elicit simple trust! How seldom can we _see_ all things so
working for our good! But it is better discipline to _believe_ it. Oh!
for faith amid frowning providences, to say, "I _know_ that thy
judgments are good;" and, relying in the dark, to exclaim, "Though He
slay me, yet will I trust Him!" Blessed Jesus! to thee are committed the
reins of this universal empire. The same hand that was once nailed to
the cross, is now wielding the sceptre on the throne,--"all power given
unto thee in heaven and in earth." How can I doubt the wisdom, and
faithfulness, and love, of the most mysterious earthly dealing, when I
know that the Roll of Providence is thus in the hands of Him who has
given the mightiest pledge Omnipotence _could_ give of His tender
interest in my soul's well-being, by giving _Himself_ for me?
"REMEMBER _THIS_ WORD UNTO THY SERVANT, UPON
WHICH THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE!"
14TH DAY.
"He is Faithful that Promised."
"All the Paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep
His covenant and His testimonies."--PSALM xxv. 10.
Safe Walking.
The paths of the Lord? My soul! never follow thine own paths. If thou
dost so, thou wilt be in danger often of following sight rather than
faith,--choosing the evil, and refusing the good. But "commit thy way
unto the Lord, and He shall bring it to pass." Let this be thy prayer,
"Show me _Thy_ ways, O Lord; teach me _Thy_ paths." Oh! for Caleb's
spirit, "_wholly_ to follow the Lord my God,"--to follow Him when self
must be sacrificed, and hardship must be borne, and trials await me. To
"walk with God,"--to ask in simple faith, "What wouldst thou have me to
do?"--to have no will of my own, save this, that God's will is to be
_my_ will. Here is safety,--here is happiness. Fearlessly follow the
Guiding Pillar. He will lead you by a _right_ way, though it may be by a
way of hardship, and crosses, and losses, and privations, to the city of
habitation. Oh! the blessedness of thus lying passive in the hands of
God; saying, "Undertake thou for me!"--dwelling with holy gratitude on
past mercies and interpositions--taking these as pledges of future
faithfulness and love--hearing His voice behind us, amid life's manifold
perplexities, exclaiming, "This is the way, walk ye in it!" "Happy,"
surely, "are every people who are in such a case!" Happy, Reader! will
it be for thee, if thou canst form the resolve in a strength greater
than thine o
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