WHATEVER Jesus did was for His people. He is gone into heaven as our Forerunner; as the PIONEER goes before the army to remove obstacles, clear the road, and render the march more easy, so did Jesus go before us. As an interested and kind friend, He shows the practicability of the way; as a wise GUIDE, He marks out the road for us; as our example, He is gone before, and says to us, "FOLLOW ME." We have now an ADVOCATE with the Father, a HUSBAND preparing our mansions, a SAVIOUR waiting to receive us. We have one in heaven to whom in our addresses to His throne we can say, "Lord, Thou knowest from Thy own experience what I feel in my present situation, for Thou wast once tried in all points like as I am." We have one in heaven who will welcome us home, and who when He sees us enter will be glad in His heart. We know Him below, and we shall know, and enjoy, and love Him for ever above. He is gone into heaven FOR US, nor shall we know until we arrive there, how much we are indebted to His intercession and pleading above. O my soul, look at Jesus as thy Forerunner, and follow in His steps!
Before His heavenly Father's face, For every saint He intercedes: For mercy and abounding grace, There Jesus, our Forerunner, pleads.
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.
WHATEVER Jesus did was for His people. He is gone into heaven as our Forerunner; as the PIONEER goes before the army to remove obstacles, clear the road, and render the march more easy, so did Jesus go before us. As an interested and kind friend, He shows the practicability of the way; as a wise GUIDE, He marks out the road for us; as our example, He is gone before, and says to us, "FOLLOW ME." We have now an ADVOCATE with the Father, a HUSBAND preparing our mansions, a SAVIOUR waiting to receive us. We have one in heaven to whom in our addresses to His throne we can say, "Lord, Thou knowest from Thy own experience what I feel in my present situation, for Thou wast once tried in all points like as I am." We have one in heaven who will welcome us home, and who when He sees us enter will be glad in His heart. We know Him below, and we shall know, and enjoy, and love Him for ever above. He is gone into heaven FOR US, nor shall we know until we arrive there, how much we are indebted to His intercession and pleading above. O my soul, look at Jesus as thy Forerunner, and follow in His steps!
Before His heavenly Father's face, For every saint He intercedes: For mercy and abounding grace, There Jesus, our Forerunner, pleads.