For Thursday, July 2, 2026

Week Twenty-Six, 

Thursday. 

Morning.

     Tribulation worketh patience. 

     We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 

     These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

     For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Rom. v. 3.     

John xvi. 33.    

Acts xiv. 22.    

Rev. vii. 14.   

Heb. xii. 6.  

Evening. 

     The glory of the Lord shall endure for ever: the Lord shall rejoice in his works. 

     Bless the Lord, all his works, in all places of his dominion: bless the Lord, O my soul. 

     Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 

     For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers; all things were created by him, and for him. 

    My meditation of him shall be sweet. 

Ps. civ. 31.    

Ps. ciii. 22.     

Acts xv. 18.     

Col. i. 16.     

Ps. civ. 34.

July 2.

"Now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I also am known."     

— 1 Cor. xiii. 12.

In how many things do we feel that in this world we see through a glass darkly! With regard to the ways of God we see darkly; His providences perplex us —

"He plants His footsteps in the sea,

And rides upon the storm;"

and seems often to say to us, while we stand amazed at His doings, "Be still, and know that I am God." And when we read this verse in the light of the whole chapter, I think we must feel that, not only in regard to the ways of God, but as respects the ways of men also, we see darkly — very darkly sometimes, in this world, and therefore need charity! There is great danger of judging wrongly and harshly, if we judge our brethren, for "we know in part." "Judge not, that ye be not judged." We see through a glass darkly now, but it shall not be always so. Our present state should make us wish for the future when there will be no darkness; but while seeing through the glass on earth, grant me, O Lord, faith to trust in Thee, hope to look forward to seeing Thee, and fervent charity towards all men!

"When this passing world is done,

"When has sunk yon glaring sun,

"When I stand with saints in glory,

Looking o'er life's finish'd story,

Then, Lord, shall I fully know,

Not till then, how much I owe."

July Second.

"Faithful is He that called you."  

-- I Thess. 5:24. 

     O GOD, our hope is in Thee. We lift our eyes to the hills whence cometh our help. We are in the valley where there is darkness; but looking up we can see the light of Thy glory on the hilltops above us, and the vision dispels our fears and fills us with hope and courage. Fill our hearts with a longing for Thee, greater than the longing of those who wait for the morning, and grant us that knowledge of Thyself, through Jesus Christ our Lord, that Thy presence may be constantly real to us. 

    Grant us strength for our tasks, and may we do all of our work as in Thy sight, and for Thy glory. Make the way of duty and service very plain to us. Quicken us in faith and hope and love, and strengthen us in all our worthy purposes and desires, and make us a blessing to others. 

     Keep us from all mistakes or blunders in word or act that might bring reproach upon Thy Name and Thy cause. Make us quick to see every opportunity for service, and faithful to improve it. Cleanse us from all sin, perfect us in all goodness, give us victory in time of temptation, and make our lives to be beautiful with the beauty of God. All of which mercies and blessings we ask in the Name and for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.