February 27

Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by Him. Colossians 3:17.

True fear and love of God require that we call upon Him. In trouble man feels the need of help, and it is but natural that he looks for help. Especially when our health fails us, or when dire calamities endanger our life, we feel our own weakness and frailty and look for help. To be sure, God suffered us to experience the day of trouble. Since He is the Ruler of heaven and earth and

governs all things with His almighty power, He could easily have prevented our trouble. But He did not do so. Why? He wants us to call upon Him in our need.

As the disciples in their great anxiety amid the foaming waves came to Jesus, saying, "Lord, save us: we perish!" and as the woman of Canaan came and cried unto Him, saying, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David!" thus we, too, should call upon Him in our need for His help and abounding mercy. Else why should He have revealed Himself to us as the merciful and gracious and omnipotent Helper? He wants us to show our confidence in Him by calling upon Him for help. Just ponder the many passages of Holy Writ which speak of this. There is the divine command: "Call upon Me in the day of trouble." There are the innumerable promises of God to hear and help us, such as: "The Lord will fulfil the desire of them that fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them." There are the many wonderful examples of God's help in great distress. Should not all this induce us to call upon God's name in every trouble? Our first thought must always be: I shall call upon God; He will help me. And the fear and love of God, our heavenly Father, also implies that we hold constant communion with Him in prayer, bringing our petitions before Him with our hearts and lips, confessing our sins, and imploring forgiveness.

Such prayers tend to the honor and glory of God.

Prayer.

O Lord God, we praise Thee that Thou hast recorded Thy holy name among the children of men, that all flesh should bless Thy holy name forever and ever. Let us continually offer up to Thee devout adoration, fervent prayer, and grateful praise and by word and deed confess Thee before men, until in heaven, when we shall see Thee face to face, we shall glorify Thy great and adorable name forevermore. Especially let us praise Thy holy name and give thanks by making known to all mankind Thy wonderful Word as told in the Gospel. Amen.

Thus all my pilgrim way along I'll sing aloud Thy praises That men may hear the grateful song My voice, unwearied, raises; Be joyful in the Lord, my heart! Both soul and body, bear your part — To God all praise and glory!