172

DECEMBER.

1st.

He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river. Psalm cv. 41.

Oh Thou who rulest alike in the kingdoms of nature and of grace; it is through the operation of Thy Spirit alone, that our stony hearts can be softened and melted. Oh grant that the life-giving streams of Thy grace may flow into them in rich abundance, that so they may be purified and renewed day by day: and then may the same grace, like a river of blessing, gush out from the rock thou hast opened, and run into all the dry places around; that so, in watering, we may be watered, and in blessing others enjoy the dew of Thy blessing ourselves, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

2nd.

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Psalm lxxxv. 10, 11.

Oh Thou whose everlasting covenant engages, not one, but all Thine infinite perfections, to look down, as it were, from heaven, and proclaim glory to Thee and good-will to men; we bless Thee that in it, Thou declarest Thyself at once merciful and gracious, and faithful and true; a just God and yet a Saviour. Oh grant that while Thou thus causest mercy and truth to meet together, righteousness and peace to kiss each other, Thy truth may also spring out of the earth, and yield more and more of the fruits of righteousness from all our hearts, through Christ Jesus. Amen.

3rd.

For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor. xiii. 12.

Oh Thou who dwellest in the light which no man may approach unto, it is our unspeakable privilege to approach Thee, though but through a glass darkly, and to know Thee, though but in part. Oh may the eyes of our understanding be continually enlightened, that we may grow in all spiritual knowledge and grace; and while beholding Thy glory in the face of Christ Jesus, may we be changed into the same image; and wait till for His sake Thou admit us to see face to face, and know as we are known, in Thy presence above, for ever. Amen.

4th.

The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple, &c. Psalm xix. 7, 8.

Oh Lord our God, whose every word is pure and precious; give us grace so to receive it, that Thy perfect law may convert and restore our sinful souls; Thy sure testimony turn our simplicity to heavenly wisdom; Thy right statutes rejoice our hearts, and be our daily songs in the house of our pilgrimage; and Thy pure commandments enlighten the eyes of our minds, to see more and more of the wonders of Thy holy word, as a revelation, not of wrath, but of mercy, in and through Thy beloved Son our Saviour. Amen.

5th.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Rom. iii. 23, 24.

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Blessed Lord, we entreat Thee, to engrave as with the point of a diamond on our memories and our hearts, those great vital truths which are essential to our salvation. Convince us fully of our personal share in the guilt and curse of sin shew us all the freeness and fullness of Thy grace: keep us from ever seeking to be justified otherwise than by the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: and casting ourselves on Him alone for time and for eternity, may we not come short of Thy glory, but be accepted of Thee in Him for ever. Amen.

6th.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rom. vi. 22.

Thanks be to Thee, oh Lord, that whereas we were by nature bond-slaves of sin and Satan, the Son has made us free, that we should be Thy willing servants. Oh that although in ourselves altogether unprofitable, Thou wouldest cause us, through Thy grace, to have our fruit unto holiness, to the praise and glory of Thy name; and that instead of receiving at the end, the wages of sin, which is death, we may look and wait for Thy great gift of everlasting life, freely bestowed on us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

7th.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him Follow me. And he arose and followed him. Matt. ix. 9.

Oh Thou whose eye is ever upon us amidst our daily pursuits and engagements; we thank Thee for the gracious call to each of us, to follow Thee. May we, through grace, obey the call, abstaining from all employments that would separate between Thee and our souls; striving to serve Thee in our calling, and following Thee now in heart and life; that we may be prepared, whenever Thy summons comes, joyfully to arise and depart, to be with Thee where Thou art, which is far better. Hear us for Thy great mercy's sake.

8th.

Amen.

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. xvi. 15, 16.

Oh Thou whom we know assuredly to be the Christ, the Son of the living God; we pray that whatever others do or say, we may be made partakers of the blessing of such as profess a good profession concerning Thee. May we fully confess Thee with our understandings, with our affections, with our life and conversation, and with our hopes and expectations; letting all testify that we would be Thine, faithfully serving Thee upon earth, and looking to reign with Thee in heaven, for Thy mercy's sake. Amen.

9th.

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. Acts ix. 15.

Oh Thou who seest not as man seeth, neither givest account of any of Thy matters: never let us presume to judge concerning any of our fellow-creatures, who are, or are not vessels of mercy, chosen of Thee to shew forth Thy praise. But hoping we belong ourselves to that happy number, may we be ever ready, at Thy bidding, to bear the name of Christ, and Him crucified wherever Thou seest fit to send us, whether to Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, as all our salvation, and all our desire, for ever.

Amen.

10th.

And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus xvii. 11.

Inspirer and Hearer of prayer, pity and pardon, we entreat Thee, all the heaviness and drowsiness of spirit which too often mark our approaches to Thee. Fix our hearts and hopes on Him who must be our all in all, if we would be accepted of Thee: encourage us with the certainty of a favourable result of all our conflicts, if he is our strength; and stir us up, with the grateful remembrance of past deliverances, to more earnestness of prayer, personal, intercessory, and social, till Thou bless us with final victory, through Christ our Lord. Amen.