Gems from July 2022
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
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
And the child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli...the Lord called Samuel (v.4)...the Lord called yet again, Samuel (v.6)...Samuel did not yet know the Lord, neither was the word of the Lord yet revealed unto him (v.7)...the Lord called Samuel again the third time (v.8)...Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if He call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth...(v.9).
In chapter 1, Eli lacked discernment; in chapter 2, he lacked the moral courage to separate himself from evil; here, his eyes are dim and he cannot see, nevertheless the lamp of God had not yet gone out--a striking image of his moral condition. And what is more, this leader of the simple proves himself to be dull of understanding. It is not until the third call that "Eli perceived that Jehovah was calling the boy." Yes, "dull of hearing": that is exactly what he had become.
Samuel was simply ignorant, which is a thousand times better. When there is godliness, God remedies ignorance. If the new born babe desires "the pure milk of the word," he will not be refused. Here on earth we know only in part and we will never know otherwise than only in part. That we are not responsible for; but it is a question of growth: "that by it ye may grow" (1 Peter 2:2), and our responsibility is to seek, to this end, spiritual food.
Here we find a feature of Eli's spiritual weakening: "For the iniquity which he hath known, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" (v13). Eli knew the evil, and he had authority to repress it in his sons, but he did not use it. What profit was it to him that this authority had been entrusted to him by God? How often the spiritual weakening of the head of a family stems from his slackness when he should have maintained order and discipline in the sphere where his authority was meant to function? This is a great cause of ruin, like Lot, Eli was "distressed with abandoned conversation [manner of life] of the godless." but like him, he displayed a sad forgetfulness of what was due to the Lord's holiness. 1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 8897
In chapter 1, Eli lacked discernment; in chapter 2, he lacked the moral courage to separate himself from evil; here, his eyes are dim and he cannot see, nevertheless the lamp of God had not yet gone out--a striking image of his moral condition. And what is more, this leader of the simple proves himself to be dull of understanding. It is not until the third call that "Eli perceived that Jehovah was calling the boy." Yes, "dull of hearing": that is exactly what he had become.
Samuel was simply ignorant, which is a thousand times better. When there is godliness, God remedies ignorance. If the new born babe desires "the pure milk of the word," he will not be refused. Here on earth we know only in part and we will never know otherwise than only in part. That we are not responsible for; but it is a question of growth: "that by it ye may grow" (1 Peter 2:2), and our responsibility is to seek, to this end, spiritual food.
Here we find a feature of Eli's spiritual weakening: "For the iniquity which he hath known, because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" (v13). Eli knew the evil, and he had authority to repress it in his sons, but he did not use it. What profit was it to him that this authority had been entrusted to him by God? How often the spiritual weakening of the head of a family stems from his slackness when he should have maintained order and discipline in the sphere where his authority was meant to function? This is a great cause of ruin, like Lot, Eli was "distressed with abandoned conversation [manner of life] of the godless." but like him, he displayed a sad forgetfulness of what was due to the Lord's holiness. 1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 8897
July 5
THE REJECTED ONE WILL GOVERN THE EARTH
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh...God hath showed Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41:25
The wise men of Egypt doubtless had their theories as to the future of Egypt, and shaped their policies and made their plans in accordance with their own ideas--even as today the leaders, of this world, whether political, religious, intellectual, capitalist, or labour, have their various theories of future government of the world.
But there is one thing in common--all the theories of men leave God out of God's world. Men will not own God as "the God of heaven and earth." God is welcome to heaven, about which man knows nothing and cares less, but as for earth, the center of all man's affections, it must be governed according to man's ideal which enthrones the will of man as supreme to the total exclusion of God.
Nevertheless, God has His plans for the future government of the world, and of these plans He has not left us in ignorance. In Pharaoh's day, He showed Pharaoh by a dream what He was about to do. In our day He has shown us still more plainly by direct revelation what He is about to do. God was going to govern Egypt by one who had been rejected by his brethren, cast out, and forgotten by the world. And God has disclosed to us that according to His good pleasure He has purposed to head up all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth (Ephesians 1:10).
The One, who, when He entered the world, found "no room" even in a wayside inn, who, as He passed through it, was "a stranger in the land" and a "wayfaring man" with not where to lay His head, who when He went out of the world was nailed to a cross between two thieves, is the One of whom God has decreed, "The government shall be upon His shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6).
Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8898
And Joseph said unto Pharaoh...God hath showed Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41:25
The wise men of Egypt doubtless had their theories as to the future of Egypt, and shaped their policies and made their plans in accordance with their own ideas--even as today the leaders, of this world, whether political, religious, intellectual, capitalist, or labour, have their various theories of future government of the world.
But there is one thing in common--all the theories of men leave God out of God's world. Men will not own God as "the God of heaven and earth." God is welcome to heaven, about which man knows nothing and cares less, but as for earth, the center of all man's affections, it must be governed according to man's ideal which enthrones the will of man as supreme to the total exclusion of God.
Nevertheless, God has His plans for the future government of the world, and of these plans He has not left us in ignorance. In Pharaoh's day, He showed Pharaoh by a dream what He was about to do. In our day He has shown us still more plainly by direct revelation what He is about to do. God was going to govern Egypt by one who had been rejected by his brethren, cast out, and forgotten by the world. And God has disclosed to us that according to His good pleasure He has purposed to head up all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth (Ephesians 1:10).
The One, who, when He entered the world, found "no room" even in a wayside inn, who, as He passed through it, was "a stranger in the land" and a "wayfaring man" with not where to lay His head, who when He went out of the world was nailed to a cross between two thieves, is the One of whom God has decreed, "The government shall be upon His shoulder" (Isaiah 9:6).
Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8898
July 6
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father's house are many mansions...I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:1-3
Louisa and her husband were relaxing with their four-year old daughter on Long Island beach when they heard a desperate child's cry. A boy was drowning, and Louisa's husband tried to rescue him. In the process, the boy pulled Mr. Stead under water, and both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched.
Louisa Stead was left with no means of support except the Lord. She and her daughter experienced dire poverty. One morning, when she had neither funds nor food for the day, she opened the front door and found that someone had left food and money on her doorstep. That day she wrote this hymn.
Sometimes we voice platitudes about our Christianity--glibly quoting Scripture and singing songs about trusting Jesus. For Stead, there was nothing glib or superficial about it. Her hymn remains a timeless reminder and comfort to all believers who have experienced this same truth: "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him; how I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more."
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know "Thus saith the Lord."
O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood,
Just in simple faith to plunge me 'neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease.
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.
I'm so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that He is with me, will be with me to the end.
REFRAIN: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more! Louisa Stead 1850-1917)
N.J. Hiebert - 8899
Louisa and her husband were relaxing with their four-year old daughter on Long Island beach when they heard a desperate child's cry. A boy was drowning, and Louisa's husband tried to rescue him. In the process, the boy pulled Mr. Stead under water, and both drowned as Louisa and her daughter watched.
Louisa Stead was left with no means of support except the Lord. She and her daughter experienced dire poverty. One morning, when she had neither funds nor food for the day, she opened the front door and found that someone had left food and money on her doorstep. That day she wrote this hymn.
Sometimes we voice platitudes about our Christianity--glibly quoting Scripture and singing songs about trusting Jesus. For Stead, there was nothing glib or superficial about it. Her hymn remains a timeless reminder and comfort to all believers who have experienced this same truth: "Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him; how I've proved Him o'er and o'er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more."
'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know "Thus saith the Lord."
O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust His cleansing blood,
Just in simple faith to plunge me 'neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, 'tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease.
Just from Jesus simply taking life and rest and joy and peace.
I'm so glad I learned to trust Him, Precious Jesus, Saviour, Friend;
And I know that He is with me, will be with me to the end.
REFRAIN: Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I've proved Him o'er and o'er!
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust Him more! Louisa Stead 1850-1917)
N.J. Hiebert - 8899
July 7
The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm. Nahum 1:3
The fiercest wind that may blow on me is held in the hollow of His hand. Behind what seems cruel chance, there is the love so wise and wisdom so loving of our God.
If God can send a storm through space; and dot with trees the mountain's face. If He the sparrow's course can trace, what can He do for you?
If God can hang the stars on high, can paint the clouds that drift on by, Can send the sun across the sky, what can He do for you?
If God can send us sunny days, and nature from her slumber raise Till song birds lift their notes of praise, what can He do for you?
If God can do these many things, can count each little bird that sings, Control the universe that swings, what can He do for you?
If God can bring sweet peace to me and to my soul bring liberty. By Christ Who hung upon the tree, this He can do for you. G. E. Wagoner
God's eye has never yet become dimmed with age; His ear has never yet become dulled with the years; His arms have never yet been wanting in strength, nor have His footsteps ever faltered. He is not changed; He is still the same immortal, immutable, invincible God, from all the ages. He makes a commitment of Himself to me. What a gift, what an offering, what a measureless, boundless condescension of the infinite God to give Himself. (Unknown)
N.J. Hiebert - 8900
The fiercest wind that may blow on me is held in the hollow of His hand. Behind what seems cruel chance, there is the love so wise and wisdom so loving of our God.
If God can send a storm through space; and dot with trees the mountain's face. If He the sparrow's course can trace, what can He do for you?
If God can hang the stars on high, can paint the clouds that drift on by, Can send the sun across the sky, what can He do for you?
If God can send us sunny days, and nature from her slumber raise Till song birds lift their notes of praise, what can He do for you?
If God can do these many things, can count each little bird that sings, Control the universe that swings, what can He do for you?
If God can bring sweet peace to me and to my soul bring liberty. By Christ Who hung upon the tree, this He can do for you. G. E. Wagoner
God's eye has never yet become dimmed with age; His ear has never yet become dulled with the years; His arms have never yet been wanting in strength, nor have His footsteps ever faltered. He is not changed; He is still the same immortal, immutable, invincible God, from all the ages. He makes a commitment of Himself to me. What a gift, what an offering, what a measureless, boundless condescension of the infinite God to give Himself. (Unknown)
N.J. Hiebert - 8900
July 8
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16
We are to teach and counsel (and at times even admonish) one another using Scriptures. More of us need to get involved in such counselling! But there are three important instructions that Scripture imposes on us before we run around telling others what the Bible says they should not do:
1. "Let the Word...dwell in you richly." We cannot use the Bible very effectively to help a fellow believer if we do not know what it says! If we are honest, we must admit that reading a brief devotional "thought for the day" or quickly scanning a few Christian self-help or how-to books cannot really qualify us as people in whom the Word dwells richly.
2. We must "counsel ourselves" before we try to counsel others! Remember that our Lord Jesus said that we should remove the beam (log) from our own eye first--before we try to take the mote (speck) out of our brother's eye (see Matthew 7:3-5).
3. Love must accompany our counsel and advice given from God's word.
Verse 16 also indicates that we are to relate to one another with singing, not to use our talents for the Lord (we may not be able to sing well) but rather to sing together because of our unity and love for one another in the Lord. It is hard for us to stay uptight with other Christians when we sing together. Singing spiritual songs together tends to remove hostilities--especially when we sing with "grace in our hearts to the Lord."
Did you ever try to tear down a fellow-believer immediately after singing together "How Great Thou Art!"?
D. R. Reid - The Lord is Near 1995
N.J. Hiebert - 8901
We are to teach and counsel (and at times even admonish) one another using Scriptures. More of us need to get involved in such counselling! But there are three important instructions that Scripture imposes on us before we run around telling others what the Bible says they should not do:
1. "Let the Word...dwell in you richly." We cannot use the Bible very effectively to help a fellow believer if we do not know what it says! If we are honest, we must admit that reading a brief devotional "thought for the day" or quickly scanning a few Christian self-help or how-to books cannot really qualify us as people in whom the Word dwells richly.
2. We must "counsel ourselves" before we try to counsel others! Remember that our Lord Jesus said that we should remove the beam (log) from our own eye first--before we try to take the mote (speck) out of our brother's eye (see Matthew 7:3-5).
3. Love must accompany our counsel and advice given from God's word.
Verse 16 also indicates that we are to relate to one another with singing, not to use our talents for the Lord (we may not be able to sing well) but rather to sing together because of our unity and love for one another in the Lord. It is hard for us to stay uptight with other Christians when we sing together. Singing spiritual songs together tends to remove hostilities--especially when we sing with "grace in our hearts to the Lord."
Did you ever try to tear down a fellow-believer immediately after singing together "How Great Thou Art!"?
D. R. Reid - The Lord is Near 1995
N.J. Hiebert - 8901
July 9
Jesus answered and said unto him, (Judas, not Iscariot) if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
A true life of praise to God implies three important things:
(1) I acknowledge He is God, very God, and that He arranges all my affairs with only my best interests in mind because He loves me. This applies even when things appear to my view to be amiss.
(2) I accept everything that happens along life's path as His provision. This is the path of peace. I do not fight life, trying to change everything or everyone. They, instead, are accepted and allowed to modify and mature me.
(3) I approve of what God has done and how He does it. This sets His Spirit free to do abundantly more than I can ever hope or imagine. I praise Him that it is He who is at work in me both to will and to do His good pleasure.(Ephesians 3:16-21; Philippians 2:12-15). This is to walk with God in peace, power, and praise. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
The path that I have trod has brought me nearer God, though oft it led through sorrows gates --Though not the way I'd choose, in my way I might lose the joy that yet for me awaits.
The cross that I must bear, if His "well done" I'd share, is not the cross that I would take; But since on me 'tis laid, by grace I'm not afraid, for He a way will surely make.
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.
Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go, for who am I that I should choose my way?
The Lord shall choose for me, 'tis better far, I know, so let Him bid me go or stay. C. Miles
N.J. Hiebert - 8902
A true life of praise to God implies three important things:
(1) I acknowledge He is God, very God, and that He arranges all my affairs with only my best interests in mind because He loves me. This applies even when things appear to my view to be amiss.
(2) I accept everything that happens along life's path as His provision. This is the path of peace. I do not fight life, trying to change everything or everyone. They, instead, are accepted and allowed to modify and mature me.
(3) I approve of what God has done and how He does it. This sets His Spirit free to do abundantly more than I can ever hope or imagine. I praise Him that it is He who is at work in me both to will and to do His good pleasure.(Ephesians 3:16-21; Philippians 2:12-15). This is to walk with God in peace, power, and praise. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
The path that I have trod has brought me nearer God, though oft it led through sorrows gates --Though not the way I'd choose, in my way I might lose the joy that yet for me awaits.
The cross that I must bear, if His "well done" I'd share, is not the cross that I would take; But since on me 'tis laid, by grace I'm not afraid, for He a way will surely make.
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.
Not what I wish to be, nor where I wish to go, for who am I that I should choose my way?
The Lord shall choose for me, 'tis better far, I know, so let Him bid me go or stay. C. Miles
N.J. Hiebert - 8902
July 10
But now, O LORD, Thou art our Father; we are the clay, and Thou our potter; and we all are the work of Thy hand." Isaiah 64:8
The Potter has the power, the knowledge and the skill,
To fashion every vessel, according to His will.
The pattern and the purpose, of every vessel planned,
Its usefulness and beauty are in the potter's hand.
The clay makes no decision, has no will of its own,
But yielded to the potter, His pattern is made known.
And thus the Master Potter, our service has outlined;
He asks us to be yielded unto His Will and Mind.
His purpose to acknowledge, to listen to His voice,
To let Him plan our pathway, according to His choice.
A vessel marred and broken, we may not understand,
But all can be committed unto the Potter's hand.
Our Father's way is perfect, His thought toward us is love;
He's fashioning and molding, for life with Him above.
To trust the Heavenly Potter, and let Him mold the clay,
Brings joy, and peace, and blessing, and happiness alway. Anon
N.J. Hiebert - 8903
The Potter has the power, the knowledge and the skill,
To fashion every vessel, according to His will.
The pattern and the purpose, of every vessel planned,
Its usefulness and beauty are in the potter's hand.
The clay makes no decision, has no will of its own,
But yielded to the potter, His pattern is made known.
And thus the Master Potter, our service has outlined;
He asks us to be yielded unto His Will and Mind.
His purpose to acknowledge, to listen to His voice,
To let Him plan our pathway, according to His choice.
A vessel marred and broken, we may not understand,
But all can be committed unto the Potter's hand.
Our Father's way is perfect, His thought toward us is love;
He's fashioning and molding, for life with Him above.
To trust the Heavenly Potter, and let Him mold the clay,
Brings joy, and peace, and blessing, and happiness alway. Anon
N.J. Hiebert - 8903
July 11
There was given to me (Paul) a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan. 2 Corinthians 12:7
The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power. Job 1:12. [Satan said] Put forth Thine hand now (v.2:5). And the Lord said unto Satan, behold he is in thine hand. (v.2:6) So Satan . . . smote Job (v.2:7). When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (v.23:10)
Father, if Thou be willing . . . nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done. (Luke 22:42) This is your hour, and the power of darkness. (v.22:53).
As a child I puzzled over the fact that though all Christian people spoke of pain as sent from God, they did all that in them lay to avoid it, or if it came, to get rid of it. Doctors who helped them to do so were prayed for as very special servants of God. And yet they were working against the very thing that God had sent.
It was very puzzling, and I can remember the delight of finding the words, "An enemy hath done this (Matthew 13:28), and feeling that they must apply to all that hurt and wounded either spirit or body. And yet there was a mystery somewhere. And it was not explained.
I think now that it never will be explained until we stand in the light of God; but these words from Paul and Job and our Lord's own prayer help us to understand. All pain, all ill, is a messenger from Satan, and yet the thorn was a gift. The Spirit of God takes care to let us know that it was Satan's hand, not the Father's, that hurt Job. And yet the cruel hand was turned into a crucible, and the fire refined the gold. The power of darkness crucified the Lord of glory. But Love won on Calvary. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael.
N.J. Hiebert - 8904
The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power. Job 1:12. [Satan said] Put forth Thine hand now (v.2:5). And the Lord said unto Satan, behold he is in thine hand. (v.2:6) So Satan . . . smote Job (v.2:7). When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (v.23:10)
Father, if Thou be willing . . . nevertheless not My will, but Thine, be done. (Luke 22:42) This is your hour, and the power of darkness. (v.22:53).
As a child I puzzled over the fact that though all Christian people spoke of pain as sent from God, they did all that in them lay to avoid it, or if it came, to get rid of it. Doctors who helped them to do so were prayed for as very special servants of God. And yet they were working against the very thing that God had sent.
It was very puzzling, and I can remember the delight of finding the words, "An enemy hath done this (Matthew 13:28), and feeling that they must apply to all that hurt and wounded either spirit or body. And yet there was a mystery somewhere. And it was not explained.
I think now that it never will be explained until we stand in the light of God; but these words from Paul and Job and our Lord's own prayer help us to understand. All pain, all ill, is a messenger from Satan, and yet the thorn was a gift. The Spirit of God takes care to let us know that it was Satan's hand, not the Father's, that hurt Job. And yet the cruel hand was turned into a crucible, and the fire refined the gold. The power of darkness crucified the Lord of glory. But Love won on Calvary. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael.
N.J. Hiebert - 8904
July 12
Arise, and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
Jeremiah 18:2
Many times in our lives events and circumstances that seem particularly hard or discouraging are allowed by our wise and loving Father. No doubt each have at times wondered how it is that divine love could order such painful trials and testings--what possible purpose could be served by such difficulties and sorrows? Broken dreams, broken hearts, failure as husbands and wives, as parents, as children, as brethren in Christ--Oh! how despondent thoughts flood in at these times!
Perhaps one has longed to serve the Lord Jesus effectively--desiring that this life would count for something and that there might be the joy of receiving His approval in that coming day of glory. Then the dark, menacing clouds of doubt because of past all too frequent and miserable failures loom on the horizon and once again the storm of discouragement breaks on you. Then come the flood of questions: "How could He ever use me after how badly I have failed Him? He can't trust me to do anything for Him again so why not just give up."
Maybe you're seeking to serve the Lord, feeling very clear that He has led you into a particular ministry, only to find such a host of trials and pressures that it now seems you must surely have missed His mind about entering that service.
At these moments it seems almost impossible to be able to say in that confidence of faith: "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Beset with the howling winds of discouragement, we can easily fail to hear His tender and comforting words; "I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41:13). If we visit the Potter's House there we will watch Him at work, seeking to learn how it is that a lump of sticky, apparently useless mud is turned into a beautiful, valuable piece of pottery--a vessel, meet for the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21). In The Potter's Hands - D. Nicolet
N.J. Hiebert - 8905
Many times in our lives events and circumstances that seem particularly hard or discouraging are allowed by our wise and loving Father. No doubt each have at times wondered how it is that divine love could order such painful trials and testings--what possible purpose could be served by such difficulties and sorrows? Broken dreams, broken hearts, failure as husbands and wives, as parents, as children, as brethren in Christ--Oh! how despondent thoughts flood in at these times!
Perhaps one has longed to serve the Lord Jesus effectively--desiring that this life would count for something and that there might be the joy of receiving His approval in that coming day of glory. Then the dark, menacing clouds of doubt because of past all too frequent and miserable failures loom on the horizon and once again the storm of discouragement breaks on you. Then come the flood of questions: "How could He ever use me after how badly I have failed Him? He can't trust me to do anything for Him again so why not just give up."
Maybe you're seeking to serve the Lord, feeling very clear that He has led you into a particular ministry, only to find such a host of trials and pressures that it now seems you must surely have missed His mind about entering that service.
At these moments it seems almost impossible to be able to say in that confidence of faith: "I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me" (Philippians 4:13). Beset with the howling winds of discouragement, we can easily fail to hear His tender and comforting words; "I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee" (Isaiah 41:13). If we visit the Potter's House there we will watch Him at work, seeking to learn how it is that a lump of sticky, apparently useless mud is turned into a beautiful, valuable piece of pottery--a vessel, meet for the Master's use (2 Timothy 2:21). In The Potter's Hands - D. Nicolet
N.J. Hiebert - 8905
July 13
The times of the Gentiles. Luke 21:24
Daniel chapter 2 is the story of a crisis in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, but upon waking, he could not remember what the dream had been. He then made completely unreasonable demands on his wise men. He wanted them to tell him what he had dreamed, and also its meaning. He told them that failure would incur death, but that success would bring gifts, rewards and great honour. Not unexpectedly, his wise men said, "There is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh" (Daniel 2:11)
Subsequent to this confession of failure, the king gave the order to execute all of the wise men, and of course this included Daniel and his friends. On the surface of things, this was a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Daniel and his friends were at risk, but what followed shows how we can use times of crisis to advantage, and find opportunities to glorify God. Daniel and his friends took up the challenge of the king since they knew "the God, whose dwelling was not with flesh." They were confident that God could reveal the thing to them, thus saving their lives, and the lives of the wise men of Babylon.
How do we view the crises that arise in our lives? Too often crises propel us into uncontrolled panic. "He that believeth shall not make haste" (panic) (Isiah 28:16). Daniel believed that God was sovereign, and that this crisis was a time of opportunity rather than a disaster, and he did not panic. Daniel believed that God could over-rule the insanity of an unreasonable yet powerful king, bringing deliverance to them, and glory to God.
Similarly, our world today seems to be spinning out of control, and the prediction of Scripture of "men's hearts failing them for fear" (Luke 21:26) is evident all around. How do we rest in the confidence that our God is sovereign, and that these crises could induce a period of unprecedented opportunity to present the gospel as the only answer to man's fundamental need? As men see their whole material world collapsing, may we be like Daniel, bringing words of confidence and assurance that God can be trusted to deliver the one who trusts in Him. Daniel - Willian Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 8906
Daniel chapter 2 is the story of a crisis in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had a dream, but upon waking, he could not remember what the dream had been. He then made completely unreasonable demands on his wise men. He wanted them to tell him what he had dreamed, and also its meaning. He told them that failure would incur death, but that success would bring gifts, rewards and great honour. Not unexpectedly, his wise men said, "There is none other that can show it before the king, except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh" (Daniel 2:11)
Subsequent to this confession of failure, the king gave the order to execute all of the wise men, and of course this included Daniel and his friends. On the surface of things, this was a crisis of unprecedented proportions. Daniel and his friends were at risk, but what followed shows how we can use times of crisis to advantage, and find opportunities to glorify God. Daniel and his friends took up the challenge of the king since they knew "the God, whose dwelling was not with flesh." They were confident that God could reveal the thing to them, thus saving their lives, and the lives of the wise men of Babylon.
How do we view the crises that arise in our lives? Too often crises propel us into uncontrolled panic. "He that believeth shall not make haste" (panic) (Isiah 28:16). Daniel believed that God was sovereign, and that this crisis was a time of opportunity rather than a disaster, and he did not panic. Daniel believed that God could over-rule the insanity of an unreasonable yet powerful king, bringing deliverance to them, and glory to God.
Similarly, our world today seems to be spinning out of control, and the prediction of Scripture of "men's hearts failing them for fear" (Luke 21:26) is evident all around. How do we rest in the confidence that our God is sovereign, and that these crises could induce a period of unprecedented opportunity to present the gospel as the only answer to man's fundamental need? As men see their whole material world collapsing, may we be like Daniel, bringing words of confidence and assurance that God can be trusted to deliver the one who trusts in Him. Daniel - Willian Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 8906
July 14
Even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Let us look a little at the circumstances which accompanied the Passover. The blood on the lintel formed the simple basis of the Israelite's security. But there are other points of deep interest into which the spiritual mind can enter with much profit.
First, the lamb was eaten roasted with fire. No other process could have told out the significant principle with the same emphasis. The action of fire upon the body of the lamb gave expression to the intensity of Christ's sufferings when He exposed His blessed person to the full action of Jehovah's wrath against sin.
It was one thing to rest in the security of the shed blood and another thing to eat of the "lamb roast with fire." Hence the apostle says, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings." Here was the desire of one who had already rested in the blood.
The fellowship of Christ's sufferings is but little known even by those who are resting in Christ's blood; were it more entered into, there would be far more depth of experience and power of Christian action than there is. We are too ready to rest content with knowing the value of the blood, without feeding on the Lamb, and thus we lose much of our privilege of personal fellowship with Jesus.
It is not merely the work which has been done, but the One who has done it. The former is properly the object for the sinner, the later for the saint; and the more the saint is enabled to enter into what Christ is, the more perfect will be his repose in His work. C. H. Mackintosh
This joy was set before Thee, this armed Thy suffering heart.
That we should share Thy glory, and with Thee have our part. J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8907
Let us look a little at the circumstances which accompanied the Passover. The blood on the lintel formed the simple basis of the Israelite's security. But there are other points of deep interest into which the spiritual mind can enter with much profit.
First, the lamb was eaten roasted with fire. No other process could have told out the significant principle with the same emphasis. The action of fire upon the body of the lamb gave expression to the intensity of Christ's sufferings when He exposed His blessed person to the full action of Jehovah's wrath against sin.
It was one thing to rest in the security of the shed blood and another thing to eat of the "lamb roast with fire." Hence the apostle says, "That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings." Here was the desire of one who had already rested in the blood.
The fellowship of Christ's sufferings is but little known even by those who are resting in Christ's blood; were it more entered into, there would be far more depth of experience and power of Christian action than there is. We are too ready to rest content with knowing the value of the blood, without feeding on the Lamb, and thus we lose much of our privilege of personal fellowship with Jesus.
It is not merely the work which has been done, but the One who has done it. The former is properly the object for the sinner, the later for the saint; and the more the saint is enabled to enter into what Christ is, the more perfect will be his repose in His work. C. H. Mackintosh
This joy was set before Thee, this armed Thy suffering heart.
That we should share Thy glory, and with Thee have our part. J. G. Deck
N.J. Hiebert - 8907
July 15
Thou, O Lord, remainest forever. Lamentations 5:19
Therefore I will look unto the Lord. Micah 7:7
If a man could not turn to God in the hour of his deepest need and come boldly to the throne of grace for help in such a time, then the gospel would mean nothing and Christian experience a delusion. I do not find David seeking relief from his troubles in some ungodly diversion.
Our Lord set no example of turning to the world in the hour of trial. He sad, "In the world ye shall have tribulation [pressure]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
The New Testament does not advocate relaxing one's conduct to let the hair down when in distress. There should be healthy and happy enjoyment of life's innocent pleasures indeed, but we need not call in Satan under the guise of a specialist or renounce our holy walk because our nerves have failed. The twenty-Third Psalm has comforted more distraught, sick souls than all the clever tricks offered by the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Our God is a very present help in trouble and just when we need Him Jesus is near. I remember one bleak evening during these weeks of testing when I came into a lonely motel room where I was to stay while I preached for a few days. The Bible lay open on the table at Psalm 42 and this precious verse:
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in Me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. (Psalm 42:5). Call that coincidence if you will but I call it Providence! Though I Walk Through the theValley - Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8908
Therefore I will look unto the Lord. Micah 7:7
If a man could not turn to God in the hour of his deepest need and come boldly to the throne of grace for help in such a time, then the gospel would mean nothing and Christian experience a delusion. I do not find David seeking relief from his troubles in some ungodly diversion.
Our Lord set no example of turning to the world in the hour of trial. He sad, "In the world ye shall have tribulation [pressure]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
The New Testament does not advocate relaxing one's conduct to let the hair down when in distress. There should be healthy and happy enjoyment of life's innocent pleasures indeed, but we need not call in Satan under the guise of a specialist or renounce our holy walk because our nerves have failed. The twenty-Third Psalm has comforted more distraught, sick souls than all the clever tricks offered by the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Our God is a very present help in trouble and just when we need Him Jesus is near. I remember one bleak evening during these weeks of testing when I came into a lonely motel room where I was to stay while I preached for a few days. The Bible lay open on the table at Psalm 42 and this precious verse:
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in Me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. (Psalm 42:5). Call that coincidence if you will but I call it Providence! Though I Walk Through the theValley - Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8908
July 16
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
"It is worthy of note that the salutation "Rejoice" is really the Greek salutation. The Hebrew salutation is "Peace!" The clear, cheerful, world-enjoying temper of the Greek embodies itself in the first; he could desire nothing better or higher for himself, nor wish it for his friend, than to have joy in his life.
But the Hebrew had a deeper longing within him, and one which finds utterance in his word, "Peace". It is not hard to perceive why this latter people (Hebrew) should have been chosen as the first bearers of that truth which indeed enables men truly to rejoice, but only through first bringing peace; nor why from them the word of life should first go forth." (Trench - Study of Words)
It is possible that the lightness with which Judas performed his dark deed of betrayal, and the thought of the thirty pieces of silver that he had gained, caused him to use the lighter Greek salutation (rejoice) rather than his own native, and deeper salutation, "Peace!" But our Lord, having made peace through the blood of His cross, and having won true joy for His own; He can greet them first of all by saying, "Ch a i r e t e: Rejoice!"
But the same day at even Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples, and saith unto them, "Peace be upon you." And when He had so said He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they had seen the Lord. Then saith Jesus to them again, "Peace be unto you." And so, through that mighty victory, our Lord has won both salutations for us: both Greek and Hebrew:
"Chairete . . . . Rejoice Ye!"
"Eirene humin . . . . Peace be unto you!"
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8909
"It is worthy of note that the salutation "Rejoice" is really the Greek salutation. The Hebrew salutation is "Peace!" The clear, cheerful, world-enjoying temper of the Greek embodies itself in the first; he could desire nothing better or higher for himself, nor wish it for his friend, than to have joy in his life.
But the Hebrew had a deeper longing within him, and one which finds utterance in his word, "Peace". It is not hard to perceive why this latter people (Hebrew) should have been chosen as the first bearers of that truth which indeed enables men truly to rejoice, but only through first bringing peace; nor why from them the word of life should first go forth." (Trench - Study of Words)
It is possible that the lightness with which Judas performed his dark deed of betrayal, and the thought of the thirty pieces of silver that he had gained, caused him to use the lighter Greek salutation (rejoice) rather than his own native, and deeper salutation, "Peace!" But our Lord, having made peace through the blood of His cross, and having won true joy for His own; He can greet them first of all by saying, "Ch a i r e t e: Rejoice!"
But the same day at even Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples, and saith unto them, "Peace be upon you." And when He had so said He showed unto them His hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad when they had seen the Lord. Then saith Jesus to them again, "Peace be unto you." And so, through that mighty victory, our Lord has won both salutations for us: both Greek and Hebrew:
"Chairete . . . . Rejoice Ye!"
"Eirene humin . . . . Peace be unto you!"
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8909
July 17
Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:16
In earlier days of news reporting, a breaking news event drew many reporters to the scene, all awaiting some official word. Then they had to quickly phone their report in to the City Desk at their newspaper. For the smart ones, the number one task was to search out a rather scarce telephone and open up a direct line. Then they recruited and paid someone to simply talk on the line to keep the operator from pulling the plug on an idle phone. They could say or read anything just as long as communication continued until the story broke.
This is an illustration of the continuously open line that we have to the ear of God. The difference is that it is never shut down, but we can so easily ignore it. Far better to keep the line in use by talking early and often to God, our Father. When we lay our concerns before Him, He often gives us a verse that exactly suits the situation.
But always remember that first of all, our Father wants to hear our praise and thanksgiving. We owe Him so much, for which we could never have paid. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 3:23. This, of course, brings in the reality of Calvary. Through it all, the Lord endured indescribable suffering to the very end, in obedience to God, His Father, and on our behalf. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" 1 Timothy 1:15. Paul, in all his self-righteousness, was one who had victimized people who trusted and followed Jesus. As a redeemed servant of Christ, He took no exalted position. Nor should we.
It cost the reporter of olden days something to keep that phone line open, but for us it is one of the free gifts the Father has granted; a direct and permanently accessible line to His throne. He hears every word we say in prayer, and whenever the Lord Jesus is exalted before Him, He is gratified. Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8910
In earlier days of news reporting, a breaking news event drew many reporters to the scene, all awaiting some official word. Then they had to quickly phone their report in to the City Desk at their newspaper. For the smart ones, the number one task was to search out a rather scarce telephone and open up a direct line. Then they recruited and paid someone to simply talk on the line to keep the operator from pulling the plug on an idle phone. They could say or read anything just as long as communication continued until the story broke.
This is an illustration of the continuously open line that we have to the ear of God. The difference is that it is never shut down, but we can so easily ignore it. Far better to keep the line in use by talking early and often to God, our Father. When we lay our concerns before Him, He often gives us a verse that exactly suits the situation.
But always remember that first of all, our Father wants to hear our praise and thanksgiving. We owe Him so much, for which we could never have paid. "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 3:23. This, of course, brings in the reality of Calvary. Through it all, the Lord endured indescribable suffering to the very end, in obedience to God, His Father, and on our behalf. "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" 1 Timothy 1:15. Paul, in all his self-righteousness, was one who had victimized people who trusted and followed Jesus. As a redeemed servant of Christ, He took no exalted position. Nor should we.
It cost the reporter of olden days something to keep that phone line open, but for us it is one of the free gifts the Father has granted; a direct and permanently accessible line to His throne. He hears every word we say in prayer, and whenever the Lord Jesus is exalted before Him, He is gratified. Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8910
July 18
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything, according to His will, He heareth us; and if we know that He hear us: whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. 1 John 5:14,15
Love gave us these words and only love can understand them. One who loves his Father knows by a kind of Heavenly instinct what he may ask for, and what he may not ask for. Or if he be in any doubt, he ceases to ask anything and rests his heart on his Lord's own prayer, "Thy will be done".
So it is that he has this confidence, and knows that he has the petitions that he has desired of Him.
The words are not for casual use, or for any except those who earnestly want to be His true lovers, to whom the lightest wish of their Lord is a command. The least of us may be a lover. Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry every-thing to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear;
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness--take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there. J. Scriven
N.J. Hiebert - 8911
Love gave us these words and only love can understand them. One who loves his Father knows by a kind of Heavenly instinct what he may ask for, and what he may not ask for. Or if he be in any doubt, he ceases to ask anything and rests his heart on his Lord's own prayer, "Thy will be done".
So it is that he has this confidence, and knows that he has the petitions that he has desired of Him.
The words are not for casual use, or for any except those who earnestly want to be His true lovers, to whom the lightest wish of their Lord is a command. The least of us may be a lover. Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear;
What a privilege to carry every-thing to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear;
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful, Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness--take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Saviour still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He'll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there. J. Scriven
N.J. Hiebert - 8911
July 19
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16" "Let us approach therefore with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace for seasonable help." (J.N.D. translation).
What is the difference in the two translations? This: if you lift a man out of a deep hole into which he has accidentally fallen, you would be giving him help in time of need; if you guard him from falling into the hole, you would be rendering him seasonable help. A fence at the top of a precipice is better than a hospital at the bottom.
He ever lives to intercede and hence the grace of God is not only equal for a second but for sixty seconds, not only for a minute but for sixty minutes, not only for an hour but for twenty-four hours, not only for a day, but for three hundred and sixty five days, not only for a year, but for a lifetime and eternity. He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7) to keep us from falling (Jude 24) to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3).
It is a poor thing and a small thing merely to get enough out of God's grace to give us a spiritual livelihood. The very end of our blessing is that we may be a blessing to others. Would it be worth our while to construct an expensive machine simply for the purpose of having it run and show its perfection? We construct our machine to accomplish results, to perform work, to produce something that will pay its cost and benefit mankind.
And so the great object of God in saving, sanctifying, and boundlessly supplying the needs of His people, is, to get them beyond themselves, and prepare them for every good work. In the presence of these truly great words, let us take fresh heart. His power is boundless, His grace is matchless; and the place at which we come in contact with them is the place of prayer (Hebrews 4:16) Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8912
What is the difference in the two translations? This: if you lift a man out of a deep hole into which he has accidentally fallen, you would be giving him help in time of need; if you guard him from falling into the hole, you would be rendering him seasonable help. A fence at the top of a precipice is better than a hospital at the bottom.
He ever lives to intercede and hence the grace of God is not only equal for a second but for sixty seconds, not only for a minute but for sixty minutes, not only for an hour but for twenty-four hours, not only for a day, but for three hundred and sixty five days, not only for a year, but for a lifetime and eternity. He is able to save to the uttermost (Hebrews 7) to keep us from falling (Jude 24) to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3).
It is a poor thing and a small thing merely to get enough out of God's grace to give us a spiritual livelihood. The very end of our blessing is that we may be a blessing to others. Would it be worth our while to construct an expensive machine simply for the purpose of having it run and show its perfection? We construct our machine to accomplish results, to perform work, to produce something that will pay its cost and benefit mankind.
And so the great object of God in saving, sanctifying, and boundlessly supplying the needs of His people, is, to get them beyond themselves, and prepare them for every good work. In the presence of these truly great words, let us take fresh heart. His power is boundless, His grace is matchless; and the place at which we come in contact with them is the place of prayer (Hebrews 4:16) Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8912
July 20
That in all things He might have the preeminence. Colossians 1:18
Christ is everything. He is everything to the heart of God, and He desires to be everything to the hearts of His people. That it may be so with you is the highest blessedness I can desire for you.
There is never any difficulty about guidance when the eye is on Christ, but if other considerations come in then you miss His leadings. "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body." (Philippians 1:20)
Is it our desire to be able to adopt Paul's language? Do we hold our bodies as vessels for the display of Christ? As we rise in the morning do we look upon the coming day as another opportunity of making Christ great?
We can present Christ to the hearts of men in our lives as well as by our words. We may not be able to explain a single passage of scripture, but we can live Christ. You may teach a Sunday school, or visit among the poor, and that is all right and good, but there is something far better--live Christ, present Christ.
May the Lord teach us this lesson--that HE is the only thing that is indispensable to us. There is always a response to the ministry of Christ.
Edward Dennett
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
The eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's beloved One:
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou, that every knee to Thee should bow! J. Conder
N.J. Hiebert - 8913
Christ is everything. He is everything to the heart of God, and He desires to be everything to the hearts of His people. That it may be so with you is the highest blessedness I can desire for you.
There is never any difficulty about guidance when the eye is on Christ, but if other considerations come in then you miss His leadings. "According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body." (Philippians 1:20)
Is it our desire to be able to adopt Paul's language? Do we hold our bodies as vessels for the display of Christ? As we rise in the morning do we look upon the coming day as another opportunity of making Christ great?
We can present Christ to the hearts of men in our lives as well as by our words. We may not be able to explain a single passage of scripture, but we can live Christ. You may teach a Sunday school, or visit among the poor, and that is all right and good, but there is something far better--live Christ, present Christ.
May the Lord teach us this lesson--that HE is the only thing that is indispensable to us. There is always a response to the ministry of Christ.
Edward Dennett
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
The eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's beloved One:
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou, that every knee to Thee should bow! J. Conder
N.J. Hiebert - 8913
July 21
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother...and the disciple standing by, whom He loved. (John 19:25-26)
Mary Magdalene...cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter...went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. John 20:1-3
The second mention of John as the disciple whom Jesus loved brings us to the cross. The mother of Jesus is present with other devoted women, and one disciple is there--the disciple whom Jesus loved. Where is now the disciple that rested in his love to Christ? Alas, away in some lonely spot with a broken heart, weeping tears of bitter shame.
Where is the disciple who rests in the love of Christ? As in the Upper Room, so now at the cross, as near to Christ as he can be. And what is the result? He becomes a vessel fit for the Master's use. The mother of Jesus is committed to his care. Resting in the Lord's love fits for service.
For the third time, John is presented as the disciple whom Jesus loved on the resurrection morning. Again he is found in association with Peter. The two disciples, learning form the women that the sepulchre is empty, hasten to the tomb. Then follows the record of what might appear to be an insignificant detail, namely that Peter starts first, that both disciples run together, and finally that the disciple whom Jesus loved did outrun Peter .
Nothing that the Spirit of God has recorded can be unimportant, though, as in this case, it may be difficult to seize the import of a particular incident. Yet, if we may be allowed to spiritualize this scene, we may learn what is surely true, that while the man of ardent nature may often take the lead in some spiritual enterprise, it is the man who is leaning on the love of the Lord that finally leads the way. Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8914
Mary Magdalene...cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid Him. Peter...went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. John 20:1-3
The second mention of John as the disciple whom Jesus loved brings us to the cross. The mother of Jesus is present with other devoted women, and one disciple is there--the disciple whom Jesus loved. Where is now the disciple that rested in his love to Christ? Alas, away in some lonely spot with a broken heart, weeping tears of bitter shame.
Where is the disciple who rests in the love of Christ? As in the Upper Room, so now at the cross, as near to Christ as he can be. And what is the result? He becomes a vessel fit for the Master's use. The mother of Jesus is committed to his care. Resting in the Lord's love fits for service.
For the third time, John is presented as the disciple whom Jesus loved on the resurrection morning. Again he is found in association with Peter. The two disciples, learning form the women that the sepulchre is empty, hasten to the tomb. Then follows the record of what might appear to be an insignificant detail, namely that Peter starts first, that both disciples run together, and finally that the disciple whom Jesus loved did outrun Peter .
Nothing that the Spirit of God has recorded can be unimportant, though, as in this case, it may be difficult to seize the import of a particular incident. Yet, if we may be allowed to spiritualize this scene, we may learn what is surely true, that while the man of ardent nature may often take the lead in some spiritual enterprise, it is the man who is leaning on the love of the Lord that finally leads the way. Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8914
July 22
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
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..."(quoted above). Absence of will, obedience, and the spirit of confiding dependence which waits on God, characterize 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. (v.1:6) He is unstable, (v.1:8) because his heart is not in communion with God; he does not live in a way to know Him; such an one is, of course, unstable.
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.
Faith in the goodness of God gives courage to seek and to do His will. We have in Christ Himself a perfect and beautiful example of these principles of the divine life. Tempted by Satan, He has no will of HIs own; it does not stir; but He shows that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is absolute and perfect obedience. The will of God is not only the rule but the sole motive for action.
When the tempter desires Him to throw Himself down from the temple, to see whether God will be true to His promises, Jesus will in no way be tempted; He cannot question His faithfulness. He waits quietly for the power of God, whenever the occasion may present itself for manifesting it, in the path of His will. Brief Exposition of the Epistle of James - J. N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8915
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..."(quoted above). Absence of will, obedience, and the spirit of confiding dependence which waits on God, characterize 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. (v.1:6) He is unstable, (v.1:8) because his heart is not in communion with God; he does not live in a way to know Him; such an one is, of course, unstable.
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.
Faith in the goodness of God gives courage to seek and to do His will. We have in Christ Himself a perfect and beautiful example of these principles of the divine life. Tempted by Satan, He has no will of HIs own; it does not stir; but He shows that man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. It is absolute and perfect obedience. The will of God is not only the rule but the sole motive for action.
When the tempter desires Him to throw Himself down from the temple, to see whether God will be true to His promises, Jesus will in no way be tempted; He cannot question His faithfulness. He waits quietly for the power of God, whenever the occasion may present itself for manifesting it, in the path of His will. Brief Exposition of the Epistle of James - J. N. Darby
N.J. Hiebert - 8915
July 23
And God said, let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness. Genesis 1:3-4
Let the light into your hearts! Well, the light has come, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "God is light"--bear that in mind--and "in Him is no darkness at all." But, since God is light, the light reveals the true relation of things. Light first of all shows where man is, and for that purpose Light came into the world. "That was the true Light ,which coming into the world lightens every man" (John 1:9). You must not understand by that statement that every man was converted.
Oh no! The light was there, and was for everybody, but alas, nobody had eyes to see it, until God had wrought in the heart and opened the eyes; that is the solemn side of the truth. Sin has plunged us in such a condition of distance from God, that really we do not see who Christ is, or what He is, until God opens our eyes. When Paul appears before Agrippa he says, that the Lord had commissioned him to go to "the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified, by faith that is in me"
(Acts 26:17,18).
Now would you like to have light? Would you like to have peace? Light will discover to you your lost condition; for it exposes you. Yes, but I will tell you what takes place after the light makes manifest to you that you are a poor, wretched, hell-deserving sinner. The next thing that light will do, is to reveal that "God is love," and that He has given His blessed Son for your salvation. Light will reveal your guilt, and Love will blot it all out. Light will make manifest your lost condition, and love will meet it. God is light, and God is love. Both are seen in Jesus. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8916
Let the light into your hearts! Well, the light has come, in the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ. "God is light"--bear that in mind--and "in Him is no darkness at all." But, since God is light, the light reveals the true relation of things. Light first of all shows where man is, and for that purpose Light came into the world. "That was the true Light ,which coming into the world lightens every man" (John 1:9). You must not understand by that statement that every man was converted.
Oh no! The light was there, and was for everybody, but alas, nobody had eyes to see it, until God had wrought in the heart and opened the eyes; that is the solemn side of the truth. Sin has plunged us in such a condition of distance from God, that really we do not see who Christ is, or what He is, until God opens our eyes. When Paul appears before Agrippa he says, that the Lord had commissioned him to go to "the Gentiles, unto whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified, by faith that is in me"
(Acts 26:17,18).
Now would you like to have light? Would you like to have peace? Light will discover to you your lost condition; for it exposes you. Yes, but I will tell you what takes place after the light makes manifest to you that you are a poor, wretched, hell-deserving sinner. The next thing that light will do, is to reveal that "God is love," and that He has given His blessed Son for your salvation. Light will reveal your guilt, and Love will blot it all out. Light will make manifest your lost condition, and love will meet it. God is light, and God is love. Both are seen in Jesus. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8916
July 24
THE SOVEREIGN REMEDY FOR DESPONDENCY
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11
(1) The cure for the depression occasioned by overwork--is rest;
(2) For that caused by introspection--heart-
(3) And for that which is sometimes brought on by trial--a view of the beneficent purposes which God is accomplishing by its means.
But referring once more to Psalm 42:11, we have a sovereign remedy for despondency which never fails. "Hope Thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him..." Hope lightens the heart and enable us endure; praise brightens the face and enables us to sing away what we cannot reason away "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me, and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23).
The volume of praise may be very small to begin with; but if you keep lifting up the face to God that volume will steadily increase. Bless God for starlight and He will give you moonlight; praise Him for moonlight and He will give you sunlight; thank Him for sunlight, and you shall yet come to that land where they need not the light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light for ever and ever.
On that bright strand the blood-washed ones of Jesus
Are safe, no more the weary feet shall roam;
They find at last all that the heart has longed for,
Within God's house at home.
George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8917
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalm 42:11
(1) The cure for the depression occasioned by overwork--is rest;
(2) For that caused by introspection--heart-
(3) And for that which is sometimes brought on by trial--a view of the beneficent purposes which God is accomplishing by its means.
But referring once more to Psalm 42:11, we have a sovereign remedy for despondency which never fails. "Hope Thou in God; for I shall yet praise Him..." Hope lightens the heart and enable us endure; praise brightens the face and enables us to sing away what we cannot reason away "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth Me, and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23).
The volume of praise may be very small to begin with; but if you keep lifting up the face to God that volume will steadily increase. Bless God for starlight and He will give you moonlight; praise Him for moonlight and He will give you sunlight; thank Him for sunlight, and you shall yet come to that land where they need not the light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light for ever and ever.
On that bright strand the blood-washed ones of Jesus
Are safe, no more the weary feet shall roam;
They find at last all that the heart has longed for,
Within God's house at home.
George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8917
July 25
A sower went forth to sow...some seeds fell by the wayside...some fell among stony places...some fell among thorns...but other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Matthew 13:3-8
This is true whether the seed be good or bad, and whether the ground be good or bad. Jacob deceived his old father and stole his brother's birthright. That was bad sowing, but he did not expect the harvest he received. Laban deceived him about his wife, and and he had to work another seven years in order to win her. Nor was this all the harvest. Laban changed his wages ten times in his effort to cheat him.
That was only part of the harvest. He had twenty years of bitter labour in Syria. Then his own sons deceived him about Joseph, and he spent twenty two years in bitter sorrow, mourning him as dead. This was part of the harvest of his own sowing.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba, but he never expected the harvest would come as it did; his own son defiled his sister. David murdered Bathsheba's husband, but he never expected the harvest this brought; his son Amon was murdered by his brother, his baby died, and his son Absalom was killed in battle, without the hope of ever seeing him again in the world to come. And finally Solomon the king puts his older brother to death for what was really conspiracy. Yes, we reap more than we sow, and we reap that very thing we sow.
These are most solemn thoughts, and should make us every one "consider" our "ways" (Haggai 1:7) Even by a thought we may sow to the flesh. How many books, pictures and magazines in these days sow to the flesh, and will bring forth a harvest unto corruption. Meditations on Galatians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8918
This is true whether the seed be good or bad, and whether the ground be good or bad. Jacob deceived his old father and stole his brother's birthright. That was bad sowing, but he did not expect the harvest he received. Laban deceived him about his wife, and and he had to work another seven years in order to win her. Nor was this all the harvest. Laban changed his wages ten times in his effort to cheat him.
That was only part of the harvest. He had twenty years of bitter labour in Syria. Then his own sons deceived him about Joseph, and he spent twenty two years in bitter sorrow, mourning him as dead. This was part of the harvest of his own sowing.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba, but he never expected the harvest would come as it did; his own son defiled his sister. David murdered Bathsheba's husband, but he never expected the harvest this brought; his son Amon was murdered by his brother, his baby died, and his son Absalom was killed in battle, without the hope of ever seeing him again in the world to come. And finally Solomon the king puts his older brother to death for what was really conspiracy. Yes, we reap more than we sow, and we reap that very thing we sow.
These are most solemn thoughts, and should make us every one "consider" our "ways" (Haggai 1:7) Even by a thought we may sow to the flesh. How many books, pictures and magazines in these days sow to the flesh, and will bring forth a harvest unto corruption. Meditations on Galatians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8918
July 26
I SHALL YET PRAISE HIM
Hope Thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5
I shall yet praise Him--though blossoms have withered,
Empty the fold is and barren the field,
All the fair promise of harvest has vanished,
Fig-tree and olive have failed in their yield.
I shall yet praise Him--though now the mists shroud me,
Though through the darkness there shineth no star,
Though long delayed be the word of His counsel,
And to all seeming He hideth afar.
I shall yet praise Him for victory given;
Though fierce the the sifting, His prayer cannot fail;
Till the fourth watch He may leave me in darkness;
Then clouds shall lift and the light shall prevail.
I shall yet praise Him who knoweth my pathway,
For all His leading through desert and sea,
For the sure promise that standeth forever,
For all His purpose fulfilled unto me.
I shall yet praise Him--mute mouth filled with laughter,
Silent lips opened and tongue tuned to song;
Surely praise waiteth; joy sown for my reaping,
Cometh to harvest, though lingering long.
Flint's Best-Loved Poems
N.J. Hiebert - 8919
Hope Thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5
I shall yet praise Him--though blossoms have withered,
Empty the fold is and barren the field,
All the fair promise of harvest has vanished,
Fig-tree and olive have failed in their yield.
I shall yet praise Him--though now the mists shroud me,
Though through the darkness there shineth no star,
Though long delayed be the word of His counsel,
And to all seeming He hideth afar.
I shall yet praise Him for victory given;
Though fierce the the sifting, His prayer cannot fail;
Till the fourth watch He may leave me in darkness;
Then clouds shall lift and the light shall prevail.
I shall yet praise Him who knoweth my pathway,
For all His leading through desert and sea,
For the sure promise that standeth forever,
For all His purpose fulfilled unto me.
I shall yet praise Him--mute mouth filled with laughter,
Silent lips opened and tongue tuned to song;
Surely praise waiteth; joy sown for my reaping,
Cometh to harvest, though lingering long.
Flint's Best-Loved Poems
N.J. Hiebert - 8919
July 27
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God." (Romans 10:3)
This was true of Israel after the flesh. It is just as true of millions of Gentiles, who, ignoring the solemn testimony of God's word regarding man's utterly lost condition, still persist in trying to work out a righteousness of their own, deceived by the Adversary into believing that they can in some way satisfy an offended God and put Him in their debt so that they can earn His salvation. "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6) It is just this attempt to work out a human, legal righteousness that God's Word calls "dead works".
What then is meant by "repentance from dead works" (Hebrews 6:1)? It is a complete change of mind, whereby the convicted sinner gives up all thought of being able to propitiate God by effort of his own and acknowledges that he is as bad as the Word has declared him to be. He turns about his face. Instead of relying on his own fancied merits, he turns to the Lord for deliverance and seeks for mercy through the Saviour God has provided.
In Old Testament times, the legal code with its forms and ceremonies was given, not as a means of justifying righteousness but as a test of obedience. It was as true then as now that the righteous requirement of the Law was was only fulfilled (and that, of course, only in measure) in those who were already regenerated. God has never had two ways of saving people, but different dispensations, have been committed to His people as standards of living, in the various ages.
No one was ever saved by law-keeping or by sacrificial observances. To trust in these things would never avail. Not sacrifices, nor offerings, but a broken and a contrite heart, was acceptable to God. All outward forms or legal efforts, apart from faith, were merely dead works, from which the prophets were constantly calling upon men to repent. Unless You Repent - H. A, Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8920
This was true of Israel after the flesh. It is just as true of millions of Gentiles, who, ignoring the solemn testimony of God's word regarding man's utterly lost condition, still persist in trying to work out a righteousness of their own, deceived by the Adversary into believing that they can in some way satisfy an offended God and put Him in their debt so that they can earn His salvation. "We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags...and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" (Isaiah 64:6) It is just this attempt to work out a human, legal righteousness that God's Word calls "dead works".
What then is meant by "repentance from dead works" (Hebrews 6:1)? It is a complete change of mind, whereby the convicted sinner gives up all thought of being able to propitiate God by effort of his own and acknowledges that he is as bad as the Word has declared him to be. He turns about his face. Instead of relying on his own fancied merits, he turns to the Lord for deliverance and seeks for mercy through the Saviour God has provided.
In Old Testament times, the legal code with its forms and ceremonies was given, not as a means of justifying righteousness but as a test of obedience. It was as true then as now that the righteous requirement of the Law was was only fulfilled (and that, of course, only in measure) in those who were already regenerated. God has never had two ways of saving people, but different dispensations, have been committed to His people as standards of living, in the various ages.
No one was ever saved by law-keeping or by sacrificial observances. To trust in these things would never avail. Not sacrifices, nor offerings, but a broken and a contrite heart, was acceptable to God. All outward forms or legal efforts, apart from faith, were merely dead works, from which the prophets were constantly calling upon men to repent. Unless You Repent - H. A, Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8920
July 28
Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. Revelation 1:17-18
Deep and varied as are the necessities of the soul they are all met by the death and resurrection of Christ. If it be a question of sin that affects the soul, the resurrection is the glorious proof of the complete putting away of sin. The moment I see Jesus at the right hand of God I see an end of sin, for I know He could not be there if sin was not fully atoned for.
He was delivered for our offences; He stood as our representative; He took upon Himself our iniquities and went down into the grave under the weight thereof. But God raised Him up from the dead, and by so doing expressed His full approbation of the work of redemption. Hence we read, He "was raised again for our justification". Resurrection, therefore, meets the need of the soul as regards the question of sin.
Then, when we enter upon the trying and difficult path of Christian testimony, we find that Jesus risen is a sovereign remedy for all the ills of life. This is exemplified for us in John 20. Mary returns to the sepulchre early in the morning. Her heart was not only sad at the loss fo her gracious Friend, but also tried by the difficulty of removing the stone.
The resurrection removed at once her sorrow and her burden. Jesus risen filled the blank in her desolated affections and removed from her shoulders the load which she was unable to sustain. She found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and she found also her beloved Lord whom death had for a season snatched from her view. Such mighty things could resurrection accomplish on behalf of a poor needy mortal! C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8921
Deep and varied as are the necessities of the soul they are all met by the death and resurrection of Christ. If it be a question of sin that affects the soul, the resurrection is the glorious proof of the complete putting away of sin. The moment I see Jesus at the right hand of God I see an end of sin, for I know He could not be there if sin was not fully atoned for.
He was delivered for our offences; He stood as our representative; He took upon Himself our iniquities and went down into the grave under the weight thereof. But God raised Him up from the dead, and by so doing expressed His full approbation of the work of redemption. Hence we read, He "was raised again for our justification". Resurrection, therefore, meets the need of the soul as regards the question of sin.
Then, when we enter upon the trying and difficult path of Christian testimony, we find that Jesus risen is a sovereign remedy for all the ills of life. This is exemplified for us in John 20. Mary returns to the sepulchre early in the morning. Her heart was not only sad at the loss fo her gracious Friend, but also tried by the difficulty of removing the stone.
The resurrection removed at once her sorrow and her burden. Jesus risen filled the blank in her desolated affections and removed from her shoulders the load which she was unable to sustain. She found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre, and she found also her beloved Lord whom death had for a season snatched from her view. Such mighty things could resurrection accomplish on behalf of a poor needy mortal! C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8921
July 29
THE MINISTRY OF BENEVOLENCE
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
The New Testament speaks of three kinds of works: dead work--the activities of the self-righteous man; wicked works--the activities of the unrighteous man (Colossians 1:21); and good works--the activities of the Christian man (Ephesians 2:10). It tells us that the Lord Jesus went about continually doing good (Acts 10:38); and that He has left His people an example that they should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).
Christian women are asked are to adorn themselves with good works (1 Timothy 2:9,10); Christian men are urged to separate from everything that hinders in order that they may be meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).
We are to be fruitful In every form of benevolence (Colossians 1:10); and are not to restrict our activities to the children of God but, as we have opportunity, are to show kindness to all (Galatians 6:10); (Hebrews 13:16). The power by which we are equipped for these delightful ministries is the illimitable grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8).
In calling us, thus, to lives of unselfishness and of devotedness to the well-being of others, God is not only conferring on us an inestimable privilege, He is also placing within our reach one of the great secrets of true happiness. For experience shows that the saddest of mortals is the man who lives solely for his own selfish interests and advantages. Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8922
How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
The New Testament speaks of three kinds of works: dead work--the activities of the self-righteous man; wicked works--the activities of the unrighteous man (Colossians 1:21); and good works--the activities of the Christian man (Ephesians 2:10). It tells us that the Lord Jesus went about continually doing good (Acts 10:38); and that He has left His people an example that they should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).
Christian women are asked are to adorn themselves with good works (1 Timothy 2:9,10); Christian men are urged to separate from everything that hinders in order that they may be meet for the Master's use and prepared unto every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).
We are to be fruitful In every form of benevolence (Colossians 1:10); and are not to restrict our activities to the children of God but, as we have opportunity, are to show kindness to all (Galatians 6:10); (Hebrews 13:16). The power by which we are equipped for these delightful ministries is the illimitable grace of God (2 Corinthians 9:8).
In calling us, thus, to lives of unselfishness and of devotedness to the well-being of others, God is not only conferring on us an inestimable privilege, He is also placing within our reach one of the great secrets of true happiness. For experience shows that the saddest of mortals is the man who lives solely for his own selfish interests and advantages. Heaven's Cure for Earth's Care - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8922
July 30
For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one." 1 John 5:7
What was it blessed God, led Thee to give Thy Son,
To yield Thy well-beloved for us by sin undone?
'Twas love unbounded led Thee thus to give Thy well-beloved for us.
What led Thy Son, O God! to leave Thy throne on high,
To shed His precious blood, to suffer and to die!
'Twas love unbounded love to us, led Him to die and suffer Thus.
What moved Thee to impart Thy Spirit from above,
Therewith to fill our heart, with heavenly peace and love!
'Twas love, unbounded love to us, moved Thee to give Thy Spirit thus.
What love to Thee we owe, our God, for all Thy grace;
Our hearts may well o'erflow in everlasting praise!
Make us, O Lord to praise Thee thus for all Thy boundless love to us. Ann Taylor
Stanzas 1, 2, and 3 each enlarge on one of these wonderful persons. They are all God, and thus is hard for us to comprehend, but it was so generous of God to delineate Himself in three characters so that we could appreciate each one, never losing sight of their singleness of mind and purpose. Notice also the hymn is the seven great gifts of God high lighted:
1. God Himself, whom we have come to know as our Father.
2. Divine love, the starting point for all blessing, and which continues into eternity.
3. The Son, the greatest gift of all.
4. The precious blood, the clear evidence of His death.
5. The Holy Spirit, whose chief delight is to point us to Christ.
6. Heavenly peace; perfect and eternal.
7. Grace, that which takes us into all our spiritual blessings in Christ; way beyond anything we might imagine. Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8923
What was it blessed God, led Thee to give Thy Son,
To yield Thy well-beloved for us by sin undone?
'Twas love unbounded led Thee thus to give Thy well-beloved for us.
What led Thy Son, O God! to leave Thy throne on high,
To shed His precious blood, to suffer and to die!
'Twas love unbounded love to us, led Him to die and suffer Thus.
What moved Thee to impart Thy Spirit from above,
Therewith to fill our heart, with heavenly peace and love!
'Twas love, unbounded love to us, moved Thee to give Thy Spirit thus.
What love to Thee we owe, our God, for all Thy grace;
Our hearts may well o'erflow in everlasting praise!
Make us, O Lord to praise Thee thus for all Thy boundless love to us. Ann Taylor
Stanzas 1, 2, and 3 each enlarge on one of these wonderful persons. They are all God, and thus is hard for us to comprehend, but it was so generous of God to delineate Himself in three characters so that we could appreciate each one, never losing sight of their singleness of mind and purpose. Notice also the hymn is the seven great gifts of God high lighted:
1. God Himself, whom we have come to know as our Father.
2. Divine love, the starting point for all blessing, and which continues into eternity.
3. The Son, the greatest gift of all.
4. The precious blood, the clear evidence of His death.
5. The Holy Spirit, whose chief delight is to point us to Christ.
6. Heavenly peace; perfect and eternal.
7. Grace, that which takes us into all our spiritual blessings in Christ; way beyond anything we might imagine. Lorne Perry
N.J. Hiebert - 8923
July 31
Seeing then that we have a great High priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Hebrews 4:14
Now, what is the Christ of verse 14? A Christ crucified? No, Christ glorified. You are made partakers of Christ in the kingdom if you hold fast by Christ crucified. Holding to a crucified Christ is my title to the rest of a glorified Christ.
Two things contest this with you--sin and unbelief. Do you not recognize these two enemies as you pass along? Shall I continue in sin? Am I to give place to one wrong thought? I may be overtaken, but am I to treat them other than as enemies? Then unbelief is an action of the soul towards God. You and I do not know what saintly character is--what it is to be between Egypt and Canaan--if we are not aware that those two things stand out to withstand our passage every day.
Christ glorified--rest glorious. He has us out of "Egypt". The exhortation attaches to a people out of "Egypt". We have passed the blood sprinkled lintel. The glorious Canaan is before us. The gospel not only of the blood of Christ, but of the glory of Christ. It took one form in the ear of the Israelites and it takes another form to us; but to them, as to us, rest was preached. The blessed Creator provided Himself a rest after creation. He promised Himself a rest in Canaan after bringing them through the wilderness.
Adam disturbed His creation-rest. Israel disturbed His Canaan-rest. Is He, therefore, disappointed in His rest? No; He has found it in Christ when man in every way had disappointed Him. Christ is the One who has worked out that rest, and who holds it now, and it remains with Him both for God, and for His saints. Musings on Hebrews - J. G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 8924
Hebrews 4:14
Now, what is the Christ of verse 14? A Christ crucified? No, Christ glorified. You are made partakers of Christ in the kingdom if you hold fast by Christ crucified. Holding to a crucified Christ is my title to the rest of a glorified Christ.
Two things contest this with you--sin and unbelief. Do you not recognize these two enemies as you pass along? Shall I continue in sin? Am I to give place to one wrong thought? I may be overtaken, but am I to treat them other than as enemies? Then unbelief is an action of the soul towards God. You and I do not know what saintly character is--what it is to be between Egypt and Canaan--if we are not aware that those two things stand out to withstand our passage every day.
Christ glorified--rest glorious. He has us out of "Egypt". The exhortation attaches to a people out of "Egypt". We have passed the blood sprinkled lintel. The glorious Canaan is before us. The gospel not only of the blood of Christ, but of the glory of Christ. It took one form in the ear of the Israelites and it takes another form to us; but to them, as to us, rest was preached. The blessed Creator provided Himself a rest after creation. He promised Himself a rest in Canaan after bringing them through the wilderness.
Adam disturbed His creation-rest. Israel disturbed His Canaan-rest. Is He, therefore, disappointed in His rest? No; He has found it in Christ when man in every way had disappointed Him. Christ is the One who has worked out that rest, and who holds it now, and it remains with Him both for God, and for His saints. Musings on Hebrews - J. G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 8924
August 1
I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee. Job 42:5
Job was a good man already. He feared God and eschewed [shunned] evil, and God called him "My servant Job" and said of him, "There is none like him in the earth." (Job 1:8)
Job had heard and had believed. That is good enough to start with. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Moreover, Job had lived an exemplary life. But, like many who have come that far, he needed to see God, not in a vision or manifestation to the senses but in a personal, overwhelming, humbling, pride-shattering consciousness of the very presence of God Himself.
Through the ages, such an experience, though wide and diverse in its patterns, has marked the men God has used most. Too many have heard and believed and lived but have not seen. God brings us to where we can say, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee" (Job 42:5)
Faith is a very simple thing, tho' little understood;
It frees the soul from death's dread sting, by resting on the blood.
It looks not on the things around, nor on the things within;
It takes its flight to scenes above, beyond the sphere of sin.
It sees upon the the throne of God a victim that was slain;
It rests its all on His shed blood, and says, "I'm born again."
Faith is not what we see or feel; It is a simple trust
In what the God of love has said of Jesus as the Just. Asa Hull
Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8925
Job was a good man already. He feared God and eschewed [shunned] evil, and God called him "My servant Job" and said of him, "There is none like him in the earth." (Job 1:8)
Job had heard and had believed. That is good enough to start with. "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). Moreover, Job had lived an exemplary life. But, like many who have come that far, he needed to see God, not in a vision or manifestation to the senses but in a personal, overwhelming, humbling, pride-shattering consciousness of the very presence of God Himself.
Through the ages, such an experience, though wide and diverse in its patterns, has marked the men God has used most. Too many have heard and believed and lived but have not seen. God brings us to where we can say, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth Thee" (Job 42:5)
Faith is a very simple thing, tho' little understood;
It frees the soul from death's dread sting, by resting on the blood.
It looks not on the things around, nor on the things within;
It takes its flight to scenes above, beyond the sphere of sin.
It sees upon the the throne of God a victim that was slain;
It rests its all on His shed blood, and says, "I'm born again."
Faith is not what we see or feel; It is a simple trust
In what the God of love has said of Jesus as the Just. Asa Hull
Day by Day with Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8925
August 2
BEING USABLE
"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
Have we any prayer like "Use me, O Lord," in the Bible? We have it in hymns; I expect we have often prayed to be used. But as I looked through my Bible for an answer to this strange question, I could not find any such prayer anywhere.
The word in 2 Timothy 2:21 simply says that if the vessel be clean it will be ready for the Master to use; and in Isaiah 6, the "Send me" was in answer to the question,"Who will go?"
It is at least interesting and suggestive to find many other verbs occurring in prayer--Teach me, lead me, bless me, and so on--and not this verb which we would naturally expect. Is it that there is no need for it?
If the vessel be clean and ready to hand, the Master will use it. It is not necessary that it should ask Him to do so. The Captain will use the soldier if he be prepared for use; words of beseeching on the soldier's part are not required. The one thing that matters is that we should be usable.
Each day brings us, like a new gift, a quite new opportunity. Our precious handful of days may be partly or almost wholly spent, but God does not, as earthly masters often do, pay off a worker saying, "You are no use to me now"; He gives us each day a new chance.
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8926
"If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Timothy 2:21
Have we any prayer like "Use me, O Lord," in the Bible? We have it in hymns; I expect we have often prayed to be used. But as I looked through my Bible for an answer to this strange question, I could not find any such prayer anywhere.
The word in 2 Timothy 2:21 simply says that if the vessel be clean it will be ready for the Master to use; and in Isaiah 6, the "Send me" was in answer to the question,"Who will go?"
It is at least interesting and suggestive to find many other verbs occurring in prayer--Teach me, lead me, bless me, and so on--and not this verb which we would naturally expect. Is it that there is no need for it?
If the vessel be clean and ready to hand, the Master will use it. It is not necessary that it should ask Him to do so. The Captain will use the soldier if he be prepared for use; words of beseeching on the soldier's part are not required. The one thing that matters is that we should be usable.
Each day brings us, like a new gift, a quite new opportunity. Our precious handful of days may be partly or almost wholly spent, but God does not, as earthly masters often do, pay off a worker saying, "You are no use to me now"; He gives us each day a new chance.
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8926
August 3
A brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? Philemon 16
Though we are to pray for all saints, yet some call for a more special remembrance at our hands: for instance, those that are near to us by bond of nature as well as of grace. (Philemon 16) You are to pray particularly for those that are in distress: whoever you forget, remember these: this is a fit season for love.
A friend for adversity is as proper as fire for for a winter's day: Job's friends chose the right time to visit him, but took not the right course of improving their visit: had they spent the time in praying for him which they did in hot disputes with him, they would have profited him, and pleased God more.
Prayer and Thanksgiving. Prayer is a means to dispose the heart to praise. When David begins a psalm with prayer, he commonly ends it with praise. That Spirit which leads a soul out of itself to God for supply, will direct to the same God with His praise. We do not borrow money of one man and return it to another.
If God has been your strength, surely you will make Him your song. The thief comes not to thank a man for what he steals out of his yard. Mercies ill got are commonly as ill spent, because they are not sanctified, and so become fuel to feed lusts.
As, a necessary ingredient in all our prayers: "...with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6). This spice must be in all our offerings. He that prays for a mercy he wants, and is not thankful for mercies received, may seem mindful of himself, but is forgetful of God, and so takes the wrong course. God will not put His mercies into a torn purse; and such is an unthankful heart. Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall 1617-1679
N.J. Hiebert - 8927
Though we are to pray for all saints, yet some call for a more special remembrance at our hands: for instance, those that are near to us by bond of nature as well as of grace. (Philemon 16) You are to pray particularly for those that are in distress: whoever you forget, remember these: this is a fit season for love.
A friend for adversity is as proper as fire for for a winter's day: Job's friends chose the right time to visit him, but took not the right course of improving their visit: had they spent the time in praying for him which they did in hot disputes with him, they would have profited him, and pleased God more.
Prayer and Thanksgiving. Prayer is a means to dispose the heart to praise. When David begins a psalm with prayer, he commonly ends it with praise. That Spirit which leads a soul out of itself to God for supply, will direct to the same God with His praise. We do not borrow money of one man and return it to another.
If God has been your strength, surely you will make Him your song. The thief comes not to thank a man for what he steals out of his yard. Mercies ill got are commonly as ill spent, because they are not sanctified, and so become fuel to feed lusts.
As, a necessary ingredient in all our prayers: "...with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." (Philippians 4:6). This spice must be in all our offerings. He that prays for a mercy he wants, and is not thankful for mercies received, may seem mindful of himself, but is forgetful of God, and so takes the wrong course. God will not put His mercies into a torn purse; and such is an unthankful heart. Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall 1617-1679
N.J. Hiebert - 8927
August 4
posted by soundwords at
July 01, 2022
|
0 Comments
