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

"We are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe, to the saving of the soul."   - Hebrews 10:39 [KJV]   There is somewhat implied in this text, which is not expressed. It was not out of the apostle’s thoughts. It ought never to be out of ours. Why do we not draw back unto perdition? Is it because of our own might, power, and faithfulness? No. “But because we are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation” (I Peter 1:5.) Why do any draw back unto perdition? Because they do not believe the word of God: do not live upon the power of God: their hearts are not renewed by the grace of God; and they do not choose for their portion, in time and eternity, the Son of God.    But they must have made some progress in the way of salvation, else how can they draw back unto perdition? Many go great lengths in profession and expressions. They are like a new moon that shines bright at the beginning, but does not last all night. They ...

"Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle, and the crane, and the swallow, observe the time of their coming: but My people know not the judgment of the LORD." -Jeremiah 8:7 [KJV]   When the Lord would expostulate with His people, what methods He graciously adopts! There are no creatures in nature so dull, so senseless, and stupid, as God's people are, by reason of the fall . Every animal hath an instinct, prompting to self-preservation. Are they exposed to danger? How speedily do they endeavour to remove! Are they apprehensive of a storm? they flee to some covering to hide them! The birds of passage, when the first symptoms of winter appear, gather together, to depart to a warmer climate. But man, poor blind improvident man, no winter of death can admonish him; no approach of the departing day of life can prevail, to induce him to flee from the wrath to come.   My soul! look round on human life, and mark this, by way of admir...

"Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations." -I Peter 1:6 [KJV]   As everything by nature in us is contrary to the life of God, there is a needs be for manifold trials and temptations to bring us out of those things which are opposed to the grace of God, and to conform us to the image of His dear Son. Thus we need trial after trial, and temptation upon temptation, to cure us of that worldly spirit, that carnality and carelessness, that light, trifling, and empty profession, that outside form of godliness, that spirit of pride and self-righteousness, that resting short of divine teachings, heavenly blessings, and spiritual manifestations, that settling on our lees and being at ease in Zion, that being mixed up with all sorts of professors, that ignorance of the secret of the Lord which is with them that fear Him—all which marks of death we see so visibly stamped upon the profession of the da...

"Should such a man as I flee?"   -Nehemiah 6:11 [KJV]   Nehemiah was engaged in a great work. His God was with him, and gave success unto him. Friends and enemies unite against him. By base insinuation, craft and stratagem, they strove to dishearten and deter him from going on with God’s work. Opposition is the Christian’s lot: courage is honour: perseverance is his jewel. Look at this man of God: he boldly repels all fear. Instead of fleeing from his work as advised, he flees to his God, and cries, “O God, strengthen my hand.”     Faith inspires prayer: prayer brings courage to the heart. Then he boldly demands, Should such a man as I flee! A man so greatly favoured, so highly honoured, as to be employed by God, to work for Him? No, I disdain such mean cowardice: I will work on: It is God’s cause: let God see to the event; I fear it not. Christian, know your calling: it is to work for God: expect opposition from within and without. This may call up fear...

"Yet have I set My King upon My holy hill of Zion.  I will declare the decree." -Psalm 2:6, 7 [KJV]   Here is a subject, my soul, opened for thy meditation, which neither the evening nor day of thy whole life, no, nor eternity itself, will ever be long enough to exhaust. Some of the outlines may be gathered here below, when God the Holy Ghost condescends to teach; but the subject itself will, no doubt, be among the glorious employments of heaven. It should seem, that the divine speakers here are God the Father and God the Son. We find similar instances in the word of God (see Isaiah ch. 6 & ch. 49, John 12:27-28.) And the beloved apostle was led into an apprehension of the same subject, for the church's instruction, in that vision he saw, (Revelation 5:1-9.) In this vision, Jesus is represented as taking the book, and opening it, and declaring the contents of it.   Hence, therefore, when God the Father saith, as in this Psalm, "I have set My King u...

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure." -Philippians 2:13 [KJV]   When God has worked in a man "to will," and not only worked in him "to will," but also worked in him "to do;" when He has made him willing to flee from the wrath to come; willing to be saved by the atoning blood and justifying righteousness of Jesus; willing to be saved by sovereign grace as a sinner undone without hope, and glad to be saved in whatever way God is pleased to save him; willing to pass through the fire, to undergo affliction, and to walk in the strait and narrow path, willing to take up the cross and follow Jesus, willing to bear all the troubles which may come upon him, and all the slanders which may be heaped upon his name; when God has made him willing to be nothing, and to have nothing but as God makes him the one, and gives him the other: and besides working in him "to will," has worked in him "...