Thursday Evening — Week 1

O God, thy greatness is unsearchable. Thy name is most excellent in all the earth. Thou hast set thy glory above the heavens. Thousands minister unto Thee, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before Thee. We feel ourselves in thine awful presence to be nothing, less than nothing, and vanity: nor do we presume to approach Thee because we are deserving of thy notice—for we have sinned—we have incurred thy righteous displeasure—we acknowledge that Thou art justified when Thou speakest, and clear when Thou judgest.

But our necessities compel us, and thy promises encourage us. Thou art nigh unto them that are of a broken heart, and savest such as be of a contrite spirit. Thou hast provided and revealed a Mediator, who has not only obeyed but magnified the law and made it honorable; and Thou hast made us accepted in the beloved. And we behold an innumerable multitude returning from thy throne successful, rejoicing and encouraging us to go forward. They were not, though all guilt and indigence, refused nor upbraided; but freely obtained pardon and holiness and righteousness and strength, and were blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

O look Thou upon us, and be merciful unto us, as Thou usest to do unto those that love thy name! Convince us of sin both in its penalty and in its pollution, and may we mourn over it with a godly sorrow. Give us that faith by which we shall be enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; and believing may we have life through his name.

And may we not only have life, but have it more abundantly. We often question the reality of our grace; but the imperfections of our religion are too obvious not to be acknowledged, and too aggravated not to be deplored.

Our souls cleave unto the dust; quicken Thou us according to thy word. Strengthen in us the things that are ready to die. May we not only live in the Spirit, but walk in the Spirit. By holy resemblance may we put on the Lord Jesus Christ: may the same mind be in us which was also in Him: and may we feel it to be our dignity and delight to go about doing good.

And as He suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should tread in his steps; may we learn to suffer like Him. When reviled, may we revile not again, but commit ourselves to Him that judgeth righteously. Whoever may be the instrument of our grief, may we never lose sight of an overruling agency in preparing and presenting it; but be able to say, The cup which my Father giveth me, shall I not drink it? In patience may we possess our souls. May we be calm to inquire, wherefore Thou contendest with us. Let not weeping hinder sowing; nor sorrow, duty.

We live in a world of changes, and have here no continuing city—may we seek one to come; and have our minds kept in perfect peace, being stayed upon God. Be with us to the end of our journey; and after honoring Thee by the life we have lived, may we glorify Thee by the death we shall die. When heart and flesh fail, be Thou the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever. At death may we fall asleep in Jesus; and in the morning of the resurrection, may He change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like his own glorious body; and so may we be for ever with the Lord.

Who can understand his errors? Forgive, O God, the sins of the past day, in thought, word, and deed, against thy divine majesty. We bless Thee for our preservation in our going out and our coming in, and in all our ways: and we bless Thee for all the supplies and indulgences which thy good providence has afforded us.

And now, O Thou keeper of Israel, we commit our souls and our bodies to thy all-sufficient care. Suffer no evil to befal our persons, and no plague to come nigh our dwelling. May our sleep be sweet; or if Thou holdest our eyes waking, may we remember Thee upon our bed, and meditate on Thee in the night-watches.

And with the innumerable company who never slumber nor sleep, and who rest not day and night, we would join in ascribing blessing and honor and glory and power unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Amen.