September 22—Morning—Romans 3:26
"The justifier of the one who believes in Jesus." — Romans 3:26

And who is this, indeed who can it be, but Jehovah? "It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns?" But, my soul, take note of how each person of the Godhead is revealed in Scripture under this character, as if to convince every poor sinner seeking redemption in Israel, that God can be just and yet the justifier of the one who believes in Jesus.

God the Father justifies the believing sinner, for He shows that He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, having found a ransom in the blood of His Son, by which He is faithful to all His covenant promises in pardoning us, having received from our Lord's hand double for all our sins.

God the Son also justifies His redeemed, for it is explicitly said by the prophet, "In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory." And that God the Holy Spirit justifies is evident as well, for it was through the eternal Spirit that the offering of the body of Jesus Christ was made, by which Christ is said to have been "justified in the Spirit." Believers are said to be justified by this virtue, in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Therefore, all persons of the Godhead are united in the act of justifying every believer in Jesus, through whom we have peace with God and fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Here then is a portion to sustain us throughout life, in death, and for all eternity.
 

September 22—Evening—1 Corinthians 4:7
"Who makes you different from anyone else?" — 1 Corinthians 4:7

My soul, sit down in the calm of this beautiful evening and, in the reflection of distinguishing mercies, look up and recognize the gracious hand that "makes you different from anyone else," until your heart overflows with thanksgiving, love, and praise. If you will open the book of your own life (which, when explained by the Word of God, is the most fascinating to read), you will see countless examples in all areas of "nature, providence, and grace," that under divine teaching, will bring this question home to your heart with deep conviction: "Who makes you different from anyone else?"

Every defect of nature in others, every poor cripple, the blind, the deaf whom you encounter; the lack of intellect or understanding, or even the fact that you were not born among the lowest creatures of the earth but among those created in the image of God, should direct your heart to the contemplation of Him and His distinguishing favor, "in whose book all your members were written!"

And when, from the realm of nature, you follow your life's path into the realms of providence and grace, and observe all the distinguishing mercies that have marked your journey, this question will arise repeatedly: "Who makes you different from anyone else?" What a mercy to be born in this land, and not in the dark places of the earth, where the name of Jesus has never been heard, nor the church bell calls sinners to salvation! What a mercy to have had praying parents, who sought blessings for us before we could ask for ourselves!

Or, on the other hand, if you came from ungodly parents who never guided you to the throne of grace, what a mercy that despite such unpromising circumstances, the Word of God and the ordinances of Jesus are dear to you! Surely the apostle's question resonates powerfully in this light, "Who makes you different from anyone else?"

And, my soul, if now, as from a higher vantage point, you look back and trace "all the way the Lord your God has led you these many years, to humble you, and to test you, to know what was in your heart," (Deuteronomy 8:2), you will see how your Lord's gracious dealings with you stand in contrast to others. How many, with whom you entered the field of life in your youth, are now gone; how many who still live do not know the Lord; how many, with far more promising opportunities, have fallen short of God's grace!

Reflections like these, and countless others connected with them, instead of filling you with pride, should humble your soul before God, and deeply impress the apostle's question upon your heart: "Who makes you different from anyone else?"

Jesus, my Lord, behold me at Your feet! How can I dare lift my eyes to You, while I remember Your distinguishing mercy toward me and my unworthiness toward You? Lord, is it possible that in a life where so much grace has abounded, sin has abounded so much as well? In every place where my God has erected a monument of His love, my sinful and ungrateful heart has left an inscription of my unworthiness!

I do not know what others feel, but blessed—forever blessed—be the unceasing patience and goodness of my God, that through His distinguishing grace alone, I am what I am. And while my soul desires to attribute every aspect of divine mercy in all areas of nature, providence, and grace to the Lord's own free, rich, and sovereign pleasure, I praise Him for having given me that precious testimony in my soul, which the Lord Himself said would be the result of His divine teaching in the heart: "I will establish my covenant with you, and you shall know that I am the Lord; that you may remember and be ashamed, and never open your mouth anymore because of your shame, when I provide atonement for you for all that you have done, says the Lord God" (Ezekiel 16:62-63).

- Robert Hawlker