Daily DevotionalsReading: “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels.”Hebrews 2:16

Contemplate the peculiar sweetness of that grace which was in Jesus, when, for the accomplishment of your salvation He passed by the nature of angels to take on Him your nature.

There were but two sorts of transgressors in the creation of God: angels and men. But angels are left in everlasting chains, under darkness, to the judgment of the great day. And fallen, sinful, rebellious man finds the grace of redemption. Had Jesus taken their nature, would this not have been nearer to His own? Would not their services have been vastly superior to ours? Would not the redemption of beings so much higher in rank and intellect have opened a far larger revenue of praise to our adorable Redeemer?

Pause over these thoughts, Christian, and then consider how our Jesus, in His unequalled condescension, has thereby the more endeared Himself to your love. And learn also that if Jesus needs not the service of angels, how is it possible that man can be profitable to God! The simple act of faith in a poor fellow sinner, in believing the record that God has given of His dear Son, gives more honour to God than all the services of men or angels for ever. Mark this down as a blessed truth: Jehovah is more glorified by your faith and trust in Him than by all your works.

Lord, give me this faith, that I may cleave to you, hang on you, follow you, and never give up looking to you, until my heart-strings fail, and then as now, be “the strength of mine heart, and my portion forever!”

“The only thing of our very own which we contribute to our salvation is the sin which makes it necessary.”

—William Temple

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.