Gems from September 2005

September 1

"My soul thirsteth for God." (Psalm 42:2)

We must remember that the presence of God is always open to us, and that in that presence is fullness of joy. . .
We never get on, never make headway in divine blessing unless we start from the presence of God. There, as the result of divine light shining in, you learn as you never can learn elsewhere, the truth about yourself. The first thing we learn as Christians is that there is no room for self there - for self in any form. (E.P. Corrin)

N.J. Hiebert # 2358
September 2

"He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away." (Luke 1:53)

- Our unceasing cry to God should be for power, power, power, spiritual power - without this all is thorough vanity.

- Faith must pass through the furnace - it will not do to say that we trust in the Lord, we must prove that we do, and that too when everything is against us. (C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert # 2359

September 3

"Mary . . . sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word." (Luke 10:39)
"Lord, teach me to pray." (Luke 11:1)

- If we would be preserved from the snares of mysticism and imagination the word of God must be the basis of our contemplations.

- Resting on the word . . . we are on a sure rock, against which all the waves of error dash themselves only to be scattered as mist and foam.

- The unchanging God imparts His own character to His own truth, and it thus abides through all times as changeless in its perfections as He whose word it is. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 2360

September 4

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." (Isaiah 40:31)

Even in our fast paced society, waiting is still a very real part of life. Traffic jams, check-out lines, car repairs; they all bring frustration over time lost. God is not always as immediate as we would like either. But He has a purpose in it and waiting on Him is essential - never time wasted. When we wait on the Lord, our strength to go forward for Christ will be renewed. Like the eagle, we will soar above the circumstances of life. We will run and not grow weary, walk and not faint. Some of the issues of life can be devastating, but as we wait on Him there will be renewal of strength. (Charlie Tempest)

N.J. Hiebert # 2361

September 5

"And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven . . . I pray before Thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel Thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against Thee: both I and my father's house have sinned."
(Nehemiah 2:4,6,7)

Nehemiah has poured out his heart before the Lord, made known his request, and now he must wait, and many days he must wait, in expectation of the answer to his cries. A prayer may be entirely according to the will of God, and the fruit of communion with His mind, and yet not be immediately answered. This should be well understood, or the soul might be plunged into distress and unbelief without a cause. A prayer is often heard and granted, although God waits, in His infinite wisdom, for the suited moment to bestow the answer. This was the case with that of Nehemiah. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 2362

September 6

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: But sin is a reproach to any people."
(Psalm 14:34)

History is but the perpetual illustration of what is here declared. Nations, like individuals, are judged according to their ways. No country has prospered long that forsook the path of national righteousness. When pride and vanity, coupled with greed and cruelty, have been in the ascendant, the hour of humbling was not far away. Israel will ever be the great object-lesson for all people. When the Word of God was esteemed, and His will honoured, they prospered. When sin and neglect of God triumphed, they became a reproach. He was right who said, "Israel is the pillar of salt to the nations, crying to all people, 'Remember!' " (H.A. Ironside - Notes on the Book of Proverbs)

N.J. Hiebert # 2363

September 7

"Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them." (Jonah 1:5)

These heathen mariners did not know Jehovah, the true God, the God who made the sea and the dry land, the God whom Jonah knew; and in their trouble they turned to the false gods of the heathen. "Then they cry unto Jehovah in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses; He maketh the storm a calm, and the waves thereof are still." (Psalm 107:23) These mariners did not know Jehovah, and could not call upon Him. The Scripture well asks, "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" These men had not heard, so could not believe on the true God, therefore, instead of calling on Him, they called every man on his god. Since such gods could neither save not help them, they turned to their own expedients - throwing the cargo over board. However, their prayers and their wisdom and their works were all unavailing. They were dealing now with Jehovah, the true God, and they were to learn something of Him and His power. (G.C. Willis - Lessons From Johan the Prophet)

N.J. Hiebert # 2364

September 8

"Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother." (Colossians 4:9)
"Epaphras . . . a faithful minister of Christ." (Colossians 1:7)
"Antipas . . . my faithful martyr." (Revelation 2:13)

Onesimus, the former runaway slave is now a faithful and beloved brother. What faithfulness should mark those whom He calls brethren. Epaphras is not only noted for his faithfulness as a minister in public preaching, but also in his intercessory ministry of which we are told in Colossians 4:12.
Antipas is honoured in his faithfulness unto death. He is called by the Lord, "My faithful witness!" Martyr is the same word.
God does not demand success of His children. But of young or old, insignificant or prominent, He does demand faithfulness.
"A little thing is a little thing but faithfulness in a little thing is a big thing."
(Choice Gleanings - 1973)

N.J. Hiebert # 2365

September 9

"Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it." (Luke 11:28)

From Genesis to Revelation there is a plain and perfect revelation of everything which a sinner needs to know for salvation, and the saint for conformity to Christ. All the promises are given; all the precepts are written. We are fully warned of all our dangers. There is nothing more to be known that would help us in the way to heaven. The completeness of the Bible is as full as any other gift of God. It is as comprehensive of the needs of the (twentyfirst) century as of the first. (Christian Truth - Volume 19 - 1966)

N.J. Hiebert # 2366

September 10

"Learn from Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest to your souls." (Matthew 11:29)

There is often a beautiful blending of majesty and humility, magnanimity and lowliness, in great minds. The mightiest and holist of all beings that ever trod this world was the meekest of all. No wonder that His emblem was a lamb or that the Spirit who anointed Him came in the form of a gentle dove.
None of the pageantry of this world or its dreams of carnal glory offered by the tempter had any fascination for Him. He meekly bore nameless wrongs and indignities before Pilate's judgment seat, and He ignored the mocking and railing of those around His cross. These things drew forth no angry look nor bitter word but only "Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34). He selected "meekness" and "poverty of spirit" as traits that His disciples should study and imitate, saying, "Learn from Me."
How different are His maxims from the world's. The world says, "Resent the affront and vindicate your honour!" but He says, "Overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21). The world says, "When you are buffeted for your faults, take it patiently," but He says, " When you do well, and suffer for it . . . take it patiently, this is acceptable with God" (1 Peter 2:20).
Become like the Lord - strive to obtain a "meek and quiet spirit" (1 Peter 3:4). Do not heed Satan and desire a higher place in the assembly or in the world. Honour the gifts of others. Put the best construction on motives and actions, and, therefore, never be ruffled by real or imagined injuries. The meek Christian has a perpetual inner sunshine and wellspring of peace. Be assured, no happiness is equal to that enjoyed by the meek Christian! (J.R. MacDuff)

N.J. Hiebert # 2367

September 11

"Love . . . Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth." (Love joyfully sides with the truth.) (1 Corinthians 13:6)

General Grant, a great American soldier, was once asked his opinion of a certain officer under his command. He spoke of him in the warmest terms. "But, sir," said his questioner, "do you know that he said this and that of you?" Calmly came the reply: "You asked me my opinion of him, not his of me." (George Henderson - A Trinity of Christian Graces)

N.J. Hiebert # 2368

September 12

". . . He took Peter and John and James and went up into a mountain to pray . . . they saw His glory . . . This is My beloved Son: hear Him. . . The next day, when they were come down from
the hill, much people met them." (Luke 9:28,32,35,37)

Jesus was as much with His disciples when they came down as while they were on the mount, and that is our comfort. Do not let us suppose we have lost Christ. . . . The Lord give us to know, while passing through this world, what a Christ we have, taking our hearts clean out of the defiling circumstances around, so that whether we get a taste of the glory or are passing through the crowd of this world He may be everything to us, as He is everything for us. (J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert # 2369

September 13

"But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:25)

- How far is Christ practically formed in our hearts and minds? . . . so that His thoughts are our thoughts, His cares our cares, His subjects of interest our subjects of interest, and none other.
- You would not be easily startled by events if you saw all that you have in Christ to enable you to meet everything calmly.
- Has the restorative power of the Lord's coming got possession of your hearts?
- No sin the believer brings to God but when it comes to be weighed is not outweighed by the blood.
- God would have us to . . . count it a peculiar privilege to be whole-hearted for the Son of His love.
- Remember that there is no path for us smoother or broader than the path of the Son of man while in the world. (G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert # 2370

September 14

"And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:8)

"He made Himself low", or, "He made Himself very low." The word is used in old writings, speaking of the river Nile, "it runs low." As God, He emptied Himself: as Man, He made Himself low. This is a further step down downwards than being found in fashion as a man. . . He might have been found in fashion as a man, and have chosen to be an Emperor or mighty King: He might have chosen honour and wealth: but not so: "He made Himself low," "He humbled Himself." He could say, "I am meek and lowly in heart." But let us remember that this is "The high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy." (Isaiah 57:15) After meditating on His path downwards, we can better understand His words that follow: "I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit." How much most of us need to gaze upon Him, till we are in some measure changed into the same image, and have that mind in us which was also in Christ Jesus. (G. Christopher Willis - Sacrifices of Joy)

N.J. Hiebert # 2371

September 15

"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. . . . God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able."
(1 Corinthians 10:12,13)

- To desire blessing is easy, but the path to blessing is through waves and clouds and storms - that is, through the deepest exercises.
- The secret of many of our sicknesses and sorrows is that out hearts have not been true to the Lord. . . . We assume too much when we are sick; we take it for granted that all is well with us, and forget the hand of the Lord may be in the sickness to recover the hearts of His people.
- What is true of us is not always true to us. It is true of every believer that he is in Christ, but in order to be true to Him he must reach that position in his own soul experimentally. (Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 2372

September 16

"Serving the Lord with all lowliness." (Acts 20:19)

- Every one of us that has been called of God finds more or less that he is isolated unto Him that called him . . . Christ was apart to God.
- Surely in our Father's house not those who have gone on well in this world, as you might have done . . . but those who have been called on service, will have most joy in their retrospect.
- If one could but be nothing, He might use us more. The carpenter can use his saw, or file, or hammer without fear of its boasting of the work being its own. If God used Hs children without a good deal of discipline to them accompanying they would be spoiled and boast in what was wrought as being theirs and not His. He loves us too much for that. (G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert # 2373

September 17

"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us." (Hebrews 12:1)

There is no such thing recognised in scripture as a Christian doubting he is saved. And it is all a totally false pretension of humility. If my Father forgives me, and I doubt His forgiveness, I am not trusting Him. . . . Let a man fear temptation, doubt His own heart - that is another thing; but not doubt God, or fear God. (J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert # 2374

September 18

"The God of all encouragement." (2 Corinthians 1:3)

David . . . when a stripling in the fight could say even to a giant (Goliath), "This day will the Lord deliver thee into my hand," but afterwards said in his heart, "I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul." . . . Saul's hand which David feared was not so big as Goliath's hand which David despised; but then the Lord was not so large and full before the eye of David's faith afterwards as He had been before in the valley of Elah. (J.G. Bellett)

N.J. Hiebert # 2375

September 19

"When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." (Luke 22:53)

No longer did the Lord pass through their midst and go His way. No longer could it be said that His hour had not yet come. Events took place rapidly. Judas came near with his kiss of betrayal. Peter cut off the ear of one of those approaching. Defence was not the answer, said the Lord as He gave the man healing. The hour had come.
The Lord notified them, "This is your hour." Hatred had reached its zenith. The power of darkness was at work, inciting men to reject the One before whom they should rightfully have bowed. Had they not heard His authoritative words? Had they not observed His gracious and miraculous works? Did they not know who this was? It mattered not. The Lord's righteousness only illuminated the darkness of the human heart. Their hour stands recorded for all humanity ever since. They rapidly demanded His crucifixion upon a Roman cross. The Messiah had come and they had received Him not.
Let us ever be mindful that by the grace of God in the hour of the cross, the great atonement for mankind's sins was made. The solemn transaction between a holy God and Christ took place, making possible the salvation of every person who will believe that Christ died for his sins and who will receive Him as his own personal Savoir. (G.E. Wood - The Lord is near -1995)

N.J. Hiebert # 2376

September 20

"And when the woman (Eve) saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof and did eat, and gave also unto her husband (Adam) with her; and he did eat." (Genesis 3:6)

Something, Nothing and Everything
Three things fallen man looks for:

The lust of the flesh - doing something
The lust of the eyes - having something
The pride of life - being something
(Genesis 3:6, Matthew 4:1-10, Luke 4:1-13, 1 John 2:16)

But the believer is nothing, "For if a man think himself to be something , when he is nothing , he deceiveth himself." (Galatians 6:3)

Knows nothing, "And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:2)
Can do nothing "Without Me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Apart from Christ Who is everything, "Christ is all and in all." (Colossians 3:11)

(Michel Payette - Le Lien Fraternel - Meditation 113)

N.J. Hiebert # 2377

September 21

"Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular."
(1 Corinthians 12:27)

An old lady, who late in life accepted Christ as her Saviour, was always praising God and talking about her Saviour. One day a friend said, "You seem pretty confident about this Saviour of yours! I wouldn't be too sure about it, if I were you. Suppose the Lord should let you slip through one of His fingers!"
"But" said the old lady, "I am one of His fingers."
She was indeed a member of Christ. We would not dare say such a thing if it were not openly told us in Scripture. And we are reminded of it each time we partake of the loaf which is "the communion of the body of Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:16) (The Christian Newsletter - # 64)

N.J. Hiebert # 2378

September 22

"And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein. And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;" (Acts 27:6,7)

Julius was not happy with the progress his ship was making. Deciding it was time for a change, he chose a ship that came from a city in Egypt (let's remember that in the Bible, Egypt usually pictures the world). Changing ships however, did not change the contrary winds for Julius.
Perhaps this is where you are right now in the voyage of your life. You haven't been satisfied with Dad and Mom's religious ways - nor with the contrary winds they have encountered (see 2 Timothy 3:12). Perhaps you've decided to change ships - to reach out to the world and find a more comfortable, easy way to get through this life. You may think that the winds will be less contrary if you follow the ways of the world rather than the ways of God that you have been taught in your home and assembly. Be assured that you will not be long finding the winds are still contrary. No one finds that things always go just the way they want in life. It just doesn't happen that way! The answer to these difficulties will not be found in adopting a different ship,a different manner of life characterized by the easy, carefree and Godless attitude of the world. The only safety for life's journey is found in fully obeying the Word of God. (The Journey of Life)

N.J. Hiebert # 2379

September 23

"In the assembly I desire to speak five words with my understanding that I may instruct others also, rather than ten thousand words in a tongue."
(1 Corinthians 14:19)

It is wonderful to mark the way in which, at times, some brief sentence or clause will lay hold upon the heart, penetrate the conscience, or occupy the mind. Occurrences like these convince us beyond all question of the divinity of the Book in which it stands. It is important to delight in such things, especially today when the enemy of God is seeking in varied ways to cast a slur upon the inspired volume.
The grand end of speaking in the assembly is the edification of the hearers and this can only result if what is said is understood. The speaker must speak in an intelligible language, in an audible voice, and he must have something the Lord has given him to say. When God has given us only "five words," let us utter the five words and sit down rather than fill the time with ten thousand!
Let us be simple, earnest, and real. An earnest heart is better than a clever head, and a fervent spirit better than an eloquent tongue. When there is a genuine, hearty desire to promote the real good of souls, it will prove more effectual than the most brilliant gifts without it.
Finally, let us remember the following simple rule, "Do not look for something to say, because you feel that you have to speak; but speak because you have something that ought to be said." Let the teacher or preacher attend diligently to his ministry, let him cultivate his gift, let him live in the spirit of prayer, and let him breathe the atmosphere of Scripture. Then his words whether "five" or "ten thousand," will surely glorify Christ and edify men. (C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert # 2380

September 24

"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Finishing the Course

There are two prerequisites to finishing our Christian course or race. The first is that we start on it and secondly that we continue on.
Paul started his course when he met up with the Lord on the way to Damascus. Have you started your Christian course? If not, then take immediately to heart the pleading of God from 2 Corinthians 5:20-21. Receive the Lord Jesus as your personal Saviour and make Him Lord of your life, just now.
Paul pursued his course through manifold trials and strong opposition. He let nothing stop him, having his eyes on the Lord (Hebrew 12:1-2) and he finished the course (2 Timothy 4:7). Are you continuing on? Or has something come up to stop you in your tracks. Something had stopped the Galatians who were running well till they stopped (Galatians 5:7) - in their case it was because of very bad doctrine. Have you stumbled on things, too many of them perhaps making an extra heavy load to carry slowing you down, perhaps even to a halt? Or have you been stumbled by another believer or believers? Whatever it might be, set it aside and get up and go - the race is only to finish when the Lord comes or when we depart to be with Him. You will be sorry if you have given up. It is not too late now to resume the race. If you are slowing down, look up and see the Lord's delight in your running after him (Song of Solomon 1:4), the joy of the Lord will renew your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10, Hebrews 12:2). Go, go, go. . . . (Michel Payette - Le Lien Fraternel - Meditation # 32)

N.J. Hiebert # 2381

September 25

"And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, 'There is a noise of war in the camp.' But [Moses] said: 'It is not the voice of those who shout in victory, nor is it the voice of those who cry out in defeat, but the voice of those who sing that I hear.' " (Exodus 32:17-18)

Deceived By the Noise

Lost in the jungle, a man sought desperately to find his way to safety. His strength was ebbing fast. Suddenly he heard what he thought was a bell tolling in the distance. Surely civilization must be near by. Valiantly he struggled on, but never seemed to draw closer to the sound. Finally he fell to the ground exhausted, never to rise again. The uncanny call of the South American bellbird, which sounds like a reverberating "toll," had struck again. Instead of offering the weary traveler promised safety, it lured him to his death.
Joshua made a similar mistake. When he heard the sounds of shouting, his military mind immediately assumed he was hearing the sounds of battle. But Moses, experienced in the ways of human nature, realized it was something even more sinister. What Joshua mistook for the sounds of potential physical danger, Moses recognized as the sure sounds of serious moral danger. Instead of war, it was the noise of debauchery and immorality.
Satan is a skilled noisemaker, and he loves to disguise the reality of sin with deceitful noise. He cloaks his wicked ways with words that sound lofty and noble. He hides his lies and deceit beneath raucous laughter, emotional appeals or apparent sincerity. The consequences, however, are spiritual disaster or even death.
Don't be fooled by the noise. Always take what you hear back to the Word of God. If it's not consistent with the Bible, take no heed to it no matter how good it sounds.
Check out the words you hear
by the Word you trust. (Provided by Richard Gorgas - September 12, 2004)

N.J. Hiebert # 2382

September 26

"Ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in You? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." (1 Corinthians 3:16,17)

We read that in the days of Hezekiah it took sixteen days to clear out the temple, because it had not been daily cleansed . Take heed that there is not an accumulation on the conscience of those who are "the temple of the living God" that must first be cleared out before the living God can be worshipped. (Anon)

N.J. Hiebert #2383

September 27

"Blessed is that man who maketh the Lord his trust." (Psalm 40:4)

Years ago a military officer and his wife were aboard a ship that was caught in a raging ocean storm. Seeing the frantic look in her eyes, the man tried unsuccessfully to allay her fears. Suddenly she grasped his sleeve and cried, "How can you be so calm?" He stepped back a few feet and drew his sword. Pointing it at her heart, he said, "Are you afraid of this?" Without hesitation she answered, "Of course not!" "Why not?" he inquired. "Because it's in your hand, and you love me too much to hurt me." To this he replied, "I know the One who holds the winds and the waters in the hollow of His hand, and He will surely care for us!" The officer was not disturbed because he had put his trust in the Lord.
Only wishful thinking would cause us to believe that no storms will ever come to us. Life is crowded with varied and recurring problems. The calm of today may be battered by the fury of tomorrow's troubles. The psalmist David was not immune to difficult trials. Surrounded by foes and distressed by the disloyalty of those who were supposed to be his friends, he could still praise Jehovah for His enduring mercy. His confidence had been placed in the sovereign God who controls all the affairs of His children.
A friend sent me a greeting card on which were inscribed these comforting words: "The Lord never guides us amiss. Our God is at work in the world; therefore we need not become frantic. He is ever at the helm!"
"Blessed is that man who maketh the Lord his trust." (P.R.V.)

God is before me, and He'll be my guide;
God is behind me, no ill can betide;
God is beside me to comfort and cheer;
God is around me, so why should I fear?
(Anon)

No trouble can come so near that God is not nearer!
(Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (1978), Grand Rapids, MI (Reprinted permission)
N.J. Hiebert # 2384

September 28

"Though the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines . . .
and the fields shall yield no food. . . and there shall be no herd in the stalls:
yet I will rejoice in Jehovah, I will joy in the God of my salvation."
(Habakkuk 3:17-18)

In our language today we would say: "There is nothing in the refrigerator, the cupboards are bare, the grocery stores have all been closed up, and I have no money." Could we then say with Habakkuk: "I will rejoice in the Lord?" What can we do when we are not experiencing the joy of the Lord in our lives? We can do the following:

1. Confess the sins we are aware of, so that we might be restored to fellowship with the Lord`(compare 1 John 1:9). David confessed his sin and prayed: "Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation" (Psalm 51:12) and God did as he asked!
2. Take time to sit at Jesus' feet and hear Him speak from His Word. The morning is the best time to do this. If we wait until the cares and pressures of the day are upon us, we often find it harder to meditate upon the Word and find enjoyment in it. Jeremiah said that God's words caused "the joy and rejoicing of my heart" (Jeremiah 15:16).
3. Obey God's Word. The Lord says: "Keep My commandments . . . that My joy may be in you, and your joy may be full" (John 15:10-11)
4. Pray. Our joy will be full through answered prayer. The Lord Jesus tells us: "Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full"
(John 16:24).
5. Look to the future. We may be passing through trials, sorrows, and disappointments, but when we look forward to the appearing of our Lord Jesus, believing, we can "exult with joy unspeakable" (1 Peter 1:8)

True joy is not dependent on good things happening to us!
(J.D. McNeil)

N.J. Hiebert # 2385

September 29

"[The Bereans] searched the Scriptures daily [to see] whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed (Acts 17:11-12)

There are two attitudes that act to rob the soul of the authority, preciousness, and power of divine revelation.

The one boldly denies that there is a divine revelation. Such infidels maintain that they can write books to tell us their mind and will but that God cannot! The other attitude admits that there is a divine revelation, but denies that ordinary people can understand it, save by the interpretation of the clergy or the Church. Is it not strange that man should undertake to interpret the Scriptures to his fellow, and yet deny that God could do the same?
We see no real difference between denying that God has spoken and maintaining that He cannot make us understand what He is saying. One is as bad as the other! Both claim that man can do something that God cannot do, and both reduce God below the level of the creature! Both alike shut our God and rob the soul of communion with Him through His Word.
We also believe that there is an appalling amount of rationalism in the professing Church and that the Word of God has only a very slender hold on the minds of many who occupy leadership positions. Divine revelation is being gradually lowered and human reason exalted. Indeed, rationalism clothes itself in very attractive robes.
We are extremely anxious that all should seize these facts. These attitudes are agencies by which the devil is seeking to remove our feet from the solid rock of Holy Scripture. Are we prepared to see the Bible reduced to the level of classics, such as the works of Homer, Horace, or Virgil? We trust not. (C.H. Mackintosh)

N.J. Hiebert # 2386

September 30

"The king said . . .Come thou over with me, and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem." (2 Samuel 19:33)

The offerings that were presented in the Old Testament speak of the Lord Jesus. The offerings were "food" given to God - that which satisfied and delighted Him. The Lord was the One who delighted the Father. Is He also that which feeds us, which delights us?
On the last night before the Israelites left Egypt, they were given the Passover lamb to eat. The lamb along with unleavened bread was the food that gave them the strength to start their march out of Egypt into the wilderness. We too will have strength if we feed on Christ first and always.
The Israelites, while walking in the wilderness, ate manna every day for 40 years. This manna was to be gathered in the morning and then eaten throughout the day. (Exodus 16:14) They did not just gather some in the morning and eat it all immediately. Throughout the day they enjoyed what they had gathered in the morning. For us the Lord is this manna, the true bread from heaven. Many of us may find it difficult to take sufficient time each morning, but we can follow the example of the Israelites with the manna. We can gather our measure in the morning. Then at various opportunities throughout the day we can reflect on that which we gathered in the morning, working it through our hearts. We need it so much.
One has said that we today are a generation of restaurant Christians: we go to meetings every Sunday and expect to be fed; we expect someone else to do all the preparation and work for us and give us something to eat, according to our liking. But we ourselves need to enjoy the Lord every day. The Lord told Peter to "feed My sheep." What was the food that he was to give them? It could only be the Christ Himself. But we can only give to others the things that we ourselves have enjoyed and applied. (A. Blok)

N.J. Hiebert # 2387