Gems from February 2018

February 1

“Greater love hath no man that this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

(John 15:13)

WHEN WE WISH to know the love of God we should go to Calvary.

Can we look upon that scene and say God did not love us?

That cross speaks of the love of God.

Greater love never has been taught than that which the cross teaches.

What prompted God to give up Christ—what prompted 

Christ to die—if it were not love?

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

Christ laid down His life for His enemies;

Christ laid down His life for His murderers;

Christ laid down His life for them that hated Him;

and the spirit of the cross, the spirit of Calvary, is love.

When they were mocking Him and deriding Him, what did He say?

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

That is love.

He did not call down fire from heaven to consume them;

there was nothing but love in His heart.

(D. L. Moody)

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February 2

“Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith . . .”

(Hebrews 12:2)

We are apprehended of the Lord Jesus distinctly, not for what we are, 

but for what we shall be. 

It is impossible when we come to know Christ, to stand still;

we pass on from childhood to manhood 

and to fatherhood.

Every separate saint is being prepared for a prepared place in the Father’s house.

Seeing this it becomes impossible to settle down here the question of self

and all connected with it as dung and dross—the question of work

—the setting Christ before you, pressing on towards the mark

of the high calling of God in Him; these questions can 

only be settled in view of our heavenly 

position, our life up there.

Are you saying: “Christ loves me, and I must press on till I see Him; 

nothing can satisfy me till I can get to Him”? 

Christ has seen exactly where I shall be in the glory; 

the jewel will not be lost which is to be put into His crown.      

(G. V. Wigram)

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February 3

“The meek will He guide in judgment: and the meek will He teach His way.”

(Psalm 25:9)

“What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall He teach in the way that He shall chose.”

(Psalm 25:12)

“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.”

(Psalm 25:14)

The willing heart will seek a way, the obedient heart will find God’s way, and every other heart will find an excuse.

~~~~~

Forgiveness is power. The world sees forgiveness as weakness; but forgiveness is obedience, and obedience is power. Forgiveness is power.

There is no greater power than moral power because moral power is essentially spiritual power. There is neither positive moral power nor positive spiritual power apart from God. With God all things are possible.

What wonderful potential there is therefore in obedience, submission, and prayer! 

(Nuggets of Truth - John Kaiser)

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February 4

“It is manna: for they wist not what it was.”

(Exodus 16:15)

It was small, very small, and reminds us of Christ Who humbled 

Himself to the death of the cross . . .

He stands among men at the foot of the list of those who were lowly,

and suffered all loss . . .

It was white, very white, and Christ too was pure, 

no evil within Him, no blemish without . . .

His whole life was holy from birth unto death, in sight and 

in sentence He was ever devout . . .

It was sweet, very sweet with no bitterness found, and Christ’s 

life was sweet and His manner serene . . .

His ways were perfection in God’s holy sight, no envy,

no sourness could ever be seen . . .

It was round, very round, not an angle nor twist.  He went 

on so smoothly; no corners were there . . . 

His life was unruffled, and calm was His heart; His days 

were all fragrant with unbroken prayer.   

O may we be like Him in each of His ways,

and walk in His footsteps the rest of our day.

(From the archives of Tom Dear) 

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February 5

“O how love I Thy law!

It is my meditation all the day.”

(Psalm 119:97)

Wrote James Gilmour of Mongolia:

“When I feel I cannot make headway in my devotion, I open at the Psalms and push in my canoe, and let myself be carried along in the stream of devotion which flows thorough the the whole book.

The current always sets toward God, and in most places is strong and deep.

I opened the old, old Bible and looked at a page of Psalms; Till the wintry sea of my trouble, was soothed as by summer calms,

For the words that have helped so many, and that ages have made more dear, Seemed new in their power to comfort, and they brought me their word of cheer.

(Marianne Farmingham)

Affliction opens the Bible at the right places.

(Traveling Toward Sunrise)

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February 6

WIND AND WAVES

“What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him!” Matthew 8:27

MAN HAS NEVER had dominion over the wind and the sea.

He uses them, but he cannot control them.

The weather is unpredictable, often without rhyme or reason.

Hurricanes and tidal waves with their attendant

destruction and death were not part of 

God’s original design.

Weather is the despair of the meteorologists and the forecaster.

Man was given dominion over the creatures of land, sea,

and air, but the wind and the waves were beyond 

his jurisdiction from the outset.

Recently a Bible teacher said:

“Then Jesus came and stilled the storm and His disciples cried,

what manner of man is this that the WINDS and the SEA obey Him.”

(All the Days - Vance Havner)

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February 7

The One Indispensable Book!

"Seek ye out of the book of the LORD, and read: no one of these shall fail.”

(Isaiah 34:16)

The Bible . . . sparkles with the fervour and gladness of youth, celebrates the strength and glory of manhood, bewails the sorrows and infirmities of old age. 

The Bible . . . exults in the mighty deeds of kings and conquerors, sympathizes with the poor and lowly,  lifts up the fallen, delivers the oppressed, and breathes the blessing of peace upon the quiet homes of domestic life. 

The Bible describes with startling clearness . . . the seductions of temptation, the conflicts of doubt and the miseries of skepticism. 

The Bible . . . searches the secret chambers of the heart, brings to light its purest love and its darkest hate, reveals its highest joy and its deepest grief. 

The Bible compasses the utmost range of thought and feeling and desire—and it sounds the utmost depth of motive and character and passion.

Thus in the Bible, God and man, earth and heaven, time and eternity-- speak with one voice and teach the same truth. 

The Bible sets forth the most spiritual and heavenly truths—in the lights and shadows of  earthly scenes and human characters. 

Thus the Bible is the one indispensable book . . . for all ages—and all nations, for all classes of men—and all states of society, for all capacities of intellect—and all necessities of the soul!

(Daniel Marcus - 1870)

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The first part of this message was sent under Gems From My Reading # 6960

February 8

COME, TAKE, LEARN

“Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30)

We’ve all gotten an invitation to some event that included the request for an RSVP.  The one inviting wants to know who and how many to expect. Matthew 11:28-30 are the words of the Lord Jesus, inviting you and me to come to Him.

The three words of our title are actually in the imperative mood - they are commands.  Have you ever looked at them as such in this verse?  Have you COME to Him? The RSVP in this case is not  your promise to come -  it is you actually coming.  

Then comes “TAKE;” Take My yoke upon you.  Why does a farmer put his animal in a yoke? So the animal comes under his control.  The yoke speaks of submission, submission to the Lordship of Jesus.  Let’s ask ourselves, am I submitting to Jesus’ authority over me?  I’ve come to Him, for sure, but am I letting Him call the shots?

The last key word is “LEARN,” learn from Me, Jesus said.  Can you see how there is a logical progression here? I come to Him, I submit to His Lordship, and then I am in the right attitude to learn from Him.

Sometimes we find we get off track in that progression.  Maybe we try to take a shortcut. We try to do the learning without the submitting.  Let’s remember that as Christians we have the Holy Spirit living in us.  He enables us to do that learning.  

In fact, we wouldn’t even have come to Jesus in the first place if the Holy Spirit had not convicted us of our dire need of salvation.  We were sinners.  We needed a Saviour.  It is so beautiful how the Godhead (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) work in concert on our behalf . . . always. 

Let’s do a little self-examination - how am I doing in this matter of COMING, TAKING AND LEARNING?

(L.I.F.E LINES - Daily Devotions - F.P.)    

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February 9

BE FILLED

“But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.”

(Luke 8:15)  

Once I heard a  beautiful prayer which I can never forget; it was this:

“Lord, take my lips, and speak through them; 

take my mind, and think through it;

take my heart, and set it on fire.”

And this is the way the Master keeps the lips of His servants, 

by so filling their hearts with His love that the outflow 

cannot be unloving, by so filling their thoughts 

that the utterance cannot be un-Christlike. 

There must be filling before there can be pouring out; and if there

 is filling, there must be pouring out for He hath said,

“Out of the abundance of the heart

the mouth speaketh.”

(Matthew 12:34)

(Opened Treasures - Francis Ridley Havergal)

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February 10

“He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God."

(2 Samuel 23:3)

"I will give you pastors (shepherds)  . . . which shall feed you with 

knowledge and understanding.”

(Jeremiah 3:15)

Under-shepherds in the local assembly have a solemn, two-fold charge.

First, they must recognize their responsibility before God

in every decision they make and rule righteously.

At the same time, they are to see their responsibility to the sheep and provide the spiritual food needed for growth in the grace and

knowledge of the Lord Jesus.

(Bob Cretney)

“Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.”

(Hebrews 13:7)

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er,

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more!

(W. Kirkpatrick)

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February 11

"Not everyone that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven.”

(Matthew 7:21)

Mere lip profession is of no avail if the heart and life are not subject to the Word of God. We are not saved by our works, but good works are the test of reality.  He who is born of God will delight in obedience to the Father’s will (Ephesians 2:8-10).

“Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord . . . in Thy name . . . 

(have we) done many wonderful works?”

(Matthew 7:22)

There may be much of outward show and apparently successful 

service coupled with a Christless profession.  In the day of manifestation, 

nothing will avail but a personal faith in Him whom we profess to own as Lord.

“I never knew you.”

To none will He say in that day, "I used to know you, 

but I know you no more."  His word to the lost will be, “I never knew you."

Of all His own He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them" (John 10:27).

(H. A. Ironside)

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February 12

“When the poor and needy seek water and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will  hear them . . . I will open rivers in high places and fountains in the midst of the valleys. I will make the dry land springs of water.”

(Isaiah 41:17-21)

To the heart that is hungering and thirsting after God  and His fullness — for a drink from the living springs, this promise will be found literally true.  Come thirsty one, bring your cup of need to

God’s measureless supply.  Come and drink.  Yes, drink abundantly.

Though millions their thirst now are slaking, it never runs dry:

And millions may still come partaking, it never runs dry. 

An eastern caravan was overtaken once in the desert with a failure of the water supply. The accustomed fountains were all dried; the oasis was a desert.  They stopped an hour before  sunset to find, after a day of scorching heat, that they were perishing for want of water.

Vainly they explored the usual wells, but they were all dry.  Dismay was upon all faces; despair was in all hearts. Suddenly an old man approached the sheik and advised him to unloose the two beautiful deer that he was taking home as a present to his bride.

Surely the sensitive nostrils of the deer would detect the presence of water if any was to be found. Their tongues were protruding with thirst; their bosoms heaved with distress, but as they were led out to the borders of the camp, they lifted up their heads and sniffed the air.

Then, with unerring instinct, with a course as straight as an arrow and speed as swift as the wind, they darted off across the desert.  Swift horsemen followed close behind, and an hour or two later hastened back with the good news that water had been found.

The camp moved with shouts of rejoicing to the newly discovered fountains.

(Streams in the Desert)

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February 13

“This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest;

and this is the refreshing."

(Isaiah 28:12)

"The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.”

(Psalm 9:9)

Rest, tired heart, within those arms eternal, like cradled child upon its father’s breast; Oh, lean on Him who giveth to the weary, after the day is over, blessed rest.

Rest, troubled heart, oppressed by care and sorrow; let every fear and vague foreboding cease; Oh, rest in Him who giveth to the burdened, after the day is over, blessed peace.

(Annie Johnson Flint)

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February 14

"And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  (2 Timothy 3:15-17) 

Set a high value upon the Word of God.  All that is necessary to make you wise to salvation is there--and there alone.  In this precious Book, you may find . . . a direction for every doubt, a solution of every difficulty, and a promise suited to every circumstance you can be in. There you may be informed of your disease caused by sin—and the remedy provided by grace. 

In the Scriptures, you may be instructed to know . . . your selves,  Jesus Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the wonders of redeeming love, the glories of the Redeemer's person, the happiness of the redeemed people, the power of faith, and the beauty of holiness.  All are here fully and clearly represented. 

Nothing is lacking in the Scriptures to make . . . life useful and comfortable, death safe and desirable, and to bring down something of Heaven upon earth.  But this true wisdom can be found nowhere else. If you wander from the Scriptures, pursuit either of present peace,

or future hope—then your search will surely end in disappointment. This is the fountain of living waters! If you forsake it, and give the preference to broken cisterns of your own devising— then they will fail you when you most need them. 

Rejoice, therefore, that such a treasure is put into your hand--but rejoice with trembling. Remember this is not all you need—unless God likewise gives you a heart to use the Scriptures aright—then your privilege will only aggravate your guilt and misery. 

  (John Newton)

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February 15

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

(Hebrews 4:15)

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful,

who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the

temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

(1 Corinthians 10:13)

It is important to remember that temptation is never sin, for our Lord was 

“in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

The fact that you and I are tempted does not mean that we are bad, but that we are important. The danger is, however, that we allow temptation to become sin.  Sin lives next door to temptation and only a step will take us from the one to the other.  That is the step of desire and decision. 

The second thought we have in scripture, and an assuring one, is that God will not allow us to be tested above what we are able to bear.  (1 Corinthians 10:13). 

 There is a tremendous assurance here for us that God knows exactly how much we can stand, and God’s sovereign grace and care will see that we are never tempted to excess.

The story is told of a small boy in a shop who, was being loaded with goods by his father.  As the lad waited for more, an onlooker said, “You can’t carry any more than you have got.”  To which the answer came,  “Daddy knows how much I can carry.”

It is a great thought, that our heavenly Father knows just exactly how heavy a load we can bear, and He will see to it that it is never exceeded.

Someone commenting on 1 Corinthians 10:13 says it tells us three things

about temptation—it is common to man, it is controlled by God,

it is conquerable by us through Christ.

(George Duncan)

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February 16

Behold Him!

“For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.”  (2 Corinthians 5:21) 

Behold the beloved Jesus, perfectly spotless and holy—yet made an example of the severest justice. 

Behold Him . . . prostrate and agonizing in the garden; enduring the vilest insults from wicked men; torn with whips, and nails, and thorns; suspended, naked, wounded, and bleeding upon the cross—forsaken by God! 

Sin was the cause of all His anguish. He stood in the place of sinners, and therefore was not spared. 

Not any, or all, the evils which the world has known—afford such proof of the dreadful effects and detestable nature of sin, as the knowledge of Christ crucified!

(John Newton)

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February 17

“The Spirit also helpeth our infirmities:

for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the

Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.”

(Romans 8:26)

“Continuing instant in prayer.”

(Romans 12:12)

Our calls may be faint as a child’s timid cry;

Our heart’s feeble plaint scarce venture on high;

Yet Christ for us pleading, we may persevere; 

Through Him interceding, our Father will hear.

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February 18

“Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)

Isaiah 55:1 is the poor man’s market.

Poor folks must either borrow or beg from the rich, and the only thing that commendeth sinners to Christ is extreme necessity and want.

Christ’s love is ready to  make and provide a ransom and money for a poor body who has lost his purse. 

Every day we may see some new thing in Christ. His love hath neither brim nor bottom.

Go where ye will, your soul shall not sleep sound but in Christ’s bosom.

From the Letters of 

Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) 

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February 19

“What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world,

and lose his own soul?”

(Mark 8:36)

Profit, gain, and loss are financial terms we use everyday.

God uses them too, in order that He might speak in ways that we can understand.

One day we will give an account for the way we’ve spent our lives.

Someone said, you can spend your life any way you want, 

but you can only spend it once.

How true. When you get to the bottom line, will you be spiritually bankrupt or have eternal dividends to look forward to?

Counting on Jesus Christ as your Saviour is the only way life will add up,

and that makes good cents.

(Rex Trogdon)

What will you do with Jesus?  Neutral you cannot be;

Some day your heart will be asking, “What will He do with me?"

(Simpson)

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February 20

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are 

above, where Christ sitteth on the right had of God.

Set your affection on things above, 

not on things on the earth.”

(Colossians 3:1-2)

We tend to follow what we focus on.

If we are preoccupied with what is evil 

(wrong, or bad), we are not prone to follow what is good.

Moreover, our focus reveals the desires of our heart and our character reflects our desires, the object of our focus.  Our proper focus is on things above (Colossians 3:1-2) and things unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18).

“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good.

He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God” 

(3 John 11).  

A preoccupation with externals (visible things) is what 

characterizes worldly-mindedness.

Culture refines.  Grace restrains.  The law condemns.  Grace humbles.

(Nugget - John Kaiser)

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February 21

"And let us not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

(Galatians 6:9)

A lad saw a want ad in a small Massachusetts paper,  

asking for a young man to assist the office manager of a 

brokerage house.  Applications were to be mailed to Box 1720, Boston.

The young man wrote the best letter of application he knew how.  

When no reply came he wrote a second letter.  Still no reply.  Though 

discouraged, he did not quit.  He rewrote his letter, and still he received no reply.

The lad knew that success required persistence.

So he took a train to Boston and went directly to the post office.

The boy hunted for Box 1720, then waited hours until someone came.

He followed the person to one of Boston’s large brokerage houses.  When the manager heard his story he said, “My young friend, you are just the type we are looking for. The job is yours.” Thus began the career of Roger Babson (1875 - 1967), one of America’s illustrious statisticians.

Do you ever feel like giving up your Sunday school class or secretarial job or superintending position? Three of the qualities demanded repeatedly in the New Testament of  Christians are perseverance, fidelity, and steadfastness.

The text, (Galatians 6:9), suggests three ideas:

well doing, weariness, and waiting for the certain harvest.   

(Leslie B. Flynn)

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February 22

“The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, to depart 

from the snares of death.”

(Proverbs 14:27) 

We believe we are living in a day when the wisdom of this book (Proverbs) is most needful.

The tendency about us today is to challenge all authority, whether it be human or divine. Man would cast off all restrictions to the full gratification of his lusts and desires.

We are nearing  the time when the “lawless one” (2 Thessalonians 2:8) shall be revealed.

How good then to know that God has given us in this book of Proverbs the definite principles that will keep us from becoming victims of this satanic spirit of insubordination, whether it be in relationship to God, to the government, to the assembly or in the family.

(C. H. Brown - 1967)

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February 23

“The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”

(John 1:14)

In the history of flesh and blood, given to us in Scripture,

we learn that by sin came death.

To all, as headed or represented in Adam, it was this:

 ”In the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17).

Touching, however, the promised Seed of the woman, who was not thus represented, it was said to the serpent, “Thou shalt bruise His heel.”

The death of this Seed was thus to be as peculiar as His birth.

He was, in birth, to be the woman’s Seed; in death

 He was to have His heel bruised.

In the fullness of time this promised One was “made of a woman”.

The Son of God, the Sanctifier, took part of flesh and blood;

He became “that holy thing” (Luke 1:35).     

Had death, any title?  None whatever.  Whatever title the everlasting covenant had on His heel, death had none on His flesh and blood.  In this blessed One, there was a capability of meeting the divine purpose, that his heel should be bruised; but there was no exposure to death in anywise. 

(J. G. Bellett)

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February 24

“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on His breast at supper.”

(John 21:20)

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, 

There by His love o’ershaded, sweetly my soul shall rest.

Hark! ’tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.  

Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.     

~~~~~~~~

“Be careful for nothing,”

(Philippians 4:6)

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,

Safe from the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there.

Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears;

Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!

(TREASURES FROM FANNY CROSBY)

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February 25

“And Pharaoh . . . arrayed him (Joseph) in vestures of fine linen.”

(Genesis 41:42)

“And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen.”

(Revelation 19:8)

From the pit to the prison to the palace, Joseph’s life went from humiliation to exaltation.

Forsaken by his brothers, a slave in Egypt, suffering the consequence 

of lies, forgotten in prison, but one day given a bride

 and exalted in the kingdom. 

One day—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, we shall be ushered into the presence of the King, our heavenly Bridegroom, and dressed in fine linen as the Bride of Christ, we shall be united to Him forever at the marriage supper of the Lamb. 

As we anticipate, let us worship.

(C. Tempest)

So, led from strength to strength; we long, O Lord to see,

The marriage supper of the Lamb, 

Thy great epiphany.

(Unknown) 

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February 26

"All Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I am glorified in them.  And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are.”

(John 17:10-11)

It is as if He said, "They will need no less of care, than what I have received Myself".

“Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.”

(Psalm 16:1)

There is a tenderness in it.

~~~~~

The Christian is in a place that he can deprive himself of by no act of his: but a single foolish thought may deprive him of the joy of the place.

~~~~~

We ought to be like the Shunammite woman,

“I dwell among mine own 

people” — up there! 

(2 Kings 4:13)

(Hunt’s Sayings )

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February 27

“And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

The answer to our oft-repeated cry comes not in the way  of deliverance; if instead of removing the trying thing, He speaks to our hearts in tender, gracious power, saying, “My grace is sufficient for thee,” shall we not bow submissively to His perfect will, assured that His choice is wiser and better than ours?

May we not even go further, as Paul did when he said, “Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me"?  It is a great thing to say, for glorying in our infirmities goes far beyond bearing them with patience and submission.  

But His grace enables His weak and suffering saints thus to speak when He is fully trusted and His will accepted in perfect acquiescence.

We rest, then, as one rests on a bed of down, and we gladly leave ourselves in His hands as we hear Him say,  “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7).

(A. J. Pollock)

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February 28

“But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.”

(Psalm 130:4)

But if we are defeated?  There is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared. When I was small I used to wonder why the word feared was used there, why not loved?

But the Spirit of God chooses the words He uses in the Scriptures, and there is a solemn truth in this word “feared”. Some of us know what it is to have a child speak lovingly after being forgiven, and yet perhaps that child does that same wrong thing again, without apparently  very much caring that it will need forgiveness again, and without in the least thinking of what its sin has cost, and what forgiveness costs. 

So here the word strikes a deeper note. “Feared” means "reverenced”, it means "the deep awe, which love so tender, yet so holy, must needs inspire.” It means the kind of love which has fear and reverence in it, and that kind of love will never think it is a little thing to grieve our holy God.

If we have been defeated, let us not be discouraged, there is forgiveness. But do not let us think lightly of defeat, as though it did not much matter. It cost God Calvary to forgive my “smallest” sin.

(Amy Carmichael)

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March 1

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

(Romans 12:2)

At BAALBEC* in a quarry lies a magnificent column—the largest worked stone in the world—

almost detached and ready for transportation.  In the ruined Temple of the Sun nearby is a niche still waiting for it after forgotten centuries.

So large, so good, yet a failure, because it never filled the place for which it was quarried and hewn.

The unused column may represent the possibilities in a human life—the empty niche, the opportunities! How many lives that never fulfilled the bright possibilities before them!

“If you are in the wrong place, the right place is vacant.”

God has just one person to come at the right moment;

a place which no one can fill but that person and at that time!

What’er your place, it is not yours alone,

 but His who sent you there.

(John Oxenham)

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*BAALBEC, Lebanon, where the Roman ruins outstrip Rome.