“- – – -Though I be nothing.” 2 Corinthians 12:11
Perhaps the most sickening sight on earth is to watch certain popular preachers, sensational singers, and super-star saints promote themselves. In their foolish pride they present themselves as someone special. They believe they deserve more, bigger, and better than others. They seek to gratify the flesh rather than glorify God. Attempting to gain the applause of man rather than the approval of God they make fools of themselves and a mockery of Christianity. They are just the opposite of Paul, and nothing like Christ. These words from the pen of James Smith should serve as a wake-up call:

“This was Paul’s estimate of himself: less than the least of all saints, and the chief of sinners. The more we know of ourselves and of Jesus, the more shall we be humbled in the dust before God; and the lower we lie before God, the happier and holier we shall be. Man will, MUST be something; this is his pride and his misery: the Christian is willing to be nothing, that Christ may be all in all. If we daily felt that we are nothing, how many mortifications we should be spared; what admiring views of the grace of God would fill and sanctify our souls. Apart from Christ we are less than nothing, but in Christ we are something. We are empty, but He fills us; naked, but He clothes us; helpless, but He strengthens us; lost, but He finds us; ruined, but He saves us; poor but He supplies us. All we are, is by Christ; all we have, is from Christ; all we shall be, is through Christ. Believer, thou art nothing: therefore beware of thinking too highly of thyself, or fancying that you deserve more than you receive, either from God or men. Humble souls are soon satisfied.”

O could I lose myself in Thee,
Thy depth of mercy prove,
Thou vast unfathomable sea
Of unexhausted love!
I loathe myself when God I see,
Content if Christ exalted be.

“I am He that comforteth you.” Isaiah 51:12

THE Lord’s people are often low and desponding; they do not live up to their privileges; the things of time make too deep an impression, because they do not sufficiently realize eternal things. But Jehovah is their COMFORTER; as such He presents Himself unto us this morning. He is the God of all comfort. He comforteth those who are cast down. To Him alone we must look for comfort. Looking to creatures for what God promises, dishonours Him; and at such times the creature may well ask, “AM I IN GOD’S STEAD?” Our God comforts us by His Son, whom He hath given to us; by the Spirit, which He pours out upon us; by His word, in which He speaks to us: by His ordinances, in which He meets with us; and by His providence, when He appears for us. Let us look unto God as the Author and giver of all comfort, let us plead with Him to comfort us according to His word, and let us be suspicious of all comfort which does not come from Him, and lead to Him. He must be the centre to which we always tend, and the circumference within which we move.

Jesus, all our consolations
Flow from Thee, the sovereign good;
Love, and faith, and hope, and patience,
All are purchased by Thy blood;
Now Thy riches grace impart,
Sanctify and fill my heart.—James Smith

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.–Prov. 17:22

A Happy and cheerful heart is a matter of cultivation. We cannot afford to abandon ourselves entirely to our moods. There are times when we feel depressed and sad, for no special reason, except that a mood is on us! It is at such times that we need to anoint our heads, and wash our faces, that we may not be consumed by our fretfulness, or impose our depression upon others, for nothing is worse than to be a wet blanket!

On the other hand, there is nothing more objectionable than to be always in the presence of a comic person who thinks that every occasion must serve for frolic. After a time one gets as tired of funny stories and perpetual punning as of gloom, but while avoiding this extreme, we must not fall into the other of wearing a lugubrious expression and giving way to a moodiness of spirit, which cannot be accounted for.

We may alter our dispositions and moods by a resolute action of the will. We can refuse to look miserable, to speak mournfully, to be pessimistic, to pass on depression. In a spirit of unselfishness we can put on a cheerful courage, array ourselves in the garments of joy, anoint ourselves with the spirit of praise and thankfulness, and go forth into the world to shed sunbeams rather than shadows on the path of life. Do not nurse your sorrow of heart, lest your spirit and the spirits of others be broken.

We can promote a cheerful heart by dwelling on the bright things of our lot; by counting up the mercies which are left, rather than dwelling on what we have lost. When the heart is full of the light and love of God, can it be other than cheerful? How can this be obtained except by a living union with Jesus Christ. In Him there is an infinitude of supply of peace and joy, sunshine and light. Let us open our hearts to him, and put on these things as we array ourselves each morning in our garments.

Through all the changing scenes of life,

In trouble and in joy,

The praises of my God shall still

My heart and tongue employ.

–F. B. Meyer

Luke 17:3-10
If we’re honest, we are always in need of forgivenes for something and we’re always in situations where we need to forgive others. Sadly we often fail in securing the first because we fail to show the second. Even a casual reading of our text shows that there is a connection between the two. Before you can enjoy forgiveness you have to extend it to others. Perhaps these words from John Henry Jowett will help us rethink the matter:

“Have faith in God.” Mark 6:22

You have His word, believe it; plead it; expect the fulfilment of it. He cannot deceive you. His ear is open to you. Try Him. What do you want? Why do you want it? If you really need, if your motives are good, plead with God for it; expect Him to bestow it; and receive it as coming from Him. In every trial, for all you need, have faith in God. He will be gracious unto you. He is ever with you. He is ready to help you. He rejoices over you to do you good. His word is true from the beginning. He is the faithful God. He keepeth covenant and mercy. Believe in God for all your circumstances require. Patiently wait His time for your supplies. Never give over praying or expecting because He delays: never doubt Him, but trust in Him with all thy heart. He is a God: He is thy God; He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. This is thy direction, thy duty, thy privilege: HAVE FAITH IN GOD. Walk with God. Talk with God. Expect from God. Use all for God. Be entirely devoted to God. “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” “Therefore will I look unto the Lord.”

Begone, unbelief! my Saviour is near,
And for my relief will surely appear:
By prayer let me wrestle that He will perform;
With Christ in the vessel, I smile at the storm. —James Smith