September 4—Morning—Isaiah 45

"A just God, and a Saviour."—Isaiah 45.

My soul, have you learned, from the teaching of God the Holy Spirit, to contemplate Him, with whom you have to do, under these blessed united characters? If you have, you have found it a blessed and approved way of opening communion with God and maintaining that communion alive in the soul. You know, then, that God, as a just God, can allow no pardon for sin except on the basis of complete satisfaction; for, without this, His truth and justice would still be violated by unatoned sin.

But if you behold God in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, and have been taught by the Spirit that Christ has redeemed you from the curse of the law, being made a curse for you; that, as your surety and representative, He has paid your debt and restored what He did not take away; here you truly see "a just God, and a Saviour," and have learned that precious, blessed truth of how God can be just, and the justifier of every poor sinner who believes in Jesus.

See to it then, my soul, that you keep this precious thought always in view. Always blend together, in all your approaches to a mercy seat, the understanding that you are approaching "a just God, and a Saviour." Never lose sight of the high demands of God's righteous law, nor of the perfect worth and efficacy of Jesus in His blood and righteousness. And always connect with this blessed view your own personal interest in that obedience, through your union with Him. Then you will delight in God's justice as much as in His mercy; and His holiness will be as dear to you as His love. Then you will understand that blessed truth and agree with it in every part: "Surely one shall say, 'In the Lord I have righteousness and strength'; even to Him shall men come; and all that believe in Him shall not be ashamed nor confounded, world without end."

September 4—Evening—1 Kings 12:15

"So the king did not listen to the people; for the cause was from the Lord."—1 Kings 12:15.

What light does this one verse shed on the whole of this history, and upon ten thousand similar situations that are continually happening throughout life! The event recorded in this chapter—that the king should listen to the counsel of fools and disregard the advice of wise men—would have seemed incredible, as the right course was so very obvious. But when we understand the hidden cause, and are told that it was "from the Lord," how strikingly does it set forth the wonderful governance of God in bringing about the sacred purposes of His holy will!

My soul, sit down this evening, and ponder well the subject. Think how truly blessed it is, and how truly sanctifying, to see this almighty hand in every dispensation. And apply this doctrine to your own concerns and circumstances, for it is a very blessed one, if well understood and followed. When, in any of the providential or gracious appointments of your Jesus, you are troubled or afflicted, what can be your relief, but seeing the cause as from the Lord? The sin and transgression that brought it about are indeed your own, but the overruling of it for your future welfare and the divine glory is the Lord's.

Thus, the man of Uz (Job) was grievously afflicted in every way; but we are told that the Lord's permission was in all of it, and the outcome fully proved the Lord's purpose. In the same way, "the man after God's own heart" (David) was cursed by Shimei at the very moment his life was sought by his own unnatural son; but what did David say under this heavy trial?—"Leave him alone, for the Lord has told him to curse." And what a gracious and sanctifying use did he make of it, proving that the Lord, who was afflicting him, was also upholding him: "It may be," he said, "that the Lord will look upon my affliction, and that the Lord will repay me good for his cursing this day," (2 Samuel 16:5-12).

My soul, see every cause, every event, and every dispensation as from the Lord; "He rules in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." If He afflicts His children, they are still His children; the relationship never lessens, nor is His love diminished: "Whom the Lord loves, He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." Does He raise up wicked men to persecute them? They are but the sword; the governance is the Lord's. Does Jesus speak in frowning providences, or hide Himself from giving His usual gracious visits of love? He is still and must always be Jesus. There is no change in Him, whatever outward circumstances may suggest. He Himself says, "I know the thoughts I think toward you, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you an expected end," (Jeremiah 29:11).

Precious Lord Jesus, give me the eyes to see, and the understanding heart, to behold Your hand in all things, to rest upon Your love and faithfulness in all things, and to be always looking unto You in all circumstances; so shall I bless You for all; and, I am sure, the outcome will be to Your glory, and my everlasting happiness.

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by Robert Hawker (modernized)