Let none imagine that without earnest effort on their part they can obtain the assurance of God's love. When the mind has been long permitted to dwell only on earthly things, it is a difficult matter to change the habits of thought. That which the eye sees and the ear hears, too often attracts the attention and absorbs the interest. But if we would enter the city of God, and look upon Jesus in his glory, we must become accustomed to beholding him with the eye of faith here. The words and the character of Christ should be often the subject of our thoughts and of our conversation; and each day some time should be especially devoted to prayerful meditation upon these sacred themes.

Ingen bør indbilde sig, at de kan erholde forsikringen om Guds kærlighed uden alvorlige bestræbelser fra deres side. Når man længe har tilladt tankerne at dvæle ved jordiske ting, er det en vanskelig sag at vende tankerne i en anden retning eller forandre sit tankesæt. Det, øjet ser og øret hører samler for ofte vor opmærksomhed og opsluger vor interesse. Men ønsker vi at indgå i Guds stad og se Jesus i herlighed, må vi vænne os til at beskue ham med troens øje hernede. Kristi ord og hans karakter burde ofte være genstand for vore tanker og vor samtale; og hver dag burde nogen tid anvendes til bøn og meditation over disse hellige emner.