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Daily devotions for 01-13-2005:
Devotion: Morning and Evening
Morning Title: The Providence of Our God
Evening Title: The Iron Did Swim
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Morning: The Providence of Our God
"Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went
not; for the ships
were broken at Ezion-geber." --1 Kings 22:48
Solomon's ships had returned in safety, but Jehoshaphat's vessels never
reached the land of
gold. Providence prospers one, and frustrates the desires of another, in the
same business and at the same spot, yet the Great Ruler is as good and wise at
one time as another. May we have grace to-day, in the remembrance of this text,
to bless the Lord for ships broken at Ezion-geber, as well as for vessels
freighted with temporal blessings; let us not envy the more successful, nor
murmur at our losses as though we were singularly and specially tried. Like
Jehoshaphat, we may be precious in the Lord's sight, although our schemes end
in disappointment.
The secret cause of Jehoshaphat's loss is well worthy of notice, for it is the
root of very much
of the suffering of the Lord's people; it was his alliance with a sinful
family, his fellowship
with sinners. In 2 Chron. 20:37, we are told that the Lord sent a prophet to
declare, "Because thou hast joined thyself with Ahaziah, the Lord hath broken
thy works." This was a fatherly
chastisement, which appears to have been blest to him; for in the verse which
succeeds our
morning's text we find him refusing to allow his servants to sail in the same
vessels with those
of the wicked king. Would to God that Jehoshaphat's experience might be a
warning to
the rest of the Lord's people, to avoid being unequally yoked together with
unbelievers! A life of misery is usually the lot of those who are united in
marriage, or in any other way of their
own choosing, with the men of the world. O for such love to Jesus that, like
Him, we may be
holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sinners; for if it be not so with
us, we may
expect to hear it often said, "The Lord hath broken thy works."
Evening: The Iron Did Swim
"The iron did swim." --2 Kings 6:9
The axe-head seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honour of the
prophetic band was likely to be imperilled, and so the name of their God to be
compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to mount from the
depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man are possible
with God. I knew a man in Christ but a few years ago who was called to
undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as to
involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he was called thereto,
and his faith rose with the occasion; God honoured his faith, unlooked-for aid
was sent, and the iron did swim.
Another of the Lord's family was in grievous financial straits, he was able to
meet all
claims, and much more if he could have realized a certain portion of his
estate, but he was
overtaken with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but faith led
him to the
unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted, his footsteps were enlarged,
and the
iron did swim. A third had a sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had
taught, reproved,
warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain.
Old Adam was too strong for young Melancthon, the stubborn spirit would not
relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and before long a blessed answer was sent
from heaven. The hard heart was broken, the iron did swim.
Beloved reader, what is thy desperate case? What heavy matter hast thou in hand
this evening?
Bring it hither. The God of the prophets lives, and lives to help His saints.
He will not suffer
thee to lack any good thing. Believe thou in the Lord of hosts! Approach Him
pleading the name of Jesus, and the iron shall swim; thou too shalt see the
finger of God working marvels for His people. According to thy faith be it unto
thee, and yet again the iron shall swim.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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