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