_And cried with a loud voice unto the Lord their God._ THE SUPPLIANT The true test of the good received in religious ordinances is their sanctifying effect on the life. Many a tree is gay with blossoms in spring that yields no fruit in autumn; and so many gospel hearers, who appear full of promise... [ Continue Reading ]
_And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt._ THE PATH OF DUTY THE PATH OF TRIAL I. That the path of human duty here runs through great trials. 1. Sometimes it involves the sacrifice of endeared friendship. Lot had to separate from Abraham, Barnabas from Paul, Paul from Mark. 2. Someti... [ Continue Reading ]
_Moreover Thou leddest them in the day by a cloudy pillar._ THE PILLARS OF CLOUD AND FIRE The people who for forty years followed that fire-cloud have left footprints in the sands of time which serve us as an alphabet of life. The march of the Israelites is an allegory of the life of man. Like a p... [ Continue Reading ]
_But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks._ HARDENED BY SIN Dr. Manton says: “As a delicate constitution is more capable of pain than a robust and stubborn one, and the tender flesh of a child will sooner feel the lash than the thick skin of a slave, so the children of God,... [ Continue Reading ]
_But Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful._ DIVINE FORGIVENESS I. What is necessary to render the subject interesting. 1. A conviction of guilt. 2. An apprehension of our danger as transgressors. 3. A discovery of the privileges of a pardoned state. II. The proofs which establ... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thou careen down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven._ GO BY THE DIRECTIONS I saw a picture once which has stuck to my memory for years and years. It was a picture of a dark, wild, stormy night, and a traveller was standing up in the stirrups of his horse at a parting of the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against Thee._ PROVOCATIONS AND PUNISHMENT I. How justly we may be charged, as the Jews in the text, with having wrought great provocations. This will be manifest if we consider-- 1. To what a prodigious height all kinds of iniquity are raised amo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Howbeit, Thou art just in all that is brought upon us._ THE MISERIES OF LIFE; THEIR ORIGIN AND REMEDY The miseries of life have been a fruitful theme to writers in all ages. Some have endeavoured to engage us in their contemplation for a wise and good end. Others have taken occasion from them to... [ Continue Reading ]
_And because of all this, we make a sure covenant, and write it._ COVENANTING WITH GOD It may be asked, Are Christians of the present day expected to enter into such covenants? To this we reply both yes and no. Yes, if regard be had to true heart-consecration to the Lord. No, if it be a mere matte... [ Continue Reading ]