109 . CHAPTER VII. MEDITATIONS. I. "BEFORE I was afflicted I went astray; but now have I kept thy word." Psalm cxix. 67. It is true, Lord, that in the days of my prosperity I have forgotten thee, and forsaken thy ways. When every earthly scene looked smiling, I dreamed not that it could be overcast; when my health was firm, I imagined myself invulnerable by disease. This world I chose for my home, and sought not for a better; and while partaking of God's goodness, I was forgetful of the hand which supplied my wants. O thou gracious God! how ungratefully did I requite thee! and how merciful wert thou in bearing so long with my rebellion and unthankfulness! Now thou has smitten my comforts, and their vanity appears. The friendship of the world cannot avail to ease my pain, or to comfort me in the prospect of death. But, Lord, do I now keep thy word? Have my eyes been opened, and am I become wiser? Do I believe in thy holy word, and do I approve of it? Is my heart humbled; am I ready to kiss the hand that chastises me, and penitently acknowledge that I have sinned against thee? O holy Lord, may my afflictions be sanctified, and become the means, in thy hand, of making me wiser, more obedient, more childlike and holy. II. "Though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion." Lam. iii. 32. May I remember that afflictions spring not from the dust; they come not by chance, but by the command of God. It is thou, Lord, who causest grief, and yet thou dost it not willingly, but for the spiritual good of thy creatures. Had I been holy, there would have been no necessity for the affliction which I endure; but I was rebellious, I would not listen to thee,-thy invitations and warnings were alike disregarded. Then it was that thou didst employ the rod, that I might feel my dependence and be recalled to a sense of my accountability. The discipline is wholesome, however severe; I have deserved a punishment infinitely greater; and surely while still permitted to hope, I have no reason to complain. O that the fruit of my affliction might be to take away sin! This would be compassion indeed, were the pains of my body made to minister to the health of my soul! Show me thy mercy, O righteous Father, and may the smiles of thy reconciled face cheer me.. May I feel that thou art my refuge in distress and that although my outward man may perish, thou wilt be my support and comfort. Stand by me, Saviour of sinners, and teach me by thy example to suffer submissively and profitably; then will I rejoice that thy hand was laid heavily upon me, and that thou didst place me in this school of discipline. III. "Lord, save us! we perish." Matt. viii. 25. + There is danger; there is a deliverer. Bless the Lord, O my soul, that there is one mighty to save unto the uttermost. Human foresight and power are often unavailing to avert the accidents which threaten the body; but how much more so, to counteract the dangers which impend over the soul! Am I unregenerate? then I am in danger of eternal wrath, for I am assured that unless I be born again, I can in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven. Am I an enemy of God by wicked works? how terrible will be my fate if the wrath of Omnipotence is awakened against me! Daily I am in danger |