A PEOPLE NEAR UNTO HIM .

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith

FEBRUARY 1

Psalm 148:14

 

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise 

of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, 

a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. -

 
Jesus took our nature, 

   and became one with us, 

      thus he is near unto us; 

         he gives us his Holy Spirit,

             brings us into union with himself, and 

                 we are near to him. 

This is our highest honour, an unfailing source of happiness and peace.
 
We are near to him in point of relation, being his children: 

near to him in point of affection, being loved with an everlasting love: 

we are near to him in the point of union, 

   being members of his body,

   of his flesh, and 

        of his bones: 

we are near to him in point of fellowship, 

walking with him as a man walketh with his friend: 

we are near to him in point of attention, being the objects of his 

   daily,     hourly,    tender care; 

we shall soon be near to him in point of locality, 

when our mansion is prepared, for we shall depart to be with Christ, 

which is far better.
 
We are near to him though poor, when deeply tried, 

if ever nearer one time than another, 

we shall be nearest to him in death.
 
If we are near unto him, he will sympathise 

  with us in all our sorrows; 

  assist us in all our trials; 

  protect us in all our dangers; 

  hold intercourse with us in all seasons of necessity; and 

  honourably introduce us to glory.
 

And am I near to God,

His friend, his child, his care?

O may I walk with him in love,

By faith and fervent pray’r!

 
James Smith