Afflicted, Tormented, And Destroyed!
Let me give you a little abridgment of of the sufferings of some of the early Christians, "of whom the world was not worthy."
1. In the reign of Hadrian the emperor, there were ten thousand Christians crowned with a crown of thorns, thrust into the sides with sharp lances, and then crucified.
2. Others were so whipped, that their entrials were seen, and afterwards they were thrown upon sharp shells, and then upon sharp nails and thorns. And after all this cruelty, they were thrown to wild beasts to be devoured.
3. Multitudes were banished.
4. Others were pulled apart with wild horses.
5. Some were beaten and racked with bars of iron.
6. Others were cast into loathsome dungeons.
7. Some were burnt in the fire.
8. Others were knocked down and had their brains beaten out with staves and clubs.
9. Some were pricked in their faces and eyes with sharp reeds.
10. Others were stoned to death with stones, as Stephen was.
11. Some were dashed in pieces against millstones.
12. Others had their teeth dashed out of their jaws, and their joints broken.
13. Some were cast down from very high places.
14. Others were beheaded.
15. Some were tormented with razors.
16. Others were slain with the sword.
17. Some were run through with pikes.
18. Others were driven into the wilderness, where they wandered up and down, suffering hunger and cold, and where they were exposed to the fury both of wild beasts, and also to the rage of the barbarous Arabians.
19> Some fled into caves, which their persecutors cammed up with stones, and their they died.
20. Some were slain by being thrown in mines.
21. Others were hanged by the feet, and choked with the smoke of a small fire, their legs being first broken.
22. Lastly, many women had the joints of their bodies pulled from another, and their flesh and sides clawed with talons of wild beasts to the bones, and their breasts seared with torches until they died.
And thus you have an account of twenty-two different ways y which the precious sons and daughters of God have formerly been afflicted, tormented, and destroyed! What heart of stone can read over this list with dry eyes? And now tell me, sirs, whether your sufferings are worth a naming in that day, wherein the sufferings of the precious servants of God in the primitive times are spoken of? Oh, no! Well then, take heed of making molehills mountains, and of crying out, "Is there any sorrow compared to my sorrow; or any sufferings compared to my sufferings?"
~Thomas Brooks~
(The End)
Saturday, April 18, 2020
Saturday, April 11, 2020
Unreality In Religion # 2 (and others)
Unreality In Religion # 2 (and others)
Or take WORSHIP. Prayer is real. The skeptic may sneeringly ask, "Who is there to hear you when you kneel alone in the silence of your closet and speak your heart's requests - or when you bow in the public sanctuary with other worshipers?"
But we know that our Father indeed bends His ear to hear us whenever we pray in truth to Him. None of us doubt this. There is reality in prayer. But is our praying itself real?
The danger with all of us is that we fall into formalism - that we utter words of petition in which there is no true heart desire, no actual supplication. It may startle some of us if we question our own souls, after any season of private or public prayer - to have to confess in how small a part of it our whole being was absorbed and engrossed. When God listens while we pray - what does He hear?
An English preacher asks: "If at the close of any public service, if on rising from private prayer, the question were seriously put to us, in the heart; 'What have you done; what has been asked; what has been sought; what has been desired; what has been wished or felt in this act of devotion? What, therefore, in the supposition that God answers prayer, may you now expect as the result?' How often must the confession be, 'Nothing, nothing - my heart was not involved. The very object of our worship, God Himself, was to us an unreality; our conception of Him, our shaping and framing of the thought of Him, was even like that dumb idol of which Isaiah tells - a thing lifted into its place, and helplessly set there, speechless to its suppliant, and powerless to save."
There surely is something startling in this, if such words as these describe our experience. We need to give solemn heed to this whole subject. It is possible for us to go through forms of devotion regularly and decorously - and yet never really pray at all, our lips speaking words which are not born in one's hearts.
It is of vital importance that we seek to free our worship of all unreality. We should utter no word in our supplications before God, which is not laden with a deep and true desire from our heart of hearts. If we plead, "Nearer, my God, to You" - the holiest yearning of our soul should be in the cry. When we speak thanks in our worship, the pure incense of gratitude should be in the cry. When we speak thanks in our worship, the pure incense of gratitude should rise in the glad accents of our praising words. Whatever we say when we are on our bended knees before God in the act and attitude of prayer - should be the truest, realest utterance of our heart's desires. Unreality in praying, is irreverent mocking of God!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
____________________
(Octavius Winslow)
One fiery trial, sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit, has done more to break up the crusted ground of the heart, to penetrate beneath the surface, to dissect, and winnow, and separate--than a lifetime of reading and hearing could have done.
Oh, what secret sins have been detected,
what carelessness of walk has been revealed,
what spiritual and unsuspected declension of soul has been discovered
--all leading to deep self-loathing, and to the laying the mouth in the dust before God!
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You!
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6
_______________
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
Or take WORSHIP. Prayer is real. The skeptic may sneeringly ask, "Who is there to hear you when you kneel alone in the silence of your closet and speak your heart's requests - or when you bow in the public sanctuary with other worshipers?"
But we know that our Father indeed bends His ear to hear us whenever we pray in truth to Him. None of us doubt this. There is reality in prayer. But is our praying itself real?
The danger with all of us is that we fall into formalism - that we utter words of petition in which there is no true heart desire, no actual supplication. It may startle some of us if we question our own souls, after any season of private or public prayer - to have to confess in how small a part of it our whole being was absorbed and engrossed. When God listens while we pray - what does He hear?
An English preacher asks: "If at the close of any public service, if on rising from private prayer, the question were seriously put to us, in the heart; 'What have you done; what has been asked; what has been sought; what has been desired; what has been wished or felt in this act of devotion? What, therefore, in the supposition that God answers prayer, may you now expect as the result?' How often must the confession be, 'Nothing, nothing - my heart was not involved. The very object of our worship, God Himself, was to us an unreality; our conception of Him, our shaping and framing of the thought of Him, was even like that dumb idol of which Isaiah tells - a thing lifted into its place, and helplessly set there, speechless to its suppliant, and powerless to save."
There surely is something startling in this, if such words as these describe our experience. We need to give solemn heed to this whole subject. It is possible for us to go through forms of devotion regularly and decorously - and yet never really pray at all, our lips speaking words which are not born in one's hearts.
It is of vital importance that we seek to free our worship of all unreality. We should utter no word in our supplications before God, which is not laden with a deep and true desire from our heart of hearts. If we plead, "Nearer, my God, to You" - the holiest yearning of our soul should be in the cry. When we speak thanks in our worship, the pure incense of gratitude should be in the cry. When we speak thanks in our worship, the pure incense of gratitude should rise in the glad accents of our praising words. Whatever we say when we are on our bended knees before God in the act and attitude of prayer - should be the truest, realest utterance of our heart's desires. Unreality in praying, is irreverent mocking of God!
~J. R. Miller~
(The End)
____________________
(Octavius Winslow)
One fiery trial, sanctified by the grace of the Holy Spirit, has done more to break up the crusted ground of the heart, to penetrate beneath the surface, to dissect, and winnow, and separate--than a lifetime of reading and hearing could have done.
Oh, what secret sins have been detected,
what carelessness of walk has been revealed,
what spiritual and unsuspected declension of soul has been discovered
--all leading to deep self-loathing, and to the laying the mouth in the dust before God!
"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You!
Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6
_______________
A Divine Demonstration of Love
To better understand divine love, consider its opposite —false “love,” which sets limitations and always withholds something. This so-called love clings to control and gives only in order to manipulate. It is emotionally detached and unwilling to be vulnerable.
Genuine love, on the other hand, respects people as they are. It means understanding who the other person really is and loving without restriction. If you must be in control and your heart is not 100% in it, you’re missing true love.
Looking at the love of Jesus Christ on the cross, I see the most perfect demonstration of love anywhere. The Savior showed us how unlimited His love is: He gave His life for us and withheld nothing (Rom. 8:32)! He did not give His love to manipulate us but instead gave us free will to accept or reject Him. And He loved us with vulnerability, already knowing His love would be rejected—even ignored or mocked. In loving with His whole heart, Jesus was willing to be turned down.
If you’re ever unsure about what true love really looks like, turn to the cross. Jesus gave His best—His all—to love us so that we could become children of God (1 John 3:1).
Saturday, April 4, 2020
Unreality In Religion # 1
Unreality In Religion # 1
"Having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim. 3:5)
We are always in danger of making our religion and our religious exercises unreal. We are in danger of having only a creed - instead of a life; only forms of worship - instead of heart experiences of devotion. This danger arises from the spirituality of true religion. We cannot see the God whom we adore and worship. There is no one visible to our eyes when we pray. We cannot touch the things we are taught to believe in as alone true and eternal. All religious acts, are acts of faith.
It is very easy, therefore, to lose the reality from our acts of devotion, and to let God as a living fact fade out of our consciousness. Yet the result is a very sad one; practically, we are left without God. The forms and symbols remain. We repeat our creeds, we recite our commandments, we say our prayers - but our hearts are not warmed by love, the promises fail to support us and comfort us, and we are not strengthened for duty nor helped in struggles by our devotion.
Yet the realest things in this universe are the spiritual realities. God is real. Of course, we all believe this. We are not atheists. We have God in our creeds. We are entirely orthodox in our thoughts about the divine character and attributes. But is this God of our creeds, a reality to us in our personal life? Is he a father to us in our conscious experience? Do we enjoy real, living communion with Him? Are our lives properly affected by His realtion to us?
In the Scriptures God is represented as coming very close to man. He is a father, with all a father's care and thought. His interest extends to the most minute affairs of our daily lives. He hears our inmost prayers. He comes into our life as our closest friend. "O LORD, you have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD." (Psalm 139:1-4).
This is the GOD of the Bible. Is our God real to us in these ways? Is He as real as our father, mother, brother, nearest friend? Are we affected by God in our motives, feelings, words, acts> In temptation, does the thought of God restrain us from the evil? Does the love of God bind us to rectitude and purity and make sin a terrible sacrilege to us? In duty, do we get inspiration and strength from God? We do from our human friends; is God as real to us as they are? Do we get comfort in sorrow, a sense of security in time of danger, peace in our unrest, from our belief in God? When we come in penitence, weeping our bitter tears and pleading for pardon - is God's mercy a reality to us?
Or take the BIBLE. It is the inspired Word of God. We believe this. But are the words of this Book real to us? Many of them are divine promises. God promises us forgiveness if we come confessing and renouncing our sins. He promises us grace to help us in every time of need. He promises deliverance in temptation, comfort in sorrow. The pages of the Bible shine with these divine promies, as the heavens shine with their bright stars.
But are all these divine words realities to us? They have been to thousands of humble hearts. Men and women have taken these promises and have trusted them absolutely, venturing all upon them and have found them as real as God himself. In the hour of danger, they have turned to these sacred words spoken ages ago and treasured in this holy Book, and have found in them to be the strength of God himself.
In temptations they have drawn in their defense, these promises, and have found them polished shafts before which the enemy could not stand. In sorrow they have taken up these divine assurances, and they have proved to be heavenly lamps pouring their pure light upon the darkness. By thousands of beds of death, these words have been rod and staff to believers as they entered the valley of shadows.
But are the words of God real to us? Do they mean anything to us in those experiences of our lives in which sight and sense fail? Are they a stay and a strength and a light to us? Should we not ask ourselves such questions as these, and compel an answer? Should we not train ourselves to accept these words of God, to believe them implicitly, to let them guide and shape our lives, and to receive their revelations and assurances as eternal truths which can never fail those who build their hopes upon them?
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
"Having a form of godliness but denying its power" (2 Tim. 3:5)
We are always in danger of making our religion and our religious exercises unreal. We are in danger of having only a creed - instead of a life; only forms of worship - instead of heart experiences of devotion. This danger arises from the spirituality of true religion. We cannot see the God whom we adore and worship. There is no one visible to our eyes when we pray. We cannot touch the things we are taught to believe in as alone true and eternal. All religious acts, are acts of faith.
It is very easy, therefore, to lose the reality from our acts of devotion, and to let God as a living fact fade out of our consciousness. Yet the result is a very sad one; practically, we are left without God. The forms and symbols remain. We repeat our creeds, we recite our commandments, we say our prayers - but our hearts are not warmed by love, the promises fail to support us and comfort us, and we are not strengthened for duty nor helped in struggles by our devotion.
Yet the realest things in this universe are the spiritual realities. God is real. Of course, we all believe this. We are not atheists. We have God in our creeds. We are entirely orthodox in our thoughts about the divine character and attributes. But is this God of our creeds, a reality to us in our personal life? Is he a father to us in our conscious experience? Do we enjoy real, living communion with Him? Are our lives properly affected by His realtion to us?
In the Scriptures God is represented as coming very close to man. He is a father, with all a father's care and thought. His interest extends to the most minute affairs of our daily lives. He hears our inmost prayers. He comes into our life as our closest friend. "O LORD, you have searched me and You know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD." (Psalm 139:1-4).
This is the GOD of the Bible. Is our God real to us in these ways? Is He as real as our father, mother, brother, nearest friend? Are we affected by God in our motives, feelings, words, acts> In temptation, does the thought of God restrain us from the evil? Does the love of God bind us to rectitude and purity and make sin a terrible sacrilege to us? In duty, do we get inspiration and strength from God? We do from our human friends; is God as real to us as they are? Do we get comfort in sorrow, a sense of security in time of danger, peace in our unrest, from our belief in God? When we come in penitence, weeping our bitter tears and pleading for pardon - is God's mercy a reality to us?
Or take the BIBLE. It is the inspired Word of God. We believe this. But are the words of this Book real to us? Many of them are divine promises. God promises us forgiveness if we come confessing and renouncing our sins. He promises us grace to help us in every time of need. He promises deliverance in temptation, comfort in sorrow. The pages of the Bible shine with these divine promies, as the heavens shine with their bright stars.
But are all these divine words realities to us? They have been to thousands of humble hearts. Men and women have taken these promises and have trusted them absolutely, venturing all upon them and have found them as real as God himself. In the hour of danger, they have turned to these sacred words spoken ages ago and treasured in this holy Book, and have found in them to be the strength of God himself.
In temptations they have drawn in their defense, these promises, and have found them polished shafts before which the enemy could not stand. In sorrow they have taken up these divine assurances, and they have proved to be heavenly lamps pouring their pure light upon the darkness. By thousands of beds of death, these words have been rod and staff to believers as they entered the valley of shadows.
But are the words of God real to us? Do they mean anything to us in those experiences of our lives in which sight and sense fail? Are they a stay and a strength and a light to us? Should we not ask ourselves such questions as these, and compel an answer? Should we not train ourselves to accept these words of God, to believe them implicitly, to let them guide and shape our lives, and to receive their revelations and assurances as eternal truths which can never fail those who build their hopes upon them?
~J. R. Miller~
(continued with # 2)
Saturday, March 28, 2020
The True Token
The True Token
"Give me a true token!" (Joshua 2:12).
This was the request of the harlot Rahab. Jericho was threatened with destruction; its doom was fast approaching; its danger was not imminent; the spies came to her house, and she received them, for she believed that God would give the Jericho into the hands of Israel. Her concern for the salvation of herself and family was great and natural; her precaution was wise; she wanted a token - one which she could trust, which would inspire confidence; she asked it, and her request was granted.
She used a scarlet-colored rope to let down the spies, and they said, "You shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down." And she collected all her family together, into her house, "And she tied the scarlet cord in the window." This was to mark the house, to remind the spies, to support her hope, and to preserve her family.
It was visible, being of a scarlet color; it was useful, being the cord by which the spies escaped. It was the means of the salvation of the family; for when Jericho was destroyed Joshua said, "Go into the harlot's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her" and they did so.
Now let us improve the subject: The world is threatened with destruction, as Jericho was; its doom is fast approaching; the danger is near and imminent; we should be concerned for our safety, and the salvation of those concerned with us; we should not be satisfied with a, "Perhaps we may be safe," but should seek, "a true token." The Lord gives such - and many possess them.
The life of God in the soul, is a true token of safety. If quickened by the Holy Spirit, if God dwells in us, and occupies our thoughts, engages our affections, and separates us from sin and folly - then it is a clear proof that we are the Lord's.
The fear of the Lord, by which men depart from evil, is also, "a true token." If a person fears to offend God, and desires above everything to please Him - if, with this end in view, every plan is formed, every purpose executed, and every duty attended to - then it is a scriptural evidence of union to Christ.
The spirit of prayer is also "a true token." If we are taught our need of the blessings God has promised; if we experience the irrepressible desire after them; if we are frequently prompted to retire to pray for them; if we are assisted in pleading with God for them, with fervor, zeal, and importunity, if prayer becomes natural to our souls, like breathing to our bodies; if prayer is our relief in trouble, our solace in sorrow, our delight in joy, and felt to be our privilege - then it is clear that we are born from above.
True repentance is, "a true token." By which we mean heartfelt sorrow for sin, because it is an offence against God and grievous in His sight; accompanied with a loathing of sin, and departure from it - on account of its filthiness and evil character. Such repentance is the gift of Jesus, the production of the Holy Spirit, and the distinguishing mark of an "Israelite indeed."
Faith in Jesus is, "a true token." That is, not only giving credence to His Word - but resting upon His perfect work for acceptance with God, looking to His mediation as the only ground of hope and comfort, and presenting and pleading His atoning blood before God for all that we need. Faith always fastens the scarlet cord in the window - or sprinkles the doorposts with the blood of the paschal lamb, that the inhabitants may be safe from the sword of justice and the wrath of God.
Love to the saints is, "a true token.
A holy life, flowing from faith in Christ, is "a true token."
Reader, have you "a true token?" Is it as visible as the gleaming scarlet - and as useful as the cord which let down the spies? Has it secured others, as well as benefitted yourself?
Are you seeking a true token? If so, do not be discouraged. Pray, "Give me a true token!"
Is the scarlet cord in your window?
~James Smith~
(The End)
"Give me a true token!" (Joshua 2:12).
This was the request of the harlot Rahab. Jericho was threatened with destruction; its doom was fast approaching; its danger was not imminent; the spies came to her house, and she received them, for she believed that God would give the Jericho into the hands of Israel. Her concern for the salvation of herself and family was great and natural; her precaution was wise; she wanted a token - one which she could trust, which would inspire confidence; she asked it, and her request was granted.
She used a scarlet-colored rope to let down the spies, and they said, "You shall tie this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down." And she collected all her family together, into her house, "And she tied the scarlet cord in the window." This was to mark the house, to remind the spies, to support her hope, and to preserve her family.
It was visible, being of a scarlet color; it was useful, being the cord by which the spies escaped. It was the means of the salvation of the family; for when Jericho was destroyed Joshua said, "Go into the harlot's house and bring her out and all who belong to her, in accordance with your oath to her" and they did so.
Now let us improve the subject: The world is threatened with destruction, as Jericho was; its doom is fast approaching; the danger is near and imminent; we should be concerned for our safety, and the salvation of those concerned with us; we should not be satisfied with a, "Perhaps we may be safe," but should seek, "a true token." The Lord gives such - and many possess them.
The life of God in the soul, is a true token of safety. If quickened by the Holy Spirit, if God dwells in us, and occupies our thoughts, engages our affections, and separates us from sin and folly - then it is a clear proof that we are the Lord's.
The fear of the Lord, by which men depart from evil, is also, "a true token." If a person fears to offend God, and desires above everything to please Him - if, with this end in view, every plan is formed, every purpose executed, and every duty attended to - then it is a scriptural evidence of union to Christ.
The spirit of prayer is also "a true token." If we are taught our need of the blessings God has promised; if we experience the irrepressible desire after them; if we are frequently prompted to retire to pray for them; if we are assisted in pleading with God for them, with fervor, zeal, and importunity, if prayer becomes natural to our souls, like breathing to our bodies; if prayer is our relief in trouble, our solace in sorrow, our delight in joy, and felt to be our privilege - then it is clear that we are born from above.
True repentance is, "a true token." By which we mean heartfelt sorrow for sin, because it is an offence against God and grievous in His sight; accompanied with a loathing of sin, and departure from it - on account of its filthiness and evil character. Such repentance is the gift of Jesus, the production of the Holy Spirit, and the distinguishing mark of an "Israelite indeed."
Faith in Jesus is, "a true token." That is, not only giving credence to His Word - but resting upon His perfect work for acceptance with God, looking to His mediation as the only ground of hope and comfort, and presenting and pleading His atoning blood before God for all that we need. Faith always fastens the scarlet cord in the window - or sprinkles the doorposts with the blood of the paschal lamb, that the inhabitants may be safe from the sword of justice and the wrath of God.
Love to the saints is, "a true token.
A holy life, flowing from faith in Christ, is "a true token."
Reader, have you "a true token?" Is it as visible as the gleaming scarlet - and as useful as the cord which let down the spies? Has it secured others, as well as benefitted yourself?
Are you seeking a true token? If so, do not be discouraged. Pray, "Give me a true token!"
Is the scarlet cord in your window?
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Guide Me, Teach Me!
Guide Me, Teach Me!
Divine teaching is in substance - the same in all ages, and under all circumstances. As we all need the same blessings - we are all led to the same source of supply - and taught to ask the same favors, or the same grounds. How frequently we are struck with this thought, when reading God's Word, especially the book of Psalms: the prayers of David find an echo in our hearts, and we feel that we are the subjects of the same fears, desires, and hopes. How often has my heart ascended, while my lips have uttered, "Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me - for You are God my Saviour, and I wait on You all day long!" (Psalm 25:4-5).
This shows that we have knowledge of our ignorance - and desire to be divinely taught, that we are sensible of our weakness - and our need of a divine Teacher, that we are aware that the Lord teaches His people - and reveals the truth in its purity, beauty, and glory to the soul, that we cannot be satisfied with uncertainty, or the mere outside of truth - but that we wish to have an inward, heart-affecting, experimental knowledge of it.
Such a petition, presented to the Lord, with fervor, sincerity, and faith - proves that we are already under the enlightening and gracious operations of the Holy Spirit; for none go to the Lord, seeking to be divinely taught - but such as see their own folly, and realize the inability of man to teach them to profit. The soul, that from time to time, presents this petition - honors the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine prophet, proves the drawing power of the Father in the heart, and glorifies the blessed Spirit, whose office it is to lead us into all truth.
"For You are God my Saviour." From this, it is evident that we have felt our need of salvation, that we have sought the Lord on account of it, and have pleaded with God for it. Also that we have received some answers to our prayers, and have now an interest in it. We therefore plead past mercies - for present blessings; and our saving interest in God - when we seek new favors from God, we therefore cry, "I have looked to You for salvation, You have graciously heard my request, I now feel my need of your guidance and instruction - and therefore I come again, and beseech You to lead me in Your truth and teach me."
It is the Christian's best plan, and highest wisdom, having received from the Lord - to go to the Lord for present supplies - let him need what he may. As also to make use of past favors, as a plea for present attention - for the Lord loves to hear His people's acknowledgement, and again appears to bless them. The Lord having manifested Himself as the God of salvation, and granted the greater blessing, it would be wrong to doubt His love, or question His willingness to grant us any lesser favor.
"I wait on You all day long!" This proves sincerity, when the soul not only asks for a blessing - but waits for it. It shows that the soul not only needs and desires the good thing sought - but expects it. It is not satisfied to ask for divine teaching - but it really wishes to be taught. It does not compliment the Lord by offering a formal prayer, and then insult Him, by expecting to obtain from the creature; but asking of God, expecting from God - it waits on God; waits all the day, and day after day too!
O how many profess to come to God, and seek good things from God - but only for a little time, or at intervals - whereas they should wait on the Lord, and wait on Him until they obtain - seeing He has promised, "Those who wait on Me shall not be ashamed." The consistent believer, looks up to God in the morning, calls upon Him at noonday, and perseveres hour after hour - until the blessing comes down. As David said, "O my God, I cry in the day time - but You hear not; and in the night season, I am not silent." And again, "Be merciful unto me, O Lord - for I cry unto you daily."
The prayer we have been considering, indicates saving personal religion! "Lead me" "I cry unto You!" That is not real religion, which is not personal; or which has not its seat in the heart, influencing the desires, and regulating the life. That soul will be preserved from all destructive errors, and led into all saving truth - which seeks divine guidance and teaching, waiting upon God for it. And those are the best educated in spiritual matters - who are jealous of their own hearts, who fear to trust their own judgments, and from a sense of their own ignorance, constantly seek to be taught of God.
But merely asking is not enough! We must ask from a deep sense of need, with a desire to obtain, and persevere in waiting upon God - until we receive. But we must use all the means in our power as reading the Word, hearing the gospel, conversing with others, and meditating on what we read and hear. We are to expect the blessing to come directly from God, though it comes through the means.
But those who profess to seek the Lord's teaching, and to desire to know the truth - and yet listen to error, or read erroneous books - make it clear that they are not sincere, for if they were, they would not tamper with temptation, or play with the snare! Let us then keep close to God's Word, and in every difficulty, either in providence or grace, be this our prayer, "Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me - for You are God my Saviour, and I wait on You all day long!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
Divine teaching is in substance - the same in all ages, and under all circumstances. As we all need the same blessings - we are all led to the same source of supply - and taught to ask the same favors, or the same grounds. How frequently we are struck with this thought, when reading God's Word, especially the book of Psalms: the prayers of David find an echo in our hearts, and we feel that we are the subjects of the same fears, desires, and hopes. How often has my heart ascended, while my lips have uttered, "Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me - for You are God my Saviour, and I wait on You all day long!" (Psalm 25:4-5).
This shows that we have knowledge of our ignorance - and desire to be divinely taught, that we are sensible of our weakness - and our need of a divine Teacher, that we are aware that the Lord teaches His people - and reveals the truth in its purity, beauty, and glory to the soul, that we cannot be satisfied with uncertainty, or the mere outside of truth - but that we wish to have an inward, heart-affecting, experimental knowledge of it.
Such a petition, presented to the Lord, with fervor, sincerity, and faith - proves that we are already under the enlightening and gracious operations of the Holy Spirit; for none go to the Lord, seeking to be divinely taught - but such as see their own folly, and realize the inability of man to teach them to profit. The soul, that from time to time, presents this petition - honors the Lord Jesus Christ as the divine prophet, proves the drawing power of the Father in the heart, and glorifies the blessed Spirit, whose office it is to lead us into all truth.
"For You are God my Saviour." From this, it is evident that we have felt our need of salvation, that we have sought the Lord on account of it, and have pleaded with God for it. Also that we have received some answers to our prayers, and have now an interest in it. We therefore plead past mercies - for present blessings; and our saving interest in God - when we seek new favors from God, we therefore cry, "I have looked to You for salvation, You have graciously heard my request, I now feel my need of your guidance and instruction - and therefore I come again, and beseech You to lead me in Your truth and teach me."
It is the Christian's best plan, and highest wisdom, having received from the Lord - to go to the Lord for present supplies - let him need what he may. As also to make use of past favors, as a plea for present attention - for the Lord loves to hear His people's acknowledgement, and again appears to bless them. The Lord having manifested Himself as the God of salvation, and granted the greater blessing, it would be wrong to doubt His love, or question His willingness to grant us any lesser favor.
"I wait on You all day long!" This proves sincerity, when the soul not only asks for a blessing - but waits for it. It shows that the soul not only needs and desires the good thing sought - but expects it. It is not satisfied to ask for divine teaching - but it really wishes to be taught. It does not compliment the Lord by offering a formal prayer, and then insult Him, by expecting to obtain from the creature; but asking of God, expecting from God - it waits on God; waits all the day, and day after day too!
O how many profess to come to God, and seek good things from God - but only for a little time, or at intervals - whereas they should wait on the Lord, and wait on Him until they obtain - seeing He has promised, "Those who wait on Me shall not be ashamed." The consistent believer, looks up to God in the morning, calls upon Him at noonday, and perseveres hour after hour - until the blessing comes down. As David said, "O my God, I cry in the day time - but You hear not; and in the night season, I am not silent." And again, "Be merciful unto me, O Lord - for I cry unto you daily."
The prayer we have been considering, indicates saving personal religion! "Lead me" "I cry unto You!" That is not real religion, which is not personal; or which has not its seat in the heart, influencing the desires, and regulating the life. That soul will be preserved from all destructive errors, and led into all saving truth - which seeks divine guidance and teaching, waiting upon God for it. And those are the best educated in spiritual matters - who are jealous of their own hearts, who fear to trust their own judgments, and from a sense of their own ignorance, constantly seek to be taught of God.
But merely asking is not enough! We must ask from a deep sense of need, with a desire to obtain, and persevere in waiting upon God - until we receive. But we must use all the means in our power as reading the Word, hearing the gospel, conversing with others, and meditating on what we read and hear. We are to expect the blessing to come directly from God, though it comes through the means.
But those who profess to seek the Lord's teaching, and to desire to know the truth - and yet listen to error, or read erroneous books - make it clear that they are not sincere, for if they were, they would not tamper with temptation, or play with the snare! Let us then keep close to God's Word, and in every difficulty, either in providence or grace, be this our prayer, "Show me Your ways, O Lord, teach me Your paths; guide me in Your truth and teach me - for You are God my Saviour, and I wait on You all day long!"
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, March 14, 2020
The Past Reviewed
The Past Reviewed
"You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness" (Deuteronomy 8:2).
It is well sometimes to look forward - and anticipate "the blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour."
It is good sometimes to look within - and examine whether we are in the faith. It is right sometimes to look around - and see the posture of our foes, and what temptations are laid for us. It is necessary also to look back - and see the way the Lord our God has led us.
1. In a wilderness. For sin has changed the character of the present world; it was once the garden of the Lord - it is now a desolate wilderness. Its leading characteristic is barrenness. There is no food for the soul, nothing to satisfy the immortal spirits in it. King Solomon, who knew most, possessed most, and enjoyed most of this world, has said, "Vanity of vanities - all is vanity!"
2. It is a dangerous place, full of robbers, wild beasts, and terrible pits! It is full of troubles, and all who dwell in it are exposed to many, great, and painful privations.
Who has been our GUIDE? The Lord your God has led you. He well knows the place - with all its turnings, windings, and dangers! He tenderly loves our persons; His love has in it more than a mother's tenderness, and more than a faither's steadfastness and strength. He does not always aim to please or gratify us - but He always guides us into safety, peace, and honor. He leads us according to our nature and circumstances: He leads us by His sacred word, His Holy Spirit, and the events of His providence.
By what way have we been led? Not by the nearest, or the smoothest, or the easiest - but the best way. The right way. The only way. It has been rough, difficult, and round about - but it has been right. God chose it for us, and He has led us in it. It was the way in which He could teach us the most important lessons; try and exercise all our graces; prove the sincerity of our professions; prepare us for His service below, and His glory above; and make us really useful, that He might make us honorable - for only the useful are honorable in the kingdom of our God.
How long has He been leading us? Israel had been led forty years - so has the writer - so, perhaps, has the reader; this is a long period. It is the most interesting period; for in these years, we have been called by grace, separated from the world, consecrated to God, sent into His vineyard, and formed into families.
What now does the Lord require? "You shall remember all the way the Lord your God has led you." This implies we should notice, record, and preserve an account of the Lord's dealings and leadings. Remember that the Lord's leading has preserved you - and but that - you would never have arrived so far in safety.
Remember you faults. Remember His favors. Remember you foes. Remember the friendship of your God - how necessary, how constant, how condescending! Friendship unparalleled, on which your supply, your safety, your all depended (Deuteronomy 32:7-14)
Remember the way, the Guide, and your own conduct - or you cannot be just; you will not be either grateful or humble. Remember, for God remembers. (Jeremiah 2:2).
~James Smith~
(The End)
"You shall remember all the way which the Lord your God led you these forty years in the wilderness" (Deuteronomy 8:2).
It is well sometimes to look forward - and anticipate "the blessed hope, even the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour."
It is good sometimes to look within - and examine whether we are in the faith. It is right sometimes to look around - and see the posture of our foes, and what temptations are laid for us. It is necessary also to look back - and see the way the Lord our God has led us.
1. In a wilderness. For sin has changed the character of the present world; it was once the garden of the Lord - it is now a desolate wilderness. Its leading characteristic is barrenness. There is no food for the soul, nothing to satisfy the immortal spirits in it. King Solomon, who knew most, possessed most, and enjoyed most of this world, has said, "Vanity of vanities - all is vanity!"
2. It is a dangerous place, full of robbers, wild beasts, and terrible pits! It is full of troubles, and all who dwell in it are exposed to many, great, and painful privations.
Who has been our GUIDE? The Lord your God has led you. He well knows the place - with all its turnings, windings, and dangers! He tenderly loves our persons; His love has in it more than a mother's tenderness, and more than a faither's steadfastness and strength. He does not always aim to please or gratify us - but He always guides us into safety, peace, and honor. He leads us according to our nature and circumstances: He leads us by His sacred word, His Holy Spirit, and the events of His providence.
By what way have we been led? Not by the nearest, or the smoothest, or the easiest - but the best way. The right way. The only way. It has been rough, difficult, and round about - but it has been right. God chose it for us, and He has led us in it. It was the way in which He could teach us the most important lessons; try and exercise all our graces; prove the sincerity of our professions; prepare us for His service below, and His glory above; and make us really useful, that He might make us honorable - for only the useful are honorable in the kingdom of our God.
How long has He been leading us? Israel had been led forty years - so has the writer - so, perhaps, has the reader; this is a long period. It is the most interesting period; for in these years, we have been called by grace, separated from the world, consecrated to God, sent into His vineyard, and formed into families.
What now does the Lord require? "You shall remember all the way the Lord your God has led you." This implies we should notice, record, and preserve an account of the Lord's dealings and leadings. Remember that the Lord's leading has preserved you - and but that - you would never have arrived so far in safety.
Remember you faults. Remember His favors. Remember you foes. Remember the friendship of your God - how necessary, how constant, how condescending! Friendship unparalleled, on which your supply, your safety, your all depended (Deuteronomy 32:7-14)
Remember the way, the Guide, and your own conduct - or you cannot be just; you will not be either grateful or humble. Remember, for God remembers. (Jeremiah 2:2).
~James Smith~
(The End)
Saturday, March 7, 2020
Abounding Grace!
Abounding Grace!
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you - so that in all things at all times, having all that you need - you will abound in every good work!" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Jehovah is emphatically called the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort, the God of peace, the God of hope, the God of salvation. All of these titles are full of comfort, and are calculated to inspire our souls with love, gratitude, and pleasure.
All grace dwells in God - and flows freely from Him. He is glorified in communications of His grace to the most unworthy. You have received a little - He is able to make all of His grace abound toward you. The aboundings of His grace will produce strong faith, great patience, deep humility, holy contentment, ardent love, joyful hope, warm zeal, scriptural courage, and spiritual fortitude.
In reference to all these things - you feel miserably deficient; you cannot produce them. But God can make His grace abound to you. He can give you a sufficiency of grace to support you under every trial, to strengthen you under every burden, to qualify you for every duty, and to fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You have perhaps set about doing good works - and have found yourself unable to perform them. You feel ashamed of what you have done; you have condemned yourself, and perhaps have given way to fear and despondency. This was wrong. Good works can only be performed through grace received from the Lord. Without grace - the wisest miscarry; with God's grace - the most simple succeed! We can only serve God rightly - when we serve Him with His own grace. Therefore the Apostle says, "Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear."
You are not sufficient of yourself so much as to think a good thought! Without supplies of grace from Christ - you can do nothing to please Him. It is grace which first quickened us to feel our lost state; led us to Jesus; gives us a good hope; conquers our corruption; enables us to act for the Lord's glory; and grace will crown the whole!
There is no good work but you may perform it - if you receive God's grace!
There is no sin but you may fall into - if you trust to yourself, and neglect the supplies of grace.
Beware how you draw arguments from your own inability - to encourage negligence, unbelief, or sloth. God invites you to His throne of grace. He promises you a supply. He is able to make all grace abound toward you. He is the God of all grace - and until He changes in His nature, forfeits His word, or refuses to give - you have no ground of complaint or despondency.
Amazing grace - how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost - but now am found -
Was blind - but now I see!
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
When first my soul believed!
Thought many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home!
~James Smith~
(The End)
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you - so that in all things at all times, having all that you need - you will abound in every good work!" (2 Corinthians 9:8).
Jehovah is emphatically called the God of all grace, the Father of mercies, the God of all comfort, the God of peace, the God of hope, the God of salvation. All of these titles are full of comfort, and are calculated to inspire our souls with love, gratitude, and pleasure.
All grace dwells in God - and flows freely from Him. He is glorified in communications of His grace to the most unworthy. You have received a little - He is able to make all of His grace abound toward you. The aboundings of His grace will produce strong faith, great patience, deep humility, holy contentment, ardent love, joyful hope, warm zeal, scriptural courage, and spiritual fortitude.
In reference to all these things - you feel miserably deficient; you cannot produce them. But God can make His grace abound to you. He can give you a sufficiency of grace to support you under every trial, to strengthen you under every burden, to qualify you for every duty, and to fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You have perhaps set about doing good works - and have found yourself unable to perform them. You feel ashamed of what you have done; you have condemned yourself, and perhaps have given way to fear and despondency. This was wrong. Good works can only be performed through grace received from the Lord. Without grace - the wisest miscarry; with God's grace - the most simple succeed! We can only serve God rightly - when we serve Him with His own grace. Therefore the Apostle says, "Since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with reverence and godly fear."
You are not sufficient of yourself so much as to think a good thought! Without supplies of grace from Christ - you can do nothing to please Him. It is grace which first quickened us to feel our lost state; led us to Jesus; gives us a good hope; conquers our corruption; enables us to act for the Lord's glory; and grace will crown the whole!
There is no good work but you may perform it - if you receive God's grace!
There is no sin but you may fall into - if you trust to yourself, and neglect the supplies of grace.
Beware how you draw arguments from your own inability - to encourage negligence, unbelief, or sloth. God invites you to His throne of grace. He promises you a supply. He is able to make all grace abound toward you. He is the God of all grace - and until He changes in His nature, forfeits His word, or refuses to give - you have no ground of complaint or despondency.
Amazing grace - how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost - but now am found -
Was blind - but now I see!
'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear,
When first my soul believed!
Thought many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home!
~James Smith~
(The End)
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