Tuesday Morning (Fourth Week)

ALMIGHTY AND EVERLASTING JEHOVAH, Thou art the heart-searching and rein-trying GOD; Thou art of purer eyes than to behold iniquity; evil cannot dwell with Thee, fools cannot stand in Thy presence. Thou hast solemnly declared that Thou canst by no means clear the guilty. It is only because of Thy great mercies in CHRIST—the unknown and unimagined depths of Thy love in Him, that we are not consumed, and that Thou hast not executed against us the cumberers awful doom.

We bless Thee for all that JESUS hath done—for all that He is willing to do. We bless Thee that He is now exalted a Prince and a SAVIOUR,—that having purged our sins, he has forever sat down on the right hand of GOD, and that there He must reign until He hath put all enemies under His feet. Our earnest prayer is, that each of us may be personally and everlastingly interested in His great salvation ; may He be precious to us in all His offices, as our Prophet, Priest, and King, ruling over us, and within us, making our hearts the habitation of GOD through the Spirit. Blessed JESUS, dethrone self, and sin, and every idol—rule and reign Thou there supreme. May the fountains of the great deep of sin be broken up. Spare us, good LORD, spare Thy people, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy most precious blood, and be not angry with us forever!

We would cast all our cares, and every individual care on Thee, knowing and rejoicing that Thou “carest for us” in a way and measure that the nearest and fondest on earth knows nothing of. Seeing Thou hast loved us with such an overflowing and everlasting love, may we love Thee better in return; may we not requite Thee with coldness and unthankfulness—or give Thee the wrecks of “a worn and withered affection.” May the best of our thoughts, and the best of our lives, and the best of our time, be surrendered freely to Thee. Let us trust Thee in everything; let us see Thy faithfulness in every event in our chequered and changing histories. How Thou hast smoothed our way in the past!—every thorn has been blunted, every cross has been lightened; our fears have been disappointed, our fondest hopes fulfilled. We will trust Thee in the future; if sorrow should darken our path, keep us from that guilty atheism which refuses to see in our trials any other hand but Thine. Let us feel that the great Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep cannot lead us wrong.

Bless our dear friends; may the LORD be their keeper—may the sun not smite them by day, nor the moon by night. Do Thou preserve them from all evil, in their going out and in their coming in, from this time, henceforth, and even for evermore.

Be merciful to the family of affliction; those laid on beds of pining sickness— those bereaved of beloved relatives;—may it please Thee to help, succor, and relieve them; may they know Thine own blessed name—“ The Consolation of Israel;” may they take comfort in the assurance “the LORD will provide.”

Be Thou with us throughout this day; sanctify all its duties; go with us where we go, dwell with us where we dwell; may we pitch our tent ever near Thyself, and then we shall be safe. Hear us, gracious God, and accept of us for the Redeemer’s sake. Amen.

Our Father, &c.

The Grace of our Lord, &c.