Isaiah 31:9

REFLECTIONS

READER! pause over this chapter, and behold in it a confirmation of all the great and leading truths of God! All human strength is like the strength of Egypt; of no dependence in the hour of need: and all confidence therefore in it, will assuredly disappoint. Oh! how forcibly therefore doth this chapter, and indeed the whole scriptures of God, proclaim in our ears, Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?

Blessed Lord Jesus! let every renewed view of man's nothingness, and of thy all sufficiency, tend yet more and more to endear thee to my heart. Truly, Lord, I see that in vain is salvation looked for from the hills, or from the multitude of mountains. It is thou, and thou alone, O Lord, in thy blood and righteousness, that art the salvation of Israel. Do thou, blessed Jesus, as this chapter graciously sets forth, enable me, at all times, to pass by all other considerations, and get above all fears, and pass over to thee the strong hold of all thy redeemed. In thy Zion, thy Church, thou art, and ever will be, a wall of fire round about; and the furnace in Jerusalem, both for trying and purifying thy people. Lord! purify my soul among the sons of Levi, and let all my poor offerings be in thee, and by thee, that I may offer to the Lord an offering in thy righteousness.