Monday Morning (Third Week)

ALMIGHTY GOD, we desire on this the morning of a new day, to approach the footstool of Thy Throne of grace. Thou art glorious in Thy holiness, fearful in praises, continually doing wonders. Thine eternity is a depth which no finite mind can fathom. Thy purposes no accident can alter—Thy love no time can impair. We adore Thee as the GOD of our life; moment by moment we are hanging upon Thy goodness; if Thou withdrawest Thy hand we perish.

And yet, O LORD, we have not been living habitually mindful of Thee. We have too often taken our blessings as matters of course. We have had unthankful spirits in the midst of daily recurring tokens of unmerited mercy. Above all, we have been living in guilty forgetfulness of Thy dear Son. We have not been remembering as we ought, that but for Him and His wondrous grace we must have perished everlastingly. We have not felt as we ought the attractive power of His cross. Other lords have had dominion over us. The love which ought to have reigned paramount has been displaced and superseded by other affections. We have been “minding earthly things;” we have been deifying earthly pleasures and earthly passions; careful, and troubled, and concerned, about what will perish with the very using!

LORD, have mercy upon us! Bring us to a better mind. Melt these hard and obdurate hearts. Renew us by the indwelling of Thy gracious Spirit. Give us henceforth a holy ambition to serve Thee. May we regard life as a mission to please GOD—a state of brief probation, to exhibit here the living evidences of that spiritual life begun, which will issue in the glorious consummations of eternity. All our hope is in JESUS. There is no other prop that can support a sinking soul and a sinking world. Help us, blessed SAVIOUR, else we die! Give us to see the adaptation of Thy character and work, to all the wants and weaknesses—the trials and difficulties— the sorrows and sins of our fallen and suffering natures. We are overwhelmed at the recollection of bygone transgressions, but there is infinite merit in Thee to meet all the magnitude of infinite guilt. May we exhibit more willingness to be nothing and to do nothing that He who has done all, may be enthroned alone in our hearts’ affections. Make us more heavenly-minded —more pilgrim-like—more SAVIOUR-like. Our graces are feeble—LORD sustain them. Our affections are lukewarm, LORD revive them. Our lamps are going out—LORD trim them. Search us—try us—lead us; use what discipline Thou seest best. May it all result in our growing sanctification— in endearing to us Thy favor, and bringing us to live under a more constant and realizing sense of the things which cannot be shaken but remain.

We commend to Thee all near and dear to us. May they be shielded by Thy providence, and sanctified by Thy grace. Let them repose in the plenitude of Thy promises, and feel that to be spiritually-minded is “life and peace.” Bless our own family —preserve us by Thy mighty power. [Bless our children. May theirs be the heritage of those that fear Thy name.] May we all feel that it is Thou, LORD, only, who makest us to dwell in safety.

We put ourselves at thy disposal. May the everlasting arms ever be around us for good;—guiding through life—through death—till we are safe in glory—through JESUS CHRIST, our only SAVIOUR. Amen.