Morning, May 9
Go To Evening Reading
“Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.”
Ephesians 1:3
All the goodness of the past, the present, and the future, Christ
bestows upon his people. In the mysterious ages of the past the Lord
Jesus was his Father’s first elect, and in his election he gave us an interest, for we were chosen in him from before the
foundation of the world. He had from all eternity the prerogatives
of Sonship , as his Father’s only-begotten and well-beloved Son, and he has, in the riches of
his grace, by adoption and regeneration, elevated us to sonship also,
so that to us he has given “power to become the sons of God.” The eternal covenant , based upon suretiship and confirmed by oath, is ours, for our strong
consolation and security. In the everlasting settlements of predestinating wisdom and omnipotent decree, the eye of the Lord Jesus was ever fixed on
us; and we may rest assured that in the whole roll of destiny there
is not a line which militates against the interests of his redeemed.
The great betrothal of the Prince of Glory is ours, for it is to us that he is affianced,
as the sacred nuptials shall ere long declare to an assembled universe.
The marvellous incarnation of the God of heaven, with all the amazing condescension and humiliation
which attended it, is ours. The bloody sweat, the scourge, the cross,
are ours forever. Whatever blissful consequences flow from perfect obedience, finished atonement, resurrection, ascension, or intercession , all are ours by his own gift. Upon his breastplate he is now bearing
our names; and in his authoritative pleadings at the throne he remembers
our persons and pleads our cause. His dominion over principalities and powers, and his absolute majesty in heaven,
he employs for the benefit of them who trust in him. His high estate
is as much at our service as was his condition of abasement. He who
gave himself for us in the depths of woe and death, doth not withdraw
the grant now that he is enthroned in the highest heavens.