EIGHTEENTH WEEK.—LORD’S DAY. — Morning

O LORD, Thou glorious God, clothed with clouds as a robe of majesty, wherewith shall we approach thy throne, and worthily draw near thy footstool? Thou art the Lord Jehovah, the God of peace, the great and terrible God, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto. Thou didst call thy servant Moses into thy presence; with him didst Thou speak; through him didst Thou command the offering of peace, the sprinkling of the blood, and the making of a covenant with thy people Israel.

But a greater than Moses is here; not thy servant, but thy Son, the Mediator of the better covenant; who, by the sacrifice of Himself, presented an offering unto God, and, by the blood of sprinkling, made atonement for the sins of men. O Lord God, we who stand afar off from thy glorious majesty are brought nigh by the blood of Jesus. Through Him we may come boldly to the throne of grace, and at Jehovah’s footstool we find a mercy-seat. Introduced by Jesus, may we enter the cloud of thy glory, and with reverence and godly fear make known our wants to Thee.

After another six days’ work and labour, we now would seek the rest of thy holy Sabbath, and in the secret of thy tabernacle would hold communion with Thee. We bless Thee for this day of rest. We would dedicate it to Thee, with all its sacred duties, with all its holy privileges, with all its blessed opportunities. We beseech Thee, Father, to reveal Thyself to us to-day, in the worship of thy house, in the reading of thy Word, and in the secret meditations of our hearts before Thee. Conduct us to thy house of prayer; solemnise our hearts in anticipation of the services of the sanctuary; and may this Sabbath be a spiritual festival to our souls. Let thy ministers be clothed in righteousness, and make thy chosen people joyful. Oh, teach the teachers this day, that they themselves, being taught of God, may teach transgressors thy ways, and that sinners may be converted unto Thee.

Be pleased to bless all the members of our family to-day, and be present with them where-ever they may be. Let thy blessing abide on us, which Thou hast promised to the families that call upon thy name. Take away all our sins, Thou Lamb of God. Wash us in thy cleansing blood, O Thou gracious Saviour. Receive us graciously and love us freely, O Thou that art enthroned in the majesty of thy glory. Thou art our Redeemer; save us, O Christ. Thou art our Comforter; sanctify and bless us, O Holy Spirit. Thou art our Father; hear us now, O God, and ever help us, through the intercession of our only Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.