THE Lord's people are never alone, therefore they should not feel lonely. God is with them as an OBSERVER; He notices every thought, word, and action; every trial, every foe, and every danger. He is with them as a Father, loving and holding communion with them. He is with them as the Lord of Hosts, having all the armies of earth and heaven under His direction to befriend them. He is with them as a Guide, to lead them; as a Counsellor, to plead their cause; as a Friend, to supply and comfort them; as a Saviour, to deliver and exalt them; and as a holy, sin-hating God. He is present with them to try them, to reprove them, to humble them, to preserve them, to comfort them, and to save them with an everlasting salvation. Beloved, let us remember that God is with us, everywhere and always; this will check levity, prevent impatience, make us honest, encourage prayerfulness, inspire with fortitude, and produce diligence. If God is with us thus, He is for us; and if God be for us, who can be against us? But do we so walk, as by our conduct to say, "God is with us?"
Be it my only wisdom here, To serve the Lord with filial fear, With loving gratitude; Superior sense may I display, By shunning every evil way, And walking in the good.
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.
THE Lord's people are never alone, therefore they should not feel lonely. God is with them as an OBSERVER; He notices every thought, word, and action; every trial, every foe, and every danger. He is with them as a Father, loving and holding communion with them. He is with them as the Lord of Hosts, having all the armies of earth and heaven under His direction to befriend them. He is with them as a Guide, to lead them; as a Counsellor, to plead their cause; as a Friend, to supply and comfort them; as a Saviour, to deliver and exalt them; and as a holy, sin-hating God. He is present with them to try them, to reprove them, to humble them, to preserve them, to comfort them, and to save them with an everlasting salvation. Beloved, let us remember that God is with us, everywhere and always; this will check levity, prevent impatience, make us honest, encourage prayerfulness, inspire with fortitude, and produce diligence. If God is with us thus, He is for us; and if God be for us, who can be against us? But do we so walk, as by our conduct to say, "God is with us?"
Be it my only wisdom here, To serve the Lord with filial fear, With loving gratitude; Superior sense may I display, By shunning every evil way, And walking in the good.