Friday Morning — Week 2 (William Jay)

O Thou eternal God! with Thee is the fountain of life. Thou art the Father of men and angels. Thou art the Governor of the universe, and the Judge of all. Thou dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth: and there is not a word on our tongue, or a thought in our heart, but lo! O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether. And Thou art not a God that hast pleasure in wickedness, neither can evil dwell with Thee.

How then can we presume to enter thy presence, who have rendered ourselves guilty before Thee, and have provoked thy righteous displeasure? O wretched creatures that we are! We have wearied thy patience, we have abused thy goodness, we have trampled on thy authority, and we have said unto God, Depart from us, we desire not the knowledge of thy ways. We lie at thy mercy. If Thou pity us not we are undone. But Thou art long-suffering, not willing that any should perish. Hast Thou not sworn by thyself, that Thou hast no pleasure in the death of Him that dieth? Hast Thou not delivered up thine own Son for us all? And wilt Thou not with Him also freely give us all things?

Through Him as the way, the truth, and the life, may we return to Thee; and find Thee waiting to be gracious, and exalted to have mercy upon us. Awaken our consciences. Enlighten us in the knowledge of sin and of ourselves. May we feel our personal depravity, misery, and helplessness; and from self-despair, may we be led to value the discoveries of the gospel, and to flee for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us. May we rejoice in the suitableness, the all-sufficiency, and the perfect willingness of the Savior; and find in Him for ourselves individually, wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption. As our Prophet, may we receive his instructions. As our High Priest, may we rely on his sacrifice and intercession. As our Prince, may we obey Him. As our example, may we follow Him; and whatsoever we do in word or deed, may we do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

May integrity and uprightness preserve us. May we be Israelites indeed in whom is no guile; and herein exercise ourselves, to have always a conscience void of offence towards God and towards man. May the same mind govern us, and the same spirit actuate us, in prosperity and adversity, alone and in public, in thy house and in our own. May we fulfil our course with diligence and perseverance, and at last finish it with joy. When we have passed the wilderness, and our eyes behold the swellings of Jordan, deliver us from every fear; and give us an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior.

But, O Lord, we would not reach that felicity alone. May we awaken the attention of others, and induce them to join us in the path of life; ever remembering that if we convert a sinner from the error of his way, we shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. May we therefore seek every opportunity of usefulness. May we walk in wisdom towards them that are without. May we hold forth the word of life, and adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things—To whom be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and for ever. Amen.