Category: Devotion of the Day

Saviour or Song?

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2.

A well-known pastor tells of a soloist who sang with real artistry a great Gospel song one Sunday morning. By musical standards it was flawless, but the minister detected a lack of “heart,” although there was plenty of art. At the door he asked the singer, “Was that song real to you or was it just a song?” She flushed, but she was honest, and she finally replied, “Pastor, I’m afraid it was just a song.”

We should have both, a Saviour and a song. The Lord Jehovah is our salvation, our strength and our song. When he lifts us out of the miry clay and puts our feet on the Rock, He also puts a song in our mouth. But nothing is so hollow as singing something we know nothing about. A lot of that goes on in churches on Sunday mornings, it is to be feared, and no matter how much of “art” there is, it will not make up for lack of “heart.”

Is the Lord your salvation and strength or is He “just a song”?

The daily devotions are from Day by Day by Vance Havner. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953.

Have You a Reservation?

I go to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2

An inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. I Peter 1:4.

How good it is when the weary traveler can walk up to the hotel desk and find a room ready and waiting, while others may ask in vain—and all because his name is on the book; he made a reservation.

We cannot walk up to the gate of heaven after death and obtain a dwelling-place merely by asking for it. Our abiding place up there is secured in advance while we are down here. Our Saviour has gone to prepare a place, but there are places only for those who make reservations. Is your name in the book?

Many will come in that day and make various claims, but he will say, “Depart, I never knew you.” The dying thief made a reservation: “Remember me.” Reservations are made, not on the basis of our merit, but on His merit and our simple faith in Him.

Have you a reservation?

The daily devotions are from Day by Day by Vance Havner. Fleming H. Revell Company, 1953.