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

"I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her." —Hosea 2:14 [KJV] Carnal ease begets spiritual sloth. Outward prosperity often brings leanness of soul. Worldly joys, vain pleasures, and sensual gratifications, are contrary to the spiritual delights, holy comforts, and godly conversation of the soul. Of this observation we have awful evidence. Woeful experience proves it. It is seldom seen that the church of Christ in general, or individual members thrive and prosper in soul, when all without is easy, prosperous, and joyful to the flesh.  Like "Jeshurun, we wax fat and kick, forsake God, and lightly esteem the rock of our salvation." —Deuteronomy 32:15. But the Head of His church, ever jealous for His own glory, ever watchful in love over His own members, will not suffer them to perish with a surfeit from worldly kindness. They shall rather bleed by the loving stroke of His hand, than fall a sacrifice to the world ...

" They who feared the L ORD , spake often one to another; the L ORD hearkened and heard it." —Malachi 3:16 [KJV] The tongue, though but a little member, yet is capable of being employed to the best services, or to the worst purposes. We are assured he is a perfect man who offends not in word. He is a man after God's own heart who prays daily, "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my Redeemer." —Psalm 19:14 . "Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge amongst you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom." —James 3:13.   Thus perfection, real godliness, and true wisdom are ascribed to our words and conversation. "By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." —Matthew 12:37 . Most weighty considerations! Let us take heed that we offend not with our tongue. But most encouraging assurance, ...

" We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." —II Corinthians 5:1 [KJV] It is the grand device of that arch-deceiver, Satan, to represent the religion of Jesus as tending to melancholy, gloom, and sadness; but daily experience proves the reverse; for under a sense of a crazy, disordered body, from views of its approaching dissolution, with thoughts of its being shortly committed to the silent grave, who can put on an air of composure, joy, and delight, except the Christian? Who such cause for continual felicity, as he who knows his lease is well nigh expired of his present house, that shortly it is to be pulled down; but yet, through the kindness and love of his heavenly Father, a free grant of his eternal inheritance is given him, "of a house not made with hands?"   What comfort must it yield to him to KNOW the nature of the purchase, the certa...

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" And the children struggled together within her: and she said, If it be so, why am I thus? And she went to inquire of the L ORD ." —Genesis 25:22 [KJV] Very uncommon and extraordinary was the case of Rebekah: inward commotion and strong contention, between the fruit of her body, alarmed her greatly: each threatening death to the other, and herself also. Happy her conduct. In this distress she seeks satisfaction from the Lord. A noble instance of faith and familiarity with the God of Israel. This also was written for our learning: a very just and striking emblem is this of the Christian. As verily as Jacob and Esau were in the womb of Rebekah, so is the Christian the subject of two contending parties, the old and new man, flesh and Spirit. The life of each is opposite to the other; each is striving for the mastery over the other. Here is the daily conflict of disciples. To good and evil equal bent; Sinful in nature, yet a saint. How does the poor groaning, burde...

" Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." —John 7:24 [KJV] By acting contrary to this advice of our Prophet, the children of God often distress their poor hearts. Perhaps in no one instance more than this. "My feet were almost gone, my steps had well nigh slipped," said the Psalmist. Why? What was the case? Alas! alas! he had been looking at the outward appearance of the wicked. How happy, gay, and joyful they seemed! So that corrupt nature and carnal reason had erected a tribunal in opposition to faith and truth. "Verily," says he, "I have cleansed my heart in vain," etc.  But he was soon undeceived and brought to "judge righteous judgment," from the records of truth in the sanctuary of his God —Psalm 73 . Professors of old had a severe check (Malachi ch. 3) for thus judging. "Your words have been stout against Me, saith the L ORD : ye have said it is vain to serve God," etc. ...

  "My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in thy weakness." —II Corinthians 12:9 [KJV]   Spiritual conflicts with the enemy of souls are the lot of all God's children. Holy Paul was under deep and afflicting distress of soul. Satan the adversary assaulted him very powerfully. He groaned under it; he frequently besought Jesus that this grievous and painful messenger of Satan might be made to depart from him, and that his conflict might be at an end. O, what distressing exercises God's children undergo from the enemy! The hearts of such only know the bitterness thereof.  But is the Captain of their salvation regardless of them? Is He deaf to their prayers when they call on Him? No: He ever hears, He always answers in love. But did the Lord grant His dear servant's request? No; then the design of love would not have been answered. Paul was in danger of being "exalted above measure." This was to be prevented. He was ...