Reading: “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” —Genesis 3:19
O Lord, as You are ever proclaiming over creature-confidence, “Dust you are, and into dust shall you return,” may I know what it is to cleave to One who is better and surer than the nearest and dearest on earth, the Friend that never fails, and never wearies, and never dies, “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to day and forever.”
Blessed Saviour, I cast my every care on You. You are noting now on Your throne, the pangs and sorrows of every burdened heart. All other love is imperfect. All other sympathy is selfish but Yours. May my affections be consecrated to You. May it be my joy to serve You, my privilege to follow You, and, if necessary, to suffer with You. May every cross lose its bitterness by having You at my side. Your presence takes the sting from all afflictions, and imparts security in the midst of all troubles.
Sprinkle me this new morning with the blood of the covenant. May I feel all throughout the day the joy of being reconciled to God. May my heart be made a little sanctuary of praise. May I breathe the atmosphere of heaven. May God Himself be so enthroned in my affections, that I may be enabled to say, in comparison with Him, of all that the world can give, “There is none upon the earth that I desire beside You.”
Heavenly Father, I leave all that belongs to me to You: “Undertake for them.” Bless them and make them blessings. “Hide them under the shadow of Your wings.” Hear this my morning supplication; all I ask is for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Adapted from the Rev. John McDuff, D.D., The Morning Watches, 1852.
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