Gems from June 2022
June 1
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
The first word, "Let", can be interpreted "Permit"; the thought being that there might be some hindrance to the mind of Christ being very active in us. It is important to realize that from the moment we are saved; having taken the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour, we are indeed possessors of the "mind of Christ". But, sad to say, the habits and responsibilities of life, to say nothing of passions or goals, often crowd out the "voice" of the mind of Christ from being discerned and acted upon.
It is like many of the spiritual blessings, ours from day 1 of our salvation, that are so little appreciated or put into practice, because we are so taken up with the ordinary pattern of life, and the effect it can have in blunting or diminishing the power and benefits of living according to our spiritual blessings. We may know just what those spiritual blessings are, but we do not even begin to appreciate them unless and until we work them into our daily walk.
The children of Israel were told, in Joshua 1:3, that a great territory could be theirs, way beyond the current boarders of Israel, but they first had to walk upon the whole of it; clearing out God's enemies as they went by taking strength from Him. They had some success but, in those historic times, never took it all.
That will actually come about in a future time when the Lord Jesus, in all His power and glory, will obtain the whole territory for Israel, and go on to see that the entire world is under His dominion and benevolent reign.
Lorne Perry (PART 1)
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and, things under the earth..." Philippians 2:10
N.J. Hiebert - 8864
The first word, "Let", can be interpreted "Permit"; the thought being that there might be some hindrance to the mind of Christ being very active in us. It is important to realize that from the moment we are saved; having taken the Lord Jesus as personal Saviour, we are indeed possessors of the "mind of Christ". But, sad to say, the habits and responsibilities of life, to say nothing of passions or goals, often crowd out the "voice" of the mind of Christ from being discerned and acted upon.
It is like many of the spiritual blessings, ours from day 1 of our salvation, that are so little appreciated or put into practice, because we are so taken up with the ordinary pattern of life, and the effect it can have in blunting or diminishing the power and benefits of living according to our spiritual blessings. We may know just what those spiritual blessings are, but we do not even begin to appreciate them unless and until we work them into our daily walk.
The children of Israel were told, in Joshua 1:3, that a great territory could be theirs, way beyond the current boarders of Israel, but they first had to walk upon the whole of it; clearing out God's enemies as they went by taking strength from Him. They had some success but, in those historic times, never took it all.
That will actually come about in a future time when the Lord Jesus, in all His power and glory, will obtain the whole territory for Israel, and go on to see that the entire world is under His dominion and benevolent reign.
Lorne Perry (PART 1)
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and, things under the earth..." Philippians 2:10
N.J. Hiebert - 8864
June 2
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God...made Himself of no reputation...was made in the likeness of men...He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross...God also hath highly exalted Him...that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow...and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:5-11
The mind of Christ has been described for us in very concise terms in the verses above. They trace the Lord's path from the Father's home above, into this world in the form of a man, walking in lock-step with the will of God, being obedient to the judgmental sacrifice of Himself on the cross, concluding with His triumphant resurrection, ascension and return to reign. It is in view of what marvels He accomplished for God and for us that we are instructed and encouraged to take on this same character, living daily according to how He lived.
There are two fundamental ways in which this spirit should be seen in our lives. The first is to demonstrate brotherly love and kindness to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The second is to reach out beyond that circle to those around us who still need to learn of their need of a Saviour; who He is and what He has done to prepare a way for them to inherit eternal life. The Lord also showed how dependent He was on God, His Father, and how often He was in prayer giving Him thanksgiving and praise. And this becomes another grand way we can act on the Spirit of Christ within us to magnify our Lord and exalt God, who is His and our Father.
Mark 10:13-16 tells of mothers desiring to bring their little children to Jesus. But there was a hindrance. Some of His disciples tried to turn them away so they wouldn't bother the Lord. But Jesus saw them and said "Suffer (or let) the little children to come unto Me". The message is that we need to clear away the difficulties or interruptions that hinder the work of blessing the Lord is ready to do through us. Most often, these difficulties are within ourselves. To let the Lord work through you, "Get out of the way!" Lorne Perry (Part 2)
N.J. Hiebert - 8865
The mind of Christ has been described for us in very concise terms in the verses above. They trace the Lord's path from the Father's home above, into this world in the form of a man, walking in lock-step with the will of God, being obedient to the judgmental sacrifice of Himself on the cross, concluding with His triumphant resurrection, ascension and return to reign. It is in view of what marvels He accomplished for God and for us that we are instructed and encouraged to take on this same character, living daily according to how He lived.
There are two fundamental ways in which this spirit should be seen in our lives. The first is to demonstrate brotherly love and kindness to our brothers and sisters in the Lord. The second is to reach out beyond that circle to those around us who still need to learn of their need of a Saviour; who He is and what He has done to prepare a way for them to inherit eternal life. The Lord also showed how dependent He was on God, His Father, and how often He was in prayer giving Him thanksgiving and praise. And this becomes another grand way we can act on the Spirit of Christ within us to magnify our Lord and exalt God, who is His and our Father.
Mark 10:13-16 tells of mothers desiring to bring their little children to Jesus. But there was a hindrance. Some of His disciples tried to turn them away so they wouldn't bother the Lord. But Jesus saw them and said "Suffer (or let) the little children to come unto Me". The message is that we need to clear away the difficulties or interruptions that hinder the work of blessing the Lord is ready to do through us. Most often, these difficulties are within ourselves. To let the Lord work through you, "Get out of the way!" Lorne Perry (Part 2)
N.J. Hiebert - 8865
June 3
My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Such words lead straight to a land where there is gold, and the gold of that land is good. Gold--the word recalls Job's affirmation, "When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold"; and Peter's "That the trial of your faith, being much more perisheth than of gold though it be tried with fire" (1 Peter 1:7); and the quiet word in (Malachi 3:3) "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
I have often thanked God that the word is not gold there, but silver. Silver is of little account in the East, and we feel more like silver than gold. But he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, so who need fear?
This picture of the Refiner is straight from Eastern life. The Eastern goldsmith sits on the floor by his crucible. For me, at least, it was not hard to know why the Heavenly Refiner had to sit so long. The heart knows its own dross. Blessed be the love that never wearies, never gives up hope that even in such poor metal He may at last see the reflection of His face. "How do you know when it is purified?" we asked our village goldsmith. "When I can see my face in it," he answered. Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8866
Such words lead straight to a land where there is gold, and the gold of that land is good. Gold--the word recalls Job's affirmation, "When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold"; and Peter's "That the trial of your faith, being much more perisheth than of gold though it be tried with fire" (1 Peter 1:7); and the quiet word in (Malachi 3:3) "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
I have often thanked God that the word is not gold there, but silver. Silver is of little account in the East, and we feel more like silver than gold. But he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, so who need fear?
This picture of the Refiner is straight from Eastern life. The Eastern goldsmith sits on the floor by his crucible. For me, at least, it was not hard to know why the Heavenly Refiner had to sit so long. The heart knows its own dross. Blessed be the love that never wearies, never gives up hope that even in such poor metal He may at last see the reflection of His face. "How do you know when it is purified?" we asked our village goldsmith. "When I can see my face in it," he answered. Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8866
June 4
RESTORATION BY CHASTISEMENT
He restoreth my soul . . . Psalm 23:3
Chastisement is one of our unpleasant blessings. In the exercise of it God reveals "the graver countenance of love". Correctly to understand its purpose and meaning and value, however, we must remember that it is not always or necessarily the result of sin. It is quite true, as the history of the ages solemnly testifies, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7); that, as one of our poets expresses it,
". . . Sorrow follows wrong, as echo follows song,
And every guilty deed holds within itself the seed
of retribution and undying pain."
But, admitting all this, the fact remains that retribution does not exhaust the purposes of God in chastisement. He has also lessons of education and soul-culture to teach by its means--lessons which, when learned, will issue in "the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11). It is for this reason that we are exhorted to "despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: for whom the Lord loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth" (Proverbs 3:11,12).
Assured, then, that chastisement may be educative as well as retributive, and that in either case it is the evidence of a love which ever has our profit in view, we turn to consider the classic passage which deals with it--(Hebrews 12:5-11). And if we examine that passage carefully we find that chastisement has always one of three effects upon us; we either despise it, or faint under it, or are exercised by it. The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8867
He restoreth my soul . . . Psalm 23:3
Chastisement is one of our unpleasant blessings. In the exercise of it God reveals "the graver countenance of love". Correctly to understand its purpose and meaning and value, however, we must remember that it is not always or necessarily the result of sin. It is quite true, as the history of the ages solemnly testifies, that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." (Galatians 6:7); that, as one of our poets expresses it,
". . . Sorrow follows wrong, as echo follows song,
And every guilty deed holds within itself the seed
of retribution and undying pain."
But, admitting all this, the fact remains that retribution does not exhaust the purposes of God in chastisement. He has also lessons of education and soul-culture to teach by its means--lessons which, when learned, will issue in "the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11). It is for this reason that we are exhorted to "despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of His correction: for whom the Lord loveth He correcteth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth" (Proverbs 3:11,12).
Assured, then, that chastisement may be educative as well as retributive, and that in either case it is the evidence of a love which ever has our profit in view, we turn to consider the classic passage which deals with it--(Hebrews 12:5-11). And if we examine that passage carefully we find that chastisement has always one of three effects upon us; we either despise it, or faint under it, or are exercised by it. The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8867
June 5
"I am the vine, ye are the branches. John 15:5
It was in connection with the Parable of the vine that our Lord first used the expression, "Abide in Me." That parable, so simple, and yet so rich in its teaching, gives us the best and most complete illustration of the meaning of our Lord's command, and the union to which He invites us.
The parable teaches us the nature of that union. The connection between the vine and the branch is a living one. No external, temporary union will suffice; no work of man can effect it: the branch, whether an original or an engrafted one, is such only by the Creator's own work, in virtue of which the life, the sap, the fatness, and the fruitfulness of the vine communicate themselves to the branch.
And just so it is with the believer too. His union with His Lord is no work of human wisdom or human will, but an act of God, by which the closest and most complete life-union is effected between the Son of God and the believer. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts." (Galatians 4:6) The same Spirit which dwelt and still dwells in the Son, becomes the life of the believer; in the unity of that one Spirit, and the fellowship of the same life which is in Christ, he is one with Him. As between the vine and the branch, it is a life-union that makes them one.
The parable teaches us the completeness of the union. So close is the union between the vine and the branch. Without the vine the branch can do nothing. To the vine it owes its right of place in the vineyard, its life and its fruitfulness. Abide in Christ - Andrew Murray
N.J. Hiebert - 8868
It was in connection with the Parable of the vine that our Lord first used the expression, "Abide in Me." That parable, so simple, and yet so rich in its teaching, gives us the best and most complete illustration of the meaning of our Lord's command, and the union to which He invites us.
The parable teaches us the nature of that union. The connection between the vine and the branch is a living one. No external, temporary union will suffice; no work of man can effect it: the branch, whether an original or an engrafted one, is such only by the Creator's own work, in virtue of which the life, the sap, the fatness, and the fruitfulness of the vine communicate themselves to the branch.
And just so it is with the believer too. His union with His Lord is no work of human wisdom or human will, but an act of God, by which the closest and most complete life-union is effected between the Son of God and the believer. "God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts." (Galatians 4:6) The same Spirit which dwelt and still dwells in the Son, becomes the life of the believer; in the unity of that one Spirit, and the fellowship of the same life which is in Christ, he is one with Him. As between the vine and the branch, it is a life-union that makes them one.
The parable teaches us the completeness of the union. So close is the union between the vine and the branch. Without the vine the branch can do nothing. To the vine it owes its right of place in the vineyard, its life and its fruitfulness. Abide in Christ - Andrew Murray
N.J. Hiebert - 8868
June 6
No man can come unto Me, except it were given him of My Father.
John 6:65
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
The coming was personal and individual; it may have been "in the press," (Mark 5:27) but we had nothing to do with the rest of the throng; we know in ourselves that we, you and I, individually, have come. That personal coming was because of God the Father's personal drawing. I do not know how He drew you, you do not know how He drew me, but without it most certainly neither you nor I ever could have come, because we never would have come.
This personal drawing by personal loving-kindness was because of personal and individual everlasting love. Coming only because drawn, drawn only because loved! Here we reach, and rest on, the firm foundation of the electing love of God in Christ, proved by His drawing, resulting in our coming! When we know that this sun is shining in the heaven of heavens, should we be watching every flicker of our little farthing candle of faith? (2 Timothy 2:13)
From no less fountain such a stream could flow,
No other root could yield so fair a flower:
Had He not loved, He had not drawn us so;
Had He not drawn, we had no will nor power
To rise, to come;--the Saviour had passed by
Where we in blindness sat without one care or cry.
Royal Bounty - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8869
John 6:65
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
The coming was personal and individual; it may have been "in the press," (Mark 5:27) but we had nothing to do with the rest of the throng; we know in ourselves that we, you and I, individually, have come. That personal coming was because of God the Father's personal drawing. I do not know how He drew you, you do not know how He drew me, but without it most certainly neither you nor I ever could have come, because we never would have come.
This personal drawing by personal loving-kindness was because of personal and individual everlasting love. Coming only because drawn, drawn only because loved! Here we reach, and rest on, the firm foundation of the electing love of God in Christ, proved by His drawing, resulting in our coming! When we know that this sun is shining in the heaven of heavens, should we be watching every flicker of our little farthing candle of faith? (2 Timothy 2:13)
From no less fountain such a stream could flow,
No other root could yield so fair a flower:
Had He not loved, He had not drawn us so;
Had He not drawn, we had no will nor power
To rise, to come;--the Saviour had passed by
Where we in blindness sat without one care or cry.
Royal Bounty - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8869
June 7
The tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5
Many according to the flesh would avoid giving a blow, who cannot restrain a passionate or hard word against a neighbour.
But if no man can restrain the tongue, the grace of Christ can do it, for the inner man on one side is under the yoke of the Lord, and is meek and lowly in heart: Christ fills the heart, and thus precisely because the tongue follows the impulses of the heart, the speech will express this meekness and lowliness.
For this, it is needful that Christ alone should dwell there, and the flesh be so held in check, that when temptation comes it may not stir.
It is difficult not to fail, but it is very useful to see that the tongue shows what is working within, just as the hands of a clock show the hidden workings of its wheels.
Brief Exposition of the Epistle of James - J. N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8870
Many according to the flesh would avoid giving a blow, who cannot restrain a passionate or hard word against a neighbour.
But if no man can restrain the tongue, the grace of Christ can do it, for the inner man on one side is under the yoke of the Lord, and is meek and lowly in heart: Christ fills the heart, and thus precisely because the tongue follows the impulses of the heart, the speech will express this meekness and lowliness.
For this, it is needful that Christ alone should dwell there, and the flesh be so held in check, that when temptation comes it may not stir.
It is difficult not to fail, but it is very useful to see that the tongue shows what is working within, just as the hands of a clock show the hidden workings of its wheels.
Brief Exposition of the Epistle of James - J. N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8870
June 8
If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself. John 7:17
The battle is fought in the citadel of the will. We have intelligence, emotions, and will. We may not be able to understand with the intelligence or feel with the emotions as we would like. We may not be able to understand with the intelligence or feel with the emotions as we would like, but we can take a stand in the will and be true to God, however all else may clamour.
Do not yield to confusion. Are you a man or a mob? Too many today do not have themselves in order and under command. Many a man is not a personality, he is a panic!
Of course, our poor wills, left unaided, are but cotton strings. But when we will the will of God He begins to work in us both to will and do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We submit to His will: "Thy will be done." (Matthew 26:42) Then we assert His will: "Thy will be done!" It is both passive and active. "Thy will be done" is not mere resignation to the inevitable, it is affirmation of the invincible.
However little the intelligence may understand or emotion feel, we take our stand in the will yielded to His will. Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8871
The battle is fought in the citadel of the will. We have intelligence, emotions, and will. We may not be able to understand with the intelligence or feel with the emotions as we would like. We may not be able to understand with the intelligence or feel with the emotions as we would like, but we can take a stand in the will and be true to God, however all else may clamour.
Do not yield to confusion. Are you a man or a mob? Too many today do not have themselves in order and under command. Many a man is not a personality, he is a panic!
Of course, our poor wills, left unaided, are but cotton strings. But when we will the will of God He begins to work in us both to will and do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We submit to His will: "Thy will be done." (Matthew 26:42) Then we assert His will: "Thy will be done!" It is both passive and active. "Thy will be done" is not mere resignation to the inevitable, it is affirmation of the invincible.
However little the intelligence may understand or emotion feel, we take our stand in the will yielded to His will. Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8871
June 9
A crown of thorns . . . upon His head. Matthew 27:29
What miserable heroes the soldiers were that day when they mocked God's lovely Son. A king? Then crown Him, and they pressed the thorns into His blessed brow. A king? Then anoint Him, so they spat in His face.
Be not deceived, for beneath that thorny crown lay all the authority of Godhood. One word and He could have forever banished His tormentors. But He loved them, and soon would die for them, and for us.
What a crown! What a king! what a love is this. J. Boyd Nicholson
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed! And did my Saviour die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut his glories in, When the incarnate Maker died for man His creature's sin.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee--'tis all that I can do.
Isaac Watts -1674-1748
N.J. Hiebert - 8872
What miserable heroes the soldiers were that day when they mocked God's lovely Son. A king? Then crown Him, and they pressed the thorns into His blessed brow. A king? Then anoint Him, so they spat in His face.
Be not deceived, for beneath that thorny crown lay all the authority of Godhood. One word and He could have forever banished His tormentors. But He loved them, and soon would die for them, and for us.
What a crown! What a king! what a love is this. J. Boyd Nicholson
Alas! and did my Saviour bleed! And did my Saviour die? Would He devote that sacred head for such a worm as I?
Was it for crimes that I have done He groaned upon the tree? Amazing pity, grace unknown, and love beyond degree!
Well might the sun in darkness hide, and shut his glories in, When the incarnate Maker died for man His creature's sin.
But drops of grief can ne'er repay the debt of love I owe; Here, Lord, I give myself to Thee--'tis all that I can do.
Isaac Watts -1674-1748
N.J. Hiebert - 8872
June 10
They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My Jewels. Malachi 3:17
What do God's children as jewels remind us of?
1. Like jewels, they are rare.
2. Like jewels, they are beautiful, brilliant, ornamental.
3. Like jewels, they are found in strange and unlikely places.
4. Like jewels, they are obtained only with much risk and trouble.
5. Like jewels, they have to be cut and polished to bring out
their beauty and value.
6. Like jewels, they are very valuable; hence they cost a great deal.
7. Like jewels, they are carefully preserved.
8. Like jewels, they will be collected and exhibited.
Sapphires, rubies, opals, precious every one;
The great Lapidary sees His work begun.
He will not relax His care till work is finished there. -- E.E.T.
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.
Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in His beauty, bright gems for His crown,
W. O. Cushing
N.J. Hiebert - 8873
What do God's children as jewels remind us of?
1. Like jewels, they are rare.
2. Like jewels, they are beautiful, brilliant, ornamental.
3. Like jewels, they are found in strange and unlikely places.
4. Like jewels, they are obtained only with much risk and trouble.
5. Like jewels, they have to be cut and polished to bring out
their beauty and value.
6. Like jewels, they are very valuable; hence they cost a great deal.
7. Like jewels, they are carefully preserved.
8. Like jewels, they will be collected and exhibited.
Sapphires, rubies, opals, precious every one;
The great Lapidary sees His work begun.
He will not relax His care till work is finished there. -- E.E.T.
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.
Like the stars of the morning, His bright crown adorning,
They shall shine in His beauty, bright gems for His crown,
W. O. Cushing
N.J. Hiebert - 8873
June 11
THE MOST VALUABLE LIFE
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, know and read of all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2
After all, the lives that do the most for the world are the steady, quiet lives. They are like stars; they just stay in their appointed places and shine with the light God has given them. Meteors shoot brilliantly across the sky, and we exclaim and wonder, but long after they have vanished the stars shine on to guide us.
I need not shout my faith:
Thrice eloquent are quiet trees,
And the green listening sod;
Hushed are the stars, whose power is never spent,
The hills are mute: yet how they speak of God.
Charles Hanson Towne
It is not necessarily the busiest, who are ever on the rush after some visible work; It is the lives like stars, which simply pour down upon us the calm light of their bright and faithful being, out of which we gather the deepest calm and courage. It is good to know that no man or woman can be strong, gentle, good, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.-- Philips Brooks
"The rose needs no tongue to tell its fragrance; the flower to speak its beauty. The best arguments for Christianity are the Christians themselves".
Calmness is the seal of strength.
N.J. HIebert - 8874
Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, know and read of all men. 2 Corinthians 3:2
After all, the lives that do the most for the world are the steady, quiet lives. They are like stars; they just stay in their appointed places and shine with the light God has given them. Meteors shoot brilliantly across the sky, and we exclaim and wonder, but long after they have vanished the stars shine on to guide us.
I need not shout my faith:
Thrice eloquent are quiet trees,
And the green listening sod;
Hushed are the stars, whose power is never spent,
The hills are mute: yet how they speak of God.
Charles Hanson Towne
It is not necessarily the busiest, who are ever on the rush after some visible work; It is the lives like stars, which simply pour down upon us the calm light of their bright and faithful being, out of which we gather the deepest calm and courage. It is good to know that no man or woman can be strong, gentle, good, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.-- Philips Brooks
"The rose needs no tongue to tell its fragrance; the flower to speak its beauty. The best arguments for Christianity are the Christians themselves".
Calmness is the seal of strength.
N.J. HIebert - 8874
June 12
STEADFASTNESS
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15
If anyone feels, as I did, smitten and penetrated by the force of those two words, looking back, I think you will find cheer from Psalm 25:15. How often, perhaps almost before we knew it, we have looked back; how often we have found ourselves caught in a net of longing. There is one way of deliverance: "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord:"
If only that be so, then not backward longings, not discouragements because of past failure,
"For Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes." (Psalm 26:3).
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)
So, like all the words of the Lord Jesus, this word goes deeper and deeper the more one thinks of it. All know this temptation, and our Lord, who was tempted in all points like as we are, must have know it too. But He never yielded. "Therefore have I set My face like a flint." (Isaiah 51:7) and, just before He warned others against looking back, it is written of Him, "He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51)
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8875
Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for He shall pluck my feet out of the net. Psalm 25:15
If anyone feels, as I did, smitten and penetrated by the force of those two words, looking back, I think you will find cheer from Psalm 25:15. How often, perhaps almost before we knew it, we have looked back; how often we have found ourselves caught in a net of longing. There is one way of deliverance: "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord:"
If only that be so, then not backward longings, not discouragements because of past failure,
"For Thy loving kindness is before mine eyes." (Psalm 26:3).
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise Him." (Psalm 28:7)
So, like all the words of the Lord Jesus, this word goes deeper and deeper the more one thinks of it. All know this temptation, and our Lord, who was tempted in all points like as we are, must have know it too. But He never yielded. "Therefore have I set My face like a flint." (Isaiah 51:7) and, just before He warned others against looking back, it is written of Him, "He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem." (Luke 9:51)
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8875
June 13
PRAYER AND INTEGRITY
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18)
Now, when God refuses to hear, we may be sure the Spirit refuses to assist; for God never rejects a prayer which His spirit indite(s). Have you defiled yourself with any known sin? Think not to have Him help you in prayer, till He has helped you to repent; He will carry you to the laver before He goes with you to the altar.
Take heed you pray not with a reservation: be sure you renounce what you would have God remit. . . . He that desires not to be purged from the filth of sin, prays in vain to be eased of the guilt. If we love the work of sin, we must take the wages. A false heart could be willing to have his sin covered, but the sincere desires his heart may be cleansed .
David begged a clean heart as well as as a quiet conscience: "Blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God." (Psalm 51:9,10) In nothing do our hearts more cheat us than in our prayers, and in no request more than those which are levelled against our lusts. That is often, times least intended, which is most pretended. . . . The saint's prayer may miscarry from some secret grudge that is lodged in his heart against his brother.
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8876
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me" (Psalm 66:18)
Now, when God refuses to hear, we may be sure the Spirit refuses to assist; for God never rejects a prayer which His spirit indite(s). Have you defiled yourself with any known sin? Think not to have Him help you in prayer, till He has helped you to repent; He will carry you to the laver before He goes with you to the altar.
Take heed you pray not with a reservation: be sure you renounce what you would have God remit. . . . He that desires not to be purged from the filth of sin, prays in vain to be eased of the guilt. If we love the work of sin, we must take the wages. A false heart could be willing to have his sin covered, but the sincere desires his heart may be cleansed .
David begged a clean heart as well as as a quiet conscience: "Blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God." (Psalm 51:9,10) In nothing do our hearts more cheat us than in our prayers, and in no request more than those which are levelled against our lusts. That is often, times least intended, which is most pretended. . . . The saint's prayer may miscarry from some secret grudge that is lodged in his heart against his brother.
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8876
June 14
For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Hebrews 10:37
Did you get up this morning and from the burnt toast onward you knew that it was going to be "one of those days"?
Nothing came out right, that letter you expected did not come, that prayer you prayed was not answered, your arthritis acted up worse than ever and all you were aware of was the cold hard law of cause and effect.
Not a break in the clouds, not a hint of heaven, everything was of the earth--earthy. Never mind, dear heart, it may have been "one of those days," but ahead lies "one of these days," another kind of day.
If you are in Christ, beyond the snow of winter lies the sunshine of spring, beyond the grave lies resurrection. Yet a little while and He that shall come will come and will not tarry. . . . All the Days - Vance Havner
Be not dismayed what'er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you .
REFRAIN: God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you. C. D. Martin
N.J. HIebert - 8877
Did you get up this morning and from the burnt toast onward you knew that it was going to be "one of those days"?
Nothing came out right, that letter you expected did not come, that prayer you prayed was not answered, your arthritis acted up worse than ever and all you were aware of was the cold hard law of cause and effect.
Not a break in the clouds, not a hint of heaven, everything was of the earth--earthy. Never mind, dear heart, it may have been "one of those days," but ahead lies "one of these days," another kind of day.
If you are in Christ, beyond the snow of winter lies the sunshine of spring, beyond the grave lies resurrection. Yet a little while and He that shall come will come and will not tarry. . . . All the Days - Vance Havner
Be not dismayed what'er betide, God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide, God will take care of you.
Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
All you may need He will provide, God will take care of you;
Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.
No matter what may be be the test, God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon His breast, God will take care of you .
REFRAIN: God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way;
He will take care of you, God will take care of you. C. D. Martin
N.J. HIebert - 8877
June 15
God, Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
2 Timothy 1:9,10.
The realization of the glory of the Lord and the greatness of the gospel will keep us from being ashamed of the testimony and prepare us to suffer affliction with the gospel.
It becomes clear from these verses that the two great themes of the gospel are salvation and calling. On the one hand the gospel proclaims the way of salvation; on the other hand it presents to us the purpose of God for which we are saved. We are apt to limit the gospel to the important question of our salvation; but so doing we miss the far deeper blessing connected with God's eternal purpose, and thus fail to enter into the heavenly calling.
It is plain that the first great object of the gospel is our salvation, and God would have the believer to be in no uncertainty as to this salvation, as we read in this Scripture, He "hath saved us." The blessed effect of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is to set the believer beyond the judgment due to him on account of his sins, and to deliver him from the course of this world.
So we read, He "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4). Though for the time we are actually in the world, we are, as set free from its power and influence, morally not of it.
The Second Epistle to Timothy - An Expository Outline by Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8878
The realization of the glory of the Lord and the greatness of the gospel will keep us from being ashamed of the testimony and prepare us to suffer affliction with the gospel.
It becomes clear from these verses that the two great themes of the gospel are salvation and calling. On the one hand the gospel proclaims the way of salvation; on the other hand it presents to us the purpose of God for which we are saved. We are apt to limit the gospel to the important question of our salvation; but so doing we miss the far deeper blessing connected with God's eternal purpose, and thus fail to enter into the heavenly calling.
It is plain that the first great object of the gospel is our salvation, and God would have the believer to be in no uncertainty as to this salvation, as we read in this Scripture, He "hath saved us." The blessed effect of the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is to set the believer beyond the judgment due to him on account of his sins, and to deliver him from the course of this world.
So we read, He "gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us out of this present evil world" (Galatians 1:4). Though for the time we are actually in the world, we are, as set free from its power and influence, morally not of it.
The Second Epistle to Timothy - An Expository Outline by Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8878
June 16
The Lord is my strength and my song, and He is become my salvation.
Exodus 15:2
He is mine! This is what rejoices every believer in the Lord Jesus. He is my beloved, and I am His! He is my strength. No other could do it. He is my song. No other would do it. And thus He has put a new song in my mouth.
He is my salvation. No other did or could do it. I rest my soul in His completed work by faith, and rejoice in the knowledge that now my salvation is nearer than when I believed.
E. Van Ryn
Jesus, my Saviour! Thou art mine, the Father's gift of love divine; All Thou hast done, and all Thou art, are now the portion of my heart.
Poor, feeble, wretched, as I am, I now can glory in Thy name; Now cleansed in Thy most precious blood and made the righteousness of God.
All that Thou hast Thou hast for me, all my fresh springs are hid in Thee; In Thee I live; while I confess I nothing am, yet all possess.
O Saviour, teach me to abide close sheltered at Thy wounded side, Each hour receiving "grace on grace," until I see Thee face to face.
J.G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8879
Exodus 15:2
He is mine! This is what rejoices every believer in the Lord Jesus. He is my beloved, and I am His! He is my strength. No other could do it. He is my song. No other would do it. And thus He has put a new song in my mouth.
He is my salvation. No other did or could do it. I rest my soul in His completed work by faith, and rejoice in the knowledge that now my salvation is nearer than when I believed.
E. Van Ryn
Jesus, my Saviour! Thou art mine, the Father's gift of love divine; All Thou hast done, and all Thou art, are now the portion of my heart.
Poor, feeble, wretched, as I am, I now can glory in Thy name; Now cleansed in Thy most precious blood and made the righteousness of God.
All that Thou hast Thou hast for me, all my fresh springs are hid in Thee; In Thee I live; while I confess I nothing am, yet all possess.
O Saviour, teach me to abide close sheltered at Thy wounded side, Each hour receiving "grace on grace," until I see Thee face to face.
J.G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8879
June 17
"And David rose up early in the morning. 1 Samuel 17:20
Like Christ, David is here a true servant. He "[rises] up early in the morning" (v.20) and takes his charge, so as to accomplish his father's will. Already anointed, he is the Spirit's man for this service, while at the same time maintaining his character of humility in the pastures of the sheep.
He comes into the camp, where his brothers accuse his confidence in God and his faith, of being pride and naughtiness of heart (v.28). We too can ever expect the same treatment ourselves in following the simple path of faith. Our relatives can no more understand our motives than the Lord's brothers could understand His. David answers Eliab: "What have I now done? Was it not laid upon me?" (v.29). What had he done to deserve being insulted? Did he not have a reason for going down to his brothers, when the God of Israel was daily being insulted by the enemy?
David asks what will be done for the man who kills the Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel (v26). He learns that the king will enrich him with great riches, will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free.
But it is not to obtain this reward that he enters the campaign; it is for God, for Israel's deliverance, to make the Lord known in all the earth, and that all the congregation should know how the Lord saves (vv.46-47). Doubtless his victory gives him, like Christ, great riches, a bride, and the liberation of his father's house, but this is the result rather than the purpose of his work.
David announces to Saul what he is going to accomplish (v.32). The king, who can think of nothing but human methods, wants to provide him with his own armour; but David cannot go with weapons belonging to the flesh, and he has never even tried them. He wants no other weapons than those a shepherd uses to defend or regather his sheep. As for us, the Word is that weapon that faith alone can use; it overthrows Satan. Human labour can have no part in such a conflict.
1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 8880
Like Christ, David is here a true servant. He "[rises] up early in the morning" (v.20) and takes his charge, so as to accomplish his father's will. Already anointed, he is the Spirit's man for this service, while at the same time maintaining his character of humility in the pastures of the sheep.
He comes into the camp, where his brothers accuse his confidence in God and his faith, of being pride and naughtiness of heart (v.28). We too can ever expect the same treatment ourselves in following the simple path of faith. Our relatives can no more understand our motives than the Lord's brothers could understand His. David answers Eliab: "What have I now done? Was it not laid upon me?" (v.29). What had he done to deserve being insulted? Did he not have a reason for going down to his brothers, when the God of Israel was daily being insulted by the enemy?
David asks what will be done for the man who kills the Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel (v26). He learns that the king will enrich him with great riches, will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free.
But it is not to obtain this reward that he enters the campaign; it is for God, for Israel's deliverance, to make the Lord known in all the earth, and that all the congregation should know how the Lord saves (vv.46-47). Doubtless his victory gives him, like Christ, great riches, a bride, and the liberation of his father's house, but this is the result rather than the purpose of his work.
David announces to Saul what he is going to accomplish (v.32). The king, who can think of nothing but human methods, wants to provide him with his own armour; but David cannot go with weapons belonging to the flesh, and he has never even tried them. He wants no other weapons than those a shepherd uses to defend or regather his sheep. As for us, the Word is that weapon that faith alone can use; it overthrows Satan. Human labour can have no part in such a conflict.
1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 8880
June 18
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; fore-bearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
Colossians 3:12-14
Here is one of the great basic truths of Christianity. The Christian has Christ as his life. Christ is all, not simply is his all, but Christ is all. There is no true Christian character at all in our life except only as Christ, who is our life, produces it.
The stream flows out in our manners and actions, but the spring is Christ Himself who is our life, dwelling within the heart by faith. Therefore it goes without saying that this life in us should be characterized by that same divine tenderness that was ever seen in Him as He walked down here in this world. What is this list here--bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, love--if not a perfect portrait of Christ?
And this is presented here as being what the Christian is to put on and display in his walk and ways, for Christ is his life. It was natural for Christ, for it is His nature. It is not natural in the Christian: it is something he has to put on by surrendering himself fully to Christ and letting Him take over his life fully into His own hands and reproduce there His own character of divine tenderness.
O teach us so the power to know
Of risen life with Thee;
Not we may live, while here below,
But Christ our life may be. J.G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8881
Colossians 3:12-14
Here is one of the great basic truths of Christianity. The Christian has Christ as his life. Christ is all, not simply is his all, but Christ is all. There is no true Christian character at all in our life except only as Christ, who is our life, produces it.
The stream flows out in our manners and actions, but the spring is Christ Himself who is our life, dwelling within the heart by faith. Therefore it goes without saying that this life in us should be characterized by that same divine tenderness that was ever seen in Him as He walked down here in this world. What is this list here--bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness, love--if not a perfect portrait of Christ?
And this is presented here as being what the Christian is to put on and display in his walk and ways, for Christ is his life. It was natural for Christ, for it is His nature. It is not natural in the Christian: it is something he has to put on by surrendering himself fully to Christ and letting Him take over his life fully into His own hands and reproduce there His own character of divine tenderness.
O teach us so the power to know
Of risen life with Thee;
Not we may live, while here below,
But Christ our life may be. J.G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8881
June 19
Let not your heart be troubled; ye believe in God, believe also in Me. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:1, 27. These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world John16:33.
That wonderful discourse recorded for us in John 14,16. begins and ends with a reference to trouble. In between, there come many references to some of the most profound truths that can occupy the human mind. Yet Christ ordained that His final utterance to His disciples ere He suffered should begin and end on the same note of comfort.
This is only another instance of the perfection of all His ways; and His ways are a revelation of Himself. He knew how careworn those disciples were at that moment; He had perceived the sorrow that had captured their hearts, and filled them with dread; and in His perfect love to them, He applies the balm that would heal their wounds.
As we have suggested, this ministry of consolation reveals Himself. He reminds them of His own triumph; and of the double necessity for His going away; (1) to prepare a place for them in the Father's House, and (2) that the other Comforter might come. And the lesson we learn is just this: all comfort in affliction--in sorrow and depression and heart sickness--and all victory over it, come to us through the knowledge of Him.
What tragedies are constantly happening in the world for want of this knowledge! There are men and women who have nowhere to turn in their desperate need, and when the world and its pleasures fail them, they give way to despair, or plunge deeper into sin, or, it may be, with their own hands, put an end to their existence.
Christ says to His own, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." And again, "Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." Faith in Him is the great remedy. He never fails. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
Our comfort midst all grief and thrall,
Our life in death, our all in all."
N.J. Hiebert - 8882
That wonderful discourse recorded for us in John 14,16. begins and ends with a reference to trouble. In between, there come many references to some of the most profound truths that can occupy the human mind. Yet Christ ordained that His final utterance to His disciples ere He suffered should begin and end on the same note of comfort.
This is only another instance of the perfection of all His ways; and His ways are a revelation of Himself. He knew how careworn those disciples were at that moment; He had perceived the sorrow that had captured their hearts, and filled them with dread; and in His perfect love to them, He applies the balm that would heal their wounds.
As we have suggested, this ministry of consolation reveals Himself. He reminds them of His own triumph; and of the double necessity for His going away; (1) to prepare a place for them in the Father's House, and (2) that the other Comforter might come. And the lesson we learn is just this: all comfort in affliction--in sorrow and depression and heart sickness--and all victory over it, come to us through the knowledge of Him.
What tragedies are constantly happening in the world for want of this knowledge! There are men and women who have nowhere to turn in their desperate need, and when the world and its pleasures fail them, they give way to despair, or plunge deeper into sin, or, it may be, with their own hands, put an end to their existence.
Christ says to His own, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me." And again, "Be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." Faith in Him is the great remedy. He never fails. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
Our comfort midst all grief and thrall,
Our life in death, our all in all."
N.J. Hiebert - 8882
June 20
All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad. Psalm 45:8
Our Lord was renowned for His fragrance in the world where men's mouths were open sepulchres and our tongues had used deceit. His mouth was most sweet, and His lips dropped sweet smelling myrrh, where every imagination of the thoughts or our "hearts was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Our Lord did the loveliest deeds in the most lovely way.
Some give without cheerfulness, but not the Lord Jesus; the love of friends is often mixed with dissimulation, but not His love. His kindness was lovingkindness, and His mercy tender mercy. When He cleansed the leper He touched him; when He showed grace to the woman in the temple (John 8) He did not desire to hear the details of the story of her shame. When the Lord gives wisdom He does not upbraid us for our ignorance (James 1:5); He does not scold because we know so little. The Lord Jesus always gave commendation before he administered reproof. His ways were full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The soul of our Lord was like the Holy of Holies where the cherubim stretched their wings above the mercy seat, and where the fragrance of the incense was a continual delight. His life was like a garden, where springtime beauty in the flowers "gives a good smell." He was renowned for His lovely words and loving deeds. There never was one like the Lord Jesus whose days, like Canaan, flowed with milk and honey.
No person might make a confection to smell like that used in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:38) for that fragrance was typical of Christ and no loveliness was ever lovely like His. There was only one such tender plant (Isaiah 53:2) and He was cut off out of the land of the living. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the lily of the field; but all the beauty of all the flowers, and all their fragrance, too, would not suffice to tell how altogether lovely He is.
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J. Hiebert - 8883
Our Lord was renowned for His fragrance in the world where men's mouths were open sepulchres and our tongues had used deceit. His mouth was most sweet, and His lips dropped sweet smelling myrrh, where every imagination of the thoughts or our "hearts was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5). Our Lord did the loveliest deeds in the most lovely way.
Some give without cheerfulness, but not the Lord Jesus; the love of friends is often mixed with dissimulation, but not His love. His kindness was lovingkindness, and His mercy tender mercy. When He cleansed the leper He touched him; when He showed grace to the woman in the temple (John 8) He did not desire to hear the details of the story of her shame. When the Lord gives wisdom He does not upbraid us for our ignorance (James 1:5); He does not scold because we know so little. The Lord Jesus always gave commendation before he administered reproof. His ways were full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.
The soul of our Lord was like the Holy of Holies where the cherubim stretched their wings above the mercy seat, and where the fragrance of the incense was a continual delight. His life was like a garden, where springtime beauty in the flowers "gives a good smell." He was renowned for His lovely words and loving deeds. There never was one like the Lord Jesus whose days, like Canaan, flowed with milk and honey.
No person might make a confection to smell like that used in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:38) for that fragrance was typical of Christ and no loveliness was ever lovely like His. There was only one such tender plant (Isaiah 53:2) and He was cut off out of the land of the living. Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like the lily of the field; but all the beauty of all the flowers, and all their fragrance, too, would not suffice to tell how altogether lovely He is.
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J. Hiebert - 8883
June 21
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out [Cultivate] your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:12,
It is many years since I worked on a farm, so I asked a dear farmer brother to help me out about "cultivating." This is what he said: "I have much enjoyed the thoughts you brought out about Philippians 2:12, and I'm sure it is a verse that has been a puzzle to many, and has been perhaps used in a wrong way by those who think Salvation is by works.
"I believe the word cultivate means just what you said, to loosen the soil so the rain and air can get to the roots so the plant may grow strong and bear fruit. One of the main purposes in cultivating too is to get rid of the weeds, for if they are allowed to grow, the tender plant is robbed of its vigour and cannot bear much fruit."
"Yes, I have followed the old horse drawn cultivator you speak of and sometimes the sun was pretty hot, and often it was dusty. Of course corn and soybeans were the main crops we cultivated, and we nearly always cultivate them three times during the season."
"Father always said the first cultivation was the main one, when the plants were young and tender, to get rid of the weeds while they were young, for when they get well rooted it is almost impossible to get rid of them, unless by the hoe, which on big acreage is almost never done being impracticable; but the hoe is a tool for cultivation, and a good one too, as one can get close to the plants without harming them."
In a crop like strawberries it is about the only tool one can use and very important, for weeds and grass will soon take the strawberries if they aren't hoed. "It seems to me very interesting, and makes the passage much easier to understand, when you see that 'work out' means to cultivate. The more valuable the crop is, the more carefully the farmer will cultivate it. How carefully and diligently we should cultivate salvation." Philippians - G. Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8884
It is many years since I worked on a farm, so I asked a dear farmer brother to help me out about "cultivating." This is what he said: "I have much enjoyed the thoughts you brought out about Philippians 2:12, and I'm sure it is a verse that has been a puzzle to many, and has been perhaps used in a wrong way by those who think Salvation is by works.
"I believe the word cultivate means just what you said, to loosen the soil so the rain and air can get to the roots so the plant may grow strong and bear fruit. One of the main purposes in cultivating too is to get rid of the weeds, for if they are allowed to grow, the tender plant is robbed of its vigour and cannot bear much fruit."
"Yes, I have followed the old horse drawn cultivator you speak of and sometimes the sun was pretty hot, and often it was dusty. Of course corn and soybeans were the main crops we cultivated, and we nearly always cultivate them three times during the season."
"Father always said the first cultivation was the main one, when the plants were young and tender, to get rid of the weeds while they were young, for when they get well rooted it is almost impossible to get rid of them, unless by the hoe, which on big acreage is almost never done being impracticable; but the hoe is a tool for cultivation, and a good one too, as one can get close to the plants without harming them."
In a crop like strawberries it is about the only tool one can use and very important, for weeds and grass will soon take the strawberries if they aren't hoed. "It seems to me very interesting, and makes the passage much easier to understand, when you see that 'work out' means to cultivate. The more valuable the crop is, the more carefully the farmer will cultivate it. How carefully and diligently we should cultivate salvation." Philippians - G. Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8884
June 22
Looking unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:2
Unto Jesus and not at the world, its customs, its example, its rules, its judgments;--
Unto Jesus and not at Satan, though he seek to terrify us by his fury, or to entice us by his flatteries.
--Oh! from how many useless questions we would save ourselves, from how many disturbing scruples, from how much loss of time, dangerous dallyings with evil, waste of energy, empty dreams, bitter disappointments, sorrowful struggles, and distressing falls, by looking steadily unto Jesus, and by following Him wherever He may lead us.
Then we shall be too much occupied with not losing sight of the path which He marks out for us, to waste even a glance on those in which He does not think it suitable to lead us.
Unto Jesus and not at our creeds, no mater how evangelical they may be. The faith which saves, which sanctifies, and which comforts, is not giving assent to the doctrine of salvation; it is being united to the person of the Saviour. "It is not enough", said Adolphe Monod, "to know about Jesus Christ, it is necessary to have Jesus Christ."
To this, one may add, that no one truly knows Him, if he does not first possess Him. According to the profound saying of the beloved disciple, it is in the Life, there is Light, and it is in Jesus there is Life. (John 1:4)
(Translated from the French of Theodore Monod by Helen Willis)
N.J. Hiebert - 8885
Unto Jesus and not at the world, its customs, its example, its rules, its judgments;--
Unto Jesus and not at Satan, though he seek to terrify us by his fury, or to entice us by his flatteries.
--Oh! from how many useless questions we would save ourselves, from how many disturbing scruples, from how much loss of time, dangerous dallyings with evil, waste of energy, empty dreams, bitter disappointments, sorrowful struggles, and distressing falls, by looking steadily unto Jesus, and by following Him wherever He may lead us.
Then we shall be too much occupied with not losing sight of the path which He marks out for us, to waste even a glance on those in which He does not think it suitable to lead us.
Unto Jesus and not at our creeds, no mater how evangelical they may be. The faith which saves, which sanctifies, and which comforts, is not giving assent to the doctrine of salvation; it is being united to the person of the Saviour. "It is not enough", said Adolphe Monod, "to know about Jesus Christ, it is necessary to have Jesus Christ."
To this, one may add, that no one truly knows Him, if he does not first possess Him. According to the profound saying of the beloved disciple, it is in the Life, there is Light, and it is in Jesus there is Life. (John 1:4)
(Translated from the French of Theodore Monod by Helen Willis)
N.J. Hiebert - 8885
June 23
Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. Exodus 12:5
Israel was to be delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the great power of God. But before taking them out, God required that they must be redeemed by blood. A sacrifice of a lamb was to take place, and the blood be put on the door posts and lintels of the houses. Where no blood was applied, at least one person in the house died that night.
The sacrifice must be a lamb, the figure of lowly submission. It is a type of the Lord Jesus, the only sacrifice satisfactory to God.
The lamb must be "without blemish." Who can possibly fit this requirement among men? Because of many spiritual and moral blemishes not one of us is suited to be such a sacrifice. The sacrifice must be pure, for no sinner could take away the sins of another. The Lord Jesus is the only One who can qualify for this.
The lamb must be a "yearling". It was to be eaten, and of course its tenderness is therefore implied. Who was tenderhearted enough to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins? Only the Lord Jesus. He was not forced to do such a thing, but willingly gave Himself. Wonderful grace and love!
The lamb must also be "a male," the stronger of the two genders. The emphasis therefore is on the fact that the sacrifice must be strong enough for the tremendous work of bearing sin and the sins of multitudes of people. We may think that one person could only rightly be a substitute for one another. If the Lord Jesus were merely man, this would be a difficulty.
But He is the eternal Son of God, not a finite being such as we are, but infinite. All the finite beings together could never reach an infinite number. But Christ is strong enough to embrace an infinite number of people, and to redeem them all from their sins, because He Himself is infinite. Wonderful is this pure, strong, willing sacrifice! The Lord is Near
N.J. Hiebert - 8886
Israel was to be delivered from the bondage of Egypt by the great power of God. But before taking them out, God required that they must be redeemed by blood. A sacrifice of a lamb was to take place, and the blood be put on the door posts and lintels of the houses. Where no blood was applied, at least one person in the house died that night.
The sacrifice must be a lamb, the figure of lowly submission. It is a type of the Lord Jesus, the only sacrifice satisfactory to God.
The lamb must be "without blemish." Who can possibly fit this requirement among men? Because of many spiritual and moral blemishes not one of us is suited to be such a sacrifice. The sacrifice must be pure, for no sinner could take away the sins of another. The Lord Jesus is the only One who can qualify for this.
The lamb must be a "yearling". It was to be eaten, and of course its tenderness is therefore implied. Who was tenderhearted enough to offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins? Only the Lord Jesus. He was not forced to do such a thing, but willingly gave Himself. Wonderful grace and love!
The lamb must also be "a male," the stronger of the two genders. The emphasis therefore is on the fact that the sacrifice must be strong enough for the tremendous work of bearing sin and the sins of multitudes of people. We may think that one person could only rightly be a substitute for one another. If the Lord Jesus were merely man, this would be a difficulty.
But He is the eternal Son of God, not a finite being such as we are, but infinite. All the finite beings together could never reach an infinite number. But Christ is strong enough to embrace an infinite number of people, and to redeem them all from their sins, because He Himself is infinite. Wonderful is this pure, strong, willing sacrifice! The Lord is Near
N.J. Hiebert - 8886
June 24
Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Luke 18:1
Prayer which takes the fact that past prayers have not been answered as a reason for languor, has already ceased to be the prayer of faith. To the prayer of faith the fact that prayers remain unanswered is only evidence that the moment of the answer is so much nearer.
From first to last, the lessons and examples of our Lord all tell us that prayer which cannot persevere and urge its plea importunately, and renew, and renew itself again, and gather strength from every past petition, is not the prayer that will prevail. William Arthur.
The motto of David Livingstone was in these words, "I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose." By unfaltering persistence and faith in God he conquered.
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire,
But all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Some times on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along; sometimes in the valley,
In darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along; through grace we can conquer,
Defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. G.A. Young
N.J. Hiebert - 8887
Prayer which takes the fact that past prayers have not been answered as a reason for languor, has already ceased to be the prayer of faith. To the prayer of faith the fact that prayers remain unanswered is only evidence that the moment of the answer is so much nearer.
From first to last, the lessons and examples of our Lord all tell us that prayer which cannot persevere and urge its plea importunately, and renew, and renew itself again, and gather strength from every past petition, is not the prayer that will prevail. William Arthur.
The motto of David Livingstone was in these words, "I determined never to stop until I had come to the end and achieved my purpose." By unfaltering persistence and faith in God he conquered.
In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along;
Where the water's cool flow bathes the weary one's feet,
God leads His dear children along.
Some through the waters, some through the flood, some through the fire,
But all through the blood; some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long.
Some times on the mount where the sun shines so bright,
God leads His dear children along; sometimes in the valley,
In darkest of night, God leads His dear children along.
Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose,
God leads His dear children along; through grace we can conquer,
Defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. G.A. Young
N.J. Hiebert - 8887
June 25
YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN
Ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
Let us remember as such who have been reconciled and have redemption through His blood that we are bought with a price. Through His death we are positionally dead; all who believe on Him have died. We are dead to the law, to the world, to sin. But are we truly living, walking and acting as such who have died, dead to sin and alive unto God?
A child of God who walks after the flesh practically denies the power and value of the blessed finished work of Christ on the cross.
Let us exalt in our ives, by our words and deeds, the cross of Christ. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" Galatians 6:14.
The Work of Christ - A. C. Gaebelein
N.J. Hiebert - 8888
Ye are not your own for ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. 1 Corinthians 6:19,20
Let us remember as such who have been reconciled and have redemption through His blood that we are bought with a price. Through His death we are positionally dead; all who believe on Him have died. We are dead to the law, to the world, to sin. But are we truly living, walking and acting as such who have died, dead to sin and alive unto God?
A child of God who walks after the flesh practically denies the power and value of the blessed finished work of Christ on the cross.
Let us exalt in our ives, by our words and deeds, the cross of Christ. "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world" Galatians 6:14.
The Work of Christ - A. C. Gaebelein
N.J. Hiebert - 8888
June 26
I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
Matthew 11:25
Christ could never lack divine wisdom. But with us it is very possible that wisdom may be lacking, even when will is subject, and we truly desire to do the will of God. Therefore the promise follows, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." (James 1:5) Absence of will, obedience, and the spirit of confiding dependence which waits on God, characterise the new life.
We pass through tribulation in the world; but this life develops itself in these qualities. But it is necessary this confidence should be in exercise; otherwise we can receive nothing. It does not honour God to distrust HIm.
Such a man is double-minded, like a wave of the sea driven by the wind. He is unstable, because his heart is not in communion with God; he does not live in a way known to Him; such an one is, of course, unstable (James 1:6-8).
If a believer keeps in the presence of God, near Him, he knows Him, and will understand His will; he will not have a will of his own, and will not wish to have one; not only on the ground of obedience, but because he has more confidence in the thoughts of God concerning him than he has in his own will.
James - J.N. Darby
Submission to the will of Him Who guides me still,
Is surety of His love revealed; my soul shall rise above,
This world in which we move; I conquer only where I yield.
C. Austin Miles
N.J. Hiebert - 8889
Christ could never lack divine wisdom. But with us it is very possible that wisdom may be lacking, even when will is subject, and we truly desire to do the will of God. Therefore the promise follows, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not." (James 1:5) Absence of will, obedience, and the spirit of confiding dependence which waits on God, characterise the new life.
We pass through tribulation in the world; but this life develops itself in these qualities. But it is necessary this confidence should be in exercise; otherwise we can receive nothing. It does not honour God to distrust HIm.
Such a man is double-minded, like a wave of the sea driven by the wind. He is unstable, because his heart is not in communion with God; he does not live in a way known to Him; such an one is, of course, unstable (James 1:6-8).
If a believer keeps in the presence of God, near Him, he knows Him, and will understand His will; he will not have a will of his own, and will not wish to have one; not only on the ground of obedience, but because he has more confidence in the thoughts of God concerning him than he has in his own will.
James - J.N. Darby
Submission to the will of Him Who guides me still,
Is surety of His love revealed; my soul shall rise above,
This world in which we move; I conquer only where I yield.
C. Austin Miles
N.J. Hiebert - 8889
June 27
God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way...but it displeased Jonah exceedingly and he was very angry. And he prayed. Jonah 3:10, 4:1
Displeasure and anger do not make a very good beginning to prayer, so perhaps we need not wonder when we hear what he prayed. Though he addressed his words to God, it is only too evident that his eyes were on himself, and on what he fancied were his wrongs. This is not the first prayer of Jonah to which we have listened.
How different was this prayer, from the one sent up to God from the belly of the great fish! At that time his eyes were toward God's holy mountain. He was looking away from self to God, but now he was looking away from God to self. It may be that we have prayed in a very similar state of mind. It may be that we have gone to God to complain or to accuse, instead of to beseech. It may be that instead of lifting up our eyes to heaven, as our Lord did when He prayed (John 17:1), we have turned our eyes down to ourselves, or around to our brethren, and the sights that we see in either case almost surely make us displeased and angry.
Let us look for a moment at Jonah's prayer. Surely it was only grace that could call it a prayer, for we will see that there was little about it that conformed to a true prayer. He begins: "Ah, Jehovah, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?" This is a question, not a prayer--and a question put to Jehovah in order to justify himself for the very sin and disobedience that had already brought such terrible chastisement on him, and of which we thought he had truly repented. Then note these words, "my saying...my country." (Jonah 4:2).
Can we not see the pride of self and pride of country, just, sticking out here? Are we any better? Which of us does not naturally like to speak of himself, and repeat "my saying," tell what I have said, and prove that I was right? It might have been one of us speaking, instead of Jonah the prophet: only then we would not be so hard on the speaker. And Jonah had quite forgotten that, after all, the country was God's country, and not his. The Lord had definitely said, of that particular country,
"The land is Mine." (Leviticus 25:23) Lessons from Jonah - G. C, Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8890
Displeasure and anger do not make a very good beginning to prayer, so perhaps we need not wonder when we hear what he prayed. Though he addressed his words to God, it is only too evident that his eyes were on himself, and on what he fancied were his wrongs. This is not the first prayer of Jonah to which we have listened.
How different was this prayer, from the one sent up to God from the belly of the great fish! At that time his eyes were toward God's holy mountain. He was looking away from self to God, but now he was looking away from God to self. It may be that we have prayed in a very similar state of mind. It may be that we have gone to God to complain or to accuse, instead of to beseech. It may be that instead of lifting up our eyes to heaven, as our Lord did when He prayed (John 17:1), we have turned our eyes down to ourselves, or around to our brethren, and the sights that we see in either case almost surely make us displeased and angry.
Let us look for a moment at Jonah's prayer. Surely it was only grace that could call it a prayer, for we will see that there was little about it that conformed to a true prayer. He begins: "Ah, Jehovah, was not this my saying when I was yet in my country?" This is a question, not a prayer--and a question put to Jehovah in order to justify himself for the very sin and disobedience that had already brought such terrible chastisement on him, and of which we thought he had truly repented. Then note these words, "my saying...my country." (Jonah 4:2).
Can we not see the pride of self and pride of country, just, sticking out here? Are we any better? Which of us does not naturally like to speak of himself, and repeat "my saying," tell what I have said, and prove that I was right? It might have been one of us speaking, instead of Jonah the prophet: only then we would not be so hard on the speaker. And Jonah had quite forgotten that, after all, the country was God's country, and not his. The Lord had definitely said, of that particular country,
"The land is Mine." (Leviticus 25:23) Lessons from Jonah - G. C, Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8890
June 28
USELESS OR USEFUL OCCUPATION
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
What about our letter writing? Have we not been tempted (and fallen before the temptation), according to our various dispositions, to let the hand that holds the pen move at the impulse to write an unkind thought of another;
- or to say a clever and sarcastic thing,
- or a slightly, exaggerated thing, which will make our point more telling;
- or to let out a grumble or a suspicion;
- or to let the pen run away with us into flippant and trifling words, unworthy of
our high and holy calling?
Have we not drifted away from the golden reminder, "Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?" (Job 15:3) Why has this been, perhaps again and again? Is it not for want of putting our hands into our dear Master's hand, and asking and trusting Him to keep them? He could have kept; He would have kept! Whatever our work or our special temptations may be, the principle remains the same, only let us apply it for ourselves.
I look up to my Father, and know that I am heard,
And ask Him for the glowing thought, and for the fitting word;
I look up to my Father, for I cannot write alone.
'Tis sweeter far to seek His strength than lean upon my own
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8891
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
What about our letter writing? Have we not been tempted (and fallen before the temptation), according to our various dispositions, to let the hand that holds the pen move at the impulse to write an unkind thought of another;
- or to say a clever and sarcastic thing,
- or a slightly, exaggerated thing, which will make our point more telling;
- or to let out a grumble or a suspicion;
- or to let the pen run away with us into flippant and trifling words, unworthy of
our high and holy calling?
Have we not drifted away from the golden reminder, "Should he reason with unprofitable talk? or with speeches wherewith he can do no good?" (Job 15:3) Why has this been, perhaps again and again? Is it not for want of putting our hands into our dear Master's hand, and asking and trusting Him to keep them? He could have kept; He would have kept! Whatever our work or our special temptations may be, the principle remains the same, only let us apply it for ourselves.
I look up to my Father, and know that I am heard,
And ask Him for the glowing thought, and for the fitting word;
I look up to my Father, for I cannot write alone.
'Tis sweeter far to seek His strength than lean upon my own
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8891
June 29
SPIRITUAL REFRESHMENT FROM THE ROCK
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4
Water was in the rock, but until smitten, it did not give forth water--so it was with Christ. And now He is revealed to us in heaven as the eternal Son of God, who was smitten for us. We can turn to Him and say, "There is our spring of living water; He is ours. We have got eternal life in Him as a well of water springing up." All the way through the wilderness, the water flowed to slake their thirst, to refresh them; all the way, and it spoke blessedly of Christ.
The freshness of heart in Christ was always the same. You and I get so weary in our experience of the wilderness, but Christ's heart is never wearied. It is as freshly set on the bride as when God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
Whatever the mind is most fixed upon, and is ever turning to, gives its impression to the mind. If my feelings and thoughts are fixed on Christ, I get the imprint of Christ. If I am ever turning to Him in all His heavenly measure of love, I shall get the impression of it.
He does not forget us toiling through the wilderness and the sands of the desert. He is with us all the way, and all freshness is in Him. I may be a way-worn pilgrim, but there I shall find freshness--a spring of cold water to refresh me just when fainting in the wilderness. Oh, that love in the heart of Christ that knows no weariness, no dragging steps, no hanging down of the hands. Oh, the freshness of Christ's love and the brightness of that water forever flowing in incomparable purity and freshness! G. V. Wigram
On to Canaan's rest still wending, e'en thy wants and woes shall bring
Suited grace from high descending, thou shalt taste of mercy's spring. J.N.Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8892
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:4
Water was in the rock, but until smitten, it did not give forth water--so it was with Christ. And now He is revealed to us in heaven as the eternal Son of God, who was smitten for us. We can turn to Him and say, "There is our spring of living water; He is ours. We have got eternal life in Him as a well of water springing up." All the way through the wilderness, the water flowed to slake their thirst, to refresh them; all the way, and it spoke blessedly of Christ.
The freshness of heart in Christ was always the same. You and I get so weary in our experience of the wilderness, but Christ's heart is never wearied. It is as freshly set on the bride as when God chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.
Whatever the mind is most fixed upon, and is ever turning to, gives its impression to the mind. If my feelings and thoughts are fixed on Christ, I get the imprint of Christ. If I am ever turning to Him in all His heavenly measure of love, I shall get the impression of it.
He does not forget us toiling through the wilderness and the sands of the desert. He is with us all the way, and all freshness is in Him. I may be a way-worn pilgrim, but there I shall find freshness--a spring of cold water to refresh me just when fainting in the wilderness. Oh, that love in the heart of Christ that knows no weariness, no dragging steps, no hanging down of the hands. Oh, the freshness of Christ's love and the brightness of that water forever flowing in incomparable purity and freshness! G. V. Wigram
On to Canaan's rest still wending, e'en thy wants and woes shall bring
Suited grace from high descending, thou shalt taste of mercy's spring. J.N.Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8892
June 30
And He said unto them, with desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15
The storm was gathering outside, preparations for his arrest and condemnation and crucifixion were being rapidly completed, and Judas, who knew all about it, sat there at the table with Him, with the price of his treachery in his bag. And Jesus knew all this. Never before had the powers of darkness been so stirred; this was the supreme hour; men were but the puppets on the stage, guilty puppets, playing their part with willing hearts; but behind them were the forces of evil determined to crush that one lowly Man, and to finish forever at one blow their long fight with God--and Jesus knew this.
But His disciples, and we, were His one thought. They loved Him, but He loved them more; and it was His desire, not theirs, that had brought them together for that sacred occasion. The Passover Feast commemorated the deliverance of Israel from Egypt; the lamb roasted with fire upon which they fed year by year turned the eye of faith forward to His coming. And now He had come, and there He sat to share with them that meal which spoke so eloquently of what He would do.
It was at the Passover Feast that He instituted the supper, which we know and love as the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11); and this He did entirely in view of His absence from them. He was to be no more with them, and they would miss His blessed company; and the measure in which they would miss Him would show the measure of their love to Him.
And so it is now: the Lord is not here; He has no place in the world; its politics, social circles, pleasures, and schemes have no room for Him. Are we conscious of His absence, and of this? If we love Him we shall miss Him and shall long for the time when He shall come to take us to His Father's house, that where He is we may be also. J. T, Mawson
N.J. Hiebert - 8893
The storm was gathering outside, preparations for his arrest and condemnation and crucifixion were being rapidly completed, and Judas, who knew all about it, sat there at the table with Him, with the price of his treachery in his bag. And Jesus knew all this. Never before had the powers of darkness been so stirred; this was the supreme hour; men were but the puppets on the stage, guilty puppets, playing their part with willing hearts; but behind them were the forces of evil determined to crush that one lowly Man, and to finish forever at one blow their long fight with God--and Jesus knew this.
But His disciples, and we, were His one thought. They loved Him, but He loved them more; and it was His desire, not theirs, that had brought them together for that sacred occasion. The Passover Feast commemorated the deliverance of Israel from Egypt; the lamb roasted with fire upon which they fed year by year turned the eye of faith forward to His coming. And now He had come, and there He sat to share with them that meal which spoke so eloquently of what He would do.
It was at the Passover Feast that He instituted the supper, which we know and love as the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11); and this He did entirely in view of His absence from them. He was to be no more with them, and they would miss His blessed company; and the measure in which they would miss Him would show the measure of their love to Him.
And so it is now: the Lord is not here; He has no place in the world; its politics, social circles, pleasures, and schemes have no room for Him. Are we conscious of His absence, and of this? If we love Him we shall miss Him and shall long for the time when He shall come to take us to His Father's house, that where He is we may be also. J. T, Mawson
N.J. Hiebert - 8893
July 1
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.
Exodus 13:21
What is of importance to notice here is that the people of Israel were divinely guided on their march. He who selected their path guided them in it, went before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, in all their wanderings. These gracious symbols of His presence He never took from them as long as they were in the wilderness.
This is only an illustration of the truth, that the Lord is ever the guide of His people. He who leads them out of Egypt may ever be seen before them in the path on which they have entered. He never says, "Go"; but His word is always, "Follow Me." He Himself is the Way, as well as the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
It is quite true that we have not the visible guidance which the children of Israel enjoyed; but it is no less discernible and certain to the spiritual eye. The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It is interesting to remark that there was no such guidance in Egypt or in the land.
This brings out the important truth, that it is only in the wilderness that the indication of a way is needed. And there it is in His tenderness and mercy that the Lord leads His own, showing them the way in which they should walk, where they should rest, and when they should march, leaving nothing to them, but Himself undertaking all for them, only requiring that their eyes should be kept fixed on their Guide. Happy are the people who are thus led, and who are made willing to follow, who by grace are enabled to say, "Only Thou our Leader be, and we still will follow Thee." Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8894
What is of importance to notice here is that the people of Israel were divinely guided on their march. He who selected their path guided them in it, went before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, in all their wanderings. These gracious symbols of His presence He never took from them as long as they were in the wilderness.
This is only an illustration of the truth, that the Lord is ever the guide of His people. He who leads them out of Egypt may ever be seen before them in the path on which they have entered. He never says, "Go"; but His word is always, "Follow Me." He Himself is the Way, as well as the Truth and the Life (John 14:6).
It is quite true that we have not the visible guidance which the children of Israel enjoyed; but it is no less discernible and certain to the spiritual eye. The Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 119:105). It is interesting to remark that there was no such guidance in Egypt or in the land.
This brings out the important truth, that it is only in the wilderness that the indication of a way is needed. And there it is in His tenderness and mercy that the Lord leads His own, showing them the way in which they should walk, where they should rest, and when they should march, leaving nothing to them, but Himself undertaking all for them, only requiring that their eyes should be kept fixed on their Guide. Happy are the people who are thus led, and who are made willing to follow, who by grace are enabled to say, "Only Thou our Leader be, and we still will follow Thee." Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8894
July 2
My times are in Thy hands. Psalm 31:15 - Rejoice, with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be kindly affectioned one to another...in honour preferring one another. Romans12: 10,15 - Look not ever man on his own things [interests] but every man also on the things [interests] of others. Philippians 2:4
Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a patient mind, intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching, wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and wipe the weeping eyes;
A heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.
I ask Thee for the daily strength to none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space if Thou be glorified.
In service which Thy love appoints there are no bonds for me;
My inmost heart is taught the truth that makes Thy children free:
A life of self renouncing love is one of liberty.
Wherever in the world I am, in whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait.
So I ask Thee for daily strength to none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space if Thou be glorified.
There are briars besetting every path that call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere. Anna Waring 1823-1910
N.J. Hiebert - 8895
Father, I know that all my life is portioned out for me,
And the changes that are sure to come I do not fear to see;
But I ask Thee for a patient mind, intent on pleasing Thee.
I ask Thee for a thoughtful love, through constant watching, wise,
To meet the glad with joyful smiles, and wipe the weeping eyes;
A heart at leisure from itself, to soothe and sympathize.
I ask Thee for the daily strength to none that ask denied,
A mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space if Thou be glorified.
In service which Thy love appoints there are no bonds for me;
My inmost heart is taught the truth that makes Thy children free:
A life of self renouncing love is one of liberty.
Wherever in the world I am, in whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts to keep and cultivate;
And a work of lowly love to do for the Lord on whom I wait.
So I ask Thee for daily strength to none that ask denied,
And a mind to blend with outward life while keeping at Thy side;
Content to fill a little space if Thou be glorified.
There are briars besetting every path that call for patient care;
There is a cross in every lot, and an earnest need for prayer;
But a lowly heart that leans on Thee is happy anywhere. Anna Waring 1823-1910
N.J. Hiebert - 8895
July 3
And thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thy heart. Deuteronomy 8:2
The wilderness life tends to bring out a great deal of the evil that is in our hearts. We begin our Christian careers with the joy of deliverance, but it is as we go on from stage to stage of our desert course that we become acquainted with self. But we are not to suppose that as we grow in self-knowledge our joy must decline. Quite the opposite! For then our joy would depend on ignorance of self, whereas it really depends on our Knowledge of God.
As the believer goes onward, he learns that sin is a reality; that divine grace is a reality; that salvation is a reality--a deep, personal reality; and that the advocacy of Christ is a reality. In a word, he learns the depth, the fullness, the power, the application of God's gracious resources. As Moses said to Israel (vv.3-4), "He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger [not that you might be driven to despair, but that he might feed] thee with the manna...thy raiment waxed (grew) not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years."
"Thou shalt remember!" What a touching and beautiful appeal! Remember forty years of evidence of what was in the heart of God toward His redeemed people whom He clothed, fed, and cared for in a vast and howling wilderness. What a noble and soul-satisfying display of the fullness of divine resources!
How is it possible that, with the history of Israel's desert wandering lying open before us, we could ever harbour a single doubt or fear! Oh! that our hearts may be more completely emptied of self and more completely filled with Christ. This alone brings true holiness and true happiness. C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8896
The wilderness life tends to bring out a great deal of the evil that is in our hearts. We begin our Christian careers with the joy of deliverance, but it is as we go on from stage to stage of our desert course that we become acquainted with self. But we are not to suppose that as we grow in self-knowledge our joy must decline. Quite the opposite! For then our joy would depend on ignorance of self, whereas it really depends on our Knowledge of God.
As the believer goes onward, he learns that sin is a reality; that divine grace is a reality; that salvation is a reality--a deep, personal reality; and that the advocacy of Christ is a reality. In a word, he learns the depth, the fullness, the power, the application of God's gracious resources. As Moses said to Israel (vv.3-4), "He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger [not that you might be driven to despair, but that he might feed] thee with the manna...thy raiment waxed (grew) not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years."
"Thou shalt remember!" What a touching and beautiful appeal! Remember forty years of evidence of what was in the heart of God toward His redeemed people whom He clothed, fed, and cared for in a vast and howling wilderness. What a noble and soul-satisfying display of the fullness of divine resources!
How is it possible that, with the history of Israel's desert wandering lying open before us, we could ever harbour a single doubt or fear! Oh! that our hearts may be more completely emptied of self and more completely filled with Christ. This alone brings true holiness and true happiness. C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8896
July 4
posted by soundwords at
June 01, 2022
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