The Believer's Daily Remembrancer
by James Smith
January 1
Be ye thankful. - Colossians 3:15
What cause to be thankful, what reason to be grateful have we!
Surrounded by mercies, both temporal and spiritual. If we look back, we ought to rejoice that God hath chosen us
in Christ Jesus, before the foundation of the world; that He sent His only-begotten Son into the world, to be a
propitiation for our sins; that He sent His Holy Spirit into our hearts, to convince us of sin, lead us to Jesus,
and make us meet for heaven.
We have His word in our hands, His grace in our hearts, His mercies in our houses, and His heaven before our eyes.
O for a thankful heart! But let us take our poor, hard, ungrateful hearts to Jesus; He can soften them and fill
them with gratitude.
Let us confess our ingratitude before Him, and mourn over our unthankfulness at His feet. He is ready to forgive.
He can sanctify us wholly. He will hear our cry, and pity our complaints.
O Jesus, grant us a deep sense of our utter unworthiness, and of Thine unmerited goodness, that our souls may daily
praise Thee with joyful lips! May we live as thoughtful dependants; as grateful, loving children, before our Father
and our God; and daily be thankful.
Through all eternity, to Thee
A joyful song I'll raise;
But O eternity's too short
To utter all Thy praise!
January 2
A Mediator - Galatians 3:20
God is, and must be, the eternal enemy of sin. He cannot be reconciled to it: it is the abominable thing which
He hates. He cannot look upon it but with abhorrence.
How then can God receive, bless, or commune with us? Only through a Mediator. Jesus fills this office; He stands
between God and us; He honours all the Father's perfections; and renders us and our services acceptable through
His glorious righteousness and precious blood. God can only love us, receive us, commune with us, or bless us,
in Jesus.
He represents us to God, and we are accepted in the BELOVED. He represents God to us, and we prove Him to be gracious.
When going to the throne of grace, never forget that Jesus is the Mediator; the Middle-man; present your persons,
your petitions, and your praises to God through Him.
You have nothing to fear, for Jesus wears your nature; He has a heart that beats in unison with yours; He calls
you BROTHER; He uses all His influence with the Father on your behalf; all He did and suffered is employed for
you: and at this moment He pleads your cause.
Oft as guilt, my soul, torments thee,
Turn thine eyes to Jesu's blood;
This will comfort, cheer, and cleanse thee,
Seal thy peace, and do thee good:
Peace and pardon
Flow to thee, through Jesu's blood.
January 3
Blessed be ye poor - Luke 6:20
The Lord's people are all poor; they see and feel that sin has stripped them of every excellence; and has left
them wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. They can do nothing of themselves, they can procure
nothing; but free grace has made ample provision for them, and the Gospel informs them that Jesus has everything
they want, and that all He has is for them.
When they look at, or into themselves, they are discouraged; but when they look to Jesus, they rejoice. He has
riches of grace, and riches of glory; and He says, "Every one that asketh, receiveth." He giveth liberally,
and upbraideth not. Here then is the present blessedness of the Lord's poor; Jesus has all they need. He is their
Friend; and they that seek Him shall not want any good thing.
Am I poor? If so, Jesus bids me come to Him, and buy gold, clothing, wine, and milk; all that is necessary to comfort
and support in time, and render me happy throughout eternity. Poor in self, rich in Jesus. Poor at present, rich
by-and-by; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "All things are yours, ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's."
"All things are for your sakes."
What want shall not our God supply
From His redundant stores?
What streams of mercy from on high
An arm almighty pours!
January 4
Fear of death. - Hebrews 2:15
All must die, but all do not die alike; some are cut off suddenly, others by a lingering illness; some die only
safe, others happy. Some fear death all their lives, others do not.
But death must be viewed through Jesus, or fear it we shall, if we think seriously.
Death is a separation from the body; the second death is a separation from God. The former we must pass through,
not so the latter. What shall separate us from the love of God? DEATH? No, we are more than conquerors through
Him that hath loved us. Death only opens the prison-door, and sets the captive free. It is an answer to our many
prayers for deliverance, for freedom from sin, and for perfect happiness.
If we are united to Jesus by a living faith, death cannot disunite us; but will only introduce us into His presence,
that we may for ever enjoy His love. If we walk with God; if we believe the Saviour's word; if we look beyond the
valley; we shall not fear death. Jesus will not leave us then. He will be present according to His word, and we
shall prove His faithfulness, veracity, and love.
"Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Why should I shrink at pain and woe,
Or feel at death dismay?
I've Canaan's goodly land in view,
And realms of endless day.
January 5
Be careful for nothing. - Philippians 4:6
The Lord careth for us. He knows our wants, and has promised to supply them; our foes, and will deliver us from
them; our fears, and will make us ashamed of them. All creatures and things are in His hand, and at His disposal;
all circumstances are absolutely under His control.
He directs the angel, feeds the sparrow, curbs the devil, and manages the tempest. He is thy FATHER. His love to
thee is infinite. Thou art His DELIGHT. His dear son. His pleasant child. Will He neglect thee? Impossible. Cast
then thy cares upon Him. Tell out all thy desires, fears, and troubles to Him; let Him know every thing FROM THEE,
keep nothing back; and then in the confidence of faith expect Him to fulfil His word, and act a Parent's part.
Bless Him for all He has given, for all He has promised; plead with Him for all you may need; but never for one
moment, or under any circumstances, distrust Him. He cannot love thee more. He is a present help. He will make
all His goodness pass before thee. He will rejoice over thee to do thee good, with His whole heart, and with His
whole soul.
Then let me banish anxious care,
Confiding in my Father's love;
To Him make known my wants in prayer,
Prepared His answer to approve.
January 6
Let him deny himself. - Matthew 16:24
It is required by Jesus that every disciple should practice self denial. We must deny and crucify the workings
of self-righteousness, and venture alone upon His work and worth for salvation; and we must mortify the pride of
reason and intellect, and believe as His word reveals, and walk as His word directs.
Our nearest relatives, dearest friends, and choicest comforts, must be resigned, if they are opposed to His glory
and the furtherance of His cause. A Christian must lay everything at the feet of Jesus, and say, "Lord, do
with it as Thou wilt." We are not our own, nor is any thing we have our own; it is the Lord's.
Our appetites, pleasures, and pursuits, must all be brought into subjection to the obedience of Christ.
His glory is to be sought at all times, in all things, under all circumstances; and when this is done, we are safe
and happy. The servant must obey his Master, and the child submit in all things to his wise, judicious and loving
Father. But for whom am I called to deny myself? For Jesus, who lived and died to save me, who is now in heaven
interceding for me; and who is the great Pattern of self-denial, having humbled Himself even unto death.
Beloved self must be denied,
The mind and will renew'd;
Passion suppress'd, and patience tried,
And vain desires subdued.
January 7
I will help thee. - Isaiah 41:13
Wherever the Lord leads us, He will support us; nor shall the difficulties of the way, or the weakness we feel,
be too much for us. His hand is stretched out to us, and it is for faith to lay hold of it and proceed, confident
of assistance.
The arm of His power is the protection of His people in danger, and the strength of His people in weakness. He
is a very present help in trouble. A God at hand. Are you weak, or in difficulty?
Plead His word; it is plain, positive, and sure. He cannot lie.
He will not deceive. His strength is made perfect, and is glorified in your weakness. Fear not, underneath are
everlasting arms. He will strengthen you with strength in your soul.
He CAN help, for He is omnipotent. He WILL help, for He has given you His word. Trust in the Lord at all times;
yea, trust in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. That strength is promised to
you, and will be employed for you in answer to prayer.
Why then are you so fearful? Why cast down? He says, "I WILL HELP THEE." "He hath said, and shall
He not do it? He hath spoken, and shall He not make it good?"
Fear not; I am with thee; O be not dismay'd!
I, I am thy God, and will still give thee aid!
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.
January 8
Gethsemane. - Matthew 26:36
This was a garden at the foot of Mount Olivet; here Jesus, as the SUBSTITUTE of His people, receiving the cup of
wrath from the hand of His offended Father. It was the wrath of God, all we had deserved; the punishment we must
have endured; the Son of God in our nature, in our stead, for our salvation, was punished by Divine Justice.
No human hand touched Him, no human voice spake to Him, when He sweat great drops of blood falling down to the
ground. It was the baptism He expected, and O how great was His love! The baptism He longed to undergo. See the
wonderful Sufferer, hear His dreadful groans, listen to His heart-breaking sighs; heaven and hell are astonished,
only man remains unaffected.
Beloved, it is our SURETY. He is paying our debt, redeeming our souls, purchasing our happiness, and making our
peace. He went to GETHSEMANE that we might not go to hell. He was punished that we might be glorified. Often, very
often, visit this sacred spot; here have fellowship with Christ in His sufferings by faith.
O my soul, I charge thee to visit Gethsemane, and visit it very often for fellowship with Jesus!
Go to the garden, sinner; see
Those precious drops that flow;
The heavy load He bore for thee:
For thee He lies so low.
January 9
I am a worm. - Psalm 22:6
Man is naturally poor and proud, but grace strips him and humbles him in the dust. Here the highly-favoured David,
the man after God's own heart, cries out, "I am a worm." How little, how despicable he appeared in his
own eyes.
Every one that humbleth himself shall be exalted. You have looked at Bible saints, and have sighed out, "Ah!
they were not like me!" My brother, are you not a poor, weak, worthless worm?
Do you not feel so? Well, so did David. The less you are in your own eyes, the more fit you are for the Lord Jesus,
and the more welcome will you be at the throne of grace. But this was the language also of David's Lord; this was
the view the Jews had of Him, and they treated Him accordingly.
The Brightness of Glory is compared to a vile reptile; the Express Image of the Father's person is treated with
the greatest contempt. But it was for us men, and for our salvation. O mystery of mercy! Jesus is reduced to a
level with the worm, that we may be raised higher than the angels.
From Bethlehem's inn, to Calvary's cross,
Affliction mark'd His road;
And many a weary step He took,
To bring us back to God.
By men despised, rejected, scorn'd,
No beauty they can see;
With grace and glory all adorn'd,
The loveliest form to me.
January 10
Come unto Me. - Matthew 11:28
Jesus calls you to His throne; He is there waiting to hear, relieve, and bless you. You are to go to Him just as
you are, and receive from Him all you need.
He will give you wisdom, to direct your steps; peace, to keep your hearts; strength, to do His will; righteousness,
to justify your souls; and rest, unspeakably sweet. He is glorified in bestowing these blessings upon you. He calls
you this MORNING, this MOMENT, to receive without money and without price. What a precious Saviour is Jesus! What
a kind and tender Friend!
Let us go boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. "Come,"
He says, "come to Me; go not to self, to the world, to the empty cisterns which creatures idolize; but come
unto Me, and I will do for you exceeding abundantly, above all you can ask or think. Your sins I will pardon; your
graces I will revive; your comforts I will restore; your holiness I will increase; your efforts to glorify Me I
will crown with success; I will bless you, and you shall be a blessing."
O how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that seek Thee; which Thou hast wrought for them
that trust in Thee, before the sons of men!
Jesus, with Thy word complying,
Firm our faith and hope shall be;
On Thy faithfulness relying,
We will cast our souls on Thee.
January 11
I go mourning. - Psalm 38:6
But what is the cause of thy mourning? There is nothing apart from Jesus worth mourning for, or beside sin worth
mourning over.
Is it because of the unevenness of thy walk with God? On account of the deep depravity of thy nature? Because men
keep not God's law? Or because Jesus hides His face, and your evidences fade and wither.
You may well mourn after Jesus, but you must not despond; for He will turn again, He will have compassion upon
you. The depravity of the heart is enough to make an angel weep; but forget not the precious blood that cleanseth,
or the promised graces that sanctifies.
Look not too much at the defects which appear in your walk, nor at the corruption which works in your heart; but
deal with the blood and grace of Jesus, as the means of thy cure. Read and believe His promises; confess and plead
at His throne; wait and watch in His ways; be careful, lest by inordinate mourning you grieve His Spirit. He cannot
be unkind, He never will forsake you, He was anointed "to comfort all that mourn."
Cease, O believer, cease to mourn;
Return unto thy rest, return;
Why should thy sorrows swell?
Though deep distress thy steps attend,
Thy warfare shall in triumph end;
With thee it shall go well.
January 12
Let him ask in faith. - James 1:6
The Believer's prayers should be regulated by God's promises; he often fancies he wants what would only do him
harm; and, therefore, if he ask, he is denied, not in anger but in love.
God has promised all good, and only good, to His beloved people. Ask for what God has promised to bestow, and ask
believing that God will honour and fulfil His own precious word. He cannot deny Himself; all He hath promised He
will perform. You can therefore have no reason to doubt whether the Lord will give you, if you really need it,
and He has plainly promised it; therefore ask desiring and expecting, and then look to receive.
What are thy wants this morning? Where hath God promised such things in His holy word? Search out the promise,
take it to His throne, plead in the name of Jesus for its fulfilment, and never doubt for one moment, but that
the Lord will make it good. Stay yourself therefore on the word of the Lord; but if you will not believe, surely
you shall not be established.
Faith honours God by trusting Him; and God always honours faith by answering it. "Come boldly to the throne
of grace, that you may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and power can bless;
To praying souls He always grants
More than they can express.
January 13
Walk circumspectly. - Ephesians 5:15
You are in an enemy's land; surrounded by temptations; and have a heart that is deceitful above all things, and
desperately wicked. To honour Jesus in your spirit, communications, and every action, should be your constant aim.
You are to live UNTO the Lord, for Him who died for you and rose again. To this end, provision was laid up in the
everlasting covenant, for this purpose the precious promises were made, and with this design the Holy Spirit is
given; that you may serve Him in righteousness and holiness all the days of your life.
This world is not your home; Satan's family are not to be your associates; riches, honours, or pleasure, are not
to be your objects; you are to walk as in the midst of snares; watchful, prayerful, depending upon Jesus, and cultivating
fellowship with Him.
O keep your eye on Jesus, as your example; walk by His word, as your rule; be not venturesome or presumptuous,
but avoid the very appearance of evil. Never leave the Lord's ways or ordinances, to join the world's parties or
to please a carnal fancy. Keep close to Jesus, and follow on to know the Lord. Act as a loving child going home
to his father's house.
So let our lips and lives express
The holy Gospel we profess;
So let our works and virtues shine,
To prove the doctrine all Divine.
January 14
But Thou art the same. - Psalm 102:27
Everything below is liable to change; health may give place to sickness, pleasure to pain, plenty to poverty, love
to enmity, honour to disgrace, strength to weakness, and life to death.
Remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. But though all our circumstances and friends should change,
there is One who never changes. He is in one mind, and none can turn Him.
With Him is no variableness. He is the same yesterday, today, and for ever; and He is our best Friend, our nearest
relation, our gracious Saviour.
Yesterday, His name was Jesus; His nature was love; His purpose was to do us good with His whole heart and soul:
today, He is the same; we cannot expect too much from Him, or be too confident in Him, if we are walking humbly
with Him. He will be our God, and we shall be His people.
Let us cultivate intimacy with Him, dependance upon Him, concern to please Him, fear to offend Him, zeal to glorify
Him; and it must be well with us in health and sickness, plenty and poverty, life and death; for He is the same,
and will never turn away from doing us good, but remain the Fountain of love and holiness for ever. Praise ye the
Lord.
This God is the God we adore,
Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as great as His power,
And neither knows measure nor end.
January 15
Is it well with thee? - 2 Kings 4:26
Is Jesus precious to thy soul? Are you mourning over sin, or after the presence of your beloved Saviour? Are you
strong in faith, giving glory to God? Are you panting for communion with your heavenly Father? Is the world beneath
your feet? Are you glowing with love to all saints? Are you seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness?
Are you lying at the feet of Jesus, in trouble, crying, "Lord, help me"?
If so, it is well with thee: there is spiritual life in thy soul, and the blessed Spirit is thy Teacher. But if
the world is preferred to Jesus, the pleasures of time to fellowship with God, if self-examination is neglected,
and the Bible is become dry and unsavory, it is not well. Health of soul is manifested by habitual prayer, zeal
in the Lord's cause, an appetite for the bread of life, and activity in the Lord's ways.
Is thy soul sick? If so, apply at once to Jesus, as the great Physician; and plead with Him to restore unto thee
the joys of His salvation, and to uphold thee with His free Spirit. He will heal thy backslidings, and love thee
freely.
'Tis well; my soul is fill'd with joy,
Though in myself a feeble worm:
For Jesus will His power employ,
And save my soul in every storm;
He will His gracious word fulfil,
And guard my soul from every ill.
January 16
I would do good. - Romans 7:21
Every Believer has experienced the renewing of the Holy Ghost; sin has not dominion over him. He perceives the
beauty of holiness, and loathes himself on account of sin. He would be internally holy, and externally conformed
to the precepts of the Bible.
He would pray with fervour; praise with gratitude; believe with confidence; war against sin, Satan, and the flesh
with courage; and glorify God by every feeling, thought, word, and action.
Thus he feels, and for this he prays in his best moments; but he finds that he needs the frequent renewing of the
Holy Spirit, for he is prone to sink into coldness, deadness, darkness, and stupidity, and he is obliged to cry
out, "My soul cleaveth unto the dust; quicken Thou me according unto Thy word."
The Lord must work in us to WILL as well as to DO; for by nature we are unwilling, and the desire after holiness,
proved by effort to obtain it, is from God. Beloved, you must be coming to Jesus daily for fresh supplies of the
Spirit, or you will find yourself not only weak, but careless; not only will the power of godliness decline, but
you will become indifferent. Watch against temptation. Watch unto prayer. Watch over your own heart.
O Lord, assist me through the fight,
My drooping spirit raise;
Make me triumphant in Thy might,
And Thine shall be the praise.
January 17
Evil is present with me. - Romans 7:21
But what a mercy that it does not reign in you, and over you; it did once, and would now but for free and sovereign
grace. If sin makes you groan, leads you to the throne to plead with God, and to the fountain of the Saviour's
blood to be cleansed from it, it does not, it cannot reign.
It may disturb your peace, distress your mind, hinder you in duty, mix with all your efforts to do good; and even
make you cry out, "O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?" But even then you should not doubt.
Jesus still loves you, grace will reign in your experience, and you shall be more than a conqueror.
Paul had known the Lord many years, he had been in the third heaven, and daily triumphed in Christ; yet he felt
just as you feel; when he would do good evil was present with him, and he could not do the things that he would.
If sin annoys you, if it is your burden, and causes you grief; holiness lives in you, and the present painful conflict
will end in everlasting peace. You may even now sing, "Thanks be unto God, who giveth us the victory, through
our Lord Jesus Christ." Live upon Christ, and you will live down all evil.
Crosses and changes are our lot,
Long as we sojourn here;
But since our Saviour changes not,
What have the saints to fear?
January 18
My brother. - Matthew 12:50
And who is the brother of Jesus? Every one who does the will of His Father. Every Believer who proves the truth
of his faith by the goodness of his works; who shows the excellence of his nature, by the piety, benevolence, and
charity of his life.
Believer, Jesus calls thee BROTHER. He has for thee a Brother's love. O how tender! O how tried! Stronger than
death; passing knowledge. He bears with thy infirmities, reproves thy follies, encourages thy faith, forbids thy
fears, and will certainly provide for thy wants.
Joseph in Egypt supplied his brethren during the famine, and shall not Jesus supply His? If He seem to speak roughly,
He will act kindly, and perform a Brother's part. He has all power in heaven and in earth. He doeth according to
His will, and He is not ashamed to call us brethren. He will correspond with us, and bid us daily, yea hourly,
correspond with Him.
O remember, when you go to the throne of grace, that your BROTHER fills it, He calls you to it, and will withhold
no good thing from you. Precious Lord Jesus, manifest to me a Brother's love; help me to rely on Thy fraternal
kindness.
Our nearest Friend, our Brother now,
Is He to whom the angels bow;
They join with us to praise His name,
But we the nearest interest claim.
January 19
The wisdom of the just. - Luke 1:17
The Lord's people are justified freely, by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. The work
of Jesus is their justification before God; in this they trust; in this they plead; and in this they rejoice. Taught
by the Holy Spirit, they manifest wisdom in readily believing God's faithful word, and trusting Him to make good
the same to them.
They resign themselves and all they value into His hands for preservation, and to be entirely at His disposal,
persuaded that His wisdom and love will do better for them, than they possibly could for themselves. They refer
all things to God for His decision, and cheerfully abide by His sentence.
They live in simple, child-like dependance upon His providence and grace, for body and soul, for time and eternity,
seeking to make His will theirs. They walk in charity with their fellow-Christians, who differ in some things from
them, and would do good to all, especially to them that are of the household of faith.
Beloved, do you manifest this wisdom? Do you walk by this rule? Do you mind the same things? Have you the wisdom
that is from above, which is pure, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits?
Boundless wisdom, power Divine,
Love unspeakable, are Thine;
Wisdom, Lord, to me be given,
Wisdom pure, which comes from heaven.
January 20
Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. - Matthew 6:24
Our God is a jealous God. He requires the devotion of the heart, the consecration of all the powers, and we cannot
enjoy religion without these. Persons who try to unite God and the world, the service of sin and the service of
God, cannot be happy. We must be decided.
Well, who is to be God TODAY? Who is to have the heart, the talents, the affections, TODAY? Is gain, carnal pleasure,
or worldly company, to be the idol to-day? Or, is Jesus to have the thoughts, the desires, and the talents? Shall
we seek His glory, and aim at His honour? Or, shall we say to some worthless bramble, "Come thou, and reign
over us?" Choose you.
Whom will you serve? Attempt not to reconcile opposing claims, but let God or Mammon have the whole. Surely, you
are ready to cry out, "Thine am I, Jesus; and Thee only will I serve!" But you can only serve Him acceptably,
as you serve Him with the grace He imparts; He has provided, He has promised, and He invites you to receive it.
Let us therefore have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear. Serving God in
the spirit of adoption is true happiness.
O let Thy love my soul inflame!
And to Thy service sweetly bind;
Transfuse it through my inmost frame,
And mould me wholly to Thy mind.
January 21
January 22
Why are ye so fearful? -Mark 4:40
The disciples appeared to be in danger, and fear filled their hearts. They did not realize that they were the care
and charge of Jesus, or else, knowing Him, their fears could have had no place.
Beloved, you are in the hands of your loving Saviour. He has charge of you and all your concerns. He has numbered
the very hairs of your head, and watches over you every moment, by night, as well as by day. He is ever present,
His eye cannot be diverted from you, His omnipotence is engaged to defend you, His fulness to supply you, His wisdom
to guide you, and all His perfections will be glorified in your everlasting holiness and happiness. He says, "I
am glorified in them."
Why are you so fearful? Jesus is a very present help, He is a Friend that loveth at all times, He is your shield,
and will be your exceeding great reward. But perhaps you have wandered from Him; your conscience accuses you, and
Satan tempts you to despond; go, go, and return unto Him, delay not a moment, cast yourself, guilty as you are,
at His feet, confess all, and give yourself to Him afresh. He will receive you graciously, love you freely, and
restore to you the joys of His salvation.
The saints should never be dismay'd,
Nor sink in hopeless fear;
For when they least expect His aid,
The Saviour will appear.
January 23
Ye are not your own. - 1 Corinthians 6:19
No: Jesus has purchased you with His own blood, quickened you by His Spirit, espoused you to Himself, and intends
to glorify you with Himself for ever. He claims you, and says, "I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine."
He will provide for you as His own, and spare you, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
You are His beloved bride. His portion. A member of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. In loving you, He
loveth Himself. He requires you to live under the daily conviction that you are His; that all you have is His.
You have nothing of your own; all you have He freely gave, and all you have you profess to have surrendered to
Him.
Think more of Jesus than of His gifts, cleave to Him, and not to what you may be called to surrender. He will never
take anything from you, but He will give you something better. If He strip you, it is to teach you; to lead you
to live upon Himself, and to find your heaven in His company, grace, and offices.
Do you live, walk, and act, so as to leave the impression upon the minds of observers that you are the Lord's?
Do you expect Him to preserve, guide, and supply you? Let conscience answer.
Lord! am I Thine, entirely Thine?
Purchased and saved by blood Divine?
With full consent, Thine I would be,
And own Thy sovereign right in me.
January 24
Ye are my friends. - John 15:14
What infinite condescension in Jesus, to call us worms, His friends! But He not only calls us so, but treats us
as such, and expects us as friends to do whatsoever He commands us.
Is Jesus thy friend? Then visit Him often, let Him hear thy voice in prayer and praise; then trust Him confidently,
let Him see a proof of thy faith in thy dependence; then walk with Him in love, let Him enjoy much of thy company;
then expect Him to be thy Friend in sickness and health, in poverty and plenty, in life and in death.
If Jesus is our Friend, we can never be destitute; if father and mother forsake, He will take us up and take us
in; we can never be miserable, He will receive us and be a Father unto us; we can never be neglected, for He will
never fail us nor forsake us, but will do for us all He has promised in His word. He will defend us from foes,
visit us in sickness, and cheer and support us in death.
Precious Lord Jesus, be Thou my Friend, call me Thy friend, and treat me as such, in life, in death, at the judgment,
and before Thy Father's face for ever.
O let us make His name our trust!
He is a Saviour wise and just:
On His almighty arm depend;
He is a tried and faithful Friend;
And all His friends shall shortly prove,
The power and glory of His love.
January 25
I will instruct thee. - Psalm 32:8
At best we know but little, and we are slow to learn; but as the Lord has promised to instruct us, we may yet expect
to be made wise unto salvation.
The Lord's teaching always produces humility, self-loathing, confidence in God, zeal for His glory, and devotes
the heart to His praise. It brings us to the feet of Jesus, and delivers us from the present evil world. Under
Divine instruction we learn the true nature of sin, the vanity of the world, the emptiness of creatures, and the
fulness and preciousness of Christ.
Is God willing to instruct us? Then let us be early and often at His throne, praying, as the Psalmist did, "Lead
me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day." Then
shall we exclaim, as Elihu did, "Behold, God exalteth by His power: who teacheth like Him?"
The Lord will teach us to profit, and sanctify us through the truth He imparts. Christ is our great lesson, and
to know Him rightly, is life, peace, and joy. Is Jesus thy Teacher? Then sit at His feet, treasure up His words,
and show forth His praise. He says, "Learn of Me." Learn to know Him, love Him, obey Him, and live upon
Him.
Eternal life Thy words impart;
On these my fainting spirit lives:
Here sweeter comforts cheer my heart,
Than the whole world around me gives.
January 26
Lacked ye anything? - Luke 22:35
The Lord will always provide for His own people, who keep His company, do His will, and aim at His glory. If He
sends us, though He chooses to carry the purse, our bread shall be given, and our water shall be sure.
The disciples went out unfurnished, but then Jesus commanded them; they return, and confessed that they lacked
nothing, the God of providence supplied them. If we are in the Lord's way, we may rest assured that we shall meet
the Lord's messengers bringing our supply. They that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. He notices our
wants, remembers His promises, times His mercies, and proves Himself a faithful God.
Have you lacked anything? for body? for soul? He Who has supplied the past, will provide for the future. Jesus
is full of grace; go, and receive, that your joy may be full. Jesus is the God of providence; look to Him, trust
in Him, plead with Him, and you shall never be destitute.
Believe His word, He cannot deny Himself; trust in His faithfulness, and He will put honour upon thy faith, fulfilling
His own word. "Thy bread shall be given thee, and thy water shall be sure."
His love in times past, Forbids me to think
He'll leave me at last, In trouble to sink;
Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review
Confirms His good pleasure To help me quite through.
January 27
We have an Advocate. 1 John 2:1
Yes: Jesus pleads for us in heaven. By His own blood He entered once into the holiest, there to appear in the presence
of God FOR US. He pleads for us against Satan, answering all his accusations; and for us with the Father, that
we may be kept, supplied, and glorified.
O what a comfort when the heart is straitened in prayer, when the mouth is closed by guilt, when the spirit is
harassed by temptation, to know that Jesus as our Advocate appears and pleads for us above!
Beloved, Jesus is before God for YOU this morning, and every morning; and the benefit of His intercession you daily
enjoy.
When doubting and fearful, put your cause afresh into His hands, and leave Him to carry it; He can plead well;
His arguments are powerful, and His manner is Divine.
Keep Jesus before thee this day as thy Advocate; rejoice in His office and name, and remember He is saying, "Father,
I will that those whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, to behold My glory." Him the Father heareth
always; and all for whom He pleads are safe and shall be happy.
Look up, my soul, with cheerful eye;
See where the great Redeemer stands,
The glorious Advocate on high,
With precious incense in His hands;
And on His pleading still depend,
Who is thy Advocate and Friend.
January 28
Search the Scriptures. - John 5:39
The Bible is God's Book, a favour bestowed on man; intended to lead him to a knowledge of the nature, perfections,
purposes, will, providence, and salvation of God. It contains all that is really necessary to be known.
It should be read carefully, prayerfully, frequently, and in course: every part of the Bible should be read, meditated
upon, and prayed over. It makes us wise unto salvation, through faith which is in Christ Jesus. We cannot understand
the Scriptures, or gather spiritual profit therefrom, but by the Holy Ghost; nor should we expect to be taught
the mind of God but by the Scriptures.
Praying, reading, and thinking, should go together; and no one, but he who has proved it, can possibly tell the
profit which may be thus gained. Let the Bible be the every-day-book. In it God speaks to your soul, by it He will
sanctify your nature, direct your steps, and give you joy and peace. Let not the works of man occupy the place
of the Book of God; but search the Scriptures daily, and exercise faith therein.
"Open Thou mine eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of Thy law." Unfold to me the riches of Thy
grace, revealed in Thy word.
O may Thy counsels, mighty God,
My roving feet command!
Nor I forsake the happy road
That leads to Thy right hand.
January 29
And shalt thou be delivered? - Isaiah 37:11
This is plainly the language of an insulting foe; he had triumphed, and now he boasted, but his power was bounded,
and his pride procured his fall.
Often when in trouble, when distressed, when tried by a sense of sin and unworthiness, unbelief and Satan join,
and pointing to others who have fallen and to our acknowledged unworthiness, insultingly ask the question, "And
shalt thou be delivered?" Yes, Satan, we shall be delivered; the God of Hezekiah is our God, and He hath said,
"I will deliver thee in six troubles, and in seven I will not forsake thee."
We believe His word, we rely on His faithfulness, we plead at His throne; and so sure as He can deliver, He WILL.
He hath often done so in times past, He doth deliver all His praying people now, and in Him we trust that He will
deliver us. Not on account of anything in us, or of anything done by us, but because He hath said, "I will
be with him trouble, I will deliver him and honour him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name."
He is faithful, His word cannot fail, nor should our faith be shaken. Deliverance is certain, for God hath spoken,
and God is true.
The same His power, His love the same,
Unmoved the promise shines;
Eternal truth surrounds His name,
And guards the precious lines.
January 30
We joy in God. - Romans 5:11
This is every Believer's privilege; God is reconciled to him in the person and through the work of Jesus; all charges
against him are blotted out; all his sins are freely and fully forgiven; he is justified from all things; and stands
before God in Christ, accepted, beloved, and blessed.
To him God is love; with him God is at peace; and he is now a son of God. If this is believed on the testimony
of God, and realized in the soul as the effect of faith; then God becomes our exceeding joy, and we rejoice with
joy unspeakable and full of glory. If we joy in frames, they change; if we joy in friends, they die; if we joy
in possessions, they are vanity; but if we joy in God, though the exercise of joy may be interrupted, yet the object
remains eternally the same, and we shall joy for evermore.
Beloved, look at Jehovah in Jesus; there you see Him as the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; joy and rejoice
in Him as your God, your Portion, your everlasting All. Throughout this day, joy in God as your Father, your Friend,
and your Saviour. In this rejoice and be exceeding glad.
O that I could now adore Him,
Like the heavenly host above,
Who for ever bow before Him,
And unceasing sing His love!
Happy songsters!
When shall I your chorus join?
January 31
Immanuel. - Isaiah 7:14
Consider Jesus through this day as God with thee; God in thy nature; God become Man for thy salvation and consolation.
None but God was able to save; thy Jesus is God: it was necessary that the Saviour should be man, and Jesus is
man. He has the nature of His Father, here is His ability; He has thy nature also, here is His suitability.
Jesus is God with thee, to hear thy prayers, check thy fears, redress thy grievances, sympathize with thee in thy
sorrows, and be thy everyday Friend. God is with us, observing our conduct, directing our ways, reproving our follies,
providing our supplies, and making all things work together for our good.
Always remember, Jesus is with you; every sin is committed under His eye, against His love, and goes to His heart;
think, when tempted to sin, that you hear Immanuel, the suffering, bleeding, dying, reigning Saviour, say, "O
do not that abominable thing which I hate!"
Walk before Him in love, peace, holiness, and zeal for His glory and praise. He is God for thee, as well as with
thee. Look to His wisdom, power, and love, for safety and supply; and with filial confidence trust His word so
shall you be safe and happy.
Sweeter sounds than music knows
Charm me in Immanuel's name;
All her hopes my spirit owes
To His birth, His cross, His shame.