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

"There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."   -Proverbs 14:12 [KJV]   This is a melancholy truth, “All flesh has corrupted his way upon the earth” (Genesis 6:12.) From sad experience of this, Jeremiah confesses, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: It is not in man who walketh to direct his steps” (10:23.) ALL we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way , says Isaiah (53:6.) O it is a most blessed thing to be convinced of this and humbly pray with David, “See if there be any way of wickedness in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:24.) We can never enough call to mind, love and praise our good shepherd, who came to seek, and save us, from our own way, which seemeth right in our eyes.    What way is this? A most dangerous one. It is the way of wickedness, in which we have strong confidence of our own righteousness. Every man is naturally in this w...

"So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for Him, shall He appear the second time without sin unto salvation." -Hebrews 9:28  [KJV]   My soul! pause over this blessed portion, for it is most blessed, and seek from God the Holy Ghost, grace to gather all its sweets for thine evening enjoyment. Every word is big with importance. And, first, who is it that is here said to have been once offered? Even Christ, the sent, the sealed, the anointed of Jehovah. So that when thou goest to a throne of grace, to plead for mercy in the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ; thou goest in His name, whom thy God and Father hath appointed. Thou then tellest thy God, what thy God first told thee. He, in whose name, blood and righteousness, thou askest redemption, is He whom Jehovah Himself "hath set forth as a propitiation, through faith in His blood." Hence it is impossible not to succeed. "I have given Him (saith the LO...

"Though I be nothing."   -II Corinthians 12:11 [KJV]   Paul did not mean to say that he had no religion, but none in himself. 'What! could not Paul stand against temptation?' Not more than you or I, unassisted by the grace of God. Could not Paul pray more than I can?' No, not at all, except so far as the spirit of grace and supplications was given to him. 'Could not Paul love more than I do?' Not a bit more, nor think a spiritual thought more, as far as self was concerned. I do not mean to say that Paul did not pray, believe, and love more than any of us do; but he did not perform these actions in himself one whit more than we can. He says, expressly, "In me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing ; " and therefore not the good thing of faith, or love, or divine communion.    Now when the Lord has brought a soul down to be nothing, He then makes His strength perfect in that nothingness; He communicates strength to pray, stre...