July 13

Unto you which believe he is precious.—1 Peter 2:7.

HAVE I a living faith in Christ, as the only and all-sufficient Saviour? Is he the foundation of all my hopes for time and eternity? Does my soul go forth to him in gratitude and love? Is he indeed precious to me—precious in the excellence of his nature, in the greatness of his office, in the infinite value of his work? Do I show my love to him by cherishing his Spirit, and keeping his commandments?

The Lord takes up none but the forsaken; makes none healthy but the sick; gives sight to none but the blind; makes none alive but the dead; sanctifies none but sinners; and to all these he is precious.—LUTHER.

Christ is precious to all who believe; and in everything he is precious; and the more we know him, the more precious he becomes. His person, his blood, his promises, his sympathy, his love—they are all precious. His presence on earth is precious, but oh, what will it be in heaven!—J. SMITH.

Jesus, Saviour, all divine,

Hast thou made me truly thine?

Hast thou bought me with thy blood?

Reconciled my heart to God?

Hearken to my earnest prayer,

Let me thine own image hear;

Let me love thee more and more,

Till I reach the heavenly shore.—HASTINGS.