WITHOUT GOD'S QUICKENING POWER WE HAVE NO LIFE. The Psalmist's request reflects our need today. What poor, dull, lifeless creatures we often feel ourselves to be; and how needful is this prayer. It is our duty to run in the way of God's commandments; it is our misery that through sin, weakness, and disobedience, we scarcely creep. We are dependent upon the Spirit for quickening. He only can strengthen and enliven us. Let us sow unto the Spirit this morning. He is gracious, and a grace giving Spirit. He delights to exalt and honour Jesus. Let us therefore beseech Him in Jesus' name, for His sake, that we may bring honour unto His cause, to quicken our souls. Let us pray Him to bring us near to God; for the nearer to God the happier, and holier, and livelier, we shall be. Let us ask Him to shed abroad the love of Jesus in our hearts; for His love will make us live well, bear the cross well, perform duties well, and fight His battles well. The commandments furnish us with a rule, and the promise bolsters our strength; but it is only the Spirit who can put us in possession of the latter, and without that we cannot attend to the former, in a gospel spirit. The presence of Jesus, and the blessings of His grace, are daily necessary to keep us lively, devoted, and working for God. Lord, quicken Thou me in Thy way.

For Meditation:
Come, Holy Spirit, heav'nly Dove,
With all Thy quick'ning pow'rs;
Kindle a flame of sacred love
In these cold hearts of ours.
Our love so faint, so cold to Thee,
And Thine to us so great and free.