August 29—Morning—John 14:9
"Have I been with you for so long, and yet you have not known me?"—John 14:9.
Pause, my soul, over this question of the Lord Jesus, which he put to Philip—imagine that the Lord says the same to you; and now consider what answer you would give him. It is a profound question. If you are able to answer it with a "Yes, Lord," and, through the teaching of the blessed Spirit, truly know Jesus to be what the Scripture says he is, and can affirm, from receiving that testimony which God has given of his dear and ever-blessed Son, that God is true, then you are truly happy and may humbly take a portion in that blessedness which the Lord Jesus pronounced upon Peter, from the same grace manifested: "Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven."
Pause then, and inquire: Do you know who Christ is? Are you perfectly convinced, my soul, of the oneness in nature, essence, glory, will, worship, work, design, attributes, perfections, power, sovereignty—in short, in everything that constitutes the Godhead—between the Father, the Son, and the Spirit? Oh yes, my soul cries out, I do, through the teaching of my God, most firmly, sincerely, and wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is one with the Father, over all, God blessed forever! Amen.
Pause again, my soul, and ask: Do you as firmly and sincerely believe that your Jesus, who, in the divine nature, is one with the Father, is also, in the human nature that he united to the Godhead for the purpose of salvation, one with you, bone of your bone, and flesh of your flesh? Does this make an equal part of your faith? Oh yes, through the same divine teaching, I am just as fully and perfectly convinced that he who is, and was, and ever will be, the uncreated Word, was made flesh and thereby became the true Immanuel, God with us, God in our nature.
Pause once more, my soul, and ask: Do you believe that, by this union of God and man, Jesus became the true, the only, the blessed Mediator, the Christ of God, the Sent of God, the Sealed of God, the Anointed of God, the Lamb of God, the Word of God, the Wisdom of God, and the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes? Bow down, my soul, with unceasing thanksgivings and praise to the Author and Giver of faith, for the astounding revelations he has made to you of himself, while you cry out in joyful exclamation—Lord, I believe all this; and I am perfectly satisfied that you are one with the Father, and you are in the Father, and the Father is in you.
And while you give this testimony of the Lord Jesus, will you not, my soul, at the same time, with a deep sense of this distinguishing mercy, also cry out with the astonished disciple—"Lord, how is it that you have manifested yourself to me, and not to the world?"
August 29—Evening—Isaiah 45:11
"Thus says the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: 'Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.'"—Isaiah 45:11.
Nothing can give a greater proof of the love of God than what the Scriptures reveal about him. He opened a way of access to himself when humanity, through sin, had lost the way; and in his dear Son, he has made every provision for bringing us near by his blood. He has opened the throne of grace for our approach; given us assurance of being accepted in the Beloved; offered the tender and kind expressions that come from his throne; and provided answers to thousands who come there, continually answering thousands more. Yes, the promises with which they are surrounded—that "before they call, I will answer, and while they are speaking, I will hear"—are all full of love, showing forth the love of God in Jesus Christ to all his people.
Yet, if possible, beyond all these, this passage from the writings of the prophet is most extraordinary, confirmed by the Lord’s own words: "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of My hands, you command Me." What! Does the Lord indeed allow himself to be commanded? Has he, as it were, placed the reins of government in the hands of his people? And if the object of their petition is for his glory and their welfare, may they command him? My soul, what an astonishing and unparalleled example of condescension this is!
But are there any examples of this kind recorded? Yes! When Jacob wrestled with God in prayer, he boldly told the Lord that he would not let him go without a blessing—and he received the blessing. God himself, a thousand years later, noted it down by the prophet that "by his strength, he had power with God" (Genesis 32:26, 28; Hosea 12:3, 4). When Joshua was pursuing the enemies of God and his Christ, he commanded the sun to stand still, and it did so (Joshua 10:12-14). When the Lord Jesus went with the disciples to Emmaus, and they urged him to stay, he was persuaded by them and went in with them (Luke 24:29).
And who can say what countless instances of wonder, grace, and love—in both public and private life, throughout the history of the church and the Lord's people—have been accomplished in this way and continue to happen every day? My soul, consider Moses stopping the Lord’s hand when he was about to destroy Israel (Exodus 32:9-14). Look at how Elijah shut up and then opened the windows of heaven through the power of prayer, and read the apostle’s commentary on it (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:16-18). And when you have carefully pondered this wonderful subject, ask yourself: What is there that your God and Father can or will deny you when you come to him in the name, by the blood, and through the intercession of his dear and ever-blessed Son?
Read the inscription on his cross in connection with this blessed scripture from the prophet, and then say with the apostle: "He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Romans 8:32).
