‘I will deal well with you’ (Genesis 32:9)

Just as the Lord promised Jacob, and the promises made unto our fathers, so He will fulfil unto us their children. But such a promise does not exclude great trials, sore temptations, deep personal afflictions, fiery persecutions, poverty, disappointments, and perplexity; all these things may happen to us, and yet the Lord deals well with us.

The promise secures the sanctification of our troubles, the communication of grace, deliverance from real evils, the supply of all wants, and the satisfying of our best desires. Is this not enough, to know that Jehovah will deal well with us, in sickness and in health; in life and in death; in time and through eternity?

The promise is Jehovah’s bond, the believer’s plea, the ground of the Christian’s confidence, a reason for contentment and gratitude, and the cause of our enemies’ confusion. Jacob, though tried, found the Lord faithful, and so shall we.

Let us therefore rejoice that our God has said, “I will deal well with you. I will make all my goodness pass before you. I will save you with an everlasting salvation. I will be your God and your glory”.

Jesus! In whom but Thee above,
Can I repose my trust, my love,
Thy counsels and upholding care,
My safety and my comfort are,
And Thou shalt guide me all my days,
Till glory crown the work of grace.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘Being constantly engaged in preaching the word, writing for the press, and carrying on rather an extensive correspondence, I made but few entries in my diary, during my time at Salem. Trouble generally drove me to my knees and my desk. A variety of things now united to unsettle me again, and right or wrong, I decided to remove. The last two entries while at Cheltenham, I insert –

Nov. 9 – [continued tomorrow]