Through the carnality of their natures, the depravity of their judgment, the weakness of their faith, the uncertainty of their frames and feelings, and the artful insinuations of Satan, their loving Father is considered as an implacable Being, full of wrath and anger against them.  But this is contrary to God's revelation of himself in Christ, as a God of Love.  So also is it injurious and hurtful to the souls of his children.  For it damps their love, distresses their spirits, deadens the exercise of their graces, and hinders their increase in holiness, the essence of which is founded in the love of God.  Therefore, such views come not from God.  But hereby Satan gains an advantage, and triumphs over poor souls with "There, there, so would I have it." 

     What can the trembling sinner do?  Whither can he fly?  What course can he take?  All legal efforts are vain;  from self and nature no hope can spring.  What can he think?  Truly, stand amazed that he is out of hell.  He cannot sink lower in his views of himself than are his just deserts; yet he can never be in his own sight so miserable but that the grace of God in Christ is all-sufficient to afford hope and help.  In  nature's despair grace triumphs.  A sense of momentary anger heightens returning favor.  The joy of the morning is improved by a past night of sorrow.  God ever rests unchangeable in his love to his people.  This is the essence of Gospel grace and truth.  That we vary and fluctuate in our apprehension of his love is natural to our very existence.  "But we have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your hearts." 2 Peter 1:19.  "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." Rev. 19:10.   The favor of God to sinners is in Christ, that is their life; the life and spring of all their graces and comforts.  God in Christ is the Christian's highest glory and greatest triumph.  For his love is unchangeably the same to Christ, and to all who are united to him by the Holy Spirit, and one with him by precious faith.  "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice." Philippians 4:4