God Hath Dealt Graciously

Evening Devotion 

DECEMBER 31

 

… God hath dealt graciously with me,

Genesis 33:11

 
Is not this our language to-night?
 
Brought through another year; a year of trials, temptations, and storms; and yet a year crowned with innumerable mercies.
 
Every want supplied.
 
Every promise fulfilled.
 
Ten thousand evils prevented.
 
Unnumbered blessings bestowed.
 
What sins we have committed!
 
What duties we have neglected!
 
What privileges we have slighted!
 
How faithfulness we have been, and yet how faithful our God.
 
Not one thing has failed of all that he promised, all is come to pass.
 
Our obligations are infinite.
 
Our praises should be constant.
 
Our lives should be entirely devoted.
 
Our persons wholly consecrated to God.
 
Yes, he hath dealt graciously with me, in pardoning me sins, in hearing my prayers, in subduing my foes, in protecting my person, in guiding my feet, and enabling me to hold on in his good ways.
 
O my soul, trust in the Lord, he is thy help and thy shield!
 
Call upon him in every future trouble.
 
Surrender to him all that is fear and valuable in thy esteem.
 
Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him, and trust him more heartily than ever,
 

Then in the history of my age,

When men review my days,

They’ll read his love in every page,

In every line his praise.

 
James Smith
 

 

Cleanse Thou Me

 

Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 30

 

… cleanse thou me from secret faults.

Psalm 19:12

 
No one but a Christian will heartily use this prayer.
 
It intimates such an acquaintance with the human heart, and such a desire for true holiness, as none can experience except taught of God.
 
And here is one, who supposes that there are faults which he has not detected, follies which have escaped his notice, and he prays to be cleansed from them.
 
He would not only have them pardoned, but the stain of them erased; he desires to be kept from them in the future.
 
Our secret faults are numerous, they often spring from inclination, from the unspiritual state of our souls.
 
But the fountain of a Saviour’s blood will cleanse form them all; and the power of the Holy Spirit can preserve us from a similar course in the future.
 
We need be filled with the Spirit if we are to keep our hearts with all diligence, if we are to preserve a watch over our souls in private as well as in public; let us seek this blessing.
 
Christians once enjoyed it, and we are exhorted to possess it; for the Apostle says, “Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit.”
 
Lord, who can all his wanderings know?
Or watch where guilt begins?
Then let thy grace my heart renew,
And cleanse from secret sins.
 
James Smith

But Their Heart

 


Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 29

… but their heart is far from me.

Matthew 15:8

 
And yet they appeared devout.
 
They passed among men for very religious characters.
 
Their devotions were formal.
 
There was no life in their service.
 
They were without sincerity, fervency, or desire.
 
They were satisfied with the form, without the power.
 
They had a name to live, but they were dead.
 
This is the case with too many now.
 
They pass for saints, but are not sanctified.
 
They are considered worshippers, but their hearts are far from God.
 
Now the man is as his heart is.
 
God looketh at the heart.
 
Beloved, is your heart near to God to-night?
 
It is when our desires go out after him.
 
When the expectation is from him.
 
When the soul bows in reverence before him.
 
When the expectation is from him.
 
When our lively and interested thoughts are employed about him.
 
When all our powers are prostrated before him, or presented to him.
 
God is now looking at your heart.
 
Do you sigh and desire to get near him?
 
Do you mourn and grieve over your distance from him?
 
If so, he looks upon you with pity, and accepts the willing mind.
 
They who live near to God here, will live with God for ever.
 

Why should my foolish passions rove?

Where can such sweetness be

As I have tasted in thy love,

As I have found in thee?

 
James Smith
 
 

Therefore Are They Before the Throne

 Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 28

 

Therefore are they before the throne of God,

Revelation 7:15

 
Why?
 
They were in great tribulation for Jesus’ sake.
 
They endured persecution, 

  temptation, 

    the inward conflict,

     sickness, 

       sorrow, and 

          a variety of afflictions, 

   looking unto Jesus and seeking to please and glorify him.
 
They were in great tribulation, but they were not overwhelmed by it.
 
They passed through it with courage, being divinely supported.
 
They frequently contracted defilement in this filthy world, 

  but they hated sin and often lifted themselves on account of it, and 

    they washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
 
They prized and enjoyed the open fountain.
 
THEREFORE are they before the throne.
 
They are now safe—accepted—approved—happy.
 
They serve God day and night in his temple.
 
They serve without weakness—weariness—drowsiness.
 
They serve him cheerfully—perfectly—and uninterruptedly.
 
They are freed from all want and pain.
 
They hunger no more.
 
They thirst no more.
 
God dwells among them.
 
The Lamb feeds them in person, 

  rules them in love, and 

    leads them to the ever-flowing fountain of life: 

      and God has wiped away every tear from their eyes.
 

With wondering joy the recollect

Their fears and danger past;

And bless the wisdom, power, and love

Which brought them safe at last.

 
James Smith
 

For With Thee

 
Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 27

 

For with thee is the fountain of life:

Psalm 36:9

 
All life is from God.
 
All creatures are sustained by God.
 
He giveth life, and breath, and all things.
 
Our existence here is dependent on his will, 

  so also is the comfort of our life.
 
But from him proceeds spiritual life.
 
The energy that quickens us.
 
The divine principle which exists within us.
 
We are born of God.
 
He holdeth our souls in life.
 
He also revives us and makes us lively.
 
Beloved, do you feel dull, lifeless, and inactive to-night?
 
Are you sighing for a deeper enjoyment of the Saviour’s presence?
 
Fix your mind upon this precious truth, 

   with you God “is the fountain of life.”
 
He can easily direct one of its streams into your soul.
 
He can revive you in one moment.
 
If he lifts up the light of his countenance

  —if he whispers pardon and peace

  —if the Holy Spirit but gently breathes upon you, 

      you will be happy, all will be well.
 
Go then direct to the throne of grace, 

  lay your whole case before your God, 

    tell him how dull and lifeless you feel, 

      appeal to him as the fountain of life, 

        plead the powerful name and precious blood of Jesus, 

          and God will hear you.
 

Life, like a fountain rich and free,

Springs from the presence of the Lord;

And in thy light our souls shall see,

The glorious promis’d in thy word.

 
James Smith
 

Should It Be According

 
Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 26

 

Should it be according to thy mind?

Job 34:33

 

Many appear to think so.
 
If we may judge by their conduct they think that the Most High should have consulted their case, their fancy, and their aggrandizement.
 
The gospel is not just what they would like it to be.
 
Providence does not work as they desire.
 
Few things are exactly as they should be.
 
Should it be to thy mind?
 
Is not thy mind carnal, selfish, prejudice?
 
If it were according to the mind would not God’s glory be obscured?
 
Would not others suffer, and thine own danger be greater?
 
Is not thy God wiser, kinder, and holier than thou art?
 
Does he not love justice?
 
Are not his mercies over all his works?
 
True, you may be afflicted you may be poor, you may be sickly, what then?
 
You are wishing for health, for a competency, for freedom from trials, but, “should it be according to thy mind?”
 
Beloved, let us guard against such a spirit, it is criminal, it is dangerous.
 
The thing is impracticable, your God must govern, he is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.
 
His ways are just, his plans are wise, his designs are merciful, and when the work is complete, every part will reflect his glory.
 

Let saints proclaim Jehovah’s praise,

And acquiesce in all his ways,

He keeps eternity in sight,

And what his hand performs is right.

 
James Smith
 
 

Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem

 
Evening Devotion

DECEMBER 25

 

… Jesus was born in Bethlehem

Matthew 2:1

 
When Jesus was born, 

  we do not exactly know, 

    God hath concealed it; 

      but THAT he was born, is most plainly revealed.
 
We know where he was born, and why he was born.
 
He had eternally existed as God.
 
He was one with, and equal to the Father.
 
But he became man.
 
He was born in Bethlehem.
 
He was a weak and helpless infant, and 

   yet at the same time the Mighty God, 

      the Everlasting Father, 

         the Prince of peace.
 
Deity and humanity untied in his person.
 
He took our nature to take away our sins.
 
He became a man in order to be a Saviour.
 
He came on purpose to save sinners.
 
This was his object.
 
For this he lived, and laboured, and suffered and died.
 
He came to be our substitute.
 
He was born once, that we might be born again.
 
He died once, that we might not experience the second death, 

  but live for ever.
 
His birth was the greatest display of condescension, 

  which heaven or earth ever witnessed.
 
It was introductory to his obedient life, 

  meritorious death, 

    victorious resurrection, 

       triumphant ascension, and 

          glorious second advent.
 
He was born in Bethlehem, 

   in weakness and poverty; 

     he will soon come to earth again, 

        with power and great glory.
 

God is in our flesh reveal’d

Heaven and earth in Jesus join,

Mortal with immortal fill’d

And human with divine.

 
James Smith