Author: Unknown Tune: Doxology

1. We have Thy promise, gracious Lord,

Thou will be where Thy people meet;

O, then, fulfill Thy gracious word,

And make our happiness complete.

2. We ask Thy gracious presence here,

The sweet enjoyment of Thy love;

From worldly thoughts O keep us clear,

And set our hearts on things above.

3. We ask Thy Holy Spirit's aid

While we engage in prayer and praise;

We ask from our great living Head

To be supplied with every grace.

4. Then shall we count this season dear

To those who preach and those who hear;

We all desire with sweet accord

In hymns of joy to praise our Lord.

-----

"Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." Ephesians 1:5-7

-----

To whom is it that the God of salvation sent "the word of salvation"? He sent it to all sinners that hear it. It is a word that suits the case of sinners; and therefore is it sent to them.

If it be inquired, for what purpose is it sent to sinners?

It is sent as a word of pardon to the condemned sinner. Hence may every condemned sinner take hold of it, saying, This word is sent to me.

It is sent as a word of peace to the rebellious sinner.

It is sent as a word of life to the dead.

It is a word of liberty to the captives, of healing for the diseased, of cleansing to the polluted.

It is a word of direction to the bewildered, and of refreshment to the weary.

It is sent as a comforting word to the disconsolate.

It is sent as a drawing word and a strengthening word to the soul destitute of strength.

It is sent, in short, as a word of salvation, and all sorts of salvation and redemption to the lost soul, saying, "Christ came to seek and to save that which was lost." --Ralph Erskine

------

There is no other. "There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." All the types and symbols of the Savior teach you this.

There was one ark in the flood - but one; and all perished save those who sailed in it.

There was one altar in the temple - but one; and no sacrifices were accepted but those offered there - "the altar," as the Bible says, that "sanctified the gift."

There was one way through the depths of the Red Sea - but one; and only where the water, held back by the hand of God, stood up in crystals walls, was a passage opened for those that were ready to perish.

And even so, there is but "one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" as our catechism says, "The only Redeemer of God's elect is the Lord Jesus Christ."

--Thomas Guthrie

------

Looking at my sin, I see Christ as my atonement and only Christ.

Looking at God's law, I see Christ as my righteousness, my only righteousness. I'm not making up what I can't provide; He is my only righteousness.

Looking at God's justice, He is my justification.

Looking at death, He is my life.

Looking at the grave, He is my resurrection.

Looking at eternity, He is my hope. --Henry Mahan

------

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Hebrews 12:2

-----

-----