RESTORE UNTO ME THE JOY OF THY SALVATION

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 31

Psalm 51:12 

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; 

and uphold me with thy free spirit.

 

The psalmist had sustained a loss.
 
Sin was the cause of it.
 
He seeks a restoration.
 
Salvation is not loseable—the joy of salvation is.
 
The joy of salvation flows from the gospel, which is good news and glad tidings; when it is received by faith, it fills us with joy and peace.
 
It is intended to impart an immediate assurance of eternal life to every sinner that believes it: and when it is received as coming directly from God, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, it does so.
 
When we realize our interest in Jesus, feel the burden of our guilt removed, and read our title to all the promises, we are filled with joy.
 
This had been realized, but it was lost.
 
There may be a sense of want, clear views of the gospel, but no appropriating faith, and then there is no hoy. But what we cannot take, we may ask for; what we cannot supply ourselves, we may plead with God to impart.
 
This prayer for a restoration of joy shows our weakness, we cannot produce it; it proves our folly, in that we sinned it away; it exhibits our dependence upon God, who alone can make us happy; and it warns us against backsliding from the Lord.

 

Those joys, my God, which once I knew,

Those saving joys restore:

Thy Spirit’s free! His grace renew,

Nor let me wander more.

 
James Smith
 

A SURE FOUNDATION

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 30

 

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for

 a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone,

 a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.

 

The Lord Jesus in the glory of his person, and in the perfection of his work, is the alone foundation of a sinner’s hope.
 
If we build on anything else, we must perish.
 
If we mix anything with Christ as the basis of our hope, he will profit us nothing.
 
It must be Christ, and Christ alone.
 
His meritorious obedience, his atoning sacrifice, his prevalent intercession-on these we must build for eternity-they form the one foundation-and building on these we are safe, for it is a sure foundation.
 
The dignity of his person, the perfection of his character, the merit of his work, and the veracity of his word, make it so.
 
It has stood firm in all times past, it is unshaken at present, and it will ever be the same.
 
No sinner ever built on it and found it fail him.
 
Storms cannot shake it, floods cannot loosen it, earthquakes do not affect it, it is firm as the perfections of God can make it, and lasting as eternity itself.
 
Errors may spread, evil men and seducers may wax worse and worse, Satan may try all his arts, but “the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal: the Lord knoweth them that are his.”
 
Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”

 

When all foundations else will fail’

Those built on Jesus shall prevail;

And lift their heads with joyful praise,

To him who this foundation lays.

 
James Smith

THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH ...

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 29

 

James 1:3

Knowing this, that the trying 

of your faith worketh patience.

 
Whoever professes to believe in God, will have his faith put to the trial.
 
Every believer is tried. By Satan, by the world, or by false professors, we shall be tried; but our God superintends the trial.
 
He tries our faith in his word, if it be sincere—our faith in his love, if we really credit it—our faith in his Son, if we trust in him for complete salvation—our faith in his veracity, if we expect him to make good his word.
 
He will try the nature of our faith, if it is divine-the strength of our faith, if it is rooted.
 
He will try the constancy of our profession, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence. This trial is for his own glory, or the good of others who observe us, and for our own advantage.
 
It worketh patience.
 
It gives us occasion to exercise what we have.
 
It perfects the habit and strengthens the exercise of it.
 
It is often a call to exchange ease for patience, and our opposing strength, for the power of Christ.
 
Let us therefore remember that faith must be tried, that afflictions are to try our faith, that sanctified trials make us patient, and that when patience is complete, our trials will cease.
 
Be ye therefore patient.

 

Lord, whene’er my faith is tried,

Keep me near thy bleeding side:

Make me patient, meek, and kind,

To thy sovereign will resigned.

 

James Smith
 

THOU GOD SEEST ME

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 28

 

Genesis 16:13

And she called the name of the LORD that spake unto her,

Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here

looked after him that seeth me?

 
The eye of the Lord is upon the righteous, and his ear is open into their cry.
 
He sees everything, but he observes his people with special attention.
 
His eye has been upon us this day, he has seen every movement of the mind, and evert action of the body.
 
His eye is upon us now, and will be though the dark watches of the night.
 
But it is a comfortable thought, that he who sees us always, loves us most-loves us notwithstanding all he sees amiss in us.
 
Let us ever cherish the thought, my Father sees me.
 
I am under his eye.
 
He sees all I do, all I suffer, all my desires.
 
Nothing can conceal the least circumstances from him.
 
He sees me in the furnace, and is with me.
 
He sees me in the field of battle, and gives me the shield of his salvation.
 
He sees me when my foot is slipping, and often has the hand of his mercy catch me and hold me up. When tempted to sin, when giving way to fear, or when yielding to the world, let me call to mind this solemn fact—My God sees me.
 
If I sin, it must be immediately under his eye.
 
If I yield to temptation, it must be in his presence.
 
Keep this daily before the mind.

 

Lord, put within my heart thy fear,

Grant me from sin to fly,

At all times to behold thee near,

And on thy grace rely.

 
James Smith
 

TRUST IN HIM AT ALL TIMES

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 27

 

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times; ye people,

pour out your heart before him:

God is a refuge for us. Selah.

 
He always warrants us to trust in him, and 

   he is at all times worthy of our trust. 

     We are constantly exhorted to it, 

         but almost as constantly neglect it.
 
It is the exercise of necessity, 

   for a creature must trust in another; 

it is an evidence of dependence, 

   therefore we should cultivate it.
 
It is the exercise of a servant on his master; 

   of a friend on his friend; 

   of a child on his parent; 

   of a believer on his God.
 
Let us trust the Saviour’s work, for it is perfect.
 
Nothing should be allowed to disturb our confidence in God,

 for his nature is always love—

  his solemn pledge is given—

  his resources are inexhaustible, and 

  his mercy everlasting. 

Let us trust him then in joy and in sorrow-

  in darkness and in the light; 

  when increased or bereaved—

  when tempted or in repose.
 
Let us trust him and we shall conquer our fears; 

   patiently endure our trials; 

      successfully pursue our work; 

       rise above our cares, and overcome our foes.
 
That we may trust him, 

  he has revealed his character, 

  pledged his word, 

  sworn that he will not be wrath with us, and 

  assured us that he is unchangeable.
 

O may we with a steady faith

Believe whate’er Jehovah saith!

At all times trust our heavenly Friend,

And on his faithful word depend.

 
James Smith

FOR LOVE IS STRONG AS DEATH

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 26

 

Song of Solomon 8:6

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon 

thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is 

cruel as the grace: the coals thereof are coals of fire,

 which hath a most vehement flame.

 
Death has conquered all.
 
The wisest,
  the strongest,
  the bravest,
  the kindest,
  the holiest,
     all have been conquered by death.
 
It has triumphed over myriads, and
  tuned our world into a vast graveyard.
 
But love is equally strong, it conquers all.
 
The love of Jesus is stronger, for it conquered death itself.
 
And we are the objects of that love.
 
He says, “I have loved you.” He proves it-
   “Greater love hath no man than this,
    that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
 
He has proved the strength of his love
  by the gifts he has conferred upon us;
  by the visits he has paid us—
  by the tears he shed for us—
  by the labour he undertook to perform for us—
  by the sufferings he engaged to endure for us—
  by the death he died—by the desire he cherishes—and
  by his constant intercession on our behalf.
 
His love overcame all difficulties,
   triumphed over all opposition,
     conquered all foes, and
     now reigns in his bosom as a ruling passion of his manhood,
     and as a glorious perfection of his Godhead.
 
His love passeth conception.
 
Let us retire to-night impressed with the thought, that the love of Jesus is unalterably fixed on us as believers in his name.
 

My blessed Saviour, is thy love

So great, so full, so free?

Behold I give my love, my heart,

My life, my all, to thee.

 
James Smith
 

YE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST JESUS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 25

 

Galatians 3:28

There is neither Jew, nor Greek, 

there is neither bond nor free,

 there is neither male nor female: 

for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 
That is, all Christians are one in Christ. He is the centre of Christian union.
 
We were all chosen in him.
 
We are all represented by him. We are all vitally united to him.
 
We are clothed with him, for we have put on the Lord Jesus Christ. 

There is now no distinction or difference on account of 

  nation, 

   age, 

     sex, or 

        condition; 

           but all are one in Christ, 

               being entitled to the same privileges, 

                   pleasures, and prospects.
 
The whole from one family, though different ages. 

One flock, though in different fields or folds.
 
One building, though composed of many stones, of different sizes.
 
One body, though there be different members and offices.
 
One church, though its parts are scattered abroad.
 
One beloved spouse of Jesus, which he purchased with his own blood.
 
If it be indeed so, that we are all one in Christ,
  then we ought to love as brethren;
    occasionally at least to feed together;
      to cleave to each other,
        as the members in the natural body do;
      to refuse to divide in heart though separated by place, or
    other circumstances; and
  we should mutually rejoice in our dignity and destiny.
 

May the Lord our hearts impress,

Make them like his own above,

Fill’d with all the tenderness,

And all the strength of love.

 
James Smith
 

THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 24

 

Galatians 3:11

But that no man is justified by the law 

in the sight of God, it is evident: for,

the just shall live by faith.

 
It is by faith they become just.
 
Being convinced of sin, 

  sensible of their weakness, and 

    understanding of the gospel, 

      they embrace the finished work of Christ; 

        his righteousness becomes theirs, and

          they are justified from all things.
 
Being justified they live.
 
That is, 

  they are freed from condemnation, 

  they are entitled to all spiritual blessings, and 

  they walk at liberty.
 
They live by faith.
 
By faith they overcome their foes.
 
By faith they obtain supplies.
 
By faith they perform the will of God.
 
The life which they live in the flesh, 

    is by the faith of the Son of God. 

They believe his word, 

rest alone on his work, 

have confidence in his faithfulness, 

and derive their supplies from his fulness.
 
They live as children in their Father’s house, not as servants on a weekly allowance.
 
They go forward though all appear dark, gloomy, and forbidding.
 
At times they appear to have nothing but the bare promises.
 
All within is cold, hard, and dead; all without seems to go against them.
 
Then it is that they more particularly trust in the Lord, and stay themselves upon their God.
 

By faith accounted just,

By faith to God we live,

With patience wait his time, and trust

His fulness to receive.

 
James Smith
 

THE LORD KNOWETH THEM THAT ARE HIS,

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 23

 

2 Timothy 2:19

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,

The Lord knoweth them that are his, And, Let every one that

nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

 
Doth a father know this child, or a husband his beloved bride, 

   so the Lord knoweth them that are his.
 
He knows them as the objects of his love, 

  as the purchase of his Son’s blood, 

  as the temples of the Holy Ghost.
 
He knows them as strangers and pilgrims upon the earth, 

  as suffering for righteousness sake.
 
He knows them, though he may not seem to acknowledge them

 -though he causes men to ride over their heads, and

  lead them through fire and through water.
 
He knows that they love him, and grieve that they do not love him more.
 
He knows that they trust in him, though doubts and fears will harass and perplex them.
 
He knows that they obey him, and often sigh

 —“O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes always!”
 
Beloved, the Lord knows you are his, 

  he loves you as his own child, 

    care for you as his chosen bride, 

      leads you as the sheep of his pasture,

        keeps you as the apple of his eye, 

      tries you as his gold and silver, 

    keeps you safely as his jewels, and 

  will soon lift you up as the stones in his crown.

 
The Lord’s knowledge of you is perfect.
 

Dear by a thousand tender bonds,

Thy saints to thee are known:

And, conscious what a name they bear,

Iniquity they shun.

 
James Smith
 

MY TONGUE SHALL SPEAK OF THY WORD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 22

 

Psalm 119:172

My tongue shall speak of thy word:

for all thy commandments are righteousness.

 
If all Christians had done so, how much less ignorance would there be in the world.
 
The tongue rightly used is our glory, but it is the disgrace of some, and of some professors too.
 
If anything is worth speaking of, it is God’s word.
 
It is the means of conversion, therefore speak of it to sinners.
 
It tends to edification, therefore speak of it to saints.
 
It is the instrument of restoration, therefore talk of it to backsliders.
 
It brings comfort to our own souls, let us therefore meditate upon it and then publish it for our own sake.
 
It honours God and exalts the Saviour; let us therefore out of love to God speak of his word.
 
If we speak of it at proper seasons, and with a right aim, it must do good, for it is an incorruptible seed which never rots under the clods.
 
It restrains the impetuous, soothes the sorrowful, directs the perplexed, restores the wanderer, and brings peace to the troubled.
 
It is bread to the hungry, light to the benighted, a staff to the pilgrim, a sword to the warrior, and a downy pillow to the way worn and weary.
 

My lips in thankful strains shall flow,

When taught by THEE thy truth to know;

My tongue shall spread that truth abroad,

The glorious gospel of my God.

 
James Smith

 

WHEN WILT THOU COMFORT ME?

 

EVENING DEVOTION BY James Smith

MAY 21

 

Psalm 119:82

Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying,

When wilt thou comfort me? 

 
The Lord’s people often get into a very uncomfortable state, and 

  sometimes they continue in that state for a long season. 

    But there is always some cause for it, and 

       we should seek to know what that cause is,

          that it may be removed.
 
It is not easy to give an answer to the inquiry, for it must depend on the character of the inquirer.
 
The Lord may say, 

“When you humble yourself before me, cordially approve of my method, and submit to my righteousness.”
 
To another, 

“When you frankly confess your sin, seek pardon through the blood of Christ, and engage to walk according to my word.”
 
To another,

 “When you break off the unscriptural connection, come out from the world, and separate yourself unto me.”
 
To another, “When you leave off seeking comfort from selfish motives, and aim at and endeavour to promote my glory.”
 
To another, 

“When you leave the bed of sloth, stir yourself to take hold of me, and seek to make others happy.”
 
To another,

 “When you enter upon that self-denying duty, mortify the flesh with its affections and lusts, or put off the old man with his deeds.”

 

May holiness be my pursuit,

Thy promises my plea;

So shall I bring firth precious fruit,

And thou wilt comfort me.

 
James Smith
 

SHE HATH DONE WHAT SHE COULD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 20

 

Mark 14:8

She hath done what she could: she is come

aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

 
Mary was a believer.
 
Her faith wrought by love.
 
Love brought her where Jesus was, and she did what she could to honour him and express her gratitude.
 
An excellent example for us to copy.
 
It cannot be said that we have done all we could.
 
We dare not say this.
 
Let us try and feel it.
 
Have we loved Jesus as much as we could?
 
Have we been as much in prayer and in praise as we could?
 
Have we done as much as we could to spread the truth?
 
To save souls?
 
To commend the Saviour?
 
To oppose Satan?
 
Have we done all we could for the spiritual good of our families?
 
Have we done all we could for the comfort and prosperity of the church?
 
Have we done all we could for the Lord’s poor?
 
Have we done all we could for the neighbourhood where we reside?
 
Have we done all what we could for the world?
 
Satan does all the mischief he can.
 
Many wicked men do all they can to destroy souls.
 
The times call upon us to do all we can.
 
The Saviour loves to see us do all we can.
 
Let us therefore feel reproof,
  encourage the conviction,
     seek more grace,
       daily remember this woman, and
          begin afresh.
 
“It is high time to awake out of sleep.”
 

My God, inspire my soul with zeal,

With glowing love to men:

Make me my obligation feel,

To do what good I can

 
James Smith

THE MEEK WILL HE TEACH HIS WAY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 19

 

Psalm 25:9

The meek he will guide in judgment:

and the meek will he teach his way.

 
The meek are conscious of their ignorance. They feel the need of teaching.
 
They are desirous of being taught.
 
They especially desire to be taught of God.
 
They feel unworthy of the least mercy at God’s hand; 

  and yet, because he has promised,

    they seek and expect the greatest.
 
Meekness is especially pleasing to God; and 

  the meek may have favour at his hands. 

  “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”
 
The Lord will teach them “his way.” They way in which he pardons, justifies, and saves sinners.
 
The way in which he would have them walk through this world.
 
The way of escape which he opens in seasons of danger and temptation.
 
They way in which he confounds the crafty, 

  overturns the devices of his foes, and

  crushes the oppressors of his people.
 
He will teach them the way of peace, and 

  they shall walk in it-the way of salvation, and 

  they shall persevere in it.

 
He will unfold to them his word, 

   confer on them his blessing, 

     walk with them in fellowship, and 

       make them to possess durable riches and righteousness.
 
The meek are heaven’s favorites, the churches’ ornaments, and the world’s truest friends.
 

Make me, Saviour, as thou art,

Poor in spirit, meek in heart:

Then thou wilt my teacher be,

And my soul shall cleave to thee.

 
James Smith

MY BELOVED BRETHREN, BE YE STEADFAST

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 18

 

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know

 that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

 
How affectionately the Apostle writes, 

   even to those who had grieved him, and 

       dishonoured his Master’s cause.
 
He not only calls them brethren, but “beloved brethren.”
 
In this he is our example.
 
But it is to the exhortation he delivers, to which we wish to call your attention. 

Many of us are unstable, as were many in the Apostle’s day.
 
Instability is a great evil.
 
It is injurious to our own souls, 

   it is a stumbling-block or a grief to others, and 

   it gives Satan an advantage over us. 

He is never unstable, his purpose is fixed, his aim is steady, his efforts are persevering.
 
Destroy if possible—distress if not—is his motto.
 
Brethren, let us be steadfast in our efforts to promote the glory of Christ.
 
But if we are to be steadfast let us be sure that we are building on the right foundation

  —that we hold the truth of Christ

  —that we are vitally untied to him, and are entirely consecrated to his praise.
 
Let us take nothing for granted here, but let us prove all things.
 
To the law and to the testimony.
 
Compare everything with God’s Word.
 

Then steadfast let us still remain,

Though dangers rise around,

And in the work presecrib’d by God

Yet more and more abound.

 
James Smith
 

MAY 17 - HE KNOWETH OUR FRAME

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MAY 17

 

Psalm 103:14

For he knoweth our frame; 

he remembereth that we are dust.

 
This is such a sweet and encouraging thought. Others may fancy us strong when we are weak, healthy when we are diseased, out of temper when we are suffering; but he knoweth our frame.
 
But it is not bare knowledge, but knowledge united with love.
 
Knowledge that awakens sympathy—knowledge that takes the will for the deed.
 
He knows the weakness of our constitutions, the exact nature of our temperament, the shattered state of the nerves, the secret disease which causes irritability, or depression.
 
He can distinguish between what proceeds from physical causes, and what flows from the depravity of our hearts.
 
He knows every avenue by which temptation can enter and the effects which external objects, or material images have upon us.
 
He knows and makes allowance, saying, “The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
 
Beloved, you may not know the cause of your depression, but your heavenly Father knows,—and “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.”
 

He knows the frailty of our frame,

Weakness and vanity our claim:

But as the parent’s bosom moves,

In pity, o’er the child he loves,

So will the Lord his servants view,

He loves his pity to renew.

 
James Smith