To hang my harp upon the willows is to say, "Christ is not ruling well." So long as our hearts are cleaving to earthly things, we shall not be able to sing the pilgrim's song; but if we are thorough pilgrims, and apprehend our great High Priest ever living for us at the right hand of God, we shall be perpetually giving thanks. Can I fail to praise God _always for all things_, if I have no interests but the interests of Christ, and no purposes but those of Christ? Let me, by faith, but see Christ at the right hand of God ordering all things by His wisdom as the head of the body the church (Eph. 1:22.23; 5:23), I shall then see Him prospering in all that He doeth, and with Him I shall ever rejoice. To avoid an unthankful spirit, we must make thankfulness a business. If we thank God for _wants_, we shall not distrust Him for _supplies_. If, because of painful circumstances, we cannot praise the Lord, we ought to confess the sin. (Eph. 5:20) I would especially urge it upon the people of God to maintain a _good conscience_ and a _thankful heart_. Look back on the last seven days of your life how much of thanksgiving and praise has your heart rendered to God? Communion with God, by hearkening to His voice in the Scriptures, and speaking with Him in praise and prayer by the Spirit of His Son, each member of Christ fulfilling his own office, is the proper end of every assembly of saints. Oh that we were wise and tender-hearted, to cease from grieving that Holy Spirit of promise, our indwelling Paraclete! Then would the comfort of love, and fellowship of the Spirit, in every assembly, be earnest and foretaste of our perfect fellowship at the coming of the Lord. "Behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12) "If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love [that is, in the communion of My love]; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love." (John 15:10) "Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:14). "Abide in Me, and I in you" (John 15:4) "He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, dwelleth [or abideth] in Me, and I in him" (John 6:56)