Daily Devotion: Tuesday

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 16

Proverb of the Day: Proverbs 10:1-16

Scripture Reading: Luke 2:1-7

Let us notice the manner in which Christ was born. He was not born under the roof of His mother's house — but in a strange place, and at an "inn." When born, He was not laid in a carefully prepared cradle. He was "laid in a manger (that is, a feeding trough for the cattle), because there was no room in the inn."

We see here, the grace and condescension of Christ. Had He come to save mankind with royal majesty, surrounded by His Father's angels — it would have been an act of undeserved mercy. Had He chosen to dwell in a palace, with power and great authority — then we should have had reason enough to wonder. But to become as poor as the very poorest of mankind, and lowly as the very lowliest — this is a love which surpasses knowledge! It is unspeakable and unsearchable!

Never let us forget that through his humiliation, Jesus has purchased a title to glory for us. Through His life of suffering, as well as His death — He has obtained eternal redemption for us. All through His life He was poor for our sakes — from the hour of His birth to the hour of His death. And through His poverty, we are made rich. "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor — so that you through his poverty might become rich!" (2 Corinthians 8:9.)

Let us beware of despising the poor, because of their poverty. Their condition is one which the Son of God has sanctified and honored, by taking it voluntarily on Himself. God is no respecter of people. He looks at the hearts of men — and not at their incomes. Let us never be ashamed of the affliction of poverty — if God thinks it fit to lay it upon us. To be godless and covetous is disgraceful — but it is no disgrace to be poor. A lowly dwelling place, and coarse food, and a hard bed — are not pleasing to flesh and blood. But they are the portion which the Lord Jesus Himself willingly accepted from the day of His entrance into the world.

Wealth ruins far more souls than poverty! When the love of money begins to creep over us — then let us think of the manger at Bethlehem, and of Him who was laid in it. Such thoughts may deliver us from much harm.

Prayer for the Day: Dear Lord, help me to understand that this world's wealth cannot compare to eternal riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Truth wealth is only obtained by the righteous.

This devotional was taken from The Gospel of Luke by J.C. Ryle published in 1858

and adapted by Pastor Tim Lewis of New England Shores Baptist Church.