SHEW THY MARVELLOUS LOVING-KINDNESS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 1

 

Psalm 17:7

Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that safest

by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from

those that rise up against them.

 
He has already shown it, by taking us into the nearest, sweetest, and most profitable relation to himself.
 
What love to call a worm his child!
 
A sinful and polluted worm his bride!
 
To pledge himself to us, in order to banish our fears, encourage our confidence, and raise our expectations.
 
Loving-kindness is love in the most attractive form; love acting in the kindest manner.
 
Or, love ribbed in tenderness, benevolence, and condescension. To show marvellous loving-kindness, is to bestow distinguished favours, such as reason or custom, could not warrant us to expect; favours which only faith would look for, or a God of love bestow.
 
Yet such favours we may ask, and having asked in faith expect.
 
Beloved, never forget, our God rejoices to do us good, he takes pleasure in the prosperity of his servants, and he delights to give us good things.
 
If we were but humble, simple-minded, living in the daily exercise of faith, he would deny us nothing.
 
We have not, but it is because we ask not, or because we ask in an improper spirit.
 

O thou, all gracious Lord, most high.

On thee alone I now rely;

To me-thy gracious ear incline,

And aid me with a power divine.

To me-while sojourning below,

Thy wondrous loving-kindness show.

 
James Smith