66 enough, because of unbelief and carnal fear: be this the day of liberty! Hence let me be 'strong in the Lord." In the world there is nought but tribulation; every thing to oppose on the one hand, or excite false hope on the other; whilst I, the moment my faith fails, am the prey of fearful anxiety. I beseech thee, elevate my soul by thy truth, unfold to the eye of my soul much of thy character, thy attributes, and purposes, that I may feel the firm ground on which I stand, and not be moved by aught which meets me. Thou art not seen by mortal sight; let me constantly realize thy spiritual presence. Let me acknowledge this privilege by asking thee habitually what I am to do, and in following thee in love. Educate me by thy Spirit and thy word. Thou, O Jesus, art my wisdom, instruct me; give a just discernment of what is truth, and a preference to it as strong as life. Give me confidence in thy power, that I may not fear my fellow creatures, nor be apprehensive of harm or the infliction of evil from any quarter; from the ill-will of enemies, or the mistakes of my friends; knowing that thy holy, thy blessed, and gracious purposes of good to me, were settled in eternity, and every opposing power will fall back on itself nerveless, and not reach me. Let my will be assimilated to thee. Thus shall all be well. I shall be lifted above disappointment, and with fixedness of heart, ever rejoice in the Lord. "God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love," Heb. vi. 10. Surely this should be enough to satisfy, to encourage, and carry me forward in a line of stedfast obedience 73 SCRIPTURE PLACE BOOK FOR DAILY USE. to God, and of active exertion in his service for the sending forth of truth, the putting down of iniquity, and the conversion of souls. However insignificant my work and labour may seem to human judgment, avails nothing. I act according to a higher standard, and a perfect law. My Master looks at the principle, love. Praise to my faithful God for signal deliverances, and trust in his faithful promises. 66 66 66 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul,” Psa. liv. 4. He hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies," Psa. liv. 7. "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me," Psa. lvi. 3, 4. "His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever," Psa. cxi. 3. "He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion," Psa. cxi. 4. "I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil," Psa. cxix. 162. "Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word," Psa. cxix. 114. "O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle," Psa. cxl. 7. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor," Psa. cxl. 12. "The Lord lifteth up the meek he casteth the wicked down to the ground," Psa. cxlvii. 6. 66 G An earnest Prayer. "Hide not thy face far from me: put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation," Psa. xxvii. 9. I am a stranger in this world; When shall I rise to dwell with thee? I am a stranger in this world, Dead to its interests and its joys; A nobler work my soul employs. Where all I see is stain'd with sin; A work thou hast assign'd to me, Dear for thy sake; yet my poor heart, Would gladly from this world depart. Oh, of thy Spirit, pitying God, A double portion hence bestow; A den of lions is the scene Of my poor labours, where I tell Oh, leave me not; by thy right hand With God the Father intercede. The threat'ning skies are dark; the storm On one to this world's pleasures dead. Show me at once, by that pure light Which meets the soul from heav'n to earth, Have pity on me, e'en as when, In the young infancy of grace, And rested in thy kind embrace. Now worn with conflict in the war, Though vict'ry still shall crown my days, My heart with love, my lips with praise. Nov., 1836. Promises of special encouragement whilst labouring in the vineyard of God for the salvation of souls. Dearest Lord, hast thou not seen that Satan has been tempting me, through circumstances which thou knowest, almost to desert one rich and promising field of labour? I beseech thee preserve me in it; and let neither the falsehood which I have seen in one, nor the injustice which was shown me by another, move me. Oh let me say, as was affirmed by the apostle Paul, "None of these things move me." Rather let me look to the end, when I should be grieved to look back on time when I did not care so entirely for the conversion of souls to God, as to be indifferent to the inferior things which I in great frailty have suffered to disquiet me now. Let me turn from the shadows, and look at thy eternal and rich promises to me. "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him," Psa. cxxvi. 5, 6. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth," Eccl. xi. 1, 2. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thy hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that," Eccl. xi. 6. 66 They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever," Dan. xii. 3. Lord, I beseech thee, guide me; teach me, and incline my whole heart to thyself. Then I will go through floods and flames for thee! Thou, O Lord, knowest my path, and art acquainted with the devious circumstances in which I now stand. Uphold my footsteps; let me not slip. Hold me by thy right hand. Let me not speak unadvisedly with my lips. Let me not, in word or in deed, give the foe an advantage. In this business stretch forth the right hand of thy power in my defence, and bruise the serpent's head, and let mine head be lifted up above mine enemies that are round about, and these trials raise me higher above the world; unite me more to thy sacred service, and let me, from this time, be more victorious over every foe, for thy name's sake. Amen. Lord, I am opposed in thy great work by enemies without, by ungodly and unbelieving |