“The earnest of our inheritance.” Ephesians 1:14Oh! what enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone. Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the be
“A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench.” Matthew 12:20What is weaker than the bruised reed or the smoking flax? A reed that groweth in the fen or marsh, let but the wild duck light upon it, and it snaps; let but the foot of man brush against it, and it is bruised an
“The Lord our God hath shewed us his glory.” Deuteronomy 5:24God’s great design in all his works is the manifestation of his own glory. Any aim less than this were unworthy of himself. But how shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are? Man’s eye is not single, he has ev
“Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path.” Joel 2:8Locusts always keep their rank, and although their number is legion, they do not crowd upon each other, so as to throw their columns into confusion. This remarkable fact in natural history shows how thoroughly the Lor
“They shall go hindmost with their standards.” Numbers 2:31The camp of Dan brought up the rear when the armies of Israel were on the march. The Danites occupied the hindmost place, but what mattered the position, since they were as truly part of the host as were the foremost tribes; they followed th
“Let not one of them escape.” 1 Kings 18:40When the prophet Elijah had received the answer to his prayer, and the fire from heaven had consumed the sacrifice in the presence of all the people, he called upon the assembled Israelites to take the priests of Baal, and sternly cried, “Let not one of the
“Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.” 1 Thessalonians 1:4Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by “looking unto Jesus.” If you desire to ascertain your own election;-after the following manner, sha
“Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time is come. For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.” Psalm 102:13,14A selfish man in trouble is exceedingly hard to comfort, because the springs of his comfort lie entirely with
“They gathered manna every morning.” Exodus 16:21Labour to maintain a sense of thine entire dependence upon the Lord’s good will and pleasure for the continuance of thy richest enjoyments. Never try to live on the old manna, nor seek to find help in Egypt. All must come from Jesus, or thou art undon
“He appeared first to Mary Magdalene.” Mark 16:9Jesus “appeared first to Mary Magdalene,” probably not only on account of her great love and persevering seeking, but because, as the context intimates,she had been a special trophy of Christ’s delivering power. Learn from this, that the greatness of o
“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” Leviticus 6:1Keep the altar of private prayer burning. This is the very life of all piety. The sanctuary and family altars borrow their fires here, therefore let this burn well. Secret devotion is the very essence, evidence, and
“As it began to dawn, came Magdalene, to see the sepulchre.” Matthew 28:1Let us learn from Mary Magdalene how to obtain fellowship with the Lord Jesus. Notice how she sought. She sought the Saviour very early in the morning. If thou canst wait for Christ, and be patient in the hope of having fellows
“If thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.” Exodus 20:25God’s altar was to be built of unhewn stones, that no trace of human skill or labour might be seen upon it. Human wisdom delights to trim and arrange the doctrines of the cross into a system more artificial and more congenial wit
“When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.” Psalm 56:9It is impossible for any human speech to express the full meaning of this delightful phrase, “God is for me.” He was “for us” before the worlds were made; he was “for us,” or he would not have given
“God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry?” Jonah 4:9Anger is not always or necessarily sinful, but it has such a tendency to run wild that whenever it displays itself, we should be quick to question its character, with this enquiry, “Doest thou well to be angry?” It may be that we can answer,
