Reading: And he shewed me Joshua, the high priest, standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the Lord said unto Satan, the Lord rebuke thee, 0 Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuke thee. Is not this a brand plucked out of the fire ?” —Zechariah 3:1–2 

Who shall say how many such transactions as these are continually going on, for and against the people of God, in the court of heaven? The Holy Ghost was graciously pleased to have this made known to the church. And John was again directed to tell the church that a song in heaven was sung at the expulsion of the devil from heaven, because the accuser of the brethren was cast down.

If Satan has become your accuser, and he is carrying on this practice day and night before God, is Jesus your advocate? Oh, precious Lord, how little has my poor ignorant and unthinking soul been meditating on You in this merciful and gracious office. May I see a blessedness in that scripture which I have often read with indifference in the past: “If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the propitiation for our sins.”

Dear Lord, take up my cause! Oh, may I behold you often in this high office of advocate! Oh, may I often hear you with the ear of faith, and may my whole soul go out in love towards you, while you are pointing to my poor soul, and saying, “Hath not God the Father chosen this brand plucked from the fire? Take away the filthy garments from him. I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee.”

“He sheds tears for those that shed His blood.”Thomas Watson

Taken from The Poor Man’s Evening and Morning Portions by Rev. Robert Hawker, Works, Vol. 8; 1830. Edited by Aaron Dunlop for thinkgospel.com ©2013.