February 25 — Rest in His Grace Alone

Hope for Today: A Daily Devotion from Reasons for Hope*Jesus

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“I dwell in the high and holy place, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, nor will I always be angry; for the spirit would fail before Me, and the souls which I have made.” Isaiah 57:15-16

To insist too much upon the sensible joy of faith might make weak Christians weaker still. Many a sincere Christian’s heart is like a vessel with a narrow opening, which can receive heavenly comfort only by little drops. But do you feel yourself quite naked and void of all good? Christ will surely cover you with the robe of righteousness. Go entirely out of yourself; look only on Him for everything; and whatever gifts of joy, peace, and holiness may be given you, be very thankful for them; yet rest not in them — but in Christ alone. This will make you confident and will surely keep your heart at rest.

The love of God is not to be estimated by your comforts — but by His promises, the gift of His Son, and the glorious Heaven He has prepared for you. He will give you happiness enough by and by; and until then, as your day, so will your strength be. Jesus says to His poorest, weakest, most imperfect child, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Devotion by Karl Heinrich von Bogatzky (1690—1774)