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Literary
October 15, 1834
Morning Star
Limerick, York County, Maine
What is this article about?
Devotional essay reflecting on Psalm 71:16, where a believer affirms resolve to serve God despite personal frailty, crediting divine grace for salvation and strength in religious duties like communion.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
STRENGTH IN THE LORD.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.—Psalm lxxi. 16.
The wisest resolution most assuredly that any can make, let their duties and difficulties be what they will! But who are you? and whither are you going? Shall I answer for you? I may do it now, but when you are questioned by Christ, the great Head of the church, it will be expected that you should answer for yourself.
"Who am I? Why, I am as poor, blind, naked, miserable a wretch, as the God of all grace and consolation ever smiled upon. I was a child of wrath, even as others; I was dead in trespasses and sins, and should have lain and perished in that condition for ever, if God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved me, (He only can tell why.) had not looked upon me, and pitied me, and said unto me, Live. I should be a most ungrateful monster if I did not shout Grace, grace unto it. I long to tell all the world that it is by the grace of God I am what I am; and I am now going first to his table, to dedicate my newly received life to his service; and then I will go (I know not whither myself, but I will go) wherever my Master and my Lord shall order me; humbly hoping, nothing doubting, but that He who leadeth the blind by a way they know not, will show my feet the path of life, and lead me by a safe way to a city of habitations."
You pretend to engage in such an important transaction as this, who have hardly courage enough to speak to a fellow-creature! Can you venture to approach so near, and converse so familiarly with the High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity? How can you think yourself equal to such an undertaking?
I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I know, and God knows too, what a fearful, feeble creature I am, that I can hardly go through one short duty at home; and I have many times trembled at the work before me, and was more than once ready to withdraw my name, and actually did put off subscribing with my hand unto the Lord, and publicly taking his vows upon me, and should have done it again, if he had not kindly and seasonably whispered, 'My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength shall be made perfect in thy weakness.' This encourages me to go on, and by the supports I have already experienced, I could almost venture to say, that I can do all things through Christ strengthening me."—Lavington
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.—Psalm lxxi. 16.
The wisest resolution most assuredly that any can make, let their duties and difficulties be what they will! But who are you? and whither are you going? Shall I answer for you? I may do it now, but when you are questioned by Christ, the great Head of the church, it will be expected that you should answer for yourself.
"Who am I? Why, I am as poor, blind, naked, miserable a wretch, as the God of all grace and consolation ever smiled upon. I was a child of wrath, even as others; I was dead in trespasses and sins, and should have lain and perished in that condition for ever, if God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved me, (He only can tell why.) had not looked upon me, and pitied me, and said unto me, Live. I should be a most ungrateful monster if I did not shout Grace, grace unto it. I long to tell all the world that it is by the grace of God I am what I am; and I am now going first to his table, to dedicate my newly received life to his service; and then I will go (I know not whither myself, but I will go) wherever my Master and my Lord shall order me; humbly hoping, nothing doubting, but that He who leadeth the blind by a way they know not, will show my feet the path of life, and lead me by a safe way to a city of habitations."
You pretend to engage in such an important transaction as this, who have hardly courage enough to speak to a fellow-creature! Can you venture to approach so near, and converse so familiarly with the High and Lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity? How can you think yourself equal to such an undertaking?
I will go in the strength of the Lord God, I know, and God knows too, what a fearful, feeble creature I am, that I can hardly go through one short duty at home; and I have many times trembled at the work before me, and was more than once ready to withdraw my name, and actually did put off subscribing with my hand unto the Lord, and publicly taking his vows upon me, and should have done it again, if he had not kindly and seasonably whispered, 'My grace is sufficient for thee; my strength shall be made perfect in thy weakness.' This encourages me to go on, and by the supports I have already experienced, I could almost venture to say, that I can do all things through Christ strengthening me."—Lavington
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
Soliloquy
What themes does it cover?
Religious
Moral Virtue
What keywords are associated?
Psalm
Grace
Faith
Lord
Strength
Devotion
Salvation
Weakness
What entities or persons were involved?
Lavington
Literary Details
Title
Strength In The Lord.
Author
Lavington
Subject
On Psalm Lxxi. 16
Form / Style
Devotional Prose In Dialogic Form
Key Lines
I Will Go In The Strength Of The Lord God: I Will Make Mention Of Thy Righteousness, Even Of Thine Only.—Psalm Lxxi. 16.
I Am As Poor, Blind, Naked, Miserable A Wretch, As The God Of All Grace And Consolation Ever Smiled Upon.
My Grace Is Sufficient For Thee; My Strength Shall Be Made Perfect In Thy Weakness.
I Can Do All Things Through Christ Strengthening Me.