by James Smith
"Food for the Soul" 1867
"Should it be according to your mind?" Job 34:33
Thus the infinitely wise God appeals to us–His poor foolish creatures.
We want our own way. We wish to carve for ourselves. But God loves us too well, to allow us to do so!
He has drawn the plan of our lives. He has marked out the paths we are to tread. He has fixed the bounds of our habitation. Yes, He has numbered the very hairs of our head!
He has arranged everything to secure our spiritual and eternal good. This He has told us in His Word–and yet we are not satisfied. But, "Should it be according to your mind?"
by James Smith
by James Smith
"Comfort for Christians!"
"Be still–and know that I am God!" Psalm 46:10
This is God’s message to His people, even during the most terrible convulsions of nature, the most cruel wars, and the most painful trials! The Lord reigns and works, even in the most dreadful circumstances.
The Lord is constantly doing His will, and accomplishing His purposes–and He never forgets His promises.
Continue Reading »
by James Smith
"Daily Food for the Lord’s Flock!" 1848
"For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men!" 1 Peter 2:15
The ungodly are to be silenced by our deeds–rather than by our words. They may refuse to hear us speak–but they cannot help seeing us walk!
by James Smith
by James Smith
"The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842
"You are my portion, O Lord!" Psalm 119:57
This is the language of every Christian’s heart and life! The generality of the Lord’s family are poor in this world–they have no portion of an earthly kind. He who has God for His portion–must not expect much besides. The Lord is enough to make them happy in the absence of all things besides; but nothing can make the spiritual mind happy in His absence.
He is the sun which enlightens, enlivens, and quickens them!
He is the shield which guards, protects, and preserves them!
Continue Reading »
by James Smith
"A Purifying Hope" 1865
"And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself–just as He is pure." 1 John 3:3
The model after which the hopeful believer works, is Jesus–"just as He is pure." Jesus is presented as . . . our pattern which we are to copy, our example which we are to imitate, our copy after which we are to write, and the standard which we are to endeavor to reach.
No believer can look at the life of Jesus–without approving that life in his judgment. Nor can he be under the influence of grace–without admiring that life, and desiring to be conformed to it.
He would never ask, "What do others do?" But he asks himself, "What would Jesus do? How would Jesus act in this case? What would Jesus say under such circumstances?" And then he earnestly desires, heartily prays, and energetically endeavors to do–as he believes Jesus would do. This course corrects many evils, prevents many failures, stimulates him constantly to deny himself, and raises him to a pitch of purity and spirituality, which he would not otherwise attain.
by James Smith
by James Smith
"Daily Bible Readings for the Lord’s Household"
"God, who comforts those who are downcast." 2 Corinthians 7:6
Many things cast us down–but only our God can effectually comfort us. He is the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort. He delights to comfort His people–when comfort will do them good. He secures their welfare first–and makes comfort a secondary object. But He never sees His child in sorrow, without sympathy; nor long withholds the necessary cordial.
He comforts the downcast–especially those who are employing their talents in His service, and consecrating their energies to His praise.
Continue Reading »
by James Smith
"The Believer’s Companion in Seasons of Affliction and Trouble" 1842
"With God all things are possible!" Matthew 19:26
The omnipotence of Jehovah is ruled by His wisdom and holiness, His justice and love. He can do everything consistent with those attributes–but nothing contrary to them.
God’s omnipotence is altogether on the believer’s side. All that God consistently can do–He will do for His people. Nothing is too hard for the Lord.
He can make us contented in the most trying circumstances–and happy in the deepest affliction. He can so bring down our minds to our condition–that we shall glory in tribulation. He can turn darkness into light, and bitter into sweet; and bring the richest joy out of the deepest sorrow.
The omnipotent God is your God! His omnipotence is engaged for you!
Continue Reading »
by James Smith
