8. Devotional: Peace, Peace

Devotional: Peace, Peace
Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

Peace, peace. Isaiah (57:19)

    SUCH ARE THE GOSPEL’S SOOTHING SOUNDS WHISPERED IN THE BELIEVER'S EAR. In times of tribulation, in times of temptation, in times of bodily disease and suffering, it softly cries "Peace, peace." Peace, for Jesus died to put away your sins. Peace, for Jesus lives to intercede for you in heaven. Peace, for Jesus reigns, and your concerns are in His hands. Peace, for Jesus loves, and His love is immutably fixed on you. Peace, for God is love. Peace, for you are reconciled to Him by the death of His Son. Let not your heart be troubled. Every thought of God respecting you, is peaceful. Every purpose of God toward you which providence has to work out, is peaceful. Heaven is at peace with you. You are also at peace with heaven. Your peace was made when Jesus died in your stead; when He put away your sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Look to Him as your peacemaker. Live in the atmosphere of Gethsemane and Golgotha. Often meditate upon that precious verse, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee; because he trusteth in Thee." Let your mind rest in the Lord always. He is the God of peace.

Jesus, my feeble faith increase,
And sweetly multiply my peace;
Because I fully trust Thy power,
My sin shall trouble me no more.

7. Devotional: Wait In Anticipation

Devotional: Wait In Anticipation

Author: Basilea Schlink (1904-2001)

    You think you can no longer bear the burden that has been placed upon you. But listen! The Father wants to comfort you as His child: The dark valley is almost over. Soon bright beams of joy and bliss will be waiting for you. You will laugh as much as you have cried. "Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh." Live in expectation of the hour when your weeping will turn to laughter. This hour will come and in all eternity your laughter will never cease. This hour will come while you are still on earth—and perhaps it will be tomorrow. Wait in anticipation! (Luke 6:21)

6. Devotional: I Wait for the Lord

Devotional: I Wait for the Lord

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

I wait for the Lord. (Ps. 130:5)

    THIS is a blessed posture, but it is often a trying one. Every Christian has to wait, and waiting is for his good. "It is good that a man should both hope, and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord." We are kept waiting to try us—are we sincere? Are we in earnest? Do we value the blessing? To stir us up; we are apt to become formal, to settle on our lees, to sink into lukewarmness. Then comes a trial, this sends us to the Lord. He does not appear. We go again. We get no answer. We must wait. This rouses our energies, reproves our folly, and makes us more decided and determined. It is to teach us our dependence. We are apt to forget, or lose sight of this. We sink into self. We get conceited, or vain. Then comes something which shows us that we cannot do without the Lord. We go to him. He seems to turn a deaf ear to us. We go again. We must wait. This humbles us, and brings us into our proper place. Beloved, is there any particular blessing which you need? Have you asked it of God? Does he delay to give it? Wait for him. He will appear. His time is the best. Wait patiently. 

For God, I look; with strong desires, 
To God my ardent soul aspires; 
And hope, still waiting for the Lord, 
Rests on the promise of his word.

5. Devotional: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Devotional: The Lord Is My Shepherd

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

The Lord is my Shepherd. (Psalm 23:1)

    DAVID WAS ONE OF HIS SHEEP. All His sheep know Him, love Him, and follow Him. They possess His disposition; He was meek and lowly in heart. Are you a sheep of Christ? Are you looking to your Shepherd, following and rejoicing in Him? If so, it is His delight to lead you, feed you, protect you, and heal you. Your person, life, health, comforts, and safety, are committed to His care. He is the good Shepherd, He laid down His life for His sheep; He searches and seeks out His sheep wherever they have been scattered; He feeds His flock; He gathers the lambs with His arm and carries them in His bosom. He loves His sheep more than His own life; He cares for His sheep more than for all the world beside. He feeds them in the best green pasture, and leads them in paths of righteousness for His name's sake. O view Jesus as your Shepherd! Expect Him to lead you, feed you, fold you, and one day, soon, to present you to His Father with exceeding joy. Cleave to Him; let nothing tempt you to leave His feet, His flock, or His fold. He will never leave you, nor forsake you, just because you are His.

Jehovah is my Shepherd's name!
With Him no foe can make me fear;
The Shepherd’s voice each day I hear,
My filial love He has a claim;
In every danger He is nigh,
He does my every want supply.

4. Devotional: It Is I; Be Not Afraid

Devotional: It Is I; Be Not Afraid

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

It is I; be not afraid. (John 6:20)

    THE FEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN DISHONOUR HIS LORD. Fear is a denial of his faith, and a fruitful source of distress to his soul. All things are of God, He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will, and in every event He says to us, "It is I, be not afraid." If friends turn to foes and distress us, if death visits our dwellings and bereaves us, if sickness lays us aside and fills us with pain, He says, "It is I; be not afraid." If losses, crosses, and sore trials come upon us, and discourage, distress, and perplex us, He says, "It is I; be not afraid." If death approaches, and calls upon us to leave the body and close our eyes upon our beloved relations, friends, and connexions, He says, "It is I; be not afraid." Should we hear the pillars of heaven crack, and feel the strong foundation of the earth give way; should the heavens be rolled up like a scroll, and the great white throne appear; still, amidst the wreck of matter and the crash of worlds, He cries, "Be not afraid; it is I." Happy Christian! thy fears are groundless and thy brightest hopes well founded. Rejoice in Jesus!

O that I might so believe,
Steadfastly to Jesus cleave;
Only on His love rely,
Smile at the destroyer nigh:
Free from care and servile fear,
Feel the Saviour always near.

3. Devotional: The Obedience of Faith

Devotional: The Obedience of Faith

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

The obedience of faith. (Romans 16:26) 

    THE OBEDIENCE REQUIRED OF FAITH IS SUBMISSION TO GOD’S WILL. It is the submission of the intellect, the heart, and the life to God. The law of faith is the gospel: this requires us to believe that "God is love," that Christ died in the place of sinners; to embrace mercy as freely presented, and receive forgiveness as the gift of God; to accept of the righteousness of Jesus, to trust in it alone for acceptance before God, and to plead it at the throne of grace for all we need; to come daily to Jesus for all we want, and to expect to receive at His hands all He has promised; to live for God, to live to God, to live like God. It requires us, in one word, so to live that God may be all, and man nothing. God requires the obedience of a believing heart. We must believe what He says, expect what He has promised, and do what He bids. This is the life of faith and Satan will oppose it. The carnal mind will throw a thousand obstacles in the way. Everything that is of a worldly character will hinder us. But we must wrestle, strive, break through, and say, "I will believe my God. I will obey my Lord." That only is the way of faith. 

Spirit of faith, unfold Thy law, 
Thy quick'ning pow’r impart: 
My soul to sweet obedience draw, 
Fill and control my heart.

2. Devotional: Neither Be Ye of A Doubtful Mind

Devotional: Neither Be Ye of A Doubtful Mind

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

Neither be ye of a doubtful mind. (Luke 12:29)

    We are all prone to doubt, and to doubt that most, which there is no reason at all to doubt. But some seem to nurse their doubts, as though doubting was a part of religion. This is wrong. It is sinful. Our Lord often bids us believe, but he never encourages doubts. Doubting dishonors him, distresses us, and gives Satan an advantage over us. Let us not doubt his providence, for it is kind; nor his word, for it is true. Let us not judge by appearances, which often mislead; but let us rest on divine promises, which can never change or deceive. Let us not look too much at ourselves, our abilities, or our circumstances; but let us look to the Lord, to his wisdom, power, and love. Not tremble at poverty, because God can make us happier in poverty, than we ever have been in plenty.

    Let us not be affected by the changeableness of men, for our God is in one mind and none can turn him. If we yield to a doubtful mind, it will spoil our present comforts, hinder us in holy duties, dim the eye of our hope, and feed and nourish our fears. But what is worse than all, it will reflect upon the kindness, care, and providence of our gracious God.

Cast thy burdens on the Lord,
Leave them with thy Savior;
He (whose hands for thee were bored)
Can and will deliver:
He is true and faithful still,
Yield thyself unto his will.

1. Devotional: I Shall Not Want

Devotional: I Shall Not Want
Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

I shall not want. (Psalm 23:1)

    THIS WAS DAVID'S CONCLUSION BECAUSE THE LORD WAS HIS SHEPHERD. If we are His sheep He will supply us. He has all things in His possession: the silver and the gold, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. His owner’s mark is upon all. All spiritual blessings are in His possession also; and He has a kind, tender, and liberal heart. He will give the best and liberally. He has undertaken to supply, conduct, protect, and present His flock upon Mount Zion. He has promised to be to us, to do for us, and to bestow upon us, all that our circumstances require. His care of His flock in times past is our sufficient assurance for the future. Whenever were the righteous forsaken, or His sheep left neglected? Did David ever want? Few men ever passed through greater or severer trials; yet upon his dying bed he tells us, he had all his desire fulfilled in the Lord. If you belong to Christ, you too may safely conclude, "I shall not want." Your fears are follies; your anxieties are groundless; your forebodings are sinful; you have a faithful God to provide for you, and you ought to rejoice. "My God," says the apostle, "shall supply all your needs, according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

What want shall not our God supply
From His abundant stores?
What showers of blessing from on high
Each day th’ Almighty pours!

23. A Quote from Warren W. Wiersbe (16)

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22. Devotional: I Will Be with Him in Trouble

Devotional: I Will Be with Him in Trouble

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

I will be with him in trouble. (Ps. 91:15)

    Sin is the parent of trouble; all sorrow originated in departing from God. It is generally occasioned by transgression, or sent as a preventative to a greater evil; it may be occasioned by good, for saints are sometimes persecuted for righteousness' sake. It is intended to correct, improve, and to bring us near to God. Whatever may be our trouble, if we are the Lord's, He is with us; and with us for the most gracious purposes. He fixes the period of our troubles, nor can they continue longer than He sees needful. He regulates the heat of the furnace, nor will He suffer us to be tried more than we are able to bear. He sanctifies our troubles, and causes them to work our good. He delivers out of trouble, when the purposes of His love are accomplished. In every trouble, remember, God is now especially present; He is with you to hear your prayer, increase your strength, direct your way, and make you a conqueror. His grace is sufficient; His presence is sure; your deliverance in His time and way is certain. Therefore, "wait on the Lord, be of good courage; He will strengthen your heart; wait, I say, on the Lord."  

He that hath made his refuge God,
Shall find a most secure abode; 
Shall walk all day beneath His shade, 
And there at night shall rest his head.