JANUARY 24.
GOD has a people; and we need not ascend into heaven, and examine', his decrees, to know who they are. The Bible is our book of life ;; there the heirs of glory are written, if not by name, yet by character ;; and "we are the circumcision," says the apostle, " who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the, flesh."
By the Scripture, therefore, let us judge ourselves; and be anxious to ascertain whether we are in the number of his people, for they are the most important and enviable people upon earth. They are not commonly distinguished by any worldly greatness, and they have many enemies who consult their injury ; but the blessing of God is upon them
Upon their mercies. This takes the curse out of them, and gives them a relish never tasted in the comforts of others. "I will bless thy bread and thy water."
Upon their trials. And they as much need a blessing upon their daily rod, as upon their daily bread. Without this, our afflictions will do us no good ; yea, they will prove injurious ; they will leave us more careless and impenitent. But by his blessing, they will turn to our salvation ; and yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised therewith.
Upon their labors. " Thou shalt eat the labor of thy hands; happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." Without this, in vain we rise up early and sit up late, and eat the bread of sorrows ; it is 11e that giveth his beloved sleep. It matters not what we sow, if he does not give the increase ; or what we bring home, if lie blows upon it; or what we gain, if we "put it into a bag with holes." "The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and lie addeth no sorrow with it."
Upon their families. The house of Obed-Edom was blessed for the sake of the ark, and the thing was publicly known. " I have been young," says David, " and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." "The generation of the upright shall be blessed."
Upon their souls. Thus they are blessed with light and liberty and strength and peace and joy ; yea, they are "blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."
O Christian, is this thy experience and portion? Rejoice, and be grateful. What can equal the blessing of God?
But remember how it comes upon you. The source is his free and boundless grace. The medium is the Lord Jesus; lie is the way from God to us, as well as the way from us to God.
Remember how it is insured-by the truth of his promise and his oath. You may therefore remind him of his engagement, and plead, as Jacob did, "And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good."
Remember also how it is to be enjoyed-in the use of means, and in obedience to his will. "Blessed are they that do judgment, and keep his commandments at all times."
O my soul, put in for a share. "Bless me, even me also, 0 my Father." "Remember me, 0 Lord, with the favor that thou bearest unto thy people : 0 visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation, that I may glory with thine inheritance."
RETURN
TO REV. WILLIAM JAY'S HOMEPAGE
