‘Set your minds on things above’ (Colossians 3:2)

We are prone to be much affected by earthly things, but our affections should permanently be fixed on things above. Let us lift up our eyes and hearts to heaven this morning; there are the proper objects of our love, desire and appreciation:

There is Jehovah our heavenly Father, dwelling in an approachable light. There is Jesus, our dear and adorable Saviour, exalted, dignified, and glorified at the right hand of the Father. There is the Holy Spirit, our divine, gracious, and condescending Comforter.

There the love, favour, and presence of God are fully enjoyed. There peace, rest, and happiness are eternally realised. There is the crown of righteousness, the throne of glory, and the rivers of pleasure, which our God has promised, and set before us. There are our brothers and sisters who have gone home before us, and there our affections should be.

What is earth? Whatever it is, we are leaving it. What is time? We shall soon be finished with it. Let us, therefore, SET OUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE, AND NOT ON THINGS OF THE EARTH.

Why should my heart descend so low,
To brood on earth – a world of woe,
While heaven, where endless pleasures roll,
Waits to entrance my new-born soul?
Saviour! Let thine attractions be
But felt in all their force by me;
Then shall I mount on wings of love,
And feast my soul on things above.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘The Lord hath given me some sweet glimpses, and comfortable manifestations of himself, but I want to taste and enjoy more and more. O to be like Jesus, to live, speak, and act only for him. I feel that I shall never be happy until this is the case. Lord, forbid that I should!’