Sunday Sampler

"God is our Fortress To the Choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. Psalm 46. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah. Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah."

I am now reading All Things for Good by Thomas Watson, an exposition of Romans 8:28: "We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Here are some quotes from his book:

"If it is good for us, we shall have it; if it is not good for us, then the withholding of it is good."

"The mercies of God make a sinner proud, but a saint humble. The mercies of God have a melting influence upon the soul; they dissolve it in love to God. God's judgments make us fear Him, His mercies make us love Him."

"Why should a Christian destroy himself? Why should he kill himself with care, when all things shall sweetly concur, yea, conspire for his good?"

"…and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good."

"How is a weak Christian able, not only to endure affliction, but to rejoice in it? He is upheld by the arms of the Almighty."

"The power of God subdues our corruptions. 'He will subdue our iniquities' Micah 7:19."

"He shows mercy, not because we deserve mercy, but because He delights in mercy."

"(The Lord's Supper) is an emblem of the marriage-supper of the Lamb."

"When a Christian is weak, and can hardly pray for himself, Jesus Christ is praying for him; and He prays for three things. First, that the saints may be kept from sin…Second, for His people's progress in holiness…Third, for their glorification."

"Christ comes, and picks away the weeds, the sin of our prayer, and presents nothing but flowers to His Father, which are a sweet smelling savor."

"Or as in a watch, the wheels seem to move contrary one to another, but all carry on the motions of the watch: so things that seem to move cross to the godly, yet by the wonderful providence of God work for their good."

"No vessel can be made of gold without fire; so it is impossible that we should be made vessels of honor, unless we are melted and refined in the furnace of affliction."