February 22

"The salvation of your souls."—1 Peter 1:9.

My salvation has a marvellous origin. It begins with God's foreknowing. Deep and far in an untrackable eternity its foundations were laid. It is not a thing of yesterday. It will not pass away with to-morrow. The Father has endowed it with His own everlastingness.

My salvation is confirmed by a crowning miracle. It is secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Thus I know that God accepts His dear Son's obedience and blood-shedding in my room. Thus I am assured that I have a merciful and faithful High Priest in the skies.

My salvation reaches me through a wondrous agency. It is made over to my soul by the sanctification of the Spirit. It remains outside of me, till He quickens me, and instructs, and purges, and perfects. But then it becomes my possession, my very own. And who will snatch from me what God the Spirit gives?

My salvation grows by a sad-sweet training and discipline. It is carried to completeness through the trial of my faith and through manifold temptations. But why should I complain of the uphill road and the painful experience? It is thus that I am refined and drawn nearer home.

And my salvation travels towards a consummate goal. It ends in the inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and unfading—aphtharton kai amianton kai amaranton, to quote St. Peter's beautifully musical Greek. "O happy retribution, short toil, eternal rest!"

Is it not a matchless and peerless salvation? And shall it not awaken in me a ceaseless wonder and an undying gratitude?