by: James Smith, 1871 
"The righteous shall hold on His way!" Job 17:9Nothing can be more certain than the Savior's promise, that His sheep shall never perish! Nothing can be more plain, than the assurance that the righteous shall hold on his way.Yes, I to the end shall endure,As sure as the earnest is given;More happy — but not more secure,The glorified spirits in Heaven!
"The righteous shall hold on His way!" Job 17:9Nothing can be more certain than the Savior's promise, that His sheep shall never perish! Nothing can be more plain, than the assurance that the righteous shall hold on his way.Yes, I to the end shall endure,As sure as the earnest is given;More happy — but not more secure,The glorified spirits in Heaven!
"Godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6If our godliness is thorough — we shall be content with all God's allotments; and being content, we shall be happy. Contentment is always a great blessing.
"They shall be My people — and I will be their God!" Jeremiah 32:38The people of God are His choice, His care, and His portion! And He is their confidence, comfort, and all.
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart!" Deuteronomy 6:5Jehovah claims and deserves our highest and constant love — and it is at once our duty and our happiness to observe this precept!Wherever my foolish wandering heart,Attracted by a creature's power,Would from this blissful center start,Lord, fix it there to stray no more!
"The Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him! Your murmurings are not against us — but against the Lord!" Exodus 16:8If we murmur against any of God's instruments — He takes it as done against Himself! Murmuring can never befit us as children of God — or be profitable to us.I would submit to all Your will,For You are good and wise;Let every anxious thought be still,Nor one faint murmur rise!
"Behold, I have engraved you upon the palms of My hands!" Isaiah 49:16The nails by which our Savior was fastened to the tree for us — engraved our names on His hands!My name from the palms of His hands,Eternity will never erase!Impressed on His heart, it remains,In marks of indelible grace!
"Though have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing!" 1 Corinthians 13:2That is — supreme love to God, and constant love to man. Whatever we have, if we have not love, we are not Christians!Oh, grant me, Lord, this one request,And I'll be satisfied —That love divine may rule my breast,And all my actions guide!
"Fear not, neither be discouraged!" Deuteronomy 1:21Without God's promises — we have enough to discourage an angel! But with them, nothing ought to discourage us.You in His wisdom, power, and love,May confidently trust;His wisdom guides, His power protects,His grace rewards the just.
"The Lord gives wisdom." Proverbs 2:6We daily need wisdom — and the Lord daily gives it! If we . . .feel our need,ardently desire it,earnestly seek it, andperseveringly expect it— the Lord will bestow it!
"I am in a desperate situation! Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great. Do not let me fall into the hands of man!" 2 Samuel 24:14If the hand of Providence brings us into desperate situation — let us fall into the hand of Mercy! While the one tries us — the other will sustain us!
"Return, O backsliding children — and I will heal your backslidings!" Jeremiah 3:22Backsliding from God brings us into a state of disease — which no one but God can heal!Return, O wanderer, return,Your Savior bids your spirit live;Go to His bleeding feet and learn,How freely Jesus can forgive!
"I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God! Do not be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2As those who are born from above, and whose treasure is in Heaven — we should be heavenly-minded, and holy in every part of our behavior!Born by a new celestial birth,Why should we grovel here on earth?Why grasp at transitory toys —So near to Heaven's eternal joys?
"That I might finish my course with joy!" Acts 20:24This is the object which the apostle constantly kept in view. Let us daily pray, and daily live — so that we may expect to finish our course with joy.With joy may we our course pursue,And keep the crown of life in view.That crown which in one hour repays,The labor of ten thousand days!
"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne!" Revelation 3:21"Be faithful, even to the point of death — and I will give you the crown of life!" Revelation 2:10Only conquerors are crowned! We must therefore fight and overcome every foe — if we would be crowned by the hand of Jesus!
"He who overcomes will inherit all this — and I will be his God and he will be My son!" Revelation 21:7Rouse, rouse, my soul, and fight your way,Should earth and Hell oppose;Though you are not, your Savior is,A match for all your foes!
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord — whose confidence is in Him!" Jeremiah 17:7If we trust in men — we shall be disappointed and discouraged.But if we trust in the Lord — we shall be safe and successful.
"Fight the good fight of faith — lay hold on eternal life!" 1 Timothy 6:12Faith has to fight with corruption within and opposition without. There is no way of laying hold on eternal life — but by fighting for it!From strength to strength go on,Wrestle, and fight, and pray;Tread all the powers of darkness down,And win the well-fought day!
"What do you want Me to do for you?" Mark 10:36Jesus is able to do all we can ask — and He is willing to do whatever will really benefit us; but He will have us ask Him.Oh, grant me all a God can give,And all that mortals can receive;Grace to believe in Jesus' blood,Grace to enjoy and walk with God.fight
"Even if my father and mother abandon me — the Lord will hold me close!" Psalm 27:10 Every creature may cast me off — but the Lord never will! Yes, even if my father and mother abandon me — He draws nearer to me, to comfort and bless me!Should every earthly friend depart,And kindness leave a parent's heart;My God, on whom my hopes depend,Will be my Father and my Friend!
