Malachi 1:14

REFLECTIONS

Almighty Lord! grant both to Writer and Reader grace, in receiving the message of this prophecy, from thy servant the Prophet, that we may indeed accept the whole of it as the burden of the Lord, bringing to us the great things of thy blessed word. We pray to mark the distinguishing grace of our God, in his choice of Jacob, and rejection of Esau. And we humbly beg the Lord to help our solemn meditations on this subject, with his divine teaching, that under the Holy Ghost's influence, we may give diligence to make our calling and election sure. Oh! for grace, to know thee as our Father; yea, our God and Father in Christ Jesus; and to offer thee that honor, and to worship thee and love thee with that holy fear, as becometh the redeemed of the Lord!

And, oh! thou glorious Lord Jesus! hasten, we beseech thee, the auspicious hour, when from sun rise to sun set thy name shall be adored from shore to shore, and from the river even to the ends of the earth. We long to see the dawn of that blessed day, when all the world shall see the salvation of our God; and the knowledge of Jesus shall cover the earth, as the waters the channel of the great deep. Raise up to thyself, O Lord, faithful disinterested pastors, who will not snuff at thy service, nor count it a weariness and a burden. Oh! for an heart to receive what my Lord hath said, and bow with holy joy and reverence to the revelation. Thou art indeed, O blessed Jesus, a Great King, and thy name is dreadful among the heathen. Prove the greatness of thy sovereignty and power, by reigning in me, and over me, and in all the affections of my heart, the Lord of life and glory. Amen.