The Twelfth of March.DO IT WITH THY MIGHT --- Ecclesiastes 9:10."Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, wither thou goest." --- Ecclesiastes 9:10. The business of life is to glorify God, and to work out our own salvation: all other concerns are subordinate to these; "The time is short:" as the tree falleth, so it lieth;" and where death strikes down, there God lays out either for mercy or misery; so that I may compare it to the Red Sea; If I go in an Israelite, my landing shall be in glory, and my rejoicing and triumph, to see all mine enemies dead upon the sea-shore; but if I go in an Egyptian, if I be on this side of the cloud, on this side of the covenant, and go in hardened among the troops of Pharaoh, justice shall return in its full strength, and an inundation of judgment shall overflow my soul for ever. Or I may compare death to the sleep of the ten virgins, of whom it is said, "They all slumbered and slept;" we shall all fall into this sleep. Now, if I lie down with the wise, I shall go in with the Bridegroom; but if I sleep with the foolish, without oil in my lamp, without grace in my soul, I have closed the gates of mercy upon me for ever. I see then this life is the time wherein I must go forth to meet the Lord: this is the hour wherein I must do my work; and the day wherein I must be judged according to my works is at hand. I know not how soon I may fall into this sleep; therefore, Lord, grant that I may live every day in thy sight, as I desire to appear the last day in thy presence. Awake, my sluggish soul, |