August 26—Morning—Acts 3:13

"The God of our fathers has glorified his Son Jesus."—Acts 3:13.

See, my soul, how every part of Scripture points to this one purpose—to glorify the Lord Jesus. What is the very purpose of redemption but to glorify the Lord Jesus? Why has God established a church, if not to glorify the Lord Jesus? To what do all the precepts, promises, ordinances, sacrifices under the law, and institutions under the gospel lead, if not to this one end—to glorify the Lord Jesus?
 

Do they speak of promises? All the promises of God are "in Christ Jesus, yes and amen, to the glory of God the Father by us." Do they speak of the law? "Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Do they speak of commandments? "This is the commandment, that you believe in the name of the only begotten Son of God; and that by believing, you might have life through his name."
 

And how has the God of our fathers glorified his Son Jesus by giving him as a covenant to the people? Has he not appointed him as the glorious Head, the Mediator, the Husband, the Lord, the Prophet, the Priest, the King of his people? How has he glorified him in his person, offices, characters, and relationships! How has he carried him through all the stages of redemption—his incarnation, ministry, miracles, obedience, life, death, resurrection, ascension—and in all his triumphs over sin and Satan, death, hell, and the grave. Having made him the universal and eternal Lord of all, he commands that "every knee should bow before him, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father!"
 

Is there anything left by which the God of our fathers might further manifest that he has glorified his Son Jesus? Yes, there is one more thing, my soul, by which this wonderful grace is shown: when the God of our fathers glorifies his Son Jesus in the heart of every poor sinner who gives all the glory of their salvation fully, heartily, and completely to him, and places the crown of redemption upon the head of Jesus.
 

My soul, have you done this? Have you glorified Jesus in this way, the only way in which you can glorify him and the Father in him? If so, what a sweet thought it is that the God of our fathers and you, a poor sinner, are both united in this one blessed work—to glorify Jesus. And here, in this sacred meeting place, both an holy God and unholy men can come together, both engaged in the same act—to glorify Jesus! Oh Lamb of God, may you be eternally glorified in my salvation!

August 26—Evening—I Kings 10:21

"And all King Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver, as silver was considered of little value in the days of Solomon."—1 Kings 10:21.
 

Behold, my soul, the splendour of Solomon, and imagine what his court and people must have been like, where silver was considered of little value; then turn your thoughts to Jesus and ask yourself whether it is possible to suppose that he, in whom are hidden all "the treasures of wisdom and knowledge," could be anything but rich himself and abundantly gracious in enriching his people? Your Solomon, your Jesus, has all things and all things richly to dispense. He is the universal Lord and owner of all. In him dwells all fullness; "yes, durable riches and righteousness."
 

What makes Jesus so dear and marks the superiority of his kingdom is that everything in it is everlasting. Solomon's splendour was great, but it was limited to the period of his life—indeed, less than that. But Jesus is everlasting; the riches and blessings he possesses and gives are everlasting. Jesus makes both gold and silver, yes, the riches of grace and wisdom, as abundant as the stones of the street; and their blessedness is, like him, eternal. So here we find an eternity of blessings. Everything else is hollow, transitory, and fading. But with Jesus, it is solid and substantial. "I will cause those who love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasuries."
 

Precious Lord, may I never contemplate earthly pageantry without also considering your glory; and while I behold human grandeur, however splendid or shining, which is but for a day, may my soul hasten to reflect on your glory, which is the eternal portion for your redeemed to live upon forever!

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Source:The Poor Man's Morning and Evening Portion by Robert Hawker (today's blog post lightly modernized by Monergism)