A HUMBLING CONFESSION. "I was envious. . . when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psa_73:3). There is an ancient Heathen maxim which runs like this: "The prosperity of the wicked is a reproach to the gods." This clearly shows the trend of thought in those days. No wonder, then, that the Psalmist gave … Continue reading “0257. A HUMBLING CONFESSION.”
0256. DOWN IN THE DUMPS.
DOWN IN THE DUMPS. "Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising." (Psa_139:2). This is a marvellous Psalm, describing, as far as human language can, the wonderful omniscience of God. Nothing is hidden from Him-all is open to His gaze. Even when I sit down, and when I rise up, He knows. I cannot so much … Continue reading “0256. DOWN IN THE DUMPS.”
0255. "BUT THOU ART HOLY."
"BUT THOU ART HOLY." Psa_22:3. This is the Psalm of Psalms, in which Jesus Christ is without doubt set forth crucified among us. When expounding this Psalm, Luther shut himself up for three days and three nights to be alone with its great realities. David is no doubt writing about one of his many sad … Continue reading “0255. "BUT THOU ART HOLY."”
0254. A LIFE WITH WINGS.
A LIFE WITH WINGS. "A new heart also will I give you" (Eze_36:26). Introduction. 1. There is a very curious fact that most people are surprised to learn, that the hearts of birds are heavier, proportionately, than the hearts of men or other animals. 2. This is explained by the fact that the more the … Continue reading “0254. A LIFE WITH WINGS.”
0253. STRIVE.
STRIVE. Luk_13:24 Introduction. The first time He spoke of the Strait Gate was in the Sermon on the Mount. Three years afterwards, when many had forsaken Him and few were pressing forward to the Kingdom, He again spake of the Strait Gate (Mat_7:13), but added one little word, "Strive." No stronger word is to be … Continue reading “0253. STRIVE.”
0252. POSSESSION BY FORCE.
POSSESSION BY FORCE. "And from the days of John the Baptist until now, the Kingdom of Heaven is gotten by force, and the violent take it by force" (Mat_11:12). Introduction. At first sight this verse seems somewhat hard to understand. Weymouth renders it, "But from the time of John the Baptist till now, the Kingdom … Continue reading “0252. POSSESSION BY FORCE.”
0251. A MISTAKE DAVID MADE.
A MISTAKE DAVID MADE. "And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest" Psa_55:6. Introduction. 1. And we, too, have often said the same. 2. David was but human, and often made mistakes. The mistakes were not inspired of God, though he recorded … Continue reading “0251. A MISTAKE DAVID MADE.”
0250. ENLARGEMENT IN AND THROUGH SORROWS.
ENLARGEMENT IN AND THROUGH SORROWS. Psa_4:1 I. Freedom. Blessed Liberty when in Sorrow. 1. "Thou hast set me at large when I was in distress" (R.V.). 2. He is with us in our sorrows, and gives wonderful compensations. 3. He gives a sense of glorious enlargement in soul and spirit. 4. The sick room has … Continue reading “0250. ENLARGEMENT IN AND THROUGH SORROWS.”
0249. GOD’S GENTLE FOLK.
GOD’S GENTLE FOLK. 2Co_10:1. There were two law lords, judges, who were dining with some other men one day. One was the son of a very rich man, Westbury. The other, St. Leonards, was the son of a poor man. During dinner, Westbury, who had the knack of saying bitter things, said, "Oh, by-the by, … Continue reading “0249. GOD’S GENTLE FOLK.”
0248. WOBBLING.
WOBBLING. "We also… do not cease to pray for you. . . that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" (Col_1:9-10). One of the strangest prayers I have ever heard was one offered solemnly and earnestly by a Lancashire collier in a glorious prayer meeting: "Lord aw’ve yer’d there’s two kinds o’ … Continue reading “0248. WOBBLING.”