MY SOUL IS EXCEEDING SORROWFUL.

 
SEPTEMBER 30.
 
My soul is exceeding sorrowful.
Matthew 26:38
 
THE sorrows of Jesus exceeded the powers of
  description or conception.
 
No one can fully enter into them,
  no one can describe them.
 
He had suffered much before,
  but he never suffered as now.
 
His agony preceded from an unseen cause;
  no creature touched him, and
  “yet his sweat was as it were great drops
    of blood falling down to the ground.”
 
He had undertaken to be our surety,
  and he was smarting for it.
 
He had an adequate conception of what that load of sin was,
  which he was to bear and remove;
  of what the wrath and curse of God was,
  which he was to sustain;
  of what it was for Jehovah to bruise him,
  to put him to grief, and
    to make his soul an offering for sin.
 
He was overwhelmed with sorrow,
  he was pressed to the ground with grief,
  his very soul was torn with agony,
  the load appeared insupportable, and
  he felt constrained to cry,
   “Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”
 
But it was not possible, if we were to be saved,
  he must suffer; and he did suffer.
 

O what wonders love has done!

But how little understood!

God well knows, and God alone.

What produced that sweat of blood;

Who can thy deep wonders see,

Wonderful Gethsemane.

 
James Smith 1849

NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHHOLD....

 

September 27.
 
No good thing will he withhold from 
  them that walk uprightly.
Psalm 84:11

 
EVERY good gift, and every perfect gift is from above,
  and coming down from the Father of lights,
  with whom there is no variableness, 

  neither shadow of turning.
 
Every good thing is in God's hand, and
  it is in God's heart to give all good things to upright walkers.
 
Let us rely steadily on Jesus and his perfect work
  for our acceptance with God; and
  then let us walk uprightly in all of our dealings
  with our fellow men,
  so shall we secure all things that are
  really necessary to life and godliness.
 
Whatever God withholds from the upright,
  is not necessary, would not be good for them;
  therefore it is withheld.
 
God has it, there is no unwillingness on his part to bestow it,
  there is no difficulty in the way of his imparting it,
  but he sees it best that we should be without it.
 
We may ask every good thing of God, and
  if we walk uprightly,
  we may expect every good thing from God.
 
Let us look well to our motives,
  our spirit, and our conduct; and
  let us preserve a tender conscience,
  so shall we ensure all that is good for us,
  both temporal and spiritual.
 
God will not fail or neglect any upright man.
 

Lord be my safety and defence,

My light, my joy, my bless;

My portion in the world to come,

My confidence in this.

 

James Smith 1849

I CHANGE NOT

 

SEPTEMBER 26.
 
I change not.
Malachi 3:6

 
NO one can use this language but God; for all other persons, and all things change.
 
We are constantly changing, either for the better or the worse; but Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever.
 
His nature is unchangeable. His office is permanent. His love is immutable.
 
He is the Rock of Ages, the unchanging Sun of righteousness.
 
This is our comfort, we have one who always thinks of us, loves us, and cares for us, without any variation.
 
This is the ground of our confidence; Jesus is always the same.
 
We may expect him to sympathize with us, confer blessings upon us, and appear to supply and deliver us; for he is in one mind, and he has promised to do so.
 
Could Jesus change, our confidence would be destroyed, our hope would dwindle, and our comfort must decay.
 
But he is the same, and his years fail not.
 
Let us this day, amidst all the changes we may witness, amidst all the trials we may endure, rejoice that we have an unchangeable friend in the person of our beloved Redeemer; and let us endeavour to exercise faith in his word.
 

What a changing world is this!

Void of all substantial bliss!

All we see beneath the sun,

In successive changes run;

But our Jesus proves the same

Endless blessings on his name.

 
James Smith 1849

THE CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL.

 

SEPTEMBER 25.
 
The consolation of Israel.
Luke 2;25

 
SIN has filled our world, and our natures, with all the elements of misery and unhappiness.
 
And we never can be made truly happy, except God send down happiness from his own bosom.
 
This he has done.
 
Jesus came not only to save, but to control us; or to make us happy, as well as make us holy.
 
The grace which Jesus gives is the seed of happiness, and as it springs up and flourishes in our souls, it conquers and triumphs over our misery.
 
Beloved, if we would be happy, we must seek to be interested in, conformed to, and walk in fellowship with, Jesus.
 
He was once the man of sorrows for us, but even then he opened a fountain of happiness to us.
 
He called sinners who were weary and heavy laden to him, and promised to give them rest.
 
He is now the happy One, and the happy making One.
 
There is a fulness of consolation in him, he comforts all that mourn, giving them the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
 
Holy Spirit, in all seasons of trouble, in all times of depression and sorrow, leads us to Jesus as the consolation of Israel and make us happy in his love.
 

Though oft I am mourning below,

And find little permanent rest,

Yet this I assuredly know,

There is strong consolation in Christ.

 

James Smith 1849

LORD JESUS CHRIST WHICH IS OUR HOPE.

 

SEPTEMBER 24.
 
And Lord Jesus Christ which is our hope.
I Timothy 1:1

 
THE apostle sums up the misery of
  the worldling in these words,
      “Having no hope:”
    that is, no well-grounded hope.
 
For there is no hope for a sinner but in Christ.
 
Yea, Christ himself is said to be our hope.
 
He laid the foundation of it in his meritorious obedience and death.
 
He gave the warrant for it,
  by sending us his everlasting gospel.
 
He produced it,
  by giving us the Holy Spirit.
 
We can have no hope of access to God,
  of acceptance with God, or
  of any spiritual blessing from God,
  but as we receive Christ,
  look to his cross, and
    believe his glorious gospel.
 
Take away Jesus, and
  the most virtuous can have no hope;
  give us Jesus and the violence transgressor
   may hope for the greatest blessings.
 
Let us build on Jesus, and on Jesus alone; and
  we shall find him to be a foundation
   which will never give way.
 
Let us live hoping for all necessities good things now, and
  for everlasting glory at the end of our course,
  for the sake of what Jesus did and suffered,
   and we shall never be disappointed.
 
Beloved, is Jesus your hope?
 
Are you hoping for mercy in his name, and
  heaven through his blood?
 
If so, look up to God and say, ---
 

Behold, his merit is our plea

On him alone our souls depend;

He is our Advocate with thee,

The helpless sinner’s powerful friend.

 
James Smith 1849

BEHOLD, GOD IS MY SALVATION.

 
 

SEPTEMBER 23.
 
Behold, God is my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2

 
THIS is a fact so glorious, so stupendous,
  That we may well be called upon to behold 

    and admire it.
 
God was angry with us and justly.
 
He threatened us, and righteously.
 
We deserved nothing at his hands but punishment,
  and on the principles of the law we could expect
    nothing but wrath.
 
But behold, God is our salvation!
 
This flows purely from his love.
 
It is the effect of his free, sovereign, 

  and distinguishing grace.
 
To save us, he entered into covenant.
To save us, he sent his son to making atonement.
To save us, he sent his Holy Spirit into our hearts.
To save us he was determined, and in saving us he rejoices.
 
Our salvation is a gift conferred,

   a work wrought, a change effected.
 
No one could accomplish our salvation but God,

   and he has done it.
 
Our God is our Saviour.
 
“He will save, he will rest in his love.”
 
Do we know God in this glorious character?
Have we felt our need of an almighty Saviour?
Have we thrown ourselves into the open arms of Jesus?
Has he spoken peace to our hearts by his blood?
Has he shed abroad his love within us?
 
Let nothing satisfy us, but the inward witness
  of the Holy Spirit, that God is our salvation.
 

Now may we find access to God,

Through the Redeemer's precious blood;

And, while we hear thy voice of peace.

Our souls from guilt and fear release.

 
James Smith 1849

FOUND WANTING

 
 
Found wanting.
Daniel 5:27
 
THE law demands a holy nature, and
  a righteous life.
 
It requires that we be full weight; and
  it threatens us with separation from God, and
the dreadful wrath of God if we are not.
 
And yet if weighed in the balance,
  who of us would not be “found wanting.”
 
Beloved, what is our state this morning?
 
Are we full weight?
 
Have we done every thing which God requires of us?
 
If not, we are wanting.
 
But if we are found wanting, what shall we do?
 
Let us at once repair to Jesus,
  his perfect work will turn the scale.
 
He receiveth sinners.
 
He makes over his perfect obedience
  to every one that believes on his name.
 
Our deficiencies may now be made up.
 
Our sins may all be pardoned, and
  our persons may now be justified.
 
But if we should be found wanting on a bed of sickness,
  when racked with pain, or seized with delirium!
 
If we should be found wanting at death!
 
At the judgment!
 
How awful this would be!
 
Let us therefore examine in time.
 
If we are wanting nothing that we can do, or suffer,
  will make us full weight.
 
 

But if no merit I can claim,

The blood of Jesus will prevail,

Alone prevail to save from blame.

And in my favour turn the scale

Through faith in him I stand complete,

Who undertook and paid my debt.

 
James Smith 1849

HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME

 

SEPTEMBER 21.
 
He that is not with me is against me.
Mattthew 12:30

 
THERE is something very awful
  in the thought of being against Christ, and
  yet every one that is not decidedly for him is against him.
 
There can be no neutrality.
 
We must be friends or foes.
 
If we are not his disciples,
  we are his enemies.
 
If we are not fighting for him,
  we are fighting against him.
 
If we are not working for him,
  we are working against him.
 
If we are not trusting him,
  we are rejecting him.
 
How is it with us,
  are we for Christ, or against him?
 
No question can be more solemn or important.
 
No matter ought to be so thoroughly examined,
  and satisfactorily settled.
 
What says conscience?
 
What says our conduct?
 
Are we trusting in Christ for life and salvation?
 
Are we walking with Christ in holy fellowship?
 
Are we obeying Christ out of sincere love?
 
Are we copying the example of Christ in all walks of life?
 
How important this matter will appear by and by.
 
What consequences will depend on the decisions of it.
 
Let us not leave it to the future,
  but let us decide it at once.
 

May faith in Jesus fill my mind,

Such love to Jesus may I find,

Such worth in Jesus see

That I may hold his truth and name,

More dear than wealth, or ease, or fame,

More dear than life to me.

 
James Smith 1849
 

BY OVEDIENCE OF ONE....

 

SEPTEMBER 20.
 
By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
Romans 5:17

 
ADAM sinned, and we are guilty, for he represented us;
  and we are suffering the effects of his sin every day.
 
Jesus obeyed the law, and we are justified,
  for he also represented us; and
  we are enjoying the blessed results of 

    his obedience every day.
 
Our first federal head involved us in guilt, disgrace, and ruin;
  our second federal head bestows on us 

    righteousness, honor, and salvation.
 
Whatever we are either as sinners or saints,
  flows from connections.
 
God never justifies without a righteousness;
  but as we have not one, and
  cannot produce one,
  in order that he may justify us,
  he sent his own Son into the world,
  who did all the law commanded, and
  suffered all the law threatened, as a public person,
  and his perfect obedience is placed to the account
    of everyone at believes on his name.
 
By his one obedience many have been made righteous,
  and by his one obedience many will
    obtain justification, peace, and everlasting life.
 
My soul, look to Jesus as thy Substitute, and Representative!
 

Then let my Lord impute to me

His own obedience full and free,

As title to his bless;

And let his Spirit too implant

All Christian grace which I want,

As pledge of happiness.

 

James Smith 1849

BE STRONG IN THE GRAE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS.

 
 

Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 2:1

 
WE want to be strong in ourselves, or
  if we may not have confidence in ourselves,
  to have some fellow creature on whom we can rely.
 
But God will have us confide only in Jesus.
 
God would trust no one but Jesus, and
  we should not even wish to do so.
 
There is grace in Jesus.
All grace is in Jesus.
 
He says,
  “All things are delivered unto me of my Father.”
 
And the apostle says, “It pleased the Father,
  that in him should all fulness dwell.”
 
He is the fountain of grace, and
  we are to look to him at all times,
  and for all the grace we need.
 
He giveth liberally and upbraideth not.
 
Let us not fancy ourselves strong because
  of any grace we have received,
  or on account of the grace possessed by any one we love;
  but let us exercise confidence in Jesus alone,
  who giveth more grace.
 
We are as our faith is;
  if therefore our faith is fixed on Jesus,
  if we exercise steady confidence on his veracity,
  word, and love, we are strong.
 
But it is only as we feel weak in ourselves that we shall do so.
 

O may my soul on Jesus rest,

And with his comforts be supplied

And while his love constrains my breast,

Lean on the man that loved and died;

Not resting on a creature prop,

But on the Lord my strength and hope.

 
James Smith 1849

AWAKE, O SWORD, AGAIST MY SHEPHERD.

 

Awake, O sword, against my shepherd.
Zechariah 13:7

 
JESUS is Jehovah's shepherd.
 
He is entrusted with all the Lord's sheep.
 
They were committed to him, and
  he became responsible for them.
 
They sinned, and he was held accountable.
Their guilt was transferred to him.
 
He stood before God charged with their transgressions.
 
Therefore, though he was God's fellow,
  the sword of justice is called upon
  to awake and smite him.
 
And it did, for God “spared not his own son,
  but delivered him up for us all.”
 
And when the servants of justice were sent to apprehend him,
  he presented himself and said, “Whom seek ye?”
 
They said “Jesus of Nazareth.”
 
Then he said, “I am he.”
 
But pointing to his disciples who represented his flock,
  he said, “If ye seek me, let these go their way.”
 
And they were permitted to depart.
 
Beloved, if Jesus is our shepherd,
  he will preserve us from the sword of justice,
  the desert of sin, and
  will present us without fault
    before his Father in heaven.
 
O to see Jesus as wounded for our transgressions,
  as bruised for our iniquities!
 

O Lord of Host, and God of love!

We bless thee for this act of grace:

Amazing mercy sure we prove

Towards a lost rebellions race,

Which bid the sword awake and smite

Thine only Son, thy hearts delight!

 
James Smith 1849

THERE SHALL BE A FOUNTAIN OPENED.

 

There shall be a fountain opened.
Zechariah 13:1

 
AND blessed be God there has been.
 
A fountain to cleanse from all sin.
  A fountain open to all sinners.
  A fountain to which we can repair at all times.
 
Grace opened it, and grace keeps it open.
 
The precious blood of Jesus is that fountain.
  It was shed for sinners.
  It was shed for sin.
  Its efficacy is infinite and eternal.
  It has cleansed the vilest, and cleanses such still.
  Its virtue may be proved a thousand times.
  It not only suits the sinner, but the saint.
  It is just what the backslider wants.
 
Beloved, it is open this morning.
  It is open for us.
  Let us repair to it.
  Let us step into it.
 
Its virtues far exceed the famed Bethesda,
  it will heal more perfectly than did Siloam once.
 
O what a mercy that God should keep this fountain open!
What shall we do without it?
 
We could we have no peace,
  we could never obtain pardon,
  our case would be desperate.
 
But now there is ground for the strongest confidence.
 
We may exercise the liveliest hope.
 
This fountain not only cleanses, but it supplies us.
 
It opens heaven, and it brings down into
  our possessions all the riches of grace, and
  promises all the blessings of glory.
 

Come hither soul, defiled with sin,

And wash thy heart, and make it clean;

Oh! do not, do not pass it by.

For you must wash, or you must die.

 
James Smith 1849
 

BUY AND EAT WITHOUT MONEY

 

 

Buy and eat without money.
Isaiah 55:1

 
JESUS has every thing we do or can want and he has it to dispose of.
 
He invites us to come and buy,
  but he bids us come without money,
  for his blessings have no price.
 
They are all invaluable.
 
They are all free.
 
But we must come with the spirit of a buyer,
  of one who goes to market determined to purchase,
  let the price be what it may.
 
We are to procure necessities yea, luxuries.
 
Not only bread, but wine and milk.
 
All the fruits of the celestial Canaan
  are presented to us by Jesus,
  and we are invited to receive them,
   we are exhorted to process them.
 
Beloved, have you any taste for the spiritual provisions?
 
Have you any desire for the blessings of grace and glory?
 
If so, Jesus calls you to him,
  he wishes to confer them upon you;
  he is willing, yea, desirous that you should be happy.
 
Stand no longer at a distance.
 
Delay not, but this morning go to Jesus;
  go and tell him that you are come to obtain pardon,
  peace, righteousness, holiness, and eternal life.
 
Take your sins, your guilt, your trials, your rags;
  and exchange them for pardon, righteousness, peace,
    holiness, and a title to endless glory.
 
Go and say, ---
 

Take my burdens for thy rest,

Take my death for the life given,

Take my rags for thy rich vest,

Take my hell for thy sweet heaven.

 
James Smith 1849

BEHOLD ME, BEHOLD ME.

 
SEPTEMBER 13.
 

Behold me, behold me.
Isaiah 65:1

 
THESE are the words of Jesus.
 
His words to the gentile sinners.
He calls for our attention.
 
He says, “Behold me.”
 
Let us direct our attention to him.
 
He is worthy of it.
 
He is the author of creation,
  the preserver of men,
  the Saviour of sinners.
 
Let us behold him in his true character 

  as revealed in his word;
  in his absolute dominion over all flesh;
  as having made provision for our deliverance from sin,
  Satan, death, and hell; and
   as ready to receive, pardon, and bless us.
 
Let us behold him cradled in the manger,
  baptized in the Jordan,
  transfigured on the mount,
  working in the streets of Judah,
  agonizing in Gethsemane,
  standing before Pilate and Caiaphas,
  but especially let us behold him dying on the cross.
 
Here justice appears satisfied.
 
Here his mercy is exalted.
 
Here his wisdom is displayed.
 
Here his love is glorified.
 
Let us behold him in his word,
  he points to it and says
   “Behold my power engaged for you,
     my promise pledge to you,
     my arms open to receive you,
     my witnesses testifying to encourage you.”
 
Let us behold him and exercise faith in him,
  address our prayers to him, and
  pour out our gratitude before him.
 

Behold the man! his wounds, his smart!

See how he loved and died!

The sight will melt thy stony heart;

And crucify thy pride.

 
James Smith 1849
 

THOU DIDST HIDE THY FACE, AND I WAS TROUBLED.

 
SEPTEMBER 12.
 

Thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
Psalm 30:7

 
THE believer can find no substitute

  for the presence of his God;
  and having once enjoyed it,
  he cannot be happy or satisfied without it.
 
The presence of God weans him from the world,
  gives him victory over his foes,
  sweetens all the sorrows,
  sanctifies all his afflictions,
  brightens all his evidences, and
  strips death and the grave of all their terrors.
 
When he has the presence of his God,
  he can work in God's vineyard,
  walk in God's way, and
  fight the good fight of faith.
 
Nothing daunts him. Nothing is too hard for him.
 
But when the Lord hides his face, then he is troubled.
 
Satan renews his attacks.
 
Corruption within revive and gather strength.
 
Ordinances become unsavory.
 
Closet duties are dull and lifeless.
 
His prospects are dreary and discouraging.
 
Nothing is right, for he frets, finds fault, sighs, groans, 

  and cries out from the depths of his soul,
    “O when wilt thou come unto me!”
    “Wilt thou not revive me again,
      that my soul may give thanks unto thee.”
 
Reader, have you ever enjoyed the light of God's countenance?
 
Have you ever mourned under the hiding of his face?
 
Can your heart say, --
 

Thou art the life of all my joys,

Thy presence makes my heaven;

Whatever else my Lord denies,

Thy presence, Lord, be given?

 
James Smith 1849