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

"And the L ORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word. But as truly as 1 live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the L ORD ." -Numbers 14:20, 21 [KJV] My soul! ponder over this solemn scripture, and observe how truly awful Jehovah is, even in His mercies. Well may it be said to the people of God, "rejoice with trembling." This was a memorable moment in the history of Israel, when the spies returned from searching the promised land. The evil report which the greater number brought back, in denying God's faithfulness, is most solemnly recorded; and the falling carcases in the wilderness, most awfully set forth the divine judgment. And what is unbelief now but the same, aggravated, if possible, to a ten thousand times greater degree of guilt, in denying and disbelieving the record which God hath given of His Son? The apostle saith, "it is making God a liar,"  see 1 John 5: 10. And John the Baptist confirms the same; and adds a dreadf...

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom." - Colossians 3:16 [KJV] This surely means something more than merely reading the word in a careless, formal manner. It is "to dwell in us," that is, take up its firm and lasting abode in our heart, and that "richly;" not poorly and niggardly, but copiously and abundantly, unfolding to us and putting us into possession of the wealth of its treasures; and that in "all wisdom," making us wise to salvation, opening up to us the manifold wisdom of God, and how it displays itself in the great mystery of godliness.  Now we shall not attain to this rich and heavenly wisdom unless we search and study the Scriptures with prayer and supplication to understand what the Holy Ghost has revealed therein, and what He is pleased to unfold there from of the will and way of God for our own personal instruction and consolation.   We very easily fall off from abiding in Christ; nor can we expect to keep ...