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

" Doth the ploughman plow all day to sow? doth he open and break the clods of his ground?" — Isaiah 28:24 [KJV] "The L ORD of hosts hath decreed to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honorable of the earth." — Isaiah 23:9 . Therefore His word sends us to the common transactions in life, that we may gather instruction in humility, and be taught to bow to His sovereignty. Every dispute against the latter is a strong evidence of the want of the former. When the mouth is not stopped, but daringly opened against sovereign purposes and eternal decrees, it is an awful sign that the plough of God's law hath not cut deep into such sinners' hearts; for, instead of pleading guilty and being speechless, the pride of nature urges vain pleas against free-grace truth, everlasting love, the finished salvation of Jesus, and the certain glory of all His chosen members. But verily, as the ploughman plows at a proper season, and sows...

" Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God." — Acts 7:5 [KJV] 'Sufficient to the day is the evil thereof.' As the trial and exercise of our day is, so shall our strength be. Saints shall have suffering grace for suffering times. Hours of great outward calamities often prove seasons of the greatest abounding of inward consolation. It is said, "Stephen fell asleep." What! fall asleep under a shower of stones? Yes: the sweetest sleep he ever experienced. It was preceded by a supernatural sight of glory; he awoke in the full enjoyment of glory; he suffered first for Jesus, he is the first who is favored with a view of the glorified Jesus in His kingdom. How faithful is the Lord we serve! how great are His compassions! how reviving to the soul is the spiritual sight of Him! Whether patriarchs, prophets, apostles, martyrs, and confessors, as believers in all ages, the same Lord was the object of their ...

" Then I saw and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction." — Proverbs 24:3 [KJV] Observation is the life of understanding. Experience is the joy of faith. Learning good from others' harms is true wisdom. Can we look around us among the circle of our professing acquaintance, and not see the awful effects of slothfulness in the ways of God? What supine indolence to the cause of Jesus, and careless indifference as to the health and prosperity of the soul, do we behold! A very affecting description of this the Spirit of wisdom here presents to our view: "I went by the field of the slothful," (the once seemingly growing and shining professor) "and lo, it was all grown over with thorns," (the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, has choked the word, Matthew 13:22.) "and nettles has covered the face thereof;" (the rank weeds of corrupt lusts, sensual gratifications, carnal pleasures and deligh...

" Then had the churches rest and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied." — Acts 9:31 [KJV] The form of godliness without the power, is sufficient to make men saints, good church-men, honest souls in the eyes of the carnal world. But when, by the power of the Spirit our hearts possess the faith of Jesus, it cannot be hid, but the life of Jesus also will be manifested in our walk and conversation. Then persecution awaits us, the world hates us, their former esteem for and good opinion of us, is changed into hatred and opposition. The word of the Lord must be fulfilled, "All that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." — II Timothy 3:12 . This is the lot of every disciple, it is a touchstone of faith; but this is overruled by our Master's wisdom, for His glory and our spiritual advantage. These have proved the most thriving seasons to the church of God, most prosper...

" Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer." — Romans 12:12 [KJV] The gospel brings us from a hopeless into a hopeful state; but not into an independent one. We are never to expect freedom from trials and tribulations in this vale of tears; they lie in our way to the end of our hope, the enjoyment of God in glory. Faith takes hold of something that is material, and maketh the soul triumph in hope. Hope makes the soul joyful, and excites to patience. Tribulations cause a throne of grace to be prized, a covenant God in Christ to be sought unto and delighted in. In the rough waves of difficulties, in the storm of affliction, in the boisterous sea of temptation, hope is an anchor to the soul; when that is cast within the veil the vessel shall safely ride out every storm; though tossed, it shall not be driven from its moorings; it keeps the soul safe and steady. The grace of patience is ranged between the joy of hope and the constant e...

  The Day Zacchaeus Got Saved. Part II by D G Miles McKee Ref: Luke 19:1-10 [KJV]   Last week we looked at the man Zacchaeus. Let’s consider next, 2) His Meeting with Jesus! V3  ‘ And he ( Zacchaeus ) sought to see Jesus who He was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature.”   When it says there was a problem with the press it’s not talking about the newspapers. It simply means that the multitudes had pressed in and around our Master and prevented Zacchæus from getting close to Jesus and seeing Him for himself.   Did the crowd stop him?  Of course not!  He wanted to see Jesus, and no one could stop him.   Zacchaeus was unlike many that I’ve talked to about the Lord.  They often have excuses as to why they won’t follow Jesus.  But Zacchaeus wouldn’t let any excuse get in his way. He didn’t, for example, try to find fault with Christ’s followers. He did not point to Peter and say, “He is a lou...

" I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection." —I Corinthians 9:27 [KJV] The neglect of this brings on leanness of soul. If this enemy gains ground, it is alarming; if he prevails, it causes mourning; but when he is kept low, and supplies are cut off, his power is weakened, and victory over him is easily gained. Such are the sensitive powers, carnal affections, and sinful inclinations which compose part of our present frame, the body; a body of sin and death. To gratify and fulfil them is very pleasing and delightful to nature and sense. But how awfully subversive of the comforts of faith, the peace of the mind, and the joy of the soul, thy own sad experience, O disciple, hath proved. Nor can it be otherwise; let us not deceive ourselves; we cannot indulge and pamper the life of the flesh but to the hurt and injury of the life of the soul. There is an irreconcilable enmity between the flesh and the spirit, the old man and the new. The variance and strife...