April 18

So shall we ever be with the Lord. — I THESS. iv. 17.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am: that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. — JOHN xvii. 24.

THIS is the voice of man, and yet throughout its majestic rhythm we cannot but detect the accent of Deity. It is the word of a king. And where the word of a king is, there is power. When he pleaded for himself he said, "Not as I will." But now that he pleads for others, he does not hesitate to speak with authority, "Father, I will."

He came to be with us where we are. — amid the tears and sighs and graves of earth, — that we might go to be with him where he is forevermore. The one condition is whether we dare to include ourselves among those whom the Father gave unto him before the foundations of the earth were laid. And this we may do, for it is written, "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me." And the reverse is also true, "Those who come are those whom the Father has given."

Ah, immeasurable extent of love with which the Father has loved the Son! What glory will not that be with which he will crown him! Yet that love and that glory are also for us, if by faith we are forever one with him.

J. B Meyer

"Forever with the Lord!"

Amen! so let it be!

Life from the dead is in that word,

And immortality.

J. MONTGOMERY.