Christ’s reign in his Church is that of a shepherd-king. He has supremacy, but it is the superiority of a wise and tender shepherd over his needy and loving flock; he commands and receives obedience, but it is the willing obedience of the well-cared-for sheep, rendered joyfully to their beloved Shepherd, whose voice they know so well. He rules by the force of love and the energy of goodness. His reign is practical in its character. It is said, “He shall stand and feed.” The great Head of the Church is actively engaged in providing for his people. He does not sit down upon the throne in empty state, or hold a sceptre without wielding it in government. No, he stands and feeds. The expression “feed,” in the original, is like an analogous one in the Greek, which means to shepherdize, to do everything expected of a shepherd: to guide, to watch, to preserve, to restore, to tend, as well as to feed. His reign is continual in its duration. It is said, “He shall stand and feed;” not “He shall feed now and then, and leave his position;” not, “He shall one day grant a revival, and then next day leave his Church to barrenness.” His eyes never slumber, and his hands never rest; his heart never ceases to beat with love, and his shoulders are never weary of carrying his people’s burdens. His reign is effectually powerful in its action; “He shall feed in the strength of Jehovah.” Wherever Christ is, there is God; and whatever Christ does is the act of the Most High. Oh! it is a joyful truth to consider that he who stands today representing the interests of his people is very God of very God, to whom every knee shall bow. Happy are we who belong to such a shepherd, whose humanity communes with us, and whose divinity protects us. Let us worship and bow down before him as the people of his pasture.
“He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord.” Micah 5:4
What God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?—DEUT. 3:24.
What God is there in heaven or in earth, that can do according to thy works, and according to thy might?—DEUT. 3:24.
Who in the heaven can be compared unto the Lord? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the Lord? O Lord God of hosts, who is a strong Lord like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?—Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.—For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O Lord God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit.—The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those thing which are revealed belong unto us and to our children. Psa. 89:6,8. -Psa. 86:8. -II Sam. 7:21,22.I Cor. 2:9,10. -Deut. 29:29.
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord,
21 Because of your promise, and according to your own heart, you have brought about all this greatness, to make your servant know it. 22 Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you, and there is no God besides you, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (ESV) 9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. (ESV) 29 “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. (ESV)Psalm 89:6
Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord, (ESV)Psalm 86:8
nor are there any works like yours. (ESV)2 Samuel 7:21-22
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—Deuteronomy 29:29
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.—I COR. 1:31.
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am theLord. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.—I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.—I have whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.—My heart rejoiceth in the Lord. . . . I rejoice in thy salvation. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Jer. 9:23,24.Phi. 3:8. -Rom. 1:16. -Rom. 15:17.Psa. 73:25. -I Sam. 2:1.Psa. 115:1. 23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (ESV)Jeremiah 9:23-24
Philippians 3:8
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (ESV)
Romans 1:16
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (ESV)
Romans 15:17
17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. (ESV)
Psalm 73:25
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. (ESV)
1 Samuel 2:1
Hannah's Prayer
2:1 And Hannah prayed and said,
“My heart exults in the Lord;
my strength is exalted in the Lord.
My mouth derides my enemies,
because I rejoice in your salvation. (ESV)
Psalm 115:1
To Your Name Give Glory
115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! (ESV)
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.—I COR. 1:31.
Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am theLord. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.—I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.—I have whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.—My heart rejoiceth in the Lord. . . . I rejoice in thy salvation. Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Jer. 9:23,24.Phi. 3:8. -Rom. 1:16. -Rom. 15:17.Psa. 73:25. -I Sam. 2:1.Psa. 115:1. 23 Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.” (ESV)
Jeremiah 9:23-24
As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation—I PET. 1:15.
Ye know how we exhorted . . . and charged every one of you, that ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.—Ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. Ye were sometime darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.—Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.—Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I Thes. 2:11,12. -I Pet. 2:9.Eph. 5:8-11. -Phi. 1:11.Matt. 5:16. -I Cor. 10:31.
Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.—ISA. 45:11.
A new heart . . . will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. Thus saith the Lord God; I will yet for this be enquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them. If two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Have faith in God. Verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
“He will give grace and glory.”
Bounteous is Jehovah in his nature; to give is his delight. His gifts are beyond measure precious, and are as freely given as the light of the sun. He gives grace to his elect because he wills it, to his redeemed because of his covenant, to the called because of his promise, to believers because they seek it, to sinners because they need it. He gives grace abundantly, seasonably, constantly, readily, sovereignly; doubly enhancing the value of the boon by the manner of its bestowal. Grace in all its forms he freely renders to his people: comforting, preserving, sanctifying, directing, instructing, assisting grace, he generously pours into their souls without ceasing, and he always will do so, whatever may occur. Sickness may befall, but the Lord will give grace; poverty may happen to us, but grace will surely be afforded; death must come but grace will light a candle at the darkest hour. Reader, how blessed it is as years roll round, and the leaves begin again to fall, to enjoy such an unfading promise as this, “The Lord will give grace.” The little conjunction “and” in this verse is a diamond rivet binding the present with the future: grace and glory always go together. God has married them, and none can divorce them. The Lord will never deny a soul glory to whom he has freely given to live upon his grace; indeed, glory is nothing more than grace in its Sabbath dress, grace in full bloom, grace like autumn fruit, mellow and perfected. How soon we may have glory none can tell! It may be before this month of October has run out we shall see the Holy City; but be the interval longer or shorter, we shall be glorified ere long. Glory, the glory of heaven, the glory of eternity, the glory of Jesus, the glory of the Father, the Lord will surely give to his chosen. Oh, rare promise of a faithful God! Two golden links of one celestial chain: Who owneth grace shall surely glory gain.Psalm 84:11
Song of Solomon 7:13
“Pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my beloved.” The spouse desires to give to Jesus all that she produces. Our heart has “all manner of pleasant fruits,” both “old and new,” and they are laid up for our Beloved. At this rich autumnal season of fruit, let us survey our stores. We have new fruits. We desire to feel new life, new joy, new gratitude; we wish to make new resolves and carry them out by new labours; our heart blossoms with new prayers, and our soul is pledging herself to new efforts. But we have some old fruits too. There is our first love: a choice fruit that! and Jesus delights in it. There is our first faith: that simple faith by which, having nothing, we became possessors of all things. There is our joy when first we knew the Lord: let us revive it. We have our old remembrances of the promises. How faithful has God been! In sickness, how softly did he make our bed! In deep waters, how placidly did he buoy us up! In the flaming furnace, how graciously did he deliver us. Old fruits, indeed! We have many of them, for his mercies have been more than the hairs of our head. Old sins we must regret, but then we have had repentances which he has given us, by which we have wept our way to the cross, and learned the merit of his blood. We have fruits, this morning, both new and old; but here is the point—they are all laid up for Jesus. Truly, those are the best and most acceptable services in which Jesus is the solitary aim of the soul, and his glory, without any admixture whatever, the end of all our efforts. Let our many fruits be laid up only for our Beloved; let us display them when he is with us, and not hold them up before the gaze of men. Jesus, we will turn the key in our garden door, and none shall enter to rob thee of one good fruit from the soil which thou hast watered with thy bloody sweat. Our all shall be thine, thine only, O Jesus, our Beloved!Song of Solomon 7:13
“Oh that I were as in months past.”
Numbers of Christians can view the past with pleasure, but regard the present with dissatisfaction; they look back upon the days which they have passed in communing with the Lord as being the sweetest and the best they have ever known, but as to the present, it is clad in a sable garb of gloom and dreariness. Once they lived near to Jesus, but now they feel that they have wandered from him, and they say, “O that I were as in months past!” They complain that they have lost their evidences, or that they have not present peace of mind, or that they have no enjoyment in the means of grace, or that conscience is not so tender, or that they have not so much zeal for God’s glory. The causes of this mournful state of things are manifold. It may arise through a comparative neglect of prayer, for a neglected closet is the beginning of all spiritual decline. Or it may be the result ofidolatry. The heart has been occupied with something else, more than with God; the affections have been set on the things of earth, instead of the things of heaven. A jealous God will not be content with a divided heart; he must be loved first and best. He will withdraw the sunshine of his presence from a cold, wandering heart. Or the cause may be found in self-confidence and self-righteousness. Pride is busy in the heart, and self is exalted instead of lying low at the foot of the cross. Christian, if you are not now as you “were in months past,” do not rest satisfied with wishing for a return of former happiness, but go at once to seek your Master, and tell him your sad state. Ask his grace and strength to help you to walk more closely with him; humble yourself before him, and he will lift you up, and give you yet again to enjoy the light of his countenance. Do not sit down to sigh and lament; while the beloved Physician lives there is hope, nay there is a certainty of recovery for the worst cases.Job 29:2
HEB. 2:14.
That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death.—HEB. 2:14. Our Saviour Jesus Christ . . . hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.—He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD shall wipe away the tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lordhath spoken it.—When this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.—Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. II Tim. 1:10. -Isa. 25:8. -I Cor. 15:54-57.II Tim. 1:7. -Psa. 23:4.
Them that honour me I will honour.—I SAM. 2:30.
Whosoever . . . shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.—He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Fear none of these things which thou shalt suffer. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.—Praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Matt. 10:32. -Matt. 10:37-39.Jas. 1:12.Rev. 2:10.II Cor. 4:17. -I Pet. 1:7.
PSALM 18:16.
He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of many waters.—PSA. 18:16. He brought me up . . . out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.—You hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world. We all had our conversation in times past in the lusts our flesh. Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed.—Out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice. For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.—We went through fire and through water: thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee. Psa. 40:2. -Eph. 2:1,3.Psa. 61:1,2. -Jon. 2:2,3. -Psa. 66:12.Isa. 43:2.
Walk in newness of life.—ROM. 6:4.
As ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.—I beseech you, . . . brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. If any man be in Christ he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.—In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy.—This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind.—Ye have not so learned Christ; if so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus. Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Rom. 6:19. -Rom. 12:1,2.II Cor. 5:17. -Gal. 6:15,16. -Eph. 4:17. -Eph. 4:20,21,24.
Thy will be done.—MATT. 26:42.
O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.—Not as I will, but as thou wilt.—Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child. We know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Ye know not what ye ask.—He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.—These things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. I would have you without carefulness.—Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Jer. 10:23. -Matt. 26:39. -Psa. 131:2.Rom. 8:26,27.Matt. 20:22. -Psa. 106:15. -I Cor. 10:6.I Cor. 7:32. -Isa. 26:3.
Whom the Lord loveth he correcteth.—PROV. 3:12.
See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.—I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.—My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.—As a man chasteneth his son, so the Lord thy God chasteneth thee.—Now no chastening for the present, seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.—Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Deut. 32:39. -Jer. 29:11. -Isa. 55:8.Hos. 2:14. -Deut. 8:5. -Heb. 12:11. -I Pet. 5:6.Psa. 119:75.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.—PSA. 24:1.
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.—PSA. 24:1. She did not know that I gave her corn, and wine, and oil, and multiplied her silver and gold. Therefore will I return, and take away my corn in the time thereof, and my wine in the season thereof, and I will recover my wool and my flax. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. O Lord our God, all this store . . . cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.—Of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen. The living God . . . giveth us richly all things to enjoy.—Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Hos. 2:8,9.I Chr. 29:14-16. -Rom. 11:36.I Tim. 6:17. -I Tim. 4:4,5.Phi. 4:19.
JOHN 14:26.
The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.—JOHN 14:26. If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.—If ye . . . being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?—Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.—Ye have not, because ye ask not. When . . . the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. They rebelled, and vexed his Holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and He fought against them. John 4:10. -Luke 11:13. -John 16:23,24. -Jas. 4:2.John 16:13,14.Isa. 63:10.
What think ye of Christ?—MATT. 22:42.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.—He hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS. Unto you . . . which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.—Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.—Lord, thou knowest all things: thou knowest that I love thee. Psa. 24:9,10. -Rev. 19:16.I Pet. 2:7. -I Cor. 1:23,24.Phi. 3:8. -John 21:17.
PROV. 4:18.
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.—PROV. 4:18. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.—Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father.—We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.—When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.—For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.—Beloved, now are we the sons of God; and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Phi. 3:12. -Hos. 6:3.Matt. 13:43. -II Cor. 3:18. -I Cor. 13:10,12. -I John. 3:2,3.
Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.—ROM. 10:13.
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.—Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.—What will ye that I shall do unto you? They say unto him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. If ye . . . being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?—I will put my Spirit within you. Thus saith the Lord GOD; I will yet for this be enquired of. This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. John 6:37. -Luke 23:42,43. -Matt. 20:32-34.Luke 11:13. -Eze. 6:27,37,37.I John 5:1415.
Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee.—SONG 4:7.
The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.—We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.—I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing. Ye are washed, . . . ye are sanctified, . . . ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.—The King's daughter is all glorious within.—Perfect through my comeliness, which I had put upon thee, saith the Lord GOD. Let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us. These are they which . . . have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.—A glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but . . . holy and without blemish.—Ye are complete in him. Isa. 1:5,6. -Isa. 64:6. -Rom. 7:18.I Cor. 6:11. -Psa. 45:13. -Ezek. 16:14.Psa. 90:17.Rev. 7:14. -Eph. 5:27. -Col. 2:10.
Broken cisterns, that can hold no water.—JER. 2:13.
Eve . . . bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven. The Lord scattered them.—Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; it was well watered every where, even as the garden of the Lord. But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.—I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: I gathered me also silver and gold. Then I looked on all, and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit. If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.—He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Gen. 4:1.Gen. 11:4,8. -Gen. 13:11,10,13.Eccl. 1:17,18. -Eccl. 2:4,8,11.John 7:37. -Psa. 107:9.Col. 3:2.
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but thou shouldest keep them from the evil.—JOHN 17:15.
Blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.—Ye are the salt of the earth, . . . the light of the world.—Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is heaven. I also withheld thee from sinning against me. The Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.—So did not I, because of the fear of God.—Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father.—Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Phi. 2:15. -Matt. 5:13,14. -Matt. 5:16.Gen. 20:6.II Thes. 3:3. -Neh. 5:15. -Gal. 1:4. -Jude 24,25.
