For Simplicity of Faith
“Only believe.” — Mare v. 36.
0 ETERNAL, evei’-blessed Jehovah — Fountain of all light — Source of all happiness — “God of all grace” — look down upon me this morning with that love which “Thou bearest to Thine own,” as I venture anew into Thy sacred presence. Let me enjoy a sweet season of fellowship with Thee. Let the world be shut out, and may I feel alone with God. “Under the shadow of Thy wings would I rejoice.”
1 come in the nothingness of the creature,
standing alone in the fulness of Jesus. I
come, “just as I am, without one plea” — as a
sinner, and as the “chief of sinners” — to Thee, Thou almighty Saviour. I seek to disown all creature-confidence, and, with all the burden of my guilt, to cast myself, for time and for eternity, at Thy feet. “Lord, save me, else I perish.” I cannot stand in myself. I can stand only in Him who has stood so willing a Surety for me — who is still at the right hand of the Majesty in the heavens, presenting my name, and my yrayers, and my plea, before the throne. I have no other confidence, and I need no other. Jesus, I am complete in Thee. Let me not look inwardly on myself, where there is everything to sink me in despondency and dismay; but let me look with the undivided and unwavering eye of faith to Thy bleeding sacrifice. I rejoice to think of the many robes in the Church triumphant Thy blood has already made white. I rejoice to know that the same blood is free as ever — the same invitation is addressed as ever — the promise and the Promiser remain “faithful” as ever — “Him that Cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out.”
Lord, I come — I plead Thv word. I come, irrespective of all I am, and all I have been. Magnify Thy grace in me. Show me my utter beggary and wretchedness by nature — that every step to glory is a step of grace; and while, with childlike faith, I rest on the finished work of Jesus, may I have the same simple trust and confidence in all His dealings towards me. May I feel that the Shepherd of Israel cannot lead me wrong — that His own way must be the safest and the best. Lord, “undertake Thou for me” — “I will follow Thee to prison and to death.” Take me — lead me — use me, as Thou seest good. If I need chastisement, give me chastisement. If I need rebuke, let me not repine under the rod. Let me trust a Father’s word — a Father’s love — a Father’s discipline. “Though Thou slay me, yet will I trust in Thee.”
And as for myself, so for all dear to me. I pray that it may please Thee, of Thine infinite mercy, to visit them with Thy salvation — to guide them by Thy counsel — to overrule all life’s changes, and vicissitudes, and trials for their well-being, and at last to bring them safe to Thine eternal kingdom, through Jesus Christ — to whom, with Thee, O Father, and Thee, O eternal Spirit, three in one in covenant for our redemption, be ascribed all blessing, and honor, and glorj, and praise, world without end. Amen.
“CAUSE ME TO HEAE, THY LOVING-KINDNESS IN THE MORNING, FOa IN THEE DO I TRUST.”