"Salt without prescribing how much." Ezra 7:22 Salt was used in every offering made by fire unto the Lord, and from its preserving and purifying properties it was the grateful emblem of divine grace in the soul. It is worthy of our attentive regard that, when Artaxerxes gave salt to Ezra the priest, he set... Continue Reading →
Thous hast a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments…
"Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy." Revelation 3:4 We may understand this to refer to justification. "They shall walk in white;" that is, they shall enjoy a constant sense of their own justification by faith;... Continue Reading →
As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly
"As is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly." 1 Corinthians 15:48 The head and members are of one nature, and not like that monstrous image which Nebuchadnezzar saw in his dream. The head was of fine gold, but the belly and thighs were of brass, the legs of iron, and the feet,... Continue Reading →
There is no spot in thee…
"There is no spot in thee." Song of Solomon 4:7 Having pronounced his Church positively full of beauty, our Lord confirms his praise by a precious negative, "There is no spot in thee." As if the thought occurred to the Bridegroom that the carping world would insinuate that he had only mentioned her comely parts,... Continue Reading →
Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep
"Israel served for a wife, and for a wife he kept sheep." Hosea 12:12 Jacob, while expostulating with Laban, thus describes his own toil, "This twenty years have I been with thee. That which was torn of beasts I brought not unto thee: I bare the loss of it; of my hand didst thou require... Continue Reading →
Grieve not the Holy Spirit
"Grieve not the Holy Spirit." Ephesians 4:30 All that the believer has must come from Christ, but it comes solely through the channel of the Spirit of grace. Moreover, as all blessings thus flow to you through the Holy Spirit, so also no good thing can come out of you in holy thought, devout worship,... Continue Reading →
The trial of your faith…
"The trial of your faith." 1 Peter 1:7 Faith untried may be true faith, but it is sure to be little faith, and it is likely to remain dwarfish so long as it is without trials. Faith never prospers so well as when all things are against her: tempests are her trainers, and lightnings are... Continue Reading →
So walk ye in him…
"So walk ye in him." Colossians 2:6 If we have received Christ himself in our inmost hearts, our new life will manifest its intimate acquaintance with him by a walk of faith in him. Walking implies action. Our religion is not to be confined to our closet; we must carry out into practical effect that... Continue Reading →