The Sorrow of The World

Just as surely as happiness is the attendant of holiness so misery is the certain result of sin. The sorrow of the world is not occasioned by mourning over sin as sin but over the punishment which sin brings.

The sorrow of the world does not arise from just views of sin, nor does it proceed from any concern that God has been offended. It does not lead the soul to God in true penitence, nor to turn to Him for consolation.

When the worldling's dream of earthly happiness has been dispelled by misfortune, he feeds only on the sour bread of self-pity.

The sorrow of the world debilitates the body, disturbs peace, and brings complaining and despair. There is no contrite seeking of God on the part of the suffering one but only a fretting and murmuring against Him.

[A.W. Pink]

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2 Corinthians 7:10 ... For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Revelation 16:10-11 ... And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.❤

The Myth of Mother Nature!!

Who is regulating affairs on this earth today: God, or the Devil? That God reigns supreme in Heaven, is generally conceded; but that He reigns supreme over this earth, is almost universally denied if not directly, then indirectly. More and more are men relegating God to the background, in their philosophizing and theorizing. Take the material realm. Not only is it denied that God created everything, by personal and direct action, but few believe that He has any immediate concern in regulating the works of His own hands.

It is common to hear disasters explained as impersonal "Forces of Nature," or mere outcomes of "Natural Laws," or "Bad Luck." Yet Scripture shatters that notion: War, pestilence, floods, storms, earthquakes, fires all flow from the eternal decree and providential governance of our holy God. When hurricanes lash the coast, or fires consume forests we must not bow the knee to the myth of "Mother Nature" but humble ourselves before the One who "commands and raises the stormy wind." (Psalm 107:25)

Nahum 1:3, "He displays his power in the whirlwind and the storm. The billowing clouds are the dust beneath His feet." Every blast of wind and crack of thunder, fulfill His wise and holy will.

When disaster strikes, our natural impulse is fear and bewilderment. Yet believers are called to recognize God's sovereign hand in every storm and tempest of life. We do not cower at chance events, for there is no "chance" with Him. We should pray with assurance, knowing that "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." (Romans 8:28)

Earth and air, fire and water, hail and snow, stormy winds and angry seas all perform His sovereign pleasure. It is God who withholds the rain, and it is God who gives the rain when He wills, where He wills, as He wills, and on whom He wills.

Either God governs or He is governed.  Either God rules or He is ruled.  Either God has His way or men have theirs.

No revolving world, no shining of star, no storm, no creature moves, no actions of men, no errands of angels, no deeds of Devil nothing in all the vast universe can come to pass, otherwise than what God has eternally purposed.

Here is an anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast. It is not blind fate, unbridled evil, man or Devil but the Lord Almighty who is ruling His world, ruling it according to His own good pleasure and for His own eternal glory!

[A. W. Pink]

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Ecclesiastes 7:14 ... In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: God also hath set the one over against the other, to the end that man should find nothing after him.

Isaiah 45:6-7 ...  That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the Lord, and there is none else. I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.

Psalm 135:6 ... Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places. ❤

Spiritual Singing

Does not one have to be in the right mood for singing, either to engage in it personally or to enjoy that of others? Such is the idea which prevails generally among professing Christians. From one standpoint, it is of course true but from another, it is not so. But surely no one sings when he is thoroughly miserable, unless he forces himself to do so. 

Ah, is not that exactly what the worldling would say? It is! and, sad to say, the great majority of church members hold the same view, which only evidences the carnality of their conceptions. Are the children of God in no better case than the children of the devil? Are they too "creatures of circumstances," swayed by the situation in which they find themselves, a prey to their feelings? But must not one be in a cheerful frame in order to really sing? 

Yes, to sing naturally. But does not the saint require to be on the mount, before he can break forth into spiritual song? Such questions indicate how unscriptural the thoughts of most people on this subject are: they reduce singing to a mere physical exercise, an outburst of their natural emotions. Christians are bidden to delight themselves in the LORD (Psalm 37:4); and if they really do so, songs of praise are bound to spring up in their hearts. That it is not God's will that His children should be miserable, is clear from the fact that the service of song is an ordinance of worship; both under the old covenant and the new. (1Chronicles 6:31, Ephesians 5:19) 

Singing is an act by which the soul renders homage, and the heart adores the glorious One 

[A. W. Pink]

                                                    Jasper Silas Neal ©2017

Psalm 96:1 ... O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Psalm 28:7 ... The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.

James 5:13 ...  Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. ❤

Valuable Bread

We ask the reader: ought not the doctrine of election to be plainly and freely proclaimed? 

If God's Word is full of this precious doctrine, if the gospel cannot be Scripturally preached without it, if the grace of God cannot be maintained when it is suppressed, if the proclamation of it abases man into the dust, if it is a divinely appointed means of faith, if it is a powerful incentive unto the promotion of holiness, if it stirs up the spirit of praise in the soul, if it establishes the Christian in his eternal security, if it is such a source of stability to the child of God, if it supplies encouragement to praying souls, if it works in us a sweet submission to the divine will then shall we refuse to give God's children this valuable bread, merely because dogs snap at it! 

Shall we withhold from the sheep this vital ingredient of their food, simply because the goats cannot digest it! 

[A. W. Pink]

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Romans 9:10-13 ...  And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.

Ephesians 1:4-6 ... According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. ❤

Groanings Heard!

The Christian life is not free from weakness, but rather full of it. We groan under the burden of indwelling sin, the brokenness of the world, and the mystery of God's providence. Often, we find ourselves overwhelmed, our thoughts confused, our emotions storm-tossed, our words failing in prayer. Yet even in these frail moments, the believer is not alone. For within him dwells the Spirit of God, the divine Helper, who prays with and for him. 

In this verse, we see the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit, so often overlooked, yet profoundly necessary. The Spirit does not merely assist us when we are strong; He helps us in our "weakness". He comes alongside us when we do not know what to say. When the burden is too deep for words, when the pain is beyond expression, He intercedes with groanings that reach the heart of the Father. These are not groans of despair, but of holy longing, divinely wrought desires for the will of God, rising from within the soul. 

The Spirit's intercession is continual and unceasing. It is perfectly aligned with God's will. Unlike our prayers, so often mixed with selfishness or ignorance, His groanings are pure and effective. The Father, who searches hearts, hears not merely the faltering words of His children, but the Spirit's cry within them. And because the Spirit is God, His intercession always prevails. What comfort this brings to the struggling saint! 

Prayer is not a performance to be perfected, but a dependence to be expressed. Even when we cannot articulate our need, the indwelling Spirit lifts our cries heavenward. We may feel that our prayers are weak, but they are carried by One who cannot fail. Though we stumble in the darkness, the Spirit groans with us, guiding our souls before the throne of grace. Therefore, do not despair when your words fail. Your great High Priest intercedes in Heaven, and the Spirit intercedes within you. You are upheld by divine prayers. You are never unheard, never forgotten, never left to fend for yourself in the place of prayer. 

The groans of the Spirit are God's pledge that your weakness will not hinder His purpose. 

[A. W. Pink] 

Romans 8:26-27 ... Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for 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.

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"Mortification and Vivification"

The Christian life is not a playground, but a battlefield. We are called to take up arms against two mighty foes: the indwelling corruption of our flesh; and the sluggishness of our hearts toward God. Scripture speaks of this double duty as mortification of sin, and vivification of grace. 

Whenever the Holy Spirit regenerates someone, He implants a holy principle within that person which always manifests itself in the ongoing work of mortification and vivification. That is, the practical putting off of the old man and the putting on of the new man. This mortification and vivification are continued throughout life and will not end until glorification. 

First, the mortification of sin. The flesh is a restless rebel, forever plotting treason against its rightful King. Pride, envy, lust, sloth, anger, impurity these are no trifles, but serpents whose venom would destroy the soul if left unchecked. Our duty is not to pamper them, but to slay them. The believer must take the sword of the Spirit and pierce through every darling sin; however small it may appear. Yet we cannot mortify any sin by the sheer strength of our will. Only as we walk in the Spirit, will He enable us to mortify sin. 

Second, the vivification of our graces, so that we increase in strength and make further advances in true piety. To mortify sin is to pull up the weeds but we must also nurture the flowers of holiness. We can do this, only as we vivify our graces: faith must be exercised, love must be kindled, hope must be nourished, prayer must be cultivated. A barren soul is not a safe soul. When our graces are not growing, then our sins will be spreading. But again, here is our weakness: left to ourselves, we can no more make faith flourish than we can make the lilies grow. It is the Spirit who breathes life, waters every grace, and makes the believer fruitful in every good work. 

Thus, the Christian is ever cast upon the Spirit. Only through Him, can we kill sin and cultivate holiness. Let us then walk by the Spirit, pray in the Spirit, and depend wholly on the Spirit until that day when sin shall be no more, and grace shall blossom into glory! 

[A. W. Pink]

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Galatians 5:16 ... This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

Romans 13:14 ... But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. ❤

Deicide!

The Word of Truth declares that "the carnal mind is enmity against God" (Romans 8:7). Men do not believe it, in fact most of them pretend the very opposite. Nevertheless, at Calvary they gave proof of their hatred of God. Not only was Christ un-welcome here but men hated Him and that "without a cause" (John 15:25). He gave them every reason to admire and adore Him, but they had an inveterate detestation of Him! 

Multitudes go through the form of paying homage to God, but it is a "god" of their own imagination. They hate the true and living God and were it possible they would rid the universe of His existence! This is clear from their treatment of Christ, for He was none other than "God manifest in flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). They hated and hounded Him to death and nothing short of His cruel death by crucifixion would appease them! 

Here at Calvary the real character of man was revealed, and the desperate wickedness of his heart was laid bare. There it was shown that man was capable of the blackest of all crimes! As evil as man had shown himself all through his history the coming of Immanuel to this earth brought sin to such a head that all that which had gone before, was relatively but a trifling thing when compared with the monstrous wickedness which was done against Love incarnate! 

In the treatment which the Son of God received at the hands of men we see sin in its true colors, stripped of a disguise, exposed in its hideous reality; revealed in its true nature as contempt of God, and rebellion against Him. Here at Calvary, we behold the climax of sin and the fearful and horrible lengths to which sin is capable of going! That sin which germinated in Eden culminated in the crucifixion! Here at Calvary, we see sin at its apex Deicide in the slaying of the Lord of Glory! 

[A. W. Pink]

Luke 23:21 ... But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.

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Keep Watch Over the Door of My Lips!

That which is here forbidden, is the saying of anything, be it true or false, to the harm of another. God requires that our words should be governed by "the law of kindness" (Proverbs 31:26) and anything which would hurt or injure the reputation of another, is to be rigidly shunned. 

Whenever I cannot speak well of my brother or sister, I must say nothing at all. To speak evil of others, proceeds from ill will or malice desiring that they should be made odious in the esteem of others. It is devilish to take delight in exposing the faults of fellow-Christians and stirring up prejudice and bitter feelings against them. (Revelation 12:10) God requires that our words should agree with love as well as with truth. 

Since Christians are brethren, the last thing they should be guilty of is defaming one another! Except where the glory of God plainly requires it, and the good of that person demands it we must refrain from all evil speaking of others. If we are duly occupied with and humbled over our own many faults, we shall have neither time nor inclination to dwell upon or publish those of others! If we properly heed the exhortation of Philippians 4:8, we shall cultivate the habit of admiring the graces in our brethren instead of being like filthy flies, settling on their sores! 

[A. W. Pink] 

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Philippians 4:8 ... Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

James 4:11 ... Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Psalm 141:3 ... Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. ❤

"The Attributes of God" 2

13. The Grace of God “By grace you have been saved, through faith.” Ephesians 2:8 God's GRACE is His freely giving salvation and Heaven to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It was grace that chose us, grace that redeemed us, grace that sustains us. We contributed nothing but sin. Grace shatters pride and fuels worship. The believer lives by grace, serves by grace, and will be glorified by grace. Soli Deo Gloria! 

14. The Mercy of God “His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 God's MERCY is His not giving damnation and Hell to un-deserving, ill-deserving and Hell-deserving sinners. It is God's tender heart moved to act on behalf of the miserable. The cross is the mercy seat where justice and mercy met. Every sinner awakened to his dreadful plight must flee there. Let us thank God daily that He delights in mercy and extend that mercy to others. 

15. The Loving-kindness of God “Because Your loving-kindness is better than life…” Psalm 63:3 God's loving-kindness is His steadfast, covenant love expressed in action. It reaches to the heavens, surrounds the believer, and never let's go. It comforts in sorrow, and disciplines in love. The soul that rests in His loving-kindness knows a joy deeper than any worldly pleasure. May it lead you to praise, obedience, and peace. 

16. The Love of God “God is love.” 1 John 4:8 God's love is holy, sovereign, and everlasting. He does not love because of who we are, but because of who He is. This love sent Christ to die for enemies, to purchase a people for Himself. It is a love that transforms and keeps. Rest in it. Rejoice in it. Reflect it to others. 

17. The Love of God to Us “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3 That the holy God would love sinful men, is staggering. His love to us is personal, sacrificial, and unbreakable. It is the fountain of every spiritual blessing. Not even death can separate us from it. When all else fails, His love remains. Cling to it in the dark; rejoice in it in the light. 

18. The Wrath of God “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven…” Romans 1:18 God's wrath is His holy hatred of sin. It is not uncontrolled rage, but righteous justice. It burned against sin at the cross, and it will be poured out eternally on the unrepentant. Tremble before it but run to Christ, who bore it for all who believe. To ignore God's wrath is spiritual suicide. 

19. The Contemplation of God “Fix your thoughts on Jesus…” Hebrews 3:1 To contemplate God is the highest occupation of the soul. In beholding His glory, we are transformed. The more we meditate on His attributes, the more we are lifted from this world's vanities. Let your thoughts be filled with His greatness. You become what you behold gaze on God and be changed. 

20. The Blessings of God “Every good and perfect gift is from above.” James 1:17 All blessings flow from God's fatherly hand spiritual and temporal, earthly and eternal. But the greatest blessing is Himself. To have God is to have all. Blessings are not earned but graciously given in Christ. Receive them with gratitude, steward them with faithfulness, and let them turn your heart to the Giver. 

21. The Cursing of God “If anyone does not love the Lord, that person is cursed!” 1 Corinthians 16:22 God's curse is the solemn sentence upon sin. It reveals the seriousness of transgression. Yet Christ became a curse for us, that we might be freed from condemnation. The believer no longer fears the curse, for it has fallen on Another. But let us warn others, for outside of Christ, the curse remains. 

22. The Gifts of God “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15 God gives freely, fully, and forever. The gift of His Son is the fountain of every other gift. He gives wisdom, strength, righteousness, and eternal life. We deserve nothing—yet He gives us everything in Christ. Receive His gifts with reverence and use them for His glory. 

23. The Guidance of God “He guides the humble in what is right.” Psalm 25:9 God does not leave His people to wander. He guides by His Word, His Spirit, and His providence. His paths may not be smooth, but they are always good. Seek His direction in prayer, submit to it with joy, and trust that He leads with perfect wisdom and fatherly care. 

24. The Gospel of the Grace of God “The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” Romans 1:16 The gospel is not advice, but divine announcement God saves sinners! It is grace from first to last planned by the Father, accomplished by the Son, applied by the Spirit. It humbles the proud, exalts Christ, and transforms the heart. Proclaim it, cherish it, and never move beyond it.

[A. W. Pink]

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"The Attributes of God" 1

1. The Solitariness of God “Before the mountains were born or You brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting You are God.” Psalm 90:2 Before there was time, before there was light, before there was an angel in Heaven or a speck of dust in the cosmos God was. He dwelt in solitary majesty, needing nothing, lacking nothing, desiring nothing outside Himself. He was eternally perfect in all His glorious attributes. There was no heaven for Him to inhabit, no earth to govern, no creatures to praise Him and yet He was altogether blessed. 

2. The Decrees of God "The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations." Psalm 33:11 Before the foundation of the world, in the infinite recesses of eternity, God established His eternal decrees. These decrees are the manifestation of His sovereign will, the blueprint by which all creation unfolds. They are not formed in response to events, for nothing takes the Omniscient by surprise. Instead, they are the cause of all that transpires, the predetermined plan that governs the universe. 

3. The Knowledge of God “Great is our Lord and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.”  Psalm 147:5 The knowledge of God is infinite, perfect, and eternal. There is no learning with God, for He has always known all things. He never discovers, never forgets, never improves in understanding. His knowledge is not acquired it is essential to His very nature. He knows Himself fully and knows all things outside Himself perfectly, from eternity past to eternity future. 

4. The Foreknowledge of God "For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son." Romans 8:29 To "foreknow," in the language of Scripture, is not merely to foresee but to fore love. God's foreknowledge is not detached observation of future events it is His eternal; sovereign delight set upon His chosen people before the foundation of the world. He knows all because He has ordained all. 

5. The Supremacy of God “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” Isaiah 46:9 God is unrivaled in majesty, authority, and glory. His supremacy means He rules overall, answers to none, and is accountable only to Himself. Every creature from angels to atoms was created by His will and exists for His glory. The heart that sees this truth is laid low. He is not a deity to be invited into our plans, but the One who ordains all things from eternity. Worship Him, for none can stay His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?" 

6. The Sovereignty of God “Our God is in heaven; He does whatever pleases Him.” Psalm 115:3 God's sovereignty means He reigns with absolute control over all that is and ever will be. He governs the flight of every bird, and the rise of every king. There is no detail too small, no power too great. The believer rests securely in this our lives are not ruled by luck or fate, but by the perfect wisdom and power of our God. Let us yield to His rule with reverence, trust, and joyful submission. 

7. The Immutability of God “I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6 God is unchanging in His essence, purposes, and promises. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. In a world of constant shifting, He alone is the Rock. His love will not fade, His Word will not fail, His will cannot be overturned. Trust Him when everything around you crumbles, for His character is steadfast and His covenant is sure. 

8. The Holiness of God “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty.” Isaiah 6:3 God's holiness is the crown of all His attributes He is morally perfect, separate from all sin, and infinitely pure. His justice flows from His holiness; His grace magnifies it. To approach Him lightly, is spiritual suicide. And yet, through Christ's atonement, the Holy One calls sinners to Himself. Stand in awe, tremble in worship, and pursue holiness, for without it, no one will see the Lord. 

9. The Power of God “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth… Nothing is too hard for You.” Jeremiah 32:17 God's power is infinite, irresistible, and never exhausted. He speaks, and it is done. He raises the dead, subdues the proud, and upholds the universe by His Word. This power works for us who believe guarding, strengthening, and transforming us. When you are weak, remember: His strength is made perfect in your weakness. Nothing is impossible with God. 

10. The Faithfulness of God “Your faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 119:90 God never forgets, never fails, never falters. What He promises, He performs. Men change; God does not. He is faithful in affliction, faithful in blessing, faithful in correction, faithful in His threatening's. His covenant cannot be broken, and His Word stands forever. Trust Him in the storm He is the anchor of your soul. 

11. The Goodness of God “Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good.” Psalm 107:1 God's goodness is His kindness, generosity, and benevolence in action. Every sunrise, every meal, every comfort, is a token of His goodness. But the supreme display is in the gift of His Son. Even in trials, He works for our good. Let us not doubt His heart, even when we cannot trace His hand. 

12. The Patience of God “The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8 How long God has endured our rebellion! His patience holds back the wrath we deserve, giving space for repentance. Yet it is not weakness it is holy restraint. Those who reject His longsuffering, invite judgment; those who embrace His mercy, bow in grateful wonder. Praise Him for His forbearance and plead with others not to presume upon it. 

 [A.W. Pink]

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"The Curse of God"

The curse of God is no empty threat it is the solemn declaration of His inflexible holiness and righteousness. It proceeds not from cruelty, but from His perfect justice. As His blessings are tokens of mercy towards every redeemed saint, so His curses are expressions of His holy wrath against every unbelieving sinner. From birth, every soul stands beneath this dreadful sentence, "All have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God!" (Romans 3:23)

Not merely gross wickedness, but every failure to love the Lord wholly and perfectly, places the sinner under condemnation. God's Word demands uninterrupted and entire obedience, and anything less invokes His curse. Yet in the midst of such terrifying truth, shines the wonder of redeeming grace: "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law, by becoming a curse for us!" (Galatians 3:13) 

The weight of Divine wrath fell upon the spotless Lamb! The sword of vengeance was sheathed in His holy soul. He bore what we deserved so that we might be pardoned, justified, and made heirs of eternal life. Believers! We were once dead in our transgressions and sins, in which we used to live when we followed our father Satan, and the evil ways of this world. Like the perishing people around us, we were by nature children of wrath, and on our way to eternal perdition! But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, saved us by His wondrous grace! 

Such a marvelous salvation should strip us of all pride and fill us with reverent awe and unceasing gratitude. Since we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone let us hate sin, cling to the cross, and tremble at His Word. And let us warn others with compassion and urgency for outside of Christ, the curse yet abides. The only refuge is found at Calvary, where God's unfailing love and truth have met together and where righteousness and peace have kissed! 

[A. W. Pink] 

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John 3:36 ...  He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Matthew 25:41 ...  Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: ❤

God's Love to Us!!

The love of God to sinners is an ocean without shore, a mystery that stretches beyond the grasp of the highest angel. That the infinitely holy God--before whom seraphim cover their faces should set His heart upon those who were defiled, defiant, and dead in sin is the most humbling truth in all of Scripture. His love was not merited by anything in us, for we were altogether sinful and unlovely. Yet He loved us! 

And His love was not a mere sentiment it took action. He gave His Son, His only, His beloved to bear the curse we deserved. The Father did not spare Him, but handed Him over to be mocked, scourged, and nailed to a cross! There, the spotless Lamb of God endured the sin-atoning wrath due to the very ones who hated Him. What tongue can express such love? What mind can fathom its depth? This love is not a relic of the past it is alive and active this very moment. He loves us still. 

In discipline and direction, in provision and pain His love sustains and sanctifies us. It is unchanging, invincible, and ever nearby. No failure of ours exhausts it; no affliction removes it. His love is as eternal as He is. This love is the well-spring of every spiritual blessing. Let this melt the pride of our hearts, still our restless fears, and ignite a life of glad obedience. Nothing strengthens faith, calms the soul, or drives us to holiness like the felt reality of Christ's astonishing love in dying for such vile, undeserving sinners like us! 

O believer, marvel and rejoice you are loved with a love that never began, will never fade, and can never be broken! 

[A.W Pink] 

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Isaiah 53:5 ... But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Ephesians 5:2 ... And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.❤

"The MERCY of God"

Mercy is God's tender-hearted compassion toward the miserable and the guilty. It is the pity of a holy God stooping down to the helpless sinner not because He must, but because He delights to. Mercy is the overflow of His eternal love relieving the wretched, pardoning the guilty, and raising the fallen. From the beginning, God's mercy has been on display. It spared Adam and Eve in the garden. It delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt. It sent prophets to warn the rebellious nation. And in the fullness of time, it sent the Savior to redeem His people. Mercy is not a reluctant gesture it is the joy of God's heart. "God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ!" (Ephesians 2:4-5) 

God's mercy is not exhausted by repeated sins, nor limited by the depth of our guilt. The dying thief found mercy in his final breath and so may any who call on the Lord. Yet God's mercy never sets aside His justice. Mercy does not sweep sin under the rug it satisfies God's justice. This is the wonder of the cross where divine justice was upheld, and mercy was poured out. God did not overlook our sin He condemned it in Christ. At Calvary, mercy and justice met; righteousness and peace kissed! (Psalm 85:10)  

If we have received such undeserved mercy, then how can we withhold it from others? Shall we, who have been forgiven much remain unmerciful? Let us be as our father kind, compassionate, and forgiving. And let us never forget we stand by mercy alone. Here is our hope and our song that God delights in mercy, and His mercy never fails. 

[A. W. Pink] 

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Titus 3:5 ... Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Psalm 103:8 ... The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy. ❤

Holiness of God

Holiness is not merely one attribute of God; it is the very beauty of all that He is. It is the totality of His moral perfection. God's holiness is the infinite distance between His purity, and all that is defiled. God is not just sinless, He is utterly "other" exalted above all creation in majestic sanctity. "God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all." (1 John 1:5) 

In Heaven's courts, the seraphim cry, not love, love, love nor power, power, power but holy, holy, holy. This threefold repetition is not poetic flourish; it is the language of awe. His holiness is absolute, incomparable, and consuming. It strikes terror in the hearts of the guilty and causes the redeemed to fall in humility and reverent wonder before Him. 

When Isaiah beheld the LORD high and lifted up, he did not marvel at God's wisdom or rejoice in His love he was undone by His holiness. "Woe to me!" he cried. For in the presence of perfect purity every sin is seen as vile, every excuse is silenced, and every boast is laid in the dust. The cross alone unveils the cost of approaching such a God. Divine love did not lower the standard divine holiness demanded that the sinless Son suffer in the place of the guilty. 

There, righteousness and mercy met. There, the Holy One made a way for the unholy. What glory, those sinners, once rebels, may now draw near! Clothed in the righteousness of Christ, we are called not only to behold God's holiness but to reflect it. "Without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Hebrews 12:14) 

Let us then worship with trembling, walk with purity, and hate every stain of sin. The One who called us is holy so let us be holy in all we do. 

[A.W. Pink] 

Isaiah 6:3 ... And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

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"The SUPREMACY of God"

God alone reigns in absolute supremacy. He is unmatched in majesty, unchallenged in authority, and unrivaled in glory. He does not seek permission, accept counsel, or share His throne. All things from the highest archangel to the smallest particle exist by His will and for His praise. He is not an accessory to human ambition, nor a servant to man's desires. He is the One who declares the end from the beginning, who works all things according to the counsel of His own will. "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor for everything in Heaven and earth is Yours!" (1 Chronicles 29:11)  

To acknowledge the supremacy of God, is to be brought low before Him. It crushes the pride of man and silences every boast. We are not in control. Our plans, our wisdom, our strength all vanish before the One who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth. He is not a passive observer, but the living King actively ruling every moment of history. Nothing is outside of His dominion. Every breath drawn, every drop of rain that falls, every ruler who rises or is cast down each move in exact obedience to His eternal decree. "The Lord does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth!" (Psalm 135:6) 

There is not a stray molecule in the universe, not a single event outside His sovereign hand. This truth devastates human pride, and it anchors the believer's soul. The God who upholds the galaxies is the same God who numbers the hairs on our head. He who governs the cosmos, also holds our hearts. His supremacy is not cold or distant it is filled with covenant love. The same hand that directs the universe, was pierced for our redemption! To the one who trusts in Christ, God's supremacy is the ground of deepest peace. No foe can triumph, no trial can overwhelm, no promise can fail for the Sovereign Lord of all, is also our Father in Heaven. 

He is never frustrated, never surprised, never overruled. Every joy and every sorrow flows from His wise and loving will. Let us therefore worship not merely for what He gives, but for who He is. Let us bow in reverence, trust in His providence, and rejoice that this infinitely great and glorious God has made Himself ours. "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of Heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" (Daniel 4:35)  

Lord, you are King, and I am dust. Yet You reign for my good and Your glory. Help me to trust You completely. Sovereign Lord, who reigns over all things in power and majesty, humble my heart before You. Silence every fear and every doubt with the knowledge that You do all things well. Let me rest in Your supreme rule, trusting that Your will is always wise, always just, and always good. Amen. 

[A. W. Pink] 

Isaiah 46:9 ...  Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,

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Blessed Are the Merciful

Gospel mercy is not a product of human nature it is the fruit of a heart transformed by divine grace. Before regeneration, we were hard, self-centered and indifferent to the souls of others. But when God had mercy on us pardoning our sin, cleansing our guilt, and raising us from spiritual death He made us into merciful people. 

This beatitude is not a call to earn mercy, but a declaration of the mercy which God's grace produces in those whom He saves. Mercy is that compassion which is moved by the sight of misery, and which attempts to relieve those in misery. What greater misery exists, than the misery of sin? What deeper need can there be, than the need of pardon from the thrice holy God? The merciful, then, are those who are moved not merely by physical suffering but by the eternal peril of those who are rushing madly on to a dreadful Hell! Having themselves tasted the sweetness of forgiveness, they long to see others reconciled to God. 

They pray, they plead, they labor that sinners might flee to Christ. They are not content to let men run undisturbed to damnation they intervene, with the gospel of mercy in their mouths, and the love of Christ in their hearts. And what is the promise? "They shall obtain mercy!" The merciful shall be shown mercy in their daily walk receiving patience, grace, and strength from their Heavenly Father. And on that final day when they stand before the Judge of all, they will not receive the awful sentence they so justly deserved. 

Instead of Hell, they will be met with mercy divine, sovereign, everlasting mercy! The One who should have banished them to Hell, will, in His great mercy on the unworthy, welcome them into glory! With nail-pierced hands, He will receive them those who were once ill-deserving and Hell-deserving, declaring before all Heaven: "These are My merciful ones redeemed by My Son's sin-atoning death, kept by My power, and now brought Home by My marvelous mercy!" 

[A. W. Pink] 

Matthew 5:7 ... Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

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His Fathers Hand!!

The providence of God is His care of and provision which He makes for His creatures; with His supervision and superintendence of them. The providence of God in His government of the world is a subject of deep importance to the Christian, for by proper views thereof, he will learn to see God's activities in the daily works of His hands. 

Yet, though Christians assent to this truth, nevertheless they are prone to overlook it in exercise, and thereby to be deprived in great measure of that poise of mind and comfort of heart, which a deep and constant improvement of this doctrine is calculated to impart. Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian than for him to be enabled to discern his Father's hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. 

Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs and controls all creatures in it. God is not troubled by anything that is now taking place in His world either in its political, social, or religious sphere; nor should we be troubled. 

The helm is still in His hand; and Satan himself cannot so much as touch a hair of our heads, without His direct permission. 

[A.W. Pink]

Ephesians 1:11 ... In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Psalm 104:27-28 ...  These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season.  That thou givest them they gather: thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good. 

2 Chronicles 20:6 ...  And said, O Lord God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee? ❤

As Well Might a Babe ...

As well might a worm seek to resist the tread of an elephant; as well might a babe step between the railroad tracks and attempt to push back the on-rushing train; as well might a child seek to prevent the ocean from rolling as for a creature to try and resist the outworking of the purpose of the Lord God! 

Ah, my reader, this is the first great lesson we have to learn: that God is the Creator, and we are the creature; that He is the Potter, and we are the clay! 

The sovereignty of God may be defined as the exercise of His supremacy. Being infinitely elevated above the highest creature He is the Highest, Lord of Heaven and earth. Subject to none, influenced by none He is absolutely independent. God does as He pleases, only as He pleases, and always as He pleases. None can thwart Him; none can hinder Him. 

[A.W. Pink] 

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Daniel 4:35 ... And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?

Psalm 115:3 ... But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.

Psalm 135:5–6 ... For I know that the Lord is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.❤

David's Terrible Sin!

Why did God permit David to fall so fearfully, and sin so grievously? One reason may be that we might have set before our eyes the more clearly, the solemn fact that "the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked." (Jeremiah 17:9) Unmistakably plain as the meaning of those words is, uttered by Him who cannot lie yet how very slow we all are to really receive them at their face value, and acknowledge that they accurately describe the natural state of every human heart! 

But God has done more than make this bare statement: He has placed on record in His Word illustrations, exemplifications, demonstrations of its verity notably so in allowing us to see the unspeakable wickedness that still remained in the heart of David! Also, the fearful fall of David made way for a display of the amazing grace of God, in recovering His fallen people. If we are slow to receive what Scripture teaches concerning the depravity of the human heart and the exceeding sinfulness of sin we are equally slow to really believe what it reveals about the covenant-faithfulness of God, the efficacy of Christ's blood to cleanse the foulest stain from those for whom it was shed, and the super-abounding grace of Him who is "the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort." (2 Corinthians 1:3)

Had David never sinned so grievously and sunken so low we would have never known those infinite depths of mercy which are in the heart of God! Also, had his terrible sin, his subsequent broken-hearted confession, and his pardon by God, never been placed in the Divine record many of God's people throughout the centuries would have sunk in abject despair. Also, thousands, from age to age, have by this solemn example of David's terrible sin, been rendered more suspicious of themselves, more watchful, more afraid of temptation, more dependent on the Lord, and more fervent in prayer. By means of David's fall they have themselves been preserved from falling! 

[A. W. Pink] 

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1 Corinthians 10:11 ... Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Psalm 51:1-2 ... Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 119:117 ...  Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. ❤