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

" Let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone." -Galatians 6:4 [KJV] “A day is coming, when the fire shall try every man’s work, of what sort it is , ” (I Corinthians 3:13.) O how much wood of pride, hay of self-love, and stubble of self-complacency, will then be burnt up; Yea, and it will be entirely owing to the rich grace, and finished salvation of Jesus (not for any work of ours), that our souls too, are not in that day cast into unquenchable fire. Why then does the apostle bid us prove our own work? That we may be joyful? Alas! says the convinced humble sinner, I have not a work that I dare look at, but instead of giving me joy, it occasions sorrow.  “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Lord be gracious to me, an unprofitable servant. Is this the confession of thy heart? Prove it by the word of God. Thou wilt find it agreeable thereto. Rejoice in thyself for it. Give glory to Him, Who taught thee to know thyself, and ...

"They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in." - Psalm 107:4 [KJV] "They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way ;"—a way not tracked; a path in which each has to walk alone; a road where no company cheers him, and without landmarks to direct his course. This is a mark peculiar to the child of God— that the path by which he travels is, in his own feelings, a solitary way. This much increases his exercises, that they appear peculiar to himself.  His perplexities are such as he cannot believe any living soul is exercised with; the fiery darts which are cast into his mind by the wicked one are such as he thinks no child of God has ever experienced; the darkness of his soul, the unbelief and infidelity of his heart, and the workings of his powerful corruptions, are such as he supposes none ever knew but himself.  To be without any comfort except what God gives, without any guidance but what the Lord affords, witho...

" Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth ? saith the L ORD . Shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb ? saith thy God." -Isaiah 66:9 [KJV] Observe, my soul, not only how readily the Lord undertakes to bless His people, and makes good His promises, but the gracious manner in which He confirms His word unto His servants, "wherein He causeth them to hope." All the promises of God in Christ Jesus are sweet, and sure, and amen; but methinks there is a double blessedness in those, which, from their seeming to come to us with difficulty, the Lord recommends yet more by bringing in the sovereignty of His power to their accomplishment. It is as if the Lord said by every one, Because it be marvellous in your eyes, should it be also marvellous in Mine eyes? saith the Lord of Hosts, Zechariah 8:6. My soul, if thou wilt read once more, this blessed evening, the gracious verse of the prophet in this view, the beauty and glory of it will ...