Fifth Week: Wednesday Morning
O Thou, that hearest prayer, and inhabitest the praises of Israel; with Moses and Aaron among thy priests, and Samuel among them that call upon thy namr, we would; this morning exalt the iT8 FIFTH WEEK.
Lord our God, ai il worship at his footstool, for He is holy.
We thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for all thy inexpressible and inconceivable goodness to the children of men, and of which, our own history and experience afford such numberless proofs. In thy works of creation, we read thy name, the Lord God Almighty; in the dispensations of thy providence, we acknowledge Thee as the only wise God but in the gospel of thy grace, we behold Thee as the God of love; and so loving the world, as to give thine only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In Him 1 hou hast provided for our deliverance, from all the effects of sin; for the justification of our persons, the sanctification of our natures, and our perseverance in the path of life, till we receive the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
We bless Thee, that, exposed as we are to the terrors of thy law, which we have so often transgressed, here we have a refuge from the storm; and learn, that there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. We bless Thee, that while we are compelled to exclaim. Unclean, unclean, here is an open fountain, the efficacy of which cleanseth from all sin. We bless Thee, that while in us dwelleth no good thing, there is a fulness accessible to all, and incapable of reduction, from which we can receive, and grace for grace.
O Lord, we ask not for worldly riches or honours, but pray, that we may be blessed with all spiritual blessings, in heavenly places in Christ. We envy not those whom the multitude admire; they will be cut down as the grass, and wither as the green herbs: but remember us O Lord, with the favour Thou hearesi unto ihy people: look Thou upon us, and be merciful to us, as Thou usest to do unto those that fear thy name. They are happy — now: and are inviting and encouraging us, to taste and see, that the Lord is good. May a vital union be immediately established between Him and us — He the head, and we the members — He the vine, and we the branches — He the shepherd, and we the sheep of his pasture — He the chief corner stone, and we also as lively stones, built up a spiritual house, an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Let us not walk as other Gentiles, in the vanity of our minds, and having our understandings darkened; but may we estimate things according to the testimony of thy word, and feel a persuasion, that to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, is a concern, in comparison with which, every other interest is a shadow, and a dream.
And, O Lord, save us from presumption. Keep us from suspending our attention to the things of eternity, ana on a more convenient season, or any future period, which may never arrive; but reflecting upon the shortness and uncertainty of life, and knowing how frail we are, may we seek the Lord while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. May we immediately begin to live the life of the righteous, that we may die the death of the righteous, and that our last end may be like his.
And O, save us from the delusion of those who go far, but not far enough, in religion; who are convinced, but not converted; who have another heart, but not a new one; and who, with all their llfpht, and zeal, and confidence, have not the spirit of Christ, and therefore are none of his. May we judge of c ir christiatlty, not only by our dependence upon Christ, but our love to Christ, and our conformity to Christ: and know that He dwelleth in us and we m Him, because He hath given us of his spirit
May our religion not only be real, but progressivej may we not only hold on our way, but wax stronger and stronger. May we live, and may we walk, in the spirit. May we profit by every correction, and be injured by no indulgence.
Accept of our personal and combined acknowledgments, that Thou hast been our salvation in the night watches; and that we are not only living to praise Thee this morning, but have all things richly to enjoy.
Bless the word which we have been reading. Let not the cares of this life, or the deceitfulness of sin, render it unfruitful. May thy word abide in us, and operate. May it attend us in all the businesses of the day, that we may not sin against Thee; and that whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we may do all to the glory of God-To whom be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus, throughout all ages, world without end.
Amen.