by: James Smith, 1871
"Let integrity and uprightness preserve me!" Psalm 25:21
Integrity and uprightness are not only adornments to the Christian — but are essential to his character, and to preserve him from dangers.
"O Lord, pardon my iniquity — for it is great!" Psalm 25:11
The greater our sins — the more illustrious will the grace of God appear in pardoning them.
"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you." 1 Peter 4:12
The choicer the metal — the severer the trial. Just so, the Lord's choice ones have to pass through fiery trials to test and purify them!
Trials must and will befall;
But with humble faith to see,
Love inscribed upon them all —
This is happiness to me!
"Today if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts!" Hebrews 4:7
When God speaks . . .
the ear should listen,
the heart should receive,
the memory should retain,
and the will should obey!
"See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone!" 1 Peter 2:6
Jesus as the cornerstone unites all His people in one — while as a foundation, He sustains and bears up the whole household of mercy.
"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were cold or hot. So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth!" Revelation 3:15-16
Nothing is more offensive to the Savior than lukewarmness; let us be decided and zealous in His cause!
Come, dearest Lord, Your grace impart,
To warm this lukewarm, stupid heart,
Until all its powers and passions move
In melting grief and ardent love!
"Is this your kindness to your Friend?" 2 Samuel 16:17
Every Christian on reading the text — will think of Jesus, his best Friend. Conscience will point to those things which were unworthy of us, and dishonorable to Him.
Were I not most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite!
And were not He the God of grace,
He'd frown and spurn me from His sight!
"I, the Lord, watch over it; I water it continually. I guard it day and night so that no one may harm it!" Isaiah 27:3
Every moment we need divine protection and supplies — and every moment God has promised to give them! Here is our comfort and our security!
Each moment watered by Thy care,
And fenced with power divine;
Fruit to eternal life shall bear,
The feeblest branch of Thine!
"When they came to the place called Calvary — there they crucified Him!" Luke 23:33
See what man did with his Maker — when God allowed him to act according to his free will!
He who distributes crowns and thrones,
Hangs on a tree, and bleeds and groans!
The Prince of Life, resigns His breath;
The King of Glory, bows to death!
"God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth." 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Election is the root of salvation,
sanctification is the vital sap,
belief of the truth its verdure,
and good works its fruits!
"My beloved is dark and dazzling — chief among ten thousand!" "Yes! He is altogether lovely! This is my Beloved, this my Friend!" Song of Songs 5:10, 16
The beauty of Jesus can only be seen by the eye of faith! And when it is seen — it can never be fully set forth by any human language!
"For we know brothers, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people — because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction!" 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5
The message of the gospel comes to all — but it is only accompanied with the secret and invincible energy of the Holy Spirit to the hearts of God's elect!
"The Lord opens the eyes of the blind!" Psalm 146:8
If the Lord open our eyes, we shall see . . .
our lost state as sinners,
our need of a Savior, and
the exact adaptation of Jesus to us!
He opens the eyes of the blind,
The beauty of Jesus to view!
He changes the bent of the mind,
The glory of God to pursue!
"Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine! Ezekiel 16:8
If the Lord had not first sought us — we never would have sought Him! If He had not first loved us when we were unlovely — we never would have loved Him at all.
"I will show you my faith by my works." James 2:18
True faith produces good works. Fruit are not more necessary to prove the life of the tree — than are good works to prove that faith is genuine.
Have I that faith which looks to Christ,
Overcomes the world and sin?
Receives Him Prophet, Priest, and King,
And makes the conscience clean?
"Will You not revive us again so that Your people may rejoice in You?" Psalm 85:6
The earth does not more need the refreshing showers — than we do the reviving influences of the Holy Spirit. For these let us daily pray.
Return and revive me once more,
With joys that are pure and divine:
Your presence is what I implore;
O grant it — and comfort is mine!
"Your people shall be willing in the day of Your power." Psalm 110:3
If we are willing to be saved by Jesus, and to be His loyal subjects — then the Lord has made us so! His power has been exerted — for none love and obey Him by nature!
"That I might rest in the day of trouble." Habakkuk 3:16
Sin produces trouble — and only faith can give us rest. In the greatest trouble — faith in Jesus will bring us sweet repose!
Oh, that closer I could cleave,
To Your bleeding, dying breast!
Give me firmly to believe,
And to enter into rest!
