THE LORD IS GOOD UNTO THEM THAT WAIT FOR HIM.

August 31

Lamentations 3:25  

The LORD is good unto them that wait for him,

 to the soul that seeketh him. 

The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works; but He is especially benevolent, kind, and attentive to the praying waiting soul.

He has prepared His goodness for the poor, and His goodness is ever great towards us.

He bids us ask, promises to bestow, makes us wait, and then blesses us indeed.

We have proved Him to be good but if we had more faith in Him, and were more earnest with Him, we shall see and enjoy His goodness in much greater degree.

He delivered David from the horrible pit;

  Jeremiah from the dungeon;

     Daniel from the lions;

         Peter from the waves;

             and Paul from the forty Jews.

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.”

He will renew our strength, illumine our path, take vengeance on our foes, and introduce us into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.

Let us wait for Him in faith, look for Him in hope, and plead with Him to work in us all the good pleasure of His will, and the work of faith with power.

Wait for the Lord, and prove Him good.

Wait for the Lord, and glorify His name.

Jesus, preserve my soul from sin,

Nor let me faint for want of Thee;

I’ll wait till Thou appear within,

And plant Thy heavenly love in me;

In every soul that waits for Thee,

Thou wilt Thy goodness, Lord, display.

James Smith

HE WILL NOT ALWAYS CHIDE.

August 30

Psalms 103:9  

He will not always chide: 

neither will he keep his anger for ever. 

If we sin, our heavenly Father will correct us, in order to reclaim us; His strokes often fall heavy, and the effects remain for a long time.

But He will not always chide; when we repent and confess, He pardons and restores.

His anger is but for a moment; but His mercy is everlasting.

He loves when He frowns, and pities while He reproves.

“The Lord is gracious, full of compassion, and plenteous in mercy; He hath not dealt with us after our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities, for as the heaven is high above the earth, so GREAT is His mercy toward them that fear Him.”

Let us not therefore DESPISE the chastening of the Lord, nor FAINT when we are rebuked of Him; for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth.

In a little wrath He may hide His face from us for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will He have mercy on us, and prove Himself our Redeemer.

His frowns are transient, but His love is everlasting.

His strokes are few and light, but He daily loadeth us with benefits, and crowns the years with His bounty.

He will always love, but He will not always chide.

God will not always chide;

And when His strokes are felt,

His strokes are fewer than our crimes,

And lighter than our guilt.

He chides us with a Fathers heart,

That we from Him may not depart.

James Smith

THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT.

August 29

Matthew 25:5  

While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 

When we think of the warnings Jesus has given, the promises He has made, and the precepts He has delivered, we are ready to conclude that His people must be always active and always happy.

But when we look around us, or when we look at our own course, we are obligated to lament that this is not the case.

Jesus is gone to receive a kingdom and to return: He has given talents to His servants, and TO EVERY MAN HIS WORK, and commanded the porter to watch.

But it is said of the wise as well as the foolish virgins, “THEY ALL SLUMBERED AND SLEPT.“

Are we awake to our duties, to our privileges, to our expectation?

Are we looking, longing, and preparing for the coming of Jesus?

Are we sober and vigilant, because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, is going about seeking whom he may devour?

Are we active for God?

Are we hasting home?

Do we pass the time of our sojourning here in fear?

Is the talent in a napkin? Or at the bank?

Let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober.

Behold the judge standeth before the door.

It is high time to awake out of sleep, for our redemption draws nigh.

He comes, He comes to call

The nations to His bar;

And take to glory all

 Who meet for glory are;

Make ready for your full reward;

Go forth with joy to meet the Lord.

James Smith

BEING JUSTIFIED FREELY BY HIS GRACE.

August 28

 Romans 3:24  

Being justified freely by his grace through 

the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 

It was a solemn question which was proposed in the days of old, “How can man be just with God?”

Man is without righteousness; he is chargeable with many crimes; he is brought in the guilty, and condemned by God’s holy law; and he has no excuse to make.

His mouth is stopped.

We feel this to be our situation by nature.

But the Lord who is our judge, hath devised a way by which He can just and yet justify us.

It is by grace.

He justifies, or acquits us from all charges; pronounces us righteous; accepts us; and introduces us into His favor, friendship, and fellowship, FREELY; without any thing being done or suffered by us.

He presents us with the work of Jesus, by which all our debts are paid; our righteousness is wrought out; the law and the government of God are honoured; and a good title to eternal life is made out; we receive this work by faith, which He also bestows, and we are justified from all things.”

Not one charge remains.

There is no condemnation.

But we are justified freely by grace without works of the law and being justified we have peace with God.

Slain in the guilty sinner’s stead,

Jesus, Thy righteousness I plead.

And Thine atoning blood;

That righteousness my robe shall be;

Thy merit shall avail for me,

And bring me near to God.

James Smith

WE SHOULD BRING FORTH FRUIT UNTO GOD.

August 27

Romans 7:4  

Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law 

by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, 

even to him who is raised from the dead, 

that we should bring forth fruit unto God. 

Without union to Christ, there can be no good works;

and until we are dead to the law we cannot be married to Christ.

We must see that there is neither help nor hope for us in any law that God has given; that only grace can save us, before we shall be willing to take Christ as God hath set Him forth in the everlasting gospel.

Being married to Christ, we renounce our own name and take His;

   we live upon His fullness,

       walk by His word,

               and aim to please Him in all things.

By His grace we perform good works; and through His merit, and His name, they are accepted as evidence of our love, proofs of our sanctification, and fruits of our oneness with Him.

He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit with Him; and it becomes his meat and drink to do the will of God.

Without union to Christ we can do nothing acceptable to God; being married to Him, our poor, imperfect, and (in themselves) worthless performances, are acceptable and well pleasing to God.

NO UNION NO FRUIT, NO FRUIT NO UNION.

Beloved, are we bringing forth fruits unto God?

Do we bring forth much fruit?

Herein is our Father glorify, that we bear much fruit, and such are Christ’s disciples.

Blest Jesus, animate my heart;

Let Thy rich grace abound;

So, to the honour of Thy name,

Shall plenteous fruit be found.

James Smith

THE UNSEARCHABLE RICHES OF CHRIST.

August 26

Ephesians 3:8

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints,

 is this grace given, that I should preach among 

the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 

Never forget that Jesus is our BROTHER, and that He has devoted all His riches to us, so that the riches of Jesus are the Christian’s fortune.

“Ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though He was rich, yet for our sake He became poor, that we through His poverty might be rich.”

He employed all He possessed for our redemption, sanctification, and salvation; and now, at the right hand of the majesty on high, He giveth liberally, and upbraideth not.

He has riches of grace; 

     riches of mercy; 

            and riches of glory.

The residue of the Spirit is with Him.

He has promised largely; 

He has proved His readiness to bestow, in the most wonderful way; 

let us therefore expect great things from Him, for He has UNSEARCHABLE RICHES.

O believer, look not at thy poverty, at thy wants, or thy circumstances; 

but look at Jesus; all things are under His feet, all blessings are at His disposal, and His heart is set upon thee to do the good!

He will supply all thy needs while on earth, and afterwords receive thee to glory.

My soul, thy Jesus has all thou needest; therefore look to Him, and Him alone!

Possessing Christ, I all possess,

Strength, wisdom, sanctifying grace,

And righteousness complete;

Bold in His name, I dare draw nigh,

Before the Ruler of the sky,

And all His justice meet.

James Smith

THE SPIRIT HELPETH OUR INFERMITIES.

August 25

Romans  8:26 

 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: 

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: 

but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for

 us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 

We are compassed with infirmities;

we know but little of ourselves;

we know not what would be best for us;

we know not what is coming upon us;

we know not Satan’s position or design;

we know but little of God’s provision or intention;

we are as weak as we are ignorant;

weak to withstand evil;

weak to perform good;

weak to obtain benefits;

infirmities, many of them are constitutional, arising from our tempers and disposition;

from body ailments;

and from the smallness of our capacities.

But though thus infirm, Jesus is touched with sympathetic feelings for us;

and the Holy Spirit is given to assist us.

He teaches us what we want;

leads us to the precious promises;

furnishes us with prevailing plea;

excites us to pray, and assist us in prayer.

He produces the ardent desire;

bestows the wrestling power;

and warms the affections while pleading.

He gives us such a keen sense of what we need, and such an ardent desire after it, that unutterable groans are begotten, to which God attends.

Let us daily seek the Spirit’s power to help.

Spirit of interceding grace,

I know not how or what to pray;

Relieve my utter helplessness,

The power into my heart convey;

That God acknowledging my groan,

May answer, in my prayers, His own.

James Smith

A LIVING SACRIFICE.

August 24

Romans 12:1  

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, 

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable 

unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

When a beast was set apart for a sacrifice, it was considered sacred, and was carefully preserved from all injury.

The Christian is devoted; he is intended for the ALTAR, his body as well as his soul, and he is required to present it to God holy, acceptable, and as a reasonable service.

It is not to be defiled by fornication,

 by intoxication,

 by gluttony,

 by filth

, or by pride; 

he is to look upon it as the Lord’s, brought with the blood of Jesus, concentrated as the temple of the Holy Ghost, set apart to be the habitation of a Holy God.

The believer’s body should not be united by marriage to an unbeliever;

 this is SACRILEGE, for the vessel is holy;

 it is REBELLION, for it to be plainly and positively forbidden, it is SINNING WILFULLY, and provoking the eyes of divine holiness.

It is offering INSULT to the God of love, and calling upon Him to vindicate His injury mercy.

Believer, present thy body daily to God, wash it in pure water; that is cleansed from defilement by observing His word, never call that common which God has concentrated, or debased that which He has devoted to Himself.

Let God have His own, and all that is His own, especially thyself.

Lord, it is but just and right

That I should be wholly thine;

Only in Thy will delight

In Thy blessed service join.

Now my sacrifice receive,

Give me grace to Thee to live.

James Smith

GOD EVEN OUR OWN GOD, SHALL BLESS US.

August 23

Psalms 67:6  

Then shall the earth yield her increase; 

and God, even our own God, shall bless us. 

He has pledged Himself to do so in His word and He delights to make good His promises.

He is our God by covenant; by a spiritual birth; through Jesus Christ; and at our own desire requests and consent.

He is the great God, who fills heaven and earth; the all-sufficient God, who has all resources in Himself the unchanging God, who is eternally the same.

He espouseth the quarrel of His people, He dignifies and ennobles them, and proves Himself gracious and merciful unto them.

He blesseth them indeed; and if others curse, He turneth the curse into a blessing.

He may rest fully assured of this pleasing fact, “God even our own God, will bless us.”

He has done so in Christ before time, He has promised to do so through time, and when time shall be no more.

He will bless us in temporals and spirituals, He will bless us wherever we are.

Let us believe the fact, and plead for its realization in our experience; this will embolden us in danger, fortify us against fear, and keep us in perfect peace.

Let us trust in Him, and He will bless us; and so shall we rejoice in Him.

Rise, my soul, with ardour rise!

Breathe thy wishes to the skies!

Freely pour out all thy mind.

Seek, and thou art sure to find;

Ready art thou to receive,

Readier is thy God to give.

James Smith

THEY THAT SEEK THE LORD SHALL NOT WANT ANY GOOD THING.

August 22

Psalms 34:10  

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but 

they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. 

What a comfortable promise is this to the poor, weak, and timid Christian; he has not attained to a state of assurance, but he is seeking the Lord, and here his God promises him that he shall not want any good thing.

He feels that he has no good thing in him, finds he can do no good thing of himself, fears that good will never be enjoyed by him; but his God assures him no good thing shall be withheld from him.

His God will pardon his sin, justify his person, strengthen his soul, supply his needs, comfort his heart, conquer his foes, sanctify his trials, and give him victory over death.

He shall not want long, if God is able to supply; he cannot be neglected, if our God is true; he shall receive all that is good, and when, and as it will do him most good.

Let us therefore seek the Lord, and rest assured that He will withhold from us no good thing.

The silver and the gold are His, and He says, “If ye being evil know how to give good things unto your children, how much more show your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him.

If earthly parents hear

Their children when they cry,

If they with love sincere

Their children’s want supply,

Much more will God His love display

And answer when His children pray.

James Smith

SHALL NOT GOD AVENGE HIS OWN ELECT?

August 21

Luke 18:7  

And shall not God avenge his own elect, 

which cry day and night unto him, 

though he bear long with them? 

The Lords people are often oppressed, they are tempted to be revengeful, but our God says “Vengeance is mine, I will repay.“

Under man’s wrath, remember you are the objects of the Lord’s love; when men oppress you, rest assured that God will befriend you.

Carry your case to Him, spread the whole matter before Him; plead with Him, and then rest assured that He will appear for you.

The master will interfere for a servant he values;

the parent for the child he loves;

and the husband for the bride he has chosen;

“and shall not God avenge His own elect? 

I tell you He will avenge them speedily.”

Cry to Him day and night, look to no other quarter for relief or deliverance; never encourage any unholy feelings, but pray for grace to imitate your insulted, persecuted, and crucified Lord.

Consider Him who endured such contradictions of sinners against Himself, lest ye be weary and faint in your minds.

He will tread all your enemies under His feet shortly.

He is able to avenge you, and His word is passed.

Only trust in Him, wait His time, and all shall be well.

Shall we distrust our faithful God,

Or question His almighty power,

Because He doth not our desires

Accomplish in a little hour?

He will avenge His own elect,

And evermore His saints protect.

James Smith

THE LORD PRESERVETH ALL THEM THAT LOVE HIM.

August 20

Psalms 145:20  

The LORD preserveth all them that love him: 

but all the wicked will he destroy. 

All who know the Lord love Him, and none can love Him until taught by His Spirit.

If we know God in Christ, as our covenant God, and enjoy our interest in Him, we shall love Him supremely; above out tranquillity, natural relations, earthly possessions, gifts, and reputation.

We discover in Him, greater glory, more real worth, pre-eminent beauty, and superior excellence.

Those who love Him are preserved by Him.

He preserves them in trouble, from its natural effects; in the world, and from its spirit and doom; from enemies, evils, and wrath.

His loving-kindness and truth will continually preserve them; yea, He will preserve them into His kingdom and glory.

But He preserves us in the use of the means; let us therefore walk before Him; confide in Him; wait upon Him and often demand of our hearts,

Do we love the Lord?

Are we desire to love Him?

Are we preserved from sin, the world, and all evil?

If so, we must ascribe it to free and sovereign grace; if not, let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.

He bids, He exhorts us to come.

  

Infinite grace! Almighty charms!

Stand in amaze, ye rolling skies!

Jesus, the God, extends His arms-

Hangs on the cross of love and dies.

Sure I must love, my passions move

This heart shall yield to death or love.

James Smith

MY PRESENCE SHALL GO WITH THEE.

August 19

 Exodus 33:14  

And he said, My presence shall go with thee, 

and I will give thee rest. 

So the Lord promised Moses, and so He has promised us.

Let us never venture any where, if we have reason to think the Lord will not favour us with His presence there.

The Lord’s presence produces holiness, imparts power, fires with zeal, brings into union, and often fills with comfort, joy and peace.

His presence is our glory, it will yield a support under losses, crosses and bereavements.

Let us plead for the Lord’s presence to go with us; let us expect it; let us not be satisfied with any thing else.

He went with Moses, and He persevered; the Joshua, and He conquered; with David and he reached the throne; with Paul, and he was more than a conqueror.

Nothing can be a substitute for the Lord’s presence; and as it is so graciously promised, let us not attempt to find a substitute, but daily cry, “If the presents go not with me, Carry me not up hence.”

Jesus has said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words; and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and will make our abode with him.”

Lord, dwelling me!

Oh Lord, be ever near us,

Fix in our hearts Thy home;

By Thine appearing cheer us,

And let Thy kingdom come ;

Fulfill our expectation,

And give our souls to prove

Thine uttermost salvation,

Thine everlasting love.

James Smith

THE LORD IS NIGH UNTO ALL THEM THAT CALL UPON HIM.

August 18

Psalms 145:18  

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, 

to all that call upon him in truth. 

Real prayer is calling upon God.

He is our Father; we are His children.

We have nothing; He has all things to bestow, and is willing to give them.

From a sense of need we call on the Lord for a supply;

from a sense of weakness, we call upon Him for strength;

from a sense of guilt, we call upon Him for pardon.

Being diseased, we cry for health; 

being troubled, for comfort and peace; 

being in distress, for relief and deliverance.

We go out of self to Jesus, accepting His invitation, to plead His promise and find Him faithful.

Our God is always near the praying soul, not merely as the omnipresent of Jehovah, but as our faithful Friend.

He is near us, lovingly to listen to what we have to lay before Him; 

mercifully to relieve our miseries, be they what they may; 

graciously to help us in every difficulty or danger.

Beloved, our God is near us.

He is attentive to us this morning; let us call upon Him in the spirit and in truth.

Let us lay all our concerns before Him; 

He loves to listen to the often-told tale; 

He has patience with us, blessings for us, and will do us good.

O to walk closely with my gracious God today.

Oh Lord, each day renew my strength,

And let me see Thy face at length,

With all Thy people yonder;

With them in heaven Thy love declare,

And sing Thy praise for ever there,

With gratitude and wonder.

James Smith

IN QUIETNESS AND IN CONFIDENCE SHALL BE YOUR STRENGTH.

August 17

 Isaiah 30:15 

For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; 

In returning and rest shall ye be saved;

 in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength:

 and ye would not. 

Quietness is expressive of submission to the holy will of God, and supposes a waiting upon Him as directed by His word.

It is the believer’s duty to be silent before God while He is working, being assured that his best interest are secured by the promises, and that all things will be made plain by and by.

He should confide in the Lords word; and rely on the Lord‘s wisdom, love, and ability.

Our confidence must arise from God’s word, a review of His dealings with His people, and the relation in which He stands to us.

We may be confident, for God who has spoken is true, and hath confirmed His word in every generation.

Quietly confiding in God will gives us strength; we then put His love and faithfulness to the trial; we honour Him by our confidence, and He will honour us by appearing for us.

Let us endeavour to be still, to be silent before Him, when He is raised up out of His holy habitation.

Let us wait for Him, for it is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.

Beware of complaining or replying against God.

When, my Saviour, shall I be

Totally resign’d to Thee?

Poor and vile in my own eyes,

Only in Thy wisdom wise,

Only guided is by Thy light,

Only mighty in Thy might!

James Smith