The Eleventh of July.

NOT SEEN THE RIGHTEOUS FORSAKEN --- Psalm 37:25.

"I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread." --- Psalm 37:25.

Sweet declaration! encouraging experience! The Lord indeed careth for the righeous - for those who, having seen the want of mercy, rely for it on the promise of God, that there is forgiveness with him through the meritorious life and death of Jesus Christ. He hath promised that he will never leave or forsake them - that he will withhold from them no manner of thing that is good. He careth also for their seed; so that they shall not beg their bread.

He frequently provides for them, when their parents are no more, in such unexpected ways that many who see it are constrained to acknowledge "This is the Lord's doing." And sometimes, while they are living, he brings bread to their mouths, and also furnishes them with opportunities to hear of and seek for the bread which came down from heaven, and which endureth unto everlasting life; thus snatching them from the jaws of ignorance and destruction.

O Lord, if mine ears have heard - if mine eyes have see - and more especially if I partake of such blessings, thankfully may I own that thou art a God keeping covenant and mercy, and make this proff of thy faithfulness a ground of reliance upon thee for all needful promised blessings. Help me to cast all my care on thee, and endeavour by prayer, instruction, and example, that thy goodness may be sanctified to my seed, that we may live together, here and hereafter, to the praise of the glory of thy grace.

The Lord, for his own mercy's sake,
Will bless believers and their seed;
The parents he will not forsake,
Nor let the children beg their bread.