He hath made a proclamation, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' He hath given an invitation, "Look unto me, and be ye saved." He hath employed entreaty, "As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
He hath issued a command, "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ." He hath sworn an oath, "That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation." He hath given His Son as a pledge, to assure us that "whosoever believeth on Him shall never perish, but have eternal life." He hath added the testimony of all His saints.
Well then may He marvel at our unbelief. Never let us attempt to excuse it, but let us plead and pray against it, until we conquer it.
O Lord, fulfil in me Thy word, Now let me feel Thy pardoning blood, Let what I ask be given; The bar of unbelief remove, Open the door of faith and love, And take me into heaven.
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.
He hath made a proclamation, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.' He hath given an invitation, "Look unto me, and be ye saved." He hath employed entreaty, "As though God did beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."
He hath issued a command, "This is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ." He hath sworn an oath, "That by two immutable things in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation." He hath given His Son as a pledge, to assure us that "whosoever believeth on Him shall never perish, but have eternal life." He hath added the testimony of all His saints.
Well then may He marvel at our unbelief. Never let us attempt to excuse it, but let us plead and pray against it, until we conquer it.
O Lord, fulfil in me Thy word, Now let me feel Thy pardoning blood, Let what I ask be given; The bar of unbelief remove, Open the door of faith and love, And take me into heaven.