Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace. Luke 2:29-30. Say to them that are of a fearful heart, he strong. Isaiah 35:3-4.
Not the weak faith of a fearful, trembling;, and tempted believer, but the willful unbelief only, is damnable. If I do not reject the ransom of Christ my surety, but am desirous to accept of it by faith, it is as impossible that God can reject me, as it is impossible for him to reject my surety, and his own decree and eternal counsel of love: which can never be.
O Lord, it goes beyond the reach of all reason! how shall I depart in faith and peace, since I am the weakest of all, and would despair a thousand times for once; but, "as thy peace is said to pass all understanding," Philippians 4:7. It will nevertheless be sufficient to keep even the most fearful and weakest soul: for it is not by any power of our own, but solely by thy divine power, that we shall “be kept through faith unto salvation." It is equally the same to thee, to carry the weakest or the strongest through the gates of death: for since thou art always the same wise, gracious, and mighty God, in all circumstances, and must do the work alone, for both, thou wilt then surely lend me also, thine all-sufficient aid and assistance.
Saints by the power of God are kept.
Till the salvation come;
We walk by faith, as strangers here,
Till Christ shall call us home.
Lord, at thy temple we appear,
As happy Simeon came,
And hope to meet our Saviour here:
O make our joys the same!