TDR: 25 March (Matthew 14:18)

‘Bring them here to Me’ (Matthew 14:18)

Our compassionate Lord Jesus was surrounded by a starving, fainting multitude; His disciples had only five small loaves, and two little fish, and yet He had requested them to feed the crowd. The commands of Jesus are often intended to try our faith, and bring us as children to His feet. He says, “Bring them to me”.

Things are not what they appear, but what Jesus makes them. His blessing produces a wonderful change. He bids you bring everything to Him. Do you have a family? Jesus says, “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not.” Have you trials? Take them to Jesus; His blessing sweetens and lessens trials. Are you in poverty? Carry your poverty to Him; He can increase your little and bless it with a peculiar flavour.

Whatever troubles you today, or any day, think that you hear Jesus saying, “Bring them here to Me.” Carry all things to Jesus, small things as well as great ones; it is only be doing this, that you can overcome trials, conquer foes, glory in tribulation, and rejoice in God.

   The privilege I greatly prize,
Of casting all my care on Him,
The mighty God, the only wise
Who reigns in heaven and earth supreme;
How sweet to be allowed to call
The God whom heaven adores my Friend;
To tell my thoughts, to tell Him all,
And then to know my prayers ascend.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘I see daily more and more, the necessity of the operations of the Holy Spirit, in order to attend to any duty with profit. The depravity of my heart is awful, and I had a very affecting view of it in my late illness. I wanted for nothing, I abounded with blessings; yet I could not appreciate or enjoy them, without the presence of Jesus to sweeten them to my soul’.