July 4

Morning

Leaning on Jesus’ bosom. — John 13:23

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.—They brought young children to him, that he should touch them. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.—Jesus called his disciples unto him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat; and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way.—A high Priest … touched with the feeling of our infirmities.—In his love and in his pity he redeemed them.

I will not leave you comfortless: (marg. orphans) I will come to you.—Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.

The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Isa 66:13, Mark 10:13, Mark 10:16, Matt 15:32, Heb 4:15, Isa 63:9, John 14:18, Isa 49:15, Rev 7:17

Evening

Jesus Christ the righteous: the propitiation for our sins. — 1 John 2:1-2

Toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be. And thou shalt put the mercy seat above upon the ark; and in the ark thou shalt put the testimony that I shall give thee. I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat.

Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.

If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption. And he shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.—All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins.

Exod 25:20-22, Ps 85:9-10, Ps 130:3-4, Ps 130:7-8, Rom 3:23-25