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from "The Poor Man's Portions" by Robert Hawker

July 13
EVENING.

"I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." Psalm 4:8

My soul! it is blessed, indeed, to lie down, or arise, when Jesus is your rest and refreshment! But, apart from security and safety in him, both the day-light and the darkness have their horrors. And how unsatisfying is every thing where Jesus is not? This is strikingly exemplified, day by day, among all carnal characters. According to the Psalmist, "there are many that say, who will show us any good?" Indeed, the whole world, who knows not the blessedness of Jesus, will speak this way! What a busy life some men make of it? And what is it for? Be their pursuits what they may; let them be ever so much diversified, one object is the aim of all. The apostle has said what it is: to make provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts. (Rom 13:14)

My soul! what is the first and last, the greatest and most momentous desire of your heart? Can you, and do you, adopt the words of the Psalmist, in this sweet psalm: "Lord, lift up the light of your countenance upon us. You have put gladness in my heart, more than in the season that their grain and wine increased."

Oh! the blessedness of such a state! May it be mine! Dearest Lord Jesus! grant it to me, day by day; and in the evening and night watches, let your sweet visits be unceasingly renewing: and then will I take this precious portion for my song, both when undressing for the bed of sleep, and on the bed of death: "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

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