Grace Gems

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The more vile Christ made Himself for us!
Thomas Brooks, very helpful.
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Little Sins

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same--will be called least in the kingdom of Heaven." Matthew 5:19

A great many people are careful about breaking large commandments and committing heinous sins--while they commit 'little sins' continually and without scruple.

They would not tell a direct lie for the world--but their speech is full of little falsehoods!

They would not steal money from the purse or drawer of another--and yet they continually commit small thefts! For example, by mistake the grocer gives them a penny too much change--and they do not think of returning it. Through the carelessness of a postal worker, the postage stamp on a letter is left uncancelled--and they take it off and use it a second time.

They would not purposely try to blacken a neighbor's name or destroy his character--and yet they repeat to others the evil whispers about him which they have heard, and thus soil his reputation.

They would not swear or curse in the coarse way of the ungodly--but they are continually using such minced oaths such as, Gosh! Gees! Heck! and other mild, timid substitutes for overt swearing.

They would not do flagrant acts of wickedness to disgrace themselves--but their lives are honeycombed with all kinds of little meannesses, impurities, selfishnesses, and bad tempers.

We need to remember, that little disobediences--harm our witness for the kingdom of Heaven.

Little sins--mar the beauty of our character.

Then, little sins are sure to grow! The trickling leak in the dike--becomes a torrent deluging vast plains!

Ofttimes, too, little sins are infinite in their consequences.

We ought never to indulge even the smallest faults or evil habits--but should aim always at perfection of character, and perfection is made up of 'littles'.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Perpetual fuel for the flames of Hell!
Thomas Brooks, powerful
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Surely there could be no truer picture taken of Jesus!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Blessed . . . Blessed . . . Blessed . . . Blessed . . . " Matthew 5:3-10

The Blesseds of the Scriptures shine all over the inspired pages--like stars in the midnight sky! The Bible is a book of beatitudes and blessings. God's mercy lies everywhere. Wherever we see Christ--He is imparting blessings, as the sun imparts light and warmth.

While He was here on earth--He was always reaching out His hand to give a benediction to some life which sorely needed it. Now it was on the children's heads, now on the leper, now on the blind eyes, now on the sick, now on the dead--that He laid those gracious hands, and always He left some rich gift of blessing!

Then we remember one day, when those gentle hands were stretched out by brutal enemies--and with iron nails, were fastened to the cruel cross! Yet even then--it was in blessing that they were extended--for it was for our sins that they were thus transfixed on Calvary's cross. As we see them thus stretched out as wide as they could reach--the posture suggests the wideness of divine mercy. Thus the arms of Christ are open to the utmost--to receive all who will come to seek refuge. There is room for the worst of sinners within those blessed arms!

Finally, it is a striking fact that the last glimpse we have of the Savior in this world--shows Him in the attitude of blessing. He had been talking with His disciples as He led them out, and then "He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them--He left them and was taken up into Heaven!" Luke 24:50-51. Surely there could be no truer picture taken of Jesus at any point in His life--than as He appeared in that last view of Him which this world enjoyed.

In Heaven now, He is still a blessing Savior--holding up His pierced hands before God in intercession, and reaching down gracious hands full of blessings for our sad, sinful earth.

If any life goes unblessed with such a Savior--it can be only because of sinful unbelief and willful rejection.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The fools bauble--the fool's fiddle!
Thomas Brooks, very challenging
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When He comes to us in the garb of pain or sorrow

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"He came unto His own--but His own did not receive Him." John 1:11

We say that the Jews, "His own," were very ungrateful to treat their Messiah in this way; and also that their rejection was a terrible wrong to themselves, for they thrust away in Christ, the most glorious things of Heaven and eternity!

But how is it with ourselves? Christ comes to us. He is continually coming. His hands are full of blessings. Do we really take from the hand of Christ--all that He offers to us? Do we not daily grieve Him and rob ourselves of blessings--by declining what He brings?

Especially do we reject Christ often--when He comes to us in the garb of pain or sorrow. Many times the blessings which He brings to us then--are the very richest and the most precious in all His treasury of grace!

But how many of us receive Christ as gladly, and take the gifts from His hand as cheerfully and gratefully, when He comes in grief or suffering--as when He comes in the garb of joy or worldly prosperity?

Why should we not do so? Can we not trust His love and wisdom?

He never sends pain--unless pain is best for us.

He never chastens us--unless there is a blessing in the chastening.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Christ's love for us!
Thomas Brooks, precious
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The darling child whom we love so much, lies dead in our arms!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Then He got into the boat and His disciples followed Him. Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat!" Matthew 8:23-24

Had the disciples put out sea without Christ's bidding--they would not have had the same reason to expect His protection and deliverance.

The lesson we learn here is, that storms may arise, even when we are in the plain line of Christian duty. We should not be discouraged by the difficulty or trouble which comes--and conclude that we are in the wrong path.

We see, also, that Christ's presence with His disciples, does not keep the storms away. There are no promises in the Bible that Christian people shall not have trials. The Gospel builds no high walls around us--to break the force of the stormy winds. Troubles come to the Christian--just as surely as to the worldly man.

There are the storms of temptation--these sweep down with sudden and terrific power from the cold mountains of this world! Then, there are storms of sickness, of disappointment and adversity, of sorrow--which make the waves and billows to roll over the soul.

On the Sea or Galilee, travelers say that a boat will be gliding along smoothly over the glassy surface, unbroken by a ripple--when suddenly, without a moment's warning--a tempest will sweep down, and almost instantly, the boat will be tossed upon the angry waves.

Just so, do many of life's storms come. Great troubles come when we least expect them. We may be at peace in a happy home. At an hour when we all is calm, without warning--the darling child whom we love so much, lies dead in our arms! The friend we trusted, and who we thought would never fail us--proves false! The hopes cherished for years--wither in our hands, like flowers when the frost comes!

The storms of life are nearly all sudden surprises. They do not hang out danger-signals days before, to warn us. The only way to be ready for them--is to have Jesus with us in our boat.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Amusements, pleasures, and gaieties of the world!
by John Abbott, very insightful
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With the eye of tenderest love!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them." Mark 6:48

Jesus always sees our toils and distresses in this world. We do not see Him--and sometimes we think that He has forgotten us; but that is never true. He never forgets us, nor is He indifferent for a moment.

On the heights, while the battle was in progress, stood a group of men watching the struggling armies on the plain below. In this group was the American general Sheridan, who watched the mighty strife with the keen eye of a soldier. King William was also there; but his interest was different from Sheridan's. His son was in the thick of the fight--and he watched the battle with the eye of a father, as well as of a king.

Just so, Christ looks down upon our struggles in this world. He sees us straining and toiling; He beholds all our battles and strifes. He sees us in the waves and in the storm. He sees us, not merely with the eye of the calm spectator--but with the eye of tenderest love!

This is a great thought! If we can only get it into our hearts--it will give us wondrous courage in the hour of toil, sorrow, or struggle. Jesus knows . . .
  when the battle is hard,
  when the night is dark,
  when the temptation is more than we can bear.

The winds were against His disciples--even though Christ sent them out to sea. We learn here, that even when we are doing the things God which has bidden us do--we may encounter great opposition and difficulty. We may even be beaten back, and find the trial too great for our strength. Many of the Lord's disciples have to make their voyage over very stormy seas--on their way to glory. For some, duty is often very hard. Indeed, a true, noble, courageous, holy life--must always exist in the face of opposition and contrary winds.

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

I might have escaped all this misery!
by Archibald Alexander, very powerful!
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There are few things at which people enact greater farces!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Then Jesus said to His disciples: If anyone would come after Me--he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me!" Matthew 16:24

There are few things at which people enact greater farces--than in their feeble and foolish efforts at self-denial. Very few seem to have the remotest conception of what self-denial is!

One does without meat on Fridays, eating fish instead--and thinks that he has denied himself in a most commendable way.

Another gives up candy or a certain amusement for forty days in Lent--and is proud of over his great self-denial.

Others make themselves miserable in various ways: inflicting pain, making useless and uncalled-for sacrifices--as if God were somehow pleased when they suffer!

But none of these things constitute self-denial. There is no merit or virtue in . . .
  giving up anything,
  suffering any loss or pain, or
  making any sacrifice--merely for its own sake.

True self-denial is the renouncing of SELF--and the yielding of the whole life to the will of Christ. It is SELF--coming down from the heart's throne, laying crown and scepter at the Master's feet--and thenceforth submitting the whole life to His sway.

True self-denial is living--not to please ourselves, not to advance our own personal interests--but to please our Lord and do His work. It is denying ourselves anything which is sinful in His sight. It is the glad making of any sacrifice which loyalty to Him requires. It is the giving up of any pleasure or comfort for the good of others--which the living out of His gospel may demand. The essential thing is that SELF gives way altogether to CHRIST--as the purpose and end of life.

True self-denial, like all other traits of Christlikeness, is unconscious of itself. We deny ourselves when we follow Christ with joy and gladness, through cost and danger and suffering--wherever He leads!

[nChrist]

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He does not come in the sunshine only!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"When they saw Him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking He was a ghost. They were all terrified when they saw Him!" Mark 6:49-50

It seems strange to us, that the disciples would ever have been afraid of their own Master. They had been in great distress all through the night--just because He was not with them. There was nothing they had desired so much all through those long dark hours--as that Jesus would come to them. Yet now, when He did come--they were in terror at the sight of Him. It was because they did not know that it was Jesus--as His very unusual presence so affrighted them.

It is ofttimes just so with us. We are in some need or danger, and Jesus does not come to us. We call upon Him, and most earnestly desire His coming; yet He does not come. At length He comes, but often it is not as we had expected--in lovely visage and gentle deportment--but in the form of terror! It is in some great trial--that He comes. Death enters our door and carries away a loved one. Or we experience some loss or some misfortune--at least it seems to us, loss or misfortune. We cry out in terror! We do not know that it is Jesus, veiled in the dark robe, who has come! We do not know that this is the answer to our prayer for His presence and His help. We are affrighted at the unusual form that moves over the waters in the dark night. We think it is new danger--when really it is the very divine love and divine help--for which we have been longing and pleading!

We ought to learn that Jesus is in every providence that comes to us. He does not come in the sunshine only; quite as frequently--it is in the dark night that He draws near. It is our duty as Christians to train ourselves to see Christ in every event. Then, whether it is sorrow or joy which knocks at our door--we shall give it loving welcome, knowing that Jesus Himself is veiled in whatever form it is, that He enters. Then we shall find, that when we welcome Him in the somber garments of affliction--He will always have a rich blessing for our lives!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

Losses, crosses, disappointments and bereavements!
by James Smith, very comforting
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Nestle in our Savior's arms!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in His arms," Mark 9:36

This picture of "Jesus with the little one in His arms" is very beautiful. In all the Bible there is scarcely another picture which so well represents the attitude both of the soul and of the Savior--in salvation, and in all Christian life.

Jesus takes the child in His arms--there is love, tenderness and protection.

The bosom is the place of warmth, of affection, of intimacy, of confidence.

The encircling arms--imply safety, support and shelter.

Jesus lifted up the child and held it in His arms--just so does He carry His people through this wilderness world! He does not merely tell them what path to travel--but He takes them on His shoulders, carrying not only their burdens--but themselves! Thus He bears them on through life and through death--to Heaven, where they shall forever be with Him!

Then look at the picture the other way--the child in the Savior's arms. The child's attitude speaks of trust, confidence, repose, peace, love, joy--just the feelings which belong to the true Christian. What a place the bosom of Christ is--in danger, in storm, in sorrow, in death! Shall we not likewise learn--to nestle in our Savior's arms in all our troublesome experiences?

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The almighty power of God is exerted!
by James Smith
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Flying through the air with an angel-escort!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"The beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom." Luke 16:22

Nothing is said about his funeral. Of course, if he had one--it was only a pauper's funeral. Earth had no honor for the beggar, no splendid coffin, no flowers. But the angels came--and were his bearers and escort to glory!

Notice also, that nothing is said about what became of his body. The body is of little matter, for the man himself--was no longer in that old, worn-out, battered frame. He was soon far away in the realm of eternal glory! When his body was dropped into the ground--the beggar, the real man, was carried away to Heaven! We see him there, no longer a beggar--but enjoying eternal blessedness.

There is still another thought here. We dread death. It seems like the end of existence. But really, to the Christian--death is only a fleeting incident in his life. It is just a moment's passage through an experience which we never can understand; and then--eternal glory!

One minute, this poor beggar lies at the rich man's gate--despised, suffering, and starving!
The next moment, a strange sensation passes over him, and all is confusion.
And then he awakes--flying through the air with an angel-escort!
And in a moment--he is inside the celestial city, to dwell forever with the Lord!
There is no break in his life.

Death came also to the rich man. His riches could not save him from death. No doubt he had a splendid funeral. There would be a long procession, many mourners, a luxurious coffin, and every show of honor.

But who would not rather have the beggar's escort after death--than the finest funeral earth ever gave to a mortal?

There have been funerals of rich men at which there was genuine sorrow, where those who had been blessed by their benevolence came and wept by their coffins. But in this rich man's case, there were no sincere mourners, for the man had allowed the needy to lie hungry at his gates! He had lived for himself only--and no one really missed him when he was gone. "The rich man also died and was buried. In Hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus in his bosom!" Luke 16:22-23

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The old serpent is almost sure to be lurking in our path!
by James Smith, very helpful.  Play Audio!   Download Audio

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Every cent!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"What shall it profit a man--if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matthew 16:26

That is putting the case in its most favorable light! The whole world is the largest possible gain. But suppose a man does gain the whole world--
  it cannot keep him from trouble;
  it cannot give him peace of conscience;
  it cannot comfort him in sorrow;
  it cannot make a soft pillow for him when he is dying;
  it cannot purchase Heaven for him when he is gone!
All that he can do with the world, after he has it--is to keep it for a short time until he dies! He cannot carry any part of it with him into eternity!

"How much did he leave?" asked one, referring to a millionaire who had just died. "Every cent!" was the reply. He left all. So it is easy to see that there is no profit--but rather a fearful and eternal loss, in gaining even all the world--at the price of one's soul.

Then, think for how much smaller price than 'the whole world' which many people sell their souls for!
Some sell their soul for a few hours' guilty pleasure!
Some sell their soul for a political office!
Some sell their soul for filthy lucre!
Some sell their soul for honor which fades in a day.
They are selling their souls also in many other ways--for pitiable trifles.
Like Esau, they are bartering their heavenly birthright--for a bowl of stew!

What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Ah! that's the trouble. When the soul is lost--there is no way of recovering it. When we have made our choice, and lived our life, whether right or wrong--there is no possibility of changing the results! Life is given to us only once; and if we live it wrongly, there is no chance to live it over again. A lost soul cannot be gotten back; it is irretrievably lost!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

God's way!
James Smith, very comforting.
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Leaning on Jesus

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was leaning on Jesus' bosom." John 13:23

We are not told the name of this disciple--but we know him by his place and posture. What were the traits in John's character which made him the beloved disciple? One was his humility; another was his love--artists always paint his face in features of gentleness and affectionateness. Another of his winning traits was his trust. He never seems to have doubted.

When was it, that he reclined on Jesus' bosom? It was in a time of great darkness. The Master was about to go away, and all the hopes of the disciples were being destroyed. But where was John in that darkness? Leaning on Jesus' bosom! Just so, sorrow, instead of driving us into despair--should drive us nearer to Christ--to His bosom!

Where was it, that John learned? On Jesus' bosom!
Not merely on His arm--the place of strength;
nor upon His shoulder--the place of upholding;
but on His bosom--which is the place of love and tenderness.
It is a great thing to know that divine omnipotence is underneath us in all our weakness; but mere omnipotence is cold. How much better it is--when omnipotence has the heart of love within it.

But what did John do? He leaned. He rested his weight--on the omnipotent love of his Lord. Christ wants all His friends to lean upon Him. He wants to carry our burdens for us--He wants us to lay all our sins and all our cares upon Him; but more than this--ourselves! He wants to bear us--as well as our burdens.

"Who is this coming up from the wilderness, leaning upon her Beloved?" Song of Songs 8:5

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The Lord's care of His people
James Smith, very uplifting.
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A great and noble army of holy women

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"And many women were there beholding from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto Him" Matthew 27:55

These were the earliest of a great and noble army of holy women--attached to Christ by deep, personal love--following and ministering unto Him. In all the ages since, Christian women have shown similar devotion and constancy to Christ--and similar heroic love in serving Him. The record of women's ministry to Christ, is one of the brightest in all the world's history!

Women owe an incalculable debt to Christ. He has lifted them up from base thraldom, and from degradation. Women have always been grateful too, and have served Christ with great devotion.

Women are found in every sickroom, bending over the sufferer with unwearying solicitude, with matchless tenderness ministering to bodily comfort, and pouring the warmth of affection upon feverish spirits. They are found in the wards of hospitals, and upon battlefields, moving like God's angels in blessed, loving ministry.

Faithful Christian mothers are following the Master and doing work which will shine forever in glorious luster!

Faithful Christian Sunday school teachers are doing quiet service in lowly paths--which in God's sight, is nobler than that of many of earth's famous ones!

Everywhere, too, there is an open field for woman's ministry. Christ is no longer here in person to be served--as He was served by these women who followed Him from Galilee; but in His needy and suffering followers--He is ever present; and whoever will, may minister unto Him! For He said that in doing acts of kindness to the least of His people--we do them unto Him.

Much practical teaching is in this picture, which is here held up before every woman, inspiring her to wholeheartedly follow Christ.

Why do so many young Christian girls choose a life . . .
  of idleness,
  of love of pleasure,
  of aimless, purposeless existence,
  of mere dressing, promenading, and trifling--
when such a life of glorious service is open to them?

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

What can be more difficult than this?
James Smith, insightful and comforting.
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We may be doing Satan's work!

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him: Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to You! But He turned and told Peter: Get behind Me, Satan!" Matthew 16:22-23

It was Peter's love for Christ which made him so rebel at the thought of such a dire fate for Him. In his love--he sought to hold the Master back from so throwing away His life. But in doing this, he was acting the part of Satan in seeking to tempt Jesus away from His great work of atonement. This way of the cross was not an accident; it was the way marked out for Christ; to swerve from it, would be to fail in His mission.

Our best friends may become our tempters in the same way. In their love for us--they may seek to keep us from entering paths of duty which will lead us to great sacrifice. Mothers may seek to restrain their children from going to foreign mission fields. Any of us, in the warmth of our affection for our friends, may seek to dissuade them from perilous or costly service--which it may be their duty to undertake. We need to guard ourselves at this point.

The path of true success does not always lie along the sunny hillside! Sometimes it goes down into the dark valley of self-sacrifice! And if we try to hinder any from entering upon hard duties, urging them to choose easier ways--we may be doing Satan's work! We may be plucking the crown from the brow of our friend--by holding back his feet from the way of the cross.

We all need to guard, too, against the counsels of friends who would restrain us from costly or perilous service. In matters of duty--we must know only one guide, and follow the call of only one voice.

We are not put in this world to have a pleasant and easy time! We are not put here to consult our own inclinations at all. We are here--to go where Christ leads; to follow Him to sacrifice and to death--if He leads us in these paths. We dare not allow ourselves to be turned aside by any tenderness of human love. It is the way of duty, however hard, that takes us home to Heavenly glory!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

He must afflict us!
James Smith, most comforting.
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  ~  ~  ~  ~  ~

The key to many of the painful or mysterious providences of our lives

(J.R. Miller, "Daily Bible Readings in the Life of Christ" 1890)

"You do not realize now what I am doing--but afterward you will understand." John 13:7

Like many of Christ's other words--this saying of His has a much wider application than its primary reference to Peter's perplexity. It furnishes the key to many of the painful or mysterious providences of our lives. We do not understand them at the time. We do not see how they can have any blessing in them for us. They seem altogether dark. But we have no right to judge of our Master's work in us, or with us--until it is finished. "You do not realize now what I am doing." How could we be expected to understand all of the Master's transcendent thoughts and plans?

Yet this is not the end. "Afterward you will understand." This mystery is to be explained. This perplexity is to be resolved into the clearness of noonday. You do not understand now--because you cannot yet see the end--you cannot perceive the blessing and the beauty. The Master Himself knows just what He is going to bring out of each of His mysterious works--and therefore He is not perplexed.

Jesus assures us that, "Afterward you will understand." We shall see the tangles resolving into lovely grace and beauty!

What is the lesson? That we should always trust God's heart--when we cannot understand His hand. No doubt, divine love and infinite wisdom has planned all His ways with us. No doubt, there is blessing in the outcome, as it lies now in God's mind. No doubt, we shall see the blessing, too, afterward!

[nChrist]

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Today's Puritan Audio Devotional:

The panacea for all the ills of life!
James Smith, very insightful.
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My way -- Your way

(Susannah Spurgeon, "Free Grace and Dying Love!")

"Make Your way straight before my face." Psalm 5:8

Dear Father, this cry is going up to You this morning, from many a tried and perplexed soul, who is fearing to "wander in the wilderness, in a pathless wasteland." Will You graciously bend down Your ear, and listen to their prayer, and grant the desired direction and guidance?

"Make Your way straight." Dear Lord, it is not that Your ways are ever crooked or deviating, but that my eyes are bent on seeing pleasant little bypaths, where the road is not so rough, or the walking so toilsome--as on the King's highway! My way looks so enticing, so easy, so agreeable to the flesh. Your way means self-denial, taking up the cross, and the relinquishment of much that my carnal heart desires.

Now, dear Lord, hear my cry, "Make Your way straight before my face!" Compel me, by the power of Your love and Your example--to go in the narrow road! "Hedge up my way with thorns"--rather than that I should take a step out of the way which You have laid down for me.

What if, sometimes, there are mists and fogs so thick that I cannot see the path? 'Tis enough that You hold my hand, and guide me in the darkness; for walking with You in the gloom--is far sweeter and safer than walking alone in the sunlight!

Dear Lord, give me grace to trust You wholly, whatever may befall; yielding myself up to Your leading, and leaning hard on You when "dangers are in the path." Your way for me has been marked out from all eternity, and it leads directly to Yourself and home! Help me to keep my eyes fixed on the joy that is set before me, and deliver me from the very faintest desire to turn aside, and linger in the flowery meadows which have so often lured the feet of poor pilgrims into danger and distress!

Father, You have said, "My ways are not your ways, neither are My thoughts your thoughts." True, dear Lord; but then You can uplift my thoughts to Yours, and exalt my ways until they reach the mountain-top of obedience to Your blessed will. Work this miracle for me this day, O Lord; use that sweet compulsion which will delight my heart, while it directs my steps! Make me to run in the way of Your commandments, and I shall run gladly, with the blessed certainty that I shall reach the goal at last! Have You not given me a monitor within, which strikes a gentle warning note, when my feet turn but an instant from the straight way?

But, best of all, dearest Lord, may You Yourself come with me along life's road, today and every day! Let the abiding of my soul in You be so real and constant, so true and tender--that I may always be aware of Your sweet presence, and never take a single step, apart from Your supporting and delivering hand!