“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.
