Monday Evening (Fourth Week)

MOST GRACIOUS AND EVERLASTING GOD, Father of all mercies, King of Kings, LORD of Lords—the Heaven, even the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Thee. Myriads of blessed spirits are continually casting their crowns at Thy feet, and worshipping Thee as LORD of all. How shall we, dust and ashes, presume to lift up our eyes to the place where Thou in glory dwellest?

There is but one thing that preserves us from everlasting destruction, and that is Thy sovereign love in JESUS. We flee to Him as our only SAVIOUR:—we have no other—we require no other—He is our alone confidence—Him first—Him last— Him all in all. Spare us, good LORD, spare us ‘ as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” Spare us for the sake of thine own dear Son who hath “ served ” Thee on our behalf, doing all, and suffering all, and procuring all, for us. It is a glorious ground of confidence for a sinner to trust in. It has been tried by countless multitudes, and the blood that has cleansed their guilty stains has a voice of undiminished love and forgiveness for us.

Thou faintest not, neither art weary—all Thy promises in Him are yea, and in Him amen. We cannot be in better hands than in Thine. Whether it be to do or to bear Thy will—may it be ours meekly to say “ Even so, Father!” Whatever may most conduce to Thy glory and our good do Thou appoint for us. Be Thou ever near us, not as a wayfaring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night, but gladdening us with the continued sense of Thy presence and love. May we ever remember how transient and fleeting existence is; let us feel that the thread of life may snap at any moment,—we cannot tell what a day or an hour may bring forth; may we work while it is called to-day, remembering that there is no device, nor work, nor labor, in the grave whither we are going.

Bless all our dear friends; let them be related to Thee; preserve their bodies from danger, and their souls from sin. May our household be a household of faith; may its lintels have sprinkled on them the blessed symbol of covenant love. May [parents and children,] master and servants be the members of a more glorious household ;— may we claim kindred with the saints and the household of GOD.

Bless all in sorrow; may they feel that all are ‘need-be’ trials; let this be their comfort in their affliction—“ if we suffer with Him we shall be also glorified together.” Let them look forward to that hour when “ their sorrow shall be turned into joy;” when GOD himself shall be with them and be their GOD, and “ when all tears shall be wiped from all faces.”

Prepare us all for Heaven; let us be living ever with glory in sight, that ours at last may be an “ abundant entrance.” Keep us waiting—keep us watching. Ere we lie down to sleep this night, give us the blessed sense of sin forgiven; and if spared until to-morrow, let us rise refreshed for duty, and fitted for service or for trial; and all that we ask is for the sake of Him whom Thou hearest always, and to whom with Thee, the Father, and Thee, O blessed Spirit, one GOD, be everlasting praise, honor, and glory world without end. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.