ALL who know the Lord love Him, and none can love Him until taught by His Spirit. If we know God in Christ, as our covenant God, and enjoy our interest in Him, we shall love Him supremely, above our tranquillity, natural relations, earthly possessions, gifts and reputation. We discover in Him, greater glory, more real worth, pre-eminent beauty, and superior excellence. Those who love Him are preserved by Him. He preserves them in trouble, from its natural effects; in the world, from its spirit and doom; from enemies, evil and wrath. His loving-kindness and truth will continually preserve them; yea, He will preserve them unto His kingdom and glory. But He preserves us in the use of means; let us therefore walk before Him, confide in Him, wait upon Him, and often demand of our hearts, Do we love the Lord? Are we desiring to love Him? Are we preserved from sin, the world, and all evil? If so, we must ascribe it to free and sovereign grace; if not, let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. He bids, He exhorts us to come.
Infinite grace! Almighty charms! Stand in amaze, ye rolling skies! Jesus, the God, extends His arms, Hangs on the cross of love, and dies, Sure I must love: my passions move: This heart shall yield to death or love.
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.
ALL who know the Lord love Him, and none can love Him until taught by His Spirit. If we know God in Christ, as our covenant God, and enjoy our interest in Him, we shall love Him supremely, above our tranquillity, natural relations, earthly possessions, gifts and reputation. We discover in Him, greater glory, more real worth, pre-eminent beauty, and superior excellence. Those who love Him are preserved by Him. He preserves them in trouble, from its natural effects; in the world, from its spirit and doom; from enemies, evil and wrath. His loving-kindness and truth will continually preserve them; yea, He will preserve them unto His kingdom and glory. But He preserves us in the use of means; let us therefore walk before Him, confide in Him, wait upon Him, and often demand of our hearts, Do we love the Lord? Are we desiring to love Him? Are we preserved from sin, the world, and all evil? If so, we must ascribe it to free and sovereign grace; if not, let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. He bids, He exhorts us to come.
Infinite grace! Almighty charms! Stand in amaze, ye rolling skies! Jesus, the God, extends His arms, Hangs on the cross of love, and dies, Sure I must love: my passions move: This heart shall yield to death or love.