In the Lord have I righteousness and strength

EVERY believer proves that he has neither in himself. The longer he lives, the more deeply he feels that he must look out of himself for the righteousness that is to justify him before God, and daily go to the Saviour for strength to conquer sin, overcome the world, perform duty, resist Satan, and glorify God. What an unspeakable mercy it is, that this morning the Lord whom we worship is our righteousness; that the perfect obedience of the Lord Jesus is unto all and upon all that believe without any difference. Every one of us who believe in Jesus, have a perfect righteousness; and in him shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory. In the Lord also we have strength; strength is provided for us, and promised to us. Let us therefore go boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help us in every time of need. Our righteousness and strength being in the Lord, they are always the same; they can never be forfeited; they will never be lost. Let ns then look up and say, " He is. near that justifieth me, who will contend with me ?"
  
Jesus, thy blood and righteousness
My beauty are, my glorious dress:
'Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed.
With joy shall I lift up my heart.

All things that the Father hath are mine

HERE is an indirect proof of the Divinity of Jesns; for if he claims and possesses all that the Father hath, he must be God. But all things that the Father hath, belong to Jesus; that Jesus in whom we trust, to whom we are united, and with whom we shall live for ever. Jesus possesses the Divine nature equally with the Father, and is God over all, blessed for evermore. He claims all the Divine attributes and perfections; and they are all ascribed to him in the Holy Scriptures. He wears all the Divine names, and shares in the honour of all the Divine works. His are all the boundless resources of the universe. As all things were created by him, so also they were created for him. All power is given unto him in heaven and in earth; therefore we may look to him for all we need, flee to him from all we fear, and trust him with all we value. Let us this day exercise our minds on this glorious fact. Precious Lord Jesus, help me to rejoice in thee, expect from thee, and labour by all means to glorify thee !

Jesus, is there not in thee,
Grace, sufficient grace for me ?
Let me now, with thee, receive
All thou dost to sinners give:
All thou hast, and know thou art,
for ever in my heart!

Thy mercy, O Lord, held me up

WE are at best poor tottering creatures, never fit to be left alone for one moment. And then the road we have to travel is dangerous, and the path often slippery. One incautious step involves us in many long and severe troubles. Nor are we ever sure, but that our foot may next be placed on ice. Circumspection, therefore, is absolutely necessary; but circumspection alone is not sufficient to preserve us. The prayer of David is always suitable. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. The moment we take our eye off the Lord, Satan redoubles his efforts to trip us up. The Psalmist felt himself going; he cried, "My foot slippeth!" and mercy stepped forward, and caught him before he was down. That mercy can uphold us. It is our friend. It is pledged to us in the promise. But it must be sought. It must be honoured with a place in our minds. It must also be trusted. We must daily feel that we need to be upheld, that we have no claim upon, God, that we can look to mercy alone to uphold; and living under these convictions, we shall trust in the mercy of the Lord for ever.
  
Who loves me so well, my Helper has been.
And saved me from hell, and s:ived me from sin
His gracious protection I joyfully prove,
His strength of affection, his feelings of love.

Being born again

A NEW birth is absolutely necessary. No one can possibly be saved without it. Therefore Jesus told Nicodemus twice, that he must be born again. As our first birth was necessary to bring us into this world, and fit us for its employments and enjoyments, so a second birth is necessary to bring us into the Church of Christ, and fit as for its duties and privileges. No new birth, no true happiness here. No new birth, no heaven at death. But how shall I know that I am born again? If prayer to God becomes natural, and is enjoyed; if we overcome the world, instead of being led away by its follies and its fashions; if we hate sin as sin, and strive and pray for deliverance from it; if we love our enemies, because Christ commanded it; and love the saints, because they are holy; if we trust in the finished work of Christ, and glory in his cross; if we feel a deep concern for the salvation of others, and are zealous in spreading abroad the truth, that Jesus may be honoured; then, beyond a doubt, we are born of God. Beloved, have you these evidences? Have you any of them? Let nothing satisfy you but the knowledge that you are born again.
  
Saints produce the fruits of grace
In the works of righteousness I
Born of God, they hate all sin :
God's pure word abides within.

Teach me thy way, O Lord

WE all need divine teaching, for our ignorance is great, and there are many evil influences operating upon us. If we have discovered our ignorance, we desire to be taught of God. If we desire to be taught of God, he has promised to teach us; he has said, " I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." This is a very suitable and a verv precious promise; a promise which we should plead until it is fulfilled. The Lord's way is that course which we should pursue; that path which he has marked out for us in his word. It leads to acceptance with him, and enables us to glorify him. There is the way of salvation, by faith in Jesus; in which way we obtain freedom, peace, and holiness. There is the way of obedience, which is a practical conformity to his precepts. In this way the Lord meets with us, cheers us, gives us more grace, and makes us honourable and useful. In this way we find many difficulties, there are many things to perplex, confuse, and try us. It is a way that requires constant self-denial, and the surrender of our wills to the will of God.

Divine Instructor, lest I stray,
O teach my erring feet thy way :
Thy truth, with ever fresh delight,
Shall guide my doubtful steps aright.

Christ hath once suffered for sins

SIN is the cause of all suffering. God punishes nothing but sin. If therefore we suffer, it is a proof that we have sinned. But Jesus suffered. Had he sinned ? No; " he did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth." Why then did he suffer ? Because he was the substitute of sinners. He engaged to bear our sins, to suffer in our stead, to make atonement for our transgressions ; and therefore, when he appeared on earth, he was treated as if he had been guilty of our sins. " He bare our sins in his own body on the tree." He died as our Surety to pay our debt, and to obtain our honourable release; and now, when we believe on his dear name, we are treated as if we had done what he performed. Our sins were all imputed to him, and his whole righteousness is imputed to us. This is the mystery of the gospel. This is God's method of justification. If Jesus suffered for my sins, I shall never suffer for them; but if I believe in him, he did suffer for them; therefore, as a believer, God will never punish me for my iniquities.O to realize and enjoy this!

    He offered up himself entire,
And never need the death repeat;

    Justice can nothing more require.
The sacrifice is all complete;

    And, seated at his Father's side,
    He rests, for ever glorified.

Honour the Lord with thy substance

WE received it from him, and we should consecrate it to him. Upon every thing that we possess, we may write, This is from God. He gave it to us. He intended it for our good, to make us happy and to make us holy. As every mercy comes from him, it should lead us back to him. We cannot honour God by hoarding or by wasting: neither the miser nor the prodigal honour the Lord. But we may by enjoying and employing. Let us honour the Lord by acknowledging him as the author of all we have, and by praising him for all we receive. Also, by employing our property in his service, for the comfort of his poor and the spread of his truth. Let a portion be separated from the rest, a just and becoming portion, and let us write upon it, This is for God. If some professors did so, would they not feel ashamed of the quantity, or of the season when it is set apart ? No niggard, if a professor of religion, can succeed. God hates niggardliness in those who profess his name, but he " loveth a cheerful giver." If we give, let us honour God in doing so: let us see to it that our motive is good; that our object is good; and that the proportion is good.

    With my substance I will honour
    My Redeemer and my Lord;
Were ten thousand worlds my manor,

    All were nothing to his word