June 6

Morning

Behold, I am vile. — Job 40:4

One cheering word, poor lost sinner, for you! You think you must not come to God because you are vile. Now, there is not a Christian living on earth but has been made to feel that he is vile. If Job, and Isaiah, and Paul were all obliged to say “I am vile,” oh, poor sinner, will you be ashamed to join in the same confession? If divine grace does not eradicate all sin from the believer, how do you hope to do it yourself? If God loves His people while they are yet vile—do you think your vileness will prevent His loving you? Believe on Jesus, you outcast of the world’s society! Jesus calls you, and such as you are.

Even now say, “You have died for sinners; I am a sinner, Lord Jesus, sprinkle Your blood on me”; if you will confess your sin you shall find pardon. If, now, with all your heart, you will say, “I am vile, wash me,” you shall be washed now. If the Holy Spirit shall enable you from your heart to cry

“Just as I am, without one plea
But that Your blood was shed for me,
And that you bidd’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come!”

you shall rise from reading this morning’s portion with all your sins pardoned; and though you did wake this morning with every sin that man has ever committed on your head, you shall rest tonight accepted in the Beloved; though once degraded with the rags of sin, you shall be adorned with a robe of righteousness, and appear white as the angels are! For “now,” mark it, “Now is the accepted time.” If you “Believe on Him—who justifies the ungodly, you are saved.” Oh! may the Holy Spirit give you saving faith in Him who receives the vilest!

Evening

Are they Israelites? so am I. — 2 Cor 11:22

We have here a personal claim, and one that needs proof. The apostle knew that his claim was indisputable but there are many people who have no right to the title—who yet claim to belong to the Israel of God. If we are with confidence declaring, “So am I also an Israelite,” let us only say it after having searched our heart as in the presence of God. But if we can give proof that we are following Jesus, if we can from the heart say, “I trust Him wholly, trust Him only, trust Him simply, trust Him now, and trust Him ever,” then the position which the saints of God hold, belongs to us—all their enjoyments are our possessions; we may be the very least in Israel, “less than the least of all saints,” yet since the mercies of God belong to the saints AS SAINTS, and not as advanced saints, or well-taught saints—we may put in our plea, and say, “Are they Israelites? so am I! therefore the promises are mine, grace is mine, glory will be mine.”

The claim, rightfully made, is one which will yield untold comfort. When God’s people are rejoicing that they are His, what a happiness if they can say, “So am I!” When they speak of being pardoned, and justified, and accepted in the Beloved, how joyful to respond, “Through the grace of God, So am I.”

But this claim not only has its enjoyments and privileges but also its conditions and duties. We must share with God’s people in cloud as well as in sunshine. When we hear them spoken of with contempt and ridicule for being Christians, we must come boldly forward and say, “So am I!” When we see them working for Christ, giving their time, their talent, their whole heart to Jesus, we must be able to say, “So do I!” O let us prove our gratitude by our devotion, and live as those who, having claimed a privilege, are willing to take the responsibility connected with it!