Gems from March 2008

March 1

"I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5,6)

The Lord's purpose in trials is often to get at the root of evil. When the fruit from that evil root is seen, the saint himself is shocked and mourns over it very sincerely. But then fresh fruit springs and will spring from it as long as the root remains untouched; but coming to the light, it is discovered and judged. A Christian may be doing a great deal out of the presence of God. Look at Job, and hear all his words; but at last the pressure brings him into the very presence of God. Then his words of repining and complaint are stopped. Nearness to God never lessens responsibility. When in the light, every speck will be seen - to the saint when caught up to meet the Lord - to the world when judged before the throne. (Christian Truth - Vol. 15 - October 1962)

N.J. Hiebert # 3264

March 2

"Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God." (Acts 20:26,27)

What a far cry this is from the present day notion that the gospel is all that need concern us in our preaching. The popular idea seems to be, just get people saved and let it go at that. What a misrepresentation of the heart of our blessed Lord! The Apostle Paul in his ministry had it ever upon his heart to "present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." (Colossians 1:28) That is, Paul would have the believer to be full grown, to be mature. Let us never be satisfied with our present development in the Christian life. There will always be vast depths yet to be explored in God's Word, so let us ever seek to be "reaching forth unto those things which are before." (Philippians 3:13) Some day we shall be welcomed into the privilege of knowing even as we are known. But until that day dawn, let us be diligent in the daily searching of the Word, both for our own souls, and for those unto whom we would minister. (C.H. Brown)

N.J. Hiebert # 3265

March 3

"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep . . ." (John 10:14)

"And I know them," says the Saviour. He knows them all, all their thoughts and feelings, their words and ways, their dangers and difficulties, their past, present, and future. He knows them perfectly, and in perfect love. How infinite the favor and the blessing! What a resource and joy! (Extract)

N.J. Hiebert # 3266

March 4

"Thy name is as ointment poured forth." (Song of Solomon 1:3)
"Thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment." (Exodus 30:25)

How is a name like ointment? The ointment of God's prescription was very costly. Think of the cost for the Son of God to take the precious name of Jesus. The ointment was holy; so is that sacred Name, distinct and set apart. The ointment was unique; there was none like it. So there is no Name like the name of Jesus. Given so wondrously, borne so beautifully, used so mightily, loved so dearly, yet to be honored so universally. What a Name! (J. Boyd Nicholson)

N.J. Hiebert # 3267

March 5

"What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?"
(2 Corinthians 6:14)

The word fellowship means, "to have things in common." We have much in common with the Father, for we adore and love His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. We have much in common with the Son, for we now address God as our Father and are made joint heirs with the Lord Jesus. We have much in common with the Holy Spirit, for we love to make Christ know to a lost and dying world. We have much in common with other believers, for we are all the Body and Bride of Christ. We have absolutely nothing in common with the world. Who will you fellowship with today? (Frank Burgess)

N.J. Hiebert # 3268

March 6

"Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, some say that Thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-16)

Peter's fervent confession to his Lord in the neighourhood of Caesarea Philippi has always possessed a special interest for the children of God. As a kind of test for His disciples, the Saviour inquired: "Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?" They replied that no one seemed to know with certainty; John the Baptist, Elijah and Jeremias being among the various suggestions of the curious. This, of course, revealed the true condition of men's minds in regard to Him. They were in reality utterly indifferent as to Him. Had they desired to know who He was, ample means were at their command whereby they might test His claims. The Saviour then turned to His own followers, and said: "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter, the ever ready one, promptly replied: "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." With Peter and his friends there was no uncertainty as to the glorious Person with whom they walked. Taught, not by flesh and blood, but by the Father, they had a divine conviction that He was not only the long-expected Christ, but also the Son of the Living God.
(W.W. Feredy - Peter the Apostle)

N.J. Hiebert # 3269

March 7

"THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE: For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:22:23)
"FOR THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:12,13)

It does not make any difference what religious standing you may have - no difference as to what part of the world you were born (whether among Christians or among the heathen) - or maybe you are a Jew - there is no difference! for all have sinned. The word for sin literally means "to miss the mark," and all men have missed the mark. Not one man has ever lived in this world without failure and sin - except of course the Lord Jesus Christ. "There is no difference . . . for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him." There is no difference - all are sinners; no difference - the same Saviour is for everybody; and through putting their trust in Him, all men may be justified. ". . . put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith." (Acts 15:9) (H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert # 3270

March 8

"(Paul) said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives." (Acts 27:10)

It is easy to imagine how unpopular this warning of the Apostle Paul was to those on Julius' ship who did not find Fair Havens an appealing place. Is that how you react when dad or mom, or other Christians lovingly seek to warn you about your life and ways? Remember that the truth of God is for your safety and protection, though it will not always sound like those good words and fair speeches which deceive the hears of the simple. (Romans 16:18). The world looks more inviting, but how much better to be safe than sorry! (D.N. - The Journey of Life)

N.J. Hiebert # 3271

March 9

"That in all things He might have the preeminence."
(Colossians 1:18)

Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

What proportion of your moments do you think enough for Jesus? How many for the spirit of praise, and how many for the spirit of heaviness? Be explicit about it, and come to an understanding. If He is not to have all, then how much? Calculate, balance, and apportion. You will not be able to do this in heaven - you know it will be all praise there; but you are free to half your service of praise here, or to make the proportion what you will.

Yet - He made you for His glory.
Yet - He chose you that you should be to the praise of His glory.
Yet - He loves you every moment, waters you every moment, watches you unslumberingly, cares for you unceasingly.
Yet - He died for you!

Shall you or I remember all this love, and hesitate to give all our moments up to Him? Let us entrust Him with them, and ask Him to keep them all, every single one, for His own beloved self, and fill them all with His praise, and let them all be to His praise! (Francis Ridley Havergal - Kept for the Master's Use)

N.J. Hiebert # 3272

March 10

"Peter therefore was kept in prison; but prayer was made without
ceasing by the Church unto God for him." (Acts 12:5)
"Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." (James 5:17)

The prayers of Scripture all glow with the white heat of intensity. Remember how Jacob wrestled, and David panted and poured out his soul; the importunity of the blind beggar, and the persistency of the distraught mother; the strong crying and tears of our Lord. In each case the whole being gathered up, as a stone into a catapult, and hurled forth in vehement entreaty. Prayer is only answered for the glory of Christ; but it is not answered unless it be accompanied with such earnestness as will prove that the blessing sought is really needed. (F.B. Meyer)

Pray to be delivered from coldness and formality in prayer. Be watchful against prayer drifting into a lifeless mechanical operation. It is the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man that availeth much.

N.J. Hiebert # 3273

March 11

"He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:6)

Paul in Acts 20:19 states, "Serving the Lord with humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations (trials)." Here, no doubt, we have one secret of his success. Some one has said that "prayer and temptation, the Bible and meditation, make a good minister of Jesus Christ." Whitfield, we are told, scarcely ever preached without weeping. And the Psalmist informs us of this in Psalm 126:6 quoted above. Such manner of preaching is largely out of fashion to-day, and probably has little attraction for either preachers or hearers of this century. But if a better way has been found than the Apostle's, there is at least one fact which cannot be denied: the same results are not manifest. If the weeping is not there, neither is the rejoicing over the sheaves. A man who is so affected by his message or by the need of his hearers that he can weep, is not likely to preach in vain. Anyway, Paul was not ashamed to shed tears, nor to speak of it, and his trials were great. What trials may do for a servant of the Lord, the effect they may have upon him and consequently upon his ministry, no one can tell. (Russell Elliott - Break of Day)

N.J. Hiebert # 3274

March 12

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh." (James 5:7,8)  (Note also 1 Peter 1:7,13; 2 Peter 3; 1 John 3:2; Revelation 3:11; 22:7,12,20.)

Although these are only some of the scriptures which might be adduced (on the coming of the Lord), it will at once be seen how largely the subject is dealt with in the word of God; and on examination it will be discovered that this is because it is bound up, interwoven, with the very essence of Christianity. Take away the hope of the Lord's return, and you at once rob Christianity of its true character.

It cannot be too strongly asserted, that it is not a doctrine to be accepted or rejected at pleasure, but that it is a part and parcel of the truth itself, connected with the calling and place of the believer, his relationship to Christ, and his future blessedness. Hence, indeed, Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they were converted to wait for God's Son from heaven; and every believer now is converted for the same thing. To be without this hope and expectation, therefore, is to be ignorant of the believer's portion in Christ. (Edward Dennett - The Blessed Hope)

N.J. Hiebert # 3275

March 13

"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, a against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

This world was never more unattractive than today. These hurrying throngs of strangers with not a familiar face in the crowd - what a heartless world it can be for who knows or cares! I never wanted to leave it like I do this afternoon but my time is not yet so I breathe a feeble prayer and recruit my limited resources. ". . . my strength is made perfect in weakness," God has said (2 Corinthians 12:9) and I say, ". . . when I am weak, then am I strong." (2 Corinthians 12:10)

By that rule I should be a colossus now for I've never been weaker. I do not question my Father who is making all things work together for good to those who love Him and are the called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) And what is that purpose? To be conformed to the image of God's Son, to be made like Jesus. It takes a lot of time and doing to make such stubborn, faulty lumps of clay into a vessel that He can use.

The new hilarious brand of Christianity is only a better way to have a good time. Fun seems to be the objective but wrestling with powers and principalities doesn't sound much like fun. Wrestling isn't fun to start with and when the foe is the devil it is not exactly recreation. The new breed of Christians knows little of the power of His Resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings, and conformity to His death, (Philippians 3:10) the very things Paul wanted to know.
(Vance Havner - Though I Walk Through the Valley - Written after the death of his wife.)

N.J. Hiebert # 3276

March 14

"The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out." (Proverbs 13:9)

The Christian, like a star in the heavens, wades through the cloud, that for a time hides his comfort; but the hypocrite, like a meteor in the air, blazeth a little, and then drops into some ditch or other, where it is quenched.

Sincerity enables the Christian to do two things in affliction which the hypocrite cannot - to speak good of God, and to expect good from God.
(William Gurnall - The Christian in Complete Armour - 1665)

N.J. Hiebert # 3277

March 15

"He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." (Malachi 3:3)

Years ago a few ladies who met together in Dublin to study the Scriptures came, in their reading, to the third chapter of Malachi. They were struck with the expression in verse 3: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One of the ladies promised to call on a silversmith to get any information which she could on the subject. She went, accordingly, and without telling the object of her errand, begged to know from him the process of refining sliver, which he fully described to her. "But, sir," said she, "do you sit while the work of refining is going on?" "Oh yes, madam." replied the silversmith, "I must sit, with my eyes steadily fixed on the crucible, for if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree the silver is sure to be injured." At once she saw the beauty, and comfort too, of the expression: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

Christ sees it needful to put His children into the furnace, but He is seated by the side of it; His eye is steadily intent on the work of purifying; and His wisdom and love are both engaged in the best manner for them. Their trials do not come at random; the very hairs of their heads are all numbered. As the lady was leaving the shop, the silversmith called her back, and said he had still further to mention that he only knew when the process of purifying was complete, by seeing his own image reflected in the silver.
(George Henderson - Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care)

N.J. Hiebert # 3278

March 16

"I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten."
(Joel 2:25)

How many years we are not told; only this: "I will restore the years." Human lives are often laid bare - barren patches produced by our own failures; a wilderness stretching across our life. But what comfort in these words: "I will RESTORE the years that the locust hath eaten."

Have you been brooding over some sorrow? Has it darkened your life as a swarm of locusts might darken the sun at midday? And have you cried out in your anguish "The sun will never shine again?" But read the word He has promised: "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten."

Turn to Him, to the One whom you may have been inclined to forget when you lived in the larger house. He is waiting; and if he does not see fit to give you back the earthly possession once so highly prized by you, remember this: in a higher and better way He will restore those years.

The years that the locust hath eaten sometimes take another from: years spent away from God in pursuit of worldly pleasure and self-gratification! How many have tried this! No wonder the fields are bare! Can God restore these years? Did He not restore the years for Naomi?
GOD CAN!

The blue water-lily abounds in several of the canals in Alexandria, Egypt, which at certain seasons become dry; and the beds of these canals, which quickly become burnt as hard as bricks by the action of the sun, are then used as carriage roads. When, however, the water is admitted again, the lily resumes its growth with redoubled vigour and splendour. (Springs in the Valley)

N.J. Hiebert # 3279

March 17

"Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate."
(1 Timothy 6:17,18)

One Monday morning a man said to a servant of God: "That was a fine message on Heaven which you presented last night, but you did not tell us where Heaven is." "Didn't I, man?" said the preacher. "Well, I am glad to have the opportunity of doing so now. Look, my brother," he continued, "do you see that little cottage on the hillside yonder? In that cottage there is a poor widow with little children, and there is neither food nor fuel in the house. I want you to go to the grocer now, order a sovereign's worth of foodstuffs and fuel, take them to that poor woman, and ask her kindly to accept them in the name of the Lord.

Then, I want you to read to her the 23rd Psalm, and to pray with her. And if, by the time you get through with that little job, you do not find out where Heaven is, I will pay for the groceries myself." Next day the two men met again; and, with a radiant face the one said: "I was in Heaven yesterday, and spent some time there." (Henry Durbanville - Winsome Christianity)

N.J. Hiebert # 3280

March 18

"If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light." (Matthew 6:22)

The object is wrong if you have not light for the step. There may be difficulties in going up a steep hill, but if the object before you is clear, you can get over them as quickly as you can. This is what is meant by the expression, "This one thing I do." (Philippians 3:13) It is having one object, and the mind intent on accomplishing it. If it is so with you there will be sure to be light in the path - light not for ten years hence, but for this one step that is before you, and then for the next.

If was said to Moses, "Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward" (Exodus 14:15), and when they were out in the wilderness the pillar was given to be their constant guide. So with us. We are called out to go after Christ on the principle of obedience, and this puts us into connection with Him in the revelation of His will, not giving us to see all the path onwards. A man may see a wall, and say, "I cannot go that way, there is a wall," while if he but takes a single step he will find that there is a path all down by the side of the wall. (J.N. Darby - The Man of Sorrows)

N.J. Hiebert # 3281

March 19

"He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)

If there are people down here, waiting, knowing that Christ is coming to take up the Church, they must be longing for Him to come, otherwise they don't know the position of the bride and the Spirit saying, "Come!" The bride is the vessel in which the closest relationship of the Lord Jesus is formed. The child of God has the affections of Christ in His soul, and can only turn from being occupied with Christ in heaven to be occupied with whatever the Lord is occupied with down here. We get our rest amid all things in knowing that He is coming. The Spirit reveals Christ, and speaks of the glory to come. He is the great power for everything in the assembly.
(Gleanings From the Teaching of G.V. Wigram)

N.J.Hiebert # 3282

March 20

"The multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul." (Acts 4:32)

The root of all discords in the church of God is the lack of the Spirit's power; where He works unhinderdly in any company of saints, because ungrieved, there must be unity. . . . The lack of enjoyed unity in any company is due to the absence of the power of the Holy Spirit.
(Edward Dennett)

N.J. Hiebert # 3283

March 21

"To be with Christ, which is far better." (Philippians 1:23)

I think what we all need is a greater taste or longing for heaven. I do not believe that any one seeks heaven until he knows the joys of it; and he cannot on earth know the joys of heaven except as he enjoys company with the Lord. (Footprints for Pilgrims)

N.J. Hiebert # 3284

March 22

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12)

If in the world no man of ability surrenders because of the difficulties to be encountered - be he soldier or lawyer - how much less should the man of God surrender because of difficulties. Difficulties to faith are God's opportunities. (Footprints for Pilgrims)

N.J. Hiebert # 3285

March 23

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."
(1 Thessalonians 1:5)

When the Word is preached in simplicity and in the energy of the Holy Spirit, those who believe it receive the full assurance of faith. "Ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake." They were careful to walk before God in holiness of life and in righteousness toward their fellow-men.

A holy minister is a tremendous weapon in the hands of God for the pulling down of strongholds of sin. Emerson said of another, "What you are speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say." What a pitiable thing if this should ever be true, as, alas, it has often been true of ministers of Christ. Integrity of life, devotedness of heart, holiness of spirit should characterize the proclaimers of the gospel of grace. (H.A. Ironside)

N.J. Hiebert # 3286

March 24

"I said, days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom. But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment." (Job 32:7-9)

Let us judge our own hearts in their deeper workings. Let us review our ways in the light of the divine presence. Let us bring all our work and service and have it weighed in the holy balances of the sanctuary of God. Then shall we discover how much of hateful self is insinuated, like a dark and defiling tissue, into the whole web of our Christian life and service. How, for example, comes it to pass that we are so ready to mount the high horse when self is touched, even in the most remote degree?

Why are we so impatient of reproof, be it clothed in language ever so refined and gentle? Why so ready to take offense at the slightest disparagement of self? And, further, why is it that we find our sympathies and our regards and our predilections (preferences) going out, with special energy, after those who think well of us, - who value our ministry, agree with our opinions, and adopt our cue?

We can form a very poor conception indeed of the tiny ray of light by which men had to walk in the days of Job. But to us pertain the high privilege and holy responsibility of walking in the very meridian light of a full-orbed Christianity. Christ has come. He has lived, died, risen, and gone back to heaven. He has sent down the Holy Spirit to dwell in our hearts, as the witness of His glory, the seal of accomplished redemption, and the earnest of the inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession.
The canon of Scripture is closed. The circle of revelation is complete. (C.H. Mackintosh - Job and His Friends)

N.J. Hiebert # 3287

March 25

"Making mention of you in my prayers." (Ephesians 1:16)

"We know not what to pray for as we ought." We often do know who to pray for, but through lack of information or detail we cannot formulate specific requests. However, to simply mention the name in prayer is to bring that person, or situation, directly to God's attention and is to activate the divine power. Let us therefore mention one another in prayer and rejoice for the Christian fellowship it manifests. (Roy Hill)

There is a spot where souls unite,
And saint meets saint in heavenly light;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet
Before the common mercy-seat.
(H. Stowell)

N.J. Hiebert # 3288

March 26

"As thy days, so shall thy strength be." (Deuteronomy 33:25)

Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord,
That wheresoe'er I go,
There shall no danger daunt me
And I shall fear no foe;
So shall no task o'ercome me,
So shall not trial fret,
So shall I walk unwearied
The path where my feet are set;

So shall I find no burden
Greater than I can bear,
So shall I have a courage
Equal to all my care;
So shall no grief o'erwhelm me,
So shall no wave o'erflow;
Give me Thy strength for my day, Lord,
Cover my weakness so.
(Annie Johnson FLINT'S Best-Loved Poems)

N.J. Hiebert # 3289

March 27

"Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
(Micah 7:19)

An Irish factory girl, Sheila O'Gahagan, became very ill and was advised by her doctor to take a holiday by the sea. Though physically ill, she suffered a deeper sickness in her heart - her sins were not forgiven. One day as she sat reading a Bible and watching the waves break over Giant's Causeway, she read these words in Micah. Later she died, but this poem was found in her desk:

I will cast in the depths of the fathomless sea
All thy sins and transgressions, whatever they be;
Though they mount up to heaven, though they sink down to hell,
They shall sink in the depth, and above them shall swell
All the waves of My mercy, so mighty and free;
I will cast all thy sins in the depths of the sea.
(Adam Ferguson)

N.J. Hiebert #3290

March 28

"And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed." (2 Kings 4:6)

Happy the person who has an empty vessel and God ever ready to fill. Unhappy they who have no empty vessel. The oil flowed still, when the woman lacked vessels. The Lord sees plenty of empty channels to be filled, and oh, it is a blessed thing to take up all our needs to God, and go before Him as those who know His character as a giver. (Gleanings of G.V. Wigram)

N.J. Hiebert # 3291

March 29

"Slothfulness (laziness) casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." (Proverbs 19:15)

Even before Adam sinned, he had responsibility. He was called to till and keep the garden (Eden), planted exceptionally by Jehovah Elohim with every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. When fallen, as the ground was cursed on his account, he had to eat of it all the days of his life with toil. Thorns and thistles it yielded unbidden, so that man had to eat bread in the sweat of his face all his diminishing life. Slothfulness therefore ill became his position, and all the more when he faced adversity through his own fault.

The sun arises, and the wild beasts get away to their dens, but man goeth forth to his work till the evening; and, as he is, it is well ordered for him. But slothfulness traverses all, and casts into a deep sleep while it is day, and pays the penalty. If any will not work, neither let him eat. The idle soul shall suffer hunger. (William Kelly - The Proverbs)

N.J. Hiebert # 3292

March 30

"I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Paul points to the nuptial day, when the espoused one will be presented as a chaste virgin to Christ. What does he mean by a chaste virgin? It is one who is true, about whom a breath of reproach could not have been; so he warns them: "I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3)

We need more of the simplicity, the simplicity that is in Christ. Let our souls awake! Let us say before Him, He is everything to me, and I am everything to Him. (W.T.P. Wolston)

N.J. Hiebert # 3293

March 31

"Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow." (Lamentation 1:12)

As Jesus looked ahead to the cross, He saw the terrible suffering He would endure in dying for our sin. It was more intense than anything known to man. We should never think about Gethsemane and Golgotha without contemplating the infinite cost of our redemption.

G. Campbell Morgan told of a miner who came to him at the close of one of his services and said, "I'd give anything to believe that God would forgive my sins. But I just can't accept the idea that all I have to do is trust Him. It's too cheap." Morgan looked at him, "My dear friend, have you been working today?" "Yes, I was down in the pit." "Did you pay to get back out?" "Of course not!" the miner replied. "It didn't cost me anything. I just got in the cage and was pulled to the top." "But weren't you afraid to trust yourself to that cage? Wasn't it too cheap?" "Oh, no," he said. "The ride was free, but the company paid a lot of money to sink the shaft and make it safe." Suddenly the truth broke in upon the miner's soul. He saw that salvation was free. But he also realized that it had cost God a tremendous price to come down from Heaven and rescue fallen man.

In Luke 22 we are allowed a faint glimpse of the agony of soul that must have swept over our blessed Lord as we see Him praying in Gethsemane. The songwriter described it in this manner: "Whatever curse was mine He bore,/ The wormwood and the gall;/ There in that lone, mysterious hour,/ My cup - He drained it all!" Today, pause to remember that your salvation so freely offered by God was purchased at infinite cost. (P.R.V. - April 1979)

Nor silver nor gold hath obtained my redemption,
The holy commandment forbade me draw near;
The blood of the cross is my only foundation,
The death of my Saviour removeth my fear.
(James M. Gray)

Salvation is free - because God paid an enormous price for it.

N.J. Hiebert # 3294