I AM THE VINE

 

APRIL 29.

I am the vine, ye are the branches.
John 15:5

 

JESUS often uses nature to illustrate grace.
 
Here he compares himself to the vine,
  his people to the branches;
  thus setting forth the union that exists between them.
 
The whole tree depends on one root, and
  the whole church depends on the Lord Jesus;
  all saving benefits flow to every saint from him.
 
He possesses and communicates all that is necessary
  to quicken, support, enlighten, and strengthen us.
 
From him we receive all our wisdom and righteousness, and
  sanctification, by which we are distinguished from the world.
 
The root constantly supplied the branches, and
  so does the Lord Jesus constantly supply his saints.
 
Beloved, if we are true believers we are one with Christ,
  as the branch is one with the tree;
  we received from Christ,
  as the branch received from the root;
  and we are like Christ,
    as the branch is like the tree.
 
United to Christ,
  we partake of his nature,
   receive from his fullness,
    depend on his faithfulness, and
      bring forth fruit to praise his praise.
 
Without union to Christ,
  there is no good fruit; and
    without good fruit,
      there is no union to Christ.
 
Let us therefore examine this morning,
  Are we one with Christ?
 
 

Is he a vine? His heavenly root

Supplies the boughs with life and fruit;

O let a lasting union join

My soul to Christ the living vine!

 
James Smith 1849

THY MOURNING SHALL BE ENDED.

 

APRIL 28.
 
The days of thy mourning shall be ended.
Isaiah 60:20

 

HERE we have much to cause us to mourn.
 
The state of the world,
  and of the church.
 
Many things in the domestic circle.
 
The deep poverty of our own hearts.
 
Our evil tempers and passions.
 
The temptation and fiery darts of Satan.
 
The losses, crosses, and provide which
  we are called upon to endure.
 
The hiding of the Lord's face.
 
The want a brighter evidences.
 
Weakness in pain of body.
 
All these things conspire to make us sorrowful,
  so that with David we sometimes say,
    “I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly;
     I go mourning al the day long.”
 
But there is a bright prospect before us,
  our morning season will soon be over;
  if we now sow in tears,
    we shall reap in joy.
 
The days of our morning will soon be ended.
 
Then we shall have light without darkness,
  holiness without sin,
    joy without sorrow,
      service without toil,
       the eternal sunshine of our Father's love
           without one intervening cloud.
 
We shall soon shed the last tear,
  heave the last sigh,
    utter the last groan,
      expressed the last wish, and
       feel the last pain, and
then all beyond will be holiness,
  happiness, and perfect blessedness.
 

A few more days, or months or years,

In this dark desert to complain;

A few more sights, a few more tears,

And we shall bid adieu to pain!

 
James Smith 1849

ALL MINE ARE THINE.

 

APRIL 27.
 
All mine are thine
John 17:10
 

JESUS claims all that the Father possesses,
  hence he says, “All things that the Father hath,
   are mine.”
 
Sweet view of Jesus this !
 
He possesses all things,
  then he possesses the very blessings
    which we need this morning;
  if he possesses them,
  he is willing to bestow them;
  and if he is willing to bestow them,
  we may confidently ask and expect them.
 
But here he may refer more particularly to his people,
  and if so, he says,
   “All who are mine by redemption
       are thine by eternally election.
    All my disciples are thy friends;
      all my sheep are they property.”
 
Beloved, the Father's children are the Son’s church;
  the Father's beloved ones are the Son’s bride;
  the Father's property are the Son’s portion.
 
The Creator gave them to the Redeemer,
  the Redeemer passes them to the Sanctifier, and
  the Sanctifier passes them back
     through the Redeemer to the Creator.
 
The whole of the persons in the Godhead
  have an equal interest in the saints, and
   this being the case,
    they are safe, and should be happy.
 
The Son will not part with those
  whom the Father gave him,
  nor will the Father allow anyone to be
  plucked out of his hands
  those who are redeemed by his own Son.
 

Aspire my soul to glorious deeds,

The Captain of salvation leads;

March on, nor feared to win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

 
James 1849

WE TRUST IN THE LORD OUR GOD.

 

APRIL 26

We trust in the Lord our God:
Isaiah 36:7

 

HAPPY is the man that can honestly say this.
 
He is taught by the Holy Spirit.
He has learnt to know God.
He puts his knowledge to a practical account.
He is safe from fear of evil.
 
The Lord has revealed himself as the sole object of trust.
 
He has given us such a revelation
  as is calculated to awaken confidence.
His promises are the warrant of our trust.
We may safely trust him to do all
  he has said he will do, and
  to give all he has promised to bestow.
 
But it is not easy to trust an invisible object,
  especially in deep trials and under sore temptations.
 
Satan will do all he can to prevent our trusting him,
  and to shake our confidence in him.
He will throw doubts upon our evidences,
  question our title to the promises and
   suggest that it is presumption to trust a naked promise,
  or rely on the Lord in the absence of warm
    and comfortable feelings.
 
Providence will be sure to put our trust to the test,
  and we generally find, in the hour of trial,
  that our confidence is much more feeble,
  and more easily shaken, that we had supposed.
 
If we would trust in the Lord with all our heart,
  we must get a thorough knowledge
   of his covenant and character.
 
 

Sufficient ground the promise yields,

On which a worm may rest his hope;

And he who on the promise builds,

May give his confidence full scope.

 
James Smith 1849

THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH.

 

APRIL 25.
The love of the truth
2 Thessalonians 2:10
 

THE truth of God is particularly lovely,
  as it reflects the image of God,
    and makes own his mind.
 
It is possible to receive the truth,
  and not receive the truth in love.
It may be forced upon us by
  the power of argument or convictions, and
  not be cordially embraced as an object
    delightful and lovely.
Here the apostasy begins,
  this lies at the root of all the errors and
  superstition of the papacy,
   “They receive not the love of the truth
        that they might be saved.”
 
The gospel of Christ contains all saving truth, and
  if we see that gospel in the light of the Holy Spirit,
  we shall see that it is lovely truth.
 
But no man really loves God's truth,
  until he is “born of the Spirit;”
  for “the natural man receiveth not the
  things of the spirit of God;
   for they are foolishness unto him;
  neither can he know them,
  because they are spiritually discerned.”
 
Beloved, have you received the truth?
Have you received the truth lovingly?
Do you really love the truth, the whole truth?
 
Or, are you prejudiced against any part of it,
  or are you afraid of it?
 
If so, pray fervently unto God to give you to see
  the truth in all its beauty and glory,
    and then you will love it.
 

O that we might the Spirit find,

By Jesus’ grace bestow’d,

Which leads us into all the mind,

And all the things of God.

 
James Smith 1849

THE LORD IS RIGHTEOUS.

 

APRIL 24.
 
The Lord is righteous;
Psalm 129:4

 

RIGHTEOUSNESS is one of the essentials
   perfections of God.
 
He cannot possibly do wrong.
 
He never injured one of his creatures yet,
  and he never will, yea, he never can.
 
“The Lord is righteous in all his ways,
   and holy in all his works.”
 
Righteousness reigns in heaven,
  every creature there is righteous and
  every one is there on the principle of righteousness.
 
Righteousness reigns in hell,
   there is no injustice there.
No one is there who are not to be.
No one suffers more than he justly should.
Not one can say, “I have not deserved this.”
 
Justice alone punishes, and punishes justly.
 
Righteousness reigns in salvation,
  every sinner who believes in Jesus is justly saved.
 
No one is injured by his salvation.
 
Every perfection of God has its claim.
 
Every principle of government is honoured.
 
Every demand of the law is met.
 
God is just,
  while he justifies the ungodly who believe in Jesus.
 
Yea, he is never more than then.
 
For he does not justify without a righteousness,
   but the perfect work of Jesus is placed to his account,
   it become his by gift; for him it was wrought,
   to him it is imputed, as his it is reckoned,
   by a righteous God.
 

Right are the dealings of the Lord,

And all his saints shall prove,

Whether he smiles, or frowns, or hides,

All is in perfect love.

 
James Smith 1849

None of us liveth to himself

 

APRIL 23.
 
None of us liveth to himself
Romans 14:7

 

IS this true of professors in general?
   Is it true of you?
 
Are you living to amass a fortune,
  to enjoy pleasure, or
   to acquire a worldly reputation?
 
Or, are you living as a child of God,
  as a servant of Christ,
    as a traveler to eternity?
 
If we live unto ourselves we are not Christians,
  whatever profession we may make.
 
For if we are Christians we shall live
  to promote the cause of Christ,
    to advance the Kingdom of God, and
      to glorify God both in our bodies and
          spirits which are God’s.
 
If we are Christians,
  we shall live in some degree as Christ lived;
   and he lived not into himself.
 
What shall we live for today?
What object have we in view?
 
What is our rule?
   Is it the word of God?
Who is our guide?
   Is it the Holy Spirit?
What is our end?
 
Is it the increase of our sanctification,
  the entire consecration of our powers, and
  the advancement of the Redeemer’s cause?
 
Many, too many, make self the end in all they do.
 
Their religious actions as well as their civil,
  are directed to the justification of self.
 
Lord, search us, and try us,
   see if we are living to ourselves.
 

Long as I live beneath,

To thee oh let me live!

To thee my every breath,

In thanks and blessings give;

Me to thine image now restore,

And I shall praise thee evermore.

 
James Smith 1849

THE LORD IS THY KEEPER.

 

APRIL 22.
 
The Lord is thy keeper.
Psalm 121:5
 

THE Lord’s people are the objects of his constant care.
 
They feel that they cannot
  keep themselves.
They realize that they are exposed
  to many foes and dangers.
They frequently put themselves into
  his hands for protection.
They daily call upon him to be
  their keeper and guide.
And they busily employ themselves in
  obeying his commands and doing his will.
 
The Lord is engaged to keep all such, and
  he is an omnipotent keeper.
 
He will keep them at all times,
  and in all places.
 
But he will especially keep them
  in times of peculiar danger,
  in seasons of heavy trouble, and
  in the midst of many fears.
 
He will not keep them from trouble,
  but he will keep them from sinking under it.
 
He will not keep them from being
  exercised with inward corruption,
   but he will keep them from being overcome by it.
 
He will not keep them from temptation
  to apostasy and other sins
   but he will keep them from going back into the world.
 
In keeping them, he will employ his mighty angels,
  his special providence,
  his sacred word, and
    the operation of his Holy Spirit.
 
He will keep them because he loves them, and
  because he can glorify himself by doing so.

 

Jesus is my sure defence,

I all his care shall prove,

Kept by his watchful providence,

And ever waking love.

 
James Smith 1849

They shall be all taught of God.

 

APRIL 21.
 
They shall be all taught of God.
John 6:45

 
GOD, as a Father, engages for the education
  of all his children.
 
Yea, he engages to teach them himself.
 
This being the case they shall become scholars.
 
The Lord does not teach us every
  thing we are capable of learning,
  but all that is necessary to fit us
  for our stations and employments.
 
He teaches us to know and loathe ourselves,
  to know and love the Saviour,
  to know and seek deliverance from the law,
  to know and embrace the gospel,
  to know and overcome the world,
  to know and resist Satan steadfast in the faith.
 
Unless we know ourselves,
  we shall never know Christ;
unless we know Christ,
  we shall never be delivered from the law;
unless we are delivered from the law;
  we shall not cordially embrace the gospel;
unless we embrace the gospel;
  we shall never successfully resist Satan,
     or overcome the world.
 
It is an unspeakable mercy to be taught of God,
  for what God teaches us we know,
  we are at a point about,
   so that no one can dispute us out of it.
 
Beloved, are you taught of God?
 
All the children are, and
  if you are not taught of God,
  where is your proof that you are a child of God?
 
Be this our daily prayer, “Lord teach me.”
 

My God, be my teacher, and give me to know,

Thy glorious salvation while dwelling below,

Unfold to my view the sweet truths of thy word,

As they meet and unite in Christ Jesus my Lord.

 
James Smith 1849

O LORD, THOU ART MY GOD.

 

APRIL 20.
 
O Lord, thou art my God.
Isaiah 25:6
 

THIS is the greatest thing any one can say.
 
If the Lord is our God,
  we ought to be happy; we must be safe.
 
If he is our God now, he was not once.
 
There was a time when we did not know him,
  or love him, or believe him, or obey him,
    or hold any fellowship with him.
 
We said to God, “Depart from us,
  for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.”
 
If Jehovah is our God, it is entirely up grace.
 
He engaged in covenant to be so.
 
He promised to bring us into this glorious relationship.
 
He sent his Holy Spirit into our hearts,
  in fulfilment of his promise.
 
That blessed Spirit convinced us of sin,
  let us to Jesus, unfolded the promise,
  applied the atonement, and taught us to say,
  ABBA, my Father and my God.
 
If Jehovah is our God, we know his character
  believe his word, love his perfection,
  walk in his fear, espouse his cause,
  do his will and look for glory,
  honour, immortality, and eternal life.
 
If Jehovah is our God,
  his will is our law,
  his resources or our fortune,
  his wisdom is our guide,
  his power is our guard,
  his promises are our comfort,
  his Son is our advocate,
  his Spirit is our monitor,
  his providence is our protection, and
    his heaven is our home.
 

O Lord my God, in thee I trust,

And on thy arm alone rely,

For thou art faithful, wise, and just,

And wilt my every want supply.

 
James Smith 1849

 

 

APRIL 19.
 
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 16:31

 

CHRIST is the immediate object of faith, and
  believing on him brings salvation to the soul.
 
He is the son of God,
  the sent of God,
  the servant of God, and
  as such he became the Saviour of
    lost and ruined sinners.
 
He did all that the law and justice could require
  in order that they may be pardoned,
  justified,
  sanctified,
  accepted of God, and
  glorified; and
  now every one that receives
  God's testimony concerning him,
    looks by faith to him, and
    places confidence in him, is saved.
 
Neither is there salvation in any other,
  or in any other way.
 
Nothing can cleanse from sin but his blood;
  nothing can justify before God but his righteousness;
  nothing can satisfy us but his Spirit; and
  nothing can bring these things into our possession
    but faith.
 
He that believeth hath everlasting life.
By grace are ye saved through faith, and
  that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.
 
Reader, do you desire to be saved?
 
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
  thou shall be saved.
 

Author of our sure salvation,

  Author of our faith thou art,

Call me out of condemnation,

  Sprinkle with thy blood my heart;

Give the faith that moves the mountain;

  Pardon’d, sav’d by faith alone,

Lead me through the open fountain

  To thine everlasting throne.

 
James Smith 1849

 

APRIL 18.
 
The Lord is good.
Jeremiah 33:11

 

CREATURES are comparatively good,
  God is absolutely good; in this sense,
  “there is none good but one, that is God.”
 
He is naturally good,
  for his nature is the fountain of all goodness.
He is infinitely good,
  for there is no limit to his goodness.
He is eternally good,
  for his goodness will never terminate.
He is so good,
  that he cannot be better.
 
His goodness is immutable, and
  therefore he will never be less good than
    he is at this moment.
 
He is good to all his creatures, and
  his mercy is over all his works.
 
But he is especially good to some.
 
His goodness appears in his works,
  shines forth in his providence,
  but reigns in all its glory
    in the salvation of sinners.
 
Here all the rays of his goodness meet and centre.
 
In the gift of his dear Son,
  in the promise of his Holy Spirit,
  in sending his glorious gospel,
   we see that the Lord is good.
 
But in the conversion of our souls,
  in the pardon of our sins,
  in the justification of our persons,
  in sending the Spirit of adoption into our hearts,
  and in giving us eternal life,
  we feel his goodness and rejoice in it.
 
Yes, the Lord is good or
  he would not have borne with us,
  nor would he have pardoned us until now.
 

Thy goodness, Lord, our souls confess,

Thy goodness we adore;

A spring whose blessings cannot fail,

A sea without a shore.

 
James Smith 1849

THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD.

 

APRIL 17.
 
They are not of the world.
John 17:16
 

THE world and the church are essentially distinct, 

    and must remain so.
 
Believers and unbelievers can have no real fellowship.
They differ in nature;
   the one is spiritual,
     the other carnal.
They differ in the motives which rule their conduct;
   the one is influenced by the love of Christ,
     the other by self.
They differ in the grand object of pursuit;
   the one seeks God's glory,
    the other the glorification of his lust.
 
Christians are chosen out of the world;
  they are redeemed from among men;
  they are translated into the kingdom of God's dear son;
  they are consecrated to be the temples of the Holy Ghost,
  and are brought into vital union with the Lord Jesus Christ.
 
They are not of the world, and
  therefore must not expect to be loved by the world;
  but must come out and be separate,
  and when they do so,
  God promises to receive them
  and to be a father to them,
  treating them as his sons and daughters.
 
Beloved, are you of the world?
 
Do you love the world?
 
If so, the love of the Father is not in you.
 
If we are of the world,
  we must share the world's doom;
  if separate from it,
     we shall rise above it.
 

Lord, from this world call off my love,

Set my affections right;

Bid me aspire to joys above,

And walk no more by sight.

 
James Smith 1849
 

HE PRESERVETH THE SOULS OF HIS SAINTS.

 

APRIL 16.
 
He preserveth the souls of his saints.
Psalm 97:10
 

EVERY creature needs the preserving care of its Creator,
  no power short of omnipotence is sufficient to preserve us.
 
Our weakness is so great,
  our corruptions or so strong,
  our foes are so crafty, and
  our dangers are so numerous,
  that we are never safe except the Lord keeps us.
 
We are never in such great danger,
  as when we fancy ourselves quite safe.
 
“Let him that thinketh he standeth,
  take heed lest he fall.”
 
But the Lord has promised to preserve his saints;
  they are separated from the world,
  set apart for his glory, and
  inhabited by the Holy Spirit.
 
They feel that they need preservation,
  they exercise faith in God's promise, and
  plead earnestly for it at the throne of divine grace.
 
And the Lord will preserve them
  from the designs of their foes,
  from the natural tendency of inward sin, and
  from apostatizing from his own cause.
 
“He preserveth them by the means which
  are naturally likely to injure them.
By painful afflictions,
  by losses and crosses,
  by trials and temptation,
  by reproaches and persecution,
  by the conflict within, and
  by opposition without,
he preserveth the souls of his saints.”
 

His grace shall on his saints descend,

And keep their souls secure;

From earth and hell his arm defend,

And make their victory sure.

 
James Smith 1849