WHAT poor, dull, lifeless creatures we often feel ourselves to be; and how needful is this prayer. It is our duty to RUN in the way of God's commandments; it is our misery that through sin, weakness, and temptation, we scarcely creep. We are dependent upon the Spirit for quickening. He only can strengthen, animate and enliven us. Let us sow unto the Spirit this morning. He is gracious, and a grace giving Spirit. He delights to exalt and honour Jesus. Let us therefore beseech Him in Jesus' name, for His sake, that we may bring honour unto His cause, to quicken our souls. Let us pray to Him to bring us near to God; for the nearer to God the happier, and holier, and livelier, we shall be. Let us ask Him to shed abroad the love of Jesus in our hearts; for the love of Christ will make us live well, bear the cross well, perform duties well, and die well. The command furnishes us with a rule, and the promise finds us strength; but it is only the Spirit that can put us in possession of the latter, and without that we cannot attend to the former, in a gospel spirit. The presence of Jesus, and the communications of His grace, are daily necessary to keep us lively, devoted, and working for God. Lord, quicken me thus.
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.
WHAT poor, dull, lifeless creatures we often feel ourselves to be; and how needful is this prayer. It is our duty to RUN in the way of God's commandments; it is our misery that through sin, weakness, and temptation, we scarcely creep. We are dependent upon the Spirit for quickening. He only can strengthen, animate and enliven us. Let us sow unto the Spirit this morning. He is gracious, and a grace giving Spirit. He delights to exalt and honour Jesus. Let us therefore beseech Him in Jesus' name, for His sake, that we may bring honour unto His cause, to quicken our souls. Let us pray to Him to bring us near to God; for the nearer to God the happier, and holier, and livelier, we shall be. Let us ask Him to shed abroad the love of Jesus in our hearts; for the love of Christ will make us live well, bear the cross well, perform duties well, and die well. The command furnishes us with a rule, and the promise finds us strength; but it is only the Spirit that can put us in possession of the latter, and without that we cannot attend to the former, in a gospel spirit. The presence of Jesus, and the communications of His grace, are daily necessary to keep us lively, devoted, and working for God. Lord, quicken me thus.