‘Evil is present with me’ (Romans 7:21)

But what a mercy that evil does not reign in you and over you. It did once, and would now ! but for free and sovereign grace. If sin makes you groan, leads you to the throne to plead with God, and to the fountain of the Saviour’s blood to be cleansed from it, it does not and cannot reign.

It may disturb your peace, distress your mind, hinder you in duty, mix with all your duties and efforts to do good; and it may even make you cry out “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?”. But even then you should not doubt; Jesus still loves you, grace will reign in your experience, and you shall be more than a conqueror.

Paul had known the Lord for many years, he had been in the third heaven, and daily triumphed in Christ; yet he felt just as you feel; when he would do good evil was present with him, and he could not do the things that he would. If sin annoys you, is your burden, and causes you grief, then holiness lives in you, and the present painful conflict will end in everlasting peace.

You may ever now sing, “Thanks be unto God, who gives us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Live upon Christ, and you will live down all evil.

 Oh, the rich depths of love divine,
Of bliss a boundless store.
Dear Saviour, let me call thee mine,
I cannot wish for more.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘What a light, trifling frame has taken possession of me, prayer is a task and a burden.; now I feel overwhelmed with the thoughts of eternity, and then I am carried away by the merest of trifles. What guilt this brings my conscience! Can it be true that I do indeed love my Saviour, and feel a disposition to give way to sin and Satan as I do? What confusion it brings into my soul. What darkness into   my mind. I do hate it, and yet I foolishly give way to it. O that I could crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts! [continued tomorrow]