“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ.” Philippians 1:27The word “conversation” does not merely mean our talk and converse with one another, but the whole course of our life and behaviour in the world. The Greek word signifies the actions and the privileges of citizenshi
“Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer.” Psalm 66:20In looking back upon the character of our prayers, if we do it honestly, we shall be filled with wonder that God has ever answered them. There may be some who think their prayers worthy of acceptance-as the Pharisee did; but the true
“Thou hast bought me no sweet cane with money.” Isaiah 43:24Worshippers at the temple were wont to bring presents of sweet perfumes to be burned upon the altar of God: but Israel, in the time of her backsliding, became ungenerous, and made but few votive offerings to her Lord: this was an evidence o
“The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me.” Psalm 138:8Most manifestly the confidence which the Psalmist here expressed was a divine confidence. He did not say, “I have grace enough to perfect that which concerneth me-my faith is so steady that it will not stagger-my love is so warm that it wi
“Behold, thou art fair, my Beloved.” Song of Solomon 1:16From every point our Well-beloved is most fair. Our various experiences are meant by our heavenly Father to furnish fresh standpoints from which we may view the loveliness of Jesus; how amiable are our trials when they carry us aloft where we
“He led them forth by the right way.” Psalm 107:7Changeful experience often leads the anxious believer to enquire “Why is it thus with me?” I looked for light, but lo, darkness came; for peace, but behold trouble. I said in my heart, my mountain standeth firm, I shall never be moved. Lord, thou dost
“There is corn in Egypt.” Genesis 42:2Famine pinched all the nations, and it seemed inevitable that Jacob and his family should suffer great want; but the God of providence, who never forgets the objects of electing love, had stored a granary for his people by giving the Egyptians warning of the sca
“If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:3If:-then, this is not a matter to be taken for granted concerning every one of the human race. “If:”-then there is a possibility and a probability that some may not have tasted that the Lord is gracious. “If:”-then this is not a general
“I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love.” Hosea 11:4Our heavenly Father often draws us with the cords of love; but ah! how backward we are to run towards him! How slowly do we respond to his gentle impulses! He draws us to exercise a more simple faith in him; but we have not yet attaine
“Marvellous lovingkindness.” Psalm 17:7When we give our hearts with our alms, we give well, but we must often plead to a failure in this respect. Not so our Master and our Lord. His favours are always performed with the love of his heart. He does not send to us the cold meat and the broken pieces fr
“And he requested for himself that he might die.” 1 Kings 19:4It was a remarkable thing that the man who was never to die, for whom God had ordained an infinitely better lot, the man who should be carried to heaven in a chariot of fire, and be translated, that he should not see death-should thus pra
“I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.” Ecclesiastes 10:7Upstarts frequently usurp the highest places, while the truly great pine in obscurity. This is a riddle in providence whose solution will one day gladden the hearts of the upright; but it is so commo
“Afterward.” Hebrews 12:11How happy are tried Christians, afterwards. No calm more deep than that which succeeds a storm. Who has not rejoiced in clear shinings after rain? Victorious banquets are for well-exercised soldiers. After killing the lion we eat the honey; after climbing the Hill Difficult
“In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him.” Colossians 2:9,10All the attributes of Christ, as God and man, are at our disposal. All the fulness of the Godhead, whatever that marvellous term may comprehend, is ours to make us complete. He cannot endow us with
“Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee.” Isaiah 41:9If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has been to make us God’s servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be his name, we are his servants, wearing his livery,
