THE UPRIGHT LOVE THEE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

AUGUST 18

 

Song of Solomon 1:4

… the upright love thee.

 
None are upright by nature, for none seek to render to God the things which are God’s and to men the things which are men’s.
 
But this is uprightness.
 
It flows from grace.
 
It is the effect and proof of a new creation. The truly upright regard the eye of God, as fixed upon them; the word of God, as binding upon them; the approbation of God, as the chief things to be sought by them; and the judgment of God, as most important to them.
 
The upright love Jesus.
 
They all know him, and highly esteem him.
 
They love him uprightly, and as the proof of it, they rejoice in his presence
  —they are grieved at his absence
  —they desire the closest union with him
  —they aim to please him in all things
  — they will give up everything for him
  —they love to speak of him, and
     they always speak well of him
  —they will do any thing for him, perform any duty, avoid any sin,
  —they will choose to suffer for him rather than deny or dishonour him.
 
Reader, are you upright?
 
Do you love Jesus?
 
You are not upright if you do not.
 
Terrible is the denunciation of the inspired Apostle, 

   “If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, 

    let him be accused when the Lord cometh.”
 

Jesus, my balm for every ill,

My life in death thou art;

Thy lips as lilies pale, distil

The myrrh that heals my heart.

 
James Smith