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

"A good man shall be satisfied from himself." - Proverbs 14:14 [KJV] My soul! what is this scripture, and what is the design of the Holy Ghost in it? Art thou satisfied in thyself? Alas! every day makes me more and more dissatisfied with myself. How can I, indeed, be satisfied, who carry about with me such a body of sin and death, which is everlastingly fighting with, and opposing my better part? What satisfaction, then, is it, that is here meant? Scripture is best explained by scripture: hence the satisfaction that a believing soul finds from himself, is not from his own attainments, nor his own righteousness, but from the witness of the Holy Ghost, that he is born of God, and brought out of nature's darkness into God's marvellous light.   The apostle John hath given, in a single verse, a full illustration of what the wise man here saith, of a good man (that is, a child of God) being satisfied with himself: "He that believeth on the Son of God , ...

"And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel." -Exodus 25:22 [KJV] What heart can conceive or tongue describe the blessedness of this heavenly truth that at all times, under all circumstances, and in all places there is provided a mercy seat, a throne of grace, at which the God of all grace and a sensible sinner may freely meet without let or hindrance, if indeed there be any spirit of prayer in the petitioner's breast? As no place, so no circumstance is too dark for His eye not to see; as no covering is too thick, so no circumstance is too obscure for His sight not to pierce through: "Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord."     So felt the Psalmist: "If I say, Surely the d...

       In the midst of Job’s miseries, he found comfort in knowing that the Lord knew both where he was and the way that he took. Though the future is dark and unknown to us, it is a great consolation to every believer to be reminded that all the steps of life have been arranged according to the infinite wisdom of our covenant God. He Who chose me unto salvation and redeemed me by the blood of His Son, Who has declared me to be the righteousness of God in Christ, long ago determined “the way that I take.”   With unlimited knowledge, in unfathomable love and with unerring accuracy He leads me in the path He ordained. The way I must go has been marked out by my all-wise and all-caring Guide. It is true that I cannot see the path ahead, yet it is enough for me to know that my loving Father determined it. And how comforting to be assured that the fiery trials of life cannot destroy me. “I shall come forth as gold.” “The King’s daughter is all glorious wi...

  Hands Up All Ye Self-Righteous Part I By D G Miles McKee   An old Anglican Bishop once remarked, “Everywhere the Apostle Paul went they had a riot. Everywhere I go they make cups of tea.” I would suggest that if the Gospel is preached correctly the preacher may very well get fewer cups of tea, for if preached correctly, the Gospel will annoy and anger a certain group of church people… the self- righteous. We need to guard against becoming self-righteous and it is only by the Gospel that we can be preserved from such a fate.  But what do I mean by ‘self-righteous’? There are three types of self-righteous people which we want to consider. The “Not sure that I’m really a sinner self righteous person”  The most easily distinguished group of self-righteous generally subscribe to the theory that they are indeed sinners, but quietly they are not sure that they have their facts straight on the matter. The adherent to this class of self-righteousness is the per...

"The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit."   -II Timothy 4:22 [KJV]   A most precious benediction! How blind are all who deny the divinity of Christ! how miserable are all who live without the presence of Christ! how ignorant are all who know not that such a blessing is to be enjoyed! how stupid are all those who seek it not! Art thou not, O Christian, too negligent in not more earnestly seeking and constantly praying for more of the presence of thy Lord? Consider, what is implied in this wish? It is heaven in the heart, glory in the soul, to have Christ with our spirits. It disposes and qualifies the soul for heavenly glory.    For, (1st.) Christ’s presence restrains our bad tempers, and subdues our unruly passions. Boisterous waves are changed into a profound calm; rough winds are at peace; foaming billows are still: there is the calm sunshine of heartfelt joy within: all is serene and happy without. Christ’s presence causes haughty pride and furious ...

"And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Lord, wherefore hast Thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that Thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in Thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast Thou delivered Thy people at all ." -Exodus 5:22, 23 [KJV]   My soul! ponder over this scripture, and the history connected with it, and behold what a blessed volume of instruction it affords. The Lord sent Moses to deliver His people out of Egypt. He had heard their groanings, and graciously promised to redress them. The people believed the Lord, and bowed their heads, in token of their view of His love, and their own happiness, which was now to follow. But behold, the oppression under which they had groaned, instead of lessening, began to increase. In this state they grow desperate, and charge God foolishly. Yea, Moses himself, who had talked with God at the bush, and seen the miracles in confirmation of his commission there shew...