WE ALL DO FADE AS A LEAF.

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith

JANUARY 15

 

 Isaiah 64:6

But we are all as an unclean things, and all our righteousness

are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our 

iniquities,  like the wind, have taken us away.

 
What a contrast between an unchangeable God, and a sinner fading like a leaf!
 
Yet this is a true picture of us, and of all temporal things.
 
We began to look green and gay not long since, and in a little time we shall wither, fade and die. “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.”
 
“He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down.” Humbling consideration this.
 
But it may be rendered very useful.
 
Shall we soon fade and die?
Then let us not be much affected by any thing that occurs below.
 
Let us set our affections on things above, and lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven.
 
Let us live by faith on Jesus, walk with God, and aim principally to please him in all we do.
 
Let us also watch against a worldly spirit, and pass the time of our sojourning here in fear.
 
We shall soon find health give place to sickness;
  strength, to weakness;
     youth, to age;
        the dying bed, the coffin, the grave, are just before us;
let us therefore make our calling and our election sure;
   let us cultivate close and filial fellowship with God;
      let us dig deep and lay our foundation upon the rock.
 
Brethren, the time is short, eternity with all its glories is just before us; we do fade as a leaf.
 

On the tree of life eternal,

O let us all our hopes be staid!

This alone, for ever vernal,

Bears a leaf that shall not fade.

 
 
James Smith