(Matt. 7:11)

How gracious it is of our Lord in faithfully telling us what we are in ourselves to give us such encouragement in what He is in Himself!

What Christian who honestly takes stock of himself in the presence of God will not bow his head and say, "Yes, I am evil?" I will not merely own I have done evil, which is only the fruit, but I am evil, which is the root. In Luke 5 Peter, conscious of being in the presence of One who knew all about him, "fell down at Jesus' knees, and said, Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord"-not merely "I have sinned," but "I am full of sin."

"Only sin to Him I brought,
Only love in Him I found,
Love that passes all my thought-
Love that doth to me abound."

Nevertheless "being evil, ye know how to give good gifts unto your children." Not only in time of plenty does a mother feed her hungry child, but in time of deepest need for herself many a mother has suffered the pangs of hunger in order to satisfy her needy little one.

But how His love outshines that of a mother! "Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?" asks the prophet Isaiah (chap. 49:IS); and then answers, "Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee." Wonderful love! wonderful Saviour!

Who then would attempt to give an answer to the next three words in the verse-"How much more?" "How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?"

The question is beyond human ken and in its fulness must remain unanswered. But may it cheer our hearts, and embolden us to bring our needs in faith to Him "who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not," and receive from His bountiful hand that which He delights to give. E. A. Buchenau