The Eleventh of May.

WITH GREAT MERCIES . . . --- Isaiah 54:7-9.

"How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord? forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?" --- Psalm 13:1

God's Answer: "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee. For this is as the waters of Noah unto me; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee." --- Isaiah 54:7-9.

When the Lord is pleased to quicken us in our prayers with a lively impression of one or more promises, we are apt to think that the hour of help is come. But afterwards, it may be, he not only hides himself for a great while again, but things take even a strange and contary course, as if all had been nothing, or as if nothing was more uncertain than the word of God; nay, even than God himself.

They who deny such temptations are strangers both to themselves and to the devices of Satan. But Christians must then be prudently upon their guard, thinking that God is going to do some glorious things for them; for if they be first convinced of their utter unworthiness, if they act with faith and patience, and be more earnest in prayers, they are fit to receive so much more grace afterwards. Though yet, after all, God, as a Sovereign, will give such measure of grace, at such seasons, and to such persons as he pleases.

Dear Lord, behold our sore distress;
Our sins attempt to reign;
Stretch out tine arm of conqu'ring grace,
And let thy foes be slain.

If thou despise a mortal groan,
Yet hear a Saviour's blood;
An advocate so near the throne
Pleads and prevails with God.

How boundless is our Father's grace,
In height, in depth, and length!
He made his Son our righteousness;
His Spirit is our strength.