A FRIEND OF PUBLICANS AND SINNERS

 

A friend of publicans and sinners.
Matthew 11:19

 
THIS was said of Jesus by way of reproach,
  but it is his true glory.
 
He is the friend of sinners.
 
We need a friend,
  but no one but Jesus could possibly perform
    the friendly part.
 
Our state must have been desperate without him,
  and to restore us cost him all he had.
 
Never did creatures so much need a friend,
  never were there creatures so little deserved of a friend,
  and never was there such a friend as Jesus.
 
He gave his person for ours, his life for ours;
  he opened the treasures of his grace to meet
  all demands that could be made upon us, and
  to supply all the wants experienced by us.
 
He was a friend on earth,
  he is our friend in heaven.
 
He is the perfect model of friendship,
  we may go to him in all our troubles,
  ask of him a supply of all our wants,
  consult him in all our difficulties,
  trust him in all our times of trial, and
  expect him to send us all that is really necessary.
 
He engaged for us in covenant,
  he died for us on Calvary,
  he pleads for us in heaven, and
  he will soon come and fetch us
  that we may dwell with him for ever.
 
O for the grace to love him, trust him,
  and obey him as we ought!
 
All for more familiarity with him!
 

The title that was meant to scorn,

He takes and binds upon his brow;

And thus the guilty and forlorn,

Are taught his character to know.

 
James Smith 1849

 

A MAN SHALL BE AS AN HIDING PLACE.

 

A man shall be as an hiding place.
Isaiah 32:2

 
GOD only provides what is necessary for us,
  but he provides all that is necessary.
 
The present world is like a bleak and cheerless desert,
  the climate is very changeable, and
  we are exposed to piercing, cutting winds.
 
Sometimes dangerous errors,
  sometimes deep afflictions,
  sometimes searching and soul-distressing trials,
  like violent winds,
  blow upon us and fill us with alarm and dread;
    at such time a hiding place is necessary.
 
Jesus, the man who is God's fellow;
  Jesus, who is one near to us, and
  can sympathize with us;
  Jesus, who has himself been exposed to all
   the bitter blast of the wilderness;
  Jesus, who can give rest and safety,
   is appointed to be our hiding place.
 
He will hide us from the wrath of God,
  the rage of hell, and
  the injurious effects of trials and troubles.
 
He is presented to us, and
  God commands us to enter into him,
  he is near to us, and
  contains all we need.
 
Beloved, do you see and feel your need for this hiding place?
 
Do you fear to enter it - to trust in it?
 
Fear not, it has received, sheltered, and
  preserved thousands such as you.
 
Are you in it?
 
If so, abide in it,
  no where else will you find such safety,
   or enjoy such repose.
 

A few more rolling suns at most,

Will land me on fair Canaan's coast;

There I shall sing the song of grace,

And see my glorious hiding place.

NOW IS CHRIST RISEN FROM THE DEAD.

 

Now is Christ risen from the dead.
I Corinthians 15:20

 
THE resurrection of Jesus should fill us with joy.
 
It is the proof that his sacrifice was accepted,
  that his foes were conquered,
  that his Father was well pleased.
 
He was seized as our Surety,
  he was punished as our Substitute,
  he died as our Representative, and
  he arose as our glorious Deliverer.
 
The resurrection of Jesus says,
  “Sin is put away,
   righteousness is brought in,
   Satan is defeated,
   death is unstrung,
   justice is satisfied,
   the law is magnified,
   scripture is fulfilled,
   the gates of heaven are thrown open,
   God is at peace with us,
   eternal redemption is obtained, and
   salvation of all God's people is absolutely certain.”
 
Beloved,  Jesus is risen,
  therefore let us rise from earth, sin, and sadness; and
  let us set our affections on things above,
  put off the old man with his deeds, and
    rejoice in God our savior.
 
Jesus is risen, let us therefore trust in his merits,
  confide in his power, and rest on his word.
 
He is now gone into heaven for us,
  he is there as our Advocate, and
  he ever pleads our cause before his Father, and
   against every foe.
 

Christ hath the ransom paid;

The glorious work is done;

On him our help is laid;

By him our victory won;

Captivity is captive led

For Jesus liveth, that was dead.

 
James Smith 1849

I WILL LOVE THEE, O LORD, MY STRENGTH

 

I will love thee, O Lord, my strength.
Psalm 18:1
 

REAL religion flows from God’s love to us,
and consists in our love to God.
 
Our love is excited and drawn forth by
  the displays of God’s love to us.
 
When he pardons our sins,
  speaks peace to our consciences,
  conquers our fears,
  relieves our distresses,
  supplies our wants,
  gives us victory over our foes, and
  enables us to call him our Father, then we love him.
 
Our love is sincere and hearty,
  supreme and abiding.
 
Not but it is interrupted in its exercise, and
  sometimes appears buried under the rubbish of our corruptions;
  but it will revive again,
  it will break forth anew.
 
Though damped, it never dies;
  it is like its author, immortal.
 
O to love God more!
 
O to enjoy his love shed abroad in our hearts more!
 
The Lord was David’s strength, deliver, and defence;
  he had proved the Lords power, faithfulness, and love;
  therefore he said, “I will love thee O Lord, my strength.”
 
Our God has been our strength,
  he is now our strength;
  let us therefore devoutly and earnestly pray
  the Holy Spirit to enable us to love;
     that so we may say, …
 

Thee will I love, my strength, my tower,

Thee will I love, my joy, my crown,

Thee will I love with all my power,

In all thy works, and thee alone,

Thee will I love till the pure fire,

Fill my whole soul with strong desire.

 
James Smith 1849

HE HATH FOLLOWED ME FULLY.

 
OCTOBER 26
 

He hath followed me fully.
Numbers 14:24
 

THIS was God’s testimony to the consistency of Caleb;
  may we obtain an equally good report.
 
To follow the Lord fully,
  is to follow him with all the heart,
  to follow him at all hazards, and
    to follow him all our days.
 
Except our hearts are engaged in obeying God's will,
  and imitating Christ example;
  except we're willing to risk everything in God's service,
  and for Christ honor;
  except we persevere in following the Lord below,
  until he calls us up above,
    we cannot be said to follow him fully.
 
There must be no reserve,
  no half heartedness,
  no cowardice,
  no seeking to please men at God's expense, or
  we do not follow the Lord fully.
 
Beloved, this is the only truly happy life.
 
This is the only truly useful life.
 
This is the only way to secure a blessed death, and
  a glorious reward at the resurrection of the just.
 
If we follow the Lord fully,
  some will reflect upon us,
  some will condemn us,
  but conscience will approve,
  saints will admire, and
   the Lord Jesus will commend.
 
Let us therefore make it our business
  to imitate the conduct of Caleb,
  so shall we inherit Caleb’s blessing,
   even a glorious portion in the promised land.
 

I cannot serve the Lord and sin;

I must decided be;

Though shame, reproach, and loss attend.

By grace I will serve thee.

 
James Smith 1849

UPHOLD ME WITH THY FREE SPIRIT

 
OCTOBER 25.
 

Uphold me with thy free Spirit.
Psalm 51:12

 
THE Holy Spirit always works freely, and
  leads the soul into freedom.
 
As Jesus did all without us,
  the Holy spirit does all within us.
 
We need his constant presence, power and grace.
 
Except he uphold us, we shall certainly fall.
 
David had fallen, he now deeply felt his weakness,
  and therefore he prays to be upheld by God’s free Spirit.
 
Let this be our daily prayer.
 
It will never be unsuitable.
 
We should have fallen before this,
  if God had not kept us; and
  we may fall any day,
  except we are upheld by an invisible arm.
 
This day Satan may lay some snare for us,
  this day our evil heart may deceive us,
  this day the world may lay some unexpected bait for us;
  and if so, unless the Holy Spirit opened our eyes,
  give us fresh supplies of grace, or
  hold us back by an invisible power,
  we shall disgrace our profession, dishonor God,
    and wound our own conscience.
 
Remember, Christian, you are deeply indebted to
  the Holy Spirit for your preservation.
 
Realize your obligation and dependence; and
  while you do so, seek the constant teaching, guidance,
  and the keeping of the blessed comforter.
 

May we daily grow in grace,

And pursue the heavenly race,

Train’d in wisdom, led by love,

Till we reach our rest above.

 
James Smith 1849

ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY HE SAVED US.

 
 
OCTOBER 24.
 

 According to his mercy he saved us.
Titus 3:5

 
GOD’S mercy is the fountain of every blessing.
 
We may trace every good thing that we receive or enjoy to this.
 
But the greatest thing that mercy ever did,
  was to save sinners.
 
Salvation is of the Lord.
 
It is a work of such magnitude,
  that no creature could ever have conceived it,
  nor could all the creatures of combined have executed it.
 
Jehovah, to display his wisdom, mercy, and
  power, determined to save;
  and to save according to his mercy,
  which always pities the poor,
  sympathizes with the miserable, and
  confers its blessings upon the unworthy.
 
If salvation was by desert, or
  on the ground of some excellent possessed, or
  for the sake of something the saved ones were to do,
  we must sit down in despair;
    for what do we deserve, but hell;
    what do we possess, but sin;
    what can we do,
  that is not polluted and worthless.
 
But now salvation is according to mercy,
  the vilest may hope;
  the most unworthy may enjoy the blessing.
 
Mercy can give what we never could expect or deserve.
 
Let us therefore expect to be saved by the mercy of God,
  through regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost.
 
By grace are ye saved.
 

      Tis not by works of righteousness

      Which our own hands have done;

      But we are saved by amazing grace

      Abounding through his Son.

 
James Smith 1849

HE WILL ABUNDANTLY PARDON.

 
OCTOBER 23.
 

He will abundantly pardon.
Isaiah 55:7

 
JEHOVAH does every thing like himself, like a God.
 
There is nothing of the creatures littleness
  or niggardliness about him.
 
If he bless, he blesses indeed.
If he make free, he makes free indeed.
If he pardon, he does it readily, cheerfully, completely.
 
He will multiply his pardons,
  until they go beyond the transgressions
  of the returning sinner, or morning backslider.
 
We are apt to think that God is backward to pardon,
  that we must do something to induce him;
  but the opposite of this is true the truth.
 
He is ready to forgive, and
  plenteous in mercy and
  to all them that call upon him.
 
All he requires is, that we be convinced of sin,
  desire to be delivered from it, and
  make a frank confession of it,
  pleading the sacrifice of his dear Son; and
  then he pardons instantly according to his word:
    “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
      to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us
      from all unrighteousness.”
 
Beloved, are you in a pardoned state? Or,
are you desiring to obtain the forgiveness of your sins?
 
If so, arise and go to the Lord's throne,
  confess your transgressions,
  plead the precious blood of Jesus, and
   he will abundantly pardon.
 

My sins are many like the stars,

Or sand upon the shore;

But yet the mercies of my God,

Are infinitely more.

 

James Smith 1849

ALL MEN SHOULD HONOUR THE SON

 

OCTOBER 22.
All men should honour the Son.
John 5:23

 
THIS is the Father's will, is it yours?
 
The Father wills that the Son should be honored
  equally with himself; and
  if our minds are spiritual,
  we shall rejoice that he does so.
 
Every soul that is taught by the Holy Spirit
  wishes to exhort, honour, and glorify Jesus.
 
We can never exalt him high enough to satisfy us.
 
We wish to praise him with warmer hearts and
  sweeter voices than the angels do.
 
He deserves to be honoured.
 
He is God equally with the Father.
 
He possesses all the divine attributes and perfections.
 
But he humbled himself,
  he made himself no reputation,
  he wore the servant’s form,
  he died the death of a slave, and for what?
 
To deliver us from the curse of the law,
  to save us from going down into the pit,
  to raise us to glory, honour, and immortal life.
 
Blessed be his dear name for his wonderful love!
 
Let heaven and earth praise him for his amazing grace.
 
Throughout eternity he will be honoured by
  all the saints for what he did for them,
  bestowed upon them, and secured them.
 
O that we could now praise him as he deserves, and
  render again according to that which he has done for us!
 

Whatever his Father's hath he claims;

His honours, attributes, and names;

He spread the starry skies abroad,

And heaven, and earth proclaim him God.

 
James Smith 1849

I WILL NOT CONTEND FOR EVER

 

 
I will not contend for ever.
Isaiah 57:16
 
AFFFLICTIONS are sometimes divine contentions.
 
If we will not obey the word,
  we shall feel the rod.
 
Our heavenly Father never makes us
  smart without a needs be for it.
 
But sometimes our afflictions are long continued, and
  we fancy they will never be removed.
 
Here therefore the Lord informs us,
  that he will not contend for ever.
 
Nor will be contend one moment longer that is necessary;
  but the child must yield,
  the proud spirit must bow,
  the haughty look must be brought down.
 
If we were to mortify the flesh,
  God would not mortify our spirits.
 
If we were to crucify the old man,
  God would not so try the new man.
 
We must be weaned from the world.
We must be made partakers of the afflictions of the gospel.
We must pass through the wilderness to Canaan.
 
The cross always comes before the crown, and
  the bitter before the sweet.
 
But the wilderness will soon be crossed,
  the death will soon lift the cross from our galled shoulder,
  and the spirit of heaviness will be exchanged
    for the garment of praise.
 
The Lord will not contend for ever;
  he will turn again;
  he will lift us from the dust, and
  cause us to inherit the throne of glory.
 

Light are the sufferings we endure,

Contrasted with eternal bliss;

Strength as the day, he does ensure,

Until we see him as he is.

 
James Smith 1849

WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST?

 
 OCTOBER 19.
 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35
 

CAN any thing occur which Jesus did not know?
 
Can any enemy arise foe whom Jesus is not prepared?
 
Did he know the end from the beginning?
 
Was he acquainted with all that is in us,
  with all that would be done by us, and
  with all that would happen to us,
   when he set his love upon us?
 
If he did not, can he be God?
 
If he did, is it likely that he will allow any thing which
  he foresaw from eternity, to separate us from his love?
 
Beloved, there is nothing new to Jesus,
  there can be nothing new;
  therefore as he fixed his love upon us,
  knowing the very worst of us,
  he will not allow any thing to turn away his love from us.
 
Once united to Christ, we remain united for ever.
 
Having loved his own, he loved them unto the end.
 
We may therefore look around upon all that threatens us,
  upon all that discourages us,
  upon all that is calculated to fill us with alarm, and ask,
  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
   I am persuaded, that nothing shall be able to separate
    us from the love of God, which is in
     Christ Jesus our Lord.”
 
Sweet truth this.
 
Lord help me to take the comfort of it.
 

No separation! cheers my heart,

And bids my fears subside;

My soul and Jesus cannot part,

For me he lived and died.

 
James Smith 1849

 

A GREAT FIGHT OF AFFLICTIONS

 
OCTOBER 18.
 

A great fight of afflictions.
Hebrews 10:32

 
PRIMITIVE believers were exposed to fiery trials,
and the most unmerciful persecutions.
 
In them see what true faith will bear, and
  what grace will enable us to overcome.
 
They had not only patience, but joy.
 
They took joyfully the spoiling of their goods.
 
They felt it an honour to be persecuted for the sake of Jesus.
 
They rejoiced to suffer for him,
  who had suffered so much for them.
 
They had the inward witness that Christ was theirs, and
  that they had in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
 
Nothing will enable us to suffer for Christ,
  like the assurance of an interest in Christ.
 
We may not have to battle with afflictions,
  just in the same way as the first Christians did;
  but we too must suffer.
 
Through much tribulation, inward or outward,
  we must enter into the kingdom of God.
 
Let us therefore prepare for it.
 
Let us get our evidences brightened,
  our sword sharpened,
  our courage increased,
  our confidence strengthened,
  that so we may withstand in the evil day, and
   having done all stand.
 
Jesus, our Captain, will lead us into the field, and
  if we look to him, trust in him, and copy his example,
  he will bring us off more than conquerors.

 

Trials may press of every sort,

They may be sore, they must be short;

We now believe, but soon shall view

The greatest glories God can show.

 
James Smith 1849

THOU WAST PRECIOUS IN MY SIGHT.

 
OCTOBER 17.
 
Thou wast precious in my sight.
Isaiah 43:4
 
ALL the Lord's people are precious in the Lord's sight:
  never was child so precious in the
  estimation of a fond mother,
  as the poorest, weakest believer, is to the Lord Jesus.
 
They are precious to him as creatures,
  as sinful creatures,
   but especially as regenerated creatures.
 
They are precious to him,
  therefore he lay down his life for them, and
  will never, never part with one of them.
 
Their persons are precious,
  their graces are precious,
  their prayers and praises are precious,
   and their life is precious.
 
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
 
Every thing he has done for them,
  said to them, or set before them,
  proves that they are precious to him.
 
His invitations, his expostulations, his promises,
  his exhortations, and his warnings, prove this.
 
They are precious to the Father, as his child;
  precious to the Son, as his bride;
  precious to the Holy Spirit, as his temple.
 
They are redeemed by precious blood,
  blessed with precious faith,
  interested in precious promises,
  entitled to precious things, and
   are comforted with God's precious thoughts.
 
If we are precious to Jesus,
  he will certainly be precious to us.
 

Hear, O my soul, what Jesus saith,

Nor tremble to depart;

For all his saints in life and death,

Are precious to his heart.

 
James Smith 1849

MY HEART SHALL REJOICE IN THY SALVATION

 
OCTOBER 16.
 

My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.
Psalm 13:5

 
WE may rejoice and this (thy salvation)
  when we can rejoice in nothing else.
 
It always suits us, and
  it is calculated to raise us above all that is
    gloomy, depressing, and sorrowful.
 
God’s salvation is his glory, and it is our best portion.
 
It is a deliverance from all that is
  injurious, degrading, and dreadful;
  a restoration to all that is
  beneficial, elevating, and delightful; and
  a title to joys more pure, treasures more vast, and
  honour more glorious than unfallen Adam ever experienced.
 
God salvation, is himself saving sinners in the most free,
  complete, and glorious manner.
 
Each of the Divine persons in Jehovah are engaged and
  employed in saving us, therefore we may well say,
    “My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.”
 
To be saved at all should fill us with gratitude and joy,
  but to be saved by the Lord,
  should it cause our hearts to leap for joy, and
  fill our mouths with constant song.
 
This should make us happy in the dreariest seasons, and
  cheer us in the most wintery day
 
O my soul, when thou canst not rejoice in thy frames, 

  thy friends, thy possessions, or immediate prospects,
    then rejoice in God’s salvation.
 

Rejoice, my soul, and prize thy lot,

Though trials should abound;

My Father's purpose changes not,

And he will have thee crowned.

 
James Smith 1849

MY FATHER.

 

My Father.
Jeremiah 3:4

 
THIS is a child’s cry: a word which no
  slave was allowed to use.
 
It is full of meaning.
It is full of love.
It is full of comfort.
It is a title which the Lord loves to hear us use,
  therefore, he says,
  “Wilt thou not call me, MY FATHER.”
 
Lord, give us the Spirit of adoption this morning, and
  let us see and feel,
  that we are thy children!
 
Believer, to whom will you repair in trouble?
To whom will you look in difficulty?
To whom will you cry in danger?
From whom will you expect and what?
 
Surely, I hear you say, “MY FATHER.”
 
And who speaks to you in the Bible?
Who tries you by his providence?
Who chastens you with his rod?
Who strips and cleanse you?
Who humbles and reproves you?
 
And again you will say, “MY FATHER.”
 
Who supports the world?
Who controls the nations?
Who chains up Satan?
Who blesses the church?
Who comforts the believer?
Who pardons the backslider?
Who received the sinner?
 
And again, you reply, “MY FATHER.”
 
Then I exhort you to trust your FATHER’S word,
  abide in your FATHER’S house,
  expect from your FATHER’S hand, and
   say in every trial, “I will arise and go to my FATHER.”

 

God is my Father, then I see,

He will all good bestow

In everlasting love to me,

His mercies daily flow.

 
James Smith 1849