THE promises of God raise the expectation of His people, and His providence tries it; what the promise has engaged to give, providence seems loath to bestow. But God is faithful. We may expect the Lord to appear for us in every trouble, if our faith is fixed on His word, and prayer is daily sent up to His throne. We may expect to be supported under all our trials, and to be supplied with all necessary good, if we are making God our portion, and seeking to glorify Him. We may expect to be pardoned, justified, and saved, if we believe with the heart, confess with the mouth, and walk according to our profession. God notices our expectations, Jesus pleads that they may be realized; and nothing shall be able to turn away the bountiful hand of our God. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. Our fears may be strong, and our doubts may be many; but our security is in the character, word, and work of our God and Saviour. He will not fail us, nor forsake us, until He hath done all which He hath spoken to us of.
Soon the delightful day will come, When my dear Lord will bring me home, And I shall see His face; Then, with my Saviour, Brother, Friend, A blest eternity I'll spend, Triumphant in His grace.
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 promises of God raise the expectation of His people, and His providence tries it; what the promise has engaged to give, providence seems loath to bestow. But God is faithful. We may expect the Lord to appear for us in every trouble, if our faith is fixed on His word, and prayer is daily sent up to His throne. We may expect to be supported under all our trials, and to be supplied with all necessary good, if we are making God our portion, and seeking to glorify Him. We may expect to be pardoned, justified, and saved, if we believe with the heart, confess with the mouth, and walk according to our profession. God notices our expectations, Jesus pleads that they may be realized; and nothing shall be able to turn away the bountiful hand of our God. He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer. Our fears may be strong, and our doubts may be many; but our security is in the character, word, and work of our God and Saviour. He will not fail us, nor forsake us, until He hath done all which He hath spoken to us of.
Soon the delightful day will come, When my dear Lord will bring me home, And I shall see His face; Then, with my Saviour, Brother, Friend, A blest eternity I'll spend, Triumphant in His grace.