June 11

Morning

We love because He first loved us. — 1 John 4:19 BSB

There is no light in the planets except that which comes from the sun, and there is no true love for Jesus in our hearts except that which comes from the Lord Jesus Himself. All our love for God springs from the overflowing fountain of His infinite love for us. This is a great and certain truth—we love Him because He first loved us. Our love for Him is the natural result of His love for us. Anyone can feel cold admiration when studying God’s works, but the warmth of love can only be kindled in the heart by God’s Spirit. How amazing it is that people like us should ever come to love Jesus at all! How incredible that after we rebelled against Him, He would, through His amazing love, draw us back to Him. No, we would never have even a grain of love for God if it weren’t sown in us by the sweet seed of His love for us.

Love for Jesus has its source in God’s love, which is poured into our hearts. But even after it is born in us, it must be divinely nourished. Love is not a plant that grows naturally in human soil; it’s an exotic plant that must be watered from above. Love for Jesus is delicate, and if it relied on nourishment from our own hearts, it would soon wither. As love comes from heaven, it must feed on heavenly bread. Love cannot survive in the wilderness unless it is fed with manna from on high. Love must feed on love. The very life and soul of our love for God is His love for us.

Evening

There He shattered the flaming arrows, the shield and sword and weapons of war. Selah — Ps 76:3 BSB

Our Redeemer’s glorious cry of “It is finished!” was the deathblow to all the enemies of His people, the breaking of “the shields and swords and weapons” of His foes. Picture the hero of Golgotha, using His cross as an anvil and His sufferings as a hammer, smashing to pieces bundle after bundle of our sins, those poisoned “arrows of the enemy.” He tramples on every accusation and destroys every indictment against us. What glorious blows the mighty Savior deals, far more powerful than the mythical hammer of Thor! How the devilish arrows shatter, and the infernal shields are broken like clay pots! Watch as He pulls from its sheath the terrible sword of Satanic power! He snaps it over His knee like a dry twig and throws it into the fire.

Beloved, no sin can now fatally wound a believer, and no condemnation can now destroy him. The punishment for our sin was borne by Christ, who made full atonement for all our iniquities as our blessed Substitute and Surety. Who can now accuse us? Who can condemn us? Christ has died, yes, and He is risen again! Jesus has emptied the quivers of hell, extinguished every fiery dart, and broken off the head of every arrow of wrath! The ground is littered with the splinters and remains of the weapons of hell’s warfare. These are visible to us only as reminders of the danger we were in and the great deliverance we have received. Sin no longer has dominion over us! Jesus has put an end to it and has removed it forever. O enemy, your destruction is permanent. Speak of the Lord’s wondrous works, you who mention His name—do not remain silent, whether by day or when the sun sets. Bless the Lord, O my soul!