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The Lord Blessed Both For Donations And Deprivations
The patience of Job, of which the sustaining grace of God was the secret, is proverbial. His religion, unlike that of many in the present day, was solid, and being deeply rooted it stood the most fiery ordeals. It permeated and leavened his conduct and speech, whilst the ripe fruits of patient submission to the Divine will and grateful recognition of the Divine goodness were perceptible, even when this goodly branch was apparently sere and withered.
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Be Not High-Minded, But Fear
So we are called upon by the spirit of prophecy, ‘Behold (give the most earnest attention, let this truth sink deep in your hearts) his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him.’ Hab. 2:4. Standing by faith, and living by faith, are ever opposed to pride, vain confidence, and a high conceit of our own attainments. True faith in Jesus sinks the soul in humility, works by real love to God, is accompanied with a child like fear of offending him, and excites to a godly jealousy...
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Gracious Submission To God’s Will In Adversity
Of all the Old Testament patriarchs, it seems to me that the most tried and tested of them all was Job. Others did have severe trials; Abraham did, and so did David and others. But the intensity of Job’s trial and the various factors that impinged upon him in it, made him certainly one of the most tried men that has ever been known in the Church of Christ. But here we find a very wonderful thing. We read in Exodus 1.12: “The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew.” When Pharaoh was trying to suppress the children of Israel, his agenda was to annihilate the people. But friends, God overturned Pharaoh’s agenda, and the people grew. And, in that sense, Job…
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Why The Lord’s People Are Deprived Of Earthly Pleasures
Why should the Lord, who giveth us all things richly to enjoy, lay an embargo on our fully gratifying ourselves in the use of them? Why are we called to daily mortification and self-denial, as to sensual objects? Verily, it is all in love to our souls, that Jesus and spiritual objects might be more enjoyed; for experience proves this life of sense to be opposite to a life of faith. The more pleasure, comfort and happiness we enjoy in the things of this life, the more it tends to make us love the world, and loth to leave it; and so our affections to Jesus cool, our desires after his appearing abate in their fervour, and we lose our longings after the unclouded sight…
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Ye Have Need Of Patience
Are the Christian’s exercises great, and his patience small? Yet can he ever be at a loss to know by whom this grace is increased? Verily the Lord he serveth is ‘the God of patience.’ Hath he need of patience? Hear the Comforter’s declaration, by St Paul: ‘My God shall supply all your need, according to his riches in glory.’ Mind, disciple, this is covenant mercy; therefore, with every other grace it comes through a Mediator. Hence it is added, ‘by Jesus Christ.’ Phil. 4:19. We do the will of God when we believe on his Son Jesus, and love one another. 1 John 3:23. And all the promises are in Christ Jesus, ‘yea and amen,’ sure and certain to every believing soul. By faith…
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Keep Yourselves From Idols
Idolatry is founded in ignorance of Jesus, the true God, and eternal life. None are spiritual worshippers of God but believers in Jesus. There are many idols in the world, suited to the pride and lusts of our corrupt nature. These we are cautioned against. But in reading this very exhortation, the idol of free-will is ready to present itself; as though disciples, by their own power, were to keep themselves. This notion opposes the Spirit and power of Jesus, and springs from that grand idol, pride. Pride introduces the idol of self-righteousness. This blinds the eye to the glory of the righteousness of Christ, which is freely imputed through faith. Thus this trinity of idols, free-will, pride, and self-righteousness, are in unity with each…
