August 12

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.

PSALM CXXXVIII. 8.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all that which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. — JOHN VI. 39, 40.

HOW precious are these texts! They point us to the ineffable joys which the Father has in store for "Christ's own." They twice make known to us "the will of the Father" and so unmistakably that none can doubt that God's thoughts toward us are "thoughts of peace." They proclaim the great salvation to be open and free to all men without exception, and its terms so easy that the serpent-bitten need but "look and live." They banish personal anxiety by demonstrating that they who are the "given to Christ of the Father," are they who "come" to him. In large capitals they set before us the certainty of the final perseverance of the saints. The "wounded spirit," wearied and oft borne back in the conflict, can rally under such an inspiration, and gather fresh strength in the thought, It is the will of the Father that I should not be lost!

God does no half-work. Not one of Christ's saints will be found imperfect at the last day. They will all be absolutely fitted for his service. Not one of them will be missing. Nothing that belongs to them will be lost.

A. A. Reinde.

Trust in him, ye saints, forever; He is faithful, changing never. Neither force nor guile can sever Those he loves from him.

KELLY.