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

"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." -R OMANS 5:5 [KJV] How the Scriptures speak of "a good hope through grace;" and call it "an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil." What a blessed grace must that be which thus enters into the very presence of Christ! How, too, the word of God speaks of it as the twin sister with faith and love [I CORINTHIANS 13:13 ] ; and declares that it "maketh not ashamed," because it springs out of the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost! Now we learn what "a good hope through grace" is, by being tossed up and down on the waves of despondency, and almost at times sinking into despair. Evidences so darkened, the heart so shut up, the mind so bewildered, sin so present, the Lord so absent, a nature so carnal, sensual, idolatrous, and a...

"It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn Thy ways" -P SALM 119:71 [KJV] God's ways and God's Word are best learned by experience and in time of trouble. When our Lord is pleased to lay His hand heavily upon us, we do not soon forget the lessons learned. When the Lord singles out a believer or a church for special affliction and adversity, it is not for punishment, nor lack of love for them; it is for eternal blessings and because He does love them. "Whom the Lord loveth" He chastens, corrects and teaches! When Job sat before his friends, who was afflicted? THE ONE GOD LOVED! When Paul stood before King Agrippa, who wore the chains? THE ONE GOD LOVED! Humanly speaking, which path of life would you prefer to live on earth, that of Esau or Jacob? Esau had the life of prosperity and ease; Jacob was full of trouble and conflict, BUT GOD LOVED JACOB! Thank God He has loved us in Christ and is pleased to teach us His ways ...

THE WEDNESDAY WORD Can God Use You?   D.G. Miles McKee   A great warrior was once painted with his hand resting on his face, as if in contemplation. But the real purpose was to hide an ugly scar on his cheek. The German emperor, Wilhelm II, was photographed and painted standing in such a position that his withered arm would not appear. We all try, to some extent, to disguise our imperfections. However, in the Bible, people are presented just as they are. No scar of deformed character, however hideous, seems to ever be covered up. This tells us, among other things, that Christ is building His kingdom with broken and flawed people. By contrast, in building their kingdoms, men of this world want only the strong, the successful and the slick. But God is not like that.  When choosing His workmen, Christ demonstrates that He is the God of the unsuccessful and the imperfect. He is the God of those who have failed. The truth is, our strength lies neither...

"I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me." -P SALM 57:2 [KJV] Our Saviour performed all things for us. Our sin has been all put away. The righteousness with which we are clothed is complete. All that God's infinite justice can demand of us has been performed for us by our Substitute. Our warfare is accomplished. Our sin is pardoned. There is not one thing for us to do to complete the work of Christ. This word performeth means perfecteth . "I will cry unto God most high, unto God who perfecteth all things concerning me." David is confident that what God has said will come to pass. He is so sure of God's purpose, that while he is fleeing for his life, he praises and blesses God that He is perfecting that which concerns him, and leading him by a sure path to the throne. The Lord God of Heaven is working every detail for our good and for His glory. No wonder he could say, "I will cry unto God most high; unto...