For Light in Darkness
“Unto the apright there ariaeth light in the darkness.” — Ps. cxii. 4.
Eternal, everlasting God, I bless Thee for the privilege of access into Thy presence. What am I — a guilty, unworthy sinner, deserving only of condemnation — that I should be permitted, with holy boldness, to approach the footstool of Thy throne, and call Thee “my Father in heaven!”
I rejoice to know, when “my heart is overwhelmed, and in perplexity,” that I can ever look unto Thee as a “Rock that is higher than I” — that, amid all the ebbings and flowings in the tide of my own fitful frames and feelings. Thou, great Rock of ages, remainest fixed and immovable. Thou hast never failed me in the past. “When” deep has been calling to deep,” and many “waves and billows have gone over me,” ‘’ the Lord has commanded His loving-kindness in the day-time, and in the night His song has been with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” And I will trust Thee in the future. In the midst of baffling and mysterious providences I will be still — hushing every murmur, and breathing in lowly resignation the prayer, “divinely taught,” “Thy will be done.”
It is my comfort to know that the darkest cloud is fringed with covenant love. I can repose on the blessed assurance thsit present discipline is needed discipline, and that all which is mystery now will be cleared up hereafter. May it be mine cheerfully to follow the footsteps of the guiding Shepherd through the darkest, loneliest road, and amidst thickening sorrows may I have grace to say, ‘’ Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him.”
Lord, increase my faith — let it rise above
FOE LIGHT IN DARKNESS.
all difficulties and all trials. Let these drive me closer to Him who has promised to make me “more than conqueror.” Let them quicken my longings for the true home of my soul above. May it be my grand ambition here to be a “pilgrim” in everything — to be pitching my tent day by day nearer heaven, imbibing every day more of the pilgrim character, and longing more for the pilgrim’s rest. May I be enabled to say, with an increasingly chastened spirit, of a passing world, “Here I have no continuing city.” May this assurance dry all tears, and reconcile to all sorrows — “I am journeying unto the place of which the Lord hath said, I will give it you.”
Blessed Jesus, hasten Thy coming and Thy kingdom. Scatter the darkness which is now covering heathen nations. Stand by Thy missionary servants. May they exercise a simple faith on Thine own sure word of promise. “Strong in the Lord and in the power of His might,” may every mountain of difficulty be made a plain, and “the glory of the Lord be revealed.”
God of Bethel, I commend to Thee all my beloved friends. Shield them by Thy protecting providence. Give them every needed blessing in the present life, and in the world to come life everlasting. And all I ask is for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
“CAUSE ME TO HEAR THY LOVING-KINDNESS IN THE MORNING, FOR IN THEE DO I TRUST,”