PARTAKERS OF THE BENEFIT

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 30

 

1 Timothy 6:2

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them,

because they are brethren; but rather do them service,

because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.

These things teach and exhort.

 
The gospel is a benefit—one of God’s greatest and best gifts. It benefits every person who receives it.
 
It benefits his intellect, informing it.
 
It benefits his heart, sanctifying it.
 
It benefits his conscience, giving it repose.
 
It benefits his temper, controlling and sweetening it.
 
It benefits his life, preventing many evils, and directing to the attainment and possession of many blessings.
 
It benefits the family where it rules.
 
It makes the master kind, the mistress considerate, the servants attentive and industrious, the parents exemplary, and the children obedient.
 
It benefits the common wealth in which it works.
 
It suggests good laws, requires good government, and makes good subjects.
 
Have we partaken of this benefit?
 
What is intended by this?
 
It is to perceive its divinity, to approve its doctrines, to receive its blessings, to submit to its precepts, to observe its ordinances, to test its joys, and to employ it for every useful purpose.
 
Some hear of it, others listen to it, others taste and disapprove of it, some partake and are benefited by it.
 
In their state, they are justified—in their character, sanctified—and in their circumstances, happy.
 

Lord, grant this benefit to me,

And let me feel, and taste, and see,

What glorious in that gospel dwell.

Which saves believing souls from hell.

 
James Smith
 

CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 29

 

Colossians 1:27

To whom God would make known what is the riches 

of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; 

which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

 
The object of a Christian’s hope is glory; 

   but the exact nature of that glory is unknown. 

        Its greatness is at present inconceivable.
 
It is said to comprise an inheritance,

   a kingdom, a crown, gladness, exceeding joy.
 
It is a crown of glory, a weight of glory, 

  eternal glory—the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
It is glory clothing us—glory in us.
 
It will robe the body; it will fill the soul.
 
It includes purity and power, wisdom, and knowledge.
 
It is waiting to be revealed.
 
We expect this. This hope or expectation originated in grace

  —is produced by the Holy Spirit

  —springs from faith

  —rests on the promise and oath of God

  —waits God’s time

  —and purifies its possessor.
 
The evidence or proof of this hope is, Christ in us.
 
He dwells in his people by his word, 

  by his grace, and by his Spirit. 

He dwells in is as a King in his kingdom, ruling;

  as a Master in his family, providing; 

  as an Owner in his habitation, claiming; 

  as the sap in the tree, supplying; 

  as God in his temple, to be adored.
 
If Christ dwells in you, he dwells in your thoughts, desires, affections, enjoyments and aims.
 

Jesus, in me for ever dwell,

Thyself, the gift unspeakable:

The hope of heavenly bliss impart,

The glorious earnest in my heart.

 
James Smith
 

KNOWING THE TIME

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 28

Romans 13:11

And that, knowing the time, that now it is high

time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation

nearer than when we believed.

 
We cannot know the future, but we may know the present time.
 
Indeed, we ought to know it.
 
What is its character?
 
It is the time of Satan's power, he is active, energetic,

 and determined.
 
It is the time of the world’s danger; it is asleep,

   or deluded,

      or enraged against the cause of God.
 
It is the time of God’s forbearance, —justice now waits, 

  grace sits enthroned, 

    mercy kindly wants, and 

      it is called the accepted time,

         the day of salvation.
 
It is the time of the Church’s duty—for it is working time,

    it is evening time, and therefore precious time.
 
It is a singular time—we have such facilities for doing good, 

  so many calls to action, so many encouragements to preserve, 

   and our responsibility is so deep and solemn.
 
Let us therefore know the time.
 
We may learn its character, 

   partly from God’s word, 

     and partly from observation.
 
Let us improve our knowledge and turn it to account 

   by stirring up others who are drowsy, and embracing 

       every opportunity of doing good ourselves.
 
Let us employ every talent and improve every opportunity to the utmost.
 
We should be wakeful, watchful, laborious, liberal.
 

Divine Instructor! grace bestow,

Teach me the present time to know;

Help me each talent to improve,

And serve my God in faith and love.

 
James Smith

MY BELOVED IS MINE, AND I AM HIS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 27

 

Song of Solomon 2:16

My beloved is mine, and I am his:

he feedeth among the lilies.

 
This is the language of holy assurance.
 
Christ is given by the Father to sinners;
    his is God’s unspeakable gift.
 
He is presented in the gospel to every one who hears or reads it,
    without money and without price.
 
He is accepted and received by faith.
 
The reception of Christ is ratified by solemn engagements,
   the party engages to be his, and his alone.
 
It is confirmed by holy fellowship.
 
He that claims Christ, lives in communion with him.
 
“My beloved is to me,” the Saviour in whom I believe and trust
   —the husband whom I reverence and love
   —the Lord whom I adore and obey
   —the portion on which I live
   —and the beloved One upon whom my heart
and affections are set.
 
“I am my beloved’s.”
 
He chose me, or I had never chosen him.
 
He redeemed me, or I had still been a slave.
 
He called me, or I had still been wandering from God.
 
He sanctified me, or I had still been vile and polluted.
 
He manifested himself to me, or I had never seen his glory.
 
“I am to my beloved” his sister-spouse
   —his portion
   —his delight
   —his choice out of all worlds
   —his glorious crown, out of the spoils he has won.
 

Jesus my live, my life, my peace,

Jesus is mine, and I am his;

His bride, his dear bought property,

Who lov’d and gave himself for me.

 
James Smith

I AM THE WAY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 26

 

John 14:6

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth,

and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.

 
This is a beautiful figure selected by Jesus to set forth his adaptation to us.
 
We are at a distance from God,
 —as sinners, there is by nature no way in which
      we can approach God with acceptance.
 
But Jesus,
   by becoming the Mediator,
       became the way to the Father.
 
He is the way from a state of sin to a state of holiness
  —from the dread of wrath,
      to the enjoyment of eternal love.
 
He is the way to acquaintance with God,
   reconciliation to God,
   acceptance with God,
   relationship to God,
   enjoyment of God,
   conformity to God, and
to the presence and glory of God.
 
As a way he is suitable to all sinners,
  open to all who are willing to make use of him,
   safe for all who venture upon him, and
     the only way from the wrath to come.
 
Observe, we are all out of the way by nature.
 
We are convinced of this fact by the Holy Spirit.
 
We enter upon it by faith.
 
We have to travel along the way with patience; and
   every one that really enters upon it,
       arrives at the end of it in safety.
 
Beloved, the ground on which we stand is good,
   the way in which we walk is direct, and
      the end of the journey we have commenced
          —is everlasting life.
 

Thou art the WAY—to thee alone,

From sin and death we flee;

And he who would the Father seek,

Must seek him, Lord, in thee.

 
James Smith
 

YE ARE CHRIST'S

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 25

 

1 Corinthians 3:23

And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

 
Who are Christ’s?
 
The saints whom he hath set apart for himself.
 
Those who worship him as their God and Saviour; or
   Christians who believe on his name,
      surrender at his call, and submit to his will.
 
All Christians, though of low stature,
  though compassed about with infirmities,
     though often cast down though doubts and fears,
        they are Christ’s, and in consequence
  his Father is theirs—
  his Spirit is theirs—
  his righteousness is theirs—
  his atonement is theirs—
  his peace is theirs—
  his wealth is theirs—himself and
   all he has is theirs.
 
If they are Christ’s, he will defend them as his property,
   support them as his children, and
       cherish them as his bride.
 
If we are Christ’s then we should entirely listen to him
  when he speaks, cheerfully obey him when he commands,
    refuse to believe anything that may be suggested against him
      by Satan or men.
 
Always own him as our Lord and Master.
 
Frequently visit him on the throne of grace,
  at his table, and in his house.
 
Live upon him now, in hope of living with him for ever and ever.
 
Reader, have you good evidence that you are Christ’s?
 

All things I want, but One is nigh,

My want of all things to supply;

Pardon, and peace, and liberty,

Jesus, I all things have in thee.

 
James Smith

LEAD ME TO THE ROCK

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 24

 

Psalm 61:2

From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, 

when my heart is overwhelmed: 

lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

 

That rock was Christ.
 
He was the first promised, the prefigured, and then manifested.
 
He is the smitten rock, which supplies his thirsty ones; 

  the rock of ages, which sustains his feeble ones; 

  the great rock, which revives his weary ones; 

  the high rock, which protects his hunted ones; and 

  the cleft rock, which hides his timid and fearful ones.
 
In this rock we are safe.
 
From this rock, we can see the land which is very far off.
 
By this rock, we are sheltered from the storm, and screened from the scorching sun.
 
We often wander from it.
 
At a distance we learn its value, and sigh for the privilege it confers.
 
But wherever we may be, it is accessible to us.
 
Yet we need a guide to conduct us, and a friend to assist us.
 
Then let us determine with the Psalmist, however far off we may be:—

   ”From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee; 

    when my heart is overwhelmed,

     lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
 
Jesus is all we need.
 
He has all we can possibly want.
 
Prayer is always allowed, approved, encouraged, rewarded.
 
Led to him, 

   we shall be raised above our fears, 

       above our foes, and 

            above our expectations.
 

When sorely afflicted, and ready to faint,

Before my Redeemer, I’ll spread my complaint:

In every new trial, to him will I cry,

In every new trial, to him will I cry,

Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

 
James Smith

THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL FLOURISH AS A BRANCH

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 23

 

Proverbs 11:28

He that trusteth in his riches shall fall:

but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.

 
Such are the justified by the faith of Christ.
 
To them the Lord hath brought forth his righteousness, 

  in them the Lord hath put his Holy Spirit.
 
They are just before men, bringing forth the fruits of righteousness to the praise of his glory.
 
They are compared to a branch, which is untied to, and forms part of the parent tree.
 
So are they united to Jesus, and one with him.
 
All their support is from him, and they derive all their supplies from his fulness.
 
He is the source of their life, beauty, strength, and fruitfulness.
 
Apart from him they are barren, withered, and dead.
 
He supplies them secretly, as the tree does the branch with sap; 

   but he sheds on them also the dew of his grace, 

     and the showers of his blessing.
 
In consequence of this they grow, flourish, and bear fruit.
 
He prunes them by affiliations, but it is only that they may bring forth more fruit.
 
Autumnal winds may strip them, and wintry frosts may lay them bare,

 but their life is in the root,—hid with Christ in God.
 
See, beloved, the effect of union to Christ—we flourish.
 
The proof of a religious state.
 

The trees of righteousness shall rise,

Water’d each moment from above,

And bear the fruit of paradise,

The glorious fruits of faith and love.

 
James Smith
 

HOLDING FORTH THE WORD OF LIFE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 22

 

Philippians 2:16

Holding forth the word of life; that I may 

rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, 

neither laboured in vain.

 
That is the gospel.
 
It reveals life in the promise, and in the person and work of Christ.
 
It presents life as God’s free gift to the condemned and guilty.
 
It is employed to produce life through the power of the Holy Ghost.
 
The life which it reveals, presents, and produces, stands in the favour of God

  —in union to the person of Christ

  —in the possession of the Spirit

  —in the fellowship with the fountain of life

  —in freedom from all condemnation, and in a title to eternal glory.
 
This gospel is entrusted to us, it is entrusted to us for others, 

and we are to hold it forth as a light in a dark place

  —as food provided for hungry sinners

  —as a pardon for condemned criminals

  —and as a rule for quickened souls.
 
It is to be held forth in the public ministry, 

  by a holy conversation, and 

   by every possible means.
 
Beloved, let us view the gospel as “the word of life.”
 
Let us ask ourselves, are we holding forth as we should?
 
Let us hold forth this word of life

 by speaking, 

  by writing, 

   by purchasing and distributing little works 

    which have been printed for the purpose, and 

     by assisting those who have consecrated their time 

       and talents to the work.
 

Come, let us with a grateful heart,

In the bless’d labour share a part;

Our prayers and offerings gladly bring,

To aid the triumph of our King.

 
James Smith

FOR WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY

 
EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith


 

JUNE 21

Psalm 130:7

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD

there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

 
Mercy has been shewn to us, but it dwells in God.
 
It is one of his perfections.
 
There is mercy with the Lord in all his fulness, he never was more merciful than now, nor he never will be.
 
There is mercy with the Lord in all its tenderness, 

  he is full of compassion, 

    his bowels are troubled for us, 

      his tender mercies are over us.
 
There is mercy with him in all its variety, it suits every case.
 
Here is mercy that receives sinners, 

  mercy that restores backsliders, 

  mercy that keeps the believers.
 
Here is the mercy that pardons sin, 

  that introduces to the enjoyment of all gospel privileges, and 

  that blesses the praying soul far beyond its expectations.
 
With the Lord there is mercy and he loves to display it, 

  he is ready to impart it, 

    he is determined to exalt and glorify it.
 
There is mercy with the Lord, the should encourage the miserable to approach him; this informs the fearful, they need bring nothing to induce him to bless them, this calls upon backsliders to return to him, and this is calculated to cheer the tried Christian, under all his troubles and distresses.
 
Mercy may be obtained by any sinner.
 

Believer, on the Lord recline.

His mercy’s boundless and divine!

See from the cross how wide its flows,

Beyond the extent of all thy woes!

 
James Smith

THE LORD'S PORTION IS HIS PEOPLE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 20

 

Deuteronomy 32:9

For the LORD’s portion is his people;

 Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 

 
We are filled with gratitude and joy, when we say, “The Lord is my portion:” but it is enough to fill us with wonder and astonishment to read, “The Lord’s portion is his people.”
 
He is so great, and they are so insignificant; he is so holy, and they are so polluted; he is so glorious, and they are so mean.
 
But he chose them in preference to others. When all lay before his eye.
 
He redeemed them, when enslaved and alienated from him.
 
He claimed them, when held fast by their tyranising foe.
 
He possesses  and enjoys them as the objects of his love.
 
He inhabits them as his temple, he protects them as his children, and he will dignify them in heaven for ever.
 
They are the Lord’s lot, his inheritance, his vineyard, his garden, his spouse.
 
Think, believer, of the honour conferred upon you, in calling you the Lord’s portion!
 
Once a wandering sheep, but now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop  of you soul.
 
Angels are never called his portion—his jewels, but you are.
 
Walk as the Lord’s chosen bride, who is going home to be openly united to her beloved bridegroom.
 
It is by favour that you are distinguished.
 

His portion is his care,

He keeps it day and night,

No other can with this compare,

‘Tis Jesu’s chief delight.

 
James Smith
 

I OBTAINED MERCY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 19

 

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor,

and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because

I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and very injurious to the cause of Christ; but the Lord showed him mercy as a pattern to them which should hereafter believe.

 

Here we see that mercy is free for the vilest; that the Lord has mercy upon sinners, just because he will have mercy.

 

Paul obtained it without seeking, any one may by seeking it.

 

The mercy obtained, always brings a complete pardon for all past sins, however numerous or flagrant they may have been.

 

It brings peace to the conscience, however troubled or distressed.

 

It produces holiness in the heart which will appear in the life; it leads the soul to desire and seek the knowledge of Christ above all other things, and to count everything but dross and dung in comparison with it.

 

It fortifies the mind to meet, endure, and pass through trials and tribulation for Christ’s sake. It leads to friendship with God, concern for the church of Jesus by string and various ties.

 

Reader, has mercy had the same effect on you as it had on Paul?

 

Whenever mercy is obtained, the fruits and effects of its reception will appear.

 

Mercy I cannot claim,

But since thy mercy’s free,

And I so poor and helpless am,

Have mercy, Lord, on me.

 

James Smith

 

THOU RESTRAINETH PRAYER BEFORE GOD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 18

Job 15:4

Yea, thou castest off fear, and

restraineth prayer before God.

 
This change, brought against Job, may often be justly brought against us: for though prayer is one of the most delightful privileges, and is enjoyed as such when under the influence of the Spirit of adoption, yet when a spirit of bondage prevails, or we get worldly minded, it is rather a task than a pleasure.
 
Often are we tempted to keep away from the Lord, because we are so lukewarm, or cold, or dead; whereas these are the very things which should drive us to him.
 
Never let us wait for a better frame, or more convenient season, but let us go as we are, and whenever an opportunity offers, to a throne of grace.
 
For if we restrain prayer before God, we shall soon get cold, careless, and lifeless, if we are not so; sin will gather strength, all our graces will be weakened, and the gift of prayer will wither.
 
Our tempters will become carnalised, our peace will be disturbed, and the enjoyment of religion will fade.
 
Restraining prayer is directly opposed to God’s word, it is yielding to Satan, grieving the Holy Spirit, and must end in mischief.
 

Father, to my heart appear,

Pleased and smiling in thy son:

Conscious of thy presence near,

Bow’d and humble at thy throne.

Then I in thy sight shall stay,

Always fear, and always pray.

 
James Smith

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 17

 

Luke 17:21

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!

For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 
Jehovah erects his throne in the hearts of his people.
 
He reigns over the world, but he reigns in them.
 
The Christian is at once the habituation, the temple, and the kingdom of God.
 
In us he dwells and reigns.
 
This kingdom includes reconciliation to God, friendship with God, and entire submission to the will of God, brought about by the application of the atonement, the manifestation of divine favour, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
 
Where Jehovah reigns, the soul is justified through the righteousness of Christ, enjoys holy peace and fellowship with God, and is happy in a sense of the paternal love of God.
 
The enmity of the heart is slain, the darkness of the mind is dispersed, the carnality of the affections is removed, and the person is brought into subjection to the obedience of Christ.
 
The will of God becomes law, the person and work of Christ precious, and the glory of God the object sought.
 
The enemy is a friend, the rebel a loyal subject, the alien a beloved child.
 
If the kingdom of God is within is, we ought to be in the church of God by a scriptural profession and should so walk as to please God.
 

Reign in me, Jehovah, reign,

Let my rebel lusts be slain;

Righteousness and peace impart,

Fill with holy joy my heart.

 
James Smith

IT KNEW HIM NOT.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 16

 

1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, 

that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world

 knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 
The world knew not Jesus when he sojourned below; 

 the generality of men do not know him now.
 
They do not know the love which glows in his bosom, 

 which brought him to tabernacle in the flesh, and 

 made him a man of sorrows, and the familiar of grief.
 
They knew not the sweetness of his disposition, or 

  the kindness of his intention toward fallen, polluted man. 

They know not his willingness to receive, 

  his determination to bless, and 

  his engagement to save, 

  all who flee for refuge in his arms.
 
They know not the glory of his person, 

  the extent of his authority, or

   the value of his atoning blood.
 
They have no just idea of the condescension he displays, 

  the extent of the sufferings he endured, or 

  the invaluable blessings which he freely bestows on the lost and undone.
 
No one knows the Saviour who does not love him.
 
Every one who believes in him, knows him; and 

 every one that knows him will believe his word, 

 rest on his glorious atonement, and rejoice in his veracity.
 
Jesus, to be known must be revealed.
 
The Holy Spirit must enlighten our minds, 

  unfold his character, and apply the word 

   or we shall not know him.
 

Come, Holy Spirit, now reveal

The Son of God to me;

THY powerful influence let me feel,

And all HIS glories see.

 
James Smith