35. The Patient prays for the Divine Assistance

EXHORTATION.

"Behold, God is mine helper; the Lord is with them that uphold my soul."—Psalm liv. 4.

It is the greatest comfort in affliction to have a good and ready friend. Although it may occur that an unfortunate man or stranger, or a

THE DIVINE ASSISTANCE.

penniless one, has no friend to ask him "how do you do?" yet we know with certainty that God will befriend all the wretched.

1. God has promised his gracious protection to all his children; therefore a patient, instead of repining, must firmly believe that God will not forsake him, but will help him in his own good time.

2. This assistance may consist in the preservation of the patient's life, in the assuagement of his sufferings, or in the strength conferred by God to enable him to bear up under the most bitter assaults. God is true, and is near us when we suppose him far away O faithful God! thou seest the wretchedness of my condition. My powers fail, my form dwindles away, and the weight of the cross becomes more intense from moment to moment. Lord, Lord God! thou hearest my prayer and my sufferings are not unknown to thee. Remain with me I beseech thee, and forsake me not; I rely upon thy promise, Fear not, for I am with thee, fail not, for I am the Lord thy God; I will strengthen and keep thee, and help thee with the right hand of my righteousness; and again, I will not forsake thee nor forget thee. Upon these words, O my God, I put my trust. I THE PATIENT PRAYS FOR am sorely in need of thy comfort; I cannot bear my sufferings, if thou wilt not remain with me, and help me to bear them; the disease will soon destroy me, if thy hand does not keep me. O how soon is the earthly tenement of my body ruined, how soon will I sink, how soon will my life be ended, if thy divine power and thy fatherly hand do not sustain me! If it is consoling to see some of my friends at my bedside by day, and even at night, how much more consoling is it if thou, Lord God, art with me. Men may pity and bewail me, but thou, Lord, art my Help, my Deliverer, my Physician. Thy most holy presence will refresh and keep me, soothe my anguish, and allay my dread. O, then, do not leave me, nor withdraw thy hand from me, God, my salvation! As a loving mother will not leave her sick child, so thou, my God, wilt not depart from me. Let me perceive thy presence by an inward joy, a powerful solace, sweet thoughts, and relief in my distress. O my God! strengthen my faith, keep my powers, help me to strive and to conquer. Thy assistance makes me strong when I am weak; I can do all things by him who maketh me strong, even Christ. Most dearly do I love thee, Lord! I beg that thou wilt not be far from me with thy gracious assistance; all the world gives me no pleasure, I care not for heaven and earth, if I can but THE DIVINE ASSISTANCE.

have thee; and even though my heart should break, yet thou art still my only trust, the comfort of my heart. Thou hast redeemed me with thy blood; O let me never be confounded. Amen.

1. My God, forsake me not! Such is my constant prayer,

Until I feel no more the wrath of the dismayer.

I know thy father's heart, that when the wretched cries

Thy help is never slow to bid him walk and rise.

2. My God, forsake me not! without thee I must perish,

And have in this wide world no other hope to cherish.

O hasten hither soon, my hope and only trust,

Show me thy countenance, and raise me from the dust.

3 My God, forsake me not in this my present anguish

Thou art my help, and thou caust never let me languish.

The time of need has come, O friend in need, be near,

Untie these cruel bonds, and set me free from fear.

4. My God, forsake me not! help me to be victorious,

And in me, Father, make thy mighty name most glorious.

Deliverer, appear! Such is my ceaseless cry,

And let the hour of thy relief come quickly nigh.

THE PATIENT CALLS TO MIND THAT