WHO REMEMBERED US IN OUR LOW ESTATE

EVENING DEVOTION 

OCTOBER 27

 

Psalm 136:23

Who remembered us in our low estate:

 for his mercy endureth for ever. 

 
Our state by nature was truly a low estate.
 
We had no liberty, being the slaves of Satan; 

  no ability, being dead in trespasses and sins;

  no honour, being allied only to traitors and rebels; 

  no real pleasure, being tossed about by desires and disappointments; 

  no prospects, except eternal woe; 

  no profitable employment, for the fruit of our toil was death.
 
Our nature was fearfully depraved; our condition truly deplorable; 

  and our destiny most alarming.
 
But in this state, the Lord remembered us; and

 it was with reference to it that he made his covenant; 

  send his Son; promised his Holy Spirit;

   prepared and gave us his Gospel; 

    employed his wise and holy providence; 

    exerted his divine power on our behalf, 

     opened the storehouse of heaven for us; and 

       raised us up to know, love, and realize union to Jesus.
 
And he did this of mere mercy, and because his mercy endureth forever.
 
Mercy fixes on her objects and continues to regard them with peculiar concern.
 
Mercy wrote our name in the book of life; 

  gave us the promises of the everlasting gospel; 

  pleads for us before the throne above; and 

  visits us often to cheer, rescue, and bless.
 

All-gracious God, thy pitying eye,

View’d the low state in which we lie;

And as an act of sovereign grace,

Sent salvation to our race.

 
James Smith
 

WHO HATH ABOLISHED DEATH

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 26

 

2 Timothy 1:10

…who hath abolished death,

 
Death is our foe.
 
It is an implacable enemy.
 
It has slain millions.
 
It has robbed kingdoms of their deliverers, 

  churches of their ornaments, 

    families of their supports, and 

      individuals of their beloved connection.
 
It is powerful, irresistible

—cruel

—insatiable

—the king of terrors.
 
It is a foe that might full us with fear, and keep us in constant alarm; 

  but we have a friend.
 
A friend who is infinitely great, and comparably good.
 
He knew us thoroughly

  —loved us infinitely

  —pitied us tenderly

  —engaged for us heartily

  —came to deliver us cheerfully

  —suffered for us indescribably

  —and conquered our foe completely.

 
He abolished death. 

That is, he changed it nature, it is now quiet sleep; 

  he changed its office it is not a n executioner, but a waiting servant; 

  he changed it work, it is now only to take down the prison, 

and let the prisoner escape; 

  he changed its end, it was truly fearful, it is now divinely glorious.

 
He deprived it of its authority and sting.
 
This he did by fulfilling the law; 

  satisfying the claims of justice; 

    spoiling the principalities and powers, wresting the keys from the destroyer’s hand; 

      and sending us the good news of complete salvation.
 

Did we but trust our heavenly Friend,

And on his faithful word depend,

Then should we fearless view the grave,

And death itself no sting would have.

 
James Smith
 

HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 25

 

Song of Solomon 5:16

His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely.

This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.

 
This is the opinion formed of Jesus by all who really know him.
 
There is nothing lovely but it is in Jesus, and it is in him in full perfection.
 
He is the object of admiration and adoration to all who are taught by the Holy Spirit.
 
His person as God-man, is altogether lovely:

  for he possesses every grace that can adorn humanity, and 

    all the glories of uncreated deity.
 
His character is altogether lovely, 

  for he is infinitely wise, dignified, condescending, and kind.
 
Indeed, there in Christ, but what is lovely, and 

  there is nothing lovely, 

   but it may be found in him.
 
The testimony borne by the spouse will apple to his offices, 

  are prophet, priest, and king: to his government, universal and particular: 

    to his work for us on earth and in heaven: to his design in all his dealings with us, 

      even to purify, elevate, and honour us.
 
Reader, do you know him?
 
Do you admire him?
 
Do you love him?
 
If so, be reconciled to him; cordially embrace him; and meekly learn of him.
 
The more you know him, the more you will love him.
 
Let us ask, What is our view of Christ to-night?
 
If our minds are spiritual, “He is altogether lovely.”
 

All over glorious is my Lord;

Must be beloved, and yet adored;

His worth if all the nations knew,

Sure the whole earth would love him too.

 
James Smith
 
 

WHAT IS GOOD FOR MAN IN THIS LIFE

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 24

 

Ecclesiastes 6:12

For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, 

all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow?

for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? 

 
This is a very difficult question, if we refer to it as temporal things; and providence alone can furnish the answer.
 
Sometimes prosperity is good, and sometimes adversity: sometimes sickness, and sometimes health: sometimes success, and sometimes disappointment: sometimes plenty, and sometimes poverty.
 
If we set our hearts strongly upon anything below, that is the thing that is not likely to be good for us.
 
If God deny us, or take anything from us, we may be sure at once that that is not good for us.
 
What we have is good for us, if we rightly use it, and improve it for the Lord’s glory.
 
Beloved, have you been looking for a few steps above you, and think what a good thing it would be for me, if I could obtain that situation?
 
If so, you are wrong.
 
Resignation to God’s will, and acquiescence in God’s plan are far better than wishing for this or longing for that.
 
It is good for a man, daily to live by faith on Jesus, to walk with God, to lay up for himself treasure in heaven, and to endeavour to benefit all around him: but what good for man in a temporal point of view is not for us to say.
 

‘Tis God appoints my earthly lot,

And he does all things well;

I soon shall leave this trying spot

And rise with him to dwell.

 
James Smith
 
 

THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 23

 

Romans 15:13

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy

and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope,

through the power of the Holy Ghost.

 
The Holy Spirit is a divine person,
  equal with the Father and the Son,
   in power, majesty, and glory.
 
Without his agency salvation is impossible.
 
He quickens us when dead in trespasses and sins.
 
He teaches us when ignorant and bewildered.
 
He sanctifies us when polluted and depraved.
 
He comforts us when depressed and cast down.
 
He helps us in prayer, against temptation, and out of many difficulties.
 
His power produces our graces, quickens them when dull, and keeps them alive.
 
He witnesses to our adoption, and seals us unto the day of redemption.
 
We are his workmanship and his temple.
 
He is our teacher, comforter, and inward intercessor.
 
Hie power alone can make the gospel effectual,
   subdue the corruptions of our hearts,
     and conform us to the likeness of the Lord Jesus.
 
He convinces us of sin, unfolds to us the glories of Jesus,
  works faith in our hearts, leads us to the fountain of his blood,
    clothes us in his perfect righteousness, unites us to his person,
        and teaches us to live upon him.
 
The great thing we want in the Church, and in our hearts, is to experience
    “The power of the Spirit of God.”
 

Come, Holy Ghost, thy power display,

Thy working let me prove;

Chase darkness, doubt, and fear away,

And fill my soul with love.

 
James Smith
 
 
 

I ABHOR MYSELF

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 22

 

Job 42:6

Whereof I abhor myself, 

and repent in dust and ashes.

 
The more clearly the Lord manifests himself to us, and 

  the more he works in us by his Spirit, the deeper will 

    be our humility and self-abhorrence.
 
Self admirers are strangers to close and holy fellowship with God.
 
Nothing discovers to us the true state of human nature like nearness to God.
 
Men may speculate, and reason, and boast of what man can do,

  so long as they are at a distance from God;

  but no sooner do they come into his presence,

  that their comeliness is turned into corruption. 

They not only see that they are vile, but they feel it.
 
Job had boasted, and contended with God; 

  but as soon as God came near to him, his views 

  and feelings underwent an entire change. 

And he cried out, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee: whereof I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
 
We cannot think too meanly of ourselves as sinners, or 

  feel too deeply on account of the baseness of our nature;

    except we allow our feelings to lead us to doubt either 

     the ability or willingness of Jesus to save us, or 

       to question our interest in our Father’s love.
 
Never does Christ appear so precious as when we sink before God in self-abhorrence.
 

Appear, great God, appear to me,

That by myself abhor’d,

Asham’d I may for ever be

Before me gracious Lord.

 
James Smith

WE ARE THE LORD'S

 EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 21

 

Romans 14:8

For whether we live, we live unto the Lord, and 

whether we die, we die unto the Lord: 

whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

 
The Lord hath a people peculiarly his own.
 
They are distinct from all others.
 
They are preferred to all others, 

  being the objects of his choice

  —the purchase of his blood

  —the temper of his Holy Spirit.
 
He loves them with an everlasting love.
 
He calls them his portion.
 
He treats them as children.
 
He prizes them as his peculiar treasure.
 
He is united to them, loves them, and cares for them as his bride.
 
He keeps them as the apple of his eye.
 
The privilege Paul claimed for himself and his fellow-believers; 

  and if we are Christians we can claim it too.
 
“We are the Lord’s,” and we know it, 

  for we have been quickened by the Holy Spirit, 

   we have been reviewed and acknowledged at the Lord’s throne, and 

     we are consecrated to his service and praise.
 
“We are the Lord’s,” and we prove it, 

  for we are united to his family, 

    we are walking by his word, 

     we are living to his glory, and 

       we can only be satisfied with his presence and his love.
 
Beloved, let us rejoice in our privilege, it is great and glorious.
 
Let us cleave to his saints, they are the excellent of the earth.
 
Let us realize in difficulty and danger, the glorious fact, I am the Lord’s.”
 

Lord, I am thine, entirely thine;

Purchas’d and sav’d by blood divine:

My person claim, my soul possess,

And sanctify me by thy grace.

 
James Smith
 

THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR THEE

 
EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 20

 

Jeremiah 32:17

there is nothing too hard for thee:

 
Difficulties are for creatures, there can be nothing difficult to God.
 
His wisdom is infinite. His power is omnipotent. His resources are boundless.
 
His instruments are innumerable.
 
HIs plan is formed, and he is working it out.
 
“He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.”
 
We are sometimes placed in very trying circumstances, creatures cannot help us, our faith falters, our minds are agitated, our spirits droop, we give way to fear, but the Lord reproves us and asks, “Is anything too hard for me?”
 
Bring the matter to me, exercise faith in my word, place yourself in my hand, wait upon me in my way, “I will work, and who shall let it?”
 
Beloved, your inward evils, and outward trials, may be too hard for you: but they cannot be too hard for your God.
 
He can subdue the one, and deliver you from the other, with the greatest ease: and his strength is made perfect in weakness.
 
Let this demand then, silence our fears, strengthen our faith, revive our hope, increase our courage, animate our prayers; and let us go forward, saying, “Nothing is too hard for the Lord.”
 
Look from your own weakness to his strength and say
 

Nothing too hard can be

For my Almighty Lord:

Sufficient is thy grace for me,

Who hang upon thy word.

 
James Smith
 
 

HIS COMPASSIONS FAIL NOT

 

EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 19

 

Lamentations 3:22

..his compassions fail not.

 
This is an unspeakable mercy. The sympathy of friends may fail.
 
The affection of relations may fail. The tender mother’s love to her babe may fail.
 
But the compassion of our God is unfailing.
 
It is an ocean which we can never exhaust.
 
A sun which will never set.
 
It may be obscured.
 
We may not enjoy its communications.
 
But it is as full of light and glory as ever.
 
Believer, God never was more compassionate than he is this night.
 
His promise was never more true in reference even to his most favoured ones, than it is in reference to thee at this time.
 
Turn from thy gloomy feelings, from the painful circumstances; and turn to thy God, impressed with his fact, “his compassions fail not.”
 
Did Jesus have compassion on the multitudes which followed him, because they had nothing to eat he will also have compassion on thee.
 
He will bear with thy infirmities, he will pardon thy sins, he will sanctify the sorrows, he will soothe thy griefs, he will restore thy soul, he will guide three with his counsel, and afterwards receive thee to glory, for his compassions fail not.
 

Though annoyed be doubts and fears,

Though distressed by various cares,

Though determined foes assail,

Thy compassions never fail.

 
James Smith
 

LORD BE THOU MY HELPER

 

EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 18

 

Psalm 30:10

LORD, be thou my helper.

 
Sweet and appropriate prayer this! We daily need help.
 
The Lord can help us.
 
He has said, “Fear not, I will help thee.”
 
But promises should be turned into prayers: and we never pray so spiritually as when we can say, “Lord, do as thou hast said.
 
“Be it unto me according to thy word.”
 
Let us then earnestly cry unto our God this night, “Lord, be thou my helper.”
 
I see many fall, I shall fall too except thou hold me up.
 
I am weak.
 
I am exposed to temptation.
 
My heart is deceitful.
 
My enemies are string.
 
I cannot trust in man.
 
I dare not trust in myself.
 
The grace I have received, will not keep me without thee. “Lord, be thou my helper.”
 
In every duty.
 
In every season of prosperity.
 
Every hour we live, this short and inspired prayer is suitable.
 
May it flow from our hearts, be often on our lips, and be answered in our experience.
 
For in the Lord help us, there is no duty which we cannot perform; there is no foe which we cannot overcome; there is no difficulty which we cannot surmount.
 
All things are possible; and painful things will be pleasant.
 

Weak and inconstant, Lord, I am,

On thee alone can I depend;

O let me not be put to shame,

But be my helper and my friend.

 
James Smith
 

THE CHASTENING OF THE ALMIGHTY

 

EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 17

Job 5:17

 …the chastening of the Almighty.

 
Crosses are not curses.
 
Frowns are sometimes favoured.
 
Every child is chastened.
 
Chastened by the Almighty.
 
His chastisements are always wise.
 
He never corrects but for faults, though his dispensations are sometimes intended to draw out our graces and improve our principles.
 
If the Lord chastens us, it is because he loves us.
 
Let us not then mistake the character of our afflictions.
 
They are really mercies.
 
They are indispensable, unless our wise and gracious Father would allow us to be injured.
 
Let us therefore ask, “Why am I corrected?”
 
Let us prostrate ourselves before our Father’s throne, and while we acknowledge his wisdom in the discipline, beseech him to make his chastisement a blessing.
 
The Lord’s rod often blossoms and bears fruit.
 
Our present discipline is to prepare us for future duties, enjoyments, and gloires.
 
It is all right.
 
It is really kind.
 
It is for our good.
 
The rod is not in a stranger's hand, we are not suffering from the stroke of a cruel one, but from the chastening of the Almighty.
 
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of righteousness.”
 

O Father of mercies on me,

In deepest affliction bestow,

A power of applying to thee,

A sanctified use of my woe.

 
James Smith
 
 

ZEALOUS OF GOOD WORKS

 

EVENING DEVOTION

OCTOBER 16

 

Titus 2:14

…zealous of good works.

 
Being saved by free grace, we should lay ourselves out for God’s glory.
 
We are created anew in Christ Jesus unto good works.
 
We should be active in God’s cause for his creatures' good.
 
Not only doing good works but being zealous for them.
 
Zealously doing them ourselves, and zealously encouraging them in others.
 
We cannot do too much for hum, who has done so much for us.
 
Our works should proceed from love to God, be regulated by the command of God, and be done for the glory of God.
 
We can not be too zealous in performing them, but we ought to be equally zealous in renouncing them as a ground of acceptance with God.
 
Good works are the works of a child, who aims to please his Father: they are performed from a sense of what God has done for us, not in order to include him to confer blessings upon us.
 
In working from a right motive we are happy, for working we shall be by and by rewarded: but though like Moses, we may have respect unto the recompense of the reward; yet like Paul, when we do more than others, we shall heartily exclaim, “Not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

 

What is my being but for thee;

Its sure support, its noblest end,—

They ever-smiling face to see,

And serve the cause of such a friend.

 
James Smith