Fourth Week: Monday Morning
The heavens declare thy glory, O God, and the firmament showeth thy handy work. Day unto day uttertth speech, and night unto to showeth knowledge, and there is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. We behold displays of thy wisdom, power and goodness. in all thy works, from the largest to the least.
But Thou hast magnified thy word, above all thy name; and we can never be sufficiently thankful, for the revelation of thy will in the Scriptures of truth. We bless Thee that this sacred volume has been preserved, and translated, and published, and multiplied, so that we all have it in our possession, andean read, in our own tongue, the wonderful works of God. Here we see not only thy greatness, but thy grace; and not only thy pity, but thy rectitude; we see mercy and truth meeting together, righteousness and peace kissing each other. Here Thou hast shined in our hearts, to give us the light of the knowledge of thy glory, in the face of Jesus Christ.
For in Him Thou hast reconciled the world unto thyself, not imputing their trespasses unto them. Thou hast made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. And Thou has raised Him up from the dead, and given Him glory, that our faith and hope may be in God May the hearts thus tenderly wooed, be effectually won. xt the view of this infinite kindness, may we resign all our unworthy and suspicious thoughts; and pUrtingour confidence in Thee, return and say — Lord, I am thine, save me. Look Thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as Thou usest to do unto those that love thy name.
We ask not to be enrolled among the rich and the great of this world, but to be numbered with those who are blessed with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. The graves are ready for us; and we shall soon be in a state, that will render it a matter of indifference to us, whether we have filled a cottage or a palace — but it will be eternally important to us, that we have been justified by thy grace, and sanctified by thy spirit, and adopted into thy family. May we, therefore, be wise unto salvation: and make it our present, our supreme, our persevering concern, to obtain those blessings which are spiritual in their nature; eternal in their continuance; satisfying in their possession; and v»i;)ch unerringly indicate, that we are the friends of God.
Preserve us from a false estimate of the whole of our character, or of any part of it. May we regard our principles, as well as our conduct; our motives as well as our actions. May we never mistake the excitement of our passions, for the renewing of the Holy Ghost. May we never judge of our religion, by occasional impressions and impulses; but by our constant and prevailing disposition. May our heart be right with God, and our life such as becometh the gospel.
May we maintain a supreme regard to another and a better world, and feel, and confess ourselves
o be only strangers and pilgrims in this. How often by bodily infirnnities and pains, by relative afflictions, and by dissatisfactions growing out of every enjoyment — how often have we been told — O, when shall we be taught, that this is not our rest? O God, not only command, but enable us, to arise and depart hence. Afford us all the direction, all the defence, all the support, all the consolation our journey will require. Give us, in large abundance, the supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ, that we may be prepared for every duty: that we may love Thee in all our mercies; that we may submit to Thee in every trial. May we trust Thee when we walk in darkness, and have no light; and amidst all the changes of the present, and the uncertainties of the future, may our minds be kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God.
Hast Thou not made with us an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure? The very hairs of our head — are they not all numbered? Are not all thy ways mercy and truth? Lord, we believe, help Thou our unbelief. And now unto Him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless, before the presence of His glory, with exceeding joy. To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.