March 26
Light for the DaysYe shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.—Jeremiah 29:13.
ABOVE all things, do I desire God's presence and favor? And am I seeking for him in his word, in prayer, in providence, and in all the means of grace? Is it my sincere and earnest desire that God will always dwell with me? Do I avoid whatever may displease him or grieve him from my heart? And even if I do not at once find, do I still persevere in seeking until he bless me?
God will not only pardon, but he will pardon freely, pardon fully, pardon frequently, pardon like a God, the greatest sins, and the greatest sinners if they will but seek him in penitence and faith. Not one that so comes to him, will ever be cast out.
Promises are given, not to supersede, but to quicken and encourage prayer; and when deliverance is coming, we must, by prayer, go forth to meet it. In seeking God, we must search for him, and continue seeking and take pains in seeking; and this we must do with our whole heart, in sincerity and truth.—MATTHEW HENRY.
Poor child of sin and woe,
Now listen to thy Father's pleading voice;
No longer needst thou go
Without a friend to bid thy heart rejoice.
How canst thou turn away?
It is thy Father that invites thee near!
Then turn, and weep, and pray,
And heaven shall hail thy penitential tear!
—MORRIS.