‘Whoever comes to me I will never cast out’  (John 6:37)

The strongest believer is subject to fears, and may at times be strongly tempted to doubt, not only all that God has done for him, but his right and title to every promise in God’s Book; at such times it is well to have recourse to those wells, from which we have drawn the choicest consolation in former times; and the words of Jesus which we have chosen for this day’s verse stand foremost.

Here He tells us, with peculiar tenderness and love, that He has made up His mind, that He will on no account refuse to receive the coming sinner, or allow them to be driven from His throne; neither the nature nor number of their transgressions, their age or circumstances, shall be found sufficient to warrant their rejection.

His arms and His heart are open; He stands and calls us to Him, giving us this assurance, “I will never cast them out.” Nearly two thousand years have rolled away since He spoke those words: millions of sinners of every culture and character have made application, and all have found Him faithful.

So let’s not then grieve His love, and distress our own souls with doubts and fears; rather let us trust His word.

When, gracious Lord, when shall it be,
That I shall find my all in Thee?
The fullness of Thy promise prove,
The seal of Thine eternal love?
Ah! wherefore did I ever doubt!
Thou will in no wise cast me out.

THE DAILY REMEMBRANCER by James Smith (1802-1862)

Journal Jottings

‘I endeavoured to set forth the signs we desire to witness. As the signs of life imparted, to those who are dead in trespasses and sins – the signs of liveliness in the saints – and the signs of a revival of religion, in the church and congregation. Observing, “we see not our signs”, for few are added to the church – few are found deciding for God – few are enquiring the way to Zion – few are found properly affected with the state of the world and the church. Our prayer meetings are not thronged. The spirit of wrestling prayer does not appear !

The language of my soul must now be, “I will wait for the Lord, who hideth himself from the house of Israel, and I will look for him.” O that he would soon appear, and put forth his power with his word!’