Carry your troubled heart to Jesus (James Smith, “Daily Bible Readings for the Lord’s Household”) “I am troubled!” Psalm 38:6 This is very often the case with the believer; he is seldom long without something to trouble him. He has . . . so much sin within him, so many foes without him, […]
If God had not helped us! “I was pushed back and about to fall — but the Lord helped me!” Psalm 118:13 The psalmist had been reviewing his toils, his trials, and his dangers; he commemorates his deliverances, his conquests, and his triumphs; and he ascribes the whole, to the help of God!If God had not helped him — his faith […]
The Alluring James Smith, 1860 The Lord having chosen his people for himself — will bring them to know him, confide in him, and love him. So, when they have backslidden and wandered from him — he will employ means, that his banished ones be not expelled from him. Thus he brought Israel out of […]
Not Orphans! by James Smith, 1860 How exquisitely tender is the heart of Jesus! It always was so. He could never break the bruised reed, or quench the smoking flax. His heart overflows with love to poor sinners. How finely he displayed this, just as he was going to suffer for our sins. He exhorts […]
The Love of God James Smith, 1860 What subject can be compared to the love of God? What subject is so sweet, so profitable, so full of wonders! God, loving his people. The infinite, loving the finite. The Creator, loving his creature. The Most High God, loving a worm. The Holy One, loving the unholy. […]
Bitter and Sweet! James Smith Real religion is a personal thing. Every man’s religion must be his own — produced in his own heart by the Spirit of God, and nourished by the word and prayer. In every man’s religion, there is something distinguishing, and something only known to himself. To every believer the proverb […]
(The following is an excerpt from the diary of James Smith) March 27, 1861. Jesus is precious — very precious, to my soul. I love Him, rest in Him, preach Him, and wish that I could exalt Him a thousand times higher than I do! The sum total of my experience is: I am nothing — but Christ is all! […]
Jesus in His Garden James Smith, 1865 “My Beloved is gone down into His garden, to the beds of spices; to feed in the gardens, and to gather lilies.” Song of Solomon 6:2 Solomon’s Song reveals the Lord Jesus Christ as the Beloved, and sets forth his love to his people, and his communion with […]
He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to his heart! (James Smith, “The Pastor’s Evening Visit”) “Fear not, little flock!” Luke 12:32 The Savior’s flock is small. It exists in the harsh desert. Enemies surround it. His lambs, especially, are timid. But He says, “Fear not, little flock!” You are your […]
Can God Forgive and Forget All? James Smith, 1858 The ways of God are very astonishing, and the works of God are very great. Creation fills us with admiration; providence often fills us with surprise — but grace overwhelms us with wonder. When we think of what God has done, when we dwell on what God has given, and then turn to what God […]