M&E Thursday

Thursday Morning, August 9

"The city hath no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it."

Revelation 21:23

Yonder in the better world, the inhabitants are independent of all creature comforts. They have no need of raiment; their white robes never wear out, neither shall they ever be defiled. They need no medicine to heal diseases, "for the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick." They need no sleep to recruit their frames—they rest not day nor night, but unweariedly praise him in his temple. They need no social relationship to minister comfort, and whatever happiness they may derive from association with their fellows is not essential to their bliss, for their Lord's society is enough for their largest desires. They need no teachers there; they doubtless commune with one another concerning the things of God, but they do not require this by way of instruction; they shall all be taught of the Lord. Ours are the alms at the king's gate, but they feast at the table itself. Here we lean upon the friendly arm, but there they lean upon their Beloved and upon him alone. Here we must have the help of our companions, but there they find all they want in Christ Jesus. Here we look to the meat which perisheth, and to the raiment which decays before the moth, but there they find everything in God. We use the bucket to fetch us water from the well, but there they drink from the fountain head, and put their lips down to the living water. Here the angels bring us blessings, but we shall want no messengers from heaven then. They shall need no Gabriels there to bring their love-notes from God, for there they shall see him face to face. Oh! what a blessed time shall that be when we shall have mounted above every second cause and shall rest upon the bare arm of God! What a glorious hour when God, and not his creatures; the Lord, and not his works, shall be our daily joy! Our souls shall then have attained the perfection of bliss.

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Evening, August 9

"He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils."

Mark 16:9

Mary of Magdala was the victim of a fearful evil. She was possessed by not one devil only, but seven. These dreadful inmates caused much pain and pollution to the poor frame in which they had found a lodging. Hers was a hopeless, horrible case. She could not help herself, neither could any human succour avail. But Jesus passed that way, and unsought, and probably even resisted by the poor demoniac, he uttered the word of power, and Mary of Magdala became a trophy of the healing power of Jesus. All the seven demons left her, left her never to return, forcibly ejected by the Lord of all. What a blessed deliverance! What a happy change! From delirium to delight, from despair to peace, from hell to heaven! Straightway she became a constant follower of Jesus, catching his every word, following his devious steps, sharing his toilsome life; and withal she became his generous helper, first among that band of healed and grateful women who ministered unto him of their substance. When Jesus was lifted up in crucifixion, Mary remained the sharer of his shame: we find her first beholding from afar, and then drawing near to the foot of the cross. She could not die on the cross with Jesus, but she stood as near it as she could, and when his blessed body was taken down, she watched to see how and where it was laid. She was the faithful and watchful believer, last at the sepulchre where Jesus slept, first at the grave whence he arose. Her holy fidelity made her a favoured beholder of her beloved Rabboni, who deigned to call her by her name, and to make her his messenger of good news to the trembling disciples and Peter. Thus grace found her a maniac and made her a minister, cast out devils and gave her to behold angels, delivered her from Satan, and united her forever to the Lord Jesus. May I also be such a miracle of grace!

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1142                         L.M.                   J. Newton

             Confession and Prayer for Church and Nation

  1   O may the power which melts the rock

       Be felt by all assembled here!

       Or else our service will but mock

       The God whom we profess to fear!

 

  2   Lord, while thy judgments shake the land,

       Thy people's eyes are fixed on thee;

       We own thy just uplifted hand,

       Which thousands cannot, will not, see.

 

  3   How long hast thou bestowed thy care

       On this indulged, ungrateful spot!

       While other nations, far and near,

       Have envied and admired our lot.

 

  4   Here peace and liberty have dwelt,

       The glorious gospel brightly shone;

       And oft our enemies have felt

       That God has made our cause his own.

 

  5   But ah! both heaven and earth have heard

       Our vile requital of his love;

       We, whom like children he has reared,

       Rebels against his goodness prove.

 

  6   His grace despised, his power defied,

       And legions of the blackest crimes,

       Profaneness, riot, lust, and pride

       Are signs that mark the present times.

 

  7   The Lord, displeased, has raised his rod;

       Ah! where are now the faithful few

       Who tremble for the Ark of God,

       And know what Israel ought to do?

 

  8   Lord, hear thy people everywhere,

       Who meet to mourn, confess, and pray;

       The nation and thy churches spare,

       And let thy wrath be turned away.

 

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