THEY CRUCIFIED HIM

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 14

 

Matthew 27:35

And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots:

that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet,

They parted my garments among them,

and upon my vesture did they cast lots.

 
The Father delivered him up, Judas betrayed him, and then they crucified him.
 
Let us consider the design of God in his death.
 
It was to satisfy the claims of justice, 

  to clear his holiness in the salvation of the people, 

  to display his wisdom, to manifest his mercy, 

  to put away our sins, and 

  to disclose the wonders of his love.
 
Let us notice what Jesus displayed when he was crucified.
 
Here we see his filial obedience to his Father, 

  his implicit trust in God, 

    his surprising patience under suffering, 

      his meek forgiving spirit, 

        his astonishing love to his people, and 

          his entire submission to the divine will.
 
Let us observe what man discovered in this transaction.
 
What base ingratitude!
 
What inexcusable cruelty!
 
What insulting pride!
 
What profound ignorance!
 
What fickle instability!
 
Judas show the power and tendency of covetousness.
 
The Pharisees, the envy and cruelty which lurks under self-righteousness.
 
Pilate, the effect of the fear of man.
 
His disciples, the weakness which may be found, in honest hearts.
 
Here, Jehovah is most clearly revealed.
 
The nature of sin is set forth.
 
Go to the cross to repent, to believe. It is—
 

The balm of life, the cure of woe,

The measure and the pledge of love:

The sinner’s refuge here below,

The angel’s theme in heaven above.

 
James Smith
 

GOD FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HATH FORGIVEN YOU.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 13

 

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, even as 

God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. 

 
The pardon of all our sins is one of God’s greatest blessings; 

  and to know and enjoy it is one of our greatest privileges.
 
Our God is a pardoning God.
 
He pardons freely.
 
He pardons frequently.
 
He pardons willingly.
 
He pardons heartily.
 
He pardons justly.
 
He pardons for ever, so that sin is forgiven and forgotten.
 
But he only pardons for Christ’s sake.
 
It is not for the sake of repentance, or faith, or for good works, 

  but for the sake of Christ alone.
 
Jesus hath once suffered for our sins, 

  the just for the unjust, 

    that he might bring is to God.
 
He hath made a full, complete, and everlasting atonement for our sins; 

  he put them away by the sacrifice of himself.
 
So that when we believe in Jesus, 

  receive the record God hath given of his Son, 

  approach the throne of grace and 

  plead for pardon in his name, 

  the Father does honour to his Son by pardoning us.
 
Every believer is pardoned.
 
He is forgiven all transgressions.
 
His sins are all blotted out.
 
He is justified from every charge.
 
Who is he that condemneth?
 
God hath justified us. 

  Jesus died for our sins according to his will. 

    He obtained for us eternal redemption.
 

Oh! may I practically show,

My interest in this grace;

Be all I am, and have, and do,

Devoted to thy praise!

 
James Smith

THY COMFORTS DELIGHT MY SOUL

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 12

 

Psalm 94:19

In the multitude of my thoughts within me

 thy comforts delight my soul.

 
Our circumstances are often trying, and our thoughts very perplexing and depressing; but our God has provided comfort for us.
 
A fulness of comfort—a supply of comfort for all times.
 
What comfort is wrapped up in the precious promises, in the perfect work of Jesus, in the everlasting covenant, in the prospect of a complete and everlasting deliverance from all sin, suffering, and sorrow.
 
We have everything in ourselves calculated to make us uncomfortable, but in our God we have everything that can make us happy.
 
Our own thoughts are often a source of grief, but the thoughts of our God are full of love, peace, and joy.
 
O  what a comfort it is to us to have a friend that loveth at all times, a brother born for adversity!
 
An advocate with the Father, ever making intercession for us!
 
To know that we are in union with Jesus, that the union is so close that he knows every thought, sympathises with us in every pain, and will bring us where he is in exact likeness to himself.
 
He is our head, we are his body.
 
Precious truth this, that Christ and his church are one!
 
How full of holy comfort!
 
What an antidote it is against despondency and despair!

 

When mournful thoughts within me roll,

And rush upon my labouring breast,

Thy comforts shall me heart console,

While on thy promises I rest.

 

James Smith

HE IS NOT ASHAMED TO CALL THEM BRETHREN

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 11

 

Hebrews 11:2

For both he that sanctifieth and they who are

 sanctified are all of one: for which cause 

he is not ashamed to call them brethren.

 
This truly is wonderful, especially if we consider the amazing contrast between us.
 
This is very great, as it represents his purity and our pollution—

  his wealth, and our poverty—

  his strength and our weakness—

  his happiness and our misery—

  his knowledge and our ignorance—

  his dignity and our degradation—

  his society and our company.
 
But though the contrast is so great he acknowledges us, and

  there is a degree of likeness, we have the same Father, even God; 

  we possess his nature, spirit, and image in a degree; 

  our work and his are the same, to glorify God; 

  our cause and interest are identified with his; 

  our aim and end are one with his; and

   his heaven is to be our eternal home.
 
We are often ashamed of ourselves, and ashamed of one another; 

  the world is ashamed of us, but Jesus never is.
 
He owns us in heaven before his Father, 

  on the throne of judgment by and bye.
 
If Jesus is not ashamed to call us brethren, 

  never let us be ashamed to own each other, 

    though in some things we differ.
 
Jesus owns us all.
 

Lord, what is man’s distinguish’d race,

Whom thou dost for thy brethren own,

Crown’d with a dignity and grace

To brightest Seraphim unknown!

 
James Smith

BELOVED OF GOD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 10

 

Romans 1:7

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father,

and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 
What a privilege is this!
 
It is the source of all real good.
 
How are the Lord’s beloved ones known?
 
By their faith in Jesus, and obedience to his word.
 
By their love to God, and their zeal for his glory.
 
By their hope in God, and patient endurance of his will.
 
What are the honours they possess?
 
They are the brethren of Jesus—

   they are the companions of God, with whom he daily walks-

   they are the residence of the Holy Ghost—

   they are watched over, befriended, and supplied by providence.
 
They are attended by angels- they are heirs of all things.
 
What are their prospects?
 
Victory and triumph over all their foes. The enjoyment of holiness, happiness, and God.
 
Likeness to Jesus in body and soul. The possession of a throne of glory, a diadem of beauty, and a harp of celestial sweetness.
 
What are their duties?
 
To be very decided for God and his cause. To be entirely consecrated to God and his service.
 
To love his ordinances, practice his precepts, prefer his will, and walk with his people in all his ways.
 
Reader, are you beloved of God?
 
Do you love him?
 
Do you walk with him?
 

Now let me rise in Jesu’s name,

His arm my stay, his praise me aim:

Let unreserved obedience prove,

The truth and ardour of my love.

 
James Smith

BRETHREN, WE ARE DEBTORS

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 9

 

Romans 8:12

Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, 

not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

 
Favours bestowed on the undeserving always increase their obligations; 

we are debtors creatures, but more so as new creatures.
 
We are indebted to sovereign grace, 

  for a name in God’s book of purpose and promise; 

    for an interest in the Saviour’s person, office, and work; 

      for the benefits resulting from his obedience, death, and ascension.
 
We are debtors to atoning blood, 

   for by it justice is satisfied, 

     we are delivered from the wrath of God, and 

       are rescued from the power of Satan.
 
We are debtors to divine influence, 

  for by it we were quickened when dead in trespasses and sins, 

  are taught the will of God, and are introduced into liberty and safety.
 
Beloved, let us endeavour to feel our obligations; 

   we owe a debt of love and gratitude, 

    let us therefore revere our heavenly Father’s commands; 

     observe and do our loving Saviour’s precepts; 

    attend to all the Holy Spirit’s intimations; and 

 how with cheerful submission to all the dispensations of divine providence.
 
As debtors, let us be humble, let us be honest, and 

  acknowledge that we are not our own, our talents 

  are not our own, but all are the Lord’s.
 

The love I owe for sin forgiven,

Through satisfaction made;

For present peace and promised heav’n,

Can never be repaid.

 
James Smith

THE BREASTPLATE OF FAITH AND LOVE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 8

1 Thessalonians 5:8

But let us, who are of the day, be sober,

putting on the breastplate of faith and love;

and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

 
We are surrounded by foes, and are in a state of perpetual conflict.
 
Armour is provided for us by the great Captain of the whole of it 

and we are directed to take the whole of it and use it for our defence.
 
The breastplate which is to guard the heart,
   is composed of faith and love;
    the two principal graces of the Spirit.
 
Faith is confidence in God.
 
Love is affection for him.
 
Faith always begets love, and love strengthens faith;
  together they make the Christian a match for his foes.
 
Faith always embraces the Lord Jesus as the Saviour,
  Friend, and Lord of poor sinners; and
   love delights in him as the visible Jehovah,
     the fountain of grace; and the brightness of glory.
 
Faith receives the promises and trusts them,
  love calls forth admiration and renders praise for the same.
 
Faith appropriates the righteousness of Christ for justification,
  love delights in the person of Christ as supremely glorious.
 
Faith daily leads to the open fountain for cleansing,
  love conducts to the throne for intercourse and communion.
 
Faith looks to Christ for support, love goes forth to labour or suffer in his cause.
 

Let faith and love, most holy God!

Possess this soul of mine:

So shall I conquer all my foes,

And reach the joys divine.

 
James Smith