NOT only because He has chosen me from others, in Jesus His beloved Son; nor merely because I am redeemed from among men, by the precious blood of Immanuel; but also because I have surrendered myself up into the Lord's hand, with all I have and am, to be taught by His Spirit, ruled by His word, supplied by His providence, and devoted to His praise. The Lord claimed me, and I was enabled to acknowledge the claim; He has a right to me, and that right should never be forgotten by me. Am I tempted to sin? To murmur? To despond? Let this be my preservative, "I AM THE LORD'S." How base, ungrateful, and wicked for me to yield to sin; for me to complain of any of His dispensations; or for me to doubt His goodness or His grace. I am the Lord's for life; I shall be the Lord's in death; and then (O delightful thought!) I shall be the Lord's for evermore. He will guide me by His counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. I have only to aim at His glory, walk by His word, and live at His throne, until He takes me to Himself. My only business on earth is to please God, and my heaven will be to enjoy Him forever. Blessed truth, "I am the Lord's!"
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach no tongue declare; O knit my thankful heart to Thee, And reign without a rival there!
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.
NOT only because He has chosen me from others, in Jesus His beloved Son; nor merely because I am redeemed from among men, by the precious blood of Immanuel; but also because I have surrendered myself up into the Lord's hand, with all I have and am, to be taught by His Spirit, ruled by His word, supplied by His providence, and devoted to His praise. The Lord claimed me, and I was enabled to acknowledge the claim; He has a right to me, and that right should never be forgotten by me. Am I tempted to sin? To murmur? To despond? Let this be my preservative, "I AM THE LORD'S." How base, ungrateful, and wicked for me to yield to sin; for me to complain of any of His dispensations; or for me to doubt His goodness or His grace. I am the Lord's for life; I shall be the Lord's in death; and then (O delightful thought!) I shall be the Lord's for evermore. He will guide me by His counsel, and afterwards receive me to glory. I have only to aim at His glory, walk by His word, and live at His throne, until He takes me to Himself. My only business on earth is to please God, and my heaven will be to enjoy Him forever. Blessed truth, "I am the Lord's!"
Jesus, Thy boundless love to me No thought can reach no tongue declare; O knit my thankful heart to Thee, And reign without a rival there!