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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Remember me, O my God, for good

IT is no uncommon thing for our earthly friends to forget us, especially in seasons of trouble, or in circumstances of poverty. But if they remembered us, they could do but little for us. When creatures forget, or slight us, let us turn from them to the Lord. He says, " Thou shalt not be forgotten of me." Let us pray with the man of God, " Remember me, O my God." Kemember my wants, and supply them, for they are many and pressing. Remember my fears, and disperse them, for they are numerous and distressing. Remember my foes, and subdue them, for they are fierce and united. Remember my difficulties, and deliver me out of them, for they fill me with shame and dismay. Remember my weakness, and strengthen me, for I desire to do thy will. Remember my doubts, and remove them, and give me a steady faith in thy word, and a sweet assurance of thy love. " Remember me, O my God, as a child, that incessantly needs a parent's care; as a pilgrim, that needs a guide; and as a soldier, that requires courage and supplies. Remember me, to fill me with the power of the Holy Ghost.

    0 thou, from whom all goodness flows,
    I lift my soul to thee;
In all my sorrows, conflicts, woes.

    Dear Lord, remember me.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Thou hast left thy first love

THIS is a very solemn charge. Let us ask, Is it brought against us ? Our first love was Jesus. When we felt our lost condition, when we saw the danger to which we were exposed, we were directed to him; he received us graciously, he pardoned our sins, he introduced us to his Father, and we enjoyed peace. This filled us with love; we admired his dealings, we adored his person, we espoused his cause, we united with his people, we fearlessly professed his name, and consecrated ourselves to his bervice. Our love to Jesus at first was warm and strong. We thought nothing too hard to undertake for him, we considered nothing too valuable to surrender to him, we felt we could suffer in his cause, and die for his name, if required. But we have declined since then, and, if Jesus is still the object of our love, we do not love him as we did. He deserves our love more than ever. He asks our love, for he prizes it. But, alas ! the world has such power over us, temporal things so powerfully affect us, that we sometimes question whether we love him at all.

O Saviour —
    Give me thy pardoning love to feel.
And freely my backslidings heal.

    Repair my faith's decay;
Restore the sweetness of thy grace,
Reveal the glories of thy face.

    And take my sins away.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

His name shall be called Wonderful

AND he will answer to his name; for he is **. Wonderful. Consider the constitution of his person, he is God, he is also man. He possesses the entire nature of God, and the entire nature of man, and yet the two natures united constitute but one person. He is therefore human and divine, infinite and finite—the eternal God, and yet really man. He unites in himself heaven and earth, time and eternity, the Creator and the creature. He is the'mighty God, and the feeble child born. Truly this is wonderful: we can believe it, but we cannot comprehend it. We perceive that it is, but we cannot perceive how it is. His love also is wonderful, for he loves those who are unlovely, and who never had any love to him. There is no reason why he should love them, but plenty of reasons why he should not. And yet he loves them with all the strength of his nature, and has manifested that love in the most wonderful manner. For them he resigned the throne of glory, and gave up all he possessed in heaven. For them he became poor, was hated, persecuted, punished, and executed as a guilty slave. Well may he be called Wonderful.

    Wonderful art thou in power,
    But most wonderful In love:
Be thou all our theme below,

    Be thou all our heaven above.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Preserve me, O God

SELF-CONFIDENT persons are always in & danger. When Peter felt secure, lie fell; and so have thousands beside. Let us always fear a fall when we feel self-confidence working in our hearts. The wisest saints walk closest with the Lord, and fear to be left to themselves for one moment. The man who trusts in himself, or in his circumstances, is a stranger to his own heart, and the many foes by which he is surrounded. Let this be our daily prayer, " Preserve me, O God." No one but God can preserve us, for it requires an omniscient eye, an omnipotent arm, and an ever-present friend to do so. We need to be preserved every moment, and to be under Divine keeping night and day. The holiest are liable to fall into sin, the strongest to be overcome by temptation, and the most confident to yield to unbelief. May the Lord preserve us this day from the wiles of Satan, the snares of the world, the deceitfulness of our own hearts, the influence of carnal professors, and from falling from our own steadfastness. May he preserve us in Christ, by Christ, in fellowship with Christ, and to the advancement of the kingdom of Christ.

    Lord, keep me in thy heavenly way,
    And bid the tempter flee:
And let me never, never stray,

    From happiness and thee.

Friday, November 26, 2010

They soonforgat his works

THAT is a bad memory which buries God's mercies and forgets his works. And who has not to complain of such a memory ! That is remembered longest which impresses most. How long we remember a slight injury or a small offence ; but how soon we forget the mercies of our God. Thus did Israel, and thus do we also who now inherit their forfeited mercies. The works of God in the wilderness were so striking and Bo wonderful, that one would have thought that the people never could have forgot them. But they soon ceased to awake attention, or excite gratitude, and were treated as common things. Lord, what is man ! That we may not forget, let us endeavour to improve by the Lord's works. Let us study them. Let us see his wisdom, kindness, and care in them. Let us record them, and often read the record. Let us often dwell upon our own unworthiness, and admire the grace displayed in the least of them. Let his works in nature be read. Let his work of providence be noticed. Especially let his work of redemption engage our thoughts, our affections, and our gratitude. Never let us forget or slight his wonderful works.

    0! may I ne'er forget
    The mercy of my God.
Nor ever want a tongue to spresid

    His loudest praise abroad.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

That the power of Christ may rest upon me

THE Christian's infirmities are many and very painful, they often discourage, deject, and cast him down. They hinder him in every duty, mar his best performances, and give Satan an occasion against him. Pew have learnt the happy art of glorying in their infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon them ; and yet it is our infirmities which render the Saviour so necessary for us, and which endear the Saviour so much to our hearts. His power is put forth in our weakness, and it is in his strength that we must overcome. We can do nothing good without him; but through him we can do all things. The power of Jesus resting upon us will shelter us amidst all the storms of life, protect us from all real danger during our journey home, refresh us amidst all the toils of this weary land, give us rest in our most weary hours, and keep us safe until we are beyond the reach of foes. The power of Christ overshadows his people in their seasons of trial as a tent the traveller in the eastern deserts.

    Must I be tried antl tortur'd still ?
I yield to thy mysterious will;

    But give me, Lord, to prove,
In nature's utter helplessness,
The strength of all-sufficient grace,

    Th' omnipotence of love.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

He led them forth by the right way

IT was not the smoothest, or the shortest, or the one most frequented, but it was the best. It was the only right way. He intended to prove them, and to display his wonders, and the way afforded an opportunity for both. Thus it is with all his people. He has marked out the way in his unerring wisdom; he guides them into it, he tries them by it, he leads them along it, and glorifies himself by doing so.s God's way is always contrary to that which flesh and blood would choose. We want ease, plenty, pleasure, and honour. But the Lord intends that we shall have faith, humility, patience, fortitude, and confidence in himself alone. His design is to empty us, and strip us, and humble us, and break us down before his throne; to endear the Saviour, sweeten the promises, and make the good land more desirable. And this he effects by sanctifying the trials, the losses, the disappointments, and the troubles we meet with in the way. Beloved, is yours a rough way, a trying path, a perplexing road? It is the right way. The Lord leads you, and he never leads wrong. He brings into the wilderness before he brings into Canaan.

    The way was right their hearts to prove,
    To make God's glory known,
And show his wisdom, power, and love,

    Engaged to save his own.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

I AM THAT I AM

IMMUTABILITY is the peculiar prerogative of Jehovah. Every thing out of the Divine nature is changeable. Angels in heaven changed, and became devils. Man, who was created in the image of his Maker, changed, and now bears the image of Satan. Saints renewed by grace often change, they backslide, and are restored; now they are happy, then dejected ; now they are active, and then dull and lifeless; but Jehovah is the same. He is what he was, and what he is he ever will be. There can be no addition to his wisdom, for it is perfect; to his power, for it is omnipotent; or to his love, for it is infinite. There can be no diminution of his justice, his holiness, or his veracity; for he would cease to be God if he were less just, holy, or true. He never did injure one of his creatures, by any purpose he formed, or by any work he ever wrought, nor he never will. He is holy in all his ways, and his word is true from the beginning. This should comfort his people, He is now what he was when he entered into covenant, when he made his promises, and when he gave his only begotten Son. Friends may change, but God is the same.

    Jehovah, Great I Am!
    By earth and heaven confeat;
I how, and bless the sacred name.

    For ever bless'd.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Come and let us return unto the Lord

WE have wandered from him, in our thoughts, in our desires, and in our pursuits. We have heen running after other lovers, and set up idols in our hearts. Our conduct has been sinful; and the effect most injurious to ourselves. Come then, and let us return unto the Lord. He is willing to receive us. He will readily pardon us. " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Let us fall at his feet, and frankly confess our folly. Let us endeavour to turn our thoughts, desires, and affections back to him again. Especially, let us seek from him the Spirit of grace and supplication, for without his holy operations, there will be no godly sorrow, no hatred of sin, no self-abhorrence, no faith in the promises, or restoration of the joys of salvation. We must return, or our sin will be aggravated. We must return, or our misery will be deep. Let us then at once, without any delay, take with us words, and approach his throne. We may plead his past mercies, we may plead his glorious name, we may plead a Saviour's blood, nor can we plead in vain.

Hear him call,

    Return, 0 wanderer, return!
    And seek thine injured Father's face I
Those new desires that in thee hum,

    Were kindled by reclaiming grace.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

I would thou wert cold or hot

THE Lord Jesus hates lukewarmness. He *• would rather we made no profession of religion at all, than to profess and not practise his precepts. He loves to see his people zealous. He has done enough for us to make us so, and it is a shame to us when we are dull and lifeless in his ways. But it is to be feared, that many professors do not realize indifference to be a sin. They think that having professed Christ, if they just attend to a few duties, and creep along a certain course, it is enough. They are never hot, and they do not like to see others so; but generally prophecy evil of them when they do. Professor of religion, Jesus says, " Be hot, or cold I" Be altogether a Christian, or throw off the profession, lay aside the name. Do not wear the name to dishonour it. Your Saviour was always zealous, his zeal surprised both his friends and foes; and he said to his Father, " The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." Is he not our example in this, as well as in other things ? Should we not endeavour to regulate our pace by his? He hasted to suffer, and longed for his bitter agonies. Well, how Rhall we be to-day ? Hot, or cold, or lukewarm ?

    Jesus, I fain would find
Thy zeal for God in me,
Thy yearning pity for mankind,
Thy burning charity

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he

 THE Lord is the only legitimate object of trust for a sinner. He cannot trust in himself,
for his heart is deceitful above all things. He cannot trust in his fellow-men, for they are no
better. If he does trust in any one but the Lord, vexation, disappointment, and sorrow,
must be the result. In God he may trust for the promise warrants him. In God he should
trust, for the precept commands him. In God he must trust, for every other refuge will fail
him. The word of God is true, and cannot deceive ns; it is unchangeable, and cannot fail us;
it is most gracious, and just suits us. In his word, God has promised everything we can
possibly want, he has invited us to ask for all he has promised, and he has assured us that we
shall not be disappointed. If therefore we rest on his word, rely on his faithfulness, and expect
him to appear for us, we shall prove him to be true to his word. And doing so, we shall be
happy, for it will dissipate our doubts, conquer our fears, prevent disappointment, and secure
to us innumerable mercies. " He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

O, make but trial of his love!
     Experience will decide
How blest are they, and only they
     Who in his truth confide.

Friday, November 19, 2010

I press toward the mark

 THE believer's mark is perfection, or exact conformity to the Lord Jesus Christ. His first aim is to possess Christ, and then to be like Christ. When we are like Jesus, every foe is overcome, every difficulty is mastered, and the crown is about to be put on our heads. The prize is won, and the honour will be worn for ever. Exact likeness to Jesus we shall not attain to here, but we may be very much more like him than we are. Our tempers may be made more heavenly, our natures more spiritual, and our conversation more scriptural. We may be weaned from the present world, our motives may be purified, and holiness may become our element and delight. He who hath begun in us a good work, can carry it on; and as we are now very unlike what we were, we may yet become very unlike what we are at present. But if we would, it must be the mark at which we aim. We must ever keep it in our eye, as the racer did the mark which was to decide the race. This we too often forget, and are too well satisfied with present things.

    Jesus, that perfect good unknown,
Restless, resigned, I wait to gain:

    But give me strength to follow on,
And strive, and labour, and sustain,

    Nor ever from thine own depart,
    'Till thee I love with all my heart

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth

THERE are many things in us that need correction. Our follies call for stripes. Our Father knoweth our frame, he reads our hearts, he observes our conduct, and he has purposed to conform us to his own beloved Son. This will account for most of our trials, afflictions, and sufferings. He loves us too well, to even seem to sanction us in any thing that is wrong. If he did not love us, he would not correct us. If one trial would answer, he never would send us two. His mercy is too great. His heart is too kind. It is his children that he corrects, and by correcting instructs. Let us not then, for one moment, suppose that our trials are indications of his wrath. He may be displeased with us, and therefore afflict us; but he has sworn that he will not be wroth with us. He will visit our transgressions with the rod, and our iniquities with stripes; but he will not withdraw his loving-kindness, nor suffer his faithfulness to fail. Precious assurance this! Sweet views of troubles and trials! Let us get a scriptural assurance of an interest in our heavenly Father's love, and then rejoice even in tribulation.

    Let him tenderly chastise,
    Let him graciously reprove,
Father, all within me cries,—

    All thy ways are truth and Live.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Ye are made nigh by the blood of Christ

DISTANCE from God is the consequence of sin, and to the believer it is the cause of trouble and distress. We were all banished far from God once; nor could we ever have been brought nigh unto him, if Jesus had not become our Substitute, and satisfied the law on our behalf. The blood of Jesus removes every obstacle out of the way of our approaching to God, and it secures us an honourable reception by God. We never could have known the blessedness of nearness to God, if Jesus had not left his Father's bosom, obeyed the law in our nature, and died in our stead. He is the only way to God. By him both Jews and Gentiles have access by one Spirit unto the Father. He stands between God and the sinner, and lays his hand upon both: he brings God down to us, and he leads us up to God. There is nothing between us and God now, but Jesus. He made peace, and he keeps peace. We are reconciled to God, and God is at peace with us. He is nigh unto us, and loves us to be nigh unto him. O to realize that God hath accepted us in Jesus, and that he is near to us in every place!
  
Jesus, the Saviour, shed his blood,
To bring the guilty nigh to God,
Tis here I find relief from sin,
A balm to make my conscience clean.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh

IF we really love the Saviour we shall long for his appearing. And in proportion to the strength of our love will be our desire for his speedy return. He will come, for he has promised to do so. He will soon come, so his word declares, and passing events seem to give an emphasis to that word. Until he come, the world will be in bondage, the church will be low in a low place, and his people will be groaning under sorrows and trials.:, His coming is the hope of his church, and it should find a place in our meditations, desires, and prayers. He comes to roll away the curse from creation. He comes to subdue all things unto himself. He comes to bring complete and everlasting deliverance to his saints. He comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe. He comes to reign on the mount Zion, and before his ancients gloriously. O to have a part in the first resurrection ! O to be among the invited guests at the marriage supper of the Lamb!

    We know the solemn hour draws nigh,
    When Jesus shall appear again,
Hasten, 0 Lord, and how the sky,

    And here begin thy glorious reign,
The number of thy saints complete,

    And tread thy foes beneath thy feet.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Him hath God exalted to give repentance

EVERY sinner ought to repent, for God commands him; but no one will repent unless Christ bestow the grace of repentance upon him. God commands us to repent, and thus maintains his authority; Christ gives us grace to repent, and thus displays his grace. We often try to repent, and cannot; our hearts are so hard, they will not relent; our eyes are so dry, they will not weep. This is a source of grief, and sometimes furnishes Satan with matter for temptation, with which he distresses us. We must see that repentance is necessary, we must feel the desire to repent, and then we must look to Jesus for grace to enable us to repent. Jesus is exalted to the highest possible honour. He has universal authority. AH the treasures of grace and glory are committed to him. His Father who exalted him, did so, that he might give all necessary grace to his people; and out of his fulness we must receive grace for grace. What God requires of us as creatures, Jesus gives us grace to perform a* Christians. Every thing, therefore, should lead us to Christ, and to make use of his fulness.
   
The Lamb is exalted repentance to give,
That sin may be hated, while sinners believe;
Contrition is granted and God justified.
The sinner is humbled, and self is denied

Sunday, November 14, 2010

He will not call back his words

AS the Lord never speaks rashly, there can be no cause for it. As he knew the end from the beginning, it would be inconsistent to do it. His word is like himself, immutable. It must have its accomplishment. Hence the Saviour said, " Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." This will apply to all the promises. They are yea and amen in Christ Jesus. They are sure to all the seed. They can never be broken. Therefore we should place implicit confidence in them, and endeavour to chase away our fears with them. They are exceeding great, very plain, and most precious. They are not to be compared with gold, or with much fine gold. Christian, here is thy comfort, Thy God " will not call back his words." What he hath said, he will do. Here is thy security, the word of the Lord endureth for ever. Sinner, this subject should make thee tremble. God will be as true to his threatenings, as he will be to his promises. If so, hell shall receive every person who dies in an unconverted state.



    The word of God shall ever stand,
Firm, and immutable and s.-.re;

    Wise is'his heart, and stronp his hand,
His people's welfare to secure,

    But sinners who reject his word,
Shall fall beneath his glittering sword.

Saturday, November 13, 2010

They shall obtain joy and gladness

THEY who mourn on earth, on account of sin; shall rejoice in heaven, possessed of holiness. Many of the Lord's people enjoy but little here, but joy is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart. We may have a dull dripping seed time, but we shall have a joyous sunny harvest. A sickly body, a trying family, a distracted church, a troublesome business, may hinder our enjoying much now; but all these things will soon come to an end. Sickness shall give place to health; trials to triumphs; the church shall be united and happy; and our employments will be our enjoyments. Sighs will give place to songs, sadness will be exchanged for gladness, and everlasting joy will crown us. We have the worst at the present, the best is all before us. Joy and gladness is our inheritance, our Saviour procured it by his death, he secures it by his intercession, and he is waiting to introduce us to it. The time will soon come, when " God shall wipe away all tears from our eyes; and there shall be no more sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain."

   Yes. though the universe shall burn,
    And God his works destroy.
With songs his ransom'd shall return,

    And everlasting joy.

Friday, November 12, 2010

The Spirit of God dwelleth in you

DWELLETH in whom! In every Christian. For "if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Wherever the Spirit dwells, he works, and his work is the efficient cause of our sanctification, comfort, and useful-, ness. He dwells in us as a Spirit of life, quickening and reviving us. As a Spirit of light, instructing and illuminating us. As a Spirit of liberty, delivering from bondage, dread, and terror. As a Spirit of love, shedding abroad the love of God in our hearts, and leading us to love him and all his dear people. As a Spirit of power, enabling us to conquer the world, overcome Satan, and crucify the old man with his deeds. As a Spirit of prayer, teaching us how to pray, and making intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. As a Spirit of peace, applying the atonement, giving us peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, and producing in us a peaceable disposition. As the Spirit of Christ, exalting him in our minds, enthroning him in our breasts, and glorifying him in us and by us. Reader, have you received the Holy Ghost? Do you make it manifest by your zeal for Christ?

    Come, sacred Spirit! from above
And rill my poor, cold heart with love:
Soften to flesh the flinty stone,
And let thy god-like power be known.

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Doubtless thou art our father

A FATHERLESS child is generally an object of pity. But a believer is never fatherless, his faith may be weak, his fears may be many, his trials may be great, his foes may be fierce, and his prospects may be dark, but God is his father. " We are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus:" and nothing can dissolve the relationship.

We may lose the enjoyment of it, but the privilege remains the same. Once a child, a child for ever. Nor should we easily give up our confidence; but rather, like the saints of old, though sensible of many sins, though enduring painful privations, though mourning over the hiding of the Lord's face, we should hold fast the fact, " Doubtless thou art our father." Beloved, if God is our father, he will chasten us, he will put our love and confidence to the proof, he will teach us some hard and difficult lessons; but he will still pity us, spare us, listen to us, and send us all that is absolutely necessary.

If God is our father, he will notice the least good thing that may be in us; he will take the meaning of our hearts; and he will accept the smallest offering at our hands.

    Then let us, while we dwell helow,
    Obey our Father's voice ;
To all his dispensations bow,

    And in his name rejoice.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

What hast thou that thou didst not receive ?

BELIEVER, ponder this question. It is intended to destroy the pride of thy heart,
and to produce genuine humility. What hast thou ? Look around thee - how many mercies!
Look within thee - what gifts and graces! Look before thee - what glorious prospects!
Compare thyself with many of thine acquaintances; contrast thy circumstances with theirs —
how different ! how preferable! But who made thee to differ? Who conferred these benefits? Did
you inherit them ? Who ordained the relationship ? Did you procure them ? Who gave you
the means ? Did you receive them from God ?

Then gratefully acknowledge it. Then be humble before God. Then beware of boasting before
men, or of despising others. Trace up all thy mercies to their source, and you will find it to
be free and sovereign grace. We have nothing that is good, nothing that is valuable, nothing
that is useful, nothing that is ornamental, but we have received it from our good and gracious
God. Therefore let him that glorieth glory in the Lord. But, if we have received all from
the Lord, ought we not to use all for the Lord.

    Lord, let thy mercy crown
Our yet remaining days;
And, when thy will on earth is done,
In heaven we'll sing thy praise.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Make thy way straight before my face

THE true Christian desires to be ruled by God's word, and to be guided by God's providence. He wishes to be what God requires; to do what God commands; and to go where God directs. But he is often in great difficulty; he cannot see the way; he is uncertain what course he should take; and his cry is, " Make thy way straight before my face." Let me see the way thou hast marked out; and walk in the path which will be pleasing in thy sight. The Lord will sometimes have us wait at his door, plead at his throne, and learn that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." To wait the Lord's time requires patience ; and to walk in the Lord's way, requires submission. The Lord's way generally crosses the desires of flesh and blood, mortifies our pride and independence, exercises all the graces of the Holy Spirit, and makes us feel our absolute dependence on Divine grace. Still the Christian, when in his right mind, prefers it; and would rather walk in it than any other. God's way leads us to glory, honour, and immortality.

    How rough soe'er the way,
    Dear Saviour, still lead on;
Nor leave us till we say,
" Father, thy will be done."
At most we do but taste the cup,
For thou alone hast drunk it up.

Monday, November 8, 2010

It was impossible for God to lie

JEHOVAH is the " God of truth." Lying lips are an abomination unto the Lord. What he hates in others can never be found in himself. He cannot deceive, therefore his word may be relied on. He cannot go from bis word, therefore it may be confidently trusted. He has threatened sinners, and his word must be fulfilled, for it is "impossible for God to lie." "The wicked shall be turned into hell, with all the nations that forget God." Of the man that loves sin, that lives in sin, it is said, " The Lord will not spare him, but the anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke against that man." This is awful! It is tremendous. It must be realized, for it is " impossible for God to lie." He has given many, exceeding great and precious promises to his people; and they must all be made good. He will perform them, and not one jot or tittle of them shall fail. He will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly; for he hath promised it, and it is impossible for God to lie. This truth is like the pillar of fire and cloud of old, it gives light to God's Israel, but it is darkness to the Egyptians.
   
What Christ hath said, must be fulfilled,
On this firm rock believers build;
His word must stand, his truth prevail,
And not one jot, one tittle fail.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

He will save us

WHOM will he save? All who believe in Jesus. All who put their trust in him. All who call upon him in truth. All who exercise confidence in his word. All who make conscience of observing his commands, with a view to glorify his name. From what will he save ? From the guilt of sin, which condemns us. From the filth of sin, which defiles us. From the power of sin, which enslaves us. From the love of sin, which degrades us. From the consequences of sin, which are terrible to us. From our foes, which would injure us. From our burdens, which would crush us. From our desert, which would ruin us. How will he save ? Freely, by his grace. Honourably, through the perfect work of Jesus. Perfectly, without the possibility of a failure. Why will he save? Because his nature is love—his promise is given —our Saviour has died—and his glory will be advanced by doing so. When will he save ? The moment we believe. When we call upon his name. When we cast our burdens upon him.When he sees that our power is gone, and there is none shut up or left. Beloved, Jehovah is our Saviour, and he is ever present with us.
 
He cheers his people by his smile,
    And guards them by his power ;
He keeps them safe from force and guile,

In every trying hour

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Haters of God

WHAT an awful charge to be brought against any of God's creatures; and yet it was brought against the Jews by our Lord, of whom he said, " He that hateth me hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin; but now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father." It is here also brought against the Gentiles. Indeed every unconverted man is a hater of God, for " the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God." This is self-evident; for if a man hate God, every thing he does must be offensive to God. But every man by nature hates God, and therefore every thing he does is displeasing to God. The feeling of hatred may not be discovered, because there may be ignorance of God, or forgetfulness of him; but in proportion as he is' known and thought of, while the heart remains carnal, he is hated. This shows the need of regeneration, the absolute necessity of being born again. For until we are renewed in the spirit of our minds, we shall never be reconciled to God.
  
Let me love thee more and more.
If I love at all, I pray I
If I have not loved before,
Help me to begin to-day.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Draw nigh unto my soul

THE Lord's presence is the Christian's joy, and distance from God is always a cause of grief. But it is in seasons of trouble and sorrow that the Lord's presence is most earnestly sought. If the Lord is sensibly nigh unto us, we can pour our griefs into his bosom, and tell out our fears before his face. Nearness to God gives us confidence in danger, courage in conflict, peace in adversity, and joy in sorrow. If the Lord draw nigh unto us he will commune with us, and communicate spiritual blessings to us. If the Lord draw nigh unto us, Satan will retire into the distance, and our corruptions will be easily subdued. If the Lord draw nigh unto us, life will be pleasant, and death will have no terrors. O to live near to God ! O to find the Lord drawing nigh unto the soul, when providence frowns, when foes increase, and when every thing appears to be against us! My dear friends, do you ever plead with God thus ? Do you ever cry, Lord " draw nigh unto my soul!" Jesus did, for it was his language. David did, for he wrote the words.

    Ah me, I'm never well, but when
1 on my best beloved lean,

    And then I'm never ill;
Cl osses and trials all are right,
And pain is sweet, and trouble:i ll^ht,

    When Christ my soul doth till.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

The saints shall judge the world


GOD'S sanctified ones,—the true disciples of Jesus,—are now hated, persecuted, judged, and condemned by the world. But the day is coming when the tables will be turned. The dead in Christ will rise first. Judgment will begin at the house of God. The saints will be judged, acquitted, and rewarded. Then the wicked, called the world, will be raised. The throne of judgment will be filled by Jesus, the man the Father hath appointed to administer judgment: his saints will surround his throne; his enemies must face them, and be judged. Awful period! With what dread, consternation, confusion, and despair, will that vast multitude be filled 1 How different will things appear then to what they do now! The upright will have dominion on that morning. Then Lazarus will sit in judgment on the rich man who refused him the crumbs which fell from his table. Paul will sit in judgment on Nero who ordered him to be beheaded. The poor slave who died in the faith of'Christ will judge his cruel oppressor who made his life bitter with hard bondage.
             
Saviour divine I and can it be
That I at last shall sit with thee,

            In judgment on thy foes?
Then help me patiently to hear
Their scorn and persecution here,

            When they my course oppose.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Their strength is to sit still


TO whom will these words apply? Not to the sinner, who is still in his sins. Nor to the seeker, who is seeking the Lord. Nor yet to the backslider, who has wandered from God. But to the Lord's people, who are in perplexity, and yet trusting in God; who are intimidated by foes, and yet look to the Saviour; who are filled with fear, and yet desire to walk worthy of their profession. What can they do? Flee! But whither ? Agitate and distress their souls ! What will that do ? Let them sit still. But where shall they sit? At the feet of Jesus, where Mary did. On the rock of God's faithfulness, where David did; when the people spake of stoning him, " David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." In the tower of God's name, to which the righteous run and are safe, Prov. xviii. 10. Here let them rest, that is, believe God's word—watch his hand—wait his time—expect deliverance according to the, promise—look to Jesus and refuse to give way to fear, or foreboding, here is their strength. For. when they do so, God is engaged for them.

            Jesus, on me the power bestow
To work, or rest, srand still, or go,

            As thy design I see:
Redeem'd from nature's hurrying strife,
Iivoulri not take one step in life

            Without a beck from thee.


Tuesday, November 2, 2010

The Lord shall guide thee continually

THE Lord's people are singular in their practices, and they have singular privileges. The ruling desire of their souls is to be right. To think right. To do right. To go right. They feel they are sinners, and therefore daily plead for sanctification. They know they are in danger, and therefore daily pray to be kept. They are liable to go wrong, and therefore they desire a constant guide. Here the promise of God meets them, the Lord stoops to their needs and gratifies their desires, he says, " I will guide thee." Beloved, our journey is through a trackless desert; we know not a foot of the road, all before us is untrodden path; the road is lined with snares and dangers, there are many bypaths, let us therefore lay hold on this precious promise, " The Lord shall guide thee continually." He knows the path. He knows our frame. He knows every foe. He knows what we want, when we want, and how much we shall want; let us therefore put the hand of our faith into the hand of his special providence, and say,—

    Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;

    I am weak, but thou art mighty,
Hold me with thy powerful hand:
Bread of Heaven,

    Feed me till I want no more.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Take heed unto thyself

THIS is a very necessary admonition. We all need it. Each one of us should attend to it. Take heed unto the body. Do not pamper it. Do not neglect it. Do not allow it to take that place in your thoughts, plans, purposes, and provision, which should be assigned to the soul. It is the inferior part, treat it as such. But it is an important part, therefore use it prudently. Take heed unto the soul. See to it, that it is regenerated by the power of the Holy Spirit. Be sure that it is in Christ. Feed it with the bread of God which came down from heaven. Wash it in the fountain that is opened for sin and uncleanness. Clothe it in the robe of righteousness, and the garments of salvation. Store it with the doctrines, promises, and precepts of holy Scripture. Guard it against the influence of error, the spirit of this evil world, and the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Exercise it, in meditating upon the character of God, the work of Jesus, the operations of the Holy Spirit, and the prospects of glory.

      

Renewing grace for Jesus' sake,

            O God to me impart;
Power continually to wake,

            And watch my sinful heart:
That I may constantly take heed.
And prove myself a saint indeed.