Daily Devotionals

Devotional: January 8th

" I give unto them eternal life." - John 10:28.

Consider the speaker, the giver. Who is this shepherd? It is the Lord of Glory. All things were made not only by him, but for him..It is for all to yield the tribute of all they possess to him, and ever to ascribe unto him all glory and honor and wisdom and power. But lo! this Lord of all quits his throne, takes a shepherd’s crook, and comes forth with a gift.

Consider then on whom the gift is bestowed! As you ascended high to learn the dignity of the giver, so must you descend beyond expression deep to know the unworthiness of the beneficiaries. They are distinguished in creation by this mark, that they resolved, whatever angels in heaven or saints on earth might do, they would yield no tribute to the Lord of Hosts, no, not so much as a shoe latchet, and would arrogate to them selves glory, honor, wisdom and power. Hell yawned for them, exulting. But the injured Prince came nigh to them, veiling his glory that he might not irritate, donning the habiliments of a humble and a friendly shepherd.

Consider the gift - eternal life. Not common life. Even common life is better than all material things. But a celestial life. Nay, a divine life. His own life. He breathed into them his own infinite spirit, and immediately they began to walk heavenward, in faith, love, joy, humility, peace, hope, dignity, and unspeakable blessedness. This life permeated all their being, reached their eyes, their lips, their hands, their feet, and made them what the seraphim in heaven are, servants of the most high God. Eternal life! Mighty mountains shall crumble beneath their feet, - they will ascend to higher; earth shall dissolve beneath them, - they will step into the heavens; the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, - they will mount up to the heaven of heavens; the stupendous cycles of the universe will revolve, - they will live on, crowned with garlands of never-fading youth, purity, wisdom, and delight.

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