_And as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper._ SOUL PROSPERITY I. The seekers of the Lord. 1. Every real seeker of the Lord must be a heaven-born soul (John 3:8). This involves the bestowment of a Divine existence, the creating of a new nature (2 Peter 1:4). This is the nature that... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he loved husbandry._ WE CANNOT ALWAYS FOLLOW THE PURSUITS WE LOVE Is there anything more distressing than to be compelled to do the thing we have no heart for? Many a man in the city would leave his occupation to-morrow if he could find bread in the thing he really loves. And many men are in... [ Continue Reading ]
_For he was marvellously helped till he was strong._ MARVELLOUSLY HELPED TILL STRONG Two kinds of help, natural and supernatural. 1. A time when we cannot help ourselves. Infancy. 2. A time of growth, when we can help ourselves. Youth, manhood. 3. When thus strong the supernatural help ceases.... [ Continue Reading ]
_It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the Lord._ WE MUST ABIDE WITHIN OUR LIMITATION The great temptation of some natures is to try to do the very things for which they are least qualified. There is a marvellous irony in human genius in this matter. It would seem to be an in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Uzziah was wroth._ IMPATIENCE OF REPROOF How often is the sinner only provoked to greater wickedness by the obstacles which Divine grace opposes to his wrong-doing! How few men will tolerate the suggestion that their intentions are cruel, selfish, or dishonourable! Remonstrance is an insult,... [ Continue Reading ]