OUR LORD'S CONDUCT TOWARD US IS THE PERFECTION OF KINDNESS. But our conduct toward Him is often just the reverse. How often we treat Him with neglect, and instead of prayer being a delight, it is an irksome task. How often we violate His precepts, or omit to perform our needful duties. How often we doubt His love, distrust His word and complain of His dealings. How often we indulge the flesh, which He has commanded us to mortify; prefer the world, which He has instructed us to forsake; and yield to Satan, whom He has exhorted us to resist. And have we not sometimes been ashamed to confess Him before the world? or at least to bear a clear and honest testimony for Him? Well may our cheeks burn and our bosoms fill with unease, if the question be put to us, in reference to much of our conduct toward our gracious Redeemer. Let us seek afresh the tokens of His forgiving love, and in future when about to yield to temptation, or give way to any sin, put the question to our consciences, "Is this thy kindness to thy friend?"

For Meditation:
Sure, were I not most vile and base,
I could not thus my Friend requite!
And were not He the God of grace,
He'd spurn and drive me from His sight.