December 9 Daily Devotional

Bible Verse

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. 5:1–2).

Devotional

What a ground of rejoicing the saints of God have! You may see within and around you—in your soul, in your family, and your circumstances—much that saddens, and wounds, and discourages you. But behold the truth that more than counterbalances it all—you are free from condemnation.

What if you are poor? You are not condemned! What if you are afflicted? You are not condemned! What if you are tempted? You are not condemned! What if you are assailed and judged by others? Still, you are not forsaken and condemned by God! And ought you not then to rejoice?

Suppose you go to a cell on death row and assure the criminal awaiting his execution that you bear a pardon from his sovereign. Even though he emerges from his imprisonment to battle with poverty, sorrow, and contempt, will he complain and fret that in the redemption of his forfeited life there is no clause that exempts him from the ills to which that life is linked? No! To him life will be so sweet and precious that though you return it trammeled with need and beclouded with shame, you have still conferred upon him a boon which creates sunshine within and around him.

And why should we not rejoice with "joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory" (1 Pet. 1:8), for whom, "justified by his grace as a free gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24), there is now "no condemnation" (Rom. 8:1)? Christ has "redeemed our life from destruction" (Ps. 103:4). And although it is "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22), yet shall we not quicken our pace to that kingdom, rejoicing as we go, that "there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1)? "These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full" (John 15:11).

Be earnest and diligent in making sure that you have been discharged from the sentence and penalty of the law. Sue out the great fact in the Lord's own court by fervent prayer and simple faith. Your Surety has cancelled your debt, and purchased your exemption from death. Avail yourself of the comfort and the stimulus of the blessing.

You may be certain, yes, quite certain, of its truth. No process is more easy. It is but to look from yourself to Christ, and to trust that he came into the world to save sinners, and assurance is yours. The order is, "we have believed, and have come to know" (John 6:69).

Oh, do not leave this matter to chance. Make sure of your union with Christ, and you may be sure of no condemnation from Christ.

To thee, O Lord, I fly
And on thy help depend;
Thou art my Lord and King Most High;
Do thou my soul defend.
A heritage for me Jehovah will remain;
My portion rich and full is he,
My right he will maintain.

(From Psalm 16:1-2, 5-8, 11; The Psalter, 1912)

Be sure to read the Preface by Octavius Winslow and A Note from the Editor by Larry E. Wilson.

Larry Wilson is an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. In addition to having served as the General Secretary of the Committee on Christian Education of the OPC (2000–2004) and having written a number of articles and booklets (such as God's Words for Worship and Why Does the OPC Baptize Infants) for New Horizons and elsewhere, he has pastored OPC churches in Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. We are grateful to him for his editing of Morning Thoughts, the OPC Daily Devotional for 2011.