SUBMIT YOURSELVES THEREFORE TO GOD.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

SEPTEMBER 25

 

James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

 
Human nature does not like submission, and yet there is no happiness without it.
 
It is only as our wills accord with the will of God, 

  as we cheerfully submit to all his dispensations, 

    that we can be peaceful or joyful.
 
Without submission there can be no holiness, for its opposite is rebellion.
 
If I refuse to submit to God, 

  I oppose his authority, 

  question his wisdom, 

  doubt his love, and 

  despise his word.
 
In proportion as I am sanctified, 

  I shall cheerfully bow to whatever 

  I discover to be the will of God, 

    receive with gratitude whatever comes from the hand of God 

    and endeavour to do whatever bears the stamp of the authority of God.
 
Without submission there is no salvation.
 
We must acknowledge his justice.
 
Confess our sins.
 
Bow at his throne.
 
Seek for pardon on the ground of mercy.
 
And acquiesce in his plan of salvation by grace, or 

  we shall never be delivered from the wrath to come.
 
Submit yourselves therefore to God,

   to be saved by his grace, 

     to be ruled by his word, 

       to be disposed of by his providence, and 

         to be employed for his glory as he will.
 
Only submit, and you are happy;

  seek for thorough sanctification; 

   entire submission; and you are safe forever.
 

The Sov’reign Father, good and kind,

Wants but to have his child resign’d;

Wants but thy yielded heart, no more,

Thee with his richest grace to store.

 
James Smith