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

" Behold My servant, Whom I uphold; Mine elect, in Whom My soul delighteth." -Isaiah 42:1 [KJV] Angels reproved disciples of old with, “Why stand ye gazing up into heaven?” (Acts 1:11.) How much do we deserve this reproof? Why stand ye gazing upon the vanities of the earth? Soul, what art thou looking at? What is the object of thy intention tonight? Be it what it may, God calleth to thee, and demands audience of Him, and attention to Him. It is for your comfort and His glory. The Majesty of heaven speaks to sinful worms of the earth. Behold. Take off your eyes and thoughts from every object; be all eye, ear, and attention to Me. Ye poor, miserable, law-condemned, sin-distressed souls, look at, and take special notice of My servant. Wonder, adore, rejoice, and love.  My beloved, My co-equal Son, Who is Lord of all, becomes man, takes on Him the form of a servant, to do My will perfectly, and to finish your salvation completely. Whom I uphold. Carnal reason bow. ...

"And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven." -Luke 10:18 [KJV] It deserves our utmost attention and prayerful consideration to see, by the eye of faith, the display of wisdom and power shining forth in the way in which the all-wise God sent His dear Son "to destroy" or, as the word is in the original, to unloose "the works of the devil" (I John 3:8) . Satan had, so to speak, spun a ravelled knot when he cast the cords of sin round man's heart. This tangled and tight-drawn knot could not be cut through as by a sword of omnipotent power; but had by infinite wisdom and patience to be unravelled through its whole length. The work which Satan had done was to be undone. Disobedience had to be repaired by obedience—the voluntary obedience of the Son of God, and therefore of infinite value. Sin had to be atoned for by sacrifice—the sacrifice of the nature which had sinned, in union with the Person of the Son of God, an...

"But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" -Luke 12:50 [KJV] My soul, look at Jesus under His straitenings, and thou wilt find it the best support and encouragement under thine. He had in view, when He thus expressed Himself, the water-spouts, and the billows of divine wrath against sin, which, as the sinner's Surety, were to be poured upon Him. Jesus calls it a baptism. I cannot sufficiently admire the word, because it is my Lord's, and because it is so applicable. Afflictions, then, are baptisms to His people, when commissioned by His grace, and when blessed by His Holy Spirit.  Never lose sight of them, my soul, in this view; they will be always sacred: and from the straitenings of Jesus, until His were accomplished, do thou at all times fetch relief and encouragement under thine. He that felt straitening for Himself, well knew how to enlarge thine heart: and He that knew the baptism He had to go throu...

" Freely ye have received, freely give." -Matthew 10:8 [KJV] Christ spake these words to His apostles. They had their commissions immediately from Him, to preach His everlasting gospel. Many of the clergy, who pretend to be their successors, cannot receive this saying. Their learned lumber (because unsanctified) cost them too much to be dispensed for nought. Free-grace truths they cannot give freely. They have not freely received them into their own hearts. Expect to receive nothing from such unconverted ministers. Pity them: pray for them. Avoid their errors: be courteous to their persons. Private Christians, as well as ministers, have freely received out of the fulness of Christ: therefore, O soul! you and I are concerned in these words.  (1st.) What have we received? the free favour of God; in the rich grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This comprehends all things from God: this includes all things in God. Have we repentance unto life? It is by His grace. Have w...

"Blessed is the man whom Thou chastenest, O L ORD , and teachest him out of Thy law." -Psalm 94:12 [KJV] We may observe in the words before us, that the Lord puts chastening before teaching. Is there not something remarkable in this? Why should chastening precede teaching? For this reason. We have no ear to hear except so far as we are chastened. It was so with the prodigal. Until he was brought to his right mind by strokes of hunger, he did not think of his father's house; he had no heart to return; but a mighty famine sent him home. So it is with God's children; as long as they are allowed to wander in their backslidings, they have no heart to return. But let the rod come; let them be driven home by stripes; then they have an ear to listen, while God teaches them to profit, instructs them by His blessed Spirit, and speaks into their heart those lessons which are for their eternal good. "And teachest him out of Thy law." "The law" in...

"While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." -II Corinthians 4:18 [KJV] His was the blessed plan of old testament believers, under present exercises—; to look off from the objects of sight, and to substantiate and realize the objects of faith. They saw "the day of Christ afar off;" and in that view, "rejoiced and were glad." By this means they brought into present enjoyment things which—were distant; their faith acting like those glasses which magnify and bring home whatever is remote, as though it were nigh. Now, my soul, take instruction from those eminent worthies of the old testament school, that "through patience and comfort of the scriptures, thou also mayest have hope." By virtue of thine interest in Jesus, thou hast a large property in the world to come. If Christ be thine, all is thine. And certainly it is an extensive domain which thou hast in Christ's bond promises, and God...

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the L ORD , and to sing praises unto Thy name, O Most High: to shew forth Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.” -Psalm 92:1-2 [KJV]    Praise, my soul, the King of heaven, Unto Him thanksgiving bring; Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Join with me His praise to sing. Praise Him, praise Him,  praise Him, praise Him, Praise the everlasting King,  praise the everlasting King.   Praise Him for His grace and favor, When we were in deep distress; Praise Him still the same forever, Slow to chide and swift to bless. Praise Him, praise Him,  praise Him, praise Him, For the Lord’s great faithfulness,  for the Lord’s great faithfulness.     Father like, He tends and spares us, For our feebleness He knows; In His hands He gently bears us, Jesus saved us from our foes. Praise Him, praise Him,  praise Him, praise Him, Unto us His mercy flows, unto us His mercy flows....