TDR: 11 March (1 John 3:2)

‘Dear friends, now we are the children of God’ (1 John 3:2)

What surprising grace this is. For what are we? Poor, vile, depraved, unworthy sinners; so base by nature that we do not have one redeeming quality, and even now, apart from the work of the Spirit, there is no good thing. But we were predestined to the adoption of children; we were born again of the Spirit; and grace has put us among the children.

Dear friends, while we feel so much corruption, while we are despised by the world, harassed by Satan, tormented with fears, NOW we are the children of God. And will God neglect or discard his dearly loved children? No – so let us then cherish the thought, believe the fact, and rejoice in the relationship.

Let us walk and act as the children of God, coming out from among the formal, the self-righteous, and the profane; and devoting ourselves entirely to the Lord’s service and glory. Let us remember in trouble, in sickness and in death itself, God is our Father, Jesus is our brother, and heaven is our home. Let us approach God as children and plead with Him as sons and daughters. He says to us, “Come near unto me, my child, that I may bless you”.

The God who reigns above, we call
Our Father and our Friend;
And blessed thought! His children all
Shall see Him in the end.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘Lord, enlighten, enliven and comfort my soul, and lead me forth in the holy exercises of prayer, praise, and meditation. I feel that I am so backward in these things, I grieve over it, only thou canst make me what I ought to be’.