October 3

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?" — Psalms 27:1.

THIS verse is like the bursting forth of the sun amidst dark and watery clouds. David refers to his trials, but expresses his confidence in God. How valuable is religion! As the snowdrop comes amid snow and sleet, appearing as the herald of the rose, and the harbinger of summer, so religion comes amid the blight of affliction, to remind us of a perpetual summer, where the sun never retires behind a wintry cloud. Let us contemplate

THE CHARACTER OF GOD. Many encouraging representations are given of him; his characters are suited to our wants — here it is twofold.

He is our light. Our natural state is one of darkness; he gives us light by his word. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." We can have no right and proper views either of God in his character and government, or of ourselves in our duty and destinies, without the light of revelation. What glorious discoveries it makes! It lights us to the cross, the throne of grace and heaven. By his Spirit he gives us light. He pours the first rays of light into the mind, and gradually unfolds to our view the rich treasures of truth. He gives us the light of purity, peace, joy, and gladness.

He is our salvation. He is so in two senses, by accomplishing temporal deliverances, and imparting spiritual blessings. He is the salvation of the soul from the commencement to the termination of the work. He is the source, object, author, and end of it. Its device is the result of his wisdom, its accomplishment is the work of his Son, its application is the prerogative of his Spirit; how inestimable its blessings, and how durable its privileges! Who would not cry, "Oh! visit me with thy salvation"?

"Pardon and peace through him abound:

He can the richest blessings give:

Salvation in his name is found —

He bels the dying sinner live."