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

"... zealous of good works." —Titus 2:14 [KJV] Call to mind, disciple of Jesus, how in times past thou didst walk according to the course of this world, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and yet the god of this world so blinded thine eyes, and so deceived thine heart (strange infatuation!) that thou didst talk of and trust in even what had no existence, thine own good works. Glory to the rich grace of our Saviour, Who delivers us from the natural notions of our corrupt reason, the pride of our "free-will," and the vain confidence of our own righteousness!  Now all our glorying is in Jesus; for though by nature we are slaves to our lusts, in bondage to iniquity, our minds defiled, our consciences impure, and therefore to every good work reprobate, yet such was the love of Jesus to us, that "He gave Himself for us." He hath redeemed us from all iniquity; He hath purified us unto Himself as a peculiar people, "zealous of...

"Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory." —Psalm 73:24 [KJV] That is a precious caution of our loving Saviour, "Judge not according to the appearance." —John 7:24 . St. Paul reproves saints, "Do ye look on things after the outward appearance?" —II Corinthians 10:7 . Through this conduct, saints in all ages have puzzled their minds, distressed their souls, and have been tempted to hard thoughts of their God. They have not "judged righteous judgment," in respect to carnal men and the dispensations of God's providence to them. So we see Job greatly exercised, (Job 21:7.) and Asaph in the above Psalm. But after the cloud of carnal reasoning and unbelief passed over their minds, the sun of glory and truth shone again with splendor upon them; then faith puts forth its lively exercises and sweet approbations of God. "O MY God and Saviour, I see Thy ways to man are just! Righteous art Thou, O Lord...

"Behold! He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him." —Revelation 1:7 [KJV] With what ardor of heart may every believer cry out, blessed be God, every hour brings nearer the solemn advent, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus! "O Christians, now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed." Come, Thou once despised Nazarene, Thou once crucified Saviour: He shall come; He will come quickly, and be seen in human form. Shall we not see those wounds and scars in His body, the tokens of His inestimable love to and perfect victory of His cross for us poor sinners?  How joyful in the exercise of faith, the fervor of love, the expectation of hope, is this contemplation! This quells the fears of nature, mortifies its lusts, subdues its corruptions. To this end are we born again of the Spirit, that we should enjoy the visions of faith, see Jesus, live by faith upon Him, have fellowship with Him in the sufferings of His ...

" For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." —Philippians 1:21 [KJV] O happy, happy soul! who can thus say with Paul, "in life, in death, Christ is my gain!" Verily, if thou believest on the Son of God, thou mayest. Thou also hast the same right and the same reason as he had. Paul was a poor sinner, even as thou art; but Christ was all his gain: so He is to thee and every one who believes in Him. Come Christian, let us, like the wise trader, state our accounts of loss and gain and see the sum total this day.  In self-righteousness before God, peace with God, love to God, hope in God, power to please God, enjoyment of God, the life of our souls, yea, our souls themselves are ALL LOST. We are all a lump of sin, bankrupt sinners, insolvent debtors to law and justice, and are exposed to lie for ever in the prison of hell. Awful loss. What is our GAIN? Inestimable riches! nothing less than precious Christ, and a precious salvation! O, is His dear name ...

" The word of God which effectually worketh also in you that believe." —I Thessalonians 2:13 [KJV] A proclamation of grace from an earthly king has reduced the most desperate and hardened rebels to lay down their arms and promise true allegiance. But though the word of God is a proclamation of free grace, glad tidings of full pardon; though replete with the most tender expostulations and the most endearing invitations, yet so abominable is our perverseness, so daring our obstinacy, that we should remain deaf to every call, and continue hardened in our rebellion against the most high God, till we fall victims to His justly deserved wrath.  For unbelief shuts up every avenue of the soul against the light, truth, peace, and love of the word of God. But, O amazing love! Lie in the dust, O my soul! adore the power of our all-conquering Saviour! The gracious Spirit makes gracious words effectual. Hence faith esteems every portion of the gospel as the food, the life, t...

" Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." —Hebrews 11:1 [KJV] Happiness, that inestimable jewel, every man is in search after. But to seek it from objects unseen and invisible to our natural senses, is a downright paradox, and will be ever condemned as the greatest absurdity in the judgment of depraved sense and carnal reason. In the knowledge, love, and enjoyment of God, true happiness alone consists. The only living and true God hath revealed himself in Christ Jesus. This is the Christian's God.  He knows no other. It is a blessed truth built upon and supported by the word of God. By faith this subsists in his mind, and is clear and evident to his newborn soul. From this inward believing, "That God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself," O what an extensive prospect for hope ariseth! God in Christ; the promises all in Christ; he that believeth is in Christ. Christ dwelleth in his heart by faith:...

" Can there be a time or season,  When our thanks must silent lie? Times when saints can find no reason,  To lift up their praise on high? No, there’s always blessing flowing,  Even when our tears flow too! For His mercy is ongoing,  Grace is given each day, anew. Oft, we find our tongue is ready,  To sing out our grateful song; When the pantry, filled with plenty,  Speaks of food for days to come. Then we must not trust the blessing,  For ‘tis but the Blesser’s store. Our dependence still confessing,  Let us thank Him all the more!   When the stall and store are empty,  And it seems there’ll be no more; When, with doubting, Satan tempts thee,  Loudly sounds His frightening roar, With still louder thanks and praises,  List those everlasting goods: He our sin fore’er erases,  Fills our souls with heav’nly food. Are we stunned with grief expressless,  For the Lord has taken away, One our heart held close and precious- O...