Gems from December 2025

O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.  Daniel 10:19 

God reminded Daniel three times that he was "greatly beloved."  This enabled him to overcome the many trials that he faced.  So also with the Bride, in the days of separation from her Beloved.  The thing that sustains her until she is forever with Him, is this knowledge, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved, is mine." (Song of Solomon 6:3)  He lives for us, and is coming back for us.  Surely this quells the anxious fears that rise within our hearts, as we face the challenges of time. W.H. Burnett 

Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace, that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above, who hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heaven above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine. 

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.     
Oh, to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His: who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.  G. W.Robinson  

N.J. Hiebert - 10142

November 30

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Psalm 23:5

The ordinary interpretation of Psalm 23 is that it brings before us a three-fold picture-- the Shepherd and His sheep in verse 1; the traveller and his Guide  in verse 4; and the Host and His guest in verse 5.  But, while that may be true by application, it is not the  primary significance of this portion of scripture.  From start to finish Psalm 23 sings of shepherd life.

"The valley of the shadow of death" of which it speaks refers to those places of deadly peril through which the flocks have sometimes to pass, and in which they are cast entirely on the guidance and protection of the  shepherd.  This symbolizes  the darker and more difficult portions of the path over which the flock of God travels to the heavenly land. 

Then, as regards the "preparing of a table before me in the presence of mine enemies", it has been said by one who is familiar with shepherd-life in oriental lands, that "There is no higher task of the shepherd  in Eastern countries than to go from time to time to study places, and examine the grass, and find a good and safe feeding-place for his sheep.  There are many poisonous plants in the grass, and the shepherd must find and avoid them."  

Then there are viper's holes, and the reptiles bite the noses of the sheep if they are not driven away.  And round the feeding place, which the shepherd thus prepares, in holes and caves in the hill-sides, there are jackals, wolves, hyenas and tigers; and the bravery and skill of the shepherd are at the highest point in closing up the dens with stones, or slaying the wild beasts with his long-bladed  knife.  Of nothing do you hear the shepherds boasting more proudly than of their achievements in this part of their care of their flocks.   
The Pearl of Psalm - George Henderson.  

N.J. Hiebert - 10143

December 1

HIS DESIRED DESIRE

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15  

With Gethsemane and Calvary in fullest view, His heart's desire was to spend those few last hours in closest fellowship with His disciples.  Now, if we take the King at His word, and really believe that He thus desires us, can we possibly remain cold hearted and indifferent to Him?

Can we bear the idea of disappointing His love--such love--and meeting it with any such pale, cool response as would wound any human heart,  "I do not know whether I love your or not!" 

Oh, do let us leave off morbidly looking to see exactly how much we love (which is just like trying to warm ourselves with a thermometer, and perhaps only ends in doubting whether we love at all), and look straight away at His love and His desire! 

Think of Jesus actually wanting you, really desiring your love, not satisfied with all the love of all the angels and saints unless you love Him too--needing that little drop to fill His cup of joy!  Is there no answering throb, no responsive glow?  

Within an "upper room" are met a small, yet faithful band,
On whom a deep yet chastened grief hath laid its softening hand.
Among them there is One who wears a more than mortal mien, 
'Tis He on whom in all distress the weary one may lean.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal

N.J. Hiebert - 10144

December 2

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.  John 13:23 

The first time John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is in the Upper Room.  What a scene for the heart to contemplate!  Jesus is there with a love that can never break down, for "having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1 

John is there delighting in the love of Christ, resting his head on the bosom of Jesus. He describes himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Peter is there with real, ardent love for the Lord, but trusting in his own love to the Lord rather than resting in the Lord's love to him.  Lastly, Judas is there, with no love to the Lord--with the bag at his side and the devil in his heart, ready to betray the Lord and pass into the long dark night .

In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves,
as John can rest his head on the bosom of the One who dwelt in the bosom of the Father.  In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love.  In Judas we see what the heart of a the sinner can do with the Saviour--betray Him, for thirty pieces of silver.

The feet washing is over and the time has come for the Lord to utter His farewell words; but His spirit is troubled by the presence of the betrayer.  The Lord unburdens His heart to His disciples, "One of you shall betray Me" (John 13:21). Immediately they look one on another, doubting of whom He spoke. 

Looking at others will never solve difficulties that arise among believers.  We must look to the Lord, but looking to the Lord demands nearness to the Lord, and in the circle of the upper room, the disciple that was nearest to the Lord was the one whose feet had been in the hands of the Lord, whose head was resting on the bosom of the Lord and whose heart was delighting in the love of the Lord.   H. Smith      

N.J. Hiebert - 10145

December 3

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8  

It is a good thing to understand prophecy; it is better to have the intended purpose for which it was given.  Today more Christians have some idea of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than two centuries ago.  But that does not mean that the hearts of Christians long for Him more than they did then. 

Whenever the coming and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned, there is a practical importance attached to it. In John 14 it is so that the disciples' hearts may not be troubled  in view of His imminent departure.  In Romans 13:12, so that we may cast away the works of darkness and walk becomingly.  In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, so that we may be firm, immovable, and abounding always in the work of the Lord. 

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, so as to know that we sorrow not as others who have no hope. In 2 Timothy 4:6-9, so that we may fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith.  In Titus 2:12, so that we may live soberly, justly, and piously.  

In 1 John 3:2-3 we have this most precious promise that "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!"--a statement that should never cease to fill our hearts with joy and lead us always to worship Him. "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."

Finally, in Revelation 22:20. we are told this so that our hearts may respond to His, saying, "Amen. Even so. come, Lord Jesus."  A. M. Behnam     

We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight.   P. Gerhardt

N.J. Hiebert - 10146

December 4

THE POWER OF FAITH IN THE TIME OF DIFFICULTY 
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?    John 11:40 

In our Lord's reply to Martha we have one of the most blessed utterances that ever fell on the human ear: "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?"  What living depth, what divine power, what freshness and comfort in these words!  They present to us the very gist and marrow, the essential principle of the divine life.  It is only the eye of faith that can see the glory of God.  Unbelief sees only difficulties, darkness, and death.  Faith looks above and beyond all these, and ever basks in the blessed beams of the divine glory.

Poor Martha saw nothing but a decomposed human body, simply because she was under a spirit of dark and depressing unbelief.  Had she been swayed by simple faith she would have walked to the tomb in company with Him who is the resurrection and the life, assured that, instead of death and decomposition, she should see the glory of God.

This is a grand principle for the soul to grasp.  It is utterly impossible for human language to overstate its value and importance.  Faith never looks at difficulties, except indeed to feed on them.  "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." (2 Corinthians 4:18)  It "endures as seeing Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).  It takes hold of the living God.  It leans on His arm; It makes use of His strength; it draws on His exhaustless treasury; it walks in the light of His blest countenance, and sees His glory shining forth over the darkest scenes of human life.  C. H. Mackintosh  

When sorrows assail us, or terrors draw nigh,
His love will not fail us, He'll guide with His eye;
And when we are fainting, and ready to fail, 
He'll give what is wanting, and make us prevail.  John Fawcett

N.J. Hiebert - 10147

December 5

Make thee an ark of gopher wood. Genesis  6:14 
Come thou and all thy house into the ark. Genesis 7:1 
Go forth of the ark.  Genesis 8:16

When we think about Noah and the overwhelming task he carried out, we wonder how did he do it?  It was simple.  He just followed God's plan. God instructed him each step of the way.  God said build, come, go and Noah responded in faithful obedience.

Note too that God was with him through it all.  God had to go in the ark before Noah did or He couldn't say "Come."  God had to have stayed with Noah or He couldn't have ended the journey by saying "Go."  To us He says, "I am with you always" ( Matthew 28:20.)  Ken Gross

All the way my Saviour leads me. 
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,           
Who through life has been my guide?
Fanny J. Crosby

N.J. Hiebert - 10148

December 6

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.  

Psalm 27:14   

Wait on the Lord, He shall save thee.  Proverbs 20:22 

 BUT GOD 

I know not, but God knows;  Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All of my waiting days To Him are plain and clear;
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?" From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought: I know not but He knows. 
 
I cannot, but God can; Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop His hand will lift and bear.
Though eagle pinions tire -- I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know, I cannot but God can.  

I see not, but God sees; Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way to Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes may close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep; I see not, but He sees.
Annie Johnson Flint 

N.J. Hiebert - 10149

December 7

And it came to pass after awhile, that the brook dried up...and the word of the Lord came unto him, (Elijah) saying, arise, get thee to Zarephath...I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.  1 Kings 17:7-9 

Though Elijah was happily alone by the brook  Cherith, he was not exempt from the deep exercise of soul consequent upon a life of faith.  The ravens, it is true, in obedience to the divine command, paid him their daily visits, and Cherith flowed on in its tranquil and uninterrupted course, so that the prophet's bread was given him, and his water was sure, and thus, as far as he was personally concerned, he might forget that the rod of judgment was stretched out over the land.

But faith must be put to the test.  The child of God must pass through the school of Christ, and having mastered, through grace, the difficulties of one, he must be called to grapple wth those of another.  It was, therefore, needful that the soul of the prophet should be tried in order that it might be seen whether he was depending upon Cherith, or upon the Lord; hence, It happened after awhile that the brook dried up.

We are ever in danger, through the infirmity of our flesh, of having our faith propped up by circumstances, and when these are favourable, we think our faith is strong, and vice versa.  But faith never looks at circumstances; it looks straight to God; it has to do exclusively with Him and His promises.

Thus it was with Elijah; it mattered little to him whether Cherith continued to flow or not.  God was his fountain, his unfailing exhaustless fountain.  No drought could affect God.  Elijah's faith must still rest upon the same immutable basis. "I have commanded."  How truly blessed is this!   Circumstances changed; human things failed; creature streams are dried up, but God and His Word are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8)  C. H. Mackintosh   

N.J. Hiebert - 10150

December 8

O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring unto Thy holy hill.  Psalm 43:3 

I am a creature of a day.  I want to know one thing--the way to Heaven;  how to land safely on that happy shore. 

God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came down from Heaven.  He hath written it down in a book. O give me this Book!  At any price, give me the Book of God!

I have it; here is knowledge enough for me.  Let me be a man of one Book.  Here, then, I am, far from the busy ways of men.   I sit down alone; only God is here.  In His presence I open, I read His Book; for this end--to find the way to heaven. 
John Wesley

There is a chart whose tracings show
The onward course when tempests blow--
'Tis God's own Word!  There, there is found 
Directions for the homeward bound. 
H.J.B. 

N.J. Hiebert - 10151

December 9

This is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
1 Corinthians 11:24 

Take notice of the word "remember."  It is not a Christ as He now exists.  His body is now glorified.  That is not a remembrance.  It is a remembrance of what He was on the cross, a body slain, shed blood, not a glorified body. 

It is remembered, though, by those who are now united to Him in glory into which He is entered.  As risen with Him in glory, they look back to that blessed work of love which gave them a place there.  They drink also the cup of remembrance of Him.

In a word, it is Christ looked on as dead.  There is not such a Christ now: it is the remembrance of Him.  It is not only the value of His sacrifice, but also the remembrance of Himself.  The apostle then shows us who it is that died.  Impossible to find two words, the bringing together of which has so important a meaning--dead Christ. 

How many things are comprised in that.  He who is called the Lord has died!  What love!  What purpose!  What efficacy!  What results! The Lord Himself gave Himself up for us.  We celebrate His death.  J. N. Darby

We hear Thy voice, blest Saviour, "This do, remember Me"
With joyful hearts responding, we do remember Thee.  G. W. Frazer

N.J. Hiebert - 10152

December 10

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be soldier.  2 Timothy 2:3-4

To maintain the truth and pass it on to others is only possible as we are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.  The maintenance of the truth in a day of general departure will involve suffering.  Naturally we shrink from suffering.  Therefore, Timothy is exhorted, and each one that desires to be true to Christ, to "Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 

Compared with Paul the "share" of suffering we may be called to take will be small; but, wherever there is a saint to-day that refuses error and stands for the truth, he must be prepared in some measure to face opposition (ii.25), persecution (iii 12), desertion (iv. 10), and malice  (iv. 14); and, as with the apostle, these things may come even from his brethren.  This, however, involves suffering, and naturally when suffering unjustly we are inclined to retaliate.

Therefore, we are reminded to take our share in suffering, not as a natural man, but "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." A good soldier will obey his Captain and act as  he does.  Christ is the great Captain of our salvation, and He has reached His place of glory "through sufferings." 

And He has left us this perfect example of suffering in patience, for "When He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23).  To act  in a way so contrary to nature will indeed demand that we should be "strong the in the grace that is in Christ Jesus."  (2 Timothy 2:1).  2 Timothy - An Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 10153

December 11

A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth.  Isaiah 42:3

The poorest shepherd boy  on our south Indian hills is careful to choose, for the making of his flute, a reed that is straight and fine and quite unbruised.

But our Heavenly Shepherd often takes the broken and the bruised, and of such He makes His flutes.  But life, like His Book, is full of parables of tenderness; and one of these parables has often come into this room of late.  For a visitor whose name means "God's Peace" has brought his autoharp to play to me, and has first tuned it while I expectantly  waited for the music which I knew would follow the tuning. 

Is music to come from our harp?  Music of prayer, of praise, of consolation?  The strings are relaxed, or perhaps too tensely stretched.  Illness can cause either condition. But we have a Tuner.

Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord,  could never be,
The skill in me.

Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.

Tune Thou my harp;
Thy Spirit, breathe His thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee. 
Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael

N.J. Hiebert - 10154

December 12

SOWING AND REAPING

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap...but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

Galatians 6:7-9

The story is told of two young men working their way through Leland Stanford University many years ago.  Their funds got desperately low, tuition was coming due, and they badly needed financial help.

One of them had an idea.  They would engage the great pianist, Paderewski for a recital.  He figured that the profits from the concert would be enough to pay both board and tuition for the two.  The great pianist's manager demanded a guarantee of two thousand dollars for the recital.

It was a huge sum but the two students, undaunted, proceeded to stage the concert.  After many hours of hard work, it was held.  Sadly however, the concert had raised only sixteen hundred dollars.  The two disconsolate young men met with the great artist, telling him of their efforts and poor results.  Giving him the entire sixteen hundred dollars, they included with the funds a promissory note for four hundred dollars promising  to pay him the balance as soon as possible.

"No," replied Paderewski, "That won't do."  Tearing the note to shreds, he handed the money back to them with the following instructions.  Take out of this money your tuition and board.  Keep 10 % of the balance for your work on the recital, then give me the rest."

Several years rolled by after this event.  Mr Paderewski became Premier of Poland.  An awful war and famine struck.  He desperately worked to feed the many starving thousands of his beloved Poland but it was futile.  Only one man in the world could help Paderewski and his people. He pled for help from that man and soon thousands of tons of food began to pour into Poland for distribution by Premier Paderewski.

After the people were fed and the famine over, he journeyed to Paris to thank US President Herbert Hoover for the relief sent to his country.  Mr Hoover quietly replied, "That's all right, Mr Paderewski.  You don't remember it, but you helped me once when I was a student at college and was in a hole."  TCS  D. Nicolet - June 2012

N.J. Hiebert - 10155

December 13

The song of songs, which is Solomon's.  Song of Solomon. 1:1 

But why call this precious little book, "The Song of Songs"?  Just because it is Solomon's, or rather, Christ's who will in due time be King in Jerusalem, in true Solomon glory.  On the same principle He is called "King of kings, and Lord of lords." (1 Timothy 6:15)  Preeminence in all things is His.

There are many sweet songs in scripture.  Moses, Miriam and her maidens, Deborah, and David, all sang sweetly of the Lord's goodness.  It is said of Solomon himself that "his songs were a thousand and five" (1 Kings 4:32); but this one he styles "The Song of Songs."  It far surpassed them all.

It is the deep melody of hearts filled with holy love, and finding their supreme delight in its full and free expression.  "We love Him because He first loved us." (1 John 4:19)  Oh!  to be able at all times to sing the song of the Saviour's love, with the heart and with the understanding also.

May each, may all, that master-key of truth--
Its reference to Christ--through grace attain,
And, holding firm the torch of scripture-light,
Comparing book with book, and text with text,
Enter the precincts, otherwise obscure,
Of meditation on "The Song of Songs."
Andrew Miller - Song of Solomon

Oh! I am my Beloved's and my Beloved's mine!
He brings a poor vile sinner into His house of wine!
I stand upon His merit, I know no safer stand,
Not e'en where glory dwelleth, in Immanuel's land.  Mrs. Cousins  

N.J. Hiebert - 10156

December 14

Over the camels also was Obil the Ishmaelite.  

1 Chronicles 27:30 

Have you to try to help people who are rather like camels?  You want them to go one way, and they go another.  You try persuasion and they turn sulky.  It is difficult to be patient with an animal that never looks pleased.  It is very difficult to be patient with human camels. 

But God knows all about you and your difficulties, and your name is not forgotten by Him.  He thought the name of a camel driver who lived three thousand years ago worth writing in HIs Book.

The names of thousands of great kings are buried and forgotten, but the name of David's camel driver is remembered to this day: Over the camels was Obil. 

Obil means "driver" or "leader."  I expect he sometimes found leading better than driving, and so sometimes shall we.  God give His Obils patience to deal with their camels.   Whispers of His Power  -  Amy Carmichael 

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o'er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.

Though they are slighting Him, still He is waiting,
Waiting the penitent child to receive;
Plead with them earnestly, plead with them gently;
He will forgive if they only believe.

Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter, 
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that were broken will vibrate once more.    Fanny Crosby
 
N.J. Hiebert - 10157

December 15

Jesus being wearied with His journey, sat thus on the well...there cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink...then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, how is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? John 4:6-9 

In no gospel (John) is Jesus seen so near the sinner.  He is alone with the Samaritan, alone with the adulteress, alone with the outcast beggar.  And this gives its highest interest to this precious portion of the Word of God.  The joy and security of being alone with the Son of God, as is here exhibited, is beyond every thing to the soul.

The sinner thus learns his title to the Saviour, and discovers the blessed truth, that they are suited to one another.  The moment we learn that we are sinners, we may look in the face of the Son of God, and claim Him as our own.  And what a moment in the very days of heaven that is!  He came to seek and to save sinners; and He walked as a solitary man on the earth, save when He met a poor sinner.

Such alone had title, or even power, to interrupt the solitude of this heavenly Stranger.  The world knew Him not.  His paths were lonely among us, save when He and the sinner found their way to each other.  The Leper outside the camp met Him, but none else. 

Being alone with Jesus is the sinner's first position.  It is the beginning of His joy; and no one has the right to meddle with it.  That which has called itself the Church, in every age of Christendom has sought to break in upon the privacy of the Saviour and the sinner, and to make itself a party in the settlement of the question that there is between them.  But in this it has been an intruder.  Sin casts us upon God alone.   J. G. Bellett. 

N.J. Hiebert - 10158

December 16

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till He come.   

1 Corinthians 11:26

'Twas on that night of deepest woe, 
When darkness round did thicken, 
When through deep waters Thou didst go,
And for our sins wast stricken;
Thou, Lord, didst seek that we should be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.

How deep the sorrow, who can tell,
Which was for us endurèd?
O love divine, which broke the spell 
Which had our hearts allurèd.
With heart and conscience now set free,
It is our joy to think of Thee.

O Lord, how precious is Thy thought,
How wondrous Thy desire,
To win our hearts, once worse than naught,
Who now by grace aspire
To seek Thy glory, bear Thy shame,
To keep Thy word, and love Thy name.
 
We know Thee now exalted high,
Ourselves in Thee accepted;
We wait the hour which now draws nigh,
Thy coming long expected.
Till Thou dost come we still would be
With grateful hearts remembering Thee.
(G. W. Frazer)

N.J. Hiebert - 10159

December 17

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the Man, Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 2:5 

Two great truths are brought before us as the ground on which God deals with men in sovereign grace.  First, there is one God; secondly, there is one Mediator.  That there is only one God had been fully declared before Christ came.

The unity of God is the great foundation truth of the Old Testament.  It was the great testimony to Israel, as we read,  "Hear O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord" (Deuteronomy 6:4). It was the great testimony that was to flow out to the nations from Israel, as we read, "Let all the nations be gathered together . . . let them hear, and say, it is truth. Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.  I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Saviour."  (Isiah 43:9-11)   

Christianity, while fully maintaining the great truth that there is one God, further presents the equally important truth that there is one Mediator between God and men.  This latter truth is the distinctive truth of Christianity. If God is one it is equally important to remember the unity of the Mediator.  There is one Mediator and no other.  

The One Mediator is a Man in order that God may be known to men.  Men cannot rise to God; but God in His love, can come down to man.  This Mediator gave Himself a ransom for all.  God's majesty, righteousness, love, truth and all that He is, have been glorified in the work brought by Christ.  He is a propitiation for the whole world.  All has been done that is needed.  His blood is available for the vilest whoever he may be. "Whosoever will let him come".  In this aspect we may say Christ died for all, gave Himself a ransom for all...an available sacrifice for  sin, for whosoever would come "tasted death for every man."  Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 10160

December 18

I will give thee the treasures of darkness.   Isaiah 45:3

In the famous lace shops of Brussels, there are certain rooms devoted to the spinning of the finest and most delicate patterns.  These rooms are altogether darkened, save for a light from one very small window, which falls directly upon the pattern.

There is only one spinner in the room, and he sits where the narrow stream of light falls upon the threads of his weaving.   "Thus," we are told by the guide, "do we secure our choicest products.  Lace is always more delicately and beautifully woven when the worker himself is in the dark and only his pattern is in the light."

May it not be the same with us in our weaving?  Sometimes it is very dark.  We cannot understand what we are doing.  We do not see the web we are weaving.   We are not able to discover any beauty, any possible good in our experience.  Yet if we are faithful and fail not and faint not, we shall some day know that the most exquisite work of all our life was done in those days when it was so dark.

If you are in the deep shadows because of some strange, mysterious providence, do not be afraid.  Simply go on in faith and love, never doubting.  God is watching, and He will bring good and beauty out of all your pain and tears.  J. R. Miller

The shuttles of His purpose move to carry out His own design;
Seek not too soon to disapprove His work, nor yet assign
Dark motives, when, with silent tread, you view some sombre fold;
For lo, within each darker thread there twines a thread of gold.

Spin cheerfully, not tearfully, He knows the way you plod;
Spin carefully, spin prayerfully, but leave the thread with God.

N.J. Hiebert - 10161

December 19

December 20

December 21

Gems from November 2025

The coming of the Lord draweth nigh.  James 5:8 

It is a good thing to understand prophecy; it is better to have the intended purpose for which it was given.  Today more Christians have some idea of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than two centuries ago.  But that does not mean that the hearts of Christians  long for Him more than they did then. 

Whenever the coming and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned, there is a practical importance attached to it.  In John 14 it is so that the disciples' hearts may not be troubled in view of his imminent departure.  In Romans 13:12 so that we may cast away the works of darkness and walk  becomingly.  In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, so that we may be firm, immovable, and abounding always in the work of the Lord.  In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 2 Corinthians 5:8 so as to know that the death of the believer is to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord. and thus we may not sorrow as others who have no hope.  In 2 Timothy 4:6-9, so that we may fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith.  In Titus 2:12, so that we may live soberly, justly, and piously.  In 1 John 3:2-3 we have this most precious promise that We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!--a statement that should never cease to fill our hearts with joy and lead us always to worship Him. And, He adds, every one that has this hope in Him purifies himself, even as He is pure.     

Finally, Revelation 22:20, we are told this so that our hearts may respond to His saying, Amen.  Even so come, Lord Jesus.   A. M. Behnam  

We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination  guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. 
P. Gerhardt

N.J. Hiebert - 10113

November 1

ACCEPTED IN THE BELOVED

"He hath made us accepted in the Beloved".   Ephesians 1:6 

Years ago I was preaching in the small town of Roosevelt, Washington, on the north bank of the Columbia River.  I was the guest of friends who were sheep-raisers.  It was lambing time and every morning we went out to see the lambs--hundreds of them--playing about on the green. 

One morning I was startled to see an old ewe go loping across the road, followed by the strangest looking lamb I had ever seen.  It apparently had six legs, and the last two were hanging helplessly as though paralyzed, and the skin seemed to be partially torn from its body in a way that  made me feel the poor little creature must be suffering terribly.  But when one of the herders caught the lamb and brought it over to me, the mystery was explained.

That lamb did not really belong originally to that ewe.  She had a lamb which was bitten by a rattlesnake and died.  This lamb that I saw was an orphan and needed a mother's care.  But at first the bereft ewe refused to have anything to do with it.  She sniffed at it when it was brought to her, then pushed it away, saying as plainly as a sheep could say it, "That is not our family odour!"  So the herders skinned the lamb that had died and very carefully drew the fleece over the living lamb.  This left the hind-leg coverings dragging loose.  Thus covered, the lamb was brought again to the ewe.  She smelled it once more and this time seemed thoroughly satisfied  and adopted it as her own. 

It seemed to me to be a beautiful picture of the grace of God to sinners.  We are all outcasts and have no claim upon His love.  But God's own Son, the "Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the World,"  has died for us and now we who believe are dressed up in the fleece of the Lamb who died.   Thus, God has accepted us in Him, and "there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus."  We are as dear to the heart of the Father as His own holy, spotless Son.  H. A. Ironside

So nigh, so very nigh to God, I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son, I am as near as He.
So dear, so very dear to God, more dear I cannot be;
The love wherewith He loves the Son, such is His love to me.   C. Paget

N.J. Hiebert - 10114

November 2

". . . whither the head looked they followed"  

Ezekiel 10:11 

     This simple phrase gives us a principle that should be our guide as believers in the Lord Jesus, our Head.  Our natural tendency is to follow our own reasoning power, which we know from experience often gets us into trouble. 
     Ezekiel at the time was describing what He saw in a vision from God.  In this case the followers were cherubim (powerful angelic beings), but the principle needs to be our pattern too.  The wisdom, strength and courage to do so will be readily provided by God, to the extent we are willing to take advantage of it. 
     In Psalm 23:2, we are given the promise that the Shepherd "leadeth me beside the still waters."  Why would the sheep ever want anything else?  We understand that sheep will only lap from calm water, such as a pond or quiet stream.  Sheep are usually not smart enough to find still water in a dry country, and nor are we.
     We certainly know how spiritually dry the world around us has become, and need to quietly and submissively follow the Leader, who always knows what we need (not necessarily all we want!).  The disciples learned that lesson when they were instructed by the Lord: "there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in" (Luke 22:10). It was very unusual for a man to be fetching water, so he stood out from all the people passing in the busy street.  The man is a picture of the Holy Spirit who will always lead us to Jesus.   
     ". . .they turned not as they went" (Ezekiel 10:11)  This important phrase makes a point about the straightforward, unswerving submission to the Lord's leadership.  We don't need to search very far to understand what Satan sets before us in order to turn us to the right hand or the left.  He is always opposed to the Lord Jesus and wants to spoil or diminish our enjoyment of all we possess in Christ.  If there is going to be personal communion with others of "like precious faith", it must be on the basis of our own intimate relationship with our Lord and Saviour.  "O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." (Psalm 34:3)   Lorne Perry  

N.J. Hiebert - 10115

November 3

WHAT IS IN THINE HAND?

And the Lord said unto him, what is that in thine hand?  Exodus 4:2 

What hast thou in thy hand woman? "One handful" more;
Go feed the prophet, and 'twill last till famine days are o'er. 1 Kings 17:12

What hast thou in thy hand, Widow? "A pot of oil"; 
Go pour it out and find a store of rich and priceless spoil. 2 Kings 4:2

What hast thou in thy hand, Mary? Some "perfume rare";
Pour it upon His head; 'twill flow in fragrance every where. Matthew 26:7

And Rahab, what hast thou? "a cord of scarlet hue";  
Hang it in faith, gather your kin--God's blessings rest on you. Joshua 2:21

And, Dorcas, what hast thou? "a needle and some thread"; Acts 9:36-42
Give them to God, they'll bless the poor, and bring thee from the dead. 

What hast thou in thy hand, Widow? "Two mites"--no more;
Give them to God, and they shall grow to be a mighty store. Luke 21:1-4

What hast thou in thy hand, Mother "a baby's hand;"
Train it for Him, so shall thy life bear fruit in every land. Exodus 2:9

N.J. Hiebert - 10116

November 4

Now is My soul troubled; and what shall I say?  Father, save Me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.  Father, glorify Thy name.   John 12: 27-28 

Soon after speaking this way, the Lord Jesus told His disciples, "Let not your heart be troubled" (John 14:1).  Why should He say His own soul was troubled and urge His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled?  The answer is simply that they had no right reason for being troubled, but He had reason such as no one else could ever have for being troubled to the depths of His soul.

The hour to which all history had looked forward was about to come, and the Son of God knew it well.  He was destined to bear unparalleled suffering and anguish on Calvary's cross.  It would mean the unutterable agony of being forsaken by God and made a curse on account of our sins. 

No suffering in all history could compare with that which He must endure in  being made an offering for sin.  The very prospect troubled His soul and caused Him to question:  Should He pray to the Father to save Him from that hour?  

However, in calm dignity of purpose the Lord adds, "But for this cause came I unto this hour." He will not turn to one side or the other but go forward  to meet that ordeal of excruciating anguish, taking the load of our sins upon Himself, and fully atoning for sins that were not His own.  Therefore, because of His being troubled, not only in anticipating the cross, but more greatly still in bearing it, He can well tell us not to be troubled.  He had borne the trouble for us.

More than this: He says, "Father, glorify Thy name."  Through that wonderful sacrifice, the Father's name has been glorified for eternity.  The Lord is Near

N.J. Hiebert - 10117

November 5

David went on going and growing, and the Lord . . . was with him.
2 Samuel 5:10 (Margin). 

When a believer stops going he ceases growing also.  There  must be obedience to the truth of God, a "going" on in the ways that be in Christ, as they are learned from His Word. 

No shirking of the cross that obedience often brings with it, but steady "going and  growing" steadily and constantly.  They are the happy saints who thus go on growing, and they are fruitful ones too.

They are not toppled over with every wind, for they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, striking down their roots deeper every year, and flourish like the palm tree, evergreen, amid burning deserts.    (Choice Gleaning Calendar - J.Ritchie)

The cedar boughs once touched the grass; but every year they grew 
A little farther from the ground and nearer to the blue. 
So live that you may each year be, while time glides swiftly by,
A little farther from the the earth, and nearer to the sky.

N.J. Hiebert - 10118

November 6

For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God:  and the dead in Christ shall rise first:  Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.  

1 Thessalonians 4:15-17     

The Lord Jesus arises from His throne, He descends from heaven, He gives the word Himself, the voice of the archangel passes it on, and the trumpet gives a well-know sound. The imagery is military.  As well-trained troops know the orders of their commander  by the sound of the trumpet, so will the army of the Lord answer instantly to His call.  All the dead in Christ shall rise, and all the living saints shall be changed; and they shall enter into the cloud, and be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall they ever be with the Lord.  

     This is the first resurrection, the rapture of the saints.  Before a seal of judgment is broken, or another trumpet is blown, or a vial poured out, the saints are all gone--gone to glory, gone to be with the Lord forever!  What a thought!  What an event! Not a particle of the redeemed dust of God's children left in the grave; and not a believer left on the face of the whole earth!  All caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and to be conducted by Him to the Father's house of many mansions.
     But, who can think, who can speak, of the happy reunions on that morning of cloudless joy?  Doubtless the Person of the Lord will fix every eye, and ravish every heart; still there will be the distinct recognition of those who, though long parted from us here, have never lost their place in our hearts.  And as all will perfectly bear the image of the Lord, we can never lose sight of Him.  Though everyone will have his own identity and his own special joy, yet all will be like the Lord, and the joy of each will be the common joy of all.  But chiefest of all our joys that morning, and from which all other joy shall flow, will be to see His face, and behold His glory; or, as John says, and sums up all blessedness in two expressions:  "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2)  Andrew Miller

N.J. Hiebert - 10119

November 7

Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:28-30. 

"YES, LORD"  are two words found only once in the Bible: "And she answered and said unto Him, Yes, Lord: . . . (Mark 7:28)  But they were the key to blessing for a person who needed help that only the Lord Jesus Christ could give.  

These words are still the key which will open the door to good things in our lives.  When we submit our wills to the will of God, we have started in the right direction.  God has spoken to us in His Word, the Bible.  He loves us and wants us to have His best.

He sent His Son into our world to die as a sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross.  God raised Him from among the dead and has taken Him back to heaven and placed Him on His throne of grace and power.  Jesus lives today.  He is LORD.  Submit yourself to Him by faith right now.

YES, LORD is the key!

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
(Romans 10:9)     J-O-Y Gospel Distributors

N.J. Hiebert - 10120

November 8

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3

"Father, where shall I work today?"
And my love flowed warm and free;
Then He pointed to me a tiny spot,
And said, "Tend that for Me";
I answered quickly, "No, not that;
Why, no one would ever see,
No matter how well my work was done;
Not that little place for me!"
And the word He spoke, it was not stern:
He answered me tenderly,
"Ah, labourer search that heart of yours:
Are you working for them or Me?
Nazareth was a little place,
And so was Galilee."

If labour flows from a loving heart,
It matters not the pay-
And if I work but one short hour
Or bear the heat of the day; 
The Master is just and ever-wise;
He gives His rewards with grace;
The first is last; the last is first;
No room for pride of place;
I ask Him, "Where and how to serve?"
He knows just where I should be;
If I wish His mind in doing His work,
I'll find it on bended knee.  Selected

N.J. Hiebert - 10121

November 9

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.  Isaiah 43:2

God does not open paths for us in advance of our coming.   He does not promise help before help is needed.  He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them.  Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is stretched out.

Many people forget this, and are forever worrying about difficulties which they foresee in the future.  They expect that God is going to make the way plain and open before them, miles and miles ahead; whereas He has promised to do only step by step as they may need.

You must get to the waters and into their floods before you can claim the promise.  Many people dread death, and lament that they have not "dying grace."  Of course, they will not have dying grace when they are in good health, in the midst of life's duties, with death far in advance.  Why should they have it then? Grace for duty is what they need then, living grace; then dying grace when they come to die. -- JRM 

"When thou passest through the waters" deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge, and His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters thou shall not go down, BUT THROUGH."

Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation sweeping over heart and brain--
They shall never overflow us for we know His word is true;
All His waves and all His billows He will lead us safely through.

Threatening breakers of destruction, doubt's insidious undertow, Shall not sink us, shall not drag us out to ocean depths of woe; For His promise shall sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose word is true!
We shall not go down, or under, for He saith, "Thou passest THROUGH."
Annie Johnson Flint 

N.J. Hiebert - 10122

November 10

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am there ye may be also.  John 14:3 

The word "maranatha" is an Aramaic expression that means: "the Lord cometh".  Biblical scholars tell us that it was used as a greeting in the early church.  When believers gathered or parted, they didn't say "hello" or "good-bye" but rather, "Maranatha!"  Think if Christians today had the same upward longing in love for our blessed Saviour's return, what a glorious difference might be seen in the testimony of Christianity displayed before this poor world!  O that God's people had a deepening awareness of the imminent return of the Saviour as He has promised!  "He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly.  Amen.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus"  (Revelation 22:20). 

The story is told that while on a South Pole expedition, British explorer Sir Earnest Shackleton left a few men on Elephant Island, promising that he would return.  Later, when he tried to go back, huge icebergs blocked the way.  But suddenly, as if by a miracle, an avenue opened in the ice and Shackleton  was able to get through.  His men, ready and waiting, quickly scrambled aboard.  No sooner had the ship cleared the island than the ice crashed together behind them.  Contemplating their narrow escape, the explorer said to his men."It was fortunate you were all packed and ready to go!"  They replied, "we never gave up hope.  Whenever the sea was clear of ice, we rolled up our sleeping  bags and reminded each other, "The boss may come today."

Hymn writer Horatius Bonar exhorted believers "to be ready for the last moment  by being ready at every moment...so attending to every duty that, let our Lord come when He may, He finds the house in perfect order, awaiting His return.  The trump may sound anytime.  How important that we who are true Christians be "packed and ready to go!"  Perhaps as you leave home today, don't say "good-bye" rather, say "Maranatha!"   D. Nicolet - January 2013 TCS 

N.J. Hiebert - 10123

November 11

And it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. . . .  And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15:25,33.

It was more than human--God caused a witness of that hour that stood out from all before and after.  There was darkness; the very world felt it.  So here, the insensibility of men, the revilings and scoffings from chief priests down to thieves, against the Son of God, were answered on God's part  by the veiling of all nature in presence of the death of Him Who created all; there was darkness over the whole land.  Above, below, what a scene!

"And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a  loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Mark15:34)  It was no exhaustion of nature.  Jesus did not die because He could not live, as all others do.  He had still the full energy of life.  He died not only in atonement, but to take His life again.  How else could He have proved the superiority of His life to death, if He had not died?  Still less could He have delivered us.  "We were reconciled to God by the death of His Son." (Romans 5:10)

But more than that.  His living again, His raising Himself from the grave, His taking life again, proved that He had conquered death, to which He had so entirely submitted for God's glory.  He was put to death.  By wicked hands He was  crucified and slain; yet it was also entirely voluntary.  In every other person death is involuntary.  So absolutely is Jesus above mere nature whether in birth or in death, or all through.  Exposition on the Gospel of Mark - William Kelly.

N.J. Hiebert - 10124

November 12

"A certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment . . . and she felt in her body that she was healed . . ." Mark 5:25-29.

The condition of the woman is hopeless.  Surely no physician of that day and place could save her wasting life; but she had heard of the power of Jesus, and secretly watching for an opportunity, she "came in the crowd behind, and touched His garment."  Her faith is imperfect; she seems to think that the power of Jesus is magical and mechanical, and that there is no need of His knowing her or of His thinking of her, that she need make no request for help or express gratitude for relief.

Her faith is imperfect, but it is sincere; and Jesus makes an immediate response to her timid touch, "and straightway...she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague."  Possibly the most reassuring feature of the story is just here.  Our Lord does not wait until we have a perfect knowledge of Him or His way of working; when we feel our helplessness and come to Him for healing He never withholds His help. 

Jesus, however, always desires to perfect the faith of those who trust Him.  His healing results ever in a fuller knowledge and in a deepening love.  Thus He shows this woman that her cure is due to no mere involuntary out-flow of divine grace, and that the full blessing of faith results only when a believer openly confesses Jesus as the Saviour.  He perceives  the touch of her trembling fingers;   He distinguishes it from the press of the jostling crowd; He recognizes it as a mute appeal for help; He gives the relief which the suppliant  craves, and then, for the sake of the woman who has already perceived His divine power, now realizes His divine knowledge, and as she comes and acknowledges her trust and her cure, she learns His divine love, for she hears Him say, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." (Mark 5:34) She found a new assurance of His saving power and that rest of soul which issues from accepting His gracious word, "Go in Peace."  Mark - C. R. Erdman 

N.J. Hiebert - 10125

November 13

Lord, now lettest Thou thy servant (Simeon) depart in peace, according to Thy Word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation.  (Luke 2:29-30)

When Simeon was worshiping in the temple and Mary and Joseph entered with the little Baby, Simeon said, "there is the salvation of God," and he hastened to the Baby and took Him in his arms and he said ". . . mine eyes have seen Thy salvation."   
 
God's salvation is in a Person, and that Person His own blessed Son.  To receive Him is to be saved.  To receive Him is to have life eternal.  "All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me: and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37) Thank God for such an assurance as that!  God will never be defeated.  His purpose will never fail of accomplishment. All that the Father giveth to Jesus shall come to Him. 

You say you do not believe in election or predestination.  Then you will have to tear a number of pages out of your Bible, for there are many of them which magnify God's sovereign electing grace. "For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29).

Someone once said, that, "the 'whosoever wills' are the elect and the 'whosoever won'ts,' the non-elect." You cannot get around it.  But we must not overlook our personal responsibility, (Note John 6:37).  Let no man say, "Well I am afraid I am not elected, and will not be saved."  The question is, Are you willing to come to Jesus?  He will in no wise cast out.   Whoever you are today, if you will come to Him, He will take you in.  You do not have to settle any question of predestination before you come to Jesus.  And when you come He receives you, and having come, you may know that you are one whom the Father gave to the Lord Jesus Christ. Gospel of John - H. A. Ironside

N.J. Hiebert - 10126

November 14

I came to them . . . I sat where they sat.    Ezekiel 3:15

We rightly marvel at Hudson Taylor, who forsook the comforts of British Shanghai to live in the poverty and hardship of the Chinese section.  And yet who could deny the effectiveness of his following the prophet Ezekiel's example?

If this sort of work seems at times distasteful, then we need only remind ourselves of the Saviour, who left His wondrous palaces for our worldly pollutions, that He might sit where we sit, and acquaint Himself with our griefs and sorrows.

Ultimately He made them His own and bore them to Calvary in an astonishing act of grace.  Can we not humble ourselves and bear this wondrous message to the places where the lost sit?       Choice Gleanings - Rick Morse 

There is a stream of precious blood which flowed from Jesu's veins; And sinners washed in that blest flood lose all their guilty stains.

The dying thief rejoiced to see  that Saviour in His day;
And by that blood, tho' vile as he, our sins are washed away.

Blest Lamb of God, Thy precious blood shall never lose its pow'r, Till every ransomed saint of God be saved to sin no more.

E'er since, by faith, we saw the stream Thy wounds supplied for sin,  Redeeming love has been our theme, our joy  and peace has been.

Soon in a nobler, sweeter song, we'll sing Thy pow'r to save;
No more with lisping, stammering tongue, but conquerors o'er the grave.  W. Cowper

N.J. Hiebert - 10127

November 15

Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made know unto God.  Philippians 4:6

Prayer and thanksgiving. Prayer is a means to dispose the heart to praise.  When David begins a psalm with prayer, he commonly ends it with praise.  That Spirit which leads a soul out of itself to God for supply, will direct it to the same God with His praise. We do not borrow money of one man and return it to another. 

If God hath been thy strength, surely thou wilt make Him thy song.  The thief comes not to thank a man for what he steals out fo his yard.  Mercies ill got are commonly as ill spent, because they are not sanctified, and so become fuel to feed lusts.

As a necessary ingredient in all our prayers: Let your requests be made known with thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6).  This spice must be in all our offerings.  He that prays for a mercy he wants, and is not thankful for mercies received, may seem mindful of himself, but is forgetful of God, and so takes the right course to shut his prayers out of doors.  God will not put His mercies into a torn purse; and such is is an unthankful heart.

Daniel, when in the very shadow of death, the plot being laid to take away his life, prayed three times a day, and gave thanks before his God (Daniel 6:10).  To have heard him pray in that great strait would not have afforded so much matter for wonder; but to have his heart in tune for giving thanks in such a sad hour was admirable.

Prayer and Trial. When prayer cannot prevail to keep a temporal mercy alive, yet it will have a powerful influence to keep thy heart alive when that dies.  O, it is sad, when a man's estate and comfort are buried in the same grave together.  None will bear the loss of an enjoyment so patiently, as he that was exercised in prayer while he had it.  The more David prayed for his child while alive, the fewer tears he shed for it when dead.    William Gurnall - 1617-1679

N.J. Hiebert - 10128

November 16

There be . . . things which are little upon the earth, but . . . Proverbs 30:24

Someone once complained, "What I say or do doesn't matter.  My influence is like a drop in the bucket!"  "Ah, but a drop can be very important," said another.

"It all depends on what it is made of, and what's already in the bucket.  One little drop of water falling into a container of acid may cause an explosion.  One drop of germ culture  introduced into a container of milk can make the liquid dangerous to drink; while one drop of cleansing disinfectant can neutralize a whole pail full of contaminated water".

Yes, even a "drop in a bucket" can make a tremendous difference.  Our influence is greater than we suspect.  In fact, those whom the world considers "insignificant" are probably the ones whose lives are making the greatest impact for eternity!  Anon, Adapted

"Thou crownest the year with Thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness."
Psalm 65:11

N.J. Hiebert - 10129

November 17

They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way.   Psalm 107:4

There is a mystery in human hearts, and though we be encircled by a host
Of those who love us well, and are beloved, to every one of us, from time to time,
There comes a sense of utter loneliness.  Our dearest friend is "stranger" to our pain
And cannot realize our bitterness.

"There is not one who really understands, not one to enter in to all I feel!" -
Such is the cry of each of us in turn.  We wander in "a solitary way,"
No matter what or where our lot may be each heart, mysterious even to itself,
Must live its inner life in solitude.

And would you know the reason why this is? It is because the Lord desires our love, 
In every heart He wishes to be first. He therefore keeps the secret-key Himself,
To open all its chambers, and to bless, with perfect sympathy and holy peace,
Each solitary soul which comes to Him. 

So when we feel this loneliness, it is the voice of JESUS saying, "Come to Me!"
And every time we are "not understood," it is another call to us to come;
For Christ alone can satisfy the soul, and those who walk with Him from day to day 
Can never have "a solitary way".

Then if beneath some great trial you faint, and say, "I cannot bear this load alone,"
You say the truth. Christ made it purposely so heavy that you must leave it to Him.
The bitter grief which no one understands conveys a secret message from the Lord,
Entreating you to come to Him with it.

The Man of Sorrows understands it well in all points tempted, He can feel with you.
You cannot come too often, or too near.  The Son of God is infinite in grace,
His  presence satisfies the longing soul, and those who walk with Him from day to
day can never have a "solitary way."  A. C.

N.J. Hiebert - 10130

November 18

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the Ghost.  And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. Mark 15:37,38. 

Now that Jesus' death was consummated, the only righteous ground of life and redemption, the "veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom."  The veil was that which separated the holy place from the holy of holies; there was no single point in the Jewish system more emphatic than the veil. 

For what the veil indicated as a figure was God present, but man standing outside; God dealing with the people, but the people unable to draw near to God, having Him with them in the world, but nevertheless not brought to Himself, not able to look upon His glory, kept at a distance from Him under the law.  (Hebrews 9:7,8) 

As the supernatural darkness (Mark 15:33) was one testimony before His death, so this rending of the veil, at His death declared the power of Christ's blood.  It was not only God come down to man, but man now by the blood of Christ entitled to draw near to God, yea, all who know the value of that blood, into the holiest of all.  "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which He has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say His flesh . . .let us draw near. . .  (Hebrews 10:19-22).    Exposition on Mark - William Kelly 

The veil is rent:--our souls draw near unto a throne of grace; The merits of the Lord appear, they fill the holy place.

His precious blood has spoken there, before and on the throne: And His own wounds in heaven declare, the atoning work is done.

'Tis finished! here our souls have rest, His work can never fail: By Him, our Sacrifice and Priest, we pass within the veil. - J. G. Deck

N.J. HIebert - 10131

November 19

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and Thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1 

Abram had just been through some trying experiences--a famine in the land; the defection of his nephew Lot from the path of faith; the battle with the kings--but Abram had stood firm in his faith, unmoved by the swelling tide of circumstance.

It is "after these things," that God gave Abram this word of encouragement: Fear not.  So it is as we tread this wilderness scene.  Often we face trial upon trial, but our God is aware of it, and just when we need it, He gives that renewing word from Himself--fear not!    William Burnett 

Is the wilderness before thee, desert land where drought abides? Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God's exhaustless tides.

Light divine surrounds thy going, God Himself shall mark thy way; Secret blessings, richly flowing, lead to everlasting day.

In the desert God will teach thee what the God that thou has found,  Patient, gracious, powerful, holy, all His grace shall there abound.

Though thy way be long and dreary, eagle strength He'll still renew: Garments fresh and foot unweary tell how God hath brought thee through.

When to Canaan's long-loved dwelling Love divine thy foot shall bring, There, with shouts of triumph swelling, Zion's songs in rest to sing--   

There no stranger-God shall meet thee, stranger thou in courts above, He Who to His rest shall great thee, greets thee with a well-known love. 
J. N. Darby 1837

N.J. Hiebert - 10132

November 20

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away.  Matthew 24:35

Bibles are more plentiful today than they ever have been.  The words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude today than ever before in the history of the world.  The gospels have been handed down by the noblest of earth, through rivers of blood, at the cost of liberty and life, in the history of every nation in Christendom. 

Christians have fought by weakness, enemies  as diverse as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the people of Israel, and have always  been victorious.  The enemy, the devil, in one age, has prepared his weapons in the monasteries of superstition; in another he has conducted his warfare from the colleges of infidelity; but whether Greek or Jew, ignorant or intellectual, every weapon has failed. 

Passed away!  What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away.  The cruelty of the inquisition and the scoffings of Voltaire have passed away.  Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away."

Let the ages answer. Let history come with the officers to the seat of power and learning.  With one voice all will say, "Never man spake like this Man."

"And the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take Him . . . Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (John 7:32,45,46)   

Leonard Sheldrake (1885-1952) A Plant of Renown  

N.J. Hiebert - 10133

November 21

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.   

2 Timothy 1:7

Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be?  It spreads from one to another more quickly and certainly than any of the fevers we know so well.  So, for the sake of others, let us refuse the spirit of fear which God never gives us (if He does not, who does?), and let us open our hearts wide to the Spirit "of power and love and discipline."  We can do this if we will.

Thank God, courage is as infectious as discouragement.  Have you not often felt the cheer and strength that seem to flow from one whose mind is stayed on God?  I have. And I have been thinking of another, a greater, reason for refusing the spirit of fear.  When we are downhearted, or fearful, or weak, we are saying to everybody, by looks and by deeds if not by by words, "After all, our Lord is not to be absolutely trusted."

Somewhere near us, though we do not see them, are others, the good angels and the spirits of evil. To them, too, when we yield to fear, we say the same dishonouring thing.  So for the greater glory of our glorious Saviour Who has never once failed us, and never will fail us, Who has loved and led and guarded us all these years, let us look to Him now and pray from the ground of our heart, Lord, give us valour.  Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael 

And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15
Whatever the fever, His touch can heal it; whatever the tempest, His voice can still;
There is only joy as we seek His pleasure, there is only rest as we chose His will.
And some day, after life's fitful fever, I think that we shall say, in the home on high,
If the hands that He touched but did His bidding,
How little it matters what else went by!   Edith Cheery
  
N.J. Hiebert - 10134

November 22

And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou...hast redeemed us.  Revelation 5:4,9 

It is easy to become discouraged when we think about our world's sad state of affairs.  There seems to be no end to its evil downward spiral.  But, Christian, don't despair!  Our Lord has already redeemed us with His own precious blood. He will one day execute judgment.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11)   (Romans 14:11)

The victory is already won.  It won't be long before our Lord will reign in righteousness and there will be peace on earth.  --C. Mark Hogan

"Till He come," O let the words linger on the trembling chords, Let the "little while" between in their golden light be seen;
Let us think how Heaven and home lie beyond that, "Till He come." 

When the weary ones we love enter on their rest above, Seems the earth so poor and vast, all our life joy overcast?
Hush be every murmur dumb; it is only, "Till He come."

Clouds and conflicts round us press; would we have one sorrow less? All the sharpness of the cross, all that tells the world is lost,
Death and darkness, and the tomb, only whisper, "Till He come."
(1 Corinthians 11:26   Hebrews 10:37)

N.J. Hiebert - 10135

November 23

The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree.  

Psalm 92:12 

Several interesting facts about the date palm give encouragement and comfort in applying this verse to our lives as Christians:

1. It never grows wild, but must be planted and carefully tended when young.  Like ugly weeds, the natural man will grow wild and flourish without being planted or tended.  But only God can produce "fruitful trees" by redeeming sinners to Himself and then fashioning them into objects of beauty and fruitfulness.

2. It grows from within.  Its bark is only the support and protection of its inner life from whence its fruitfulness comes.  The real inner life of a Christian is renewed day by day as he walks with the Lord.  It is this inward man that produces fruit for God.

3. It has well over 200 uses, including food and floor mats. Sometimes we foolishly objects to some uses God has for us (such as to be a floor mat), but true fruitfulness results from submitting to Him in all things. 

4.  Its foliage is always green, because of deep roots getting hidden moisture.  It thrives even in dry and sandy soil.  "Palm tree Christians" do not require a favourable environment to survive, in fact, they often bear the choicest fruit in hostile circumstances. 

5.  It bears its best fruit in old age.  Those Christians who mature and mellow with age become a delight to God, and also serve as a beautiful example to younger saints.  They become a source of wonder even to unbelievers.  While Satan ruthlessly discards his faithful servants when they become old and feeble, God choses to give His own a special glow at eventide -- a glow that reflects His own glory.    G. W. Steidl

N.J. Hiebert - 10136

November 24

Whatsoever things are lovely (Lovable).  

Philippians 4:8 

After our first five years in China, we had been home 2 or 3 weeks, and the children were terribly homesick for the dear Chinese people they loved so well: they had not seen one. 

On a snowy afternoon in February, we were walking down a quiet street, when suddenly the children saw a Chinese man with a big box on a hand-sleigh, delivering laundry.  He was old, and stooped, he had lost most of his teeth, and was about as unattractive an old man as you could find. His arms were filled with parcels of laundry he was about to deliver.

The children saw him, and instantly all four rushed across the street and started talking to  him.  He was so amazed to hear these fair-haired little ones talking in his own tongue wherein he was born, that he dropped the laundry in the snow and did not trouble to pick it up; and the five of them all had a really good time.

My little daughter of eight came back and as she took my hand again, she looked up with a great sigh of satisfaction and said: "O Daddy, isn't he perfectly lovely!"  I understood  and so replied, yes, Darling, he surely is!"  Love has that wondrous power to turn unlovely things into both lovely and loveable ones.

We may be surprised how many lovely things there are on which we may meditate.  A little child called, "Oh, come quickly!  The gates of Heaven are open wide, and all the glory's shining through!"  She had found something very lovely in a beautiful sunset.  "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." Psalm 19:1  His glory does "shine through".

To us, His own, who know His love, He gives all these things richly to enjoy.  (1 Timothy 6:17).  And they tell us not only of His glory, but also of His love, which provided them: and thus we may truly count them among the "lovely things" on which we are to meditate.  Sacrifices of Joy - G. C. Willis 

N.J. Hiebert - 10137

November 25

I am the Lord.  And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. (Exodus12:12-13) 

The passover celebrated in Egypt is the well-known type of Christ averting from His people the judgment which overtakes the ungodly.  The destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt, and smote the firstborn in every house.  Israel escaped by the death of the lamb, and by that alone.  The blood sprinkled on the door post told the destroyer that the sentence of death had already been executed, and he therefore passed over.

When it was a question of life or death, the blood, and the blood alone, fixed the line of demarcation:  "When I see the blood, I will pass over."  This was God's record, presented for the obedience of faith.  The blood was outside, and Israel were inside, and hence they could not see the blood, nor was that needful.  All that was needed was simple faith in God's record, and the more simple the faith, he fuller was their peace.  It was their privilege to eat the lamb within their houses, while the destroyer passed, inflicting terrible judgment on all who were not sheltered beneath the blood. 

How simple is this!  How striking!  How much we learn from it!   God's way of salvation is simple, as simple as it is complete: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth  the Lord Jesus, (Jesus as Lord) and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9).  Christ is God's salvation and it is God's estimate of Christ that forms the basis of the believer's peace.

Many suffer not a little by looking at their faith, instead of at faith's Object.  Now faith is only the hand, as it were, that takes hold of the gift of God.  Genuine faith never looks at itself, but only at Jesus. "When I see the blood, I will pass over."  (Exodus 12:13).  Nothing could avail but the blood of the Lamb.   
C.H. Macintosh   

N.J. Hiebert - 10138

November 26

"NOTHING WAVERING" 

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  James 1:6 

The man who lacks wisdom is promised it, but he must ask in faith and not be like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Our Lord said we could move mountains if we commanded them to move and did not doubt in our hearts. (Mark 11:23).

The positive side of that is in the next verse (24), which says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."  

Abraham "Staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith." There we have the negative and positive again (Romans 4:20).  Some are saved from sin but not from staggering.

"Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering."  Positive and negative!  Are you walking by faith or wobbling in doubt?  We lie to God in prayer when we do not rely on God after prayer.  James is very clear: "Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord." (James 1:7)

Asking without believing marks a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Day by Day - with Vance Havner

I believe the answer's on the way.  I believe the Lord has heard me pray.
"Cast not away your confidence" saith the Lord our God.
Now by faith in Him alone I stand, firmly held by His almighty hand.
Fully trusting in His promise - Praise the Lord.

N.J. Hiebert - 10139

November 27

Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.  John 3:19 

No man by nature understands God.  No man naturally loves holiness and purity.  Have you ever noticed that you do not have to teach little children to tell lies, but you do have to teach them to tell the truth; you never have to teach them to lose their temper, but you have to teach them to control it; you never have to teach them to be disobedient, but you do have to teach them to be obedient?

Why is this?  Because men naturally are children of darkness.  As we look into the faces of babes we do not like to think that in their little hearts there is the same sinful tendency that we find in ourselves, but it is there nevertheless, and therefore there is the necessity of regeneration:  "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7) 

Men say, "I am not responsible, because I was born a sinner, because my understanding was darkened; God is responsible for permitting me to come into the world like this." 

God is not going to send anyone to eternal judgment because he was born a sinner; He is not going to send any one to everlasting ruin because he was born in darkness; but the blessed God has come to men and offered them a way out, and that way we find in the gospel. 

"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21)   H. A. Ironside 

N.J.Hiebert - 10140

November 28

He giveth quietness.  Job 34:29 

The calm sea says more to the thoughtful soul than the same sea in a storm and tumult.  But we need the understanding of eternal things, and the sentiment of the Infinite to be able to feel this. People of passionate temperament never understand this.  Amiel's Journal.

"The lovely things are quiet things - soft falling snow,
And feathers dropped from flying wings make no sound as they go. 
A petal loosened from a rose, quietly seeks the ground,
And love, if lovely, when it goes, goes without sound." 

The silent seasons of life are imperative.  The winter is the mother of spring; the night is the fountain of the physical forces of the day; the silent soil is the womb where vegetable life is born.  The greatest things in our spiritual life come out of our waiting hours, when all activity is suspended, and the soul learns to be "silent unto God" while He shapes us for future activities and fruitful years. 

The greatest forces in nature are quiet ones.  The law of gravitation is silent, yet invincible. So, back of all our activities and actions the law of faith is the mightiest force of the spiritual world, and mightiest when quietest and least demonstrative.  When the soul is anchored to the will of God and His exceeding great and precious promises, with the calm unwavering confidence that His power and love are behind us and can never fail us until all His will for us is accomplished, our life must be victorious.      Springs in the Valley

In the center of the whirlpool, while the waters rush around,
There's a space of perfect stillness, though with turmoil it is bound:
All is calm, and all is quiet, scarcely e'en a sense of sound.
So with us--despite the conflict--when in Christ His peace is found."

N.J. Hiebert - 10141

November 29

O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong.  Daniel 10:19 

God reminded Daniel three times that he was "greatly beloved."  This enabled him to overcome the many trials that he faced.  So also with the Bride, in the days of separation from her Beloved.  The thing that sustains her until she is forever with Him, is this knowledge, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved, is mine." (Song of Solomon 6:3)  He lives for us, and is coming back for us.  Surely this quells the anxious fears that rise within our hearts, as we face the challenges of time. W.H. Burnett 

Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace, that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above, who hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.

Heaven above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine. 

Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.     
Oh, to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.

His forever, only His: who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine.  G. W.Robinson  

N.J. Hiebert - 10142

November 30

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.  Psalm 23:5

The ordinary interpretation of Psalm 23 is that it brings before us a three-fold picture-- the Shepherd and His sheep in verse 1; the traveller and his Guide  in verse 4; and the Host and His guest in verse 5.  But, while that may be true by application, it is not the  primary significance of this portion of scripture.  From start to finish Psalm 23 sings of shepherd life.

"The valley of the shadow of death" of which it speaks refers to those places of deadly peril through which the flocks have sometimes to pass, and in which they are cast entirely on the guidance and protection of the  shepherd.  This symbolizes  the darker and more difficult portions of the path over which the flock of God travels to the heavenly land. 

Then, as regards the "preparing of a table before me in the presence of mine enemies", it has been said by one who is familiar with shepherd-life in oriental lands, that "There is no higher task of the shepherd  in Eastern countries than to go from time to time to study places, and examine the grass, and find a good and safe feeding-place for his sheep.  There are many poisonous plants in the grass, and the shepherd must find and avoid them."  

Then there are viper's holes, and the reptiles bite the noses of the sheep if they are not driven away.  And round the feeding place, which the shepherd thus prepares, in holes and caves in the hill-sides, there are jackals, wolves, hyenas and tigers; and the bravery and skill of the shepherd are at the highest point in closing up the dens with stones, or slaying the wild beasts with his long-bladed  knife.  Of nothing do you hear the shepherds boasting more proudly than of their achievements in this part of their care of their flocks.   
The Pearl of Psalm - George Henderson.  

N.J. Hiebert - 10143

December 1

HIS DESIRED DESIRE

With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15  

With Gethsemane and Calvary in fullest view, His heart's desire was to spend those few last hours in closest fellowship with His disciples.  Now, if we take the King at His word, and really believe that He thus desires us, can we possibly remain cold hearted and indifferent to Him?

Can we bear the idea of disappointing His love--such love--and meeting it with any such pale, cool response as would wound any human heart,  "I do not know whether I love your or not!" 

Oh, do let us leave off morbidly looking to see exactly how much we love (which is just like trying to warm ourselves with a thermometer, and perhaps only ends in doubting whether we love at all), and look straight away at His love and His desire! 

Think of Jesus actually wanting you, really desiring your love, not satisfied with all the love of all the angels and saints unless you love Him too--needing that little drop to fill His cup of joy!  Is there no answering throb, no responsive glow?  

Within an "upper room" are met a small, yet faithful band,
On whom a deep yet chastened grief hath laid its softening hand.
Among them there is One who wears a more than mortal mien, 
'Tis He on whom in all distress the weary one may lean.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal

N.J. Hiebert - 10144

December 2

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.  John 13:23 

The first time John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is in the Upper Room.  What a scene for the heart to contemplate!  Jesus is there with a love that can never break down, for "having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1 

John is there delighting in the love of Christ, resting his head on the bosom of Jesus. He describes himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved.  Peter is there with real, ardent love for the Lord, but trusting in his own love to the Lord rather than resting in the Lord's love to him.  Lastly, Judas is there, with no love to the Lord--with the bag at his side and the devil in his heart, ready to betray the Lord and pass into the long dark night .

In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves,
as John can rest his head on the bosom of the One who dwelt in the bosom of the Father.  In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love.  In Judas we see what the heart of a the sinner can do with the Saviour--betray Him, for thirty pieces of silver.

The feet washing is over and the time has come for the Lord to utter His farewell words; but His spirit is troubled by the presence of the betrayer.  The Lord unburdens His heart to His disciples, "One of you shall betray Me" (John 13:21). Immediately they look one on another, doubting of whom He spoke. 

Looking at others will never solve difficulties that arise among believers.  We must look to the Lord, but looking to the Lord demands nearness to the Lord, and in the circle of the upper room, the disciple that was nearest to the Lord was the one whose feet had been in the hands of the Lord, whose head was resting on the bosom of the Lord and whose heart was delighting in the love of the Lord.   H. Smith      

N.J. Hiebert - 10145

December 3