"THOU ART MY GOD ... BE NOT FAR FROM ME." Every Christian should pray this prayer, for trouble and the Christian are seldom far apart, or long apart; this may sound discouraging; but nay, take heart: our Lord Jesus and the Christian are never apart. He will never leave us, and trouble, when it comes, is intended to prevent our leaving Him, or to bring us back if we have already wandered. His loving heart guides the hand which smites; and nothing is done by Him, or permitted, but that it may be overruled for our good. Trouble may be near, but the throne of grace also is near; His word of promise is near; and He is near who justifies us. In trouble God can glorify His grace, deepen His work in your heart, increase your comforts, and fill you with joy and peace in believing. Let us plead with Him to do so, and let not trouble fill you with confusion, weaken your faith, or drive you from Him; but listen to, and act upon His word. He says, "Call upon me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Every trouble is intended to endear Jesus to your heart.

For Meditation:
This land, through which His pilgrims go,
Is desolate and dry;
But streams of grace from Him o'erflow,
Their thirst to satisfy:
Jesus has all His saints can want,
And, when they need, He'll freely grant.