THE THINGS THAT ACCOMPANY SALVATION

July 31

Hebrews 6:9 

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, 

and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 

Let us inquire, What are they?

Do we possess them?

Spiritual life - evidenced by convictions of sin;

hatred to sin;

crying to God for deliverance from sin;

groaning under the weight of the body of sin and death.

A tender conscience, - which trembles at sin, and feels deeply for God’s glory.

A filial fear of God - lest we should dishonour His name, disgraced His cause, and grieve His love.

An anxiety and deep-rooted concern for holiness, - both in the heart and in the life.

Contrition, or brokenness of heart for sin, - accompanied with holy mourning before God.

Fervour in devotion, -earnestly breathing out the desires of the heart before God, or grieving when it is not so.

A jealousy of self, -as to our sincerity and uprightness of intention; lest we should be led astray by the corruptions which are within.

A chase conversation coupled with fear.

Diligence in the means of grace.

Searching the Scriptures, to ascertain our real state and condition; what is the Lords will and our duty.

And increasing discovery of our all weakness, imperfections, and misery.

He that hath these things shall never finally fall.

Oh, give me, Saviour, give me still

My poverty to know;

Increase my faith; each day in grace

And knowledge may I grow;

Unfold the glories of Thy cross,

For which I count all else has loss.

James Smith

HE THAT GLORETH, LET HIM GLORY IN THE LORD.

July 30

I Corinthians 1:31 

That, according as it is written, 

He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 

It is unlawful to glory in ourselves, our descent, our possessions, our connections, or doings; if we glory it must be in the Lord.

We must glory in Him as gracious and merciful, exercising loving-kindness and tender mercies in the earth.

And what He is to His people, their God, their portion, and their Friend.

In what He has for us, has already given to us, and will without a doubt bestowed upon us.

In Christ, as crucified for our sins, raised for our justification, and ascended to heaven in order to plead our cause, and take possession of the kingdom in our names.

In our relation to Him, interest in Him, and oneness with Him; this is our glory that we are one with Christ, and one with the Father through Him.

That we are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ; that all the things are for our sake’s, that the abundant grace might, through the thanksgiving of many, redound to the glory of God.

Beloved, let us glory in the Lord, in His free grace, eternal love, well-ordered covenant, precious promises, splendid mansions, and glorious name.

If we glory in the Lord now, we shall never regret it.

In Christ my full salvation stands,

In Him alone my glorying be;

Nothing shall pluck me from His hands.

From condemnation I am free;

Be holiness my costly dress,

And my best robe His righteousness.

James Smith

I AM A STRANGER IN THE EARTH

 

July 29

 

Psalms 119:19 

I am a stranger in the earth: 

hide not thy commandments from me. 

 
Beloved, we are strangers and pilgrims in the earth, as all our fathers were; our days are as a shadow, and there is no abiding.
 
We are born from above, and are bound for glory.
 
We are distant from home, where our kindred, our treasure, and our hearts are found.
 
Here we have no fix residence; nor should we have any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
 
We are called to submit to many inconveniences.
 
The Bible is our light, our food, our joy, and our directory.
 
We want a guide, a guard, a companion, a comforter; but Jesus has engaged to fill each of these offices.
 
We should pray for the peace of the country where we sojourn, we should not be meddlers with its concerns, but keep ourselves detached;
we should be thankful for every advantage, but set and keep our affections on things above;
we should neither be impatient nor reluctant in reference to going home, but submit to the Father’s will; we are should consider ill-treatment as permitted to do us good;
and contrast the present with our own beloved country and home.
 
As strangers and pilgrims, let us abstain from fleshly lusts.
 

There is my home and portions fair,

My treasure and my heart are there,

And my abiding home;

For me my elder brethren stay,

And angels beckon me away,

And Jesus bids me come.

 

James Smith

HE WILL YET DELIVER US.

 

July 28

 II Corinthians 1:10 

Who delivered us from so great a death, 
and doth deliver: in whom we trust that
 he will yet deliver us; 

 

How many times has our God delivered us, from how many dangers, in how many ways; and He who hath delivered, doth deliver, and in Him we trust that He will yet deliver us.

 

He delivered us from spiritual death, by the operation of His Holy Spirit; and from eternal death, by the sacrifice of His son.

 

We were dead, but we are now alive unto God, through Jesus Christ our Lord; and He who delivered from the greatest evil - spiritual death, will not refuse to deliver us from any lesser danger.

 

Let us trust Him, rely upon Him, and expect Him to deliver; it is written, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. He knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation.“

 

Let us triumph with Paul, “The Lord stood with me, and strengthen me; and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion; and the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me onto His heavenly kingdom; to who the glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

 

If He had not intended to carry on the work, He would have not have begun it; for He well knew what opposition it would meet with; but He that began will perfect it in the day of Jesus Christ.

 

He is faithful who have promised.

 

Yet must I fight, if I would reign;

Increase my courage, Lord!

I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy word.

 

James Smith

I WILL WAIT UPON THE LORD.

July 27

Isaiah 8:17 

And I will wait upon the LORD, 

that hideth his face from the house 

of Jacob, and I will look for him. 

The Lord had concealed His face, His favour could not be discovered, but marks of displeasure appeared; yet the church determines not to despond or yield to fear, but to wait upon the Lord who is hiding Himself from the house of Israel, and to look for Him.

It is a great trial to a real believer for his God to hide His face; but it is still his privilege to wait daily at His gates, and to watch at the post of His doors, persuaded that He will turn again, and display His forgiving love.

We must not give up hope, nor abandon the Lord’s ways, nor restrain praying before Him; but we must wait in faith, believing His word; in expectation, trusting His faithfulness.

Nothing should be allowed to weaken our faith in God’s word; or drive our souls from His throne.

He waits for the fittest time to be gracious, and we should wait His time to be comforted, or delivered.

Wait on the Lord and KEEP HIS WAYS.

Wait as a servant for his master’s return;

as a child for his father’s blessing;

as a bride for the tokens of her bridegroom’s love.

He says, “Behold, I come quickly; blessed is he that watcheth.“

A waiting posture is a blessed posture

Still nigh me, O my Saviour, stand,

And guard in fierce temptation’s hour;

Hide in the hollow of thy hand,

Show forth in me thy saving power;

Still be thine arm my sure defence

Nor earth nor Hell shall pluck me thence.

James Smith

RECEIVE NOT THE GRACE OF GOD IN VAIN.

July 26

2 Corinthians 6:1  

We then, as workers together with him, beseech 

you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. 

By the “grace of God” in this passage, we are to understand the everlasting gospel; which is a glorious proclamation of favour manifested to the vile and unworthy.

It proclaims that God has come down unto us in the person of Christ;

that He has accepted the labours, sufferings, and death of Jesus, as the ground of our deliverance from death, and as our title to eternal life;

and He now sends His ambassadors to assure us that He is our Friend;

that He will not impute our trespasses unto us;

that He views us in Jesus as a NEW CREATION, all former things are passed away and forgotten!

And He will make all who receive His word, and believe in His Son, the righteousness of God in Him.

Let us not then receive this glorious message in vain;

we do so if we indulge the thought that God is angry with us;

if we have doubt our acceptance of God in Christ;

if we fear that He will be wroth with us.

He informs us that His grace, to encourage us to believe, to quicken us in His ways, to embolden us at His throne, to produce love to His name, and to furnish us with an answer to all objections.

Oh, what amazing words of grace

Are in the gospel found!

Suited to every sinners case,

Who knows the joyful sound.

May I this glorious grace receive

And to my Saviour‘s glory live.

James Smith

BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

July 25

Psalms 46:10 

Be still, and know that I am God: 

I will be exalted among the heathen, 

I will be exalted in the earth. 

The dispensations of divine providence, are often very perplexing; our God has His way in the sea, and His path in the deep waters, and His footsteps are not known.

Reason is confounded, and faith is staggered; but He hushes our fears, silence our cries, and bids us “BE STILL.”

We must lie before Him, as the lamb at the shepherd’s feet; as the child in the parent’s arms.

He will not harm us Himself, nor will He let others do so.

We must learn that He is God infinitely wise, invariably good, always a Sovereign.

He doeth according to His will in heaven, on earth, in the sea, and all deep places.

None can stay His hand, or dispute His right to accomplish His will.

Let us therefore keep silence before Him.

He is our God, and we are His people; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endureth throughout all generations.

Let us not murmur, for He is gracious, let us not complain, for He is a Father unto us;

let us not fear, for He is faithful;

but let us wait upon Him, submitting in all things to His will, and surrendering ourselves into His hands with, “here am I, do with me as seemeth Thee good.”

When I can trust my all with God,

In trial’s fearful hour, -

Bow, all resign’d beneath His rod,

And bless His sparing power,

A joy springs up amidst distress, -

A fountain in the wilderness.

James Smith

THE WAY OF PEACE.

July 24

Romans 3:17 

And the way of peace have they not known:

Peace is an invaluable blessing, whether we consider it as reconciliation to God, our tranquillity and comfort of mind.

It is not to be obtained by the works of the law, but if we would obtain peace, it must be by receiving the Saviour’s word into our hearts;

by believing on Him as able and willing to save;

by trusting the testimony God hath given His Son, by renouncing self, as loathsome in the sight of God; by relying simply and always on Jesus for all we need;

and by daily making a hearty surrender of all to infinite love.

If we would maintain peace, we must confide in the promises;

walk by the precepts;

be loyal to the King of Zion;

commune daily with our heavenly Father;

attend upon Him in the ordinances of His own appointment;

rely on His special and particular providence;

frequent the open fountain of purification;

cleave to the saints in love, as the body of Christ;

and disentangle our affections from the world, and set them on things above.

This is the way, walk ye in it.

Let nothing tempt you to leave it.

Endeavour by all means to attract others to it.

No peace but by Christ, therefore cleave to Christ.

There is no path to heavenly bliss,

Or solid joy, or lasting peace,

But Christ, the appointed road;

Oh, may I tread the sacred way,

By faith rejoice, and praise, and pray,

Till I sit down with God.

James Smith

HOLD THOU ME UP, AND I SHALL BE SAFE.

July 23

Psalms 119:117 

Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and 

I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. 

This should be the Christian’s daily prayer; his way is rough, the dangers are many, his foes are powerful, and he is the liable to fall.

If we from the heart present this prayer, it proves that we have a sense of our own weakness;

a knowledge of the Lord as our strength;

genuine humility working within and a desire to honour God ruling in the conscience.

We are in the world, and unless the Lord hold us up, we shall bring guilt on the conscience, disgrace on the gospel, and dishonour to God.

We are in the church, and unless the Lord holds us up, we shall prove roots of bitterness, stumbling- blocks, and grieve the godly.

We shall be, if we are not, in affliction, and unless the Lord holds us up, we shall faint, be angry with God, as well as Jonah, or be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

O believer, lean not on the earth; trust not in a friend; place no dependence on gifts; but let your daily, yea, hourly prayer be, “HOLD THOU ME UP, AND I SHALL BE SAFE.“

The ear of thy God is open, the heart of thy God is tender, the arm of thy God is strong.

Live out of self upon God, if you would be safe.

Son of God! Thy blessing grant;

Still supply my every want;

Unsustain’d by Thee, I fall;

Send the strength for which I call;

Weaker than a bruised reed,

Help I every moment need.

James Smith

A JUST GOD AND A SAVIOUR.

July 22

Isaiah 14:21  

Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them 

take counsel together: who hath declared 

this from ancient time? who hath told it 

from that time? have not I the LORD? and 

there is no God else beside me; a just God 

and a Saviour; there is none beside me. 

God cannot part with His justice even to gratify His love; and His justice shines equally with His grace in the present and eternal salvation of our souls.

He gave His Son for a Substitute, He appointed Him to be our Surety, and punish Him in our stead.

He justly condemned Him to die, though guiltless, because our sins were imputed to Him; and He justly raised Him from the dead, because our sins had been expiated by Him.

He has work was perfect, therefore His deliverance was just.

He is a just God, and therefore never will exact the same debt of the sinner, which was paid by His Surety; nor condemn Him for that for which His Substitute atoned.

His justice will shine in our eternity acquittal, and be eternally honoured in our endless salvation.

He drew the plan of salvation, sent His Son to execute it, gives His Spirit to put us in possession of the blessing, and at last receives us to Himself, of purest grace.

“He saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.“

Mystery of redemption this -

All my sins on Christ were laid;

Mine offence was reckon His;

He the great atonement made!

Here His justice He displays,

While He saves my soul by grace.

James Smith

ABIDE IN ME.

 

July 21

John 15:4 

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch 

cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide 

in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 

 By nature we are without Christ and are far from Him; by grace we accept His invitation, and come to Him feeling our need of Him.

 We are brought to see that nothing but union to Jesus can make a safe and happy; and to give up ourselves to Him, praying to be one of with Him; He receives us, sheds abroad His love in our hearts, and we become members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones.

 He then bids us abide in Him, which we do by living in absolute dependence upon Him;
by cleaving to Him in love as our beloved Saviour, God, and Friend;
by openly professing our attachments to Him, and expectations from Him;
by walking in daily fellowship and communion with Him;
and by identifying our cause with His.

 Beloved, 
we must abide in Jesus if we would get sin mortified;
our graces nourished;
our lusts subdued;
obtain victory over the world;
prove a match for Satan;
and obtain all necessary supplies.

 
Abiding in Jesus will give us a single eye; 
a burning zeal; holy discretion; 
and enable us to seize all opportunities to glorify His adorable name.

 
Keep the eye on Jesus at all times, and in all places.

 

Hail, gracious Savior, all divine!

Mysterious, ever-living vine!

To Thee united may I live,

And nourished by Thine influence thrive;

Still may my soul abide in Thee,

From envy, pride, and malice free.

 
James Smith

PRAY THAT YE ENTER NOT INTO TEMPTATION.

 

July 20

 

Luke 22:40  

And when he was at the place, he said unto them, 

Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 

 

Temptations are trials; but by temptations very generally we understand solicitations to evil.
 
Satan is the arch-temper; he uses every possible variety of instruments, to draw us into sin and folly; consequently we are always in danger from him.
 
But we are liable to be led astray by his temptations often, because they are sudden – powerful – importunate – deceptive - so timed as to fall in with our peculiar circumstances.
 
Also because our hearts are weak – changeable - prone to evil - open to seduction.
 
How many eminent saints have fallen!
 
Let us beware!
 
Falling into temptation dishonours God, disgraces religion, and distresses the soul.
 
God is able to preserve and deliver us.
 
He has promised.
 
But prayer is implied in every promise.
 
Beloved, daily remember you have a malicious and designing foe; he is present with you; he will you saints and sinners as instruments to lead you astray.
 
Pray without ceasing.
 
Pray in simplicity - in sincerity - with importunity.
 
God is faithful, and will make a way for your escape.
 
Take heed lest you tempt Satan to tempt you; some do.
 

 

Jesus, Redeemer, Savior, Lord,

The weary sinner’s Friend,

Come to my help, pronounce the word,

And bid my troubles end;

Wisdom and strength to me impart,

To quench each flaming fiery dart.

 
James Smith

WHOM HAVING NOT SEEN YE LOVE.

 

July 19

 I Peter 1:8 

Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, 

though now ye see him not, yet believing, 

ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 

We have never seen the glorified body of Jesus, but we have believed what His word declares of Him, and believe we love Him.

 As the only begotten Son of God, who was exalted, dignified, and glorified from everlasting; as the voluntary Saviour of poor lost sinners, who became incarnate, suffered, bled and died for them.

We love His adorable person; His countenance is majesty -- His heart is love -- His hand is omnipotence  -- His eye is bountifulness -- His bowels are compassion -- and His presence and smile are heaven.

 We love His precious salvation; in its freeness – completeness -- and glory.

We love His delightful promises; which anticipate our wants -- meet all our wishes -- and fill our souls with peace.

 We love His throne; where He meets us -- attends to our request -- and blesses us in deed.

 We love His holy precepts; which exhibit His authority -- displays His love -- and calls us to holiness.

We love His heaven-born family; who wear His likeness -- are the excellent of the earth -- and resembles the children of a king.

 Oh to love Him more!

 To love Him with all our hearts, minds, soul, and strength!

 To manifest I love to Him by holy actions, and a useful life!

A bleeding Saviour, seen by faith;

A sense of pardoning love;

A hope that triumphs over death.

Gives joy like those above.

James Smith

BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART...

July 18

Matthew 5:8 

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 

It is faith that purifies the heart; it brings home the atonement, and we enjoy pardon, peace, and reconciliation; it purges the conscience from dead works, and delivers us from all condemnation.

It receives the truth of God, and Jesus through the truth; and we receive power to become the sons of God.

 We realize our relationship to God, read the gracious promises of God has made, and anticipate the glorious kingdom He has prepared; hope rules in the heart, and every one that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as Christ is pure.

He is conscience is made tender, his intentions are honest, and his heart is sound in God’s statutes.

 He groans under a body of sin and death, proclaims eternal war the flesh, and loathes himself on account of filthiness in the spirit.

 He would give a world to be free from sin, for holiness is the element of his soul.

He is blessed.

 He shall see God, and enjoy Him as his Father, portion, and everlasting all.

He shall be with his God; and be like Him, in purity, happiness, and glory.

The pure in heart daily groan under the painful sense of the impurity.

Jesus, thy crowning grace impart;

Bless me with purity of heart,

That now be holding Thee,

I soon may view Thy open face,

On all Thy glorious beauties gaze,

And God for ever sees!

James Smith

THE FAITHFUL WITNESS.

 

July 17

 

Revelation 1:5

And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness,

and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince

of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us,

and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 

This is one of the titles of our adorable Saviour.
 
His Father gave Him to be a witness to testify unto us His love, and His testimony is “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.“

To testify of His will in reference to sinners, and this is His witness: “This is the will of Him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son, (perceiveth His divinity, His authority, and office,) and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

To testify of His delight in making His people happy; and this is the record: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father‘s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.“

He bear witness that our God and Father will do for us, and give unto us, all that our circumstances require; and we know that His witness is true.
 
Let us therefore believe it, simply on the ground of His divinity, knowledge, integrity, veracity, and the interest He takes in our happiness and His Father’s glory.

Jesus is the faithful Witness, and our gracious Friend.
 
Let us witness for Him, as He does for His Father.

Great Witness from above,

My tongue would bless Thy name;

By Thee the joyful news

Of my salvation came;

The joyful news of sins forgiven,

Of hell subdue and peace with heaven.

James Smith

BE CLOTHED WITH HUMILITY.

 

July 16

 I Peter 5:5  

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto 

the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, 

and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the 

proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 

 
It is of great importance, to have and to cherish right views of our own littleness and insignificance; of our own vileness and unworthiness; of our absolute and constant dependence on the mercy of our God.
 
To possess a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of a great price; that so we may be humble under cross providences, considering our sin and ill-deservings, how we have requited the Lord; seeing the hand of God working all in all; acknowledging Divine providence, let who or what will be the instrument; to be contented with our lot, with such things as we have, uniting godliness with contentment; to be habitually looking at the Lord Jesus, what He was in His ancient glory - what He  became for us - what He now is - and what we shall soon be with Him.

 
Humility is the best garment for a justified sinner to wear, for God has said He will look to, and dwell with the humble.
 
He giveth grace unto the humble.
 
He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
 
He will hear the cry, grant the desire, and save the humble person.
 
Humility attracts God’s notice, and brings down God’s blessings.
 

Jesus, from my proud heart remove

The bane of self-admiring love!

Oh, make me feel and own with shame,

I less and worse than nothing am

The least of saints with pity see,

The chief of sinners save, in me!

 
James Smith