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Tomorrow comes, and they are in Hell!

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TomorrowΒ comes, and they are in Hell!Β 

(Samuel Davies, “The Objects, Grounds, and Evidences of the HOPE of the Righteous”)

“The wicked is driven away in his wickedness;
Β but the righteous has hope in his death.” Proverbs 14:32

“The wicked is driven away in his wickedness.”
That is, the wicked manΒ dies–just as heΒ lived.
HeΒ livedΒ in wickedness, and in wickedness heΒ dies.Β 

His wickednessΒ sticks fastΒ upon him–when his earthly enjoyments, his friends, and all created comforts leave him forever.

TheΒ guiltΒ of his wickedness lies heavy upon him–like a mountain of lead, ready to sink him into the depths of eternal misery!

And theΒ principlesΒ of wickedness, which he indulged all his life, still live within him, even after the agonies of death; nay, they now arrive at a dreadful immortality, and produceΒ an eternal Hell in his heart!

He leaves behind him not only all hisΒ earthly comforts–but all theΒ little remains of goodnessΒ which he seemed to have, while under the restraints of divine grace; and he carries nothing but his wickedness along with him into eternity! With this dreadful attendant–his wickedness–he must stand before the tribunal of his holy Judge! To leave hisΒ earthly allΒ behind him, and die in the agonies of dissolving nature–this is terrible. But toΒ die in his wickedness–this is infinitely the most terrible of all!

He onceΒ flatteredΒ himself that though heΒ livedΒ in wickedness–that he would notΒ dieΒ in it. He adopted manyΒ resolutionsΒ to amend, and forsake his wickedness toward the close of life, or upon a death-bed. But Oh! how sorely is he disappointed! After all his promising purposes and hopes, heΒ diedΒ as heΒ lived–in wickedness!

This is generally the fate ofΒ veterans in sin. They are resolving and re-resolving to reform all their lives; but after all, theyΒ dieΒ the same as theyΒ lived. TheyΒ intendΒ to prepare for death and eternity, but just notΒ today. They have always something else to do today; and therefore they put off this work untilΒ tomorrow. Tomorrow comes, and instead of reforming, theyΒ dieΒ in their wickedness.Β TomorrowΒ comes, and they are in Hell!

“The wicked isΒ drivenΒ away in his wickedness.”Β 
He isΒ drivenΒ away, in spite of all his reluctance.Β 
Let him cling to life ever so strongly, yetΒ he must go!Β 
All his struggles are vain, and cannot add one moment to his life.

Indeed, the wicked have so little taste for Heaven, and are so much in love with this world–that if they leave it at all, they must beΒ drivenΒ out of it–drivenΒ out of it, whether they want or not!

When they hope for Heaven, they do in reality consider it but a shift, or a refuge, when they can no longer live in this, their favorite world. They do not at all desire Heaven–in comparison with this world. They would live forever in this present world, if they could have their choice. But let them grasp ever so hard, they must let go their hold. They must beΒ drivenΒ away, like chaff before a whirlwind–driven away into the regions ofΒ misery. Into the regions of misery, I say; for certainly the happiness of Heaven was never intended for such as are so averse to it; and who prefer this wretched world, with all its cares and sorrows–before Heaven itself!

“But the wicked will loseΒ hope. They have no escape. TheirΒ hopeΒ becomes despair.” Job 11:20

“When the wicked die, theirΒ hopesΒ all perish!” Proverbs 11:7

“The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but theΒ hope of the wickedΒ only in wrath!” Proverbs 11:23

Who is regulating affairs on this earth today–God, or the Devil?

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Who is regulating affairs on this earth today–God, or the Devil?Β 

(Arthur Pink, “The Sovereignty of God”)

Who is regulating affairs on this earth today–God, or the Devil?

That God reigns supreme inΒ Heaven, is generally conceded; but that He reigns supreme over this earth, is almost universally denied–if not directly, then indirectly. More and more men are relegating God to the background in their philosophizing and theorizing.Β 

Take theΒ materialΒ realm. Not only is it denied that GodΒ createdΒ everything, by personal and direct action–but few believe that He has any immediate concern in regulating the works of His own hands. Everything is supposed to be ordered according to the (impersonal and abstract) “laws of Nature”. Thus is the Creator banished from His own creation! Therefore we need not be surprised that men, in their degrading conceptions, exclude Him from the realm ofΒ human affairs.Β 

Throughout Christendom, with an almost negligible exception, the theory is held thatΒ manΒ is “a free agent”, and therefore, man is the master of his fortunes and the determiner of his destiny.Β 

Who is regulating affairs on this earth today–God, or the Devil?Β 


What do the Scriptures say? If we believe their plain and positive declarations, no room is left for uncertainty. They affirm, again and again . . .
Β  that God is on theΒ throneΒ of His universe;
Β  that theΒ scepterΒ is in His hands;
Β  that He is directing all things “after the counsel of His own will”. Ephesians 1:11

The Scriptures affirm, not only that GodΒ createdΒ all things, but also that God isΒ rulingΒ andΒ reigningΒ over all the works of His hands. They affirm . . .
Β  that God is the Almighty,
Β  that His will is irreversible,
Β  that He isΒ absolute sovereignΒ in every realm of all His vast dominions.Β 

And surely it must be so. Only two alternatives are possible:
Β  God must either rule–or be ruled;
Β  God must either sway–or be swayed;
Β  God must either accomplish His own will–or be thwarted by His creatures.Β 

Accepting the fact that He is the “Most High God”, the only Potentate and King of kings, vested with perfect wisdom and illimitable power–the conclusion is irresistible, that He must be GodΒ in fact–as well as in name!

It is in view of what we have briefly referred to above, that we say, present-day conditions call loudly for a new examination and new presentation of God’s omnipotence, God’s sufficiency, and God’s sovereignty. From every pulpit in the land it needs to be thundered forth–that God still reigns! What is needed now, as never before, is a full, positive, constructive setting forth of the Godhood of God. Drastic diseases call for drastic remedies. We know of nothing which is more calculated to infuse spiritual vigor into our souls, than a scriptural apprehension of the full character of God!

“Our God is in Heaven! He does whatever He pleases!” Psalm 115:3Β 

“The LORD does whatever pleases Him throughout all Heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths!” Psalm 135:6

“All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have you done?” Daniel 4:35Β 

“Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!” Revelation 19:6Β 

What shadows we are–and what shadows we pursue!

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What shadows we are–and what shadows we pursue!

(Octavius Winslow)

“We were born only yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but aΒ shadow!” Job 8:9Β 

“He springs up like a flower and withers away; like a fleetingΒ shadow, he does not endure.” Job 14:2

“What is your life? You are aΒ vaporΒ that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14

All isΒ shadowΒ here below!Β 

TheΒ worldΒ is a shadow–and is passing away!Β 

TheΒ creatureΒ is a shadow–and the loveliest and the fondest may be the first to die!Β 

HealthΒ is a shadow–fading, and in a moment gone!

WealthΒ is a shadow–today upon the summit of affluence, tomorrow at its base, plunged into poverty and dependence!

Human friendshipsΒ andΒ creature affectionsΒ are but shadows–sweet and pleasant while they last; but, with a worm feeding at the root of all created good, the sheltering gourd soon withers, exposing us to the sun’s burning heat by day, and to the frost’s cold chill by night!Β 

Oh, yes!Β “Passing Away!”Β is indelibly inscribed upon everything here below!Β 

Yet how slow we are to realize the solemn lesson: “What shadows we are–and what shadows we pursue!”Β 

Unconverted reader, what is your life–but a vapor that passes away?Β 
And what are your pursuits, but shadows–unreal, unsatisfying, evanescent?Β 

Your rank, your wealth, your honors, your pleasures, are but phantoms which appear but for a little while, and then are lost in the deeper shadow of the grave, and the still deeper and longer shadow of eternity!Β 

Oh, turn from these dreams and hallucinations, and, as a rational, accountable, immortal being, on your way to judgment–fix your mind upon your solemn, endless future! You are going to die! And, oh, when that dread hour comes, so real and appalling–how then will your past trifling life appear?

“As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16Β 

“My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.” Psalm 102:11

“Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow.” Psalm 144:4

“So teach us toΒ numberΒ our days aright,Β that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”Β Psalm 90:12Β 

I am the object of God’s tender, paternal, and ceaseless care!

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I am the object of God’s tender, paternal, and ceaseless care!

(“Comfort for the Desponding–Words to Soothe and Cheer Troubled Hearts!” 1864)

Β 

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you!” 1 Peter 5:7Β 

The Christian’s life is very much made up ofΒ caresΒ andΒ comforts.
Cares spring from earth–comfort comes from Heaven.
Cares prove him a sinner–holy comforts prove him a saint.
Cares flow in from a variety of quarters–true comfort from only one quarter.
Cares come naturally–but comforts come supernaturally.Β 

Cares must be cast on our God–or they will prove a burden too heavy for us. They will depress us, bewilder us, and make us wretched. But here is our comfort–we have always ONE to care for us, and the very One which of all others we would wish to do so, “TheΒ LordΒ cares for you!”

God cares for whom?Β 
For you, who are born again by the Spirit.Β 
For you, who are strangers and pilgrims on the earth.Β 
For you, who are placed in humble circumstances, being numbered with the poor of this world.Β 
For you, who are compassed about with so many cares, and who enjoy so few comforts.
For you, who are surprised at your many fiery trials, as though some strange thing had happened unto you.
For you, who are worried and harassed by Satan, who, as a roaring lion, goes about seeking whom he may devour.Β 
For you, who are persecuted by the world, and hated by men for your Savior’s sake.Β 
For you, to whom Christ is precious–as He is to every one who truly believes in Him.Β 

God’s care extends toΒ every ChristianΒ . . .
Β  the young and the aged,
Β  the weak and the strong,
Β  the poor and the wealthy,
Β  the doubting and the confident.Β 
Believer, He cares for you!

Who is it that cares for us?
It isΒ the Lord, the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy;
who is soΒ great–that we have no adequate conception of His greatness;
who is soΒ good–that it is impossible fully to set forth His goodness;
who is soΒ glorious–that no sinner can see His face and live.Β 
It is He . . .
Β Β  whoΒ createdΒ all things with His word,
Β Β  whoΒ governsΒ all by His wisdom,Β 
Β Β  andΒ upholdsΒ all by His power.Β 
His resources are infinite,Β 
His compassion is exquisite, andΒ 
His patience is astonishingly great.Β 
He enters into all the circumstances of His redeemed people, is ever present with them, and rejoices over them to do them good.Β 

The angels obey Him,Β 
the seraphim adore Him,Β 
and all creation glorifies Him!Β 

But though He is so exalted, so holy, and so unspeakably great . . .
Β  He cares for you–as vile as you are.
Β  He cares for you–as sinful as you are.
Β  He cares for you–as depressed and discouraged as you are.Β 
He cares for you. He cares for youΒ individually, and according to the circumstances in which you are placed.

What does He do?Β 
HeΒ caresΒ for you!
HeΒ thinksΒ of you!
HeΒ watchesΒ over you!
HeΒ sympathizesΒ with you!
He feels the deepest interest in you!
He ever seeks your welfare!
He infallibly secures your good!

YourΒ miseryΒ touches His heart,
yourΒ needsΒ lie open to His view,
and yourΒ criesΒ enter into His ears!

He cares for you more than for the proudest monarch on his throne!Β 

He cares for you–and His care is CONSTANT!Β 
It is not fitful or occasional–but ever the same.Β 

He cares for you–and His care is PATERNAL!Β 
It is the care of a father for his child–the child whom he tenderly loves, and for whose welfare he feels the deepest concern.Β 

He cares for you, and His care is PERPETUAL!Β 
He will never care for you less than He does at present.Β 
When old age weakens you,Β 
when poverty pinches you,Β 
when death appears just before you–
He will care for you as much as He does at this moment.Β 

He cares for you–and His care is BENEFICIAL!Β 
It prevents innumerable evils–and secures the greatest possible amount of good. His care is more advantageous than the care of the kindest father, though that father were monarch of the mightiest empire, and possessed unbounded wealth. The care of God is of more value than the care of all His creatures combined.Β 

He cares for you–but His care is MYSTERIOUSLY EXERCISED!Β 
It benefits us certainly–but secretly. It conceals itself behind the blessings it brings, and the evils it prevents.Β 

He cares for you–and His care is SPECIAL!Β 
It is not the care which He has for the beasts which perish, or the unbelieving sinners who die under His frown.Β 

He cares for you–and His care is PARTICULAR.Β 
It is care which extends to the very hairs of your heads, which, are all numbered–and to all the events and occurrences of your life, however minute or commonplace!

Beloved, here is our comfort. We may lose the care of an earthly relative or dear friend by death–but the Lord ever lives; and while He lives, He . . .
Β  ever loves us,
Β  thoroughly knows us, and
Β  never ceases to care for us!

Here is the ground of our confidence for the future. We know notΒ whereΒ we shall be, norΒ whatΒ we shall be–for we know not what a day may bring forth. But this we know, that God will care for us, and, caring for us–He will fulfill His precious promises to us.Β 

If God cares for us, then . . .
Β Β  let us cast all our cares upon Him;Β 
Β Β  let us live in daily fellowship with Him;Β 
Β Β  let us seek all our supplies from Him.Β 

If God cares for us, then let us not dishonor Him by nursing our doubts, or encouraging our fears–but let us trust in Him at all times, for . . .
Β  His love isΒ true,Β 
Β  His care isΒ constant, andΒ 
Β  His knowledge isΒ perfect.Β 

We shall never be without aΒ divineΒ friend–however trying our circumstances may be. We shall never be without aΒ divineΒ guide–however perplexing or difficult our path may be. The care of God is more than the care of all the angelic hosts. If the care of God is not sufficient to preserve, supply, and satisfy us–then nothing is.

May the Lord help me to believe this precious truth, to realize it daily, and to pass through the present world under the impression, “I am the object of God’s tender, paternal, and ceaseless care!

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall!” Psalm 55:22

The man who has God for his portion!

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The man who has God for his portion!

(James Smith, “Gleams of Grace” 1860)

“You areΒ my portion, O LORD!” Psalm 119:57

If God is my portion, then I ought to beΒ contentΒ without any other portion. He is . . .
Β  enough in poverty,
Β  enough in persecution,
Β  enough in life,
Β  enough in death,
Β  enough for evermore!

If God gives me Himself–then it is more than as if He had given me the whole world, or ten thousand worlds like this! O how happy was the apostle Paul, who knowing God to be his portion could say, “I have learned to beΒ contentΒ whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learnedΒ the secret of being contentΒ in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in need!” Philippians 4:11-12

If God is my portion, I ought to beΒ thankful. It is enough. There is no losing it. What dignity, what honor is conferred onΒ the man who has God for his portion!Β I deserved to be stripped of everything, and to be turned out of God’s presence eternally penniless, wretched, and miserable. But instead of this, God in His free grace, in His infinite mercy–gives me . . .
Β  a heavenly mansion,
Β  a glorious city,
Β  an eternal kingdom,
Β  more, He gives me Himself!Β 
God in all His glory, in all His grace–is mine!

If God is my portion, then I ought to beΒ living upon Him. If I live upon anything outside of God–then I live upon what is finite, and will change. But if I live upon God, I live upon the infinite, and upon what is unchangeable. As a believer, I should live befitting the dignity of my lofty character, position, and prospects. The man of fortune ought not to live like the pauper. Just so, the Christian ought to live above other men.Β 

If God is my portion, I ought to be making aΒ proper useΒ of it. I should set my portion over and against . . .
Β  all my pains and privations,
Β  all my griefs and grievances,Β 
Β  all my sadnesses and sorrows.Β 

I should lookΒ aboveΒ all my trials and troubles–and rejoice that throughout eternity, I shall have . . .
Β  eternal ease–instead of pain,
Β  eternal plenty–instead of privation,
Β  eternal joy–instead of grief,
Β  eternal gladness–instead of sadness,
Β  and eternal bliss–instead of sorrow!

Beloved, is the Lord your portion? Are youΒ livingΒ upon Him as such?

But if God is not your portion–then what is?Β 
Where are yourΒ thoughtsΒ most?Β 
Where do yourΒ affectionsΒ center?Β 
After what do youΒ pursue?Β 
The world?Β It is a poor, fleeting, unsatisfying portion!Β 
It will be found insufficient, unsatisfactory, and perishing!Β 

Unless God is your portion, you will be . . .
Β  unsatisfied in life,
Β  wretched in death, and
Β  indescribably miserable to all eternity!Β flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart andΒ my portionΒ forever!” Psalm 73:26

This is not mine to keep!

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This is not mine to keep!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Do not store up for yourselvesΒ treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselvesΒ treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21Β 

Christian! If you have anything that you prize very highly, hold it very loosely–for you may easily lose it.Β 

Hold everything earthly with a loose hand, but grasp eternal things with a deathlike grip.

Of everything on earth, it is wise for us to say, “This is not mine to keep!” It is essential to realize that this it is true, for everything here is temporary.

Mind what you are doing–you prosperous people, you who have nice homes, you who are hoarding up money. There is nothing permanent for you here on earth. Your home is in Heaven–your home is not here. If you find your treasure here–your heart will be here also.Β 

You must keep all earthly treasures out of your heart.Β 

Let Christ be your treasure, and let Him have your heart!

“This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God, will live forever!” 1 John 2:17Β 

I am eternally His!

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I am eternally His!

(Thomas Brooks)

I am His by election, and I am His by regeneration.Β 
I am His by purchase, and I am His by conquest.Β 
I am His by covenant, and I am His by marriage.Β 
I amΒ whollyΒ His.Β 
I amΒ supremelyΒ His.Β 
I amΒ particularlyΒ His.Β 
I amΒ eternallyΒ His!

Once I was a slave, but now I am His dear son.
Once I was spiritually dead, but now I am spiritually alive.
Once I was in darkness, but now I walk in light.
Once I was a child of wrath and an heir of Hell, but now I am an heir of Heaven.
Once I was Satan’s slave, but now I am God’s freeman.
Once I was under the spirit of bondage, but now I have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby I cry,Β “Abba, Father!”

The ten-cent-store Jesus!

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The ten-cent-store Jesus!Β 

(A.W. Tozer)

“His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace, and His voice was like the sound of rushing waters. In His right hand He held seven stars, and out of His mouth came a sharp double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance!” Revelation 1:14-16Β 

Unfortunately,Β the ten-cent-store JesusΒ being preached now by many–is not the Jesus that will come to judge the world.

ThisΒ harmless, plastic, painted JesusΒ who has no spine, nor justice, nor wrath–but is a soft and pliant friend to everybody;Β  if He is the only Christ, then we might as well close our Bibles, bar our doors and make a bakery or garage out of our church buildings!

The popular Christ being preached today–is not the Christ of the Bible, nor the Christ who will be our final Judge.Β 

Jesus Christ our Lord, the Judge with the flaming eyes–is the one with whom we must deal. We cannot escape it.

“Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and every free man hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:15-17Β 

More fit to be called a devil than a parent!

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More fit to be called a devil than a parent!

(Richard Baxter)
Β 
“Bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4

Parents! YourΒ exampleΒ and life are a continual and powerful sermon which is always seen by your children!

Parents! Your children have anΒ everlasting inheritance of happinessΒ to attain–and it is that which you must bring them up for. They have anΒ endless miseryΒ to escape–and it is that which you must diligently teach them. If you don’t teach them to know God, and how to serve Him, and be saved, and to escape the flames of Hell–you teach them nothing, or worse than nothing.Β It is in your hands to do them the greatest kindness or cruelty in all the world!Β Help them to know God and to be saved, and you do more for them than if you helped them to be kings or princes.Β 

If you neglect their souls, and bring them up them in ignorance, worldliness, ungodliness, and sin–youΒ betray them to the devil,the enemy of their souls, even as truly as if you sold them to him!Β You sell them to be slaves to Satan!Β You betray them to him who will deceive them and abuse them in this life–and torment them in eternity!

If you saw but a burning furnace, much more the flames of Hell–would you not think that man or womanΒ more fit to be called a devil than a parent, who could find in their hearts to cast their child into it? WhatΒ monsters then of inhumanityΒ are you, who read in Scripture what is the way to Hell, and who they are that God will deliver up to Satan, to be tormented by him–and yet will bring up your children in that very way, and will not take pains to save them from it!

If you love them, show it in those things on which their everlasting welfare depends.Β Do not say you love them, and yet lead them unto Hell!Β If you do not love them, yet do not be so unmerciful to them as to damn them! You cannot possibly do more to damn them, than to bring them up in . . .
Β  ignorance,
Β  carelessness,
Β  worldliness,
Β  sensuality and
Β  ungodliness!
There is no other way to Hell. And yet, will you bring them up in such a life–and say that you do not desire to damn them?Β 

But if you train up your children in ungodliness, you may as well say thatΒ you intend to have them damned!Β And is not the devil more excusable, for dealing thus cruelly to your children–than you who are their parents, who are bound by nature to love them, and prevent their misery?

Let me seriously speak to the hearts of those careless and ungodly parents, who neglect the holy education of their children.Β Oh, do not be so unmerciful to those who you have brought into the world!Β Oh, pity and help the souls that you have defiled and undone! Have mercy on the souls that must perish in Hell, if they are not saved! Oh help them who have . . .
Β  so manyΒ enemiesΒ to assault them;
Β  so manyΒ temptationsΒ to pass through;
Β  so manyΒ difficultiesΒ to overcome;Β 
Β  so severe aΒ judgmentΒ to undergo!Β 
Help them who are so weak, and so easily deceived and overthrown!Β 
Help them speedily–before sin hardens them, and Satan makes a stronger fortress in their hearts!

Ever since you rose from your bed this morning–there has been an eye watching you!

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Ever since you rose from your bed this morning–there has been an eye watching you!

(Francis Bourdillon, “The Odd Five Minutes” 1873)

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!” Hebrews 4:13Β 

Ever since you rose from your bed this morning–there has been an eye watching you!
Β WhereverΒ you have been andΒ whateverΒ you have been doing–that eye has seen you. It has gone with you to your work. It has seen you with your companions. It has been on you when you were alone.Β 

It has seen not merely all that you have done, butΒ whyΒ you did it. Your thoughts, your feelings, your motives, which even your nearest friend has not fully known–have all been open to that eye of which I speak. For it isΒ an all-seeing eye–the eye of God!

“His eyes are on the ways of men–He sees their every step!” Job 34:21Β 

“He knows theΒ secretsΒ of the heart!” Psalm 44:21Β 

“You have set our iniquities before You–ourΒ secret sinsΒ in the light of your presence!” Psalm 90:8Β 

Have you thought of Him whose eye has been upon you today?Β 
Have you given so much as one thought to Him, since the day began?Β 

You have need to pray, great need–for you are dependent upon God for everything. You are entirely in His hand!Β 

If you went to your work this morning strong and well–it was only because God made you so and kept you so.Β 

If you have had enough to eat today, if you are clothed comfortably and have a home to live in–it is only because God supplies your needs. You would have nothing–if God did not supply you. You live–only because He gives you life. He could take all your comforts from you–if it pleased Him. He could lay you on a bed of sickness this very day–He could in a moment, strike you dead!

Have you even spoken to Him today? Have you prayed to Him today?

“I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear Him!” Luke 12:5

Here is a constellation of wonders!

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Here is a constellation of wonders!Β 

(Charles Spurgeon)Β 

“TheΒ forgivenessΒ of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7Β 

Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word “forgiveness,” when it sounds in a guilty sinner’s ear!Β 

Can it be possible that sin–such heinous sin asΒ mine–can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and forever? Hell is my portion as a sinner–there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me.Β 

Can the unfathomable load of my guilt be removed? Can the crimson stain of my sins be blotted out?Β 
Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed, or the doors be lifted from their hinges?Β 

Jesus tells me that I may yet be forgiven. Forever blessed be the revelation ofΒ redeeming love, which not only tells me that pardon is possible–but that it isΒ securedΒ to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed sin-atoning sacrifice, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and forever–forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary sufferings and death! What joy is this!Β What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul!Β My soul dedicates all her powers to Him who of His own unpurchasable love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through His blood.Β 

WhatΒ riches of graceΒ does free forgiveness exhibit!Β 
To forgive atΒ all,Β 
to forgiveΒ fully,Β 
to forgiveΒ freely,Β 
to forgiveΒ forever!Β 
Here is a constellation of wonders!Β 

When I think of . . .
Β  how great my sins were,
Β  how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and
Β  how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me,
I am in a maze of wondering worshiping affection!Β 
I bow before theΒ throneΒ which absolves me!
I clasp theΒ crossΒ which delivers me!
I serve henceforth all my days–the Incarnate God, through whom I am this day a pardoned soul!Β 

BlessedΒ are thoseΒ whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.Β Β 
Β BlessedΒ is the manΒ whose sin the Lord will never count against him!”Β Romans 4:7-8Β 

Oh how ashamed you would be if men could see your thoughts!

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Oh how ashamed you would be if men could see your thoughts!Β 

(Richard Baxter)

Oh how ashamed you would be if men could see your thoughts!Β 

Is not the eye of God ten thousand times more to be regarded?

You alone know each human heart!” 2 Chronicles 6:30Β 

Behold,Β I know your thoughts!” Job 21:27Β 

“Would not God have discovered it,Β sinceΒ He knows the secrets of the heart?”Β Psalm 44:21Β 

“You have set our iniquities before You,Β our secret sinsΒ in the light of Your presence!”Β Psalm 90:8Β 

“You know when I sit and when I rise;Β You perceive my thoughtsΒ from afar!”Β Psalm 139:2Β 

“Death and Destruction lie open before theΒ LORDhow much more theΒ hearts of men!Β Proverbs 15:11Β 

I know what is going through your mind.” Ezekiel 11:5Β 

“I know their works andΒ their thoughts.” Isaiah 66:18

Lord, You know everyone’s heart.” Acts 1:24Β 

“For God will bring every deed into judgment, includingΒ every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:14Β 

“God, through Jesus Christ, will judgeΒ the secret thoughtsΒ of all.” Romans 2:16Β 

“Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will exposeΒ the motives of men’s hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5

“Search me, O God, andΒ know my heart; test me andΒ know my anxious thoughts.
Β See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”Β 
Β Β  Psalm 139:23-24Β 

Heaven has become a trifle to you, Hell is almost a jest, eternity an empty notion, and death but a bugbear!

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Heaven has become a trifle to you, Hell is almost a jest, eternity an empty notion, and death but a bugbear!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“Many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able!” Luke 13:24

I do not wonder that so many are deceived, when I see the careless way in which they deal with their souls. When men have to do with theirΒ estates, they are very careful; they pay a lawyer to go back over the title-deeds perhaps for two or three hundred years. InΒ tradeΒ they will hurry hither and thither to attend to their commercial engagements; they would not launch into speculations, nor would they run great risks.Β 

But theΒ soul, the poor soul–how menΒ playΒ with it as a toy, andΒ despiseΒ it as if it were worthless! Two or three minutes in the morning when they first roll out of bed; two or three odd minutes in the evening, when they are nearly asleep–the fag-ends of the day given to their souls, and all the best part given to the body!Β 

And then, with what indifference do you lend your ears too often to the preaching of the Word! It is an old song–you have heard it so many times.Β Heaven has become a trifle to you, Hell is almost a jest, eternity an empty notion, and death but a bugbear!

Alas! it is a marvel that there are not more deceived. The wonder is that any find the gate, that any discover eternal life, when we are so, so mad, so foolish, so insane–as to trifle where we ought to be solemnly in earnest; and to play and toy–where the whole heart should be given to a work of such everlasting importance. God help us, since it is so easy to be deceived–to search, and watch, and look, and test, and try, that we be not found castaways at the last!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it!” Matthew 7:13-14Β 

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

A beloved child, watched over, cared for, supplied, and defended by your Lord!

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A beloved child, watched over, cared for, supplied, and defended by your Lord!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“The Lord takes pleasure in His people!” Psalm 149:4Β 

How comprehensive is the love of Jesus! There is no part of His people’s interests which He does not consider. There is nothing which concerns their welfare which is not important to Him. Not merely does He think of you, believer, as anΒ immortalΒ being–but as aΒ mortalΒ being too. Do not deny it or doubt it: “The very hairs of your head are all numbered!” It would be a sad thing for us if His mantle of love did not cover all our concerns–for what harm might be wrought to us if any of our matters did not come under our gracious Lord’s care!Β 

Believer, rest assured that the heart of Jesus cares about your smaller affairs. The breadth of His tender love is such that you may resort to Him in all matters; for as a father pities his children–so does He pity you, His redeemed child. The smallest interests of all His saints–are all borne upon the broad bosom of the Son of God. Oh, what a heart is His, that does not merely comprehend the salvation of His people–but comprehends also, all their diverse and innumerable concerns!Β 

Do you think, O Christian, that you canΒ measureΒ the love of Christ? Think of what His love has brought you–justification, adoption, sanctification, eternal life! The riches of His goodness are unsearchable; you shall never be able toΒ tallyΒ them–or evenΒ conceiveΒ them. Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ!

Shall such a love as this haveΒ halfΒ our hearts? Shall it have aΒ coldΒ love in return? Shall Jesus’ marvelous loving-kindness and tender care, meet with but faint response and tardy acknowledgment?Β 

O my soul, you are no desolate wanderer–butΒ a beloved child, watched over, cared for, supplied, and defended by your Lord!

“May you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully!” Ephesians 3:18-19

On our learning this lesson depends our comforting walk heavenward

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On our learning this lesson depends our comforting walk heavenward

(Letters ofΒ William Romaine, 1714-1795)

When the Holy Spirit takes of the things of Christ and preaches them to the heart–oh, what a sweet peace follows! For the believer then finds himself saved from all the miseries of sin, and entitled to all the blessings of eternal glory.

Being thus persuaded of his safety by believing in the sin-atoning blood of our Great High Priest, the Holy Spirit then teaches himΒ how to live upon Christ, and how to make use of Christ’s fullness.Β 

On our learning this lesson depends our comforting walk heavenward. For Christ does not give us a stock of grace and expect us to improve it by being faithful to grace given. No, no, that is not His way. Our souls must depend upon Him, just as our bodies do upon the elements of this world.Β Every moment we must live by faith upon His fullness, and be every moment receiving out of it grace upon grace.Β 

And this is our happiness–to have all in Christ!

A beggar in myself, but rich with unsearchable eternal riches in Him.Β 

Ignorant still in myself, but led and taught by His unerring wisdom.Β 

A sinner still, but saved by His blood and righteousness.Β 

Weak and helpless still, but kept by His Almighty love.

Nothing but sorrow in myself, nothing but joy in Him.Β 

Oh, this is a blessed life!
Β 

No tongue can tell what a Heaven it is, thusΒ to live by faith upon the Son of God.Β Thanks be to Him, that I do know a little of it. Surely I could not have thought, some years ago, that there was such aΒ Heaven upon earthΒ as I now find. May you find it more and more! Sweet Jesus keep you, my dear friend!Β 

Yours,Β 
William Romaine

God’s jewels are often found buried in the worst filth!

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God’s jewelsΒ are often found buried in theΒ worst filth!

(James Smith, “Exhortation and Encouragement” 1859)

“One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision:Β Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.Β For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, becauseΒ I have many people in this city.”Β Acts 18:9-10Β 

What kind of aΒ cityΒ was it?
CorinthΒ was one of the most worldly and immoral cities of the east. Here was theΒ temple of Venus, with its degrading and disgraceful services.

What kind ofΒ peopleΒ were they?
“Do you not know that theΒ wickedΒ will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither theΒ sexually immoralΒ norΒ idolatersΒ norΒ adulterersΒ norΒ male prostitutesΒ norΒ homosexual offendersΒ norΒ thievesΒ nor theΒ greedyΒ norΒ drunkardsΒ norΒ slanderersΒ norswindlersΒ will inherit the kingdom of God.Β And that is what some of you were!Β But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God!” 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.Β 
This is the apostle’s own reply to the question.

Observe:Β 

Β  1.Β The Lord’s people are often found in the most unlikelyΒ places!Β Who would have expected to find God’s chosen people–aΒ multitudeΒ of them–in a place so foul, so polluted, so degraded, as Corinth?Β 
God’s jewels
Β are often found buried in theΒ worst filth!

Β Β Β 2.Β The Lord chooses the most unlikelyΒ people!Β Who would ever have thought that the Lord would have chosen the sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, male prostitutes, homosexuals, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, slanderers, swindlers–to be saved? But He did!Β 
God’s people
Β are picked off theΒ foulest dunghills!


O the wonders of sovereign grace!

From such folly deliver us, O Lord!

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From such folly deliver us, O Lord!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“IΒ meditateΒ on Your preceptsΒ and consider Your ways.”Β Psalm 119:15Β 

There are times when solitude is better than society, and silence is wiser than speech. We would be better Christians if we were more alone, waiting upon God, and gathering spiritual strength for labor in His service through meditation on His Word. We ought toΒ museΒ upon the things of God, because we thus get the real nutriment for our souls out of them.

Truth is something like the cluster of the vine: if we would have wine from it, we must bruise it–we must press and squeeze it many times. The bruiser’s feet must come down repeatedly upon the grapes, or else the juice will not flow and much of the precious liquid will be wasted.Β 

So we must, by meditation, tread the clusters of truth, if we would get theΒ wine of consolationΒ therefrom.

Our bodies are not supported by merely taking food into the mouth, but the process which really supplies the muscles, and the nerves, and the sinews, and the bones–is the process ofΒ digestion. It is by digestion that the food becomes assimilated with the inner life.Β 

In the same way, our souls are not nourished merely by listening awhile to this, and then to that, and then to the other part of divine truth. Hearing, reading, marking, and learning, all require inward digesting to complete their usefulness–and the inward digesting of the truth lies for the most part inΒ meditatingΒ upon it.

Why is it that some Christians, although they hear many sermons, make but slow advances in the divine life?Β 
Because they neglect their closets, and do not thoughtfully meditate on God’s Word.Β 

They love the wheat, but they do not grind it;Β 
they would have the grain, but they will not go forth into the fields to gather it;Β 
the fruit hangs upon the tree, but they will not pluck it;Β 
the water flows at their feet, but they will not stoop to drink it.Β 
From such folly deliver us, O Lord!

May this be our daily resolve, “I willΒ meditateΒ in your precepts.”

“But his delight is in the law of theΒ LORD,Β and on His law heΒ meditatesΒ day and night.”Β Psalm 1:2Β 

“Oh, how I love Your law! IΒ meditateΒ on it all day long.” Psalm 119:97

“I have more insight than all my teachers, for IΒ meditateΒ on Your statutes.” Psalm 119:99

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth;Β meditateΒ on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.” Joshua 1:8

A rare creature!

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A rare creature!Β 

(Charles Spurgeon)Β 

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered meΒ faithful, appointing me to His service.” 1 Timothy 1:12Β 

AΒ faithfulΒ preacher isΒ aΒ rareΒ creature; and, like a diamond, asΒ preciousΒ as he is rare!

If you alwaysΒ enjoyΒ his sermons, that minister is not a faithful steward. He who gives out nothing butΒ sweetsΒ is not acting wisely.

It is the duty of the Christian pastor, if he would make full proof of his ministry to warn men of the results of sin to tell them that there is a judgment that for every idle word they speak they will have to account.Β 

Some preachers do not preach of eternal wrath and its terrors. This is cruel, for they ruin souls by hiding from them their ruin!Β 

The object of all true preaching is the heart. Godly ministers aim at divorcing the heart from sin, and wedding it to Christ.Β 

“If you point these things out to the brothers, you will beΒ a good ministerΒ of Christ Jesus brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.” 1 Timothy 4:6Β 

He can extract pleasure out of pain!

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He can extract pleasure out of pain!

(Letters ofΒ William Romaine, 1714-1795)

Dear friend,
He loves you more than you can possibly love yourself; and He will send you nothing but what is for your real and best interest, and He will let you find it so. His love is almighty, and it is unchangeable. What can He not do, what will He not do, when His heart is set upon blessing His people!

He does all things well! Yes, He intends to do better for you, far better than you can even imagine!Β 

It is a common thing with Him to bring spiritual good out of temporal evil.Β He can extract pleasure out of pain!Β Yes, He can enrich by impoverishing; and turn losses into gain. To you it is now given, as a matter of His choice favor, not only to believe on Him, but also to beΒ conformed to Him by bearing His cross. This He is aiming at.Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 91

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Assurance of God’s Protection
You who live in the shelter of the Most High,
Β Β Β who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,Β 
will say to the Lord, β€˜My refuge and my fortress;
Β Β Β my God, in whom I trust.’ 
For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler
Β Β Β and from the deadly pestilence;Β 
he will cover you with his pinions,
Β Β Β and under his wings you will find refuge;
Β Β Β his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.Β 
You will not fear the terror of the night,
Β Β Β or the arrow that flies by day,Β 
or the pestilence that stalks in darkness,
Β Β Β or the destruction that wastes at noonday.Β 

A thousand may fall at your side,
Β Β Β ten thousand at your right hand,
Β Β Β but it will not come near you.Β 
You will only look with your eyes
Β Β Β and see the punishment of the wicked.Β 

Because you have made the Lord your refuge,
Β Β Β the Most High your dwelling-place,Β 
no evil shall befall you,
Β Β Β no scourge come near your tent.Β 

For he will command his angels concerning you
Β Β Β to guard you in all your ways.Β 
On their hands they will bear youΒ up,
Β Β Β so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.Β 
You will tread on the lion and the adder,
Β Β Β the young lion and the serpent you will trample under foot.Β 

Those who love me, I will deliver;
Β Β Β I will protect those who know my name.Β 
When they call to me, I will answer them;
Β Β Β I will be with them in trouble,
Β Β Β I will rescue them and honour them.Β 
With long life I will satisfy them,
Β Β Β and show them my salvation.

His Providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for our good!

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His Providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for our good!

(Don Fortner)

As a wise, skilled pharmacist mixes medicine–so our heavenly Father wisely mixes exactly the right measure of bitter things and sweet, to do us good.Β 

Too much joy would intoxicate us.Β 
Too much misery would drive us to despair.Β 

Too much sorrow would crush us.Β 
Too much suffering would break our spirits.Β 

Too much pleasure would ruin us.Β 
Too much defeat would discourage us.Β 

Too much success would puff us up.
Too much failure would keep us from doing anything.Β 

Too much criticism would harden us.Β 
Too much praise would exalt us.Β 

Our great God knows exactly what we need.Β 

His Providence is wisely designed and sovereignly sent for our good!

Let God send and do whatever He wills–by His grace, if we are His, we will face it, bow to it, accept it, and give thanks for it. God’s Providence is always executed in the ‘wisest manner’ possible. We are often unable to see and understand the reasons and causes for specific events in our lives, in the lives of others, or in the history of the world. But our lack of understanding does not prevent us from believing God.

“We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28Β 

O, give thanks to the Lord!

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O, give thanks to the Lord!Β 

(James Smith, “Sunny Subjects for All Seasons” 1858)

“O, giveΒ thanks to the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever!” 1 Chronicles 16:34Β 

O, give thanks to the Lord, Christian, for He has not dealt with you after your sins, nor rewarded you according to your iniquities! He has . . .
Β  pardoned your sins,
Β  justified your soul,
Β  renewed your nature, and
Β  given you a title to everlasting life!

He has thus . . .
Β  prevented your eternal ruin,
Β  borne with your faults and follies,
Β  supplied all your needs,
Β  guided your steps, and
Β  promised to conduct you to glory!
His mercy has been ever great toward you!

“O, give thanks to theΒ LORD, for He is good!Β For His mercy endures forever!”Β Psalm 107:1

πŸ“œ Psalm 16

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Psalm 16

Song of Trust and Security in God

A Miktam of David.Β 
Protect me, OΒ God, for in you I take refuge.Β 
I say to the Lord, β€˜You are my Lord;
Β  Β I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
Β Β Β in whom is all my delight.Β 

Those who choose another god multiply their sorrows;
Β Β Β their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
Β Β Β or take their names upon my lips.Β 

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
Β Β Β you hold my lot.Β 
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Β Β Β I have a goodly heritage.Β 

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
Β Β Β in the night also my heart instructs me.Β 
I keep the Lord always before me;
Β Β Β because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.Β 

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
Β Β Β my body also rests secure.Β 
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
Β Β Β or let your faithful one see the Pit.Β 

You show me the path of life.
Β Β Β In your presence there is fullness of joy;
Β Β Β in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

Thus He will make the soul enamored with Jesus!

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Thus He will make the soul enamored with Jesus!

(Letters ofΒ William Romaine, 1714-1795)

“When theΒ ComforterΒ comes . . . He will testify about Me.” John 15:26Β 

He shall testify to MyΒ personΒ as self-existentΒ Jehovah.

He shall bear witness to MyΒ workΒ as the perfect sin-atoner.Β 

He shall testify of MyΒ grace, how free it is, how full it is.Β 

He shall enable the sinner, any poor wretch, however vile in his own eyes–to trust his soul into the hands of Jesus. And having enabled the sinner to do this, then He will testify of Jesus, that He has received him, that he is safe in the arms and may be happy in the enjoyment of Jesus’ love.Β 

Thus He will make the soul enamored with Jesus!Β There will appear such consummate beauty, such infinite loveliness in His precious person, as will eclipse the glory of all other lovers. There will appear such true happiness in fellowship with Him, as will quite dethrone all former idols.

And when the foolish heart would depart, theΒ ComforterΒ will not let it. Then will He testify of Jesus, “To whom would you go? Who has eternal life to give, but Him? Turn, turn again to your rest, oh my soul.”Β 

If the soul is mourning; He will testify of the joy that is in Jesus.Β 

If the soul is burdened; “Cast the burden,” He says, “on your Lord Jesus.”Β 

If the soul has lost any creature comfort; “Let it go,” He says, “Jesus is still your salvation and your great reward.”Β 

If the soul is grieved with indwelling sin; “It is pardoned,” He says, “you are free from the curse of sin.”Β 

Whatever the needs of the believer are, the Spirit’s office is to testify of Jesus: “Jesus is what you need–and you have Him freely.”Β 

TheΒ ComforterΒ will keep you by His almighty power, until He brings you to the Heaven of heavens–the sight and enjoyment of dear Jesus, eternally dear and lovely Jesus!Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 100

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All Lands Summoned to Praise God

A Psalm of thanksgiving.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth.Β 
Β Β Β Worship the Lord with gladness;
Β Β Β come into his presence with singing.Β 

Know that the Lord is God.
Β Β Β It is he that made us, and we are his;
Β Β Β we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.Β 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
Β Β Β and his courts with praise.
Β Β Β Give thanks to him, bless his name.Β 

For the Lord is good;
Β Β Β his steadfast love endures for ever,
Β Β Β and his faithfulness to all generations.

He puts a finger upon the scar!

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He puts a finger upon the scar!

(Thomas Watson)

“OurΒ FatherΒ in Heaven.” Matthew 6:9

Since God is our Father–He will take notice of the least good He sees in His children.Β 

If there is but aΒ sigh for sin–He hears it.Β 
“My groaning is not hidden from You.” Psalm 38:9Β 

If there is but aΒ penitential tearΒ which comes out of the eye–He sees it.Β 
“I have seen your tears.” Isaiah 38:5Β 

If there is but aΒ good intention–He takes notice of it.Β 
“Since it was yourΒ desireΒ to build a temple for My name, you have done well to have this desire.” 1 Kings 8:18

God takes notice of theΒ least spark of graceΒ in His children. “Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord.” 1 Peter 3:6. The Holy Spirit does not mention Sara’s unbelief, or laughing at the promise.Β He puts a finger upon the scar–and only takes notice of the good that was in her.

More, that good which the saints scarcely take notice of in themselves, God in a special manner observes. “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink. Then the righteous will answer Him–Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?” They as it were, overlooked and disclaimed their own works of charity! But Christ takes notice of them, “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat.” Matthew 25

What comfort is this!Β God spies the least good in His children!Β 
He can see a grain of corn, hidden under much chaff.Β 
He can see a little grace, hidden under much corruption!

ThoseΒ dutiesΒ which we ourselves censure–He will crown. When a child of God looks over his best duties, he sees so much sin cleaving to them that he is confounded. “Lord,” he says, “there is moreΒ sulphurΒ thanΒ incense, in my prayers.”Β 

But for your comfort, if God is your Father, He will crown those duties which you yourselves censure. He sees there is sincerity in the hearts of His children. Though there may be many defects in the services of His children, He will not cast away their offering.

An earthly father kindly receives a letter from his young child–though there are blots and bad spelling in it.Β What blottings are there in our holy things!Β Yet our Father in Heaven accepts them. “It is my child!”Β God says,Β “I will look upon him, through Christ–with a merciful eye!”

πŸ“œ Psalm 66

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Psalm 66

Praise for God’s Goodness to Israel

To the leader. A Song. A Psalm.
Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth;Β 
Β Β Β sing the glory of his name;
Β Β Β give to him glorious praise.Β 
Say to God, β€˜How awesome are your deeds!
Β Β Β Because of your great power, your enemies cringe beforeΒ you.Β 
All the earth worships you;
Β Β Β they sing praises to you,
Β Β Β sing praises to your name.’
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β SelahΒ 

Come and see what God has done:
Β Β Β he is awesome in his deeds among mortals.Β 
He turned the sea into dry land;
Β Β Β they passed through the river onΒ foot.
There we rejoiced in him,Β 
Β Β Β who rules by his might for ever,
whose eyes keep watch on the nationsβ€”
Β Β Β let the rebellious not exalt themselves.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β SelahΒ 

Bless our God, OΒ peoples,
Β Β Β let the sound of his praise be heard,Β 
who has kept us among the living,
Β Β Β and has not let our feet slip.Β 
For you, OΒ God, have tested us;
Β Β Β you have tried us as silver is tried.Β 
You brought us into the net;
Β Β Β you laid burdens on our backs;Β 
you let people ride over our heads;
Β Β Β we went through fire and through water;
yet you have brought us out to a spacious place.Β 

I will come into your house with burnt-offerings;
Β Β Β I will pay you my vows,Β 
those that my lips uttered
Β Β Β and my mouth promised when I was in trouble.Β 
I will offer to you burnt-offerings of fatlings,
Β Β Β with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams;
I will make an offering of bulls and goats.
Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β SelahΒ 

Come and hear, all you who fear God,
Β Β Β and I will tell what he has done for me.Β 
I cried aloud to him,
Β Β Β and he was extolled with my tongue.Β 
If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,
Β Β Β the Lord would not have listened.Β 
But truly God has listened;
Β Β Β he has given heed to the words of my prayer.Β 

Blessed be God,
Β Β Β because he has not rejected my prayer
Β Β Β or removed his steadfast love from me.

This is mercy!

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This is mercy!

(Letters ofΒ William Romaine, 1714-1795)

“But the tax collector, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to Heaven, but was beating his chest, saying: God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Luke 18:13

“He redeems your life from destruction; He crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies!” Psalm 103:4Β 
My dear friend,What thanks ought we to give to our gracious Lord for all of His mercies to us!Β 
I can look back upon every part of my life, and upon it all I can write, “This is mercy!”Β 
Oh, it is all, from first to last, to those who are chosen and called and believe and live by faith in the Son of God, MERCY–from everlasting to everlasting! Mercy before time, mercy in time, mercy beyond time!
Where is the fountainhead, the spring of this mercy? What gives rise to it?Β Nothing but the sovereign grace and free love of the purpose and heart of God Himself.Β 
But on whom do the streams of this fountain flow with their quickening, comforting, sanctifying, glorifying streams?Β 
On the miserable sinner, and none else; for none else are the objects of mercy. On such as you and me! Mercy has made a rich provision . . .Β  to supply all our needs,Β  to pardon all our sins,Β  to save us from all punishment,Β  to entitle us to all glory!
“I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever!” Psalm 89:1Β 
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.” Romans 12:1Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 111

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Psalm 111

Praise for God’s Wonderful Works

Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart,
Β Β Β in the company of the upright, in the congregation.Β 
Great are the works of the Lord,
Β Β Β studied by all who delight inΒ them.Β 
Full of honour and majesty is hisΒ work,
Β Β Β and his righteousness endures for ever.Β 
He has gained renown by his wonderful deeds;
Β Β Β the Lord is gracious and merciful.Β 
He provides food for those who fear him;
Β Β Β he is ever mindful of his covenant.Β 
He has shown his people the power of his works,
Β Β Β in giving them the heritage of the nations.Β 
The works of his hands are faithful and just;
Β Β Β all his precepts are trustworthy.Β 
They are established for ever and ever,
Β Β Β to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.Β 
He sent redemption to his people;
Β Β Β he has commanded his covenant for ever.
Β Β Β Holy and awesome is his name.Β 
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
Β Β Β all those who practise it have a good understanding.
Β Β Β His praise endures for ever.

There are more lies told at funerals!

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There are more lies told at funerals!

(Curtis Knapp, 2012)

Have you ever noticed that no matter how wicked a person was in his life, he becomes a saint at his funeral?

In reality, he was a bad father, but at his funeral he becomes a great father in the eulogy given by his estranged children. In reality, he was a bad husband, but suddenly, he is a great husband. In reality he was a very bad person, but suddenly everyone talks about what a good person he was.

He was never in church, but suddenly he is a great Christian man. The minister strains awkwardly to speak glowingly about the man he didn’t know and hardly ever saw. In life, he was primarily noted for his wicked works, but suddenly upon his death he is known as a man of many good works.

In short, they lie! There are more lies told at funerals than perhaps at any other occasion, and that’s the way people want it. If the minister did anything other than lie, the family and friends would be outraged!

God is the only one worthy of a eulogy at a funeral, but no one offers a eulogy to God. Instead, they offer lying eulogies for the sinner who is most likely in Hell at that moment. Think about that. The sinner has already arrived at his permanent dwelling place in Hell. He is weeping and gnashing his teeth and writhing in agony in the flames. He is begging for just one drop of cool water for his tongue, but receives no mercy.

God is not impressed with this wicked man. God sees no good in him.

The inhabitants of Hell are not impressed with him. They don’t care about the time he helped an old lady across the street, and the time he gave money to a charitable organization. They don’t think he is or ever was a good person. They don’t like him and want nothing to do with him.

And yet at this very moment, on earth, in a church or funeral home somewhere–the man’s family and the minister are talking about what a wonderful person he was and how he has gone to a better place!

Have you ever noticed how no one goes to Hell–at least no one you know? When have you been at a funeral at which the minister and family did not conspire together to convince themselves and everyone else that the departed sinner was in Heaven?

Jesus taught us that the road to Heaven was narrow, and said that few find it. Conversely, He taught that the road to destruction was broad, and that many were on it. Yet, according to our funerals, Jesus was wrong. No one is in Hell–everyone is in Heaven! Have you ever noticed that all you have to do to get to Heaven is to die? Instead of believing in justification by faith alone, most people believe in justification by death alone. Death is all that is necessary to be transformed miraculously from a depraved wretch into a shining angel.

Why do we do this? Why do we lie? Ministers often do it because they are afraid not to. Many lie because they are false prophets who deceive people, and a funeral is the perfect opportunity to say “Peace, peace!” when there is no peace.

Some family members lie because they are grasping for some piece of comfort in their loss. But consider: Is grasping at a lie truly comforting?

I suspect that most people play this game of falsehood for selfish reasons. If they eulogize the deceased, then they will also feel better about the state of their own souls. If the departed sinner went to Heaven–then they will surely go to Heaven when they die as well. If everyone is a good person and going to Heaven–then we don’t have to worry about our own spiritual condition.

We hate death. We hate to be reminded of our weakness and our fleeting time here. We don’t like to think about what happens after death. We don’t want to consider that there might be a Hell, and we certainly don’t want to hear that most people go there. We don’t want to ponder those realities, but funerals force us to do so. So we fight back against death and reality by laboring hard to convince ourselves that everyone who dies goes to Heaven.

What does it accomplish? Nothing!
Is God deceived? No!
Will our lies change God’s mind? No!
Will our lies get us to Heaven? No!

I am not saying that I think ministers should stand up at funerals and declare with certainty that the departed person is in Hell. But, when the person’s life gives us little confidence that he or she is in Heaven, it would be far better to remain silent about the eternal destiny of the lost one than to boldly declare that the person is in Heaven. Oh for some honesty in our days!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

πŸ“œ Psalm 34

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Psalm 34

Praise that God answers prayer
Of David, when he feigned madness before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.

I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
O magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
Look to him, and be radiant;
so your faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor soul cried, and was heard by the Lord,
and was saved from every trouble.
The angel of the Lord encamps
around those who fear him, and delivers them.
O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want.
The young lions suffer want and hunger,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, O children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Which of you desires life,
and covets many days to enjoy good?
Keep your tongue from evil,
and your lips from speaking deceit.
Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears,
and rescues them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the broken-hearted,
and saves the crushed in spirit.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.
He keeps all their bones;
not one of them will be broken.
Evil brings death to the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems the life of his servants;
none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Tis but a taste!

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Tis but a taste!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“A pledge of ourΒ inheritance.” Ephesians 1:14

Oh! 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.Β 

Yet the realization which we have of Christ’s preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. As an old writer says, “Tis but a taste!” We have but tasted “that the Lord is gracious,” but we do not yet knowΒ howΒ good and gracious He is. We know somewhat of His sweetness, and this makes us long for more.Β We have enjoyed the first fruits–and they have set us hungering and thirsting for the fullness of the heavenly vintage.Β Here on earth, we are like Israel in the wilderness, who had but one cluster from Eshcol–there we shall be in the vineyard!

We are but beginners now in spiritual education; for although we have learned the firstΒ lettersΒ of the alphabet, we cannot readΒ wordsΒ yet, much less can we putΒ sentencesΒ together. As one says, “He who has been in heaven but five minutes–knows more than all the theologians on earth combined!”

We have many ungratified spiritual desires at present–but soon every wish shall be satisfied; and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy.

O Christian, within a very little time you shall be rid of all your trials and your troubles.Β 
Your eyes which are now suffused with tears, shall weep no longer.
You shall gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits on His glorious throne.Β 
Nay, more–you shall sitΒ with HimΒ upon His throne!Β 

The triumph of His glory shall be shared by you! His crown, His joy, His paradise–these shall be yours!Β 
You shall be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things!Β 

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into anΒ inheritanceΒ that can never perish, spoil or fade–reserved in Heaven for you!” 1 Peter 1:3-4Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 84

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Psalm 84

God’s living presence is our greatest joy
To the leader: according to The Gittith. Of the Korahites. A Psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, indeed it faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Happy are those who live in your house,
ever singing your praise.
Selah

Happy are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion.
As they go through the valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
the God of gods will be seen in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob!
Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed.

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than live in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
he bestows favour and honour.
No good thing does the Lord withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
happy is everyone who trusts in you.

I need to be daily kept!

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I need to be daily kept!

(James Smith’sΒ autobiography,Β “Marvelous Mercy!”Β 1862)

The following in an excerpt from theΒ diaryΒ of James Smith:

April 16, 1854.Β 
During the past week I have had one of the most severe asthmatic attacks I ever experienced. How painful to labor andΒ gasp for breath, as I then did. How different theΒ things of timeΒ appear under such circumstances! How soon one feels willing to spread the wings and fly away. May I daily live under the impression I then felt.Β 

How I long . . .
Β  for closer communion with God,Β 
Β  to feel more of the sweet power of piety in my own heart,Β 
Β  to walk with God in confidence,Β 
Β  to lean upon Him,Β 
Β  to cast every care upon Him,Β 
Β  to leave everything with Him,Β 
Β  to aim always, and in everything to glorify Him,Β 
Β  to walk through the world as if one was walking straight home to God–to dwell with and to enjoy Him forever!

Yet I feel thatΒ I need to be dailyΒ kept–to have the Lord’sΒ eyeΒ constantly upon me, and His everlastingΒ armsΒ always beneath me!Β 

“Hold me up–and I shall be safe!”Β Psalm 119:117

πŸ“œ Psalm 27

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Psalm 27

God as our antidote to fear and loneliness

Of David.
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Β  Β whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
Β  Β of whom shall I be afraid?Β 

When evildoers assail me
Β  Β to devour my fleshβ€”
my adversaries and foesβ€”
Β  Β they shall stumble and fall.Β 

Though an army encamp against me,
Β  Β my heart shall not fear;
though war rise up against me,
Β  Β yet I will be confident.Β 

One thing I asked of the Lord,
Β  Β that will I seek after:
to live in the house of the Lord
Β  Β all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the Lord,
Β  Β and to inquire in his temple.Β 

For he will hide me in his shelter
Β  Β in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
Β  Β he will set me high on a rock.Β 

Now my head is lifted up
Β  Β above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
Β  Β sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.Β 

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud,
Β  Β be gracious to me and answer me!Β 
β€˜Come,’ my heart says, β€˜seek his face!’
Β  Β Your face, Lord, do I seek.Β 
Β  Β Do not hide your face from me.Β 

Do not turn your servant away in anger,
Β  Β you who have been my help.
Do not cast me off, do not forsake me,
Β  Β O God of my salvation!Β 
If my father and mother forsake me,
Β  Β the Lord will take me up.Β 

Teach me your way, O Lord,
Β  Β and lead me on a level path
Β  Β because of my enemies.Β 
Do not give me up to the will of my adversaries,
Β  Β for false witnesses have risen against me,
Β  Β and they are breathing out violence.Β 

I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord
Β  Β in the land of the living.Β 
Wait for the Lord;
Β  Β be strong, and let your heart take courage;
Β  Β wait for the Lord!

πŸ“œ Psalm 96

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Psalm 96

Praise God and proclaim his glory

OΒ sing to the Lord a new song;
Β Β Β sing to the Lord, all the earth.Β 
Sing to the Lord, bless his name;
Β Β Β tell of his salvation from day toΒ day.Β 
Declare his glory among the nations,
Β Β Β his marvellous works among all the peoples.Β 
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
Β Β Β he is to be revered above allΒ gods.Β 
For all the gods of the peoples are idols,
Β Β Β but the Lord made the heavens.Β 
Honour and majesty are before him;
Β Β Β strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.Β 

Ascribe to the Lord, OΒ families of the peoples,
Β Β Β ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.Β 
Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
Β Β Β bring an offering, and come into his courts.Β 
Worship the Lord in holy splendour;
Β Β Β tremble before him, all the earth.Β 

Say among the nations, β€˜The Lord is king!
Β Β Β The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved.
Β Β Β He will judge the peoples with equity.’ 
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Β Β Β let the sea roar, and all that fillsΒ it;Β 
Β Β Β let the field exult, and everything in it.
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joyΒ 
Β Β Β before the Lord; for he is coming,
Β Β Β for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
Β Β Β and the peoples with his truth.

The worst part of you!

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The worst part of you!

(Daniel de Superville, 1657–1728)

People often say,Β “I have my faults, but at the bottom I have a good heart.”

A good heart! Alas! it is this that deceives you, for your heart isΒ the worst part of you!

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked!
Β Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:9Β 

The politicians, the philosophers, the sages of the world, are all shams!
What have they done toward the cure of the human heart?

Blessed be God! We recover more by the second Adam, than we lost by the first!

“I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean;
Β I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols.
Β I will give you aΒ new heartΒ and put a new spirit in you;
Β I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
Β I will put My Spirit in you and cause you to follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws.”Β 
Β Β Β  Ezekiel 36:25-27Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 8

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Β 

Psalm 8: Worship of our Creator God

To the leader: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.
OΒ Lord, our Sovereign,
Β  Β  how majestic is your name in all the earth!Β 

You have set your glory above the heavens.
Β Β Β Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
Β Β Β to silence the enemy and the avenger.Β 

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
Β Β Β the moon and the stars that you have established;Β 
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
Β Β Β mortals that you care for them?Β 

Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
Β Β Β and crowned them with glory and honour.Β 
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
Β Β Β you have put all things under their feet,
all sheep and oxen,
Β Β Β and also the beasts of the field,Β 
the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
Β Β Β whatever passes along the paths of the seas.Β 

OΒ Lord, our Sovereign,
Β Β Β how majestic is your name in all the earth

Let this comfort you:

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Let this comfort you:

(Letters of John Newton)

“My times are in Your hands!” Psalm 31:15Β 

What a mercy it is that all our concerns are in sure hands! Not aΒ hairΒ of our heads can fall to the ground, but by the appointment of Him who orders and marshals theΒ starsΒ and calls them all by their names!

Diseases and sicknesses areΒ His messengers, and, when they have answered His end–then He will recall them. But on many accounts there is aΒ need beΒ that we should sometimes be in heaviness for a season. O may we learn to take up the cross, and to kiss the rod of affliction. We need to look through allΒ second causes–to Him who appoints and over-rules, and without whose permission, not a hair of our heads shall fall to the ground.Β 

The Lord has promised to direct, moderate, sanctify, and relieve every trial of every kind. I long to have a more entire submission to His will, and a more steadfast confidence in His Word–to trust Him and wait on Him–to see His hand, and praise His name, in every circumstance of life, great and small.

IsΒ sicknessΒ your present cross? It can come no sooner, nor fall heavier, than He bids it. And when His end is answered, and His hour comes to give relief–then sickness departs at His word. The cure becomes easy then, even where it seemed desperate before.Β 

Our comforts are never safer than when we can fully trust the Lord to do with them, and with us–as He sees fit. He will not willingly or unnecessarily grieve His redeemed children. When His arm seems lifted up to strike them–how often does He put it into their hearts to run toward Him and humble themselves before Him, and thus prevent the blow!

We shall have cause to be thankful for all our afflictions–if the Lord is pleased to employ them as means to make us more humble and broken-hearted, and to wean our hearts from this vain world.

Sickness often gives us a sensible proof of the vanity of everything earthly. May the Lord sanctify our sicknesses and pains, to quicken our desires for that better world, when pain shall be no more!

Let this comfort you:Β that Jesus is the Great Physician!Β 

“Great crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at His feet; and He healed them!” Matthew 15:30Β 

πŸ“œ Psalm 61

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Psalm 61 (ESV)

Lead Me to the Rock

To the choirmaster: withΒ stringed instruments. Of David.

61Β Hear my cry, O God,
Β Β Β Β listen to my prayer;
2Β from the end of the earth I call to you
Β Β Β Β when my heart isΒ faint.
Lead me toΒ the rock
Β Β Β Β that is higher than I,
3Β for you have beenΒ my refuge,
Β Β Β Β a strongΒ tower against the enemy.

4Β Let meΒ dwell in your tent forever!
Β Β Β Β Let me take refuge underΒ the shelter of your wings!Β Selah
5Β For you, O God, have heard my vows;
Β Β Β Β you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6Β ProlongΒ the life of the king;
Β Β Β Β may his years endure to all generations!
7Β May he be enthroned forever before God;
Β Β Β Β appointΒ steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

8Β So will I ever sing praises to your name,
Β Β Β Β as IΒ perform my vows day after day.

The throne of grace

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The throne of grace

(Henry Law, “Family Prayers”)

Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, Heaven and earth are full of Your glory! Blessing and honor and glory and power be to You, O Father of mercies, O God of all grace and love.

We thank You, that, as vile and sin-soiled as we are–we may come into Your immediate presence, and hold this converse with You, and commune with You concerning all ourΒ concerns, all ourΒ sins, andΒ fears,Β andΒ hopesΒ andΒ desires.Β 

We are astonished that we, poor sinners on earth, may speak directly to You–our greatΒ and glorious God, on Your throne in the Heaven of heavens! How wondrous the thought thatΒ our poor breathingsΒ may fly on theΒ wings of faith, and have instant access to the ears of Your grace!Β 

We thank You that, in the multitude of Your tender mercies and the riches of Your pitiful compassion, You have been pleased to erectΒ this throne of graceΒ before which we now most humbly bow. We bless You that here, free grace reigns. We bless You that, at all times and in all places, we have open access toΒ You through the blood of Your dear Son.Β 

We bless You that theΒ veilΒ is open, and that in His great name we may ever approach and find You . . .
Β  ready to hear,Β Β 
Β  waiting to be gracious,Β 
Β  arrayed in smiles of love,Β Β 
Β  bidding us to touch the scepter of Your sovereign mercy,Β Β 
Β  inviting us to pour out every need and desire of our hearts,Β Β 
Β  and promising to give more than we can ask or think.

Grant, oh grant, that we may be wholly consecrated to You. May we, in spirit, soar farΒ above earth. May our hearts be fast barred against admission of worldly thoughts or cares. Send Your peace, passing all understanding, as a flood into our anxious minds.Β  May our meditations of You be sweet. May we drink deeply of the refreshing streams proceeding out ofΒ Your throne. May we feast on the heaven-sent manna of Your precious Word, and thus gather strength for the upward race.

Hear us, answer us, bless us we pray. All we ask is in Jesus’ name, and for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

“Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 Β 

The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless!

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The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless!

(Thomas Guthrie, 1803-1873)

“Fear theΒ LORD, you His saints,Β for those who fear Him lack nothing.”Β Psalm 34:9

Myriads ofΒ leavesΒ clothe the forest,Β 
myriads ofΒ flowersΒ bespangle the meadow,Β 
myriads ofΒ insectsΒ dance in the sunbeams,Β 
myriads ofΒ birdsΒ sing in the woodlands,Β 
myriads ofΒ fishΒ swim in stream and ocean,Β 
myriads ofΒ starsΒ glitter in the nightly sky–
and every leaf is as perfect in form,Β 
every flower is as beautiful in colors,Β 
every living creature is fashioned with such skill, andΒ 
every burning star is guided through space with as much care–
as if it engrossed the entire attention of God, and there was not another but itself within the bounds of His universe!

The number of objects our hearts can hold, or our arms embrace, or our eyes watch–is limited; confined within a narrow range–they areΒ smallΒ at the largest, andΒ fewΒ at the most.Β 

It is not so with Him who is mighty to save, abundant in goodness and truth.Β The supplies of His grace and mercy are unexhausted and exhaustless!Β TheirΒ typeΒ shines in thatΒ SUNΒ which for six thousand years has shed its light . . .
Β  on seas and continents,
Β  on crowded cities and lonely solitudes,
Β  on burning deserts and fields of ice,
Β  on palaces and cottages,
Β  on ragged beggars and sceptered kings,
Β  on all countries and classes of men.
And with fires fed we know not how, the sun shines today as bright as ever–his eye not dim, nor his natural strength abated!

And as this is but an image, and a faint image, of God–then well may his servant assure us, that there shall be no lack to those who fear Him. None–neither for the body nor the soul; neither for time nor eternity!

“My God will meet all your needs according toΒ His glorious richesΒ in Christ Jesus!”Β Philippians 4:19Β 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with theΒ riches of God’s grace that He lavished on usΒ with all wisdom and understanding.” Ephesians 1:7-8Β 

“In the coming ages He might show theΒ incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus!” Ephesians 2:7Β 

Look up today, O parched plant!

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Look up today, O parched plant!

(Charles Spurgeon)

“I will send down showers in season; there will beΒ showers of blessing.” Ezekiel 34:26

Here isΒ sovereignΒ grace, “IΒ will send down showers.” Is this not sovereign, divine mercy–for who can say, “IΒ will send down showers,” except God? There is only one voice which can speak to the clouds, and bid them beget the rain. “Who sends down theΒ rainΒ upon the earth? Who scatters theΒ showersΒ upon the green herb? Do not I, the Lord?”Β 
Grace is the gift of God–and is not to be created by man.Β 

It is alsoΒ neededΒ grace. What would the ground do without showers? You may break the clods, you may sow your seeds–but what can you do without the rain? As absolutely needful is theΒ divineΒ blessing. In vain you labor, until God bestows the plenteous shower, and sends salvation down.Β 

Then, it isΒ plenteousΒ grace. “I will send downΒ showers.” It does not say, “I will send themΒ drops,” but “showers.” So it is with grace. If God gives a blessing, He usually gives it in such a measure that there is not room enough to receive it. Plenteous grace! Ah! we need plenteous grace . . .
Β  to keep us humble,
Β  to make us prayerful,
Β  to make us holy,Β 
Β  to make us zealous,
Β  to preserve us through this life,
Β  and at last to land us in Heaven!Β 
We cannot do withoutΒ saturating showersΒ of grace.Β 

Again, it isΒ seasonableΒ grace. “I will send down showersΒ in season.”Β 
What is your season this morning?Β 
Is it the season of drought? Then that is the season for showers.Β 
Is it a season of great heaviness and black clouds? Then that is the season for showers.Β 
“As your days–so shall your strength be.”Β 

And here is aΒ variedΒ grace. “I will give you showersΒ of blessing.” The word is in the plural. All kinds of blessings God will send. All God’s blessings go together, like links in a golden chain. If He givesΒ convertingΒ grace–He will also giveΒ comfortingΒ grace. He will send “showers of blessing.”Β 

Look up today, O parched plant, and open your leaves and flowers for a heavenly watering!Β 

What trash does it appear!

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What trash does it appear!Β 

(Mary Winslow)Β 

“The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever!” 1 John 2:17Β 

What a brittle thing is all the glory, wealth, and honor of this vain world! How empty, andΒ what trash does it appear!Β And yet men sell their souls to grasp it, and at last pass away from it and find it all a phantom. How unceasing is Satan in forever bringing it before our eyes, in some form or other!Β What is all theΒ pomp and wealth and rank of this poor fleeting world, in contrast with the gloryΒ that shall soon be revealed in all those who love His appearing?

“The spirit of the world is eating out the very heart and life of true godliness!”Β George Everard

Refined worldlinessΒ is the present snare of the Church of God!”Β Horatius Bonar

“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?
Β Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God!” James 4:4Β 

Discontent!

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Discontent!

(Arthur Pink, “Comfort for Christians”)

“I have learned to beΒ contentΒ whatever the circumstances.” Philippians 4:11Β 

ContentmentΒ is the being satisfied with the sovereign dispensations of God’s providence. It is the opposite of murmuring, which is the spirit of rebellion–theΒ clayΒ saying to theΒ Potter, “Why have You made me thus?” Instead of complaining at his lot–a contented man is thankful that his condition and circumstances are no worse than they are.Β 

Discontent!Β Was there ever a time when there was so much discontent and restlessness in the world, as there is today? We very much doubt it. Despite our boasted progress, the vast increase of wealth, the time and money expended daily in pleasure–discontent is everywhere! No class is exempt. Everything is in a state of flux, and almost everybody is dissatisfied. Many even among God’s own people are affected with the evil spirit of this age.

Contentment!Β Is such a thing realizable, or is it nothing more than a beautiful ideal, a mere dream of the poet? Is it attainable on earth, or is it restricted to the inhabitants of Heaven? If feasible here and now–may it be retained, or are a few brief moments or hours of contentment the most that we may expect in this life?

The force of Paul’s statement will be better appreciated, if his condition and circumstances at the time he made it, are kept in mind. When the apostle wrote the words, he was not luxuriating in a special suite in the Emperor’s palace–but was in prison “in chains”. The contentment which Paul enjoyed, was not the result of congenial and comfortable surroundings. Most people suppose that contentment is impossible, unless one can have the desires of the carnal heart gratified. A prison is the last place to which they would go, if they were seeking a contented man. This much, then, is clear–contentment comes from within and not without; it must be sought from God, not in creature comforts.

Now, there is a vast difference between precept and practice, between the ideal and the realization. But in the case of Paul, contentment was an actual experience! It wasΒ something he hadΒ learned in the school of Christian experience.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money and beΒ contentΒ with what you have, because God has said–Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

God is too kind to punish the ungodly!

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God is too kind to punish the ungodly!

(A.W. Tozer)

God’s justice stands forever against the unrepentant sinner in utter severity!

The vague and tenuous hope thatΒ God is too kind to punish the ungodlyΒ has becomeΒ a deadly opiate for the consciences of millions!Β It hushes their fears and allows them to practice all kinds of iniquity–while damnation draws every day nearer, and the command to repent goes unregarded. As responsible moral beings, we dare not so trifle with our eternal future!

“On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot!” Psalm 11:6Β 

“Woe to the wicked! Disaster is upon them!” Isaiah 3:11Β 

“They always heap up their sins to the limit. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost!” 1 Thessalonians 2:16Β 

“They called to the mountains and the rocks: Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and fromΒ the wrath of the Lamb!Β For the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” Revelation 6:16-17Β 

“He, too, will drink of the wine of God’s fury, which has been poured full strength into the cup of His wrath. He will be tormented with burning sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb!” Revelation 14:10Β 

A subtle leaven which the heart is always ready to receive!

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AΒ subtle leavenΒ which the heart is always ready to receive!

(J.C. Ryle, “The Gospel of Luke” 1858)

“Beware of theΒ leaven of the Pharisees–which isΒ hypocrisy. For there is nothingΒ coveredΒ that will not be revealed, norΒ hiddenΒ that will not be made known.” Luke 12:1-2

The first thing that demands our attention in these verses, isΒ Christ’s warning against hypocrisy.Β 

This is aΒ warningΒ of which the importance can never be overrated. It was delivered by our Lord more than once, during His earthly ministry. It was intended to be a standing caution to His whole church in every age, and in every part of the world.Β 

It was meant to remind us thatΒ the principles of the Pharisees are deeply ingrained in human nature–and that Christians should be always on their guard against them. Hypocrisy isΒ aΒ subtle leavenΒ which the heart is always ready to receive!Β It is a leaven which once received into the heart, infects the whole character of a man’s Christianity. Of this leaven, says our Lord, in words that should often ring in our ears–of this leaven,Β beware!

Let us ever nail this caution in our memories, and bind it on our hearts.Β The plague is around us on every side!Β The danger is at all times. What is the essence of Romanism, and formalism, and ceremonialism? What is it all, but the leaven of the Pharisees under one shape or another?Β The Pharisees are not extinct!Β Pharisaism lives still.

If we would not become Pharisees–then let us cultivate a ‘heart religion’. Let us realize daily that the God with whom we have to do, looks far below the outward surface of our profession, and that He measures us by the state of our hearts. Let us beΒ realΒ andΒ trueΒ in our Christianity. Let us abhor all part-acting, and affectation, and semblance of devotion–put on for public occasions, but not really felt within.Β 

Our hypocrisy may deceive man, and get us the reputation of being very religious–but it cannot deceive God. “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be made known.”Β 

Whatever we are in religion–let us never wear a cloak or a mask of religion.

“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account!” Hebrews 4:13Β 

I desire that this may be the text at my funeral

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“The Aged Christian’s Final Farewell to the World and its Vanities” John Whitson, 1558-1629)

I desire that this may be the text at my funeral: Psalm 42:2, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?”

Oh! when shall I ascend to the eternal throne of blessedness, where no comforts are lacking?

When shall I be covered with the glorious robe of immortality, and shine in the brightness of my Redeemer’s innocence?

When shall I behold the lovely face of my Lord and dwell in the courts of His holy temple, where . . .
all tears shall be wiped away from my eyes,
all sorrows removed from my heart,
and all sins and spots are done away?

Where I shall exchange the dross of this world, for true and durable riches!

Where, instead of these earthly riches which moth and rust corrupt–I shall enjoy the heavenly riches of perfect peace and good conscience, never to be lost!

Instead of these false and flattering honors, I shall enjoy everlasting glory, and be admitted into the fellowship of my Redeemer to reign with Him in His glorious kingdom!

Instead of vain and momentary pleasures, I shall be filled with fullness of joy and be ravished with those delights which neither eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man to conceive!

Instead of this dark and cloudy knowledge, I shall have my heart enlightened with the beams of the true light!

Instead of this feeble strength, I shall be endowed with the might of angels!

Instead of this transitory health, I shall enjoy a powerful and immortal vigor!

Instead of this fading beauty, I shall be adorned with the loveliness of Christ’s spouse!

Instead of long life, I shall be crowned with life eternal!

We shall sing, Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God almighty! Heaven and Earth are full of your glory. Glory be to You, O Lord, most High.

And now, as the deer pants for the water-brooks, so longs my soul after You, O God!
O that I had wings like a dove, that I might fly away and be at rest!
For whom have I in Heaven but You–and who is there upon earth that I desire but You?
My heart and my strength fail me, but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever!

The sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be . . .

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The sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should be . . .

(Charles Spurgeon)Β 

“O that we would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to men.” Psalm 107:8

If weΒ complainedΒ less andΒ praisedΒ more–we would be happier, and God would be more glorified.Β 

Let us daily praise God forΒ common mercies. They areΒ commonΒ as we frequently call them, and yet soΒ priceless, that when deprived of them–we imagine that we are ready to perish! Let us bless God . . .
Β  for theΒ eyesΒ with which we behold the sun;
Β  for theΒ healthΒ andΒ strengthΒ to walk abroad;
Β  for theΒ breadΒ we eat;
Β  for theΒ clothingΒ we wear;
Β  for public and religiousΒ liberty;
Β  for friends and family associations; and
Β  for countless other comforts and blessings.Β 

Let us praise Him, in fact, for everything which we receive from His bounteous hand; for we deserve little, and yet are most plenteously endowed.Β 

But beloved,Β the sweetest and the loudest note in our songs of praise should beΒ ofΒ redeeming love!Β God’s redeeming acts towards His chosen people, are forever the favorite themes of their praise. If we know what redemption means, let us not withhold our sonnets of thanksgiving.

We have been redeemed from the power of our corruptions, and uplifted from the depth of sin in which we were naturally plunged.Β 

We have been led to the cross of Christ, and our shackles of guilt have been broken off.

We are no longer slaves of sin–but children of the living God.

We shall shortly be presented before the eternal throne without spot or wrinkle or any such thing.Β 

Shall we not unceasingly give thanks to the Lord our Redeemer?Β 

Child of God, can you be silent?Β 

Awake, awake, O inheritors of eternal glory, and cry out with David, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me–bless His holy name!”