August 24—Morning—Acts 13:23

"God, according to his promise, has raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus."—Acts 13:23.

Consider, my soul, the blessedness of these words. Jesus is not only Israel's Saviour, and has fully fulfilled every aspect of that glorious character, but here we are also shown his credentials. This is the foundation of faith. I believe in Jesus. Why? He comes with the name, the authority, and the commission of God the Father. Jesus is the appointment, the ordinance, the method Jehovah has provided for salvation. What a sweet thought! In addition to everything I see in the Lord Jesus that applies to my situation and circumstances, I also see that Jesus is the Father's gift, the Father's chosen one, the Father's anointed, full of grace and truth.

Jesus is therefore the great promise of the Bible, for in him are contained all the promises. And I see also that God our Father was, and is, the great promiser. I see that God not only gave this rich Saviour to poor sinners but also, according to his promise, raised him up from the dead after he had made his soul an offering for sin, to bless them. For it is said, "he was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification." My soul, pause over this blessed account and consider your own interest in it. If God has raised up this Saviour for Israel, what do you know of him? Have you felt your need for a Saviour? Do you accept the Father's Saviour? Is Jesus your Saviour? Have you come to him for salvation? Now that God the Father has raised him up, does he appear to you in all his beauty, fullness, suitability, and complete salvation?

August 24—Evening—1 Kings 3:5

"And God said, 'Ask what I shall give you?'"—1 Kings 3:5.

My honoured Lord, may I not, with all humility of soul, apply what was said to Solomon in the Old Testament dispensation, as being said to all your redeemed under the grace of the New Testament? Did you not say, Lord, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you shall receive, that your joy may be full" (John 16:23-24)? I feel encouraged by this saying of my Lord, and I have come this evening to my Lord, seeking large supplies of grace, mercy, pardon, and peace—yes, even Christ himself, with all his gifts, all his fullness, and all his blessings. And I am sure that if my Lord gives me a hand as large to receive as his hand is to give, I shall have a blessed time this evening.

My soul, make sure you bring all your needs with you—yes, come as empty as the poorest beggar who ever appeared in the poverty and wretchedness of a fallen nature; for he who gives "gives liberally and without reproach." Do you know what your needs are? And what are the needs of Christ's church on earth, your household, your family, your children, and your friends? Let them tell you if you do not know; for tell them, Jesus is on the throne and delights to give from his inexhaustible fullness; and there is an assurance of blessings if asked in faith. Tell them that you will faithfully lay their cases before him; yes, bring them with you, and let all unite in prayer and supplication together, so that every need may be supplied and every poor sinner's heart made glad!

Oh, what encouragement it is to consider that everything in Christ is for his people, and that he waits to be gracious and delights in imparting blessings. The Father's gift of Christ is for this express purpose, for he so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son; and therefore, with him, "he will freely give all things." And Jesus, who gave himself for his people, will surely give everything that they need. And it is the glory, grace, and love of the Holy Spirit to give the people views and enjoyments of both the Father's love and the Son's grace.

Listen, then, my soul, to the voice from the mercy seat this evening, "Ask what I shall give you?" And make sure that your petitions and the blessings you pray for are great and large, suited to the glory of the great Giver and the largeness and tenderness of the Lord's heart. And do take note of this as an encouragement to carry with you, an assurance of your success: if he who bids you ask also gives you faith to believe; and if, while the Lord is stretching forth the sceptre of his grace, he enables you to stretch forth your withered hand to touch it; I am sure that you will not come away empty, for he has said, "All things that you ask believing, you shall receive."

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