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Afterwards you will understand!

(James Smith)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“You do not understand now what I am doing, but afterwards you will understand.” John 13:7

We are to walk by faith, not by sight. 
We are to trust His heart, when we cannot trace His hand! 

We are to believe Him, when we cannot understand His mysterious workings! 

The Lord is now working in nature, providence, and grace–and He does many things which we do not understand at present. But when His work is complete, and it lies stretched out before us in the light of eternity, we shall then . . .
  comprehend His design,
  admire His wisdom, and
  adore His divine workings!

Beloved, is God cleansing you by fiery trials, or causing you to pass through deep waters? Are you at a loss to know what His design is, or where the present affliction will end? 

Be still. Wait His time. 

There is a divine working time, which is the present; 
and there is a divine revealing time, which is to come.

The wisest Christians are often in the dark now, but the simplest Christians will see all things clearly by and by. 
A little more patience, a little more faith–and all will end well. 

“We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God, and who are called according to His purpose!” Romans 8:2

HEAVEN!

(James Smith, “Heaven!” 1858)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!” Psalm 16:11

HEAVEN! What is it? 
It is . . . 
  God’s residence,
  the Savior’s home, 
  our Father’s house, 
  a paradise of pleasure, 
  a temple of worship, and 
  the residence of perfect purity and peace! 

There . . .
  God unveils His glory, 
  the Savior exhibits His charms,
  the angels perform their service, and 
  the saints are entirely happy with their God. 

In Heaven . . .
  sin is banished,
  holiness is perfected,
  life is a continual feast, and 
  mortality is swallowed up in life!

From Heaven . . . 
  all pain is banished,
  all enemies are excluded, and
  all causes of sorrow are shut out!

In Heaven . . .
  all our prayers are answered,
  all our desires are gratified, and
  all our needs are supplied.
There is no weeping, wailing or wishing there.

In Heaven . . .
  our knowledge will be perfect,
  our happiness will be abiding,
  our pleasures will be ever new. 

In Heaven we shall . . . 
  see Jesus, 
  be with Jesus, and
  be like Jesus, forever!

HEAVEN! Who are there? 
All tried and tempted followers of Jesus are there. 
All doubting and fearing disciples of Jesus are there. 
All poor and despised believers are there. 
Multitudes, who felt totally unworthy of such glory, and feared they would never reach the place–are there. 

All who were chosen by the Father,
all who were redeemed by the Son, and
all who were sanctified by the Holy Spirit–are there. 

HEAVEN! What do they enjoy there? Who can answer this question, but one who has been there; and he would need a new language to state, and new figures to represent the enjoyments of Heaven. They enjoy rest from their pains, and a full supply of all their needs. They enjoy perfect satisfaction, a fullness of joy, and pleasure forevermore. They . . .
  see all that they believed,
  realize all that they hoped for,
  and possess all that they loved. 

They have . . . 
  health, without sickness;
  pleasure, without pain;
  and holiness, without sin.

Every sense is gratified, every power is pleasurably employed–and they are perfectly and perpetually happy! 

O Heaven, in you there is . . .
  no tempting devil,
  no ensnaring world,
  no indwelling corruption,
  no doubts, fears, or misgivings!
  And best of all, there is no sin!

O Heaven, in you I shall . . .
  see my God,
  possess my Savior, and
  enjoy the fullness of the Holy Spirit! 

O my God, in Heaven I shall be satisfied–for I shall be with You, serving and enjoying You without weariness or cessation!

HEAVEN! Who will yet get to Heaven? Who? Ah, perhaps many we little think of! We shall miss many whom we expected to find there–and find many whom we never expected would reach that glorious place!

Who will go to Heaven? 
That poor man who is striving against sin, mourning over corruption, and loathing himself before God. 
That poor woman, who sighs because she sins, pants for perfect holiness, and clings to the cross of Jesus. 
Do you see that poor soul on his knees, confessing his transgressions, pleading for pardon, and seeking grace to sanctify his nature–he will go to Heaven. 
Do you see that lowly Christian who is visiting the sick, pointing sufferers to the cross, and trying to alleviate human woe, out of love to Jesus–he will go to Heaven. 
Do you see that Sunday School teacher, who, after a hard week’s work, is regularly in his class, speaking loving words in tender tones, to win the little ones for the Savior–he will go to Heaven. 
Do you see that preacher who exalts Christ in his ministry, honors the gospel in his life, and travails in birth for souls–he will go to Heaven. 

Heaven will be peopled by all who believe in Jesus, love the brethren, and worship God in Spirit and in truth. There will be a numberless multitude there, all . . .
  deeply indebted to free mercy,
  washed in the Savior’s blood,
  and sanctified by the Spirit’s grace!

Reader, there is a way–but only one way to Heaven! Only those found in that way will ever reach it! You yourself, may be within an hour or two of either Heaven or Hell! Do you know which? If called away suddenly, to which would you go? You have a Heaven to obtain, or a Hell to endure–to all eternity! Which shall it be? O that you were wise, that you properly realized this, that you would consider your latter end! 

Heaven with all its glories, or Hell with all its horrors–must be your eternal portion! If you despise the Savior, make light of the Gospel, and neglect God’s great salvation–then Hell, an eternal Hell, with all its unspeakable horrors, is your portion!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined–what God has prepared for those who love Him!” 1 Corinthians 2:9

A Seasonable Prescription

(James Smith, “Rills from the Rock of Ages”, 1860)  Play Audio!  Download Audio  Watch Video

As we Christians advance in life, and know more of human nature and the power of temptation–the greater interest should we take in the young, and the more urgently should we seek their salvation. It is a lovely sight to see aged Christians endeavoring to bring young people to the Savior. And this we ought constantly to see, for they know the power . . .
  of youthful lusts,
  of the world’s attractions,
  of Satanic influence,
  of the deceitfulness of the heart,
  and the value of the immortal soul! 

Aged friends, do you feel and act, as you should for the young? Do you do all that you can to snatch them as brands from the burning? 

Solomon was an old man when he wrote the book of Ecclesiastes, and in that book he manifests great solicitude for the young. Again and again he addresses them in different ways, but with what touching and subtle irony does he speak to them in one place: “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT KNOW that for all these things, God will bring you to judgment!” Ecclesiastes 11:9

The Youth’s Practice. He is happy in his youth, in his physical vigor, personal attractions, and newly acquired liberty. Feeling strong, he puts the day of judgment far from him. Vain of his person, he is proud of his appearance and abilities. Freed from the restraints of home, he removes the reins from the neck of his lusts. His heart cheers him on, and urges him forward in the pursuit of folly! He walks in the way of his heart, which is always evil. He is ignorant of its powers of deception. He is therefore deceived by the corrupt principles that work within it. He hushes his conscience to sleep, or by violence constrains it to be silent.

He then yields to the alluring influence of the world. And while so doing, Satan tempts him to proceed farther and farther, plotting his eternal damnation!

He does what he thinks best in his own eyes, allowing them to mislead him. He walks by sight, not according to God’s Word. He is led away by appearances, and despises the counsel and example of the godly. He refuses to listen to, or be guided by the advice of parents. He despises, or slights, the preacher’s admonition, and will be a law unto himself. He chooses vain people for his companions, and follows the example of the foolish! Let us now listen to:

The Preacher’s Prescription. “Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. BUT know that for all these things, God will bring you to judgment!”

Take your own course, if you are determined. 

Go on in the way which you prefer, if you think it best.

Persevere in the path that you have chosen. 

BUT KNOW that there is an end to your course, and that end is a judgment!

The judgment day is fixed, and it is therefore certain.

The judge stands at the door, it is therefore near.

The dead, small and great, shall stand before God–it is therefore universal. 

Every one of us shall give account of himself before God, it is therefore personal. 

Before this final judgment, shall be gathered all nations–it will therefore be open and public. 

God will judge in justice and uprightness, it will therefore be righteous. 

It will be the great day, the last day–and will therefore be final. 

“BUT KNOW that for all these things, God will bring you to judgment!”

You will not be able to escape! 

You will not be overlooked or forgotten! 

You will be personally summoned, and there will be no evading!

Death will arrest and cast you into prison. From thence, the angels will bring you out, and Jesus will judge you! For “He has set a day when He is going to judge the world in righteousness, by the Man He has appointed!” Acts 17:31 

Young man! Young woman! To you is this word of solemn admonition sent! See how many young people are being called away by death! Fatal diseases and accidents–how common. Sudden deaths–how frequent. It is very probable that God may soon call for YOU! How necessary then that you be ready, for death very often gives but a short notice, or no notice! 

  God warns you by His providence;
  He directs you in His Word;
  He invites you by His ministers;
  and He will judge you by His Son!

Whenever therefore you are tempted to indulge in any unholy amusement or practice, remember these words: “BUT KNOW that for all these things, God will bring you to judgment!”

Home sweet home! There is no place like home!

(James Smith, “Rills from the Rock of Ages”, 1860)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“These all died in faith . . . they confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” Hebrews 11:13

The day of life with them is ended.
Its duties are ended.
Its responsibilities are past. 
Its hours are fled away.

What a trying day some of them had! How stormy. How sultry. How often overcast. How gloomy. But it is now past, and past forever! The toils of the wilderness are over! They had much to afflict and pain them . . . 
  a difficult and dangerous journey,
  a long wearisome march,
  many a heavy cross to carry,
  many a stubborn foe to face,
  many a painful doubt,
  numerous gloomy fears.

But now the wilderness is all behind them! The afflictions of the pilgrimage are terminated. Those sufferings were sharp, and some of them continued long. Many of them were endured in secret without sympathy, and without relief. They were soul sorrows, agony of mind–as well as sharp pains of body. But however multiplied, however severe, however protracted those sorrows–they are past and gone, never, never to return!

The sweetest repose is now enjoyed. The poor tabernacle has been taken down, and is laid in a quiet resting-place, until the resurrection morning. The soul is gone to be with Jesus. It has traveled through the rough path of life, and is now in God’s presence, where there is fullness of joy, and pleasures for evermore!

As Christians, we are going to the same place. The graves will soon be ready for our bodies, and themansions of glory for our souls. We are going home! Home to our Father’s house! Home where our hearts have long been. Home where all our prayers will be answered, and all our best desires will be gratified. “Home, sweet home! There is no place like home!” Especially our home! A paradise without a tempting serpent! A paradise where all are holy, all are safe, all are happy. Those pure and perpetual joys, which are at God’s right hand, await us! We taste them now, and are delighted with asip–but there we shall soon drink full draughts of eternal glory, eternal joy, and eternal blessedness!

Amidst present toils and trials, dangers and distresses, when wearied, way-worn, and tempted to fret–remember that you will soon be HOME! Think, think, O my soul, of an eternity of enjoyment, when the sufferings of time are ended! “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning!” Psalm 30:5

We did have a father, it was the devil!

(James Smith, “Comfort for the Christian”)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things!” Matthew 6:32

The Lord Jesus, as the great teacher, is instructing His disciples in the doctrine of divine providence, and teaching them to exercise faith in God. He tells them that God feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies, and therefore He will not neglect, or refuse to feed and clothe His redeemed children!

He would have us act like His children! 
As children who view the Most High God as their Father! 
As children who are absolutely dependent upon Him! 
As children who look to Him for all; and expect Him to supply them with all. 

God is our FATHER. He has adopted us by His grace. We were by nature fatherless, so far as spiritual relationship is concerned. Or, to be more correct, we did have a father, it was the devil! Said Jesus, “You belong to your father, the devil!” John 8:44. We were in an abject and dreadful condition!

But in His infinite mercy, and for the glory of His own free grace, God adopted us and placed us among His children!

We still have a heavenly Father who cares for us! And as the heaven is high above the earth, so far does God’s relationship exceed all human relationships. To have God for our Father, is the height of blessedness; it is the crowning privilege! 

Nothing can exceed this, for His love is infinite, and embraces all His children. His love cannot change, for that would imply a change in His nature. But He says, “I am Jehovah, I do not change!” Everything outside of the Divine nature will change. But Jehovah Himself loves His people, and as His nature cannot change, neither can His love! 

His resources are boundless, and He supplies all of His children. They are never sent to any other quarter for supply, but always bidden to come to their Father for all that they need. 

His pity is exquisite, and He sympathizes with all of His children. “Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities all who fear Him. He knows our frame, He remembers that we are but dust.” 

His knowledge is perfect, therefore He is fully acquainted with them all. “All things are naked and open to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” He knows exactly where each one is, and each of their wants, woes, and wishes! For “the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on the behalf of all those who hearts are sincere towards Him.” 

His strength is omnipotent, and protects them all. He says, “No one is able to pluck you out of my hand! I will strengthen you! I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of My righteousness.” 

His nature is unchangeable, and His covenant is sure; therefore He will be to us, and do for us, all that He has promised to us!

Scripture history unfolds God’s love to, and the method of his dealing with His children. He is “the same yesterday, today, and forever!” 

What a mercy, to have a Father–and such a Father!  

What an astounding blessing, to have God for our Father–in a world like this, and in times like these!  

What a comfort, to look up to the High and Lofty one who inhabits eternity, and rejoice that He has a father’s heart, and that His heart beats with unutterable love to me! 

What an encouragement, to be able in the midst of trials, troubles, temptations, losses, crosses, disappointments, and vexations–to look up to my heavenly Father and say, “I will cry unto God most high, unto God who performs all things for me!”

“Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things!”

God’s jewels are often found buried in the worst filth!

(James Smith, “Exhortation and Encouragement” 1859)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10 

What kind of a city was it?
Corinth was one of the most worldly and immoral cities of the east. Here was the temple of Venus, with its degrading and disgraceful services.
What kind of people were they?
“Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders northieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were! But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. 
This is the apostle’s own reply to the question.

Observe:

  1. The Lord’s people are often found in the most unlikely places! Who would have expected to find God’s chosen people, a multitude of them–in a place so foul, so polluted, so degraded, as Corinth? 
God’s jewels are often found buried in the worst filth!

   2. The Lord chooses the most unlikely people! Who would ever have thought that the Lord would have chosen the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers–to be saved? But He did! 
God’s people are picked off the foulest dunghills!
O the wonders of sovereign grace!

Paul’s criterion

(James Smith, “The Believer’s Triumph” 1862)  Play Audio!  Download Audio

“And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” Romans 8:9

This is Paul’s criterion. No matter what a man has, if he does not have the Spirit of Christ–“he does not belong to Christ!” 

This divine agent, as the Spirit of Christ, always convinces the soul of its need of Christ. He always leads to the cross of Christ! He will not allow the soul to stop at, or rest in, sacraments, ceremonies, or any duties it may perform. 
He points to the cross. 
He leads to the cross. 
He fixes the sinner’s eye upon the cross. 
He brings peace to the soul through the cross. 
He dedicates and devotes the sinner to God’s service at the cross. 
Every one who has the Spirit of Christ, knows something of the worth, virtue, and efficacy of the cross of Christ.

The Spirit of Christ always conforms to the image of Christ. Christ is the model after which the Spirit works; and by the Word and ordinances, by providence and His own inward operations–He stamps the likeness of Christ upon the soul. He fixes the eye on Jesus, who, as a mirror, represents and sets forth the glory of God; and by looking at Jesus, a divine transformation takes place, and we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Unless, therefore, we have been taught our need of Christ as a Savior; unless we have been led to the cross of Christ to seek salvation there; unless we are in some degree conformed to Christ, and are daily seeking more conformity–we have not the Spirit of Christ. “And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.”

The Spirit of Christ is the great proof that we are Christ’s. There may be much feeling, a moral reformation, and a profession of religion, without this. But if we have the Spirit of Christ, our thoughts will be engaged with Him, our hearts will be going out to Him, and we shall at times long to depart that we may be with Him, and see Him as He is!

The Spirit of Christ always renders Christ precious, and produces the highest possible esteem of Him.

The Spirit of Christ always makes its possessor like Christ. Not perfectly, here on earth–yet He kindles and keeps alive a desire for perfect likeness. This is the great, the grand, the habitual aim of the soul, always and everywhere–to be like Christ!

The sufferings of this present time!

(James Smith, “No Comparison!” 1862)  Play Audio!Download Audio

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us!” Romans 8:18

Paul compares present sufferings, with future glory. 

Believers are exposed to all kinds of suffering–and instead of obtaining an exemption from afflictions, they are assured that it is through much tribulation that they must enter into the kingdom of God.

Some endure inward suffering, with which no one is fully acquainted but God Himself. They have such darkness, gloom, distress, agitation, trouble, and sorrow–as would not be easy to describe. 

Some suffer much in body, from the stressed and disordered state of the nervous system, from chronic diseases, or deformities in the physical frame. They seldom move without suffering, and for years together have but little freedom from weakness and pain. They live a life of suffering, a kind of dying life, and think much of Heaven as of a place where there is no more pain.

Some suffer much financially. Scarcely anything seems to prosper with them, losses, crosses, and opposition meet them at every turn. And though they live honestly, and conduct their business honorably–they are thwarted, hindered, and filled with perplexity. No one can tell what they suffer from financial trials and difficulties.

Others suffer from reproach, misrepresentation, strife, and persecution in the world, or in the Church, or both! No one seems to understand them, or is prepared to sympathize with them; they are like “a sparrow alone upon the house-top.” False friends and open enemies unite to trouble and distress them, so that they often sigh, and say, “O that I had wings like a dove, for then would I fly away and be at rest!”

Others in the domestic circle, or from some of the relationships of life, are called to suffer long and seriously.

But whether from trouble of mind, sickness of body, trials in business, family difficulties, or persecution for Christ’s sake, all suffer, and most believers suffer much!

But compare their present sufferings, with their future glory:
Glory which will exclude all pain and suffering; all sin and sorrow! 
Glory beyond the reach of all foes and the cause of all trouble! 
Glory which includes happiness; perfect, perpetual, never-ending happiness! 
Glory which includes honor; the highest, holiest, and most satisfying honor! 
Glory, or splendor, which will fill the soul, clothe the body, and dignify the entire person forever!

Filled with light, peace, and joy; clothed with beauty, brightness, and magnificence, they will appear with Christ in glory, filling them with wonder and unutterable delight!

This glory will be possessed by us, as part of our marriage portion and inalienable inheritance. But we can form no adequate idea of that glory, for “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him!” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Her life-lesson was comprised in four words

(James Smith, “Keep Close to Christ” 1857)

A Christian minister was dying. He had a young sister whom he tenderly loved, and in whose welfare he felt the deepest interest. She came to pay the last visit, and receive from his lips the last words of advice. The words of a dying minister, realizing the value of the soul, and the solemnity of eternity, are important words. Taking her by the hand, and fixing his eyes upon her with a loving look, he said: “Keep close to Christ!”

What could he say of more import? Her life-lesson was comprised in four words: “Keep close to Christ!” She had come to Jesus, she  loved Jesus, she found happiness in Jesus; but the dying brother knew . . .
  the deceitfulness of the human heart; 
  the power of the world’s fascinations, 
  and the craft and subtlety of Satan, 
therefore he exhorts: “Keep close to Christ!”

May the Lord give us grace to get near to Him; and then give us more grace, to keep near to Him; for alas! how many of us, like Peter, follow Him afar off!

What must we do, to keep close to Jesus?

We must keep close to His Word. Here He . . . 
  reveals His mind,
  displays His love, and
  exhibits His beauty!

It is a revelation of His deepest, sweetest, kindest thoughts!

It is an exhibition of His infinite, eternal, deathless love!

It is a mirror in which we may see His unparalleled beauty and excellency!

No one can keep close to Jesus who does not daily, seriously, and prayerfully read His Word. That Word . . .
  received into the heart by faith,
  digested by meditation, and
  reduced to practice in the life, 
will bring the soul and Christ together! 

For the more we know of Christ, the more we shall love Him; the more we shall prize, pant for, and seek to enjoy His presence!

Blessed Spirit, help us so to read the Word, as always to find Christ in it; and by it endear Him more and more unto us, and bring us into closer fellowship with Him!