This passage expresses a collective confession of sin shared by all the elect people of God. They have all strayed, and so, in unison, from the first who entered heaven to the last who shall arrive, they declare, “All we like sheep have gone astray.”

As you draw near to the blood-sprinkled mercy seat, offer this prayer consistently: “Lord, extend the kingdom of Your dear Son.” When you fervently present such a petition, it will elevate the spirit of all your devotions. Ensure that you prove the sincerity of your prayer by actively working to promote the Lord’s glory.

The month of April is said to derive its name from the Latin verb aperio, which means to open, because all the buds and blossoms are now opening, and we have arrived at the gates of the flowery season.

Jesus, we will watch with You a while longer, and graciously unveil Yourself to us; then we shall not sit beneath sackcloth, but in a royal pavilion.

Rejoice, believer, in your union to Him who was numbered among the transgressors; and prove that you are truly saved by being clearly identified with those who are new creatures in Him.

This is the royal road to comfort. Great thoughts of your sin alone will drive you to despair, but great thoughts of Christ will guide you into the haven of peace.

The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep and pleads that they must, therefore, go free.

Even though we are exiles, we rejoice in our King; yes, in Him we exceedingly rejoice, while in His name we set up our banners.

If we are inclined to boast of our abilities, the grandeur of nature will quickly show us how puny we are.