For all the blessings, benefits, and benedictions of the Gospel, together with all its ‘yes and amens’ in Christ Jesus…
…all its liberties and affirmations…
… to *truly* know the rapture of our emancipation means self-surrender to the grace of ‘never’.
May the mercies of Christ lead us through this petition, and help us to get traction in pivoting away from being careless with our faith and laying hold of ‘so great salvation’1.
“O LORD, May I
never
fail to come to the knowledge of the truth,
never
rest in a system of doctrine, however scriptural, that does not bring or further salvation, or teach me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, or help me to live soberly, righteously, godly;
never
rely on my own convictions and resolutions, but be strong in thee and in thy might;
never
cease to find thy grace sufficient in all my duties, trials, and conflicts;
never
forget to repair to thee in all my spiritual distresses and outward troubles, in all the dissatisfactions experienced in creature comforts;
never
fail to retreat to him who is full of grace and truth, the friend that loveth at all times, who is touched with feelings of my infirmities, and can do exceeding abundantly for me;
never
confine my religion to extraordinary occasions, but acknowledge thee in all my ways;
never
limit my devotions to particular seasons but be in thy fear all the day long;
never
be godly only on the sabbath or in thy house, but on every day abroad and at home;
never
make piety a dress but a habit,
not only a habit but a nature,
not only a nature but a life.
Do good to me by all thy dispensations, by all means of grace, by worship, prayers, praises,
And at last let me enter that world where is no temple, but only thy glory and the Lamb’s.”
– The Valley of Vision, The ‘Nevers’ of the Gospel
1Hebrews 2:3
