| The Lord Is Your Keeper.
"I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith, and love, and every grace,
Might more of his salvation know,
And seek more earnestly his face.
"Twas he who taught me thus to pray,
And he, I trust, has answered prayer;
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.
"I hoped that in some favored hour.
At once he'd answer my request.
And by his love's constraining power.
Subdue my sins, and give me rest.
"Instead of this, he made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart;
And let the angry powers of hell
Assault my soul in every part.
"Yes, more; with his own hand he seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe:
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed.
Blasted my gourds, and laid me low.
"'Lord, why is this?' I trembling cried,
'Will you pursue your worm to death?'
"Tis in this way,' the Lord replied,
'I answer prayer for grace and faith.
"'These inward trials I employ,
'From self and pride to set you free,
'And break your schemes of earthly joy,
'That you may seek your all in me.'"
Yes, dear believer, you are not solitary nor alone: for along this path, all the covenant people of God are traveling to their better and brighter home. Here they become acquainted with their own weakness, their perpetual liability to fall; here they renounce their former thoughts of self-power and of self-keeping; and here, too, they learn more of Jesus as their strength, their all-sufficient keeper, more of him as their "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." Cheer up, then, for the Lord your God is leading you on by a safe and a right way to bring you to a city of rest.
From: Personal Declension and Revival of religion in the Soul by Octavius Winslow.
__________________ 1689 Baptist Confession
Psa 55:16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
Psa 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
James Farley, Wilderness Road Baptist Assembly.
Husband of Melissa and father of Ann. www.wildernessroadbaptist.org | 
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