If our faith in God is not the veriest sham, it demands, and will produce, the abandonment sometimes, the subordination always, of external helps and… - Alexander Maclaren

There is no long interval between the sense of thirst and the trickling of the stream over the parched lip; but ever it is flowing, flowing past us, and the desire is but the opening of the lips to receive the limpid, and life-giving waters. No one ever desired the grace of God, really and truly desired it, but just in proportion as he desired it, he got it; just in proportion as he thirsted, he was satisfied.

That is faith, cleaving to Christ, twining round Him with all the tendrils of our heart, as the vine does round its support.

The true confidence which is faith in Christ, and the true diffidence which is utter distrust of myself — are identical.