NINETEENTH WEEK.—MONDAY. — Evening

THOU, O God, art good, and Thou doest good continually. Thou hast done us good, and we desire to offer at thy footstool this evening our sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. We thank Thee for the assurance that Thou wilt hear us in our own homes, as well as in the courts of the Lord’s house. Through Jesus accept us, and give us thy Spirit, that the flame of devotion may burn brightly on thine altar.

With loving gratitude we acknowledge our entire dependence on Thyself. Another day has testified to thine unwearied love and watchful care. Thou hast taken us out and brought us in. Thine eye has guided, thine arm defended, thine hand sustained us. What are we, or what is our father’s house, that Thou shouldest deal thus bountifully with us? We have deserved nothing but wrath; we have received nothing but mercy. What shall we render to the Lord for all his benefits toward us? We will take the cup of salvation, and call on thy holy name.

Like the Psalmist of whose experience we have been reading, we, too, have sometimes found trouble and sorrow. The gourd under whose shadow we have sat has withered; the brook of whose pleasant waters we drank has dried up; the idols of our hearts have been shattered, and darkness has gathered over us. The sorrows of death then compassed us, and the pains of hell then gat hold upon us. How innumerable, how aggravated, how inexcusable have appeared our sins! Oh, we thank Thee that then Thou didst help us: that Thou didst show Thyself a gracious God, long-suffering, and of tender mercy. May we ever go to Thee in all times of our guilt. Oh, give us faith in the Saviour, whose blood cleanseth from all sin; who is able to save to the very uttermost all who come to God by Him. May we look less to ourselves, and more to Him; and be enabled, whilst we look, to realise by faith our acceptance, and to say, “Return unto thy rest, O my soul, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.”

Grant, too, we implore Thee, that our future lives may prove our gratitude. Whilst we live may we walk before Thee, unto all well-pleasing; and when the end of our course shall come, may we be numbered amongst thy saints in glory everlasting.

Take us under thy kind care and protection this night. Suffer no evil thoughts to disturb or defile us; keep us from the designs of ungodly men; shield us from devouring flames; may we lie down in peace, and rise again in health.

For our Saviour’s sake we ask these and all other mercies; and to the Father, Son, and Spirit ascribe everlasting praise. Amen.