January 3

"I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living."—Psalm exvi. 9.

THIS was a noble resolution, and well worthy an immortal being. Let us adopt it as our own. We are led from these words to consider the Christian's course.

IN ITS PECULIAR NATURE. "I will walk before the Lord."

It is a walk of faith in God. Faith in the heart is always connected with light in the mind. The exercise of faith, implies the possession of knowledge. There must be faith in the being, character, promise, and covenant of God, and in his Son.

It is a walk of communion with God. Union must exist before communion can be enjoyed. It is faith that unites us to God. You must walk with him, not only in public ordinances, but in private means.

It is a walk of dependence on God. How often do we lean on a broken reed, instead of the Rock of Ages?

It is a walk of devotedness to God. It includes the surrender of the heart, the devotion of the soul, and the consecration of the life; and implies activity, and progression. But we may contemplate the Christian's course

IN ITS PARTICULAR SCENE. "In the land of the living." Because

Here the ordinances of religion are to be enjoyed. And only here. There are no ordinances in the grave. "Shall the dead praise thee?" There are no ordinances in hell; its inhabitants are beyond the reach of mercy. There are no ordinances in heaven, for there they need them not; they have obtained the end of their faith. Those who will not know God here in the riches of his grace, shall know him hereafter in the terrors of his justice.

Here the supplies of grace are to be afforded. And only here. In hell, there is a sea of wrath — in heaven, the river of life — on earth, the streams of grace.

Here the hopes of glory are cherished. And only here. In hell, amidst the vast expanse of dark despair, no ray of hope ever flashes, to lighten up the impervious gloom. In heaven, in the full blaze of fruition, the glimmerings of hope are lost; for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for. The land of the living is the land of hope; let us then rejoice in its beams.