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

" A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto victory." —Matthew 12:20 [KJV] Through a sight of their sinful state, a sense of strong corruptions, weakness of faith, and small degree of the knowledge of Jesus, young converts, like David just come to the throne, are apt to say, "I am this day weak, though anointed king;" and to fear with him, "the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me," — II Samuel 3:39 . The accuser of the brethren is ever an adversary to Jesus and the truth; he is always busy with souls, to stamp upon their minds the blackest impressions. He paints the Saviour, not as loving, gentle, and merciful to relieve distressed and comfort wounded, afflicted consciences; but as a rigid, austere, and cruel exactor.  When carnal reason joins in with false accusations, it is sore distress and conflict to the mind. But to the law and to the testimony. How readest thou, O soul? ...

"Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone: because I am a man of unclean lips—for mine eyes have seen the King, the L ORD of Hosts ." —Isaiah 6:5 [KJV] When the glory of Jesus is manifested to the soul in the light of the Spirit, how doth it stain the pride of all human glory! The prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of Jesus under the New, were men of like passions, sinners like unto ourselves: by nature there is no difference: they were all saved by the same precious Saviour of sinners: a sight of themselves in the light of truth humbled them to the dust.  "O wretched man that I am!" cries Paul the apostle. "Woe is me; I am unclean, I am undone!" cries Isaiah the evangelical prophet. "God will suffer no flesh to glory in His presence." Jesus the Saviour alone shall be exalted; man, the sinner, though the subject of grace and salvation, shall be laid low; every hope in himself cut off; the exceeding sinfulness of sin...

Speaking of our LORD JESUS here, " Thou hast received gifts for men." —Psalm 68:18 [KJV] The dedication of this Psalm, according to Beza, is to Him that excelleth, even Jesus, the excellent One. It contains a glorious display of the Redeemer's kingdom. The royal prophet was highly favored with clear and comfortable views of the ample provision which is made for poor rebellious sinners in the settlements of the everlasting covenant of grace and love. Jesus is the rich treasury; all grace is laid up in Him. So it pleased the Father, so it rejoiced the heart of all his members like Joseph's brethren, to receive all gifts from his hands. Jesus is the unspeakable gift of God the Father to us. — see John 4:10 .  All His members were given to Him: in Him Jehovah loves us, delights in us, and rejoices over us to do us good. Alas! too, too often we are apt to think vainly, and talk arrogantly; to ascribe what we are, and what we hope for, to something in us, or...

"And they laughed Him to scorn." — Matthew 9:24 [KJV] Wonderful indeed is our Master in patience, meekness, love, and goodness, under such insult and scorn. "When Herod saw Jesus he was exceeding glad: he desired to see Him of a long season, for he hoped to see some miracle done by Him." Miracles may satisfy the curiosity; they do not of themselves, convert the heart to the truth. This is plain. Herod saw in Jesus a most astonishing miracle. Behold innocence itself arraigned and accused—death in its most cursed and ignominious form threatened.  Amazing to consider! Jesus stood mute; His tongue locked up in silence. His mighty arm, which could have dealt destruction at a blow, He suffered to be bound; Himself set at nought, mocked, and in derision arrayed in a robe of mock royalty—WHITE, saith Beza. So Herod, though undesigned, gives him a token of His innocence; as Pilate, contrary to his judgment and intention, gives Him a title, "This is the King...

The Much-Needed Mediator by D.G. Miles McKee ‘For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. ’ (1 Timothy 2:5).   The truth of salvation could scarcely be more beautifully expressed than in this one scripture, 1 Timothy 2:5.   What a verse!  If we were to meditate on it, we would find that it contains a vast volume of truth in a very little space.  For example, it declares that God is One and that we need a mediator to get through to Him.  Then it tells us that there is only one mediator, not two, not three … only one.   We find more truth about the mediator throughout the Bible.   Take for example the Book of Job.     Do you remember how Job’s friends were convinced that the evil things that had befallen him were because of Job’s sin?  Job was having none of it and made himself busy by justifying himself, saying things like, “My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let...

" Consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied, and faint in your minds." — Hebrews 12:3 [KJV] Come, Christian, look up, look forward, and be of good courage. Though thy exercises are many, and thy conflicts great, though weary IN, yet grow not weary OF, the ways of the Lord. Verily, in due time we shall reap an harvest of eternal felicity (- happiness ), after all our present toil and labour. Faint not; continue to the end; persevere in the work of faith, labour of love, and patience of hope.  The battle is the Lord's; thy foes are all conquered; victory is obtained; the crown is held forth by thy conquering Lord. Press on. But alas! thou findest contradiction and opposition from every quarter, from within and from without: numerous are thy foes which rise up against thee; thy strength is small; thy power weak: most true; but know thy calling; study thy privilege; behold thy Comforter holds forth a reviving c...

" I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight: These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them ." — Isaiah 42:16 [KJV] Here is a full proof of the personality of the divine Spirit, the third glorious person in the adorable trinity; and also the nature of His office in the economy of the covenant of grace for the salvation of the elect. He WILL lead them into all the paths of truth. Truth is of the very essence and perfection of Jehovah. The Father "hath chosen us from the beginning to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the TRUTH." — II Thessalonians 2:13 ; Jesus is essentially "the way, the TRUTH, and the life," — John 14:6 —by Whom we are saved; and the Holy Spirit performs His office as our guide to HIM.  We poor sinners "are all gone out of the way:" we are blind and ...