May The LORD Pardon And Restore Us, Always.

The temptation, and the opportunity
(James Smith's autobiography, "Marvelous Mercy!" 1862)

The following in an excerpt
from the diary of James Smith:

I have just heard that an old
friend, far advanced in life,
has fallen into sin!

May the LORD pardon
and restore him.


In looking back, I wonder
that I have not publicly
fallen; for I have been
powerfully tempted to
other sins, equally as bad.

I have regularly observed, that
in my experience the LORD has
not often allowed the temptation,
and the opportunity--
to meet!

And when they have, fear
has worked powerfully
and kept me back.

"But as for me--
my feet were almost gone!
My steps had well near slipped!"
Psalm 73:2

Ah, how frequently have I
been almost gone! I can
call to mind places and times,
when I have been in the very
mouth of danger, on the brink
of a fearful fall--
and yet the LORD has held me up!

But for special keeping--
where would I have been
this morning? And what
would I be? Blessed be GOD,
though it was almost--
it was not fully.

This word, almost, has been
sweet to my soul. Almost Gone!--
but altogether saved, through GOD'S
most free, and all-glorious grace!

But I would not merely be kept
from open sin, I desire
to be so deeply sanctified,
that my soul may . . .
hate, abhor, and detest sin
in every form,
tremble at its approach,
and flee from the very
appearance of evil--
to JESUS!

I find that my nature is
still corrupt, depraved,
and polluted; and that . . .
the blood of JESUS,
the restraining power
of the HOLY SPIRIT, and
the forgiving grace of GOD--
are as necessary as ever!


"Hold me up--
and I shall be safe!"
Psalm 119:117

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GraceGems published James Smith's excellent short evangelistic tract,
"The Careless Admonished!"