‘Their righteousness is from me, declares the LORD’ (Isaiah 54:17)

The longer the Christian lives, the more they learn; and the more the Holy Spirit teaches them, the more they loathe themselves, renouncing their own righteousness as filthy rags. They hoped to grow in holiness, to feel their corruptions subdued, and to enjoy the presence of their God without interruption; but instead of this, they seem to grow more like Satan, and corruption appears to get stronger and stronger, and the depravity of their nature appears so dreadful, that they enjoy scarcely anything.

They think of themselves as a monster of iniquity, and wonder how God can possibly love them, or show any favour to them. This experience endears free grace, renders Christ unspeakably precious, and the gift of righteousness invaluable.

How then can such a person be just before God? Where is their righteousness to come from? The LORD answers, “THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS FROM ME”. Jesus wrought it; the Father imputes it to us; the gospel reveals it; and faith receives it, puts it on, and pleads it before God. O Jesus! In Thee I have righteousness and strength.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.
On Christ the sold Rock I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘My motto this year is, “I am JEHOVAH, I change not“, and I prove the truth of it. My God has never changed, and he never will. I do again, this day, solemnly give myself up to the Lord, to be his child – his servant: “teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God.”

I consecrate all my powers, talents, and opportunities to thy service. I wish to be employed for thy glory, to be devoted entirely to thy praise. O Holy Spirit, fill my body, soul, and spirit; enable me to glorify Jesus, and to adorn the doctrines of the gospel always, and in all things; and to approve myself unto God, as one that needeth not to be ashamed.’