Tuesday Morning — Week 2

O Thou God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob; the God of all the righteous, and of all that hunger and thirst after righteousness: blessed are the people that are in such a case, yea, happy is the people whose God is the Lord. May we be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of thy promise in Christ by the gospel.

We hope in thy word. There we see Thee, not on a throne of judgment, whose terror would make us afraid, but on a throne of grace, waiting to be gracious, and exalted to have mercy. There we hear Thee saying, not—Depart ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, but—Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I am God and there is none else. They that know thy name will put their trust in Thee, for Thou Lord hast not forsaken them that seek Thee. How many glorified in heaven, and what numbers now living on earth, are thy witnesses, O God, exemplifying in their recovery from the ruins of the fall, the freeness and riches and efficacy of thy grace. All that were ever saved were saved by Thee, and will through eternity exclaim, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but to thy name give glory, for thy mercy and for thy truth's sake. And after all thy communications, Thou art the same Lord over all, and rich unto all that call upon Thee. Thou hast the same ear to hear, the same heart to pity, the same hand to deliver.

But thou hast chosen to transact all thy concerns with us through a Mediator. In Him it hath pleased Thee that all fulness should dwell. Him Thou hast exalted at thy own right hand, to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins.

To Him therefore may we look; on Him may we entirely depend: and in Him, with all the seed of Israel, may we be justified and glory. May we know how to derive relief from his sufferings, without losing any of our abhorrence of sin or longing after holiness. May we feel the double efficiency of his blood, in tranquillizing our consciences and cleansing them: may we delight in his service as well as his sacrifice; and under the constrainings of a love that passeth knowledge, may we live, not to ourselves but to Him that died for us and rose again.

In all our approaches to Thee may we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. Give us much of the spirit of grace and of supplication. By a constant readiness for the duty, and a frequent performance of it, may we pray without ceasing; and by guarding against every discouragement, may we pray and not faint.

May we cherish a grateful and cheerful disposition; not murmuring and repining because all our wishes are not indulged, or because some trials are blended with our enjoyments; but sensible of our desert, and impressed with the number and greatness of thy benefits, may we bless the Lord at all times, and may his praise continually be in our mouth. And may our gratitude be real and practical, and increasing with our obligations. Enable us to inquire, Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do? Enable us to resolve, I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living; enable us to pray, O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes.

We commend to thy pity and thy power all those who are in any way afflicted in mind, body, or estate. May the young find it good to bear the yoke in their youth; may they that know Thee not, be chosen in the furnace of affliction; and may thy own people find Thee a very present help in trouble. Be favorable to our land. Let those that are at the helm of public affairs be men of understanding, and know what Israel ought to do. May our magistrates be men fearing God and hating covetousness: make our officers peace, and our exactors righteousness. Let not oppression be ever seen on the side of judgment, nor a perverse spirit be mingled in the midst of the people. Let glory dwell in our land, and upon all the glory may there be a defence. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with us all for ever. Amen.