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"By the grace of God I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10
Lord, You have said, "I will cast all your sins into the depths of the sea!" They shall be carried into a land of everlasting forgetfulness. And to confirm all, You have added, "I will never leave you nor forsake you!" Is this, can this be--for such a vile wretch like me? O wondrous mercy! O boundless sovereign, everlasting, unchangeable, love! Yes, it suits me, because it is all of grace, free grace, from first to last--without works, and without boasting.
O how shall I sufficiently admire, bless, praise, and adore the grace "that buries all my sins" and rejoice in that glorious righteousness in which I stand perfect before a holy God! I feel ready to cry out, "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, for He has clothed vile, polluted, Hell-deserving me--with the garments of salvation! He has covered me with the robe of righteousness!"
Why is this? O Lord, why is this--that I am made to hear your pardoning voice--while thousands are left to perish in their sins, who are much better than I am? It is even so, Father--for so it seems good in Your sight.
O wondrous depth of sovereign grace, without either a shore or a bottom! Lord, lead me into it, and there let me bathe to all eternity! May I know the wondrous love of Christ, which surpasses knowledge! I now feel as if I was lost in an endless subject--the astonishing love of Christ--the sovereign, boundless, bottomless, free, and eternal love of Christ! O how wonderful that such a poor, vile, wretched, nothing creature, as I am--should be interested in it! Surely none but Jesus could, and none but Jesus would--so love one so vile as me; but He has done it!
What shall I render unto the Lord, my covenant God--for His boundless mercy to such a guilty, Hell-deserving, sinner as I am? O Lord, may I gaze, admire, and adore!
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The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:
It has just occurred to me, that the reason why the Lord has of late allowed me to be so severely tried--is that I have been very little at His throne of grace. Nor have His promises appeared so precious, pleadable, and suited to my case.
Jesus is determined to have me often at His throne, and if the invitations and promises of His Word will not draw me there--then He will send trials to drive me there! Blessed Jesus, are you not saying to me by every trial, "Call upon Me! Make use of Me! See what I will do for you!"
What a proof of the deep depravity and base ingratitude of my heart is this--that You are obliged to send trials and troubles to bring me to Your feet! Yet it is so! For unless drawn by the cords of Your loving-kindness, or driven by painful trials--I seldom come to You with earnestness, fervor, and life!
I am so prone to wander, to be light and trifling--troubled by shadows, and excited by mere trifles! I abhor myself because I am vile! O how base my heart is, to despise so glorious a privilege, and to neglect so choice a duty!
O Jesus, cleanse it by Your precious blood!
O Holy Spirit, purify it by Your sacred operations, and keep it by Your power!
O Righteous Father, devote it wholly to Yourself! Give me submission--help me patiently to carry my cross after Jesus, though it is rough, heavy, and galling. From the depths of my heart I can say,
"A sinful, weak, and helpless worm;
On Your kind arms I fall!"
What a proof of the loving-kindness of Jesus to my soul is this--that He will not allow me to be comfortable or happy, while living at distance from Him!
Blessed Jesus! pardon me, correct me--but never leave me to myself! Draw me--or drive me; but never allow me to live long at a distance from You!
Gracious Lord Jesus,
keep me near You,
looking to You,
living for You,
leaning on You,
believing in You, and
expecting from You, all that I need!
Surely this is a sweet life--living on Jesus alone, making Him all in all!
"O bring me to Your sacred feet,
And let me rove no more!"
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A mouse was caught by its tail in a trap the other day--and the poor creature went on eating the cheese!
Many people are dong the same. They know that they are guilty before God, and they dread their punishment--but they go on nibbling at their beloved sins!
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows!" Galatians 6:7
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"Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world!" 1 John 2:15-16
The possession of the whole world, and all that it contains--will never make a person happy. Its pleasures are false and deceptive! Its riches, rank, and honors, have no power to satisfy the heart! So long as we have not got them--they glitter, sparkle, and seem desirable. The moment we have them--we find that they are empty bubbles, and cannot make us feel content.
And, worst of all, when we possess this world's good things to the utmost bound of our desire--we cannot keep them! Death comes in and separates us from all our property forever! Naked we came upon earth, and naked we go forth--and of all our possessions, we can carry nothing with us.
Such is the world, which occupies the whole attention of thousands!
Such is the world, for the sake of which millions are every year destroying their souls!
"This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave!" 1 John 2:17
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The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:
I am daily more and more vexed with myself--because I am so unlike Jesus--so unlike what I ought to be, and what I wish to be. I shall never glorify Him as I ought, while I have to carry about this body of sin and death.
How kind it is of our gracious God, to conceal from others--what He Himself sees within us; and which if known by others--would alienate them from us, and fill them with disgust! What contemptible creatures we would appear to our friends--if they knew all about us!
We may study our own hearts, and if we study them under the cross, it will not injure us--but benefit us. But no man may study his brother's heart--he is not to be admitted into the chambers of idols within. We may form some idea of the hearts of others--by our own; for as face answers to face in water--so does the heart of man to man.
I find it very difficult to believe that another's heart is as bad as mine--except in the case of some heinous criminal. I cannot charge my friend with being so depraved as I am--for having such base thoughts, vile inclinations, and abominable desires, as I have. But perhaps others think the very same respecting me.
"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked! Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9
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The following in an excerpt from the diary of James Smith:
I have just heard that an old friend, far advanced in life, has fallen into sin! May the Lord pardon and restore him.
In looking back, I wonder that I have not publicly fallen; for I have been powerfully tempted to other sins, equally as bad. I have regularly observed, that in my experience the Lord has not often allowed the temptation, and the opportunity--to meet! And when they have, fear has worked powerfully and kept me back.
"But as for me--my feet were almost gone! My steps had well near slipped!" Psalm 73:2
Ah, how frequently have I been almost gone! I can call to mind places and times, when I have been in the very mouth of danger, on the brink of a fearful fall--and yet the Lord has held me up! But for special keeping--where would I have been this morning? And what would I be? Blessed be God, though it was almost--it was not fully. This word, almost, has been sweet to my soul.
Almost Gone!--but altogether saved, through God's most free, and all-glorious grace!
But I would not merely be kept from open sin, I desire to be so deeply sanctified, that my soul may . . .
hate, abhor, and detest sin in every form,
tremble at its approach, and
flee from the very appearance of evil--to Jesus!
I find that my nature is still corrupt, depraved, and polluted; and that . . .
the blood of Jesus,
the restraining power of the Holy Spirit,
and the forgiving grace of God
--are as necessary as ever!
"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
Would such an inscription look well on some of our costly furniture?
by James Smith, very challenging! Play Audio!Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
O how strange--that God should love a worm, a dung-hill worm!
(The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith)
August 28, 1857.
If some of my congregation knew me better--they would love me less! Yet my heavenly Father . . .
knows me well,
favors me much,
and loves me wonderfully!
O how strange--that God should love a worm, a dung-hill worm--one who was bred in sin, loved sin, felt at home in sin, and at times felt regret that he was debarred from some sins! O if God had left me to myself--what would I have been, and what would I have done! "But by the grace of God--I am what I am!" 1 Corinthians 15:10
Surely, surely, I must say, that divine love and wisdom have planned my path--from first to last. I am . . .
out of Hell,
in the way to Heaven,
employed by God,
useful to saints, and
a blessing to sinners!
O how wonderful, how wonderful is this!
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(The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith)
"But as for me--my feet were almost gone! My steps had well near slipped!" Psalm 73:2
Ah, how frequently have I been almost gone! I can call to mind places and times, when I have been in the very mouth of danger, on the brink of a fearful fall--and yet the Lord has held me up! But for 'special keeping'--where would I have been this morning? And what would I have been? Blessed be God, though it was almost--it was not quite. This word, almost, has been sweet to my soul. Almost gone!--but altogether saved, through God's most free, and all-glorious grace!
"Hold me up--and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117
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My little daughter Ann was in good health on Monday--and on Thursday she was a corpse!
Another sharp stroke! My little daughter Ann was in good health on Monday--and on Thursday she was a corpse! She died just two months after her sister Mercy. But the words of the Patriarch came to silence and humble me, "If He snatches someone in death--who can stop Him? Who dares to ask: What are You doing?"
I fear I loved her too much, for she was a beautiful child. Well, she is gone--and I must follow her, nor can I tell how soon.
"The Lord gave--and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised!" Job 1:21
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(John MacDuff, "The Character and Claims of the Redeemer" 1859)
"Jesus wept!" John 9:35
There is no doubt but that our Lord often wept--for He was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. There are, however, only three seasons expressly referred to--when the tears trickled down His blessed face.
One was during His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem: "And when He came near, He beheld the city, and wept over it!" Another occasion was when He agonized in the garden of Gethsemane: "During His earthly life, He offered prayers and appeals with loud cries and tears to the One who was able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence."
The other instance is the one before us--let us turn aside, and see this affecting sight! The whole company, it seems, was deeply moved; for we are told that Martha and Mary wept. The Jews also, who came to comfort the two sorrowing sisters, wept; and with peculiar emphasis, in a verse by itself, the shortest in the whole Bible--but not less precious on that account, it is said that "Jesus wept!"
Behold the interesting group, the Savior standing in the midst, as the most commanding object--all bathed in tears! It was not long, however, before the weeping ceased; or, if it continued, it would be for joy--a joy proportioned to the depth of the previous sorrow!
How pleasing is the thought that we have in Jesus, not merely a Being of boundless power and supreme authority--but a living, tender, sympathizing Friend! He can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities on the one hand, and of our sorrows on the other hand--having been in all respects tried and afflicted, even as we are. Should we not, then, be encouraged to look to Him, especially in seasons of distress? And, if we do so, He will be to us, what He has ever been to His people--a very present help in time of need!
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"And the days of your mourning shall be ended!" Isaiah 60:20
The present world is a valley of tears--a wilderness of woe. While passing through it, we are exposed to sorrows and sufferings of various kinds. Pain and disease beset us on every side; and many, in the extremity of their anguish, wish for death rather than life.
Here we are subject to innumerable troubles; our fondest hopes may be blasted, and we may be called to survey the wreck of all that we once possessed.
Here the dearest friends are snatched from each other's embrace! The ruthless spoiler respects neither rank nor age--he tears asunder the very heart-strings of our nature, and seems to delight in trampling upon the tenderest sympathies of the soul. The parent is called to weep over the remains of a much-loved child; the husband has to mourn the loss of the partner of his life; the lover and friend are cut off by a stroke--and the desire of our eyes is taken away.
From a thousand sources, do our present distresses spring; and the streams of sorrow, in all their sad variety, follow us, more or less, through the whole course of our earthly pilgrimage.
But in Heaven, all our troubles will be over! No sorrow will be there. All temporal and all spiritual evils will be entirely banished. No disappointment, no anxiety, will be there. No wearisome nights, no dismal moanings, no tossings to and fro until the dawning of the day--will be there. There will be no sickness to blast--and no death to devour there. There will be no Rachel weeping for her children, no broken-hearted father exclaiming, "O Absalom, my son, my son," there. There will be no separation from those we love there. There will be no faithless friends to wound our hearts and betray our confidence there. There will be no being vexed from day to day with the filthy lives of the wicked there. There will be . . .
no temptations there;
no fightings without--or fears within;
no hardness of heart--or stings of conscience;
no obscuring clouds, or contrary winds, or tossing waves, there.
No, nothing to grieve, nothing to cause a single sigh to rise from the bosom, or a single tear to fall from the eye--will be there.
But joy and peace will be there; and cheerful hearts and beaming countenances will be there; and the conqueror's song, and waving palms, and harps of gold, and robes of spotless white, will be there.
O suffering saint! Think much of what is there--it will help you to bear up and to press on under your load of sorrow here. It is only for a little while, that you will have to traverse this howling desert; and then, having passed the narrow stream of death--you shall know Heaven by happy experience! "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined--what God has prepared for those who love Him!"
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"And He led them forth by the right way--that they might go to a city of habitation." Psalm 107:5
God's thoughts are not as our thoughts--neither are His ways as our ways! This truth is strikingly exemplified in the manner in which He led the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. We would have chosen the way that was nearest and most direct--but God decided otherwise. He led them round about through the wilderness, and that for the space of forty years! And not merely was it the most distant way--but it was the most dangerous way as well. It was a land of deserts and of pits--a land of drought and death--a land that no man passed through, and where no man dwelt.
But, as strange as it appeared, we are fully justified in saying that it was wisely arranged.
Their long detainments;
their tiresome and circuitous wanderings;
their fierce conflicts with the Moabites and the Amalekites;
the bitter waters which they had to drink; and
the fiery serpents with which they were stung--
all fulfilled the high purposes of Him who is excellent in counsel, as well as wonderful in working. However contrary His way might have been to theirs--yet "He led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation."
And His dealings with His people now, are still as unusual, and as much opposed to all their preconceived plans--as were His dealings with the Israelites! He has crossed their own schemes, and thwarted their most fondly-cherished purposes! He always effects His own ends--in His own way!
Christian, what is your duty?
It is to cherish high thoughts of God in all His inscrutable dealings towards you.
It is to trust His heart--even when you can't trace His hand; believing that "all the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep His covenant and His testimonies."
It is to follow His guidance continually; for as He led His people of old with "the cloud by day, the pillared fire by night"--so He has promised to direct all your steps, and preserve all your goings.
It is to wait His time; for although the way may appear long and tedious--yet remember, "all is well, that ends well." And what will the end be? "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs, and everlasting joy upon their heads! They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away!"
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"He shall be lifted up, and extolled, and be greatly exalted!" Isaiah 52:13
This sure word of prophecy was literally and most gloriously verified, when the incarnate Redeemer, after having finished the work which was given Him to do, was taken up into Heaven, and sat down on the right hand of God--with angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him. We now gaze upon the throne on which He reigns!
That meek and lowly One, who had been despised and rejected--is now adored by all the heavenly hosts!
That face, once covered with spittle, and furrowed with tears--is now gazed upon with transporting admiration!
That brow, once bound with thorns--is now encircled with a splendor before which suns turn pale!
Those hands which were nailed to the bloody tree--now grasp the scepter of universal dominion!
That ignominious cross--is exchanged for Heaven's highest throne!
That crown of thorns--is exchanged for a diadem of everlasting glory!
O wondrous transformation!
"On His robe at His thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords!" Revelation 19:16
"God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in Heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!" Philippians 2:9-11
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It is a dreadful fact, whether we like to allow it or not--that PRIDE is one of the common sins which beset human nature. We are all born Pharisees. We all naturally think far better of ourselves than we ought. We all naturally imagine that we deserve something better than we have.
Pride is an old sin. It began in the garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve thought they had not got everything that their merits deserved.
Pride is a subtle sin. It rules and reigns in many a heart without being detected, and can even wear the garb of humility.
Pride is a most soul-ruining sin. It prevents repentance, keeps men back from Christ, checks brotherly love, and nips spiritual desires in the bud.
Let us watch against pride, and be on our guard.
Of all garments, none is so graceful, none wears so well, and none is so rare--as true humility. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud--but gives grace to the humble." 1 Peter 5:5
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"There is nothing too hard for You!" Jeremiah 32:17
There is nothing too hard for God to EFFECT:
"Is anything too hard for Me, says the Lord?"
"I know that You can do everything."
"He does according to His will among the armies of Heaven, and the inhabitants of the earth."
"He works all things after the counsel of His own will."
Nothing is too hard for God--no change in providence--however it may appear improbable, or impossible to us. He could bring water out of the flinty rock. He could supply quail to satisfy the needs, and gratify the lusts of His people in the desert. He could feed Elijah for twelve months by ravens, and for two years and a half more, by a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in the widow's cruse. He could inundate Samaria with plenty--in the midst of famine and fearful desolation. If He wills it . . .
the fire shall not burn the three Hebrew youths,
nor the lions injure Daniel,
nor death hold Lazarus in the tomb.
What He has done--He can do; for He is the same. And if necessary for the glory of His name--He will do it, for He will not allow His name to be polluted.
"Providence" is simply God at work--at work for . . .
the accomplishment of His decrees,
the fulfillment of His promises,
the manifestation of His character, and
the present and eternal welfare of His people.
He can . . .
give whatever we need,
do whatever we need, and
glorify Himself in giving to us, and working for us!
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(John MacDuff, "Brief Thoughts for the Followers of Jesus" 1855)
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you cannot do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:17
How true is this! How exactly does it accord with the experience of the believer! "As in water, face answers to face," so in God's Word, we have the inmost feelings of His people clearly reflected.
O, what would the Christian do--if he could! He would serve God perfectly. He would have his way directed to keep all His statutes. He would have all his faculties and feelings in complete subjection to the Divine Will. He would live, not to himself--but to Him who died for him and rose again. He would consecrate every moment to His service, and employ every breath in His praise.
In a word, he would rise to the seraphic sanctity of the Paradise above, and present to God those offerings which would be unmixed with any earthly dross; which would be uncontaminated and untinctured by any of the frailties of his fallen nature.
Could the Christian do as he would--there is not a glorified spirit before the Heavenly throne, who would excel or outstrip him! He would love as they do--serve as they do--admire and adore as they do. But here, alas! his infirmities are a constant clog about him--and hence his longings for that better world, where his desires and his doings will be one and the same!
Do we want a striking emblem of the child of God, as he is situated at present? We have it in that majestic bird, the eagle; not as it roams at large in the enjoyment of its native freedom--but when, as a poor captive, it is fastened down with a chain! It is an interesting object, under any circumstances, to gaze upon; but especially so, when its former soarings are contrasted with its present fettered state. The fire of its eye clearly indicates its longings for those lofty regions, far beyond the clouds, where it felt so much at home, and where its wings were often bathed in the burning splendors of the sun's meridian rays. But no sooner is the attempt made to mount aloft; no sooner does it begin to ruffle its plumes, and spread its wings, in order to prepare for the flight--than the touch of the chain is instantly felt!
Just so with the believer. At times how soaring are his aspirations! How would he rise, as on eagles' wings, above earth's turmoils on the one hand, and his manifold imperfections on the other! But, alas! how the chains of time and sense fetter his soul, and fasten it down to this earth! Then his cry is, "My soul cleaves unto the dust! Quicken me according to Your Word!" "O that I had wings like a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest! I would hasten my escape from the stormy wind and tempest!"
A person is known--by his doings. But, in addition to this external and practical proof, a man's desires may be regarded as a strong index of his character. "As he thinks in his heart--so is he." There is undoubtedly sin--in the desire of sin; the actual commission of the outward act not being requisite to render us guilty in the sight of God. And there is undoubtedly grace--even in the desire of grace!
What then are the desires of my soul? Am I of the number of those who are walking according to the course of this world, and who are gratifying the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature? Or are my desires God-ward and Heaven-ward?
Let me remember, for my encouragement, that the Lord will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him. Let me seek Him then; let me trust in Him, and wait patiently for Him. "Delight yourself in the Lord--and He shall give you the desires of your heart!" "The desire of the righteous will be granted!" Proverbs 10:24
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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:
They chained and nailed their god Apollo to a post!
Thomas Brooks, very insightful. Play Audio!Download Audio
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
He is the infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent,
gracious, just, holy, and unchangeable I AM!
The Lord Jesus Christ is God--possessed of all divine attributes, and entitled to all divine honors. He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit--God over all, and blessed for evermore! He is naturally, essentially, perfectly, and eternally possessed of everything peculiar to Deity.
He owes His existence to none. He says, "I am Jehovah, and beside Me there is no Savior!" He is God--and there is no other. There is no other name given under Heaven, or among men, whereby we can be saved. He is the Rock of Ages. He is the infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, gracious, just, holy, and unchangeable I AM!
Angels worship Him,
devils obey Him,
saints love Him, and
sinners will bow to Him!
He is the author of . . .
Creation,
Providence,
Redemption,
and Glorification!
He . . .
produced all things by His power,
formed them by His wisdom,
supplies them by His bounty,
rules them by His instruments, and
employs them according to His sovereign will.
He is above all--in the glory of His nature.
He possesses all--by essential right.
He will judge all--according to His righteousness.
All things are dependent upon Him, and
all rational beings are accountable to Him.
Nothing can escape His eye;
none can fly out of His hand!
He is exalted above all,
and remains King forever!
He is . . .
the King of kings,
the Lord of lords, and
the only supreme Law-giver of the universe!
He is naturally, essentially, and eternally God:
one with the Father,
equal to the Father,
and infinite as the Father.
Thus, the Scriptures reveal Him; as such, saints acknowledge Him, and join the angelic host in worshiping, praising, and adoring Him!
As such, He loves all His people--yes, He is love to them.
As such, they love Him--and trust their eternal interests into His hands!
No person can have right views of the love of Christ--who has not right views of the deity of Christ. His divinity gives lustre and glory--to His love. If He were not God--His love would be only a passion like ours, and would fluctuate and change. But being divine--His love is an infinite perfection, and remains immutably the same!
He loves with all the majesty of God--and with all the tenderness of man!
His love has the strength of God--and the gentleness of sinless man!
He is all-loving--and altogether lovely!
"Having loved His own who were in the world--He loved them unto the end!" John 13:1
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