October 20, 2017

Good Cause for Great Zeal   “Now because we have maintenance from the king’s palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king’s dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king.”— Ezra iv. 14.   THE facts of the case were these. Under Zerubbabel, the Jews, who had returned from Babylon, commenced to rebuild Jerusalem. …

Ezra:4:14

October 20, 2017

Royal Homage   “And cast their crowns before the throne.” — Revelation. iv. 10.   THERE are a great many things we should like to know about heaven. Our curiosity has been excited full often to ask a vast number of questions, but after being excited, it has never been gratified, for God’s word has told us little about …

Revelation:4:10

October 20, 2017

Plenary Absolution   “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” — Psalm ciii. 12.   WE shall aim at no novelty to-night, nor shall we try to serve up the old truths in any new and attractive forms. Upon your tables you always require bread, and generally you …

Psalms:103:12

October 20, 2017

Romans, but not Romanists   “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: that ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself …

Romans:16:1-16

October 20, 2017

The Father's Will   “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, …

John:6:39, 40

October 20, 2017

The Way to Honour   “Whoso keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit thereof: so he that waiteth on his master shall be honoured.” — Proverbs xxvii. 18.   IF a man in Palestine carefully watched his fig tree, and kept it in proper condition, he was sure to be abundantly rewarded in due season, for it would …

Proverbs:27:18

October 20, 2017

A Welcome Discovery   “God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the bottle with water, and gave the lad drink.” — Genesis xxi. 19.   You know the story of Hagar; of her being sent out from Abraham’s tent with her son Ishmael. It was necessary that they should be …

Genesis:21:19

October 13, 2017

Overwhelming Obligations   “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?”— Psalm cxvi. 12.   DEEP emotion prompts this question ; but where are the depths of love and gratitude that can meet its exuberant demands ? You will perhaps remember an incident in the life of a famous soldier, who also became a …

Psalms:116:12

January 1, 1970

Eyes Opened    “And God opened her eyes.”— Genesis xxi. 19.   THERE w a s a well of water close to Hagar all the while though she saw it not. God did not cleave the earth and cause new waters to gush forth, nor was there need. The well was there already, but for all practical purposes it …

Genesis:21:19

January 1, 1970

The Overflowing Cup   “My cup runneth over.” — Psalm xxiii. 5.   THE psalm culminates in this expression. The poet can mount no higher. He has endeavoured to express the blessedness of his condition, in having the Lord for his shepherd, but after all his efforts he is conscious of failure. His sonnet has not reached the height …

Psalms:23:5