September 29—Morning—2 Kings 4:6
"And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, 'Bring me yet a vessel.' And he said unto her, 'There is not a vessel more.' And the oil stayed." — 2 Kings 4:6

Do I not see Jesus and His fullness here? His giving never ceases until we have no more empty vessels to receive. And surely it is only fitting that the oil of grace should stop when there are no more souls to be filled. Indeed, it would be a pity if something so precious were wasted. My soul, are you not as poor as this woman? Is the creditor coming to take you into bondage? Cry out earnestly to Jesus, the Lord God of the prophets.

Will you borrow vessels to receive His bounty? Borrow not just a few, for every vessel would fail long before Jesus's abundance does. Have you filled them all? Then see that your Almighty Creditor is paid from Jesus’s bounty, for He has settled all your debt. And ensure that you live henceforth on Jesus’s fullness.

Oh, bountiful Lord, let me learn sweet lessons of faith from this story. There is no lack in You; You are all-sufficient. All that You have is meant for sinners. And, precious Lord, are You not glorified by giving to sinners? Is it not Your glory and delight to do so? Aren’t You pleased when sinners come to You? Oh, for grace to come to You, and to know and believe that it is Your glory and pleasure to receive them. Indeed, You keep an open house, an open hand, an open heart. Lord, grant me the grace to come to You daily and hourly, empty, to be filled with grace now and glory hereafter.
 

September 29—Evening—Isaiah 58:2
"Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice: they take delight in approaching to God." — Isaiah 58:2

My soul, when you read a scripture like this, which seems to present a fair appearance of outward religious observance, it is worthwhile to consider the wretched delusion under which such people labor. The world may call them "very good people," but the Lord speaks most solemnly concerning them.

Individuals of this sort do not claim to be without sin; they acknowledge that "we have all sinned and fall short of God’s glory." But their belief is that they have endeavored to repent and make amends, and they hope Christ will cover what they lack. They feel they have not been as bad as others, and that they have done much more in terms of religious duty. They think that if they don’t make it to heaven, then who will? As this scripture describes, they profess to seek the Lord daily, as if they were a nation that practices righteousness and takes delight in approaching God. "Why have we fasted," they ask, "and you do not see? Why have we afflicted our soul, and you take no notice?"

Observe, my soul, the frightening reality of such characters, and consider the core of the religion of many who aren't openly wicked. There are no cries over sin, no concern for the sufferings of Jesus, no inquiries about redemption through His blood, and no heartfelt experience of being taught and humbled by the Holy Spirit.

Does God command His messengers to cry aloud and not hold back in showing His people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins? Can such as these be found righteous in His sight? Oh, for a voice of warning to call them to flee from the wrath to come! If I had the power of persuasion, I would say, "My poor, deluded, self-righteous brother! Awaken from this false sense of security and vain confidence. If salvation is by works, then it is no longer by faith. And if anything but the blood of Christ can cleanse from sin, or anything but the righteousness of Christ can justify the sinner, then all the threats of the gospel are void, and all the promises would have to be changed."

Blessed be the Lord, who teaches you, my soul, to profit, and who has fully, finally, and completely established you in this decisive truth: "There is salvation in no other but in Jesus alone; neither is there any other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

- Robert Hawker