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

"Seest thou this woman?” -Luke 7:44 [KJV] My soul, look at this woman at the feet of Jesus; for thy Jesus bids thee look, and gather instruction from the view, as well as the pharisee. Behold how she wept, how she washed the feet of Jesus, and anointed them with ointment. These were sweet tokens of her love and adoration. But were these the causes for which she obtained forgivings? Oh, no. Read what the Lord said to her: "Thy faith hath saved thee." Learn, then, my, soul, in what salvation lies. Love may bring ointment to Jesus. Sorrow for sin, when grace is in the heart, will cause tears to fall. But faith brings nothing, for it hath nothing: it casts itself wholly upon Jesus. Amidst all its guilt, and fears, and tears, it is Jesus only to whom faith looks; it is Jesus upon whom alone it depends. It hath nothing to do with self; neither our own feelings, nor the exercise of our graces.  These are blessed evidences of the work of the Lord upon the heart; b...

"They shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward." -Jeremiah 50:5 [KJV] Zion is the seat of all gospel blessings. In it is laid "the precious corner-stone" (Isaiah 28:16) ; in it is "placed salvation for Israel" (Isaiah 46:13) ; the Lamb of God stands upon it (Revelation 14:1) ; mercy, redemption, pardon, comfort, strength, deliverance, and glory come out of it. In turning the face then Zionwards, is implied the seeking of gospel blessings. The redeemed are therefore said "to seek the L ORD their God," Who is only to be found in Zion, His dwelling-place, and where praise waiteth for Him (Psalm 65:1) . But they ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward in no light and trifling spirit, and in no positive certainty that they shall ever arrive there. They have to ask the way step by step, often doubting and fearing whether they be in the way. Having been so often deceived and deluded, they dare no more trust their...