March 24

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, make thy way straight before my face.—Psalms 5:8

DO I feel my utter insufficiency to choose my own way, and to guide my own steps? And is it my earnest prayer that God would guide me, and make plain to me the way of duty, and give me grace and strength ever to be found in it? Do I find comfort in the thought of his protecting power and his gracious willingness to keep me? And is it my chief desire to know what he would have me to be, and do, and if need be, suffer for him?

Men may judge us by the success of our efforts or plans; but God looks at the plans and efforts themselves, and at the spirit that prompts them.—BROWN.

Life is a journey; we need some one to point out its way. It is a labor; we need some one to strengthen us for its performance. It is a discipline; we need some one to train us for all that lies beyond it. It is a probation of character, and for eternity; we need some one to guard us from its temptations, support us under its trials, to give us the victory over self and sin and the world, and to bring us safely at last to the rest of heaven. And all this we can find only in Christ.

O God, thy righteous grace display, And my protection be;

Teach me to know that only way That leads to heaven and thee.

—W WRANGHAM.