Psalm 31:1-25

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 69:1-12

Having shared with us the conviction that God is good, the psalmist now proceeds to tell us what caused him to move away from that belief so that his soul became filled with such desolating doubt: "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the...

For Reading and Meditation:     Isaiah 3:1-11

Now we pause to ask ourselves how this fifth Beatitude, when practised, engenders within us good mental and spiritual health. Psychologists have shown that those who lack the qualities of mercy and compassion are more likely to develop physical problems. Harsh, judgmental attitudes may bring a sense of satisfaction to...

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 31:19-24

Once the psalmist reached the place of utter abandonment before God there came into his heart an instant reassurance: "Yet I am always with you" (Psalm 73:23). Some translations put it like this: "Nevertheless I am continually with you". Personally I prefer the word...

Every event is under Divine control. Nothing is left to chance.

The hand of God is in all that occurs; directing, overruling, and sanctifying to our good.

He appointed all that concerns us, and appointed all in infinite wisdom and love; therefore we should not judge rashly, or conclude hastily. We know not what may occur today, but we know that the purpose of God cannot be frustrated, nor can His purpose fail. He worketh all things after the counsel of His own will.

He...

OUR God has revealed Himself as the source, centre, and end of everything lovely. In Jesus He appears as the fairest among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely. The wealth of the universe is His. He is worthy of our highest love. He is all we could wish or desire. To possess Him is to be made for eternity. To have Him on our side is to be safe forever. But you may ask, What is His mind towards us? Emphatically, "grace." We have found favour in His eyes. He is the friend of penitent...

These words have been frequently used by holy men in their hour of departure. We may profitably consider them this evening. The object of the faithful man's solicitude in life and death is not his body or his estate, but his spirit; this is his choice treasure-if this be safe, all is well. What is this mortal state compared with the soul? The believer commits his soul to the hand of his God; it came from him, it is his own, he has aforetime sustained it, he is able to keep it, and it is...

Our spiritual foes are of the serpent's brood, and seek to ensnare us by subtlety. The prayer before us supposes the possibility of the believer being caught like a bird. So deftly does the fowler do his work, that simple ones are soon surrounded by the net. The text asks that even out of Satan's meshes the captive one may be delivered; this is a proper petition, and one which can be granted: from between the jaws of the lion, and out of the belly of hell, can eternal love rescue the saint....

The time of my prosperity. In vain would I say unto my soul, " Soul, take thine ease, thou hast much goods laid up for many years." In vain I grasp the evidences of my wealth; look abroad upon my goodly mansions and large estates; reckon upon my wealth, and exult in the victory obtained over earthly vicissitudes. The victory is a mere cheat, a phantasm of my brain. The time of my prosperity is in the hand of God, He opens his hand, and all my possessions vanish into air.

The time of...

Before you are conscious of any strength in your heart, while you feel yourself exceedingly weak and utterly incompetent, even then you are to be of good courage. It requires very little true courage to be bold when there is the consciousness of strength. The courage that is well-pleasing in the sight of God, is the courage of faith; the courage of David, whose sling and stone were nothing, but who trusted simply in God.

Nothing is more essential to the Christian than good courage. He...

Psalms 31:5

"Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me."

These words are often quoted as if they were for the hour of death. Indeed, Jesus did use them as His last words on the cross, and they are fit words for any dying saint. But here the committal is for life, with its experiences.

The words imply complete surrender. They are...