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

Being a believer in Jesus Christ and resting in His good providence does not exempt us from trouble, trial, sorrow and heartache in this life. Our Lord said, "In th e world y e shall have tribulation" [JOHN 16:33 ] . But here is our comfort and help, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble" [PSALM 46:1 ] . Our blessed Lord said, "Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need" [HEBREWS 4:16 ] . Our gracious God has promised wisdom to understand the trial [JAMES 1:5 ] . Grace to endure and bear the trial [II CORINTHIANS 12:9 ] . Faith to trust and believe God through the trial [ROMANS 4:19-20 ] . Peace to rest in His purpose, knowing that this trial works to our eternal good [ROMANS 8:28-35 ] . Hope to rejoice in our Lord and Saviour, Who said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" [HEBREWS 13:5 ] . Surely, we must conclude that we are needy cr...

"All thy children shall be taught of the L ORD ." -I SAIAH 54:13 [KJV] The teaching of God can only be known and realised by those who have seen an end of all creature perfection, and who are completely and experimentally destitute of all wisdom in the flesh. And God's teaching does not leave a man where it found him, dead, stupefied, worldly, unfeeling, and carnal. If he is in distress, it does not leave him in distress; if he feels guilty, it does not leave him guilty; if he is in darkness, it does not leave him in darkness; but it lifts him out of these evils. Thus God's people are continually led to come unto H im for H is instruction, because they feel that without H is special teaching they can know nothing as they ought to know. Nay, the more they have, the more they want to have; for no sooner is the light withdrawn, than the darkness is more sensibly felt. If any text of Scripture has been opened up to them, it makes them want to ha...

Living in “Doubting Castle” A gospel minister once visited a lady who was living in what John Bunyan called, “Doubting Castle.” She suffered from persistent doubts and fears and was filled with all manner of misgivings about the future Judgment. (By the way, none of us are always entirely free from such bombardments of unbelief. Even the most mature believers are not always immune). To try and answer her concerns, the preacher quoted 1 John 4:18 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love." He then asked her, "Do you know what that means? " She paused for a moment, and then replied, "I suppose it means that when I love God perfectly, I shall get rid of my doubts and fears " “Yes, certainly you will,” he replied “but that will not be until you arrive in glory. This verse is about Jesus, not about what you are supposed to do. It is about what He has done!” The de...