What a contrast!

("Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872)

"Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way!" Psalm 139:23, 24

What a contrast there is between a man of this world-and a child of God!

The one wishes to avoid the scrutiny of God-and the other desires and prays for it.

The one loves sin, and cherishes it-the other abhors sin, and desires to be delivered from it.

The one walks hand in hand with iniquity-the other grieves that he bears about with him a body of sin and death.

It is the earnest desire of all who are born of God, and made partakers of the Divine nature-to be delivered from the power of sin that dwells in them. They would have no lust spared-and no corruption unmortified.

Chosen by the Father in eternity past,
redeemed by the precious blood of Christ and justified freely by His grace
-they would also be sanctified by His Spirit.

They would be holy as He is holy-and their desires will eventually be satisfied! He who has begun a good work in them, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. He will present them "faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy!"

"Search me, O God, and try my thoughts,
 And make my heart sincere;
 Let sin have no dominion, Lord,
 And keep my conscience clear!

"Make me to walk in Your commands,
 'Tis a delightful road;
 Nor let my head, or heart, or hands,
 Offend against my God!"

"The desire of the righteous will be granted!" Proverbs 10:24