14 Nov Nov 14th | Evening Devotional
“And Laban said, It must not be so done in our country, to give the younger before the firstborn.”
Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one.
— Genesis 29:26 [NIV]
We do not excuse Laban for his dishonesty, but we scruple not to learn from the custom which he quoted as his excuse. There are some things which must be taken in order, and if we would win the second we must secure the first. The second may be the more lovely in our eyes, but the rule of the heavenly country must stand, and the elder must be married first. For instance, many men desire the beautiful and well-favoured Rachel of joy and peace in believing, but they must first be wedded to the tender-eyed Leah of repentance. Every one falls in love with happiness, and many would cheerfully serve twice seven years to enjoy it, but according to the rule of the Lord’s kingdom, the Leah of real holiness must be beloved of our soul before the Rachel of true happiness can be attained. Heaven stands not first but second, and only by persevering to the end can we win a portion in it. The cross must be carried before the crown can be worn. We must follow our Lord in his humiliation, or we shall never rest with him in glory.
My soul, what sayest thou, art thou so vain as to hope to break through the heavenly rule? Dost thou hope for reward without labour, or honour without toil? Dismiss the idle expectation, and be content to take the ill-favoured things for the sake of the sweet love of Jesus, which will recompense thee for all. In such a spirit, labouring and suffering, thou wilt find bitters grow sweet, and hard things easy. Like Jacob, thy years of service will seem unto thee but a few days for the love thou hast to Jesus; and when the dear hour of the wedding feast shall come, all thy toils shall be as though they had never been-an hour with Jesus will make up for ages of pain and labour.
Jesus, to win thyself so fair,
Thy cross I will with gladness bear:
Since so the rules of heaven ordain,
The first I’ll wed the next to gain.
Dec 31st | Morning Devotional
“In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, if any man thirst, let him come unto me and drink.” On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let… Continue Reading Dec 31st | Morning Devotional...
31 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 3 LikesDec 31st | Evening Devotional
“The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved.” “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.” —Jeremiah 8:20 [NIV] Not saved! Dear reader, is this your mournful plight? Warned of the judgment to… Continue Reading Dec 31st | Evening Devotional...
31 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 30th | Morning Devotional
“Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof.” The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. —Ecclesiastes 7:8 [NIV] Look at David’s Lord and Master; see his beginning. He was despised and… Continue Reading Dec 30th | Morning Devotional...
30 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 30th | Evening Devotional
“Knowest thou not that it will be bitterness in the latter end?” Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their fellow Israelites?”… Continue Reading Dec 30th | Evening Devotional...
30 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 29th | Morning Devotional
“Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.” Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” —1 Samuel 7:12 [NIV] The word “hitherto” seems like a hand pointing… Continue Reading Dec 29th | Morning Devotional...
29 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 29th | Evening Devotional
“What think ye of Christ?” “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?” “The son of David,” they replied. —Matthew 22:42 [NIV] The great test of your soul’s health is, What think you of Christ? Is he to you “fairer… Continue Reading Dec 29th | Evening Devotional...
29 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 28th | Morning Devotional
“The life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God.” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I… Continue Reading Dec 28th | Morning Devotional...
28 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 28th | Evening Devotional
“I came not to send peace on earth, but a sword.” Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. —Matthew 10:34 [NIV] The Christian will be sure to… Continue Reading Dec 28th | Evening Devotional...
28 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 27th | Morning Devotional
“Can the rush grow up without mire?” Can papyrus grow tall where there is no marsh? Can reeds thrive without water? —Job 8:11 [NIV] The rush is spongy and hollow, and even so is a hypocrite; there is no substance or stability in… Continue Reading Dec 27th | Morning Devotional...
27 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 LikeDec 27th | Evening Devotional
“And the LORD shall guide thee continually.” The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. —Isaiah 58:11 [NIV]… Continue Reading Dec 27th | Evening Devotional...
27 December, 2018 Daily Devotional 1 Like