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

" Teaching us, that, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world." -Titus 2:12 [KJV] We read in Esdras of three young men, who wrote of the strength of different subjects. The first chose Wine; the second, the King; the third Women and Truth. He fully demonstrated, that truth is superior to all the charms of women and the power of a king. “As for truth, it endureth, and is always strong; it liveth and conquereth for evermore. And all the people shouted, and said, great is truth, and mighty above all things,” (I Esdras 4:38, 41.)   Surely, so it is with the truth of God’s grace. The stoutest rebels have been conquered by it: the most mighty kings have fallen before it. Whom it conquers, them it also teaches. When it has brought the heart to yield to its sovereign power, it captivates the affections by its sweet influence, and regulates the life by its salutary (- wholesome , healthful )...

"Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." -Isaiah 16:4 [KJV] "When a man's ways please the L ORD , He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him , " (Proverbs 16:7.) Moab was the sworn foe of Israel, but yet Moab shall be overruled to shelter and feed Israel. The world, like Moab, dislikes God's people: but as God's people must sojourn in the world, until the time comes for God to take them home, they shall be taken care of. "Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab;" house them as travellers in an inn. See that they have a lodging. Let their bread be given, and their water sure. "They are poor; but they are My poor," saith our God. "They are outcasts; but they are Mine outcasts."   Oh! precious Jesus, I see Thou wilt still own Thy people. And wherefore is it, dearest Lord? Not for their worth, not for their deservings, not for their adherence to Thee;...

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:12 [KJV] The apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest saint that ever lived upon earth, had to confess that even he had not attained. There was that in Christ more than he had ever seen, ever known, ever felt, ever tasted, ever handled, ever realised. There were heights in His glory, depths in His love, in His sufferings, in His bitter agonies in the garden and on the cross, which passed all apprehension and comprehension. Therefore he says, "Not as though I had already attained." I am a child still, a learner still, as weak as ever, as helpless as ever to obtain what I want. Though I follow on; though I forget the things which are behind and reach forward to the things before; though I know what I am aiming at, what I am seeking; though my eye is single, my heart earnest, yet ...