Gems from September 2019

September 1

Thy name, O LORD, endureth for ever;

and Thy memorial, O LORD, through out all generations.   

Psalm 135:13

The wildest mistake which a man can possibly fall into is to act without taking God into his account. Sooner or later, the thought of God will force itself upon him, and then comes the awful crash of all his schemes and calculations.

At best, everything that is undertaken independently of God, can last but for the present time. It cannot, by any possibility, stretch itself into eternity.  

All that is merely human, however solid, however brilliant, or however attractive, must fall into the cold grasp of death, and moulder in the dark, silent tomb.

The clod of the valley must cover man’s highest excellencies and brightest glories; mortality is engraved upon his brow, and all his schemes are diminishing.

On the contrary, that which is connected with, and based upon, God, shall endure forever.

C. H. Mackintosh

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September 2

Come unto Me . . . and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

There is but one Man . . . who never had a place of rest. . . .

The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests;

but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.  Matthew 8:20

And if we now have a nest, a place of rest in God,

it is because for our sakes Jesus was without rest on earth.

Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - J. N. Darby

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September 3

Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!

Jonah 3:4

How striking is the difference between Jonah’s message and ours! Jonah’s message was altogether one of judgment without a word of mercy. Yet both preacher and hearers read in this message, and read correctly, an offer of mercy.

Otherwise, why send the warning of judgment? It is well for us to remember that in every message of judgment, there is hidden an offer of mercy, if the guilty ones will but take warning and repent.

Our message, what is it?  True it contains a message of judgment, and coming wrath; but our message is not characterized by judgment but by mercy. Never has any messenger had such a glorious message to deliver,

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:16

The message of judgment aroused a fervent desire to find a way of escape that they should not perish; but that way of escape is the theme of our message:  I am the way. Our message is to tell of a living, loving Person, a Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ.

(G. C. Willis)

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September 4

T H E  S O N  R E F U S ED  A N D  R E V I L E D 

“Ye delivered (Him) up and denied Him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go . . .  and killed the Prince of life.

Acts 3:13-15

In the story of Joseph - all the brethren were guilty, but not in the same degree. Reuben, though unstable, and morally corrupt as we know from his history, was not necessarily cruel.  In common with his brethren he has wronged his father, but all human affection is not extinguished in his heart.  He would have have spared Joseph’s life, and his father’s feelings. 

Judah, too, may be covetous, but he also has some reservation as to laying hands upon his brother.  And these differences we see in the way men treat the Christ of God. All verily are guilty, but there are degrees of guilt.

Herod, vile and pleasure-loving man that he was, would mock the Lord and set Him at nought, but he finds nothing worthy of death in Him.

Pilate will go further than Herod, and yield up Christ to the murderous hatred of the Jews; but he has no personal enmity, and will at least make some feeble effort to preserve from death One that he knows to be innocent. But of the Jews Peter has to say—note Acts 3:13-15 above.   

And still there are the pleasure-lovers, strangers to all religious convictions, who have no good word for Christ and yet will not oppose.

But there are others yet more guilty concerning Christ. They profess to admire His moral excellencies. Pilate-like they find no fault in Him; yet to retain their popularity with the world, they stifle their convictions, decide against Christ, and range themselves with that thrice-guilty class whose active enmity never ceases to attack His glorious Person and trample under foot His precious blood.

There are the careless and indifferent, there are the fearful and faint hearted, and there are the furious haters—open and avowed enemies of Christ. But all unite in the rejection of Christ.

(Hamilton Smith)

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September 5

Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

Luke 22:48

The kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

Proverbs 27:6

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you!

for so did their fathers to the false prophets.

Luke 6:26

Be suspicious when the world speaks “well of you.”

The Lord says,  Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Luke 6:22.  

Christians live in the world, but are not of the world.  How can we expect the enemy that hated and crucified our Saviour, to be a trusted friend of the Christian? 

Milton Haack 

Take the world, but give me Jesus, all its joys are but a name;

But His love abideth ever, through eternal years the same.

Fanny Crosby 

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September 6

W  H  A T   I S    M A  N?

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth!

who hast set Thy glory above the heavens.  Psalm 8:1

In giant storms, the pressure of an ocean beating on solid stone can mount to more than 60,000 pounds to the square foot.  That is the awesome equivalent of well over 30 tons of impact to one square foot of rock surface. 

The rock cannot long endure such battering and abuse.  Some portion of it will break loose, to be flung against the shore and serve as a giant battering ram that is caught up in the waves, to grind and rumble against other boulders in the surf.

This explains in part why some of the most elaborate seawalls, ocean harbours, and costal installations simply do not survive great storms.  There have been instances where blocks of cement, stone, and reinforcing steel weighting more than 1000 tons have been torn loose, broken up, and shattered by relentless ocean storms. 

The less obvious reason is, of course, the simple physical fact that in deep water any submerged object becomes increasingly buoyant.  A giant boulder on the seabed, or a huge block of concrete below high water, is not nearly as heavy or immovable as we might imagine.  

The hydraulic action of the mighty inrushing waters that thunder and roar over the rocks lifts, shifts, and splits stone, concrete, and steel with impunity and disdain.

The immense power that pulverized the best of man’s endeavours likewise pulverizes human pride. The skill, science, and engineering expertise that were combined to try and tame the sea came to naught.  Only a twisted, torn reminder of man’s insignificance remains.

O LORD our Lord . . . When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?”  Psalm 8:1,3,4

Songs of My Soul  - W. Philip Keller

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September 7

P L O  D  D  I  N  G    F O R    G O D

And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:11-12)

Those raised in the English village with William Carey (1761 - 1834) probably thought he wouldn’t accomplish much, but today he’s know as the father of modern missions.

Born to parents who were weavers, he became a not-too-successful teacher and shoe-maker while teaching himself Greek, Hebrew, and Latin.

After many years, he realized his dream of becoming a missionary to India.  But he faced hardship, including his child’s death, his wife’s mental-health problems and for many years the lack of response from those he served.

What kept him serving amid difficulties as he translated the entire Bible into six languages and parts of it into twenty-nine others?  "I can plod,” he said.  I can persevere in any definite pursuit.“ He committed to serving God no matter what trials he encountered. 

This continued devotion to Christ is what the writer to the Hebrews counselled. He called for those reading his letter to "be not slothful“ [lazy] (Hebrews 6:12), but to “show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end” (v. 11) as they sought to honour God.  He reassured them that God “is not unrighteous to 

forget your work and labour of love which ye have shown toward His name. (V. 10). 

During William Carey’s later years, he reflected on how God consistently supplied his needs.“He has never failed in His promises, so I cannot fail in my service to Him.” May God also empower us to serve Him day by day.  Amy Boucher Pye 

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Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (2019), Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission

September 8

 Y O U    C A N   D O   W H A T   Y O U   O U G H T

Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?

Acts 9:6

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

Paul did not mean that he could do anything he wanted to do or some foolish thing.

He could do all things that God wanted him to do.

We can do anything we ought to do, anything He wants us to do.

And that leaves plenty of room for miracles!

There is wide latitude within the limits of God’s will.

We shall not feel cramped.

There is much we know is God’s will without making further inquiry.

There is more of His will that opens up as we trust and obey.

He would not ask us to do what cannot be done.

But it is done through Christ, who keeps on pouring His power into us.

His strength is made perfect in weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon us.

We can do all the work that is within His will.

He who said, “Go ye," said, “Lo, I am with you,” and “all power is given unto Me.”

Day by Day with Vance Havner

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September 9

So will I also be for thee!  Hosea 3:3

Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us.  
Ephesians 5:2

The Son of God . . . loved me and gave Himself for me.  
Galatians 2:20

Yes, Himself!  What is the Bride’s true and central treasure? 

What calls forth the deepest, brightest, sweetest thrill of love and praise? Not the Bridegroom’s priceless gifts, not the robe of His resplendent righteousness, not the dowry of unsearchable riches, not the magnificence of the palace home to which He is bringing her, not the glory which she shall share with Him, but Himself Jesus Christ,

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree; This same Jesus, Whom having not seen, ye love”; the Son of God and the Man of Sorrows; my Saviour, my Friend, my Master, my King, my Priest, my Lord, and my God—He says, “I also for thee.”  

What an “I”!  What power and sweetness we feel in it, so different from any human “I", for all His Godhead and all His manhood are concentrated in it—and all for thee.

And not only all but ever for thee!  His unchangeableness is the seal upon every attribute; He will be this same Jesus forever.  How can mortal mind estimate this enormous promise?  How can mortal heart conceive what is in-folded in these words,

“I also for thee”?

One glimpse of its fullness and glory, and we feel that henceforth it must be, shall be, and by His grace will be our true-hearted, whole-hearted cry—

Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee!

Kept for the Master’s Use - Frances R. Havergal  

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September 10

I counsel thee to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed. Revelation 3:18

The believers in Laodicea belonged to a very materialistic society and like many others in the city were involved in banking, medicine and the manufacture of high quality garments and carpets. 

Their commitment to work meant little time for the Lord. He counsuls them to invest time in things that will give a much better return.

They should do business with Him.  He can provide gold for the poor, raiment for the naked and eye-salve for those who have difficulty seeing the spiritual perspective.

Today, open the door of your heart, invite Him in and listen to His investment advice!

Roy Hill

Rise, touched with gratitude divine, turn out His enemy and thine,

That soul destroying monster, sin, and let the heavenly Stranger in.

Grigg

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September 11

W O R D S   F O R   T H E   W O R R I E D

Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies.

Psalm 103:4

Does hope seem dead and buried?  Does the outlook on life seem dreary?  Have its flowers and fruits, the presence of which gave you much happiness, disappeared? Remember the words  as quoted above from Psalm 103:4.

When the ground in London was cleared of the old buildings to make the New Kingsway, it lay for a year exposed to the light and air.  A strange sight drew naturalists to the ruins. In some cases the soil had not felt the touch of Spring since the day when the Romans sailed up the Thames, and beached upon its shore.  When the sunlight poured its life upon this uncovered soil, a host of flowers sprang up.  Some were unknown in England.  They were plants the Romans had brought with them.

Hidden away in the darkness, lying dormant under the mass of bricks and mortar, they seemed to have died.  But under the new conditions, obeying the law of life, they escaped from death and blossomed into a new beauty.

So may it be with every life, however crushed and bruised by sorrow, however blighted by sin.  It needs only to be laid open to the breath of God’s Spirit, the sunshine of His love, and the healing atmosphere of His grace in Christ Jesus, and a new life, with new possibilities and new beauties, will arise, however desolate at present the scene may appear. 

Thus ever on through life we find to trust, O Lord, is best, Who serve Thee with a quiet mind find in Thy service rest. Their outward troubles may not cease, but this their joy will be- Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.

(Angels in White - Russell Elliott)

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September 12

O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee;

and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psalm 36:10

How great is His goodness, and how great is His beauty!

Zechariah 9:17

Jesus, Thou alone art worthy ceaseless praises to receive;

For Thy love and grace and goodness rise o’er all our thoughts conceive.

Rise our hearts, and bless the Father, ceaseless song e’en here begun,

Endless praise and adoration to the Father and the Son. 

Mrs. J. A Trench

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September 13

. . . Keep thyself pure.  1 Timothy 5:22

Does the judge know the story of the spotless fur that lines his robes of state?  Does the society leader realize the sacrifice which makes possible the lovely ermine wrap which lies so gracefully about her shoulders?

Do they know that the little animal whose coat they now wear, as he roamed the forest of Asia was as proud as they—aye, inordinately proud of his beautiful snowy coat? And we do not wonder, for it is the most beautiful fur to be found in all the markets of the world!

Such pride does the little carnivore take in his spotless coat that nothing is permitted to soil it in the slightest degree.  Hunters are well acquainted with this fact and take very unsportsmanlike advantage of this knowledge.  No traps are set for him.  

No, indeed!  Instead, they seek out his home—a tree stump, or rocky cleft, and then—be it said to their everlasting shame—they daub filth within and around the entrance.  As the dogs are loosed and the chase begins, the little animal naturally turns to his one place of refuge.  Reaching it, rather than enter such a place of uncleanness, he turns to face the yelping dogs. Better to be stained by blood than sully his white coat!

Only a white coat, little ermine, but how your act condemns us!  “Made in the image and likeness of God,” with minds and immortal spirits; and yet, how often, in order to obtain something we desire, our character is sacrificed on the altars of worldly pleasure, greed, selfishness!

Everything is lost when purity is gone—purity, which has been called the soul of character.  Keep thyself pure: every  thought, every word, every deed, even the motive behind the deed—all, ermine-pure!

THE DAUGHTERS OF THE KING

“Princesses still, in ermine, white, like wool, cleansed by the King’s own touch from spot or stain; Emptied of self; of His own life so full, that overflowing on a world in pain, they bless and serve, and by their service reign.”  

Chastity is the ermine of a woman’s soul.—Queen Elizabeth.    

Mountain Trailways for Youth

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September 14

T H E   A N S W E R

For all the promises of God in Him are yea, and . . . Amen”

2 Corinthians 1:20  

"Is God— ?”   “Hath God—?”   “Doth God—?”

Man’s  “Why?” and “How?”

In ceaseless iteration storm the sky.

“I Am”;   “I will”;   “I do”; sure Word of God,

Yea and Amen, Christ answereth each cry;

To all ou anguished questionings and doubts 

Eternal affirmation and reply.

(Annie Johnson Flint)

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September 15

W H E N   HE  COMETH 

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall 

ye also appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:4

The scriptural promise of Christ’s second coming is always a thrilling truth for believers to ponder. Beyond that, the thought of the Saviour creating a Jewelled crown from little children who love Him is a fascinating pictorial concept.  William Orcutt Cushing conceived the idea for his “Jewel Song” text (1856) from the promise in Malachi 3:17.

And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels. 

Several years later, William Cushing suffered a period of deep despair in his life.  After the death of his wife, he developed a creeping paralysis and the loss of his speech at the age of 47. He was forced to retire from the ministry after 27 years. 

When he pleaded, “Lord give me something to do for Thee,” God answered, giving him the gift of writing appealing hymn texts.  He worked with such talented musicians as Ira Sankey and George Root to produce more than than 300 hundred gospel hymns during his remaining years. Such hymns as “Hiding in Thee,” “Under His Wings,” and “There’ll be No Dark Valley" are just a few of his texts that have since contributed much to the lives of Christians everywhere.

When he cometh, when He cometh to make up His jewels,

all His jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own.

He will gather, He will gather the gems for His kingdom,

all the pure ones, all the bright ones, His loved and His own.

Little children, little children who love their Redeemer 

are the jewels, precious jewels, His loved and His own. 

Chorus:  Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning,

they shall shine in His beauty-bright gems for His crown.

(Kenneth W Osbeck - Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions

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September 16

A   BODY   OF  ITS    OWN

All flesh is not the same flesh. 

1 Corinthians 15:39

One star differeth from another star in glory.

1 Corinthians 15:41

We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51

They were not all alike when they were here.

Some sprightly, some were grave; some gentle, mild;

Some strong with fiery might for conflicts wild.

So different all, yet each how very dear!

They are not all alike now they are There,

Loosed from the cumbering flesh.  See, even now,

The starry splendour that bedecks the brow

Differs in each, though all so heavenly fair. 

Bells & Pomegranates - James M. S. Tait  

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September 17

And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Matthew 24:12

One of the characteristics of the last days is the abounding iniquity of the wicked. The effect of this iniquity on the people of God is to make their love grow cold.

When love to Christ should be warmest it is liable to be coldest.

Just before we meet the Lord in the air it seems to be easiest to forget Him.

How sad if love should fail just before the marriage supper of the Lamb!

Leonard Sheldrake

Our love is oft times low,

Our joy still ebbs and flows;

But peace with Him remains the same,

No change Jehovah knows.

H. Bonar

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September 18

. . . not My will, but Thine be done.  Luke 22:42

Only One Life

It is possible to evade a multitude of trials by the cultivation of an insignificant life.

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life's busy way;

Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done;

Then, in 'that day' my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgment seat.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice

Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God's holy will to cleave.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes and fears;

Each with its days I must fulfill, living for self, or in His will.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score;

When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say:

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;

Faithful and true what e'er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn;

Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne.

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say, “Thy will be done!"

And when at last I'll hear the call, I know I'll say "twas worth it all!"

Only one life, 'twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last!

Author unknown - With thanks - B. Lucas

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Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always 

abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your 

labour is not in vain in the Lord.  1 Corinthians 15:58

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September 19

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Romans 8:28 contains a certainty which the great adversary continually assaults. It was so with Joseph.  First at Dothan, then in Egypt, all things seemed to be working together for harm, not good.

  

We read of no special revelation granted for his help in prison.  He seems to have been trusted to walk by faith not by sight, as for the most part we are too. Joseph had not his own finished story to read, nor Romans 8:28, nor any other scripture.

If we try to imagine life without a Bible we can only marvel at the wonder of the grace of God shown forth in Joseph and in countless others, right up to today.

Samuel Rutherford wrote about those who seem to be our enemies: “They are set to work as undersmiths and servants to the work of refining the saints.  Their office is to scour and cleanse vessels for the King’s table.”  Thank God for this certainty.

The effect of man’s sin or mistake, temptation to discouragement about ourselves, all limitations and frustrations, and all trials of the flesh and spirit, are really “under-smiths and servants” working together for good to us who love God.

And this is true, too, of all the thousands of joys we experience—they too are God’s servants working together for our good.

Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael

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September 20

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time

that their corn and their wine increased.

Psalms 4:7

How can we reach the place where we can say “More than”?

Have you noticed that, from the place where you stand, 

there is always a shining way on the water, in the sunrise or sunset, 

or in moonlight, or when a bright planet like Venus is rising or setting?

There may be a hundred people on the shore, and yet each one sees that path beginning just where he or she stands.  I shall never forget my astonishment when I saw this for the first time.

It is like that with the Bible.

Wherever you are reading you will find a path that leads you 

from that place straight to the heart of God, and the desires of God. 

Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael 

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September 21

And the Lord said unto Moses, "Yet will I bring one plague more upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt; afterwards he will let you go hence; when he shall let you go, he shall surely thrust you out hence altogether".

Exodus 11:1

One more heavy blow must fall upon this hard hearted monarch and his land ere he will be compelled to let go the favoured objects of Jehovah’s sovereign grace.

How utterly vain it is for man to harden and exalt himself against God; for, truly, He can grind to powder the hardest heart, and bring down to the dust the haughtiest spirit. Those that walk in pride He is able to abase. Daniel 4:37. 

Man may fancy himself to be something; he may lift up his head, in pomp and vainglory, as though he were his own master.  Vain man!  How little he knows of his real condition and character!  He is but the tool of Satan, taken up and used by him, in his malignant efforts to counteract the purposes of God.

The most splendid intellect, the most commanding genius, the most indomitable energy, if not under the direct control of the Spirit of God, are but so many instruments in Satan’s hand to carry forward his dark designs.

No man is his own master; he is either governed by Christ or governed by Satan. The king of Egypt might fancy himself to be a free agent, yet he was but a tool in the hands of another.

Satan was behind the throne; and, as the result of Pharaoh’s having set himself to resist the purposes of God, he was judicially handed over to the blinding and hardening influence of his self-chosen master.

C. H. Mackintosh

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September 22

Noah walked with God.  Genesis 6:9

The only other man of whom this was said, was Enoch—Noah’s great-grandfather.

Now Noah, as a lad, would have known and conversed with his grandfather, Methuselah, who would, in turn have known much of his own father, the saintly Enoch.

As parents and grandparents we have a duty to leave a legacy to those following —  to be an example that younger generations want to follow.

Brian Russell

As surely as He overcame, and triumphed once for you,

So surely you that love His name, shall in Him triumph too.

John Newton

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September 23

Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.   Acts 20:24

These words were written by a faithful servant and reveal to us the secret of successful service for the Lord. 

The Cost.  He counted the cost that he was willing to pay—his life—and he found it a very small price.  If his life was not dear to him, how much less would be such things as earthly possessions.  His focus was The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world Galatians 6:14.

The Course.  He was aware of a course to be finished.  He did not move aimlessly.  Before his death he wrote to Timothy, I have finished my course. It was not optional whether he should preach the glad tidings or not. Christ was to be magnified in his body whether by life or by death.

The Source.  The ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus.  He was a servant of Jesus Christ,  called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,  Romans 1:1.  When he first met the Lord, the message was this: Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. He was not disobedient to this heavenly vision, even later amid much suffering for the name of the Lord.

The Cost—The Course—The Source.  See these three things in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Cost: He obeyed unto death, even the death of the cross.  The Course: I have glorified Thee on the earth; I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do  John 17:4. The Source: As the Father gave Me commandment, even so I do  John 14:31.

May we too count the Cost, know the Course, and glorify the Source.  Only fear the LORD, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you 1 Samuel 12:24. 

A. M. Benham - The Lord is Near.

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September 24

ALL THINGS  NOW  READY

It is finished.  John 19:30

Even if you did not heed nor believe any other words of Jesus, could you—can you—doubt HIs dying words Surely they are worthy of all acceptation!  What are they?  “It is finished!”  What is finished?  “I have finished the work that Thou gavest me to do.”  And what is that work? Simply the work of our salvation.

That is the reason why all things are now ready, because Jesus has finished that all-inclusive work.  When a thing is finished, how much is there left to do?  The question sounds too absurd with respect to ordinary things.  We hardly take the trouble to answer, "why nothing, of course!” 

When Jesus has finished the work, how much is left for you to do?  Do you not see?  Nothing, of course!  You have only to accept that work as really finished, and accept His dying declaration that it is so. What further assurance would you have?  Is not this enough? Does your heart say Yes, or No?

Oh believe the Lord hath done it!  Wherefore linger?  Wherefore doubt?

All the clouds of dark transgression He Himself hath blotted out.

He hath done it!  Come and bless Him, swell the grand thanksgiving shout

Evermore and evermore.

Opened Treasures - F. R. Havergal  

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September 25

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, for Thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  

Romans 8:35-36. 

Who shall separate us?—a love that went through every obstacle to lay hold on us—His own personal love. 

There is the glory and dignity of His person,—but here it’s His own Love.

The Spirit reasons thus: Can you find a single thing,—no matter what it is, that can come up to what He Himself endured?  It’s the love of Christ. 

In Romans 8:36, the Spirit recounts certain things to which 

we are exposed, because He was rejected on earth.  

The peculiar character is, that it is "for His sake.”

“More than conquerors.” So complete has His victory been,

that there is nothing left for us to do.

Romans 8:37

The conqueror is the one who goes through the struggle and conflict.

But we commence in Christ’s victory.

Hunt’s Sayings

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September 26

HELPLESSNESS

My strength is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9

We need God’s power to be little.

He refreshes the spirit, raises above weakness and pain. . . .

Think much on Jesus (I do not mean as if you could think much in 

your weak state, but looking to Him), and lean on Him as a sick child lies

in its mother’s arms, because it has no strength—not because it can do much.

How hard it is to receive that the work of God and of His Christ is always in weakness!  The rulers of the people saw in Peter and John unlearned and ignorant men. . . .  The thorn in the flesh made Paul despised, and he conceived it would be better if that were gone. . . .

It is God’s rule of action, if we may so say, to choose weak things.  Everything must rest on God’s power; otherwise God’s work cannot be done according to His mind. . . . 

For the work of God we must be weak, that, the strength may be of God; and that work will last when all the earth shall be moved away.

If I can help in that work it is a favour which He confers on me, but I think that often, when we wish to guide and govern too much, faith is wanting.

(Footprints for Pilgrims - J. N. Darby)

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September 27

The whirlwind passeth.  Proverbs 10:25   

Thou remainest.  Hebrews 1:11 

The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, 

and the clouds are the dust of His feet.   

Nahum1:3

Meditations - John Kaiser

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September 28

A bruised reed will He not break . . .  Matthew 12:20

After he found himself no longer able to render active Christian service,

Austin Phelps wrote, “One thought has assumed a new reality 

in my mind of late, as an offshoot of my useless life.

When a man can do nothing else, he can add his little rill (brook) to the 

great river of intercessory prayer which is always 

rolling up to the throne of God.

The river is made up of such rills as the ocean is of drops.

A praying man can never be a useless man.”

Make use of me, my God! let me not be forgot;

A broken vessel cast aside, one whom Thou needest not.

All things do serve Thee here, all creatures, great and small;

Make use of me, my God—the meanest of them all.

Dr. Horatius Bonar  

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September 29

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:13

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord, a wonderful Saviour to me, He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock, where rivers of pleasure I see.

A wonderful Saviour is Jesus my Lord, He taketh my burden away, He holdeth me up, and I shall not be moved, He giveth me strength as my day.

With numberless blessings each moment He crowns, and filled with His fullness divine, I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God for such a Redeemer as mine!

When clothed in His brightness, transported I rise to meet Him in clouds of the sky, His perfect salvation, His wonderful love, I’ll shout with the millions on high.

CHORUS:  He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life in the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand, And covers me there with His hand.

Fanny J. Crosby

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September 30

Neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.  Sanctify the Lord of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. And He shall be for a sanctuary.

Isaiah 8:12-14

I will not be afraid, for I know that He keepeth me safe from harm,

And He shall defend His own with a strong and a stretched-out arm;

Though I grope in perilous paths in darkness and danger and doubt,

I know as He brought me in, so He surely will bring me out.

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October 1

WHERE  ELSE  CAN  WE  GO?

Lord, to whom shall we go?

John 6:68

Peter gives three reasons for being a Christian.

He begins with the poorest, but it will do to start.

It is a matter of alternatives.

If we do not take Jesus’ way, what

 else can we do?  What are the other options? 

Look up any other road and what do  you see?

It comes to this: it is Jesus Christ or else.  There is only

one Book that has the Answer and Jesus Christ is that Answer.

I do not understand everything in the Book, but I stand on everything in it.

I look every other direction and I see only 

depravity, despair, and death.

Where could I go but to my Lord?

Vance Havner

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October 2

Jonathan and His Times

And Jonathan said to David, go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, the LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.   1 Samuel 20:42

And Barnabas  determined to take with them John whose surname was Mark.  But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other.  

Acts 15:37-39.

There is a remarkable similarity between Jonathan in the Old Testament and Barnabas in the New. Both were gracious and affectionate; both were signally used of God in their day; but both manifested deplorable weakness in a moment of crisis.

Barnabas broke with Paul, special vessel of the Spirit in his time; and Jonathan parted with David, Jehovah’s choice for the throne of Israel.  In both cases, natural affection was the snare; Barnabas could not give up John Mark, and Jonathan could not give up Saul.  

The break-down of these truly excellent saints is recorded for our instruction.  Perhaps there is nothing that so hinders full loyalty to Christ as natural affection.  We find it so difficult to give Him the place of absolute supremacy in our hearts and lives. 

In Luke 14:26 the Lord Jesus points out a similar path for all who would be His disciples.  The natural must be subservient to the spiritual if we would follow Him.  The rejected One—our God in "the likeness of sinful flesh” laid it down emphatically, “He that loveth father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me” Matthew 10:37   

What a test for our hearts!

(W.W. Feredy)

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October 3