From J. C. Philpot's Daily Portions
November 3 "O Ephraim, what shall I do unto you?" Hosea 6:4 Most of the Lord's people have some peculiar thing that
they want to have granted. Most living souls have some peculiar temptation
from which they want to be delivered. If some of the Lord's family could sum
up all their desires in one petition, it would be to have the pardon of
their sins sealed upon the conscience. If others of God's people could
crowd up in one sentence all the wants of their soul, it would be to be
brought into the enjoyment of gospel liberty. If others could condense
in one short prayer the chief desire of their heart, it would be to be
delivered from some powerful temptation, or be preserved from some peculiar
besetting sin. And if others could get into one request the longings
that heave in their bosom, it would be to be relieved from some special
trial or trouble that at times seems as though it would weigh them down
to the dust. When the Lord, then, does but enable them to come before
him and tell him what is working in their hearts, it is as though he said,
'Be not afraid to tell me--I know it already--I have the power to grant your
request--I have the will to bestow the desired answer. "What shall I do unto
you?" Tell me what it is!' The Lord encourages and enables every one that he
thus draws near to himself to tell him what he most needs; and when he is
enabled to lay it before his throne, it is half answered. The needed
blessing is on its way--like Gabriel, it has left the palace, and is
speeding its course to the soul.