January 31

Try me, and know my thoughts; and see if there be any wicked way in me.—Psalms 139:23, 24.

HAVE I the same consciousness of sincerity and rectitude of purpose which enabled David to appeal to God to search and try his heart? Do I remember that he is omniscient, so that every thought is known to him, and nothing can escape his notice, and that what may be carefully concealed from men, is naked and open before him—the God of infinite purity and holiness? Do I endeavor so to live as to be approved of him?

Let us remember that mere outward reformation differs as much from regeneration, as whitewashing an old rotten house, differs from taking it down and building a new one in its room.—TOPLADY.

Let the Christian often compare his former condition, as a sinner unsaved, with his state as a renewed believer, that his love and gratitude may be excited, and his affections drawn to Him who has wrought the change.—FLAVEL.

O thou, to whose all-searching sight

The darkness shineth as the light,

Search, prove my heart; it pants for thee;

O burst these bonds and set it free!

Wash out its stains; refine its dross;

Nail its affections to the cross;

Hallow each thought; let all within

Be cleansed, as thou, my Lord, art clean.

—C. WESLEY.