Spurgeon Treasures!

Spurgeon Treasures!

Sin is shut out—and they are shut in! "The sound of weeping and of crying shall no longer be heard!" Isaiah 65:19 The glorified weep no more, for all outward causes of grief are gone . There are no broken friendships in Heaven. Poverty, famine, peril, persecution, and slander are unknown there. No pain ever distresses. No thought of death or bereavement ever saddens. The glorified weep no more, for they are perfectly sanctified . They are without fault before His throne and are fully conformed to His image. Well may they cease to mourn—who have ceased to sin. The glorified weep no more, for they know that they are eternally secure . Sin is shut out—and they are shut in! Countless cycles may revolve, but eternity shall not be exhausted; and while eternity endures, their immortality and blessedness shall coexist with it. They are forever with the Lord. The glorified weep no more, because every desire is fulfilled . They cannot wish for anything that they have not in possession. Eye and ear, heart and hand, judgment, imagination, hope, desire—all their faculties are completely satisfied! As imperfect as our present ideas are of the things that God has prepared for those who love Him—yet we know enough by the revelation of the Spirit, that the saints above are supremely and eternally blessed. The joy of Christ, which is an infinite fullness of delight, is perpetually in them. That same joyful eternal rest remains for us—and it may not be far distant. "Therefore comfort and encourage one another with these words." "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4

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When a tear is wept by you—do not think that God does not behold it "The LORD said: I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them . . ." Exodus 3:7, 8 Perhaps no figure of speech represents God in a more gracious light, than when He is spoken of as stooping from His throne and coming down from Heaven to attend to the wants and woes of His redeemed people. How can we but love Him—when we know that He numbers the very hairs of our heads, marks all our paths, and orders all our ways? Especially is this great truth brought near to our heart when we recollect how attentive He is, not merely to the spiritual interests of His people but to their temporal concerns as well. Though leagues of distance lie between the finite creature and the infinite Creator—yet there are links uniting both. When a tear is wept by you—do not think that God does not behold it ; for "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book." Psalm 56:8 Your sigh is able to move the heart of Jehovah, your whisper can incline His ear unto you, your prayer can stay His hand, your faith can move His arm! Do not think that God sits on high taking no account of you. For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect toward Him.

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All the jewels in the Savior's crown are without a single flaw! "Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away, and will bring you faultless with great joy into His glorious presence!" Jude 1:24 Revolve in your mind that wondrous word "faultless"! We are far off from it now; but as our Lord never stops short of perfection in His work of love, every redeemed sinner shall be without blemish one day. The Savior who will keep His people to the end, will also present them at last to Himself as "a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing—but holy and without blemish!" All the jewels in the Savior's crown are without a single flaw! But how will Jesus make us faultless? He will wash us from our sins in His own blood, until we are as white and fair as God's purest angel! We shall be clothed in His perfect righteousness, which makes the saint who wears it positively faultless, perfect in the sight of God. Also, the work of the Holy Spirit within us will be altogether complete. He will make us so perfectly holy, that we shall have no lingering tendency to sin. We shall be holy even as God is holy, and in His presence we shall dwell forever! Sin gone, Satan shut out, temptation past forever, and ourselves "faultless" before God—this will be Heaven indeed!

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You yourself will sit with Him upon His throne! What enlightenment, what joys, what consolation, what delight of heart—is experienced by that man who has learned to feed on Jesus, and on Jesus alone! Yet the realization that we have of Christ's preciousness is, in this life, imperfect at the best. We have but tasted "that the Lord is gracious." We do not yet know how good and gracious He is—although what we know of His sweetness, makes us long for more. We are but beginners now in spiritual education. For although we have learned the first letters of the alphabet, we cannot read words yet, much less can we put sentences together. As one says, "He who has been in Heaven but five minutes, knows more than the general assembly of divines on earth." We have many ungratified desires at present, but soon every wish will be satisfied—and all our powers shall find the sweetest employment in that eternal world of joy. Oh, Christian, within a very little time you will be rid of all your trials and your troubles! Your eyes now suffused with tears, will weep no longer. You will gaze in ineffable rapture upon the splendor of Him who sits upon His glorious throne. Even more, you yourself will sit with Him upon His throne! "To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with Me on my throne!" Revelation 3:21 You will share the triumph of His glory! His crown, His joy, His paradise—these will be yours, and you will be co-heir with Him who is the heir of all things! "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!" Romans 8:17

~  ~  ~  ~ " Nevertheless I am continually with You! " Psalm 73:23 "Nevertheless"—as if, notwithstanding all the foolishness and ignorance that David had just been confessing to God—not one atom the less was it true and certain that David was saved and accepted, and that the blessing of being constantly in God's presence was undoubtedly his. Fully conscious of his own lost estate and of the deceitfulness and vileness of his nature—yet by a glorious outburst of faith, he sings, "Nevertheless I am continually with You!"
Believer, endeavor in like spirit to say, "Nevertheless, since I belong to Christ, I am continually with God!" I am continually upon His mind —He is always thinking of me for my good. I am continually before His eye —the eye of the Lord never sleeps but is perpetually watching over my welfare. I am continually in His hand —so that none will be able to pluck me out from it. I am continually on His heart —worn there as a memorial, even as the high priest bore the names of the twelve tribes upon His heart forever. "You always think of me, O God. You are always making providence work for my good. You have set me as a signet upon Your arm. Your love is as strong as death—many waters cannot quench it, neither can the floods drown it. You see me in Christ, and though in myself I am despised—You behold me as wearing Christ's garments of salvation and washed in His blood; and thus I stand accepted in Your presence. I am thus continually in Your favor. I am continually with You!"

~  ~  ~  ~ The bishop and the knight tumble into the box with the pawns—and the king and the queen fare no better! "All go to the same place. All come from dust, and to dust all return!" Ecclesiastes 3:20 "As chessmen are all thrown into the box together—so in the grave there is no distinction. Skulls wear no wreaths, and corpses carry no marks of honor." The bishop and the knight tumble into the box with the pawns—and the king and the queen fare no better! Death is a terrible leveler! It is a pity that some men carry their heads so high above their fellows all the day—for they will have to sleep at night in the same bed of clay with those whom they despise! "Poor weeds , rich grain , gay flowers together stand. Alas! death mows down all with an impartial hand!" "You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning—though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered." Psalm 90:5-6. Here is the history of the grass— sown, grown, blown, mown, gone! The history of man is not much more! There they come, streams of them, hurrying impatiently, rushing down to death and Hell—yes, eagerly panting, hurrying, dashing against one another to descend to that awful gulf from which there is no return! Time , how short! Death , how brief! Eternity , how long!

~  ~  ~  ~ The worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing which could befall me! "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 8:28 Upon some points, a believer is absolutely sure. He knows, for instance, that an invisible hand is always on the world's rudder . He also knows that wherever providence may drift—Jehovah steers it. That reassuring knowledge prepares him for everything. He knows that God is always wise, and knowing this he is confident that there can be no accidents, no mistakes —that nothing can occur which ought not to occur. He can say, "If I should lose all I have, it is better that I should lose it, than have it—if God so wills. The worst calamity is the wisest and the kindest thing which could befall me —if God ordains it!" "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." The Christian does not merely hold this as a mere theory , but he knows it as a certain fact . Everything has worked for good as yet. Every event as yet has worked out the most divinely blessed results. So believing that God rules all , that He governs wisely , that He brings good out of evil—the believer's heart is assured, and he is enabled calmly to meet each trial as it comes. The believer can in the spirit of true resignation pray, "Send me what You will, my God—as long as it comes from You. There has never come a bad portion from Your table, to any of Your children!"

~  ~  ~  ~ Who could have conceived of the Eternal One as bursting forth into a song? "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride—so will your God rejoice over you!" Isaiah 62:5 How heart-cheering to the believer, is the fact that God delights in His redeemed people! We cannot see any reason in ourselves, as to why the Lord should take pleasure in us. We cannot take delight in ourselves, for we often have to groan being burdened, conscious of our sinfulness and deploring our unfaithfulness. We also fear that God's people cannot take much delight in us, for they must perceive so much of our imperfections and our follies—that they may rather lament our infirmities, than admire our graces. But we love to dwell upon this transcendent truth, this glorious mystery: that as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride—so does our God rejoice over us! In what strong language He expresses His delight in His people! Who could have conceived of the Eternal One as bursting forth into a song? Yet it is written, "He will take great delight in you— He will rejoice over you with singing!" Zephaniah 3:17 As He looked upon His newly created world , He said, "It is very good"—but He did not sing.

As He views His works of providence —I do not read that He sings. But But when He gazes on His redeemed people—the purchase of Jesus' blood, His own chosen ones—it seemed as if the great heart of the Infinite could restrain itself no longer—but, wonder of wonders and miracle of miracles—God, the Eternal One, sings out of the joy of His soul! "He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!"

~  ~  ~  ~ Afterward! "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful. Nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 How happy are tried Christians afterward . There is no calm more deep, than that which follows a storm. Our sorrows, like the passing keels of the vessels upon the sea, leave a silver line of holy light behind them afterward. It is peace—sweet, deep peace—which follows the horrible turmoil that once reigned in our tormented, guilty souls. The Christian has his best things last, and he therefore in this world receives his worst things first. But even his worst things afterward become good things. Even now . . . he grows rich, by his losses, he rises, by his falls, he lives, by dying and becomes full, by being emptied. If then his grievous afflictions yield him so much peaceable fruit in this life—then what shall the full vintage of joy be afterward in Heaven? If his dark nights are as bright as the world's days—then what shall his days be? If even his starlight is more splendid than the sun—then what must his sunlight be? If he can sing in a dungeon—then how sweetly will he sing in Heaven? If he can praise the Lord in the fires—then how will he extol Him before the eternal throne? If trials are good to him now—then what will the overflowing goodness of God be to him then? Who would not bear the present light cross —for the glorious crown which comes afterward? "You do not realize now what I am doing, but afterward you will understand." John 13:7 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 "There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day—and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing!" 2 Timothy 4:8 "But our citizenship is in Heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body!" Philippians 3:20-21 "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived—what God has prepared for those who love Him!" 1 Corinthians 2:9 "Therefore comfort one another with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:18

~  ~  ~  ~ The door of the Word can only opened with the key of diligence! "Search the Scriptures!" John 5:39 The Greek word here rendered "search" signifies a strict, close, diligent, thorough search—such as men make when they are seeking gold. We must not rest content with having given a superficial reading to a chapter or two, but with the candle of the Spirit, we must deliberately seek out the spiritual essence of the Word. Holy Scripture requires searching—much of it can only be learned by careful study. There is milk for babes, but also meat for strong men. No man who merely skims the book of God, can profit from it. We must dig and mine, until we obtain the hidden treasure. The door of the Word can only opened with the key of diligence! The Scriptures warrant searching. They are the writings of God—we dare to treat them with levity. He who despises them—despises the God who wrote them. God forbid that any of us should leave our Bibles to become swift witnesses against us in the great day of account. The Word of God will repay searching. Scripture grows upon the student. It is full of wonders! The Scriptures reveal Jesus: "These very Scriptures speak about Me!" No more powerful motive can be urged upon Bible readers than this: He who finds Jesus finds life, Heaven, all things. Happy is he who, searching his Bible, discovers his Savior! "My son, if you accept My words and store up My commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure —then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God." Proverbs 2:1-5

~  ~  ~  ~ Painted pageantry to go to Hell in! "You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins ." Matthew 1:21 Many people think that, when we preach salvation, we mean salvation from going to Hell. We do mean that, but we mean a great deal more. We preach salvation from sin. We say that Christ is able to save a man; and we mean by that, that He is able to save him from sin and to make him holy—to make him into a new man. No person has any right to say, "I am saved," while he continues in sin as he did before. How can you be saved from sin, while you are living in it? You will always know whether you are delivered from the guilt and condemnation of sin, by answering this question: "Am I delivered from the love of sin?"
It is faith that saves us—not works. But that faith which saves us, always produces works. Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life. Make much of it—for you shall know no other joy! If your religion does not make you holy—it will damn you! It is simply painted pageantry to go to Hell in! If you have lived like the wicked—then you will die like the wicked, and be damned like the wicked!

~  ~  ~  ~ How despicable our troubles and trials will seem!
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning!" Psalm 30:5 Christian! If you are in a night of trial , think of tomorrow. Be patient! Your head may now be crowned with thorny troubles—but it shall wear a jeweled diadem before long! Your hand may now be filled with cares—it shall sweep the strings of the harp of Heaven soon. Your garments may be soiled with filth now—they shall be white as snow in a short time. Wait a little longer.
How despicable our troubles and trials will seem —when we look back upon them from Heaven's glory! Looking at them presently, they seem to be immense—but they will then seem as light and momentary afflictions. Let us go on boldly. After the dark of night, the morning comes. We should be thankful that we are not shut up in the eternal darkness of Hell. Do you know what it is to live in the future—to live on expectation—to anticipate Heaven? It may be dark now, but it will soon be light. It may be all trial now, but it will soon be all happiness. What does it matter if weeping may endure for a night—when eternal joy comes in the morning! "You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand!" Psalm 16:11 "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal!" 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

~  ~  ~  ~ Take both sorrow and sin to the same place! "Look on my affliction and my pain—and forgive all my sins ." Psalm 25:18 It is good for us when prayers about our sorrows , are linked with pleas concerning our sins —when, being under God's hand, we are not wholly taken up with our pain, but remember our offenses against God. It is good to take both sorrow and sin to the same place . It was to God, that David carried his sorrow —and it was to God, that David confessed his sin . Even your little sorrows you may turn over to God—for He counts the hairs of your head! And your great sorrows you may commit to Him—for He holds the ocean in the hollow of His hand! Go to Him, whatever your present trouble, and you will find Him both able and willing to relieve you. But we must take our sins to God, too. We must carry them to the cross—that the blood may fall upon them, to purge away their guilt. We are to go to the Lord with our sorrows and with our sins, in the right spirit: " Look on my affliction and my pain, and forgive all my sins." Psalm 25:18 David cries, "Lord, as for my affliction and my pain, I will not dictate to Your wisdom. I will leave them to You; I would be glad if my pain were removed, but do as You will. As for my sins , Lord, I must have them forgiven—I cannot endure to lie under their curse for a moment." A Christian counts sorrow lighter in the scale, than sin. He can bear that his troubles should continue—but he cannot support the burden of his transgressions .

~  ~  ~  ~ We see hands and feet and side, all pouring forth crimson streams of precious blood! "The precious blood of Christ!" 1 Peter 1:19 Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands and feet and side, all pouring forth crimson streams of precious blood! Christ's blood is precious because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy . By it, all the sins of all Christ's people are atoned for! Christ's blood is also precious in its cleansing power . "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin!" "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." Through Jesus' blood, there is not a spot left upon any believer—no wrinkle nor any such thing remains. Oh, precious cleansing blood—which removes the stains of abundant iniquity, and allows us to stand accepted in the Beloved, notwithstanding the many ways in which we have rebelled against our God. The blood of Christ is likewise precious in its preserving power. Under the sprinkled blood, we are safe from the destroying angel. Remember that it is God's seeing the blood, which is the true reason for our being spared. Here is comfort for us when the eye of faith is dim , for God's eye is still the same. The blood of Christ is precious also in its sanctifying influence . The same blood that justifies by taking away sin— quickens the new nature and leads it onward to subdue sin and to follow out the commands of God. There is no motive for holiness so great, as that which streams from the veins of Jesus!

~  ~  ~  ~ A flower that will adorn any garden! "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." James 4:6 Humiliation of soul always brings a positive blessing with it. If we empty our hearts of self—then God will fill them with His love. Stoop, if you would climb to Heaven. You must grow downward, that you may grow upward. The sweetest fellowship with Heaven is to be had by humble souls, and by them alone. God will deny no blessing to a thoroughly humbled spirit. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven"—along with all its riches and treasures! God blesses us all up to the full measure of what it is safe for Him to do. If you do not get a particular blessing—it is because it is not safe for you to have it! If our heavenly Father were to let your unhumbled spirit win a victory in His holy war—you would pilfer the crown for yourself! And meeting with a fresh enemy, you would fall a victim. He keeps you low for your own safety. When a man is sincerely humble and never ventures to touch so much as a grain of the praise—there is scarcely any limit to what God will do for him. Humility makes us ready to be blessed by the God of all grace, and fits us to deal efficiently with our fellow men. True humility is a flower that will adorn any garden ! Whether it is prayer or praise, whether it is work or suffering—the genuine salt of humility cannot be used in excess. "All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another—because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time!" 1 Peter 5:5-6

~  ~  ~  ~ I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God! "Lord, You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God!" Psalm 90:1-2 The Christian knows no change with regard to God. He himself may be rich today—and poor tomorrow, he may be sickly today—and well tomorrow, he may be in happiness today—tomorrow he may be distressed; but there is never any change with regard to his relationship to God. If He loved me yesterday—then He loves me today. My unmoving mansion of rest, is my blessed Lord. Let prospects be ruined, let hopes be blasted, let joy be withered, let mildews destroy everything— I have lost nothing of what I have in God. He is "my strong habitation where unto I can continually resort." I am a pilgrim in the world, but at home in my God . In the earth I wander, but in God I dwell in a quiet habitation. "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the LORD! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign LORD is my strength!" Habakkuk 3:17-19

~  ~  ~  ~ Pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts! "He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows , and familiar with suffering . Like one from whom men hide their faces He was despised , and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows —yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted . He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:3-5 Pilate delivered our Lord to the lictors to be scourged. The Roman scourge was a most dreadful instrument of torture. It was made of the sinews of oxen, and sharp bones were intertwined among the sinews; so that every time the lash came down, these pieces of bone inflicted fearful laceration and tore off the flesh from the bone. The Savior was, no doubt, bound to the whipping post and thus beaten. He had been beaten before; but this flagellation of the Roman lictors was probably the most severe of His scourgings. My soul, stand here and weep over His poor stricken body! Believer, can you gaze upon Him without tears as He stands before you, the mirror of agonizing love? He is at once as white as the lily for innocence, and as red as the rose with the crimson of His own blood. As we feel the sure and blessed healing that His stripes have wrought in us—does not our heart melt at once with love and grief? If ever we have loved our Lord Jesus, surely we must feel that affection glowing now within our bosoms. We would be compelled to go to our chambers and weep, but our business calls us away. So we will first pray our Beloved to print the image of His bleeding self upon the tablets of our hearts all the day; and at nightfall we will return to commune with Him and sorrow that our sin should have cost Him so dearly!

~  ~  ~  ~ One of the best tests of growth in grace "Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 "Grow in grace"—not in one grace only, but in all the Christian graces. Grow in the starting place of grace, faith . Believe the promises more firmly than you have before. Let faith increase in fullness, constancy and simplicity. Grow also in love . Ask that your love may become extended, more intense, more practical, influencing every thought, word and deed. Grow likewise in humility . Seek to lie very low, and know more of your own nothingness. As you grow downward in humility, seek also to grow upward—having nearer approaches to God in prayer and more intimate fellowship with Jesus . To know Him is "life eternal"—and to advance in the knowledge of Him is to increase in happiness. Whoever has sipped this wine will thirst for more; for although Christ satisfies—yet it is such a satisfaction that the appetite is not only satisfied, but invigorated. If you know the love of Jesus—then will you pant after deeper draughts of His love. If you do not desire to know Him better—then you do not love Him at all, for love always cries, "Nearer, nearer!" Seek to know more of Him . . . in His divine and human natures, in His sin-atoning work, in His excruciating death for you, in His present glorious intercession, and in His future royal coming in glory! Remain by the cross, and search the mystery of His wounds! An increase of love for Jesus, and a more perfect apprehension of His love for us—is one of the best tests of growth in grace .

~  ~  ~  ~ The cause of all crime, and the seed of every evil! Could we roll all sins into one mass—could we take murder, blasphemy, lust, theft, immorality, and everything that is vile, and unite them all into one vast ball of horrid corruption—they would not even then equal the sin of unbelief! Unbelief is . . . the king sin, the quintessence of guilt, the mixture of the venom of all crimes, the dregs of the wine of Gomorrah, the root sin, the masterpiece of Satan, the chief work of the devil. Unbelief developed into deicide —and murdered the Lord Jesus Christ! Unbelief! it has mixed many a cup of poison. It has brought thousands to the gallows, and many to a shameful grave. Many have murdered themselves, and rushed with bloody hands before their Creator's tribunal, because of unbelief. Give me an unbeliever—let me know that he doubts God's Word—let me know that he distrusts His promises and His threatenings; and with that for a premise, I will conclude that the man shall, by-and-by, unless there is amazing restraining power exerted upon him—be guilty of the foulest and vilest crimes! Unbelief is a Beelzebub sin; like Beelzebub, it is the leader of all evil spirits. It is said of Jeroboam that he sinned, and made Israel to sin; and it may be said of unbelief, that it not only itself sins, but it makes others sin. Unbelief is the cause of all crime, and the seed of every evil! In fact, everything that is evil and vile lies couched in that one word—unbelief!

~  ~  ~  ~ Just a little bit, and off you go! "His delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:2 Do not many of you read the Bible in a very hurried way— just a little bit, and off you go! Do you not soon forget what you have read, and lose what little effect it seemed to have? How few of you are resolved to get at its soul, its juice, its life, its essence—and to drink in its meaning. Well, if you do not do that—then your reading is miserable reading, dead reading, unprofitable reading; it is not reading at all, the name would be misapplied. May the blessed Spirit give you repentance concerning this thing. Meditation and careful thought, exercise us and strengthen the soul for the reception of the yet more lofty truths. We must meditate, brethren. These grapes will yield no wine until we tread upon them. These olives must be put under the wheel, and pressed again and again—that the oil may flow therefrom. In a dish of nuts, you may know which nut has been eaten by a worm—because there is a little hole which the worm has punctured through the shell. It is just a little hole, and then inside there is the living worm eating up the kernel. In the same way, it is a grand thing to bore through the shell of the letter of Scripture—and then to live inside feeding upon the kernel. I would wish to be such a little worm as that , living within and upon the Word of God, having bored my way through the shell, and having reached the innermost mystery of the blessed gospel. The Word of God is always most precious to the man who most lives upon it. Beloved, never be satisfied with a sound creed—but desire to have it engraved on the tablets of your heart. The doctrines of grace are good, but the grace of the doctrines is better still. See that you have it, and be not content with the idea that you are well-instructed—until you so understand the doctrine that you have felt its spiritual power. O living Christ, make this a living Word to me. Your Word is life, but not without the Holy Spirit. I may know this book of Yours from beginning to end, and repeat it all from Genesis to Revelation—and yet it may be a dead book, and I may be a dead soul. Oh, cling to Scripture. Scripture is not Christ, but it is the silken clue which will lead you to Him. Follow its leadings faithfully.

~  ~  ~  ~ A beloved child—watched over, cared for, supplied and defended!
"The Lord takes pleasure in His people!" Psalm 149:4 How comprehensive is the love of Jesus! There is no part of His people's interests that He does not consider; and there is nothing that concerns their welfare, which is not important to Him. Not merely does He think of you, believer, as an immortal being—but as a mortal being, also. Do not deny it or doubt it: "The very hairs of your head are all numbered." "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delights in His way." Believer, rest assured that the heart of Jesus cares about your common 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. Oh, what a heart is His—which comprehends all the diverse and innumerable concerns of all His redeemed people! Do you think that you can measure the love of Christ? Think of what His love has brought you—justification, adoption, sanctification and eternal life! The riches of His goodness are unsearchable—you shall never be able to count them out or even conceive of them all. Oh, the breadth of the love of Christ! You are no desolate wanderer, but a beloved child—watched over, cared for, supplied and defended by your Lord! "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book!" Psalm 56:8

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The most eloquent mouths that ever spoke !
"Behold, I saw a Lamb looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne!" Revelation 5:6 Why should our exalted Savior appear in Heaven with His wounds? The wounds of Jesus are . . . His glories, His jewels, His sacred ornaments! To the eye of the believer, Jesus is more than beautiful because He is "white and ruddy" Song of Solomon 5:10. He is white with innocence, and ruddy with His own blood. We see Him as the 'Lily' of matchless purity—and as the 'Rose' encrimsoned with His own blood. Christ never was so matchless as when He hung on the cross! There we behold all His beauties in perfection. The wounds of Jesus are far more beautiful than all the splendor and pomp of kings. Jesus appears as the slain Lamb who sought our souls and redeemed them by His complete atonement. His wounds are the trophies of His love and of His victory. He has redeemed for Himself a great multitude which no one can number—His scars are the memorials of the fight. If there were not an audible word, those wounds are the mouths which speak of His love! The most eloquent mouths that ever spoke , are the wounds of Christ! Listen! Listen! Every blood-drop says, "Pardon!" Every wound says, "Life, eternal life!" "In a loud voice they sang: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain— to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12

~  ~  ~  ~ Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in "He chooses our inheritance for us." Psalm 47:4 "Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him." Psalm 25:12 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." Psalm 32:8 "As for God, His way is perfect. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him." Psalm 18:30 "He guides the humble in what is right, and teaches them His way." Psalm 25:9 "I guide you in the way of wisdom, and lead you along straight paths." Proverbs 4:11 Believer, if your place is a lowly one, you should be satisfied with your earthly portion—for you may rest assured that it is the fittest for you. Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected the safest and best condition for you! Christian! You would run aground and suffer shipwreck—if your divine Captain did not steer you into the depths of affliction where waves of trouble follow each other in quick succession. It may be that you are planted where you get but little sunshine. Be assured that you are put there by the heavenly Gardener because only in that situation will you bring forth fruit unto perfection. Had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are in —divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Take up your own daily cross—it is the burden best suited for your shoulder and will prove most effective to make you perfect in every good work to the glory of God. "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:11-12

~  ~  ~  ~ This is not mine to keep!
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth , where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves 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 6:19-21 Christian! If you have anything that you prize very highly, hold it very loosely—for you may easily lose it. 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. You must keep all earthly treasures out of your heart. 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 2:17

~  ~  ~  ~ We do not know what we might have been!
"God is our refuge and strength—a very present help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1 We do not know what we might have been —if God's gracious protection had not been like a wall of fire around us, as it still is—for the Lord continues to deliver all who put their trust in Him. Believe with unquestioning confidence that God is delivering you even now. You know that He has delivered you—be just as sure that He will continue to help you in every time of trouble. "I am locked in a prison of despair!" Yes, but your Lord has a key that can open the door and let you out. "I am in great poverty!" another says. But He knows all about it, and He is going to supply all your needs. Yet another says, "But I am fainting!" God is near, ready to revive and encourage your fainting soul. Perhaps a person says, "I find faith for the past and the ultimate future quite easy, but I don't have enough faith for the present." We sometimes forget that God is "a very present help in times of trouble," but it is true. There may be many trials before you, but there is an abundance of mercy ready to meet those trials. There may be troubles that you do not know yet, as well as repetitions of those you have experienced. But the Lord will give you strength and will continue to deliver you. As the eyes gradually fail, and the limbs grow weak, and the infirmities of old age creep over us—we are likely to be distressed, but our Lord will not forsake us. When severe sickness invades our earthly bodies and our pains multiply and intensify—we wonder how we will endure. As we consider our death —we wonder how we will be able to bear our last hours. Be encouraged: He who has delivered and does deliver—will continue to deliver. Even as the trial comes, the Lord will show you a way of escape. He has delivered you—give Him your gratitude. He is delivering you—give Him your confidence. He will deliver you—begin now to praise Him for mercies that He has yet to show you, and for grace that you have not yet experienced but that He will grant you in the future. "He has delivered us from such a deadly peril—and He will deliver us!" 2 Corinthians 1:10

~  ~  ~  ~ Faith never prospers so well!
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the trial of your faith —of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7 Untried faith 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. When a calm reigns on the sea—you may spread the sails as you will, but the ship will not move to its harbor. Only let the winds rush howling forth—it is then that she makes headway toward her desired haven. No stars gleam so brightly—as those that glisten in the polar sky, no water tastes so sweet—as that which springs up amid the desert sand, and no faith is so precious—as that which lives and triumphs in adversity. Tried faith brings experience. You could not have believed your own weakness, had you not been compelled to pass through the rivers of difficulty. Just so, you would never have known God's strength, had you not been supported amid the flood-waters. Faith increases in solidity, assurance and intensity—the more it is exercised with tribulation. Faith is precious, and its trial is precious, too.

~  ~  ~  ~ God is our abode, our home!
"The eternal God is your refuge." Deuteronomy 33:27 The word "refuge" may be translated "abiding place"—which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home . There is a fullness and sweetness in the metaphor, for our home is dear to our hearts—although it may be the humblest cottage or the scantiest garret. But dearer far is our blessed God, who is our eternal refuge. It is at home that we are safe —here we shut the world out and dwell in quiet security. Just so, God is our shelter and retreat—our abiding refuge. It is at home that we take our rest —it is there that we find repose after the fatigue and toil of the day. In the same way, our hearts find rest in God when, wearied with life's conflict, we turn to Him, and our soul dwells at ease. At home, also, we let our hearts loose —we are not afraid of being misunderstood nor of our words being misconstrued. Just so, when we are with God—we can commune freely with Him, laying open all our hidden desires. Home, too, is the place of our truest and purest happiness . In the same way, it is in God that our hearts find their deepest delight. "God is our refuge and strength—a very present help in times of trouble!" Psalm 46:1

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" Behold the Man! " John 19:5 If there is one place where our Lord Jesus most fully becomes the joy and comfort of His people—it is where He plunged deepest into the depths of woe. Come, behold the Man in the garden of Gethsemane . Behold His heart so brimming with love, that He cannot hold it in. Behold the bloody sweat as it distills from every pore of His body and falls upon the ground. Behold the Man upon the bloody tree . Stand amazed as they drive the nails into His hands and feet. Look up and see the sorrowful image of your suffering Lord. Mark Him as the ruby drops stand on the thorn crown. Behold the Man when all His bones are out of joint, and He is poured out like water and brought into the dust of death. God has forsaken Him—and Hell encompasses Him. Behold and see—was there ever sorrow like His sorrow? Gaze upon Him! We have only to sit longer at the cruel cross—to be less troubled with our trials and woes. We have but to see His sorrows—and we shall be ashamed to mention our sorrows . We have but to gaze into His wounds—and heal our own. If we would grow in grace—it must be by considering His humiliation and His sorrow. If we would live holily—it must be by the contemplation of His sin-atoning death.

~  ~  ~  ~ We have need to use this prayer at all times! "Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, do not be far from me!" Psalm 38:21 We frequently pray that God would not forsake us in the hour of trial and temptation —but we often forget that we have need to use this prayer at all times! There is no moment of our life, however holy, in which we can do without His constant upholding . Whether in light or in darkness, in communion or in temptation—we alike need the prayer: "Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, do not be far from me!" We cannot do without continued aid from above. Let this be then, your daily prayer: "Father! Do not forsake Your helpless child , lest I fall by the hand of the enemy. Shepherd! Do not forsake Your wayward lamb , lest I wander from the safety of the fold. Great Gardener! Do not forsake Your frail plant , lest I wither and die. Do not forsake me in my joys —lest they absorb my heart. Do not forsake me in my sorrows —lest I murmur against You. Do not forsake me—for without You I am as weak as water. Do not forsake me—for my path is dangerous and full of snares, and I cannot do without Your guidance. Do not be far from me, O Lord—for trouble is near, and no other can help me.

Do not forsake me, O Lord! O my God, do not be far from me! Do not leave me or forsake me, O God my Savior—at any moment of my life!" "Hold me up, and I shall be safe!" Psalm 119:117

~  ~  ~  ~ The spring of true obedience to God! "This is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands." 2 John 1:6 Love to God is the spring of true obedience to God . One who is not obedient to His commandments, is evidently not a true believer; for although good works do not save us—yet, being saved, believers are sure to produce good works. Though the fruit is not the root of the tree—yet a well-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. So, though the keeping of the commandments does not make me a child of God—yet, being a child of God, I shall be obedient to my heavenly Father. But this I cannot be, unless I love God. A mere external formal obedience— is not sincere obedience in God's sight. He abhors the sacrifice, where the heart is not found. I must obey Him because I love Him—or else I have not truly obeyed at all. See then, that to produce the indispensable fruits of saving faith —there must be sincere love for God. "If you love Me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15 "Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me." John 14:21 "If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching." John 14:23 "He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching." John 14:24

~  ~  ~  ~ They are all gone! "If you, O Lord, should keep a record of our sins—Lord, who could stand before You?" Psalm 130:3 "I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for My own sake, and will never remember them again!" Isaiah 43:25 "You will tread our sins underfoot, and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea!" Micah 7:19 All our transgressions are swept away at once, carried off as by a flood! They are so completely removed from us—that no guilty trace of them remains! They are all gone! Oh, believers, think of this, for it is no little thing. Sins against a holy God, sins against His loving Son, sins against the Gospel—as well as against the Law, sins against man—as well as against God, sins of the body—as well as sins of the mind, sins as numerous as the sands on the seashore, and as great as the sea itself —all, all are removed from us—as far as the east is from the west! All this evil was rolled into one great mass and laid upon Jesus! Having borne it all, He has made an end of it forever. When the Lord forgave us, He forgave us the whole debt. He did not take the bill and say, "I strike out this item, and that item"—but the pen went through it all: Paid in full! "For as high as the heavens are above the earth—so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west—so far has He removed our transgressions from us!" Psalm 103:11-12 "My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"
Horatio Spafford

~  ~  ~  ~ A mark which is always set upon Christ's sheep, and never set upon any others! "And 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 8:28 There are some graces which in their vigor are not absolutely essential to the bare existence of spiritual life, though they are very important for its healthy growth. But true love for God must be in the heart—or else there is no grace there whatever. If a man does not love God, then he is not a renewed man. Love for God is a mark which is always set upon Christ's sheep, and never set upon any others . I have no right, therefore, to believe that I am a regenerated person—unless my heart truly and sincerely loves God. If I have been regenerated, I will not be perfect, but this one thing I can say: "Lord, You know all things. You know that I love You! " When by believing we receive the privilege to become sons of God—we also receive the nature of sons, and with filial love we cry, "Abba, Father!" There is no exception to this rule! If a man does not sincerely love God—then he is not born of God. As the sun must give forth its light—so must a soul that has been created anew by divine grace, display its nature by earnest affection toward God. You are not born again, unless you love God. Sincere love to God is indispensable! "If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed!" 1 Corinthians 16:22

~  ~  ~  ~ If a lobster loses its claw in a fight "I will give you a new heart , and put a new spirit in you. I will remove your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh!" Ezekiel 36:26 What a wonder it is, that a man could ever have a new heart! You know that if a lobster loses its claw in a fight , it may grow a new claw—and that is thought to be quite marvelous. It would be far more astonishing, if men could be able to grow new arms and new legs. But who ever heard of a man who grew a new heart? You may have seen a bough lopped off a tree, and you may have thought that perhaps the tree will sprout again and there will be a new limb. But who ever heard of a wooden fence post getting new sap and a new life? Yet my Lord and Master, the crucified and exalted Savior—has given His people new hearts, and has and made new creations of them! "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ—he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17 Let us rejoice together in this regenerating Savior!

~  ~  ~  ~ Sought out! "You shall be called: Sought out! " Isaiah 62:12 The surpassing grace of God is seen very clearly, in that He has sought out His chosen people. Glory be to infinite love and unconquerable grace—we were sought out! No gloom could hide us, no filthiness could conceal us! We were sought out, found and brought home. The lives of some of God's people, if they could be written, would fill us with holy astonishment. Marvelous and wondrous are the ways that God uses to find His own people. Blessed be His name, He never relinquishes the search, until His chosen ones are effectually sought out and brought home. Christians are not a people sought today—and cast away tomorrow. Almightiness and wisdom combined, will make no failures. They shall be called "Sought out!" That any should be sought out is matchless grace—but that we should be sought out, is grace beyond degree! We can find no reason for it, but God's own sovereign love! We lift up our heart in astonishment, and praise the Lord that we wear the name of "Sought out!" "Rejoice with Me, for I have found My sheep which was lost!" Luke 15:6 "Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wandering from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood!"

~  ~  ~  ~ God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers! "But He said to me: 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 If none of God's saints were poor and tried, we would not know the consolations of divine grace half so well. When we find the wanderer who does not have a place to lay his head, who yet can say, "Still I will trust in the Lord"; when we see the pauper starving on bread and water, who still glories in Jesus; when we see the bereaved widow overwhelmed in affliction, and yet relying on Christ—oh what honor it reflects on the Gospel. God's grace is illustrated and magnified in the poverty and trials of believers! Saints bear up under every discouragement, believing that all things work together for their good, and that out of apparent evils a real blessing shall ultimately spring. They know that their God will either work a deliverance for them speedily—or most assuredly support them in the trouble, as long as He is pleased to keep them in it. This perseverance of the saints proves the power of divine grace. He who would glorify God, must reckon upon meeting with many trials. No man can be illustrious before the Lord, unless his conflicts are many. If then yours is a much-tried path, rejoice in it because you will better show forth the all-sufficient grace of God. As for His failing you, never dream of it—hate the thought. The God who has been sufficient until now, should be trusted to the end. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but