"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ." - Titus 2:13
Pause, my soul, over these sweet and solemn words. Is Jesus my hope?
Surely then it is a blessed hope; for all blessings are in him. Art
thou looking for his appearing? Pause, for the thought is solemn. How
shall I know? Suppose this moment the trumpet of the archangel was to
sound, "Arise, ye dead, and come to judgment;" my soul, art thou ready?
Pause once more. Do I long for Jesus's appearing now, in the conversion
of every poor sinner? Do I rejoice to hear, at any time; that a soul is
born to God? If so, is not this looking for his appearing? Again - Do I
long for Jesus appearing in the after- manifestations of his grace to
the souls of the people? - for this is to rejoice with them that do
rejoice, and to prove a family interest. Again-Is Jesus precious to me,
and do I long for the renewal of his visits, as the earth longeth for
the rising sun? When I read his word, sing his praise, call upon his
name, mingle in the congregation, go to his table; is his appearing
upon all these occasions precious now, and are his love-tokens sweeter
to my soul than honey, and the honey-comb? If, my soul, thou canst bear
a cheerful testimony to these things, and, canst truly call them
blessed now; surely the hope of Jesus's second coming is blessed also,
and thou canst well subscribe to the apostle's words; for his appearing
being now gracious, will then be glorious, in the appearing of the
great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Showing posts with label Titus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Titus. Show all posts
Titus 3:5-6
"Renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." - Titus 3:5-6
Precious office of the Spirit! Condescend, great God, to grant it me this morning. Oh, renew my soul with all thy sweet revivals, after a night of sleep, as thou renewest the face of the earth. Oh send forth, I beseech thee, Lord, all thy graces, as suited to my necessities, and the Redeemer's glory, and let it be most abundantly shed abroad, through all the faculties of my soul, through Jesus Christ my Saviour. Pause, my soul, over the blessed prospect, and having now pleaded in Jesus's name for the mercy, act faith upon thy God in his promises. Is not every morning a renewing of the Holy Ghost? Is it not said concerning the productions of the earth, that God "sendeth forth his Spirit, and they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth?" See what an evidence the earth gives in this lovely season, in the fruits, and plants, and verdure all around. And are the saints of Jesus of a less sweet-smelling savour, when perfumed as they are with the everlasting odour of Jesus's never- failing righteousness? Do the fields, when renewed by the sun of the morning, look gay, and lovely, and after the dew or the refreshing shower, give out their odour, perfuming the air with their fragrancy; and shall not the saints of God, when the Sun of righteousness ariseth upon them, with healing in his wings, send forth all the blessed effects of that presence which revives the grace Jesus hath planted, and calls forth into exercise the faith he hath given? Shall not the showers of his love, when he comes down in them as rain upon the mown grass, and the dews of the Holy Ghost's renewings, revive all the languishing frames of the soul, and cause even the desert to blossom abundantly, and to rejoice with joy and singing? Yes, yes, thou blessed Lord? methinks I feel thy sweet and gracious renewings. My very heart is refreshed in the thought. Under thy influence I will look up and wait the coming of Jesus. He is near. He comes. I hear him say, "Rise up, my beloved, and come away: for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."
Precious office of the Spirit! Condescend, great God, to grant it me this morning. Oh, renew my soul with all thy sweet revivals, after a night of sleep, as thou renewest the face of the earth. Oh send forth, I beseech thee, Lord, all thy graces, as suited to my necessities, and the Redeemer's glory, and let it be most abundantly shed abroad, through all the faculties of my soul, through Jesus Christ my Saviour. Pause, my soul, over the blessed prospect, and having now pleaded in Jesus's name for the mercy, act faith upon thy God in his promises. Is not every morning a renewing of the Holy Ghost? Is it not said concerning the productions of the earth, that God "sendeth forth his Spirit, and they are created, and thou renewest the face of the earth?" See what an evidence the earth gives in this lovely season, in the fruits, and plants, and verdure all around. And are the saints of Jesus of a less sweet-smelling savour, when perfumed as they are with the everlasting odour of Jesus's never- failing righteousness? Do the fields, when renewed by the sun of the morning, look gay, and lovely, and after the dew or the refreshing shower, give out their odour, perfuming the air with their fragrancy; and shall not the saints of God, when the Sun of righteousness ariseth upon them, with healing in his wings, send forth all the blessed effects of that presence which revives the grace Jesus hath planted, and calls forth into exercise the faith he hath given? Shall not the showers of his love, when he comes down in them as rain upon the mown grass, and the dews of the Holy Ghost's renewings, revive all the languishing frames of the soul, and cause even the desert to blossom abundantly, and to rejoice with joy and singing? Yes, yes, thou blessed Lord? methinks I feel thy sweet and gracious renewings. My very heart is refreshed in the thought. Under thy influence I will look up and wait the coming of Jesus. He is near. He comes. I hear him say, "Rise up, my beloved, and come away: for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth, the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land."
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