36. HOPE IN DARKNESS. Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness.--Ps. cxii. 4. 1. LORD, what a soul-distressing place Call'd to deplore thy absent face, 2. Of all the causes of my grief, 3. Arise and shine my heav'nly Sun, Then with delight my course I'll run, 4. I shall behold thy face again, My strength thou wilt renew; 5. By thee sustain'd I'll travel on, Thou wilt complete thy work begun, Jehovah has promised to "leave in the midst of Zion a poor and afflicted people; and they shall trust in the name of the Lord.” (ZEPH. iii. 12.) And, perhaps, the greatest afflictions to an adopted son is the hidings of his Father's face. This, however, has been the common lot of the Lord's people in all ages; and it forms one part of his blessed chastisement. Was it a grief to Absalom, when restored to his city after his baseness, not to be favored with an interview with his Father? how much more grievous is it to one whom the Lord has loved and manifested his tenderness unto, to be shut up and not able to come forth, but thus it frequently is with Jesu's Church at which time the believer tries to recall his past experience-looks narrowly into the promise, and examines well his own heart. If he can pray at all, his prayer is marked with honesty; and a fresh discovery of Jesu's precious loving-kindness to the soul, is to it a kind of resurrection; and it proves to the child of God as animating, and as new, as if he never had enjoyed it before. 37. THE HEART FIXED. His heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.---Ps. cxii. 7. 2. Fixed on that stable Rock, Firm I stand till he shall fail; 3 3. Fixed on the cov❜nant sure, 4. Fixed on his word and oath, 3. Fixed on the Sacred Three, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, "Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines: : for it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace," saith the Sacred writer, (HEB. XIII. 9.)-Believer, whatever thy God is, and whatever he hath said, is subject to no fluctuation: with him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. He is in one mind. (JOв XXIII. 13.) This precious truth has been to me a kind of sheet anchor; and it has yielded me strong consolation, when my mind has been like a troubled sea-when all created refuges have failed me;— when the troubles of my heart have been enlarged. What could the soul do? how possibly could he survive the storm; but for the kind interference of Jehovah Jesus?-Believer! all thy trials are permitted by, and sent in love to thee; and though it may be that thou canst with difficulty sustain them; yet thy God will prove to thee his faithfulness thereby; and thou shalt also find, that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope; be assured, that the path of tribulation, tends greatly to thy establishment in the faith of Jesus. Persons who are but little tried, either within or without, seldom excel in spiritual attainments; nor can they possess much feeling for those who are tried. Blessed, inconceivably blessed, is that person whose strength and song is Jehovah, the Ruck of salvation! 38. HIDING PLACE, Thou art my hiding-place.---Ps. xxxii. 7. 1. AWAKE, my soul, and praise Thy God, of matchless grace; !! Jesus, the first of wisdom's ways, Is now thy hiding-place. 2. To make salvation sure To all the chosen race, Jesus the curse did once endure; 8. Vindictive wrath, no more Shall frown me in the face; 4. And he will safely keep 5. Not all the rage of hell Shall e'er this truth deface: Secure in Christ the chosen dwell, |