‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God’ (Matthew 5:8)

It is faith which purifies the heart; it brings home the atonement and we enjoy pardon, peace and reconciliation; faith purges the conscience from dead works, and delivers us from all condemnation. Faith receives the truth of God, in Jesus Christ the Son, and we receive power to become the children of God.

We realise our relationship to God, read the gracious promises God has made, and anticipate the glorious kingdom He has prepared; hope rules in the heart, and every one who has this hope in Him, purifies themselves even as Christ is pure.

Their conscience is made tender, their intentions are honest, and their heart is based upon God’s statutes. They groan under a body of sin and death, they proclaim war with the flesh, and they loath their filthiness of spirit. They would give the world to be free from sin, for holiness is integral to their soul.

Yes, the pure in heart are blessed. They shall see God and enjoy Him as their Father, Portion and everlasting all. They shall be with their God, and be like Him, in purity, happiness, and glory.

Jesus, the crowning grace impart;
Bless me with purity of heart,
That now beholding Thee,
I soon may view Thy open face,
On all thy glorious beauties gaze,
And God forever see!

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘Nov. 19, 1846. For twelve months I have not written a line in my book. How swiftly time flies! But I have written two books for the press, and have begun a third. The Lord blesses my publications, and they circulate by thousands. I frequently hear of their usefulness, which encourages me to go on.’