“”I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.” Isaiah 42:16 What is the mind of man—of any man—of your mind, my mind, under affliction? Let him be tried with pain of body, poverty of circumstances, sickness in his family, guilt of conscience, hard bondage in his own soul, without any beam of … Read more
“Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.” 2 Kings … Read more
“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Here sobriety is opposed to sleepiness, and is connected with walking in the light and in the day, as sleepiness and its frequent cause, drunkenness, are connected with darkness and night. One of the greatest curses God … Read more
“This is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness.” Jeremiah 23:6 What a sweet view does this give of Jesus! We look sometimes at Christ’s righteousness as distinct from Christ. Shall I use a figure? We look at the garment as distinct from the maker and wearer of the garment. We … Read more
“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18 What is to be compared with the salvation of the soul? What are riches, honours, health, long life? What are all the pleasures which the world can offer, … Read more
“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 Grace lays us under the greatest of all obligations … Read more
“He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” Psalm 107:20 What an effect a word from God can produce! Be it in reading; in hearing; on the knees; or in secret meditation; when a word drops from the Lord’s mouth with any divine power into the soul, what a change … Read more
“And stablish you in every good word and work.” 2 Thessalonians 2:17 The living family of God need to be established in the truth, so as not ever to be “children tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.” It is not sufficient for a building to be reared: it must be established before … Read more
“The desire of our soul is to thy Name, and to the remembrance of thee.” Isaiah 26:8 How sweet and expressive is the phrase, “The desire of our soul!” How it seems to carry our feelings with it! How it seems to describe the longings and utterings of a soul into which God has breathed … Read more
“If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.” 1 Corinthians 3:18 The fruit and effect of divine teaching is, to cut in pieces, and root up all our fleshly wisdom, strength, and righteousness. God never means to patch a new piece … Read more