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

"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of H is Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by H is life." -Romans 5:10 [KJV] What a fearful spot it is to be in—to feel and fear oneself an enemy to God! I think it is one of the most painful feelings that ever passed through my breast, to fear I was an enemy to God. For what must be the consequence, if a man live and die having God for his enemy? In that warfare he must perish. If God be his enemy, who can be his friend? Such sensations in the bosom are well-nigh akin to despair. Let a man fully feel that he is God's enemy, where can he hide his head? Hell itself seems to afford him no refuge. But he must be exercised with something of this before he can prize reconciliation . He must see himself to be an enemy of God by birth—that he was born in what our Reformers called "birth sin;" and that his carnal mind is enmity against God. O the painful sensations of the carn...

When we look up and attempt to view Him sitting at the right hand of the Majesty on high in all His exalted dignity and power as King of kings and Lord of lords—then we feel as if dazzled and overborne with a sight and sense of His surpassing glory. In the days of His flesh, the beloved disciple could lean on the bosom of Jesus and stand by His cross; but when in Patmos’ lonely isle He appeared in His majesty so that “His eyes were as a flame of fire,” and “His countenance was as the sun shineth in His strength,” John fell at His feet as dead! Yet if He has made us willing in the day of His power, has brought us to His feet in all humility to touch the scepter of His grace and own Him Lord of all, we may, in company with His saints, “speak of the glory of Thy kingdom, and talk of Thy power; to make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, and the glorious majesty of His kingdom” [ Psalm 145:11, 12 ] . -J. C. Philpot