TDR: 24 February (Galatians 2:20)

‘I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me‘ (Galatians 2:20)

Jesus is our substitute. He lived, suffered, and died in our place. Our sins were imputed to Him, punished in Him, and removed by Him. God had cursed us, but Jesus gave Himself to bear the curse in our stead; every threat of the law was executed on Him; every one of the claims of justice was answered by Him; and now God is just AND also the justifier of every one who believes in Jesus.

The debt-book is crossed, the handwriting that was against us is destroyed, and every foe is overcome. Do we think of the law we have broken, of the justice we have provoked, of the hell we have deserved? Friends, let us also think: Jesus gave Himself for me.

He satisfied justice, fulfilled the law, and brought glory to God, in my nature, name, and stead; and God is infinitely more honoured by the life and death of my substitute, than He could have been either by my obedience had I never sinned, or by punishing me for sin.

This is our rejoicing – that God can be just in justifying us who believe in Jesus. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.

Oh! Let my trembling soul be still,
While darkness veils the sky,
And wait thy wise, thy holy will,
Wrapt yet in mystery.
I cannot, Lord, thy purpose see,
But all is well since ruled by thee.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘My soul feels humbled before God, and I abhor myself because I am vile. O Saviour! When shall I be wholly like thee, always walking with thee, and eternally employed for thee? O Lord, hasten to me, or take me to thee – for this I long, pray and wait. But give me submission, help me patiently to carry my cross after Jesus, though it be rough, heavy and galling.