“Blessed are ye that hunger now.”-– Luke 6:21

APPETITE supposes life, and is regulated by nature: the carnal appetite is satisfied with carnal things; but a Christian can only be satisfied with spiritual things. He hungers to enjoy an interest in Christ; for righteousness wrought in him by the Spirit, and given to him by Jesus; to be conformed to the image of Christ; to know Him extensively, experimentally, and practically; to enjoy God as his portion; and that Christ may be magnified in him by life or by death. His appetite is fixed on its object; no substitute can be found; it is only as he feeds upon Christ that he enjoys satisfaction. Beloved, how is it with you this morning? Are you hungering for Jesus? He filleth the hungry with good things: He pronounces them blessed. They are blessed with spiritual life; with an interest in the things for which they hunger; and with the operations of the Holy Spirit. None but God can produce this hunger, and only God can satisfy it: and He will: for He has said, THEY SHALL BE FILLED. This is plain, positive, unconditional, and certain. Believe it and be happy.

Bless’d are the souls that thirst for grace,
Hunger and long for righteousness;
They shall be well supplied, and fed
With living streams and living bread:
Oh, may my hungry soul receive
The food on which Thy people live.

“And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”–Luke 12:4–5

Known as the “Nine Day Queen,” Lady Jane Grey was just fifteen years old when she was briefly placed on the throne of England before being deposed by Bloody Mary, who would later order her execution. Jane Grey never wavered in her faith, even when told that converting to Catholicism might spare her life. In a letter not long before her death, she wrote, “For my sins the body of Christ was broken, and his blood shed on the cross. I ground my faith upon God’s word, and not upon the church. The faith of the church must be tried by God’s Word, and not God’s Word by the church; neither yet my faith.” She feared disappointing God more than losing her own life, and her faith remains a shining example hundreds of years later.

The first and greatest commandment is that we love God above all else and all others. The priority of God determines how we spend our lives—how we use our time, talents, and resources. If He is first, then we will be devoted to following His Word and obeying His will. Yet the lives of many Christians do not reflect those priorities as being the most important. Too often we lose sight of the balanced nature of God’s character. Yes, He is a loving and gracious Father to His children. Yet, He also hates sin with a fiery wrath, and He will not allow it to go unpunished: “By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil” (Proverbs 16:6).

When we understand the holiness and character of God, we fear failing Him more than anything else.– Daily in the Word

“For we walk by faith…” 2 Corinthians 5:7

The Christian’s path is often very rough; thorns and briars grow on either side, dark clouds hang over it, and no cheering prospects appear to animate the heart. But if he acts consistently, he still believes it is the right path; that trials are mercies in disguise, and that the path of tribulation ends in the kingdom of God. He believes it is all needful, is the very best way his Father could select; that the design of God is gracious, and his present trials are to end in his eternal welfare. He believes his God is with him, though he does not enjoy his presence, and that all needful supplies will be sent, though he cannot tell from whence. He rests on the faithful word, trusts in an immutable God, and says, when surrounded by trials, None of these things move me; I know that it is through much tribulation that I must enter the kingdom; my God will support me, His hand will defend me, and His grace shall be glorified in my present and eternal salvation. I know not the way, but my God knows, and He will lead me; He will never leave me, but will be my guide, even unto death.– James Smith, 1840

Oh may I daily walk by faith,
Believing what my God has spoke;
Rely on His unchanging love,
And cease to grasp at fleeting smoke;
On His eternal truth depend,
And know Him as my God and Friend.

“And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.“- Malachi 3:17

WHO? They that fear the Lord and think upon His name. They who fear to offend Him because they love Him. Who desire above all things to obey Him, be conformed unto Him, and glorify Him. They who think upon His name, call Him Father, and believe Him to be gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness, and truth. Who approach Him as children; who walk before Him, desiring to do every thing as under His eye; who are jealous of His honour, and concerned for His glory. Who speak of His goodness, talk of His power, and adore the riches of His grace. THEY SHALL BE MINE, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS. He will treat them as His children, prize them as His jewels, and acknowledge them before assembled angels. He will put a difference between them and others, and will manifest Himself unto them as He does not unto the world. Beloved, are we entitled to claim this precious promise? Do we fear God? Are we grieved at sin, because it dishonours Him? Do we think upon His name with love and reverence? If so, He will spare us, preserve us, and place us among His jewels for ever.–James Smith, 1840

Hail, sacred day! that shall declare
The jewels of the Son of God;
Design’d to deck His crown they were
Chosen of old, and bought with blood.

“The Lord hath blessed me hitherto.”— Joshua 17:14

Believer, cannot you join with the children of Joseph this morning, and bear a similar testimony? Thy God hath blessed thee in Jesus, and through Jesus; look back to the rock whence you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence you were digged; call to mind the time and place, when and where thy God first led thee to cry for mercy, and seek for salvation; remember the distress and bondage felt before mercy was manifested; and then remember how your soul was delivered, and the comforts of the Holy Ghost imparted. Think of thy difficulties and dangers, thy trials and fears, the deliverances the Lord has wrought, the favour He hath shown, and the comforts He has imparted: and surely you will gratefully acknowledge, HE HATH BLESSED ME HITHERTO. He promised to bless, and you have found Him faithful. He has manifested a father’s love, and a mother’s tenderness in dealing with you. But what have been your returns? Oh, be humble, for you have been ungrateful! But cleave to Jesus, for God gives no blessing but by and through Him.–James Smith, 1840

Jesus found me, vile and guilty,
I had broken all His laws;
When He look’d, He saw me filthy;
All corrupt my nature was:
Mine appear’d a hopeless case,-
Such it had been, but for grace.