"WHAT IS THE ALMIGHTY, THAT WE SHOULD SERVE HIM?" These words remind us of Pharaoh who said, "Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice?" To the ungodly God's presence is offensive. They wish there were no God. But as there is one, they wish Him to keep at a distance from them. This is not your case. It was once. It would have been this evening but for grace. You desire the presence of God because you have tasted His love. You have seen something of His glory in the person of Jesus Christ. You have tasted that He is gracious. You are reconciled to Him, and are at peace with Him. You have nothing to fear from Him, therefore you desire that He would come unto you; and manifest Himself to your soul as He does not unto the world. You say, "My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God?" Those who now say unto God, "Depart from us," will one day hear Him say, "Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." But you who now invite Him to your hearts and your homes, will hear Him invite you, saying, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

For Meditation:
My God, I cannot say "depart,"
But, "Come and dwell with me:
Take full possession of my heart,
And keep me close to Thee."