January 29

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven for you.

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 Toat the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls

10 Of which salvation the prophets have in-

quired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.

12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, ye sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

"Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation" (ver. 5). Believers are fenced in by the power of God (Job i. 10), and by angel (86)

watchers (Psa. xxxiv. 7). Less than Divine power is insufficient. Your hand of faith in His hand of power, determines your safety.

When I call to mind, that "in me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing;" when I remember, that though renewed in the spirit of my mind, yet in that unrenewed part of myself, which is hastening to the grave, every member is virtually all sin; with what humbleness of soul ought I to fall down before the throne of grace, in the consciousness that it is Divine restraint, and not creature merit which keeps me. Help me, Lord, to go humble all my days in this view, and let it be my morning thought and my mid-day and evening meditation, that I am kept by Thy power through faith unto salvation.

Verse 8 is one of the most precious passages in the Word of God. "You that are called of God, you that have a hope in Jesus Christ, have not only a duty, but a right of joy. It is a part of that treasure which God has given you. And you should be increasingly joyful. The older you grow, and the nearer you come to the kingdom of heaven, the more your heart should shine, and the more your tongue should bear witness to the goodness of Him that has redeemed you."—H. W. Beecher.

Closet Promise.—I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.—John x. 28.

Though the oath of an earthly sovereign may be broken, my King (in glorious contrast to the imperfect human type) "keepeth His promise forever." His covenant will He not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of His lips. Therefore, the eternal life which He hath promised me is secured to me forever.