"Salvation is of the LORD." -Jonah 2:9

  Bless Thy people, gracious Lord, As we gather round Thy Word; Give Thy servant at this hour, Words directed by Thy pow’r; Grant Thy grace that we may be, Led to worship only Thee.   Let us join to sing Thy praise, May each heart this anthem raise; Praise Thee for Thy love and grace, Which chose out of Adam’s race; Multitudes to know Thy Name, Sovereign mercy we proclaim!   Give us ears Thy voice to hear, Stir within us holy fear; Teach us of the Christ Who died, Who the law has satisfied; Stubborn wills, O Lord subdue, With Thy grace, our heart endue.   Send Thy Word with pow’r divine, To this needy heart of mine; I am sinful, I confess, Clothe me with Thy righteousness; All the praise shall ever be, Thine throughout eternity!      Tune: “Rock of Ages” 7.7.7.7.7.7. Words by Jim Byrd       “Praise the LORD; for the LORD is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant.  For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto H...

"But the lad knew not any thing: only Jonathan and David knew the matter." -I Samuel 20:39 [KJV] Had any one asked this lad, what Jonathan was doing in the field? he would doubtless have replied, only shooting arrows for his amusement, and I ran and brought them to him. But, O! there was a much greater matter here: no less than the precious life of David was at stake. Love directed these arrows: the voice of love proclaimed by them, David’s danger, or his safety. The fatal word, Is not the arrow beyond thee? reminds David of his danger, and warns him to flee for his life.  Observe, (1st.) Never did more generous, faithful love dwell in a mere human breast, than in Jonathan’s to David. But it diminishes, like the light of the stars when the sun appears, compared to that infinitely greater, and more intense love, which dwells in the heart of our spiritual Jonathan, i.e., the gift of the Lord: this Jesus is to all His Davids, i.e., beloved ones .  (2d.) There was a ...

"Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more." -Proverbs 31:6, 7 [KJV] What is the strong drink of the gospel but the covenant love, faithfulness, and grace of Jehovah? And what is the wine of the gospel but the love of Jesus, which the church saith is better than wine? Tell a poor sinner that is ready to perish, of God the Father's everlasting love towards His people, who were all by nature sinners ready to perish, when God passed by and bid them live; tell them that such was God's love that He gave His only begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life; tell them of Jesus, His Godhead, His Manhood—both natures united in one person, forming one Christ; tell them, that faith in His blood will save the soul; that God the Father hath respect only to the person and worth of His dear S...

"But let patience have her perfect work." -James 1:4 [KJV] Patience then has its work; and what is that? Twofold, according to my explanation of the word. 1. To endure all trials, live through all temptations, bear all crosses, carry all loads, fight all battles, toil through all difficulties, and overcome all enemies. 2. To submit to the will of God, to own that He is Lord and King, to have no will or way of its own, no scheme or plan to please the flesh, avoid the cross, or escape the rod; but to submit simply to God's righteous dealings, both in providence and grace, believing that He doeth all things well, that He is a Sovereign, "and worketh all things according to the counsel of His own will."   Now until the soul is brought to this point, the work of patience is not perfect; it may be going on, but it is not consummated. You may be in the furnace of temptation now, passing through the fiery trial. Are you rebellious or submissive? If still re...