‘I will instruct you’ (Psalm 32:8)

At best we know very little, and we are slow to learn. But as the Lord has promised to instruct us, we may yet expect to be made wise unto salvation. The Lord’s teaching always produces humility, self-loathing, confidence in God, zeal for His glory, and devotes the heart to His praise.

It brings us to the feet of Jesus, and delivers us from the present evil world. Under divine instruction we learn the true nature of sin, the vanity of the world, the emptiness of creatures, and the fullness and preciousness of Christ.

Is God willing to instruct us? Then let us be early and often at His throne, praying as the Psalmist did, “Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for Thou art the God of my salvation; my hope is in You all day long” [Psalm 25:5].

Then shall we exclaim as Elihu did, “Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is  a teacher like him?” [Job 36:22]. The Lord will teach us to profit and sanctify us through the truth He imparts. Christ is our great lesson, and to know Him rightly is life, peace and joy.

Is Jesus your teacher? Then sit at His feet, treasure up His words, and show forth His praise. He says, “Learn of me.” Learn to know Him, love Him and obey Him.

Eternal life thy words impart,
On these my fainting spirit lives:
Here sweeter comforts cheer my heart,
Than the whole world around me gives.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘My soul is looking out after Jesus, and desiring to walk with him. Faith opens the window, desire flies out with a message for God, hope goes out to meet it returning, and expectation looks and waits for the blessing desired. Faith says, “It shall come, for God hath promised.” Unbelief says, “you do not seek aright, or the Lord may not have designed the blessing for you now.”

But hope, with her sister patience, is willing quietly to wait, knowing from the word and from past experience, that the Lord cannot deny his word, nor will he send the hungry soul away empty. He hath said, “Ask and receive, that your joy may be full”.