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

" Teaching us, that, denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present evil world." -Titus 2:12 [KJV] We read in Esdras of three young men, who wrote of the strength of different subjects. The first chose Wine; the second, the King; the third Women and Truth. He fully demonstrated, that truth is superior to all the charms of women and the power of a king. “As for truth, it endureth, and is always strong; it liveth and conquereth for evermore. And all the people shouted, and said, great is truth, and mighty above all things,” (I Esdras 4:38, 41.)   Surely, so it is with the truth of God’s grace. The stoutest rebels have been conquered by it: the most mighty kings have fallen before it. Whom it conquers, them it also teaches. When it has brought the heart to yield to its sovereign power, it captivates the affections by its sweet influence, and regulates the life by its salutary (- wholesome , healthful )...

"Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." -Isaiah 16:4 [KJV] "When a man's ways please the L ORD , He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him , " (Proverbs 16:7.) Moab was the sworn foe of Israel, but yet Moab shall be overruled to shelter and feed Israel. The world, like Moab, dislikes God's people: but as God's people must sojourn in the world, until the time comes for God to take them home, they shall be taken care of. "Let Mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab;" house them as travellers in an inn. See that they have a lodging. Let their bread be given, and their water sure. "They are poor; but they are My poor," saith our God. "They are outcasts; but they are Mine outcasts."   Oh! precious Jesus, I see Thou wilt still own Thy people. And wherefore is it, dearest Lord? Not for their worth, not for their deservings, not for their adherence to Thee;...

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." -Philippians 3:12 [KJV] The apostle Paul, perhaps the greatest saint that ever lived upon earth, had to confess that even he had not attained. There was that in Christ more than he had ever seen, ever known, ever felt, ever tasted, ever handled, ever realised. There were heights in His glory, depths in His love, in His sufferings, in His bitter agonies in the garden and on the cross, which passed all apprehension and comprehension. Therefore he says, "Not as though I had already attained." I am a child still, a learner still, as weak as ever, as helpless as ever to obtain what I want. Though I follow on; though I forget the things which are behind and reach forward to the things before; though I know what I am aiming at, what I am seeking; though my eye is single, my heart earnest, yet ...

" The grace of God that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men." -Titus 2:11 [KJV] Here are three blessed and glorious truths. They demand the constant attention of our minds: they tend to sink into the deepest humility of heart, to excite the greatest joy of spirit, and to inspire the most ardent love and gratitude of soul.  (1st.) Salvation . This was the council of heaven; the work of the Son of God; the wonder of angels; the envy of devils, and the glory of apostate, rebellious sinners—sinners, who were born with enmity of heart, rebellion of will, and hatred of affections against God: and who have manifested the enmity of their mind by wicked works; the rebellion of their will, by taking arms against the Lord; and the hatred of their affections, by refusing to lay them down, and submit unto Him.  O that precious word! full of wonder, grace, and love; “God commendeth His love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us; when we we...

"Unto you, therefore, which believe, He is precious." -I Peter 2:7 [KJV] My soul, art thou anxious to know whether thou art a true believer in Jesus? Try it, then, by this mark, which the Holy Ghost hath given by His servant the apostle. Do you believe in Jesus for life and salvation? Yes, truly; if so be He is precious. Look at Him, then. Is Jesus precious in His person, precious in His work, precious in His offices, precious in His relations, precious in His whole character? Do you know Him, so as to love Him, to live to Him, to rejoice in Him, and to cast your whole soul upon Him, for life and salvation?  Do you accept him as the Father's gift, the Sent, the Sealed, the Anointed, the Christ, of the Father? Is He so precious, that there is nothing in Him but what you love—nothing that you would part with? His cross is dear, as well as His crown! Afflictions with Jesus, sweeter than prosperity without Him! Pause over these questions. Recollect that there is no...

"For the word of God is quick and powerful." -Hebrews 4:12 [KJV] What is meant by the word of God being "quick?" That it moves with swiftness and velocity? It is certainly said of God's word (Psalm 147:15) that "it runneth very swiftly;" but that is not the meaning of the word "quick" in the text. It there means "living," and corresponds with the expression (Acts 7:38) "lively (-living) oracles." It is an old English word signifying "living;" as in the expression, "Who shall judge the quick and the dead" (II Timothy 4:1) , that is, the living and the dead. So we read of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram "going down quick (that is, alive) into the pit" (Numbers 16:30) . So the Lord is said to have "quickened (that is, made spiritually alive) those who were previously dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1) . The word "quick," then, means not moving with...

" Come now, and let us reason together, saith the L ORD : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." -Isaiah 1:18 [KJV] Whenever our Lord denounces His judgments against hardened and impenitent sinners, we are sure to find a word of grace from His precious lips to our dear trembling souls. His loving heart knew that what He had been declaring against others, His people would take to themselves, reason their hearts into dejection and sorrow, and cast away their hopes and their comforts; therefore, as He frequently, in the days of His flesh, turned aside to His disciples and said, “Come now , ” —let not trouble arise in your hearts, let not terror and dread seize on your spirits one moment; so here, “Let us reason together . ”   Do not reason with flesh and blood—with your carnal notions, and your legal hearts; confer not with Satan, who is your enemy and accuser;—but reason with Me: I am ...