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