Sunday.....Christianity.....Valley Of Vision

It seems that every few months I return to this book on this blog. That is how much this book means to me. It was quite a number of years ago that I was listening to John MacArthur's radio ministry Grace To You (http://www.gracetoyou.org/) and he offered to send this book free to anyone who requested it. Now this title alone might be enough to run people out of a Christian bookstore but to those familiar with the Puritans, it is different. I was new to them and did not take John MacArthur up on his offer, but after thinking about it purchased the book on my own. It has been read every evening at our dinner table since. As unlikely as it seems, I have seen it referred to in a number of articles since then. I'm not sure of other's reasons but as for me these prayers and devotions guarantee to me that at least once every day I view myself in the pore opening high magnification of a make-up mirror. I am then reminded of the grace that God extends and the exhileration of the Gospel flows over me anew. So here is another one of those prayers that Arthur Bennett has chosen for The Valley Of Vision:
O Lord,
When the world's unbelievers reject thee,
and are so foresaken by thee
that thou callest them no more,
it is to thine own thou dost turn,
for in such seasons of general apostasy
they in some measure backslide with the world.
O how free is thy grace
that reminds them of the danger that
confronts them
and urges then to persevere in adherence
to thyself!
I bless thee that those who turn aside
may return to thee immediately,
and be welcomed without anything
to commend them.
noltwithstanding all their former backslidings.
I confess that this is suited to my case, for of late
I have found great want,
and lack of apprehension of divine grace;
I have been greatly distressed of soul
because I did not suitably come to the fountain
that purges away all sin;
I have labored too much for spiritual life,
peace of conscience, progressive holiness,
in my own strength.
I beg thee, show me the arm of all might;
Give me to believe
that thou canst do for me more than
I ask or think,
and that, though I backslide, thy love will never
let me go.
but will draw me back to thee with everlasting
cords;
that thou dost provide grace in the wilderness,
and canst bring me out, leaning on the arm
of my Beloved;
that thou canst cause me to walk with him
by the rivers of waters in a straight way,
wherein I shall not stumble.
Keep me solemn, devout, faithful, resting
on free grace for assistance, acceptance,
and peace of conscience.