February 22

Be ye thankful.—Colossians 3:15.

DO I study to cherish, habitually, a thankful spirit for all God's mercies to me? Am I thankful for negative mercies—that I have been saved from so many evils and sufferings that might have come upon me? Thankful for all positive mercies—that so many blessings, temporal and spiritual, have been granted me from on high? And if trials are sent, do I permit them to overcloud past mercies? Or rather, do I, from the past, take thankful courage for the future, knowing that all things work together for good to those that love and trust God?

Whichever way we turn, we see cause for gratitude. If we look back, goodness and mercy have followed us in the past. If forward, grace is promised for the way, and glory for the end. If within, the Spirit works there. If above, there Christ intercedes. All God's dealings are designed for our good; and if rightly improved, will prepare us for a world where thankfulness shall reign for ever.

From David, learn to give thanks in everything. Every furrow in the book of Psalms is sown with the seeds of thanksgiving.—JEREMY TAYLOR.

Give thanks to God in everything:

For the cross he bids thee bear,

For the flowers beside thy path that spring,

For the thorns that wound thee there;

For the sunshine beaming on the way,

That makes thy journey sweet,

For the gloom that gathers while yet 'tis day,

For it urges on thy feet.