The Psalmist was called early, and he ascribes it to divine teaching. None but God can teach us experimentally; and the lessons He teaches are always useful and important.
He teaches all His scholars to know themselves, their depravity, poverty, and slavery. He teaches them His law--its purity, claims and penalty. He teaches them His gospel--its fulness, freeness, and suitability. He teaches them to know Himself: as a reconciled God, as their Father and faithful Friend. His teaching is accompanied with power and authority.
Are we taught of God? We may know divine teaching by its effects, it always produces humility, they sit at His feet: dependance upon Him, abhorrence of sin, love to God as a teacher, obedience to the lessons taught, thirst for further attainments, and brings us daily to Jesus.
Let us earnestly seek divine teaching: it preserves from dangers, sorrows, and snares: and if suitably improved, it brings great glory to God, and honour to the cause of religion. Our God says, "I will teach thee." Lord, teach me, and make me entirely Thine!
Oh, let my heart be wholly Thine, Thy property alone; No longer let me think it mine, Or call myself my own.
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.
The Psalmist was called early, and he ascribes it to divine teaching. None but God can teach us experimentally; and the lessons He teaches are always useful and important.
He teaches all His scholars to know themselves, their depravity, poverty, and slavery. He teaches them His law--its purity, claims and penalty. He teaches them His gospel--its fulness, freeness, and suitability. He teaches them to know Himself: as a reconciled God, as their Father and faithful Friend. His teaching is accompanied with power and authority.
Are we taught of God? We may know divine teaching by its effects, it always produces humility, they sit at His feet: dependance upon Him, abhorrence of sin, love to God as a teacher, obedience to the lessons taught, thirst for further attainments, and brings us daily to Jesus.
Let us earnestly seek divine teaching: it preserves from dangers, sorrows, and snares: and if suitably improved, it brings great glory to God, and honour to the cause of religion. Our God says, "I will teach thee." Lord, teach me, and make me entirely Thine!
Oh, let my heart be wholly Thine, Thy property alone; No longer let me think it mine, Or call myself my own.