FOR WITH THE LORD THERE IS MERCY

 
EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith


 

JUNE 21

Psalm 130:7

Let Israel hope in the LORD: for with the LORD

there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

 
Mercy has been shewn to us, but it dwells in God.
 
It is one of his perfections.
 
There is mercy with the Lord in all his fulness, he never was more merciful than now, nor he never will be.
 
There is mercy with the Lord in all its tenderness, 

  he is full of compassion, 

    his bowels are troubled for us, 

      his tender mercies are over us.
 
There is mercy with him in all its variety, it suits every case.
 
Here is mercy that receives sinners, 

  mercy that restores backsliders, 

  mercy that keeps the believers.
 
Here is the mercy that pardons sin, 

  that introduces to the enjoyment of all gospel privileges, and 

  that blesses the praying soul far beyond its expectations.
 
With the Lord there is mercy and he loves to display it, 

  he is ready to impart it, 

    he is determined to exalt and glorify it.
 
There is mercy with the Lord, the should encourage the miserable to approach him; this informs the fearful, they need bring nothing to induce him to bless them, this calls upon backsliders to return to him, and this is calculated to cheer the tried Christian, under all his troubles and distresses.
 
Mercy may be obtained by any sinner.
 

Believer, on the Lord recline.

His mercy’s boundless and divine!

See from the cross how wide its flows,

Beyond the extent of all thy woes!

 
James Smith

THE LORD'S PORTION IS HIS PEOPLE

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 20

 

Deuteronomy 32:9

For the LORD’s portion is his people;

 Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. 

 
We are filled with gratitude and joy, when we say, “The Lord is my portion:” but it is enough to fill us with wonder and astonishment to read, “The Lord’s portion is his people.”
 
He is so great, and they are so insignificant; he is so holy, and they are so polluted; he is so glorious, and they are so mean.
 
But he chose them in preference to others. When all lay before his eye.
 
He redeemed them, when enslaved and alienated from him.
 
He claimed them, when held fast by their tyranising foe.
 
He possesses  and enjoys them as the objects of his love.
 
He inhabits them as his temple, he protects them as his children, and he will dignify them in heaven for ever.
 
They are the Lord’s lot, his inheritance, his vineyard, his garden, his spouse.
 
Think, believer, of the honour conferred upon you, in calling you the Lord’s portion!
 
Once a wandering sheep, but now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop  of you soul.
 
Angels are never called his portion—his jewels, but you are.
 
Walk as the Lord’s chosen bride, who is going home to be openly united to her beloved bridegroom.
 
It is by favour that you are distinguished.
 

His portion is his care,

He keeps it day and night,

No other can with this compare,

‘Tis Jesu’s chief delight.

 
James Smith
 

I OBTAINED MERCY

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 19

 

1 Timothy 1:13

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor,

and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because

I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

 

Paul was a blasphemer, a persecutor, and very injurious to the cause of Christ; but the Lord showed him mercy as a pattern to them which should hereafter believe.

 

Here we see that mercy is free for the vilest; that the Lord has mercy upon sinners, just because he will have mercy.

 

Paul obtained it without seeking, any one may by seeking it.

 

The mercy obtained, always brings a complete pardon for all past sins, however numerous or flagrant they may have been.

 

It brings peace to the conscience, however troubled or distressed.

 

It produces holiness in the heart which will appear in the life; it leads the soul to desire and seek the knowledge of Christ above all other things, and to count everything but dross and dung in comparison with it.

 

It fortifies the mind to meet, endure, and pass through trials and tribulation for Christ’s sake. It leads to friendship with God, concern for the church of Jesus by string and various ties.

 

Reader, has mercy had the same effect on you as it had on Paul?

 

Whenever mercy is obtained, the fruits and effects of its reception will appear.

 

Mercy I cannot claim,

But since thy mercy’s free,

And I so poor and helpless am,

Have mercy, Lord, on me.

 

James Smith

 

THOU RESTRAINETH PRAYER BEFORE GOD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 18

Job 15:4

Yea, thou castest off fear, and

restraineth prayer before God.

 
This change, brought against Job, may often be justly brought against us: for though prayer is one of the most delightful privileges, and is enjoyed as such when under the influence of the Spirit of adoption, yet when a spirit of bondage prevails, or we get worldly minded, it is rather a task than a pleasure.
 
Often are we tempted to keep away from the Lord, because we are so lukewarm, or cold, or dead; whereas these are the very things which should drive us to him.
 
Never let us wait for a better frame, or more convenient season, but let us go as we are, and whenever an opportunity offers, to a throne of grace.
 
For if we restrain prayer before God, we shall soon get cold, careless, and lifeless, if we are not so; sin will gather strength, all our graces will be weakened, and the gift of prayer will wither.
 
Our tempters will become carnalised, our peace will be disturbed, and the enjoyment of religion will fade.
 
Restraining prayer is directly opposed to God’s word, it is yielding to Satan, grieving the Holy Spirit, and must end in mischief.
 

Father, to my heart appear,

Pleased and smiling in thy son:

Conscious of thy presence near,

Bow’d and humble at thy throne.

Then I in thy sight shall stay,

Always fear, and always pray.

 
James Smith

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 17

 

Luke 17:21

Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there!

For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

 
Jehovah erects his throne in the hearts of his people.
 
He reigns over the world, but he reigns in them.
 
The Christian is at once the habituation, the temple, and the kingdom of God.
 
In us he dwells and reigns.
 
This kingdom includes reconciliation to God, friendship with God, and entire submission to the will of God, brought about by the application of the atonement, the manifestation of divine favour, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost.
 
Where Jehovah reigns, the soul is justified through the righteousness of Christ, enjoys holy peace and fellowship with God, and is happy in a sense of the paternal love of God.
 
The enmity of the heart is slain, the darkness of the mind is dispersed, the carnality of the affections is removed, and the person is brought into subjection to the obedience of Christ.
 
The will of God becomes law, the person and work of Christ precious, and the glory of God the object sought.
 
The enemy is a friend, the rebel a loyal subject, the alien a beloved child.
 
If the kingdom of God is within is, we ought to be in the church of God by a scriptural profession and should so walk as to please God.
 

Reign in me, Jehovah, reign,

Let my rebel lusts be slain;

Righteousness and peace impart,

Fill with holy joy my heart.

 
James Smith

IT KNEW HIM NOT.

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 16

 

1 John 3:1

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, 

that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world

 knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

 
The world knew not Jesus when he sojourned below; 

 the generality of men do not know him now.
 
They do not know the love which glows in his bosom, 

 which brought him to tabernacle in the flesh, and 

 made him a man of sorrows, and the familiar of grief.
 
They knew not the sweetness of his disposition, or 

  the kindness of his intention toward fallen, polluted man. 

They know not his willingness to receive, 

  his determination to bless, and 

  his engagement to save, 

  all who flee for refuge in his arms.
 
They know not the glory of his person, 

  the extent of his authority, or

   the value of his atoning blood.
 
They have no just idea of the condescension he displays, 

  the extent of the sufferings he endured, or 

  the invaluable blessings which he freely bestows on the lost and undone.
 
No one knows the Saviour who does not love him.
 
Every one who believes in him, knows him; and 

 every one that knows him will believe his word, 

 rest on his glorious atonement, and rejoice in his veracity.
 
Jesus, to be known must be revealed.
 
The Holy Spirit must enlighten our minds, 

  unfold his character, and apply the word 

   or we shall not know him.
 

Come, Holy Spirit, now reveal

The Son of God to me;

THY powerful influence let me feel,

And all HIS glories see.

 
James Smith

THEY ARE THE SONS OF GOD

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

JUNE 15

 

Romans 8:14

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God,

they are the sons of God.

 
Who are the sons of God?
 
As many as are led by the Spirit of God.
 
To what does the Spirit lead the sons of God?
 
To know their need of a Saviour. 

  To perceive the exact suitability of the Lord Jesus, 

  to fly to him for refuge, to rest alone on his perfect work. 

  To receive from him life, light, and holy peace.
 
In brief, he leads them to loathe themselves,

   repent of sin, separate from the world, 

   cleave to Jesus, walk with God, follow after holiness,

   and devote themselves to the Lord’s service and praise.
 
Those who are thus led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
 
They were predestinated to the adoption of children before time.
 
They are now declared to be the children of the Most High.
 
They are born of God, they are taught of God, 

  they are the beloved of God, 

    they are treated as children, 

     they are heirs of God, 

       they are associated with the Lord Jesus, 

         they are appointed to share in the highest honours, 

             to enjoy the purest bliss.
 
Beloved, are we led by the Spirit?
 
Has he led us this day to Jesus?
 
If we are the sons of God we are safe.
 
We shall be supplied.
 

Send forth the Spirit of thy Son,

O God, into my panting heart,

That govern’d by thy love alone,

From thee I never may depart,

But following my celestial guide,

Be numbered with the glorified.

 
James Smith