Fifth Week: Sunday Morning
O God, Thou art very great. Thou art clothea with honour and majesty; and it becomes us to approach Thee, with reverence and godly fear. We can also come before Thee, with humble confidence, for thy condescension equals thy grandeur, and thy goodness is thy glory.
If we are unworthy, we rejoice that we are not unwelcome. If we are guilty, Thou art gracious; if we are miserable. Thou art merciful; if we are all indigence, thy riches are unsearchable. By not sparing thine own Son, but delivering Him up for us all. Thou hast shown thy boundless compassion towards a perishing world, and proved, that with Him, I’hou wilt also freely give us all things. Thus a foundation is laid for our hope; a refuge is opened for our safety; and a new and living way is conse crated li to the holiest of all, for our approach to Tine.
O, bless us with that conviction of sin, that brokenness of heart, that self-despair, which will endear to us the gospel message, as a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation and induce us to say with the apostle, that I may win Christ, and be found in Him; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the lellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. How happy are they that are found interested in Him! ‘I’hey are delivered from the wrath to come; they are justified from all things; they have peace with God; they are heirs of the glory that is to be revealed.
May we feel a holy and increasing concern, to know whether these exalted privileges are claimable by us. For this purpose, may we frequently and faithfully examine ourselves. May we search after — that deadness to the world, that love to the Saviour, that attachment to his house, that devotedness to His service, which characterise the subjects of His salvation.
And may these things not only be in us, but abound. It is an unspeakable blessing if we have life: but it is our duty and privilege to have it more abundantly. It becomes us to be thankful, if Thou hast begun a good work in us; but we are allowed to pray, that Thou wilt perfect that which concerneth us. According to the riches of thy glory, therefore, stengthen us with might by thy Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith; that we being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints, what is the height, and depth, and breadth, and length, and to know the love of Christ, that passeth knowledge, tha! we may be filled wiih all the fulness of God.
May every part of out character and conduct, o 2 be adapted to make, not only a serious, but an amiable impression, on the minds of those around us; that they may say, I will go with you, for I have heard that God is with you.
May all that we meet within our passage thiough life, whether pleasing or painful, instead of injuring the prosperity of our souls, turn to our salvation, through prayer, and the continual supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Send us help this day from the sanctuary, and strengthen us out of Zion. We know that thine own appointments, were never intended to make us independent of thy agency; without thy superaded blessing, the best means will prove -in vain. But Thou hast promised to bless the provisions of thy house, and to fill thy poor with bread. Thou hast said, in all places where I record my name, I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee. And all have found Thee to be faithful to thy word. We have known Thee in thy palaces for a refuge: we have seen thy power and thy glory in the sanctuary; and have often praised Thee with joyful lips.
We therefore bless Thee for the return of these precious advantages: we- pity those who are denied them; sanctify their privations; and compensate the want of ordinances, by thine own presence and communications. Enter, as an instructer and comforter, all the abodes of sorrow. Be the fathei of the fatherless, and the husband of the widow. Guide those who Are perplexed; guard those thai are tempted: and let all that love Thee, be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might. We ask it through the intercession of Kim, who has taught us when we p ay, to say. Our Father See.