January 13

Second Week in Advent.—Friday

My hands also will I lift up unto Thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in Thy statutes. Psalms 119:48.

BLESSED as is the privilege of holy meditation, yet we must not allow this sacred exercise to become a snare to us, to put scruples in our conscience, or make our hearts uneasy. For if we have not (as yet) been accustomed to it, it will be hard at first, and for a long time, if not always, very imperfect; times will come when from various causes we shall lose the command of our thoughts, just as sometimes we cannot walk or work from sickness or weariness, so after fatigue or trouble we cannot think. When this has been the case, so that we could not meditate, we must remember that we have not sinned. Holy meditation is not a yoke, but a staff; not a goal, but a way; not a law, but a privilege. When we are weary and weak, we are often unable to avail ourselves of this blessing. With a clear and peaceful conscience we must wait for better times, and meanwhile we can pray.

A mind self-ruled by Christian laws, Alone hath that from whence it draws, What nothing can alloy.

Retire within thyself, be bold, With God exalted converse hold In penitence and prayer: Learn as thou view'st the soft blue sky, To rise in holy ecstasy And claim a Father there.

Affect not thou the claim of worth, It fits but ill, frail son of earth, To measure works with Heaven; Confess thy sins, be inly just, Be pure of heart, and simply trust Through Christ thou'lt be forgiven.