Third Week: Saturday Evening
O God, Thou hast been the refuge and the dwelling place of thy people in all generations. To Thee, the poor and the needy have always repaired for succour; and they that know thy name, will put their trust in Thee. And to whom should we go, but unto Thee? Thou hast the words ol eternal life. There is no blessing we can implore, but Thou art able to give, and hdiSl promised to give, and hast already given to a countless multitude, all unworthy and guilty like ourselves. Yea, Thou hast not spared thine own Son, but delivered Hirg up for us all; and wilt Thou not with Him, also freely give us all things?
O make us more willing to receive, the supply of all our need, from thy riches, in glory, by Chrisi Jesus. And for this purpose, convince us of sin. Show us. our true character and condition in thy sight. Take away the stone out of our hearts and give us hearts of flesh. May we feel and bewail our folly and ingratitude, our pride and unbelief; the rebeilion of our lives, and the corruption of our nature. May we sorrow after a godly sort, and abhor ourselves, repenting in dust and ashes. Through th’j law, may we die unto the law, and despair of obtaining life, but from thy own sovereign mercy. May we look with wonder, and submission, and gratitude, and delight, to the provision which Thou hast made for the glory of thine own name, in the salvation of sinners. May we believe in Him, whom Thou hast set forth as a propitiation for sin, and as the end of the law for righteousness — may we know Him in the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, and be made conformable unto his death.
Give us that hope which maketh not ashamed. Inspire us with that love which excites to all holy obedience. Pour into our hearts that joy of the Lord which is the strength of thy people; and enable us to say with Paul, The lie that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
And when we cannot pronounce on our own interest in divine things, may we still persevere in duty,* may we wait on the Lord, and keep his way; and be humble and earnest suppliants at thy footstool, assured, that they who hunger and thirst alter righteousness, are blessed — and shall be filled.
Preserve us from that levity and indifference which are so unbecoming creatures, who live conmually under the eye of God, and are alwayf* on he brink of an eternal world.
May we discover nothing like selfishness and uncindness, while professing to be the followers of tfim, who pleased not himself; who, when rich, tor our sakes became poor; and went about doing good
May we hold ourselves at thy disposal, not only with regard to the duties, buteventsof life. Whatever preferences we feel, may we sulimit them all to thy infinite wisdom, and say. Nevertheless, not my svill, hut thine be done. If we are called to resign any of our enjoyments, may we remember that it is the absolute proprietor, and our best friend who requires themj and yield, in the spirit of Him, who, when stripped of all, could say. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
But make us thankful for the continuance of our comforts; and that in a world of such changes and misery, our indulgences have been so many, and our trials so few.
Especially, would we be grateful for the means of grace, and the ordinances of religion, which still await us, notwithstanding all our un worthiness and provocations. O Lord, teach us to profit by them more than we have done; and as to-morrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the Lord our God, may we be in the spirit on thy own day; and enter it in a state of mind suited to its solemnities, duties, and privileges. May we leave every thing worldly at the foot of the mount, while we go to worship God above. May we experience the blessedness of the man, whose strength is in Thee, and in whose heart are the ways of them. May we go from strength to strength; and at last may every one of us in Zion appear before God.
O Lord God of hosts, hear our prayer, give eai O God of Jacob. Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine Anointed. Jlmeru