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

" God left him to try him, that He might know all that was in his heart." -II Chronicles 32:31 [KJV] Hezekiah was a great and a good man: he had rich experience in divine grace. Still he discovered, that he had a sinful nature, and a deceitful heart. Though an eminent saint of God, yet pride and vain-glory beset him. I have been led to think, there seems a little of the spirit of the pharisee, in his beseeching the Lord to remember how he had walked before Him in truth, with a perfect heart, and done that which was good in His sight (II Kings 20:3.) At least, some of a self-righteous spirit, have been led to think from hence, that they have had somewhat in themselves whereof to glory.  O! if we have walked well, and done well, we need not remind our Lord of it. If the heart be simple with its Saviour, it will not: for it was by His grace we did so. He Who gives us grace, can never be unmindful of its effects. We hear of Hezekiah’s sickness—of the Lord’s giving ...

" Is it true?" -Daniel 3:14 [KJV] A question this from a potent monarch, backed with a dreadful threatening: enough to have put Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to the stand. Their answer must provoke their God, or their king. But did they hesitate a moment? were they at all in doubtful suspense? No: they had faith in their Lord; and they boldly replied, “O king, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.” Our cause lies before our God. We are not left to ourselves. Our present life, our immortal soul, is in His hands.  If you command us into the fiery furnace, our God will be with us. We shall be safe: He will deliver us. Either our bodies that we have shall not be burnt; or, if they are, the burning furnace shall be only a fiery chariot, to convey our souls to heaven and glory. See the power of faith. According as they believed, so it was. The Son of God was with them: the fire could not hurt them. Hence, consider,  (1st.) that God may, and sometimes do...