"He is Faithful that Promised."
"The righteous shall hold on his way."--JOB xvii. 9.
Persevering Grace.
Reader! how comforting to thee amid the ebbings and flowings of thy
changing history, to know that the change is all with thee, and not with
thy God! Thy spiritual bark may be tossed on waves of temptation, in
many a dark midnight. Thou mayest think thy pilot hath left thee, and be
ready continually to say, "Where is my God?" But fear not! The bark
which bears thy spiritual destinies is in better hands than thine; a
golden chain of covenant love links it to the eternal throne! That chain
can never snap asunder. He who holds it in His hand gives thee _this_ as
the pledge of thy safety,--"Because I live, ye shall live also." "Why
art thou then cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within
me? _hope thou in God!_" Thou wilt assuredly ride out these stormy
surges, and reach the desired haven. But be faithful with thyself: see
that there be nothing to hinder or impede thy growth in grace. Think how
little may retard thy progress. One sin indulged--one temptation
tampered with--one bosom traitor, may cost thee many a bitter hour and
bitter tear, by separating between thee and thy God. Make it thy daily
prayer, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my
thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the
way everlasting."
"REMEMBER _THIS_ WORD UNTO THY SERVANT, UPON
WHICH THOU HAST CAUSED ME TO HOPE!"