I have been reading through an amazing little book by Octavius Winslow entitled Personal Declension and Revival of Religion in the Soul and I must say I have been blessed by the wisdom and searching analysis that is so vacant from most modern day authors. This snippet from the last chapter really made an impact on me not only for the rawness of Winslow’s understanding of the believer’s remaining sinful flesh, but more importantly the covenant love of God to His people in spite of our sin…

“When we are led to consider the uncertainty of the creature, – when we take the history of a child of God, compressed within the short period of a single day, – mark what flaw, what imperfections, what fickleness, what startings aside, what dereliction in principle, what flaws in practice, what errors in judgment, and what wanderings of heart, may up that brief history, – how are we led to thank God for the stability of the covenant! That covenant which provides for full redemption of believers, – which from eternity secures the effectual calling, the perfect keeping, and the certain salvation of every chosen vessel of mercy. With what distinctness and sweetness is this truth thus unfolded by God Himself: “If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments; then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless, my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail: My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out My lips.” (Psalm 89:30-34)

Truly glorious truth to marvel at.

Soli Deo Gloria!