REAL saints always feel themselves to be poor sinners. Many of God's people are really poor in reference to the things of time, for God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him. They are often persecuted, tried, tempted and cast down; so was the church in Smyrna; but Jesus says to her, "THOU ART RICH." So are all the Lord's people. Rich by relation--God is their Father, and Jesus their elder Brother. Rich by Donation--Jesus has bequeathed unsearchable riches to them. Rich by PROMISES--the Lord has promised all good things. Rich by FAITH--for he that believeth shall inherit all things. Rich in EXPECTATION--for they look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Believer, thou art rich; Jesus has willed to thee His righteousness, to justify thee; His blood, to cleanse thee; His Spirit to sanctify thee; His name to procure for thee; His angels to minister unto thee; and His heaven to be thy everlasting habitation. Precious Saviour! I would admire and adore Thy love! O teach me to live out of self on Thy fullness!
Call'd by grace, the sinner see, Rich, though sunk in poverty; Rich in faith that God has given, He's a legal heir of heaven.
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.
REAL saints always feel themselves to be poor sinners. Many of God's people are really poor in reference to the things of time, for God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath promised to them that love Him. They are often persecuted, tried, tempted and cast down; so was the church in Smyrna; but Jesus says to her, "THOU ART RICH." So are all the Lord's people. Rich by relation--God is their Father, and Jesus their elder Brother. Rich by Donation--Jesus has bequeathed unsearchable riches to them. Rich by PROMISES--the Lord has promised all good things. Rich by FAITH--for he that believeth shall inherit all things. Rich in EXPECTATION--for they look for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Believer, thou art rich; Jesus has willed to thee His righteousness, to justify thee; His blood, to cleanse thee; His Spirit to sanctify thee; His name to procure for thee; His angels to minister unto thee; and His heaven to be thy everlasting habitation. Precious Saviour! I would admire and adore Thy love! O teach me to live out of self on Thy fullness!
Call'd by grace, the sinner see, Rich, though sunk in poverty; Rich in faith that God has given, He's a legal heir of heaven.