THAT is take God at His word. Give Him credit for meaning what He says, for being faithful to His own word; and then what will become of your fears? 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; and He pledges His character 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 endeavour to believe it.
O that closer I could cleave To Thy bleeding, dying breast! Give me firmly to believe, And to enter into rest: Lord, increase, increase my faith; Make me faithful unto death.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
THAT is take God at His word. Give Him credit for meaning what He says, for being faithful to His own word; and then what will become of your fears? 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; and He pledges His character 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 endeavour to believe it.
O that closer I could cleave To Thy bleeding, dying breast! Give me firmly to believe, And to enter into rest: Lord, increase, increase my faith; Make me faithful unto death.