THEREFORE HAVE THEY FORGOTTEN ME.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

SEPTEMBER 19

 

Hosea 13:6

According to their pasture, so were they filled;

they were filled, and their heart was exalted;

therefore have they forgotten me.

 
Why?
 
He had brought them into the good land.
 
They were placed in circumstances of prosperity.
 
They gave way to self-indulgence.
 
They were lifted up with pride.
 
Therefore they forgot God their Saviour, who had done such great things for them.
 
We often fancy that we could bear prosperity better than adversity, but those who have been tried have proved the reverse.
 
The heart is secretly, and, at first, imperceptibly led away from God.
 
The affections are set on things below.
 
Indulging the flesh unfits for spiritual duties and exercises.
 
Divine things lose their savour and power.
 
The means of grace, convey no grace to the soul.
 
We relax in duty.
 
Satan employs his influence to harden our hearts, to alienate our affections, to blond our minds, and to stupify our consciences.
 
The warnings of God’s word are disregarded, the throne of grace is neglected, worldly company is preferred, and then God is forgotten.
 
We forget his deliverances, his favours, his claims, his threatenings, until aroused by some painful visitation.
 
Brethren, let us be cautious—circumspect—aware of our danger—and carefully examine into our personal state.

 

I left my guide to happiness,

I lost the true eternal peace,

Nor can my soul retrieve its rest,

Till lodg’d again in Jesu’s breast.

 
James Smith