17. Oh that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. 1 Chron. iv. 10. 1. Evil feared and deprecated.-2. Divine protection implored.-3. The request granted. Oh that the Lord indeed Would me his servant bless; 18. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands. Isa. xlix. 16. 1. A token of the Divine faithfulness.-2. A pledge which no one can erase. My name from the palms of his hands 19. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John v. 5. 1. There is much in the path of the believer to be overcome.-2. It is faith alone that can give him the victory. Faith hath an overcoming power, And fears not death's approaching hour; 20. When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 1 Pet. v. 4. 1. The character of the promised crown.-2. The time when it shall be bestowed. My Shepherd will appear, I know, A crown of glory to bestow, That cannot fade away. 21. Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his ! Num. xxiii. 10. 1. An extorted petition.-2. An involuntary testimony. Who would not wish to die like those Then wake to perfect happiness. 22. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. Nah. i. 12. 1. God, for wise reasons, afflicts his people.2. The time will arrive when their afflictions shall cease. O Saviour, the promise fulfil: Its comfort impart to my mind; 23. O Lord, revive thy work. Hab. iii. 2. 1. The Divine prerogative recognised.-2. The Divine interposition supplicated. Saviour visit thy plantation, All our help must come from thee. 24. O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! Hab. i. 2. 1. Answers to prayer are sometimes delayed.— 2. This should make us more importunate. How long, O Lord, shall I complain 25. Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. Ps. xxviii. 6. 1. Favour acknowledged.-2. Gratitude expressed. Come, praying soul, rejoice, And bless your Father's name; 26. I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan. Deut. iii. 25. 1. A natural desire.-2. A modest prayer. On Jordan's stormy banks I stand, To Canaan's fair and happy land, 27. Having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1 Tim. vi. 8. 1. It is all we need.-2. It is more than we de serve. Enough our gracious God will give, Just for the present hour; But for to-morrow we must live 28. Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. John vi. 34. 1. We shall evermore need it.-2. It shall evermore satisfy. Bread of heaven, on thee we feed, For thy flesh is meat indeed; With this true and living bread. 29. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us. 1 John iii. 16. 1. How conclusive the proof.-2. How extraordinary the fact. The balm of life, the cure of woe, The measure and the pledge of love, The sinner's refuge here below, The angels' theme in heaven above. 30. Come, and let us return unto the Lord: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up. Hos. vi. 1. 1. A good proposition.-2. Valid arguments. 31. He that toucheth you toucheth the apple of His eye. Zech. ii. 8. 1. God's tender regard for his people,-2. The folly of those who persecute them. Israel, rejoice, and rest secure; Thy keeper is the Lord; His wakeful eyes employ his power NOVEMBER. 1. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Ps. cxix. 75. 1. The character of God assures that it must be so.-2. The word of God declares that it is so. Thy judgments, Lord, are always right, |