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

" I will bear the indignation of the L ORD , because I sinned against Him, until He plead my cause and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold His righteousness." —Micah 7:9 [KJV] Sin, though atoned for by the blood of Jesus, and through the faith of this the soul be made holy and happy, yet dwelleth in us. Hence all our griefs, our sufferings, our wretchedness. God's judgments are sometimes secret, always just, ever in love to His own. Misery should never afflict us, if sin did not infect us. A good instrument may be out of tune; the hand of a skilful musician is necessary to set it, and display its harmony and sound. God disciplines by afflictions for our profit and His glory. The faith, patience, and valor of God's soldiers are best known in times of exercise: then how animating to view the love and trust to the faithfulness of a covenant God! To see a father's love to the soul in the rod of his displeasur...

"Master! where dwellest Thou?" -John 1:38 [KJV] Is this the earnest inquiry of my soul? Hear then the answer: "Thus saith the high and lofty One, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." Pause, my soul. Are these qualities produced by grace in thine heart? Jesus, Master, make me what Thou wouldest have me to be; and then come, Lord, agreeably to Thy promises. Thou hast said, My Father will come, and I will come, and make our abode with him.  And Thou hast said, the Holy Ghost shall come and abide with us for ever. What, my soul, shall I indeed have such glorious personages for my companions? Behold, Lord, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain Thee! Oh for grace and a sanctity of thought corresponding to such mercies, since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Ghost, which dwelleth in ...

"The L ORD bless thee." -Numbers 6:24 [KJV] The key to the words, "The L ORD bless thee," is, I believe, to be found in Ephesians 1:3 : "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ ; " for the blessings prayed for in our text would seem to be chiefly spiritual blessings. Not that we are to think lightly of temporal favours. They are left-hand blessings, if not right-hand mercies; they are gifts to be thankful for on earth, if not graces that take to heaven; provision for the perishing body, if not food for the immortal soul. Health, strength, such a measure of worldly goods as shall keep the wolf from the door, and enable us to owe no man anything but love; children growing up to be a comfort to their parents; a kind and affectionate partner; warm and faithful friends; an untarnished name; and a little provision for those dear and near to us, that the...