4. A Quote from T. Austin-Sparks (16)

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3. Devotional: The Strength of Israel Will Not Lie

Devotional: The Strength of Israel Will Not Lie

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

The Strength of Israel will not lie. (1 Samuel 15:29)

    OUR GOD KEEPETH TRUTH FOR EVER. And He changeth not. Then He ought to be believed. It is impossible for God to lie, then He ought to be trusted. His promises are the proofs of His love; they are as changeless as His nature: in time, they shall be made good. He is the Omnipotent One who can fulfill His word; He is the Unchangeable One, who certainly will. His strength is pledged to His people, to sustain them; His resources, to supply them; and His faithfulness, to comfort them. He speaks to us in His word; He speaks to us as sinners; He speaks to us as fearful, as tried, as suffering people, just as we are tonight. Do we believe His word? Do we regard Him as a truth-speaking God? Has He our confidence? Are we looking at His promises, and while we look, do we say, "This is the faithful word of the heavenly Father, and is certainly true.” God’s word must be fulfilled, for it is more enduring than heaven or earth, for Jesus has said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away!” Fix your eyes on His word, and while you do, say,

Yes, since God Himself pronounced it,
On His promise I rely;
He has said it, I believe it;
What can mortal man deny?
God inerrant cannot err,
He is truth, His word is sure.

2. Devotional: Only Believe

Devotional: Only Believe

Author: James Smith (1802-1862)

Only believe. (Mark 5:36)

    OUR GOD IS FAITHFUL AND TRUE. He is worthy of our complete confidence and trust. In faith, let us take God at His word. Give Him credit for meaning what He says, for being faithful to His own word; then all your fears will fly away. God speaks to you in language which you can understand; He promises all you can possibly need; He bids you put Him in remembrance, and plead with Him; He pledges His word for the comfort of your heart. If you believe not, you make God a liar; you bring darkness on your own soul; you give Satan an occasion against you; and a thousand fears, doubts, and suspicions distress you. Is it any wonder? Can you offer a greater insult to God than deliberately to disbelieve His word? But you ask, Are the promises made to me? Yes! to every one that believeth, and to you if you believe. And the Spirit is promised to work faith in your heart; complain not then of the difficulty of believing, or of the power of unbelief; but go to thy God, and plead with Him, crying, "Lord, increase my faith," and go to His word, as to the word of a gracious Father, and simply believe it.

1. Devotional: Perplexity

Devotional: Perplexity

Author: Unknown

Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight, which He hath made crooked? (Eccles 7:13)

    Often God seems to place His children in positions of profound difficulty, leading them into a wedge from which there is no escape, contriving a situation which no human judgment would have permitted, had it been consulted previously. The Lord Himself conducts them there. You may be thus involved this very hour.

    It does seem perplexing and very serious to the last degree, but it is perfectly right. The issue will more than justify Him who has brought you into the situation. It is a platform for the display of His mighty power and grace.

    He will not only deliver you, but in doing so He will give you a lesson that you will never forget, and which you will remember later with thanksgiving and praise. You will never be able to thank God enough for having done just as He has.

    Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me. Psa. 50:15.