Gems from October 2012

"But unto the Son He saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre  of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom."

(Hebrews 1:8)

Concerning the angels (Hebrews 1:7), God says that He made them, and that they are His servants. What does He say about the Son? Nothing like that! The Bible never says that God made the Son.

Listen to verse 8: it is God's own word, His testimony about His Son. He calls the Son "God."

He gives Him a throne without beginning or end - "for ever and ever."  He speaks of His sceptre - the symbol of His authority and rule, and He speaks of His kingdom. No angel has any of these things - only God, and that is exactly who the Son is.

This is our God.

(C. Knott)

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October 1

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever."

(Hebrews 13:8)

"ABLE TO SUCCOUR them that are tempted" (Hebrews 2:18).

"ABLE ALSO TO SAVE them to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:25).

"ABLE TO MAKE all grace abound toward you" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

"ABLE TO DO exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). 

"ABLE TO KEEP you from falling, and present you faultless" (Jude 24).

(A.J. Pollock)

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October 2

"Love . . . endureth all things" (1 Corinthians 13:7).

Unfailing

"Love never faileth";

For this reason it is contrasted with three outstanding things that shall fail prophecy, tongues, and knowledge (verse 8).

The word of prophecy will become the fact of history; earthly tongues shall cease, and the innumerable multitude out of every kindred and nation and people shall sing the anthem of eternity in the language of heaven; our fragmentary knowledge will give place to knowledge which is complete, and we shall know as we are known.

But love will never pass or fail;

it will abide eternally.

(A Trinity of Christian Graces)

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October 3

" . . . from whence cometh my help?"
(Psalm 121:1)

"My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth."
(Psalm 121:2)

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee."
(Isaiah 26:3)

When you have no helpers, see your helpers in God.
When you have many helpers, see God in all your helpers.
When you have nothing but God, see all in God.
When you have everything, see God in everything.
Under all conditions, stay your heart only on the Lord.
(Charles H. Spurgeon - S.L.)

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October 4

"But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away . . . For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face:  Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known." (1 Corinthians 13:10.12)

The Christian pilgrim powerfully attests it is worship that opens our eyes and God's Word that illumines our path.  

A story is told of a man in a country far from his own. The man walked along, his coat buttoned up tightly on a frigid, windy day.  As he walked through the crowded street noticing the somber faces that passed him, he was suddenly taken aback by a stranger who plainly stood out.  As if in his own world, a man walked by contentedly whistling a tune.  

Wondering at first how he could even manage to whistle in the cold, the foreigner then noticed the tune that was hitting his ears.  It was a fairly uncommon Christian hymn, yet a hymn  that happened to be of great comfort to him personally.  The words rushed into his mind as if a message from God personally: The Great Physician now is near, the sympathizing Jesus.   

Catching up with the man, the foreigner joined in the whistling.  Immediately, the man's eyes lit up and they finished the hymn together.  Each man spoke excitedly in a language unknown to the other, as they pointed to the heavens, touched their hearts with their hands and embraced.  Waving goodbye, the two men went their separate ways whistling, having experienced the transcending hope of the sympathizing Jesus and the illumining presence of God in a dark and lonely world.

It is a simple and true story that conveys the profound mystery of worship and its ability to present a worldview and kingdom beyond our own.  Without a word spoken, two worlds were bridged because a tune resounded of a Spirit both hearts knew deeply.  If a whistled hymn and and a heart for God can unite strangers, imagine what will be when every tribe and nation cries out for God together. (A Slice of Infinity)

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October 5

"Even when we were dead in sins, (God) hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:5-6)

The Father has all delight in Christ as the perfect expression of His love - 

of all that He is; and we enter into His delight.  

What a God! 

Not contented to be Himself light and love, in His own glory, 

but He has presented light and love and glory to us in His Son.

Has the delight and the blessedness of fellowship with Him up there, 

discovered to us the poverty of all down here?

Are we a heavenly people?

Have we heavenly stores laid up in Christ?

Why put off the joy of heaven for a future day?

Why not begin now to live in heaven?

God calls us to rejoicing and joy in Christ now.

(Gleanings From The Teaching of G.V. Wigram) 

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October 6

Think it Over

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first . . .? Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first. . . ."

(Luke 14:28,31) 

The man building a tower and the king going to war sat down first and deliberated on the cost and conduct of their venture. A quick, snap-judgment decision is always dangerous, whether in marriage, 

business, or the salvation of the soul.

Faith in Christ involves discipleship and, while salvation is free, it means utter surrender of all we are and have.

This is the other side of the coin.

Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.

God wants us to understand what we are doing and to mean business.

Think it over!

(All the Days - Vance Havner)

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October 7

"Whose I am, and whom I serve."

(Acts 27:23)

It is a dangerous thing to be raised all at once into a pulpit.  Man's acceptation is not God's approbation, although God can give it to us to favour the propagation of the truth; but if we stop at the result we are at a distance from the source, and that becomes a snare to wither up our soul, instead of a means to lead us to those upon whom we should pour out His riches. 

In connection with your work, seek the Lord's face, and lean on Him. Work is a favour which is granted us. Be quite peaceful and happy in the sense of grace; then go and pour out that peace to souls. This is true service, from which one returns very weary it may be in body, but sustained and happy; one rests beneath God's wings, and takes up the service again till the true rest comes.

(Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - JND)

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October 8

"Behold, angels came and ministered unto Him."

(Matthew 4:11)

Angels were prominent in the life of the Lord Jesus.

They heralded His birth;

They ministered to Him after the temptation;

They strengthened Him in Gethsemane;

They stood at the empty tomb;

and stood by as He ascended into heaven.

How good it is to know that the risen Lord has given us this 

support to strengthen us on the way home.

These ministering spirits are there behind the scenes,

intervening  in our circumstances and providing timely help.

Even when we come to the end of the journey,

we will not take that flight to heaven alone,

but like Lazarus in Luke 16, angels will tenderly carry us into our Father's house.

(Wm. Burntett)

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October 9

"He maketh the sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

The same sunbeams that gladden the heart of some devoted servant of Christ, are poured upon the path of some ungodly sinner; and the self-same shower that falls upon the tillage of a true believer, enriches also the furrows of some blaspheming infidel.

(Food for the Desert)

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October 10 

"Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them."

(Acts 27:9)

When young it seems that it takes almost forever to get old enough to be able to have freedom and liberty to make our own choices.  It is as though much time has been spent in your life remaining in the Fair Havens. Don't make the mistake of hurrying to get away from safe, godly environments, just so you can be on your own.

The fast was past.  What is that?  Simply put, as you grow older there will come a time when parental and other Christian constraints are loosened - those Christian constraints are like a fast.  Experiencing new liberty, you may find yourself free and no longer required to deny yourself  anything (that's what a fast is all about).  But it is at this very point that your journey of life has become most dangerous.

As long as there have been limits (a fast) - bounds of right and wrong imposed by others - you've been in measure, kept from moving according to your own will.  You may little realize the wickedness, sorrow and corruption of this present evil world from which these restraining influences have spared you.  But now the fast is past and sailing according to your own will is very dangerous.  

The grace of God is again displayed at this very critical time.  Paul (who has said nothing to this point) admonishes them.  He gives Julius a Divinely sent warning.  How interested God is in your life's journey.  He wants it to be a  happy, profitable and satisfying trip.  So much so that He lovingly warns you - through His Word, through His servants - that your journey, if you continue on it after throwing off all godly restraint, is sure to end in disaster.  (The Journey of Life - Reflections on Acts 27 - Doug Nicolet)

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October 11

"And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife."

(2 Kings 5:2)

Channels only, blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous pow'r;

Flowing through us, Thou cans't use us, ev'ry day and ev'ry hour.

(M.E.M.)

Having been taken from her home, this little maid might have hated Naaman and wished him ill, but instead she showed concern for her master and hoped that he might be healed. There wasn't much she could do, but she did what she could by witnessing to her master's wife.

As a result her witness was both effective and blessed.
What about you and me?

Have we done what we can for our Lord, where He has placed us?

Remember, little is much when God is in it. 

(W. Ross Rainey)

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October 12

"For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"

(Mark 8:36)

"For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."

(1 Timothy 6:7)

Our world is driven by desire.

Those with no earthly goods want some 

and those who have an abundant wealth want more.

How sad.

At the end of life it will all be left behind.

The Lord Jesus invites you today to put your trust in Him as your Saviour!

Then you will have an inheritance reserved in heaven for you.

(Jim Paul - Choice Gleanings)

If I gained the world but lost the Saviour!

Would my gain be worth the toil and strife?

Are all earthly treasures worth comparing?

With the gift of God, eternal life!

(Anna Olander)

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October 13

"The greatest of these is charity (love)"

(1 Corinthians 13:13)

"I'll master it!"  said the axe; and his blows fell heavily on the iron. 

 And every blow made his edge more blunt till he ceased to strike.

"Leave it to me!" said the saw; and with his relentless teeth he worked backward and forward on its surface till his teeth were worn down and broken, and he fell aside.

"Ha, ha!" said the hammer.  "I knew you wouldn't succeed!  I'll show you the way!" But at the first fierce stroke off flew his head, and the iron remained as before.

"Shall I try?"  asked the still, small flame. They all despised the flame, but he curled gently around the iron and embraced it, and never left it till it melted under his irresistible influence.

Hard indeed is the heart that can resist love.

"And now abideth faith, hope, love . . .

the greatest of these is love."

(Springs in the Valley)

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October 14

"No chastening for the present seemeth joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness."

(Hebrews 12:11)

I was so happy in my lot, I was so glad of work or play,

I only asked that I might walk with others on life's common way;

My Father let the sorrows come that blotted out the sunlit skies,

That stopped the toil of busy hands and turned my laughter into sighs.

I was so sorrowful, so spent, I only asked to dwell apart,

And in the silence and the dark to nurse my bruised and broken heart;

My Father came and took my hand and led me forth in paths unknown,

He filled my days with crowding cares, He would not let me weep alone.

But, looking backward now, I know how wise and kind He was to me,

The clouds all gone, the shadows fled, His glorious afterward I see;

If He had left me to myself I know the joys I should have lost,

The good that I have lacked or missed, how much I gained, how small the cost.

And shall I doubt His love today because once more the mists arise,

Because His hand, though leading still, is hidden from my blinded eyes?

Nay, help me to remember, Lord, as 'neath the chastening rod I bow,

Thy wondrous dealing past, and trust Thine afterward for this dark now. 

(Annie Johnson Flint)

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October 15

"For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

(Colossians 1:9)

Truth is not learned through the intellect alone. He prays that they may comprehend these things

"in all wisdom and spiritual understanding."

Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge aright, and is imparted by the Spirit, and He alone gives true understanding.  Therefore, if we would learn the mind of God as revealed in His Word, there must be subjection of heart to the divine Teacher, and that self-judgment and self-distrust which leads one to walk softly before God; not in self-will or egotism, but in humility and lowly dependence on the One who inspired the Holy Scriptures, which alone can make wise the simple.

(H.A. Ironside - Lectures on Colossians.)

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October 16

"Love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." (John 13:34- 35)

Jesus did not give us religious criteria by which Christians would be know as His disciples. He doesn't say, "You will be known as My disciples because you worship on the Lord's Day, because you'll carry your Bibles - the bigger the better."  NO.

You will be known as "My disciples if ye have love one to another."

It is a relational criterion rather than religious criteria.

So when we consider who we are as Christians we must first consider who God is. Thus, we must begin to think about relationality, which is at the heart of reality: Three Persons, who in some amazing, mysterious way constitute one God.  Here in John and Luke Jesus tells us that the relationship with the Godhead will be the standard by which our love for one another would be measured. Not at the mega level, but at the micro level.

Not when ten thousand people come and worship together, but when five people meet in our home for a Bible study - a neighbourhood Bible study - and our neighbours begin to see that we truly love one another. Because when I wash your feet and you wash my feet, the watching world sees two imperfect people, yes, but who belong to Jesus Christ and reflect His love in relationship. By this all will know that we are His disciples.

(L.T. Jeyachandran - A Slice of Infinity)

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October 17

"He restoreth my soul; He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."

(Psalm 23:3)       

FORGIVEN -- word of precious peace,

This precious word brings great release;

My tortured soul has found relief--

God, who forgives -- now gives me peace!

Though days, though months, though years have passed,

My soul at last has found her rest;

My conscience now condemns no more,

For Jesus doth my soul restore.

The peace no earthly soul could give,

I found in Christ, in Whom I live;

Yes, God's own Christ declares me free,

And in Him I have liberty.

I've liberty in Thy blest way,

My conscience now no more has sway;

My Great High Priest, who set me free

Has given me this victory!

A priceless peace money can't buy,

But O, my Lord -- He had to die;

And now in Him I may draw nigh,

Lord, now upon Thy grace rely!

Forever I will praise my Lord,

Eternally His Name adored;

For I'm forgiven and restored;

My Lord and I -- of one accord!

And now, Lord, keep me lest I stray,

Humbly, Lord, walking in Thy way;

That I may never from Thee stray,

Proving Thy grace from day to day!

(C.H.K. - 239 - August 2012)

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October 18

"In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin; but he that refraineth his lips is wise."

(Proverbs 10:19)

In much talking there is sure to be some sin.

The heart's evil will make itself known
and felt if the tongue be not reined.

The talkative often do more harm
than the willfully false and malicious.

They betray secrets, 

part friends, 

embitter foes, 

wound hearts, 

blight characters, 

hinder truth.

They do all wrong, often without meaning it,
often to their own shame and grief.

They forget the tongue's power,
and the peril of its wild use.

It is a fire, good for cheer and
for work of life when kept in bounds, 

bringing ruin when unrestrained.

(The Daily Round - 1880)

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October 19

"The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold how great a matter a little fire kindles! The tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

(James 3:5,8)

Sinful words may be few and carefully chosen. This warning is against many words.

To bridle the tongue is part of Christian duty; without it my religion is vain.

There are more times to keep silence than to speak.

To give words is not more blessed than to receive.

The power of speech is mine to help, not to hinder myself and others in business and in pleasure.

Much talking shows vanity, and want of thought and and right feeling.

I cannot learn unless I hear in silence.  Why make known all that rises to my lips, which perhaps none care to hear? Why say heedlessly what I may earnestly wish unsaid?

I would not do willful harm; but if I willfully let my tongue run loose, 

it will surely wound my neighbour's peace or good name, and drag me into trouble and sin.

"Idle words" lead to "corrupt communications." 

The tongue is a power for good or evil.

Trusted with such power I am bound to see that heaven-taught love and wisdom guide it, 

lest it be "set on fire of hell" to do the work of sin.

(The Daily Round - 1880)

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October 20

"In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."

(Colossians 2:3)

Hidden things are not in plain sight. We must search for them, - delve into secret recesses, and often dig deeply. Thus let us search the Scriptures, not satisfied with a mere surface reading, but seeking, with the Sprit's guidance, the rich and manifold treasures that are hidden in Christ and His precious Word.

(The Young Christian - Vol 17) 

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October 21

The Story of Dr. W.P. Mackay and the Faithfunless of God

William P. Mackay, was born in the year 1839. At the age of 17,  he left for college.  His mother was a very godly Christian woman, who didn’t want him to go, for fear that he was heading down a path of destruction. But she turned him over to the Lord, and let him go on his way.  Before his departure, she gave him a Bible to take with him, and in the fly-leaf of the Bible, she wrote his name, her name and a Bible verse.  The young man left for college and then went on to the university medical school but he began to travel with the wrong crowd. And one day, in a drunken spree, he pawned the Bible that his mother had given him for money to buy more liquor.

He wandered far away from what he had been taught at home. Yet, at the same time, the young Scotsman went on to become a very successful doctor, rising to the head of the largest hospital in Edinburgh.  Forsaking his upbringing, he became a committed infidel, and was even elected president of a society of atheists in the city. 

Yet God had a plan for this man. One day, an accident victim came into his hospital and was under Dr. Mackay's care.  The patient, learning that he only had a few hours to live, asked Dr. Mackay, “Will you please send for my landlady, and ask her to send me the Book?”  The doctor agreed, and within a few hours the landlady arrived with “the Book.”  It was the dying patients’ Bible.

Within a short time, the patient died. Dr. Mackay was curious as to what kind of book the patient wanted. He asked the nurse, “What about the book that he asked for?”  Was it is his bank book or date book?”  The nurse replied, “No, it was neither of those.  It is still under his pillow.  Go look.”  The doctor reached under the pillow and pulled out “the Book.”  When he opened it, his eyes fell immediately upon the front flyleaf.  To his amazement-- it was the very Bible he had received from his mother that he had pawned years before. He saw his name, his mother’s name and the Bible verse she inscribed. 

And so overwhelmed, he slipped the Bible under his coat and rushed back to his private office.  It was there, in that office, that the doctor, who had become a wicked infidel and atheist, fell to his knees praying that God would have mercy on him, and save him.  He asked God to forgive him for his sinful life. As he prayed, he remembered a verse his mother taught him long ago: “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Dr. Mackay immediately contacted his mother to tell her of his salvation, and how God used the Bible she gave him to dramatically answer her prayers. In due time, Mackay’s life proved that “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all
things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

By the grace of God, William Patton Mackay, a world renowned doctor went on to become a Presbyterian preacher, well-known author and songwriter.  In fact, it was from his pen that we received the beautiful hymn:

“Hallelujah, Thine the glory.
Hallelujah, Amen.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory.
Revive us again!”

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October 22

Tribulations, Difficulties, and Disappointments

Let us not be greatly discouraged at the many tribulations, difficulties, and disappointments which lie in the path which leads to glory – seeing that our Lord has foretold us of them, has made a suitable provision for every case we can meet with, and is Himself always near – as a sure refuge, and a never-failing, ever-present help in every time of trouble!

Note likewise, that He Himself was a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.  Shall we then refuse to taste of the cup of affliction at His appointment, especially when His wisdom and love prepare it for us? He puts it into our hands, not in anger but in tender mercy – to do us good; and He sweetens every bitter draught, with those comforts which none but He can give!

The time is short, the world is passing away, all its cares and all its vanities will soon be at an end!  Yet a little while, and every veil shall be taken away –  every seeming frown be removed from His face – and every tear wiped away from ours!

(John Newton (1725-1807 - Author of Amazing Grace Letters of John Newton)

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October 23

"That in all things He might have the preeminence." 

(Colossians 1:18)

A widow, who had been left with six sons to bring up, was asked how she had managed to raise such exceptionally fine boys, alone and unaided.  "It did take grit and grace," she said; "but I wasn't exactly unaided - the Lord helped me.  Every night I knelt and told Him, I'd furnish the grit, if He'd furnish the grace."

Listen to old Thomas Kempis (1380-1417): "When a man cometh to that estate that he seeketh not his own comfort from any creature, then first doth God begin to be altogether sweet to him.  Then shall he be contented with whatever doth befall him in this world . . . he commmitteth himself to God, who is unto him all in all."

Life is a discipline, not one long holiday; it is a battle, not a picnic; and we are being taught today, lessons which, if properly learned will enable us to graduate with honours, in the eternal years that lie ahead.  (In Pastures Green)

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October 24

"The love of Christ constraineth us."

(2 Corinthians 5:14)

We may rest assured that where the Spirit of Christ is in action in the heart, there will be the ability to go out and embrace the wide field of our blessed Master's work and all His beloved workers: there will be the hearty rejoicing in having the work done, no matter who is the doer of it.

A man whose heart is full of Christ will be able to say - 

and to say it without affectation,

Provided the work is done -

Provided Christ is glorified -

Provided souls are saved -

Provided the Lord's flock is cared for and fed,

it matters nothing to me who does the work.

(C.H. Macintosh)

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October 25

"Consider the lilies of the field. . . . "

(Matthew 6:28)

"Behold the fowls of the air. . . ."

(Matthew 6:26)

The Lord Jesus taught lessons from the creatures who are planted in the earth, unable to move their roots but able to bring fragrance to God. By contrast, He taught about creatures who rise to heights far above the earth - the fowls of the air.

Here are lessons from both:

Here, where His hand hath lowly planted me, my days ares spent.

Nor ask I more: assured that where His will 

Hath fixed my lot, His grace will nourish still, I am content.

Yet, like yon bird that carols high o'erhead, my spirit's free.

Far, far above the toilsome troubled scene,

I soar and sing, with not a cloud between my God and me.

(J.S. Tait)

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October 26

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, That He may exalt you in due time."  (1 Peter 5:6)

The Father may allow His servant to succeed when He has disciplined him to a point where he does not need to succeed to be happy. The man who is only elated by success and cast down by every failure is still a carnal man, at best his fruit will have a worm in it. Let us seek to walk with the Lord in humility so that we may produce fruit with no worms in it.

To God be all the glory.

(M.S - With thanks - S.L.)

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October 27

"The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious."

(Proverbs 12:27)

The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting  describes the kind of Bible reading that fills note books with notes, but stops at that. Everything is meant to be turned to some use.  

What we learn is meant to be given to others, sooner or later.  

Commands are meant to be obeyed; promises are meant to be trusted and lived upon.

What are we doing with what we find in our Bibles?  

What about that beautiful verse found and marked yesterday?  

Did we turn it into life?  

Did we use it as a precious substance for our nourishment in weakness,  or encouragement in difficulty, or victory in temptation,

or joy in weariness, 

or peace in strife?  

The substance of a diligent man is precious, it counts for something.  

It must not be left like the talent in the napkin to do nothing for anyone.

(Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael)

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October 28

"Or despiseth thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and longsuffering: not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

(Romans 2:4) 

Why should a man write and distribute a tract instructing us on 

"How to Pray So God will Send You the Money You need"?

Any of us who have experienced a life and ministry of faith can tell how the Lord met our needs. Surely we believe that God can send money to His believing children - but it becomes a pretty cheap thing to get excited about the money and fail to give the glory to Hm who is the Giver!

So many are busy "using" God.

Use God to get a job!  

Use God to give us peace of mind!  

Use God to give us safety!  

Use God to obtain success in business!  

Use God to provide heaven at last! 

Brethren, we ought to learn - and learn it very soon -  that it is much better to have God first and have God Himself even if we have only a thin dime than to have all the riches and all the influence in the world and not have God with it! John Wesley believed that men ought to seek God alone because He is love. 

I think in our day we are in need of such an admonition as:  "Seek more of God, and seek Him for Himself alone!" If we become serious-minded about this, we would soon discover that all the gifts of God come along with the knowledge and the presence of God Himself.

(Renewed Day by Day - A.W. Tozer)

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October 29

"So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places."

(Philippians 1:13)

Paul viewed his bonds as being "in Christ." His incarceration was the result of God's will, not a tragic byproduct of inflexible Roman jurisprudence.

This is why during his imprisonment, he could write:

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philippians 4:4).

No matter what adverse circumstances believers face, they can rest in the knowledge that God controls the world and is working its history, as well as their own, toward His desired end.

(Keith Keyser)

N.J. Hiebert - 4962

October 30

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

(Deuteronomy 31:6)

The Israelites were about to enter a new phase of their history with God. Moses was soon to depart; Joshua was to be the new leader and Canaan conquered. Change and uncertainty lay ahead.

Moses, understanding how the people might be feeling, gives them these words of assurance. Days of change bring fears and anxieties that trouble the soul, but be reminded of this dear saint: The same God who saw Israel through their troubles, is the same God who is with you, and He will see you safely through.

(W.H. Burnett)

N.J. Hiebert - 4963

October 31

"In waiting, I waited, for the Lord."

(Psalm 40:1)

When we learn to wait for our Lord's lead in everything, we shall know the strength that finds its climax in an even, steady walk. Many of us are lacking in the strength we so covet.

But God gives full power for every task He appoints. Waiting, holding oneself true to His lead - this is the secret of strength. And anything that falls out of the line of obedience is a waste of time and strength. Watch for His leading.

(S.D. Graham)

N.J. Hiebert - 4964