WHAT a comfortable promise is this to the poor, weak, and timid Christian; he has not attained to a state of assurance, but he is seeking the Lord, and here his God promises him that he shall not want any good thing. He feels that he has no good thing in him, finds he can do no good thing of himself, fears that good will never be enjoyed by him; but his God assures him, no good thing shall be withheld from him. His God will pardon his sin, justify his person, strengthen his soul, supply his needs, comfort his heart, conquer his foes, sanctify his trials, and give him victory over death. He shall not want long, if God is able to supply; he cannot be neglected, if our God is true; he shall receive all that is good, and when, and as it will do him most good. Let us therefore seek the Lord, and rest assured that He will withhold from us no good thing. The silver and the gold are His, and He says, "If ye being evil know how to give good things unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him."
If earthly parents hear Their children when they cry, If they with love sincere Their children's wants supply, Much more will God His love display, And answer when His children pray.
Written by James Smith for his own flock around 1840, but such was the demand that by 1846 over thirty thousand copies where in circulation.
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841-1850. He also ministered with great blessing in Cheltenham. His devotional, The Believer's Daily Remembrancer, subtitled Pastor's Morning and Evening Visit, was very popular in its own day, and has received a new lease of life through recent republication.
WHAT a comfortable promise is this to the poor, weak, and timid Christian; he has not attained to a state of assurance, but he is seeking the Lord, and here his God promises him that he shall not want any good thing. He feels that he has no good thing in him, finds he can do no good thing of himself, fears that good will never be enjoyed by him; but his God assures him, no good thing shall be withheld from him. His God will pardon his sin, justify his person, strengthen his soul, supply his needs, comfort his heart, conquer his foes, sanctify his trials, and give him victory over death. He shall not want long, if God is able to supply; he cannot be neglected, if our God is true; he shall receive all that is good, and when, and as it will do him most good. Let us therefore seek the Lord, and rest assured that He will withhold from us no good thing. The silver and the gold are His, and He says, "If ye being evil know how to give good things unto your children, HOW MUCH MORE shall your heavenly Father give good things to them that ask Him."
If earthly parents hear Their children when they cry, If they with love sincere Their children's wants supply, Much more will God His love display, And answer when His children pray.