Satan has no pity on us, be we sick or well: if he leave us for a season, it is because the time decreed is spent, and he cannot exceed his commission.
Faith never expects to learn deep lessons without deep difficulties; therefore she is not surprised by strange and dark providences.
How many are apt to say, “My temptation is peculiar!” But we should remember that it is the peculiar aggravations which make a trial effectual, and should not forget the word, “There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man” (1 Cor. 10:13).
Our faith is greatly strengthened when we are brought to see that no arm but God’s can help; no wisdom but His can guide; and no love but His can satisfy.
The thickest cloud brings the heaviest shower of blessings.
Those very circumstances which make unbelief despond are meat and drink to faith.
Satan is employed for God’s people—for their discipline, their correction, their sifting, but not for their destruction.
Christ often wounds in order to heal; and if He give pain it is that we may find peace and rest in Himself. His wounds are full of kindness, and always tend to life, and health, and peace.
We often make this great mistake—we expect in the kingdom of patience what is only promised in the kingdom of glory; and we ask God rather for deliverance from the warfare than grace for it as long as He is pleased that it shall last. Our impatience for victory often increases the heat of the battle.
To preserve purity of life in time of temptation, we must take constant heed to purity of thought.