47 the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John xi. 25, 26. Mark Job's knowledge of his Redeemer, and his belief in the resurrection of the body, through the power of that Redeemer, &c. Pray to Jesus, who is the resurrection and the life, for a resurrection at the last day unto eternal life. APRIL 21. Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Isaiah lv.1. Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. John iv. 14. Contemplate that freeness with which the waters of life are offered to all, &c. Pray that you may see such need of them, as may cause you to apply to Jesus for them who never refuses any one who asks in faith. APRIL 22. The Lord preserveth all them that love him but all the wicked will he destroy. : Psalm cxlv. 20. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Heb. x. 31. Reflect on God's power to punish. Pray that you may be reconciled to him, by the death and sufferings of his son Jesus Christ. APRIL 23. The meek also shall increase their joy in the Lord, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. Isaiah xxix. 19. Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt. v. 3. Meditate on the portion of the meek and lowly. Pray for meekness, humility, lowliness, &c. APRIL 24. Behold, the Lord God will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? Isaiah 1.9. Who is he that condemneth? it is Christ that that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 34. Mark the confidence of that person who depends for salvation entirely upon Christ's merits and intercession. Pray that you may rely solely on him for salvation. APRIL 25. The redeemed of the Lord shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. Isaiah li. 11. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and Gód shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. vii. 17. Meditate on the joys prepared for the righteous after death, &c. Pray that you may be worthy to partake of them, &c. APRIL 26. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart. Psalm xxxii. 11. Rejoice evermore. 1 Thess. v. 16. Reflect on the motives you have for rejoicing in the Lord. Pray with joy and gladness. APRIL 27. Now therefore thus saith the Lord of Hosts; Consider your ways. Haggai i. 5. Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Rev. iii. 2. Contemplate the benefits arising from consideration, &c. Pray for renewing grace, &c. F APRIL 28. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. cxix. 1. Psalm Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Matt. v. 11. Consider who are the blessed, &c. Pray that you may be of that number, &c. APRIL 29. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures: But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. Job xxxvi. 11, 12. But he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John ii. 17. Meditate on the vast difference that will be made between the obedient and disobedient. Pray for obedience to God's commands here, which will lead to life everlasting hereafter. APRIL 30. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm xxx. 4. Pray without ceasing. 1 Thess. v. 17. MEDITATION. That season of the year has now arrived when I may say with the wisest of men, "Lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come." Pleasant time! delightful season! when vegetation of every kind is beginning to reanimate all around. The cold winter is past, the flowers appear on every hill and in every valley, and the birds, as if thankful to the Creator for the return of spring, are every where pouring forth their melodious notes. What a lesson I have here before me! I should learn from it, to be thankful to my heavenly Father for my preservation and for all his other mercies. I should learn to trust to his providential goodness, and to acknowledge him in all my ways; and, as a proof thereof, I should express my gratitude to him, by praising daily his holy name. How charming is the time of spring! To pray in faith, and not to faint, |