‘God is faithful’ (1 Corinthians 10:13)

This is the Christian’s anchor; without this our spirits would droop and our hope would be crushed. Sometimes we are shaken to pieces by unbelief and filled with tormenting doubts. We feel nothing of the presence, power or comfort of God the Holy Spirit.

Faith, hope and love can seem to be virtually extinguished. We have no power and scarcely any inclination to pray; instead we feel hardness, fretfulness and misery. We are tempted by Satan; harassed by tormenting thoughts so that we feel tired of this miserable life. But God is faithful; He never fails us; but appears again and again, restoring to us peace, joy, and satisfaction; and our most miserable times are often succeeded by special joys.

The scriptures are opened up to our understanding; the promises are applied to our souls; and we are filled with the comforts of the Holy Spirit. Then our souls melt before God in contrition, and holy penitence; we feel crumbled into dust before Him; and can only admire and adore the riches of free and sovereign grace. Beloved, in the darkest night, remember “GOD IS FAITHFUL!”

He will not His great self deny;
A God all truth can never lie:
True to His word, God gave His Son
To die for crimes which men had done.
Blest pledge! He never will revoke
A single promise He has spoke.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘MARCH. This day my convictions of sin are deep, and my discovery of my follies painful. It is in reference to prayer and watchfulness, that I principally fail. I have not yet learned thoroughly to govern my feelings and my tongue; therefore I suffer, for I would not dishonour God, injure the cause, or mar my usefulness, for the world.’