James Smith (1802 – 1862) – The Daily Remembrancer – 9th October
Morning
‘The poor committeth himself unto thee”.
Psalm 10:14
Those who appear the most friendless have the best and truest Friend. The Lord’s people are poor, but they are not friendless nor forsaken. They have Jehovah for their God, Jesus for their Saviour, and the Holy Spirit for their Comforter and Guide. They know God and commit themselves and their all to Him. But how do they commit themselves to Him? As the debtor does to his surety; as a sick man does to his physician; as the client does to his lawyer or advocate; as the needy does to his rich and generous friend; as a sinner to the Saviour; as the loving bride does to her beloved bridegroom. But why do they commit themselves unto Him? They commit themselves to His grace, to be saved by it; to His power, to be kept by it; to His providence, to be fed by it; to His Word, to be ruled by it; to His care, to be preserved by it; and to His arms at death, to be safely landed in glory. This flows from grace, and produces peace, safety, satisfaction, and success. Let us, beloved, commit ourselves to the Lord daily, heartily, deliberately, and unreservedly.
My soul shall cry to Thee, O Lord,
To Thee, supreme, incarnate Word,
My rock and fortress, shield and Friend,
Creator, Saviour, source, and end;
And Thou wilt hear Thy servant’s prayer,
Though death and darkness speak despair.
Evening
“The hope of Israel”.
Jeremiah 14:8
The Author of Israel’s hope: It is begotten by the Spirit, through the promises of His Word. They hope because He has promised, because He is faithful, because His Word is true from the beginning. He is the object of Israel’s hope: ‘Let Israel hope in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, and with Him is plenteous redemption.’ They cannot hope in man, for he is poor, or weak, or fickle, or unwilling to help. But they do hope in God, for He is strong to deliver, wealthy to supply, present to help, pledged to befriend, ready to pardon, wise to direct, waiting to be gracious, and He delighteth in mercy. His compassion is a spring that never fails. His love is a sun that never sets. His Word is a paradise that cannot be forfeited. His grace is sufficient for us, and His strength is made perfect in our weakness. The hope of Israel is a rock: let us build upon it. The hope of Israel is a refuge: let us repair to it. The hope of Israel is a fountain: let us seek our supplies from it. The hope of Israel is a Saviour: let us put our trust in Him. The hope of Israel is God: let us therefore worship, adore and believe Him. ‘Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God.’
Hope of Israel, hear my cry,
To Thee from self I flee;
Be Thou in every trial nigh
And I will hope in Thee.
