Gems from March 2023
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
UNTO JESUS and not to our brethren, not even to the best among them and the best beloved. In following a man we run the risk of losing our way; in following Jesus we are sure of never losing our way.
Besides, in putting a man between Jesus and ourselves, it will come to pass that insensibly the man will increase and Jesus will decrease; soon we no longer know how to find Jesus when we cannot find the man, and if he fails us, all fails.
On the contrary, if Jesus is kept between us and our closest friend, our attachment to the person will be at the same time less enthralling and more deep; less passionate and more tender; less necessary, and more useful; an instrument of rich blessing in the hands of God.
He is pleased to make use of him; and whose absence will be a further blessing, when it may please God to dispense with him, to draw us even nearer to the only Friend who can not be separated from us by "neither death nor life" Romans 8:38,39. Theodore Monod
N.J.Hiebert - 9137
March 1
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31
What though of gilded baubles He bereaves us,
Dear to the heart of youth, to manhood's prime,
Think of the calm He brings, the peace He leaves us,
The hoarded spoils, the legacies of time."
"Nor does the falling into decay of the earthly house of this tabernacle affect the grandeur of old age. "They say I am growing old because my hair is silvered, and there are crow's feet on my forehead, and my step is not as firm and elastic as before. But they are mistaken; that is not me."
The knees are weak, but the knees are not me. The brow is wrinkled, but the brow is not me. This is the house I live in: but I am young--younger than I was ever before."
The conclusion at which we arrive so far, then, is that while youth is beautiful--wondrously beautiful--age has a beauty and a majesty all its own; and that, although those who are at the beginning of life may acquire much knowledge, those who are nearing its close may possess that wisdom which is knowledge applied.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 The Best Is Yet To Be - H. Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 9138
What though of gilded baubles He bereaves us,
Dear to the heart of youth, to manhood's prime,
Think of the calm He brings, the peace He leaves us,
The hoarded spoils, the legacies of time."
"Nor does the falling into decay of the earthly house of this tabernacle affect the grandeur of old age. "They say I am growing old because my hair is silvered, and there are crow's feet on my forehead, and my step is not as firm and elastic as before. But they are mistaken; that is not me."
The knees are weak, but the knees are not me. The brow is wrinkled, but the brow is not me. This is the house I live in: but I am young--younger than I was ever before."
The conclusion at which we arrive so far, then, is that while youth is beautiful--wondrously beautiful--age has a beauty and a majesty all its own; and that, although those who are at the beginning of life may acquire much knowledge, those who are nearing its close may possess that wisdom which is knowledge applied.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4:18)
"Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 The Best Is Yet To Be - H. Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 9138
March 2
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25
It is quite certain that those who are whole hearted for Christ desire to be in His company. They instinctively wend their way to the spot where He is known to be. Is there such a spot on earth? Yes, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of the them." Matthew 18:20.
No one who is truly conscious of the greatness and excellency of His Person, and of the blessedness of communion with Him, would willingly be absent from that favoured place.
We read that of old, "They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42). Alas that there should be such a lack of continuing steadfastly now! "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:12) and can we suppose that He fails to notice whether we are there or not to join in the song He leads?
"This do in remembrance of Me"? (1 Corinthians 11:24)
The Lord is Near - 2007
We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination guide heart and walk aright;
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. Paul Gerhardt
N.J.Hiebert - 9139
It is quite certain that those who are whole hearted for Christ desire to be in His company. They instinctively wend their way to the spot where He is known to be. Is there such a spot on earth? Yes, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of the them." Matthew 18:20.
No one who is truly conscious of the greatness and excellency of His Person, and of the blessedness of communion with Him, would willingly be absent from that favoured place.
We read that of old, "They continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:42). Alas that there should be such a lack of continuing steadfastly now! "In the midst of the church will I sing praise unto Thee." (Hebrews 2:12) and can we suppose that He fails to notice whether we are there or not to join in the song He leads?
"This do in remembrance of Me"? (1 Corinthians 11:24)
The Lord is Near - 2007
We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination guide heart and walk aright;
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. Paul Gerhardt
N.J.Hiebert - 9139
March 3
And the Lord visited Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did unto Sarah as He had spoken." Genesis 21:1
Here we have accomplished promise--the blessed fruit of patient waiting upon God. None ever waited in vain. The soul that takes hold of God's promise by faith, has gotten a stable reality which will never fail him. Thus was it with Abraham; thus was it with all the faithful from age to age; and thus will it be with all those who are enabled, in any measure, to trust in the living God.
Oh! it is a wonderful blessing to have God Himself as our portion and resting-place, amid the unsatisfying shadows of this scene through which we are passing,--to have our anchor cast within the vail,--to have the word and oath of God--the two immutable things--to lean upon, for the comfort and tranquility of our souls.
When God's promise stood before the soul of Abraham as an accomplished fact, he might well have learned the futility of his own effort to reach that accomplishment. Ishmael was of no use whatever, so far as God's promise was concerned. He might, and did, afford something for nature's affections to entwine themselves around, thus furnishing a more difficult task for Abraham to perform afterwards; but he was in no wise conducive to the development of the purpose of God, or to the establishment of Abraham's faith, quite the reverse.
Nature can never do aught for God. The Lord must "visit," and the Lord must "do," and faith must wait, and nature must be still, yea, must be entirely set aside as a dead, worthless thing, and then the divine glory can shine out, and faith find in that outshining all its rich and sweet reward.
Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (v.2) Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9140
Here we have accomplished promise--the blessed fruit of patient waiting upon God. None ever waited in vain. The soul that takes hold of God's promise by faith, has gotten a stable reality which will never fail him. Thus was it with Abraham; thus was it with all the faithful from age to age; and thus will it be with all those who are enabled, in any measure, to trust in the living God.
Oh! it is a wonderful blessing to have God Himself as our portion and resting-place, amid the unsatisfying shadows of this scene through which we are passing,--to have our anchor cast within the vail,--to have the word and oath of God--the two immutable things--to lean upon, for the comfort and tranquility of our souls.
When God's promise stood before the soul of Abraham as an accomplished fact, he might well have learned the futility of his own effort to reach that accomplishment. Ishmael was of no use whatever, so far as God's promise was concerned. He might, and did, afford something for nature's affections to entwine themselves around, thus furnishing a more difficult task for Abraham to perform afterwards; but he was in no wise conducive to the development of the purpose of God, or to the establishment of Abraham's faith, quite the reverse.
Nature can never do aught for God. The Lord must "visit," and the Lord must "do," and faith must wait, and nature must be still, yea, must be entirely set aside as a dead, worthless thing, and then the divine glory can shine out, and faith find in that outshining all its rich and sweet reward.
Sarah conceived and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him. (v.2) Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9140
March 4
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Psalm 24:8
David and Goliath's unequal battle--the shepherd lad without a sword or spear meeting the mighty giant of the Philistines striding proudly with his spear and sword and shield to mortal combat in the valley of Elah--is one of the striking pictures in the Old Testament of Golgotha.
David was misjudged by his brethren. Eliab, his eldest brother, said in anger, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle" (1 Samuel 17:28) What stinging sarcasm and evil surmising! How untrue the charge of pride and idle curiosity! David was one of the noblest examples of meekness and lowliness in the Scriptures.
"To see the battle"? There was no battle till David came. There would have been no battle had he not come. David was there because his father sent him. David was there because he was needed there.
David despised Goliath. "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (v.17:26). David was fired with zeal for the dishonour that was done to the name of God. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied" (v.17:45).
See the courage and the confidence of David as he meets the towering giant. "David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine" (v.17:48). How soon it was all over! Goliath, like Dagon his god, lay stretched out with his face upon the earth. In the forehead of his pride, Goliath was pierced with the stone from David's sling. Before the men of Israel could scarcely get their breath, there was David standing on the carcass of the giant, swinging above his head the sword he had pulled from Goliath's sheath. . . . "But there was no sword in the hand of David" (v.17:50)
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J.Hiebert - 9141
David and Goliath's unequal battle--the shepherd lad without a sword or spear meeting the mighty giant of the Philistines striding proudly with his spear and sword and shield to mortal combat in the valley of Elah--is one of the striking pictures in the Old Testament of Golgotha.
David was misjudged by his brethren. Eliab, his eldest brother, said in anger, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle" (1 Samuel 17:28) What stinging sarcasm and evil surmising! How untrue the charge of pride and idle curiosity! David was one of the noblest examples of meekness and lowliness in the Scriptures.
"To see the battle"? There was no battle till David came. There would have been no battle had he not come. David was there because his father sent him. David was there because he was needed there.
David despised Goliath. "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (v.17:26). David was fired with zeal for the dishonour that was done to the name of God. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied" (v.17:45).
See the courage and the confidence of David as he meets the towering giant. "David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine" (v.17:48). How soon it was all over! Goliath, like Dagon his god, lay stretched out with his face upon the earth. In the forehead of his pride, Goliath was pierced with the stone from David's sling. Before the men of Israel could scarcely get their breath, there was David standing on the carcass of the giant, swinging above his head the sword he had pulled from Goliath's sheath. . . . "But there was no sword in the hand of David" (v.17:50)
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
N.J.Hiebert - 9141
March 5
Take care of him. Luke10:35
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Has anyone else ever stood before you and said, "Give me your care"? Many have come, it may be, and asked for your friendship, or your society, or your entertainment, or for some benefit; but did anyone want your care? No; they would not like you to bring your care into their company.
"Come with a bright face," they say; "make us happy with your sparkling wit and lively conversation." But here is One who asks for your company in order to relieve you of your care. He does not even say, "Cast your care away," but He invites you to cast it upon Him. Could anything be more calculated to touch us? And He says "all" your care.
It is not even that He promises to help us to bear it. This word carries us infinitely beyond that. Often we try to bear our cares, and ask God, as it were, to carry us and our cares.
We are like the man of Ganton, of whom we read, that he was riding to market with a sack of flour, when suddenly he was filled with remorse at the weight his horse had to carry; so without getting off, he lifted the sack upon his own back.
Foolish man, to add to his own burden without lightening that of his horse! And are we any wiser when we keep the burden that we might cast upon God, and instead of riding to heaven without a featherweight of care, we go heavily laden. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9142
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Has anyone else ever stood before you and said, "Give me your care"? Many have come, it may be, and asked for your friendship, or your society, or your entertainment, or for some benefit; but did anyone want your care? No; they would not like you to bring your care into their company.
"Come with a bright face," they say; "make us happy with your sparkling wit and lively conversation." But here is One who asks for your company in order to relieve you of your care. He does not even say, "Cast your care away," but He invites you to cast it upon Him. Could anything be more calculated to touch us? And He says "all" your care.
It is not even that He promises to help us to bear it. This word carries us infinitely beyond that. Often we try to bear our cares, and ask God, as it were, to carry us and our cares.
We are like the man of Ganton, of whom we read, that he was riding to market with a sack of flour, when suddenly he was filled with remorse at the weight his horse had to carry; so without getting off, he lifted the sack upon his own back.
Foolish man, to add to his own burden without lightening that of his horse! And are we any wiser when we keep the burden that we might cast upon God, and instead of riding to heaven without a featherweight of care, we go heavily laden. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9142
March 6
I have rejoiced in the way of Thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. (Psalm 119:14)
Joseph, a dear Christian and his wife, were driving on a highway on the outskirts of Beirut at a time of political unrest and war. He happened to see a large suitcase lying on the side of the road. In that part of the world with its war, terrorism and political unrest the only safe, wise thing to do would be to assume the suitcase was a roadside bomb and get away as fast and as far as possible.
But Joseph felt the Lord was compelling him to stop and pick up the suitcase. He did. When they arrived home he opened it to find that it was completely stuffed full of money. He also found an identification tag including a person's name, address and phone number.
Joseph's phone call was eventually answered. Identifying himself, Joseph asked to speak with the person whose name was written on the suitcase tag. A very sad sounding voice answered the phone. Joseph asked, "Sir, have you lost something?"
A tremulous voice responded; "Have you found it?" Further conversation revealed that the man and his family had been fleeing the country when, en-route, the suitcase was lost. A reunion with the suitcase and its owner was arranged. In a short time the relieved man man stood at Joseph's door. With him was his whole family, brought to meet such a rare person--a truly honest man.
As they sat talking together in Joseph's living room, he quietly said to the thankful family, "You may believe you have recovered your treasure. But remember, just how passing a treasure this really is. With the fragile state of our country, fighting, terrorism and political discontent, this suitcase full of money could easily become completely worthless
"I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). "The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life." (John 6:60) The Christian Shepherd - December 2006
N.J.Hiebert - 9143
Joseph, a dear Christian and his wife, were driving on a highway on the outskirts of Beirut at a time of political unrest and war. He happened to see a large suitcase lying on the side of the road. In that part of the world with its war, terrorism and political unrest the only safe, wise thing to do would be to assume the suitcase was a roadside bomb and get away as fast and as far as possible.
But Joseph felt the Lord was compelling him to stop and pick up the suitcase. He did. When they arrived home he opened it to find that it was completely stuffed full of money. He also found an identification tag including a person's name, address and phone number.
Joseph's phone call was eventually answered. Identifying himself, Joseph asked to speak with the person whose name was written on the suitcase tag. A very sad sounding voice answered the phone. Joseph asked, "Sir, have you lost something?"
A tremulous voice responded; "Have you found it?" Further conversation revealed that the man and his family had been fleeing the country when, en-route, the suitcase was lost. A reunion with the suitcase and its owner was arranged. In a short time the relieved man man stood at Joseph's door. With him was his whole family, brought to meet such a rare person--a truly honest man.
As they sat talking together in Joseph's living room, he quietly said to the thankful family, "You may believe you have recovered your treasure. But remember, just how passing a treasure this really is. With the fragile state of our country, fighting, terrorism and political discontent, this suitcase full of money could easily become completely worthless
"I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12). "The words that I speak unto you . . . they are life." (John 6:60) The Christian Shepherd - December 2006
N.J.Hiebert - 9143
March 7
There shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, where is the promise of His coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. (2 Peter 3:3-4)
It is always when people want to follow their own lusts that they begin to scoff. It may not be outward and gross lusts, but man wants to be independent, to gratify himself, and therefore he thinks he must get rid of God, get rid of His authority; and he would be glad to get rid of God out of the scene altogether if he could.
These scoffers say, The only thing that is durable and abiding is creation. It began far away in remote space; how it came we do not know exactly, but it came, and it goes on, and as for the promise of the coming of the Son of God, it is absurd. "Where is the the promise of His coming?" they say scoffingly. Judging by appearances, they say that there is no change since the beginning. This is false. The eye of man may not have detected any change, but the Word of God assures us that there has been.
But if they scoff at the Lord's coming, they are obliged to let in creation, and if creation comes in there must be the Creator, and who is the Creator? There they are silenced.
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." (v.5,6) Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9144
It is always when people want to follow their own lusts that they begin to scoff. It may not be outward and gross lusts, but man wants to be independent, to gratify himself, and therefore he thinks he must get rid of God, get rid of His authority; and he would be glad to get rid of God out of the scene altogether if he could.
These scoffers say, The only thing that is durable and abiding is creation. It began far away in remote space; how it came we do not know exactly, but it came, and it goes on, and as for the promise of the coming of the Son of God, it is absurd. "Where is the the promise of His coming?" they say scoffingly. Judging by appearances, they say that there is no change since the beginning. This is false. The eye of man may not have detected any change, but the Word of God assures us that there has been.
But if they scoff at the Lord's coming, they are obliged to let in creation, and if creation comes in there must be the Creator, and who is the Creator? There they are silenced.
"For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water. Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished." (v.5,6) Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9144
March 8
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by men, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead;) Galatians 1:1
Paul was an apostle from the resurrection side of the cross: an apostle from the glory: and we will find that all his writings bear his character. "Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20). Our inheritance is in heaven (Ephesians 1:11). We are to "seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1). "Set your affections on things above". (Colossians 3:2).
Power and authority to raise the dead is certain proof of power and authority to send forth His servants. It was after His resurrection that the Lord said, "All power is given unto unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore." (Matthew 28:18,19).
May we each be able to say, That is the mark; that is the badge; that is the sign of the authority that sends me forth, even the resurrection power, the mighty power of God, the One that raised our Lord Jesus Christ out from among the dead.
This is the first time the epistle refers to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is to tell out that Paul's authority and apostleship are in resurrection power. It is this power, this authority, that we need today.
Paul's authority was not Christ and Peter; or Christ and the apostles; or Christ and any man. Paul's authority and commission were from Jesus Christ and God the Father alone. No man added anything to his authority or his commission. Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9145
Paul was an apostle from the resurrection side of the cross: an apostle from the glory: and we will find that all his writings bear his character. "Our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven." (Philippians 3:20). Our inheritance is in heaven (Ephesians 1:11). We are to "seek those things which are above (Colossians 3:1). "Set your affections on things above". (Colossians 3:2).
Power and authority to raise the dead is certain proof of power and authority to send forth His servants. It was after His resurrection that the Lord said, "All power is given unto unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore." (Matthew 28:18,19).
May we each be able to say, That is the mark; that is the badge; that is the sign of the authority that sends me forth, even the resurrection power, the mighty power of God, the One that raised our Lord Jesus Christ out from among the dead.
This is the first time the epistle refers to the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is to tell out that Paul's authority and apostleship are in resurrection power. It is this power, this authority, that we need today.
Paul's authority was not Christ and Peter; or Christ and the apostles; or Christ and any man. Paul's authority and commission were from Jesus Christ and God the Father alone. No man added anything to his authority or his commission. Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9145
March 9
The Double Reason
"Fear not . . . thou art mine . . . I am thy God . . . thy Saviour" Isaiah 43:1-3
Fear not, though the dangers around thee,
Come close and look large and grow great;
I will make thee a way through the waters
Till their force and their fury abate;
I will walk through the furnace beside thee
And the flame shall not burn, but refine.
I have called thee and I have redeemed thee!
Fear not, thou art Mine.
Fear not; there is naught that can harm thee,
Though evils increase, more and more
Though the prey there is none to deliver
The spoil there is none to restore.
The power shall pass from the mighty,
The strength of the foe shall decline;
When I work, there is none that can hinder;
Fear not, I am thine.
Fear not; I have called thee and named thee,
Thou art precious and dear unto Me;
I have chosen thee, loved thee and saved thee
My praise and My glory to be.
I have given My life for thy ransom,
My blood is the seal and the sign;
Thy Saviour, Thy God, Thy Redeemer--
Fear not; thou art Mine; I am thine.
Flint's Best-loved Poems
N.J.Hiebert - 9146
"Fear not . . . thou art mine . . . I am thy God . . . thy Saviour" Isaiah 43:1-3
Fear not, though the dangers around thee,
Come close and look large and grow great;
I will make thee a way through the waters
Till their force and their fury abate;
I will walk through the furnace beside thee
And the flame shall not burn, but refine.
I have called thee and I have redeemed thee!
Fear not, thou art Mine.
Fear not; there is naught that can harm thee,
Though evils increase, more and more
Though the prey there is none to deliver
The spoil there is none to restore.
The power shall pass from the mighty,
The strength of the foe shall decline;
When I work, there is none that can hinder;
Fear not, I am thine.
Fear not; I have called thee and named thee,
Thou art precious and dear unto Me;
I have chosen thee, loved thee and saved thee
My praise and My glory to be.
I have given My life for thy ransom,
My blood is the seal and the sign;
Thy Saviour, Thy God, Thy Redeemer--
Fear not; thou art Mine; I am thine.
Flint's Best-loved Poems
N.J.Hiebert - 9146
March 10
For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2 Corinthians 4:6-7
When we come to realize how wretched the flesh within us is, then we need to see that God is teaching us to look away from ourselves and unto Christ. As we look unto Him, His moral features will be impressed upon us. Some of these features are obedience and dependence upon God, patience, meekness, self control, and many others. In Galatians 5:22-23, we see these features presented as the fruit of the Holy Spirit being worked out practically in the life of the believer.
Paul explains that our bodies which he calls "earthen vessels," contain this special treasure of Christ dwelling in every believer. Then, as the vessel is broken, as self is set aside, the light shines out.
Here is something else to consider: in 2 Corinthians 5:10, the apostle Paul reminds us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Every thing we have done in our lifetime will be manifested then in the light of His holy presence.
Our motives, our self-seeking--even when it is mixed with our service for the Lord--will be manifested. What was done in secret or in public, at the work place or at home, in private counselling or in public preaching, all will be laid bare.
But remember, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, our sinful nature is no longer in us. Then we will be with and like Christ, and we will rejoice that our old selfish and sinful nature is once and forever gone. Only what was of Christ will remain forever. Day by day, as we walk our wilderness pathway here, let us seek to please Him, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12:2. Jacob Redekop
N.J.Hiebert - 9147
When we come to realize how wretched the flesh within us is, then we need to see that God is teaching us to look away from ourselves and unto Christ. As we look unto Him, His moral features will be impressed upon us. Some of these features are obedience and dependence upon God, patience, meekness, self control, and many others. In Galatians 5:22-23, we see these features presented as the fruit of the Holy Spirit being worked out practically in the life of the believer.
Paul explains that our bodies which he calls "earthen vessels," contain this special treasure of Christ dwelling in every believer. Then, as the vessel is broken, as self is set aside, the light shines out.
Here is something else to consider: in 2 Corinthians 5:10, the apostle Paul reminds us that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Every thing we have done in our lifetime will be manifested then in the light of His holy presence.
Our motives, our self-seeking--even when it is mixed with our service for the Lord--will be manifested. What was done in secret or in public, at the work place or at home, in private counselling or in public preaching, all will be laid bare.
But remember, when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, our sinful nature is no longer in us. Then we will be with and like Christ, and we will rejoice that our old selfish and sinful nature is once and forever gone. Only what was of Christ will remain forever. Day by day, as we walk our wilderness pathway here, let us seek to please Him, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith" Hebrews 12:2. Jacob Redekop
N.J.Hiebert - 9147
March 11
Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly, and said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and He heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and Thou heardest my voice. Jonah 2:1-2
Yes, wonder of wonders, God is ever ready to hear, and ever ready to forgive. The cloud and the darkness are all on our side: our God has not changed. One can but watch with adoring wonder to see the patience and wisdom of God in dealing with His erring servant. Time and again He gave him warning and opportunity to cry to Him for pardon and help.
God does not give him up, even when the sight of death itself will not force him to yield. This God is our God; how much better for us to fall at His feet and pour out the whole story of our sin and failure, and cry to Him for mercy and forgiveness. We will surely find that, like, the writer of Psalm 116:1-2 (who had found trouble and sorrow), we too, may exclaim with adoring wonder, "I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live."
But let us listen further to Jonah's prayer. What an immense privilege to be able to stand by and hear this prayer out of the fish's belly: "For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas;" (v.2:3) There is not a suggestion that it was the sailors that cast him into the sea: No, Jonah knew better than that. It was God, and God only, who had cast Jonah into the sea, and he acknowledged it.
Why would God do such a thing as this? Was it cruel on His part to do so? Oh, no! This was the way home, and the only way home, for this particular prodigal son. It was not until he got into the fish, and had been there for three days and nights "that he came to himself"(Luke 15:17). Whether it is the pigs, or whether it is the fish, God has His ways to make His people come to themselves. Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9148
Yes, wonder of wonders, God is ever ready to hear, and ever ready to forgive. The cloud and the darkness are all on our side: our God has not changed. One can but watch with adoring wonder to see the patience and wisdom of God in dealing with His erring servant. Time and again He gave him warning and opportunity to cry to Him for pardon and help.
God does not give him up, even when the sight of death itself will not force him to yield. This God is our God; how much better for us to fall at His feet and pour out the whole story of our sin and failure, and cry to Him for mercy and forgiveness. We will surely find that, like, the writer of Psalm 116:1-2 (who had found trouble and sorrow), we too, may exclaim with adoring wonder, "I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live."
But let us listen further to Jonah's prayer. What an immense privilege to be able to stand by and hear this prayer out of the fish's belly: "For Thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas;" (v.2:3) There is not a suggestion that it was the sailors that cast him into the sea: No, Jonah knew better than that. It was God, and God only, who had cast Jonah into the sea, and he acknowledged it.
Why would God do such a thing as this? Was it cruel on His part to do so? Oh, no! This was the way home, and the only way home, for this particular prodigal son. It was not until he got into the fish, and had been there for three days and nights "that he came to himself"(Luke 15:17). Whether it is the pigs, or whether it is the fish, God has His ways to make His people come to themselves. Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9148
March 12
The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
If you reject Christ now you will have no desire to accept Him in that coming day. You are in the most dangerous position in which anyone could be. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).
Some of the saddest funerals I have ever had to conduct in my life have been funerals of young men or women who were members of Christian families, who had often been pleaded with to come to Christ; but they had gone on in carelessness, hoping that everything would come out all right in the end. Then suddenly they were struck down, perhaps by accident, and they went out into eternity leaving no testimony,
Young men and young women, I plead with you, do not allow another day to pass without coming to Christ, lest the near future find you forever beyond all hope of mercy. God has given you the opportunity to believe the truth. He has presented His Word, but if you turn away from that truth and refuse to believe the gospel, then God Himself may give you up to judicial judgment that you should believe the lie of the man of sin and so be forever lost.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Thessalonians - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9149
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18
If you reject Christ now you will have no desire to accept Him in that coming day. You are in the most dangerous position in which anyone could be. "He that being often reproved hardeneth his neck shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy" (Proverbs 29:1).
Some of the saddest funerals I have ever had to conduct in my life have been funerals of young men or women who were members of Christian families, who had often been pleaded with to come to Christ; but they had gone on in carelessness, hoping that everything would come out all right in the end. Then suddenly they were struck down, perhaps by accident, and they went out into eternity leaving no testimony,
Young men and young women, I plead with you, do not allow another day to pass without coming to Christ, lest the near future find you forever beyond all hope of mercy. God has given you the opportunity to believe the truth. He has presented His Word, but if you turn away from that truth and refuse to believe the gospel, then God Himself may give you up to judicial judgment that you should believe the lie of the man of sin and so be forever lost.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) Thessalonians - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9149
March 13
Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:8
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
There are two things which constitute the joy of a Christian. They are his strength on the road and the object constantly before his heart: First, present communion and fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Second, the hope of the coming of the Lord. These two cannot be separated without loss to our souls, for we cannot have all the profit without both of them.
If we are not looking for the coming of the Lord, nothing else can separate us in the same way from this present evil world. Christ will not Himself be so much the object before the soul, nor yet shall we be able, in the same measure, to apprehend the mind and counsels of God about the world if there be not this waiting for His Son from heaven.
Again, if this hope be looked at apart from present communion and fellowship with God, we shall not have present power. The heart will be enfeebled by the mind being too much occupied and overborne by the evil around.
For we cannot be really looking for God's Son from heaven without at the same time seeing the world's utter rejection of Him. We see that the world itself is going wrong, its wisemen have no wisdom--all is going on to judgment, the principles of evil are loosening all bands.
The soul thus becomes oppressed and the heart sad; but if through grace the Christian is in present communion and fellowship with God, his soul stands steady and is calm and happy before God because there is a fund of blessing in Him which no circumstance can ever touch or change. J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9150
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
There are two things which constitute the joy of a Christian. They are his strength on the road and the object constantly before his heart: First, present communion and fellowship with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. Second, the hope of the coming of the Lord. These two cannot be separated without loss to our souls, for we cannot have all the profit without both of them.
If we are not looking for the coming of the Lord, nothing else can separate us in the same way from this present evil world. Christ will not Himself be so much the object before the soul, nor yet shall we be able, in the same measure, to apprehend the mind and counsels of God about the world if there be not this waiting for His Son from heaven.
Again, if this hope be looked at apart from present communion and fellowship with God, we shall not have present power. The heart will be enfeebled by the mind being too much occupied and overborne by the evil around.
For we cannot be really looking for God's Son from heaven without at the same time seeing the world's utter rejection of Him. We see that the world itself is going wrong, its wisemen have no wisdom--all is going on to judgment, the principles of evil are loosening all bands.
The soul thus becomes oppressed and the heart sad; but if through grace the Christian is in present communion and fellowship with God, his soul stands steady and is calm and happy before God because there is a fund of blessing in Him which no circumstance can ever touch or change. J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9150
March 14
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Psalm 46:2)
And Abraham rose up early in the morning...and went unto the place which God had told him. (Genesis 22:3)
There is ready obedience. "I made haste and delayed not to keep Thy commandments." (Psalms 119:60) Faith never stops to look at circumstances, or ponder results; it only looks at God; it expresses itself thus: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." (Galatians 1:15,16)
The moment we confer with flesh and blood, our testimony and service are marred, for flesh and blood can never obey. We must rise early, and carry out, through grace, the divine command. Thus we are blessed, and God is glorified. Having God's own word as the basis of our acting, will ever impart strength and stability to our acting.
If we merely act from impulse, when the impulse subsides, the acting will subside also. There are two things needful to a course of steady and consistent action, viz., the Holy Ghost as the power of action, and the Word to give proper direction.
On a railway, we should find steam of little use without the iron rails firmly laid down: the former is the power by which we move; and the later, the direction. It is needless to add that the rails would be of little use without the steam.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9151
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. (Psalm 46:2)
And Abraham rose up early in the morning...and went unto the place which God had told him. (Genesis 22:3)
There is ready obedience. "I made haste and delayed not to keep Thy commandments." (Psalms 119:60) Faith never stops to look at circumstances, or ponder results; it only looks at God; it expresses itself thus: "But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood." (Galatians 1:15,16)
The moment we confer with flesh and blood, our testimony and service are marred, for flesh and blood can never obey. We must rise early, and carry out, through grace, the divine command. Thus we are blessed, and God is glorified. Having God's own word as the basis of our acting, will ever impart strength and stability to our acting.
If we merely act from impulse, when the impulse subsides, the acting will subside also. There are two things needful to a course of steady and consistent action, viz., the Holy Ghost as the power of action, and the Word to give proper direction.
On a railway, we should find steam of little use without the iron rails firmly laid down: the former is the power by which we move; and the later, the direction. It is needless to add that the rails would be of little use without the steam.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9151
March 15
I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a token of a covenant between Me and the earth...the bow shall be seen in the cloud: and I will remember my covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature...and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant..."
Genesis 9:13-16.
We must not speculate where we cannot teach; we must not listen where we cannot learn from Him. His Written Word is the standard of the thoughts of all His saints, while some have that Word more largely made the possession of their souls, through the Spirit, than others. We are to know the common standard, and also our personal measure in the Spirit.
Though we see not those distant regions, we may trust them--trust Him, rather, who is the Lord of them. We may assure our hearts in His presence, that they will be just what we would have them to be, just what our new conditions would ask for. Heaven has always been what the earth needed.
At the beginning, the sun was there to rule the day, and the moon and the stars to govern the night. Those ordinances were set in heaven then, for they measured the earth's need then. But there was no rainbow in the sky, for the earth needed not a token that God would debate with judgment. Judgment was not known.
But when conscience had been quickened, and judgment was understood and feared, when God was known (in the doings He had accomplished) to be righteous, and earth needed a pledge that in wrath He would remember mercy, heaven wore the token of that mercy, and hung it out as on its very forehead. The Son of God - J. G. Bellett
N.J.Hiebert - 9152
We must not speculate where we cannot teach; we must not listen where we cannot learn from Him. His Written Word is the standard of the thoughts of all His saints, while some have that Word more largely made the possession of their souls, through the Spirit, than others. We are to know the common standard, and also our personal measure in the Spirit.
Though we see not those distant regions, we may trust them--trust Him, rather, who is the Lord of them. We may assure our hearts in His presence, that they will be just what we would have them to be, just what our new conditions would ask for. Heaven has always been what the earth needed.
At the beginning, the sun was there to rule the day, and the moon and the stars to govern the night. Those ordinances were set in heaven then, for they measured the earth's need then. But there was no rainbow in the sky, for the earth needed not a token that God would debate with judgment. Judgment was not known.
But when conscience had been quickened, and judgment was understood and feared, when God was known (in the doings He had accomplished) to be righteous, and earth needed a pledge that in wrath He would remember mercy, heaven wore the token of that mercy, and hung it out as on its very forehead. The Son of God - J. G. Bellett
N.J.Hiebert - 9152
March 16
And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15:33
The long and sinful history of man was compressed into the three hours of darkness that surrounded the cross. Our sins and guilt were laid upon Jesus the holy Victim, as He hung suspended there. All God's wrath and indignation against sin were poured out upon Him, when He took the penalty of our sin--death and judgment--which we so rightly deserved.
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21); and again, "For Christ also hath once, suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18).
From God's standpoint then, the moral history of man came to an ignominious end on the cross. But while the cross is the end of man's moral history, it also marks the beginning of a new life in Christ for all who believe. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). There must be, then, clear evidence of this new creation life in Christ.
For that reason, Paul exhorts, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct), the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts...and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Finally, it is evident that if God would save anyone now, it must be entirely according to His sovereign grace and mercy, and on the basis of Christ's death of substitution on the cross. We must come to God through Christ, confessing our spiritual and moral bankruptcy, lay hold on the mercy which He extends, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Richard A. Barnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9153
The long and sinful history of man was compressed into the three hours of darkness that surrounded the cross. Our sins and guilt were laid upon Jesus the holy Victim, as He hung suspended there. All God's wrath and indignation against sin were poured out upon Him, when He took the penalty of our sin--death and judgment--which we so rightly deserved.
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us" (2 Corinthians 5:21); and again, "For Christ also hath once, suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." (1 Peter 3:18).
From God's standpoint then, the moral history of man came to an ignominious end on the cross. But while the cross is the end of man's moral history, it also marks the beginning of a new life in Christ for all who believe. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, He is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17). There must be, then, clear evidence of this new creation life in Christ.
For that reason, Paul exhorts, "That ye put off concerning the former conversation (conduct), the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts...and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." (Ephesians 4:22-24).
Finally, it is evident that if God would save anyone now, it must be entirely according to His sovereign grace and mercy, and on the basis of Christ's death of substitution on the cross. We must come to God through Christ, confessing our spiritual and moral bankruptcy, lay hold on the mercy which He extends, and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Richard A. Barnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9153
March 17
And He ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach.
Mark 3:14
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
We have an illustration of the effects that the officers took knowledge of Peter and John that they had been with Jesus, because these two men of God carried with them the fragrance of the One in Whose presence they had been dwelling.
For us today who have not access to His physical presence, the whole secret is enshrined in a word which occurs three times in the New Testament; the word metamorphoomai. Matthew 17:2 where it is translated "transfigured"; in Romans 12 :2, where it is rendered "transformed" and in 2 Corinthians 3:18 where it appears "changed ".
The first of these occurrences shows the pattern to which; the second, principle upon which; and the third, the power by which we are transformed. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The transformation produces the fragrance. Samuel Rutherford prayed that the Rose of Sharon growing in his heart, might shed its fragrance abroad in his life; and wherever he went, he scattered abroad the perfume of the knowledge of God. Winsome Christianity
N.J. Hiebert - 9154
Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. Acts 4:13
We have an illustration of the effects that the officers took knowledge of Peter and John that they had been with Jesus, because these two men of God carried with them the fragrance of the One in Whose presence they had been dwelling.
For us today who have not access to His physical presence, the whole secret is enshrined in a word which occurs three times in the New Testament; the word metamorphoomai. Matthew 17:2 where it is translated "transfigured"; in Romans 12 :2, where it is rendered "transformed" and in 2 Corinthians 3:18 where it appears "changed ".
The first of these occurrences shows the pattern to which; the second, principle upon which; and the third, the power by which we are transformed. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Corinthians 3:18).
The transformation produces the fragrance. Samuel Rutherford prayed that the Rose of Sharon growing in his heart, might shed its fragrance abroad in his life; and wherever he went, he scattered abroad the perfume of the knowledge of God. Winsome Christianity
N.J. Hiebert - 9154
March 18
When thou passest through the waters...they shall not overflow thee. Isaiah 43:2
God does not open paths for us in advance of our coming. He does not promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is stretched out.
Many people forget this, and are forever worrying about difficulties which they foresee in the future. They expect that God is going to make the way plain and open before them, miles and miles ahead; whereas He has promised to do it only step by step as they may need.
You must get to the waters and into their floods before you can claim the promise. Many people dread death, and lament that they have not "dying grace." Of course, they will not have dying grace when they are in good health, in the midst of life's duties, with death far in advance. Why should they have it then? Grace for duty is what they need then, living grace; then dying grace when they come to die--J.R.M.
"When thou passest through the waters" deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge, and His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH.
Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation sweeping over heart and brain--
They shall never overflow us for we know His word is true;
All His waves and all His billows He will lead us safely through.
Threatenings breakers of destruction, doubt's insidious undertow,
Shall not sink us, shall not drag us out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise shall sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We shall not go down or under, for He saith, "Thou passest THROUGH." A. J. Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 9155
God does not open paths for us in advance of our coming. He does not promise help before help is needed. He does not remove obstacles out of our way before we reach them. Yet when we are on the edge of our need, God's hand is stretched out.
Many people forget this, and are forever worrying about difficulties which they foresee in the future. They expect that God is going to make the way plain and open before them, miles and miles ahead; whereas He has promised to do it only step by step as they may need.
You must get to the waters and into their floods before you can claim the promise. Many people dread death, and lament that they have not "dying grace." Of course, they will not have dying grace when they are in good health, in the midst of life's duties, with death far in advance. Why should they have it then? Grace for duty is what they need then, living grace; then dying grace when they come to die--J.R.M.
"When thou passest through the waters" deep the waves may be and cold,
But Jehovah is our refuge, and His promise is our hold;
For the Lord Himself hath said it, He, the faithful God and true:
"When thou comest to the waters thou shalt not go down, BUT THROUGH.
Seas of sorrow, seas of trial, bitterest anguish, fiercest pain,
Rolling surges of temptation sweeping over heart and brain--
They shall never overflow us for we know His word is true;
All His waves and all His billows He will lead us safely through.
Threatenings breakers of destruction, doubt's insidious undertow,
Shall not sink us, shall not drag us out to ocean depths of woe;
For His promise shall sustain us, Praise the Lord, whose Word is true!
We shall not go down or under, for He saith, "Thou passest THROUGH." A. J. Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 9155
March 19
Jesus answered and said unto them, verily I say unto you, if ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
(Matthew 21:21)
This mountain. What mountain? What does "this mountain" mean to me today? I have been thinking of this, and several mountains seem to be in much need of removal. Oh, to see them cast into the sea, to see them sink like stones there and never reappear!
Sometimes our mountains seem to be removed--"Be thou removed", we said in earnest prayer, together or alone; and they did indeed appear to be transported bodily, and to fall with a glorious splash into the sea; and then it was as though they were made of cork or some such substance, for we had no sooner rejoiced over their disappearance, than they reappeared as solid as ever, and sat down where they where before.
"Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:36). The will of God most clearly is prayer and continuance in prayer. (There would be no need of continuance or of patience if mountains had not this habit of reappearing.)
God give it to us always to "pray, and not to faint." (never lose heart) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." (Hebrews 10:35) Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9156
This mountain. What mountain? What does "this mountain" mean to me today? I have been thinking of this, and several mountains seem to be in much need of removal. Oh, to see them cast into the sea, to see them sink like stones there and never reappear!
Sometimes our mountains seem to be removed--"Be thou removed", we said in earnest prayer, together or alone; and they did indeed appear to be transported bodily, and to fall with a glorious splash into the sea; and then it was as though they were made of cork or some such substance, for we had no sooner rejoiced over their disappearance, than they reappeared as solid as ever, and sat down where they where before.
"Ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:36). The will of God most clearly is prayer and continuance in prayer. (There would be no need of continuance or of patience if mountains had not this habit of reappearing.)
God give it to us always to "pray, and not to faint." (never lose heart) Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." (Hebrews 10:35) Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9156
March 20
"One thing have I desired . . . to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in His temple." Psalm 27:4
Jesus! Thou art enough the mind and heart to fill;
Thy patient life--to calm the soul, Thy love--its fear dispel.
O fix our earnest gaze so wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That, with Thy beauty occupied, we elsewhere none may see.
A heart possessed of Christ is fortified against the most seductive allurements of the world. The state of our souls may be discerned by the effect produced upon us by the name of Jesus.
Christ Himself is to be our great example of faith, of a life of dependence upon God. If the holiest man that ever lived were to fill our vision it would only hinder and not help us.
Whenever we speak to one another of Christ He will always be one of the company. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." (Malachi 3:16). Do our hearts long for His presence? Then let us speak together of Him more.
We feed on Christ by the appropriation of Him in every character that He is presented to us. The whole life of our blessed Lord as man is compressed into the words, "He humbled Himself." (Philippians 2:8)
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."(Matthew 17:5) Christ is the sole authority in the Kingdom. Edward Dennett
N.J.Hiebert - 9157
Jesus! Thou art enough the mind and heart to fill;
Thy patient life--to calm the soul, Thy love--its fear dispel.
O fix our earnest gaze so wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That, with Thy beauty occupied, we elsewhere none may see.
A heart possessed of Christ is fortified against the most seductive allurements of the world. The state of our souls may be discerned by the effect produced upon us by the name of Jesus.
Christ Himself is to be our great example of faith, of a life of dependence upon God. If the holiest man that ever lived were to fill our vision it would only hinder and not help us.
Whenever we speak to one another of Christ He will always be one of the company. "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another." (Malachi 3:16). Do our hearts long for His presence? Then let us speak together of Him more.
We feed on Christ by the appropriation of Him in every character that He is presented to us. The whole life of our blessed Lord as man is compressed into the words, "He humbled Himself." (Philippians 2:8)
"This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye Him."(Matthew 17:5) Christ is the sole authority in the Kingdom. Edward Dennett
N.J.Hiebert - 9157
March 21
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21
We are indeed to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7), but such submission does not mean timid cringing as under a tyrant. God is not a taskmaster but our Father.
When trials come, we may submit because we have to and there is nothing else we can do. A better word here is acceptance. We accept God's dealings as Job did though we may not understand.
It is not mere resignation to what cannot be helped but taking what comes, convinced that it is part of the "all things work together for good to them that love God." (Romans 8:28) All The Days - Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9158
We are indeed to submit ourselves to God (James 4:7), but such submission does not mean timid cringing as under a tyrant. God is not a taskmaster but our Father.
When trials come, we may submit because we have to and there is nothing else we can do. A better word here is acceptance. We accept God's dealings as Job did though we may not understand.
It is not mere resignation to what cannot be helped but taking what comes, convinced that it is part of the "all things work together for good to them that love God." (Romans 8:28) All The Days - Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9158
March 22
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:9
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
First, He loves us. Then the discovery of this leads us to love Him, Then, because He loves us, He claims us, and desires to have us wholly yielded to His will, so that the operations of love in and for us may have no hindrance. Then, because we love Him we recognize His claim and yield ourselves.
Then, being thus yielded, He draws us nearer to Him and admits us, so to speak, into closer intimacy, so that we gain nearer and truer views of His perfections. Then the unity of these perfections becomes clearer to us.
Now we not only see His justice and mercy flowing in an undivided stream from the cross of Christ, but we see that they never were divided, though the strange distortions of the dark, false glass of sin made them appear so, but that both are but emanations of God's Holy love.
Then having known and believed this holy love, we see further that His will is not a separate thing, but only love (and therefore all His attributes) in action; love being the primary essence of His being, and all the other attributes manifestations and combinations of that ineffable essence, for God is love.
He hath loved thee, and He knows all thy fears and all thy foes;
Victor thou shalt surely be ever through His love to thee.
Rest in quiet joy on this--greater love hath none than His:
And may this thy life-song be, love to Him that loveth thee!
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9159
1 John 4:9
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
First, He loves us. Then the discovery of this leads us to love Him, Then, because He loves us, He claims us, and desires to have us wholly yielded to His will, so that the operations of love in and for us may have no hindrance. Then, because we love Him we recognize His claim and yield ourselves.
Then, being thus yielded, He draws us nearer to Him and admits us, so to speak, into closer intimacy, so that we gain nearer and truer views of His perfections. Then the unity of these perfections becomes clearer to us.
Now we not only see His justice and mercy flowing in an undivided stream from the cross of Christ, but we see that they never were divided, though the strange distortions of the dark, false glass of sin made them appear so, but that both are but emanations of God's Holy love.
Then having known and believed this holy love, we see further that His will is not a separate thing, but only love (and therefore all His attributes) in action; love being the primary essence of His being, and all the other attributes manifestations and combinations of that ineffable essence, for God is love.
He hath loved thee, and He knows all thy fears and all thy foes;
Victor thou shalt surely be ever through His love to thee.
Rest in quiet joy on this--greater love hath none than His:
And may this thy life-song be, love to Him that loveth thee!
Francis Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9159
March 23
For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you. Exodus 12:23
The "destroyer" was going to pass through the land of Egypt to kill the firstborn of every house. He was representative of Jehovah, an angelic being who had the power to destroy with death. Hence sometimes this "destroyer" is called, "the angel of death." This angel of death passed over the houses in Egypt that were marked with blood. The blood would signify to him that a death had already occurred in that house and so he would move on without inflicting judgment. However, no one had died except a lamb! (v.12:5)
The firstborn of each Israelite house was was safe, irrespective of their state or feelings. Imagine two different Israelite houses on that night in Egypt. In one, there was a boy who was afraid that he might die when the angel passed over; perhaps the angel wouldn't see the blood, or perhaps his parents had not applied the blood correctly or sufficiently.
In another house there was a boy who had full confidence that the angel would see the blood and pass over. In the morning light, both boys were very much alive. The destroyer did not look at the heart's state of the boys that night, with one in fear and trembling, the other confident and happy. He looked at one thing and one thing only: the blood. Our salvation is not due to our inward state but rather to Christ having made a propitiation for our sins.
During the night those in these Hebrew houses were also doing something else. They were feeding upon a roasted lamb (v.12:8). This would give them energy for the journey which lay ahed of them. This Lord's Day, let us once again appreciate the blood of the Lamb, and feed upon His grace in order to sustain us for the coming week.
Brian Reynolds - The Lord is Near
N.J.Hiebert - 9160
The "destroyer" was going to pass through the land of Egypt to kill the firstborn of every house. He was representative of Jehovah, an angelic being who had the power to destroy with death. Hence sometimes this "destroyer" is called, "the angel of death." This angel of death passed over the houses in Egypt that were marked with blood. The blood would signify to him that a death had already occurred in that house and so he would move on without inflicting judgment. However, no one had died except a lamb! (v.12:5)
The firstborn of each Israelite house was was safe, irrespective of their state or feelings. Imagine two different Israelite houses on that night in Egypt. In one, there was a boy who was afraid that he might die when the angel passed over; perhaps the angel wouldn't see the blood, or perhaps his parents had not applied the blood correctly or sufficiently.
In another house there was a boy who had full confidence that the angel would see the blood and pass over. In the morning light, both boys were very much alive. The destroyer did not look at the heart's state of the boys that night, with one in fear and trembling, the other confident and happy. He looked at one thing and one thing only: the blood. Our salvation is not due to our inward state but rather to Christ having made a propitiation for our sins.
During the night those in these Hebrew houses were also doing something else. They were feeding upon a roasted lamb (v.12:8). This would give them energy for the journey which lay ahed of them. This Lord's Day, let us once again appreciate the blood of the Lamb, and feed upon His grace in order to sustain us for the coming week.
Brian Reynolds - The Lord is Near
N.J.Hiebert - 9160
March 24
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it know unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:16-18
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were first faced with the challenge, they knew instinctively that they could not comply. Either God was God, or this idol was god, and they had no doubts as to what they had to do. However the system showed some patience with them. It gave them a cooling-off period, so to speak, to reconsider the awfulness of falling down into a furnace alive, and to imagine just what they would suffer before death took over.
So Nebuchadnezzar offered them a second chance to comply, and to worship his golden image. Faced with a situation like this, some might have reasoned that, since Nebuchadnezzar was a madman, they would not seriously give up their true God, but for the sake of peace, they could make a show of compliance. It would have been so much easier for them to go along with this charade, but here again they refused.
When we are first faced with a challenge to our faith, we tend to respond instinctively, and this usually proves to be the correct response. But given the opportunity to think it over, it is amazing just how many compromises come to mind--all of them with some seeming merit that would allow us to save face, and our masters to save face, and for everyone to end up happy.
After all, who wants to be branded a trouble-maker, and doesn't Scripture say that we are to submit to the powers that be? (1 Peter 2:13) But the Christian must reject any attempt to soften his position, or to compromise his faith. And we must be prepared to face the consequences of our non-compliance.
Daniel - William Burnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9161
When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were first faced with the challenge, they knew instinctively that they could not comply. Either God was God, or this idol was god, and they had no doubts as to what they had to do. However the system showed some patience with them. It gave them a cooling-off period, so to speak, to reconsider the awfulness of falling down into a furnace alive, and to imagine just what they would suffer before death took over.
So Nebuchadnezzar offered them a second chance to comply, and to worship his golden image. Faced with a situation like this, some might have reasoned that, since Nebuchadnezzar was a madman, they would not seriously give up their true God, but for the sake of peace, they could make a show of compliance. It would have been so much easier for them to go along with this charade, but here again they refused.
When we are first faced with a challenge to our faith, we tend to respond instinctively, and this usually proves to be the correct response. But given the opportunity to think it over, it is amazing just how many compromises come to mind--all of them with some seeming merit that would allow us to save face, and our masters to save face, and for everyone to end up happy.
After all, who wants to be branded a trouble-maker, and doesn't Scripture say that we are to submit to the powers that be? (1 Peter 2:13) But the Christian must reject any attempt to soften his position, or to compromise his faith. And we must be prepared to face the consequences of our non-compliance.
Daniel - William Burnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9161
March 25
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the almighty God; walk before Me. Genesis 17:1
"Walk before Me." This is true power. To walk thus, implies our having nothing whatever before our hearts save God Himself. If I am founding my expectation upon men and things, I am not walking before God, but before men and things.
It is of the utmost importance to ascertain who or what I have before me as an object. To what am I looking? On whom or what am I leaning, at this moment? Does God entirely fill my future? Have men or circumstances aught to do therein? Is there any space allotted to the creature?
The only way in which to get above the world is to walk by faith, because faith so completely fills the scene with God that there is no room for the creature--no room for the world. If God fills up my entire range of vision, I can see nothing else; and them I am able to say, with the Psalmist,
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence, I shall not be moved." (Psalm 62:5,6) This word "only" is deeply searching. Nature cannot say this. Not that it will, save when under the direct influence of a daring and blasphemous scepticism, formally shut out God altogether; but it assuredly cannot say, "He only." Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9162
"Walk before Me." This is true power. To walk thus, implies our having nothing whatever before our hearts save God Himself. If I am founding my expectation upon men and things, I am not walking before God, but before men and things.
It is of the utmost importance to ascertain who or what I have before me as an object. To what am I looking? On whom or what am I leaning, at this moment? Does God entirely fill my future? Have men or circumstances aught to do therein? Is there any space allotted to the creature?
The only way in which to get above the world is to walk by faith, because faith so completely fills the scene with God that there is no room for the creature--no room for the world. If God fills up my entire range of vision, I can see nothing else; and them I am able to say, with the Psalmist,
"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation: He is my defence, I shall not be moved." (Psalm 62:5,6) This word "only" is deeply searching. Nature cannot say this. Not that it will, save when under the direct influence of a daring and blasphemous scepticism, formally shut out God altogether; but it assuredly cannot say, "He only." Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9162
March 26
And Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou Me more than these? John 21:15
"The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." (Luke 24:34) This was confirmed long after by the apostle Paul, when he wrote to the Corinthians that the risen Christ appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the disciples. (1 Corinthians 15:5) Wonderful love that with tender mercy gave the first interview to the most failing disciple.
In the first interview Peter's conscience was relieved; in (John 21) his heart is restored. Then the Lord dealt with the outward failure; now He deals with the inward root--confidence in his love to Christ. The threefold question thoroughly exposes this root. It is as if the Lord said, After all that has happened, do you still maintain, Peter, that you "lovest Thou Me more than these" (John 21:15)
With the second question, the Lord says nothing of the other disciples: it is simply now, "Lovest thou Me?" With the third question, the Lord, using a different word, asks, Art thou attached to me? By his third answer Peter puts himself entirely into the Lord's hands, saying, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I am (attached) to Thee." (v.17) It is as if Peter said, "I cannot trust my love, or talk of my love, or what I will do, but Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest my heart. I will leave Thee to estimate my love, and tell me what to do.
No longer is Peter telling the Lord in self-confidence what he is ready to do, but it is the Lord in infinite grace telling His restored disciple what He will enable him to do. The Lord, as it were, says, "You no longer trust in your love to do great things for Me, you have left it to Me; then go forth and "Feed My sheep" (v.17), "Glorify God" (v.19). and "Follow Me." (v.19).
The Lord seems to say, Time was when you thought you loved Me more than these other disciples; now go forth and show your love by feeding My sheep that I love. H. Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9163
"The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon." (Luke 24:34) This was confirmed long after by the apostle Paul, when he wrote to the Corinthians that the risen Christ appeared to Cephas (Peter), then to the disciples. (1 Corinthians 15:5) Wonderful love that with tender mercy gave the first interview to the most failing disciple.
In the first interview Peter's conscience was relieved; in (John 21) his heart is restored. Then the Lord dealt with the outward failure; now He deals with the inward root--confidence in his love to Christ. The threefold question thoroughly exposes this root. It is as if the Lord said, After all that has happened, do you still maintain, Peter, that you "lovest Thou Me more than these" (John 21:15)
With the second question, the Lord says nothing of the other disciples: it is simply now, "Lovest thou Me?" With the third question, the Lord, using a different word, asks, Art thou attached to me? By his third answer Peter puts himself entirely into the Lord's hands, saying, "Lord, Thou knowest all things; Thou knowest that I am (attached) to Thee." (v.17) It is as if Peter said, "I cannot trust my love, or talk of my love, or what I will do, but Lord, thou knowest all things. Thou knowest my heart. I will leave Thee to estimate my love, and tell me what to do.
No longer is Peter telling the Lord in self-confidence what he is ready to do, but it is the Lord in infinite grace telling His restored disciple what He will enable him to do. The Lord, as it were, says, "You no longer trust in your love to do great things for Me, you have left it to Me; then go forth and "Feed My sheep" (v.17), "Glorify God" (v.19). and "Follow Me." (v.19).
The Lord seems to say, Time was when you thought you loved Me more than these other disciples; now go forth and show your love by feeding My sheep that I love. H. Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9163
March 27
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh (achieving) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
Is achieving for us. The question is repeatedly asked--Why is the life of a Christian drenched with so much blood, and blistered with so many tears? The answer is to be found in the word "achieving"; These things are achieving for us something precious. They are teaching us not only the way to victory, but better still the laws of victory. There is a compensation in every sorrow, and the sorrow is working out the compensation. It is the cry of the dear old hymn:
"Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me."
Joy sometimes needs pain to give it birth. Fanny Crosby may never have written her beautiful hymn, "I Shall See Him Face to Face," were it not for the fact that she had never looked upon the green fields nor the evening sunset nor the kindly twinkle in her mother's eye. It was the loss of her own vision that helped her to gain her remarkable spiritual discernment.
It is the tree that suffers that is capable of polish. When the woodman wants some curved lines of beauty in the grain he cuts down some maple that has been gashed by the axe and twisted by the storm. In this way he secures the knots and the hardness that take the gloss.
It is comforting to know that sorrow tarries only for the night; it takes its leave in the morning. A thunder storm is very brief when put alongside the long summer day. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Songs in the Night
N.J.Hiebert - 9164
Is achieving for us. The question is repeatedly asked--Why is the life of a Christian drenched with so much blood, and blistered with so many tears? The answer is to be found in the word "achieving"; These things are achieving for us something precious. They are teaching us not only the way to victory, but better still the laws of victory. There is a compensation in every sorrow, and the sorrow is working out the compensation. It is the cry of the dear old hymn:
"Nearer my God to Thee, nearer to Thee,
E'en tho' it be a cross that raiseth me."
Joy sometimes needs pain to give it birth. Fanny Crosby may never have written her beautiful hymn, "I Shall See Him Face to Face," were it not for the fact that she had never looked upon the green fields nor the evening sunset nor the kindly twinkle in her mother's eye. It was the loss of her own vision that helped her to gain her remarkable spiritual discernment.
It is the tree that suffers that is capable of polish. When the woodman wants some curved lines of beauty in the grain he cuts down some maple that has been gashed by the axe and twisted by the storm. In this way he secures the knots and the hardness that take the gloss.
It is comforting to know that sorrow tarries only for the night; it takes its leave in the morning. A thunder storm is very brief when put alongside the long summer day. "Weeping may endure for the night, but joy cometh in the morning." (Psalm 30:5) Songs in the Night
N.J.Hiebert - 9164
March 28
Thou art with me. Psalm 23:4
COMPANIONSHIP-- "Thou art with me". Till now, (Psalm 23:1-3) David had been speaking of the Shepherd; but as the valley of death's shade is approached he begins to speak to Him. Instead of saying "He" he says "Thou art with me."
The word of confidence which David uses here, is transmuted for us into a word of promises by our Lord. "I am with you always," He says (Matthew 28:20); and again, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Come dark valley or bright sunshine, green pasture or desert land--"I am with you always".
That is a fact, irrespective of the strength or weakness of our faith; apart from, and entirely independent of, what we feel. Our feelings may change as frequently as do the winds; our experience of the blessedness of the promise may rise or fall as frequently as do the tides; but the promise and the Promiser abide.
A man once came to a preacher, and said to him: "I was filled with joy in the meeting yesterday, and now it is all gone--all--and I do not know what to do. It is dark as night." "I am so glad," was the reply. He looked at the servant of Christ with astonishment, and said: "What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, God gave you joy, and today He sees you are resting on your emotions instead of on Christ, and He has taken them away in order to turn you to Christ. You have lost your joy, but you have Christ none the less. Did you ever pass through a railway tunnel?" "Yes, often." "Did you, because it was dark, become melancholy and alarmed?" "Of course not." "And did you, after awhile, come out again into the light?"
"I am out now," he exclaimed, interrupting the servant of Christ; "it is all right--feelings or no feelings." The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J.Hiebert - 9165
COMPANIONSHIP-- "Thou art with me". Till now, (Psalm 23:1-3) David had been speaking of the Shepherd; but as the valley of death's shade is approached he begins to speak to Him. Instead of saying "He" he says "Thou art with me."
The word of confidence which David uses here, is transmuted for us into a word of promises by our Lord. "I am with you always," He says (Matthew 28:20); and again, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee" (Hebrews 13:5). Come dark valley or bright sunshine, green pasture or desert land--"I am with you always".
That is a fact, irrespective of the strength or weakness of our faith; apart from, and entirely independent of, what we feel. Our feelings may change as frequently as do the winds; our experience of the blessedness of the promise may rise or fall as frequently as do the tides; but the promise and the Promiser abide.
A man once came to a preacher, and said to him: "I was filled with joy in the meeting yesterday, and now it is all gone--all--and I do not know what to do. It is dark as night." "I am so glad," was the reply. He looked at the servant of Christ with astonishment, and said: "What do you mean?"
"Yesterday, God gave you joy, and today He sees you are resting on your emotions instead of on Christ, and He has taken them away in order to turn you to Christ. You have lost your joy, but you have Christ none the less. Did you ever pass through a railway tunnel?" "Yes, often." "Did you, because it was dark, become melancholy and alarmed?" "Of course not." "And did you, after awhile, come out again into the light?"
"I am out now," he exclaimed, interrupting the servant of Christ; "it is all right--feelings or no feelings." The Pearl of Psalms - George Henderson
N.J.Hiebert - 9165
March 29
Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 13:3
I remember a brother of mine returning from America, where he had been nearly all his life. I was a boy when he left, and twenty-five years had rolled by.
Before he returned I had been converted, and of course I began to speak to him about his soul, as he was still unconverted. After a little conversation, he turned to me and said, "Christians are so inconsistent with their profession that they stumble me."
"I admit that,"I replied; "but I would ask you, is my inconsistency going to keep you out of hell?" "I would not think that for a moment," he had to confess. No, for the man who takes this ground I have a simple answer. It is this. You turn to the Lord, and be a consistent Christian.
Do not suppose because you see a flaw in the life of somebody else that that will justify your unbelief. Quite possibly you may say, I know somebody who professed to be converted, and he fell away, hence I do not believe in conversion. Very likely.
Did you ever see a bad bank-note, or a bad half-crown? Does that bad bank note prove that all bank notes are bad? You are not so foolish as to believe that. What does a bad bank-note prove? A bad bank-note proves that there are millions of good ones, or the forger would not have troubled to produce it.
Similarly the devil produces counterfeits of the real article, called a Christian, and when you think that one inconsistent man proves that all are false, you are guilty of great folly. Seekers of Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J.Hiebert - 9166
I remember a brother of mine returning from America, where he had been nearly all his life. I was a boy when he left, and twenty-five years had rolled by.
Before he returned I had been converted, and of course I began to speak to him about his soul, as he was still unconverted. After a little conversation, he turned to me and said, "Christians are so inconsistent with their profession that they stumble me."
"I admit that,"I replied; "but I would ask you, is my inconsistency going to keep you out of hell?" "I would not think that for a moment," he had to confess. No, for the man who takes this ground I have a simple answer. It is this. You turn to the Lord, and be a consistent Christian.
Do not suppose because you see a flaw in the life of somebody else that that will justify your unbelief. Quite possibly you may say, I know somebody who professed to be converted, and he fell away, hence I do not believe in conversion. Very likely.
Did you ever see a bad bank-note, or a bad half-crown? Does that bad bank note prove that all bank notes are bad? You are not so foolish as to believe that. What does a bad bank-note prove? A bad bank-note proves that there are millions of good ones, or the forger would not have troubled to produce it.
Similarly the devil produces counterfeits of the real article, called a Christian, and when you think that one inconsistent man proves that all are false, you are guilty of great folly. Seekers of Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
N.J.Hiebert - 9166
March 30
And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Luke 23:38
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, if Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. Luke 23:39.
You would not have thought that the poor fellow would have talked in that strain; You would not have thought a man in his serious position, in the jaws of death as it were, would have railed in such a manner. Another scripture tells us that both the malefactors did it (Mark15:32).
I do not doubt both of them were hardened enough to mock at the Saviour; they did not, you will notice, taunt each other; they both, however, derided Christ.
Why, there is not a man that does not hate Christ at the bottom of his heart to begin with. Even a dying robber, just going to drop into a lost eternity, will spend his last breath in abusing Christ. But note this, Christ, will spend His last breath in praying for those who have abused Him.
If sin leads a man to abuse Christ, He in the goodness of His heart, spends His last breath praying for His murderers; and I think that was what wrought the great change in the heart of one dying thief, while the other dying wretch, untouched by grace, and abiding unbelief, says "If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us." (v. 39).There was, alas! no faith in him towards Christ. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
There is a stream of precious blood which flowed from Jesu's veins;
And sinners washed in that blest flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that Saviour in his day;
And by that blood, though vile as he, our sins are washed away. William Cowper
N.J.Hiebert - 9167
And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, if Thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. Luke 23:39.
You would not have thought that the poor fellow would have talked in that strain; You would not have thought a man in his serious position, in the jaws of death as it were, would have railed in such a manner. Another scripture tells us that both the malefactors did it (Mark15:32).
I do not doubt both of them were hardened enough to mock at the Saviour; they did not, you will notice, taunt each other; they both, however, derided Christ.
Why, there is not a man that does not hate Christ at the bottom of his heart to begin with. Even a dying robber, just going to drop into a lost eternity, will spend his last breath in abusing Christ. But note this, Christ, will spend His last breath in praying for those who have abused Him.
If sin leads a man to abuse Christ, He in the goodness of His heart, spends His last breath praying for His murderers; and I think that was what wrought the great change in the heart of one dying thief, while the other dying wretch, untouched by grace, and abiding unbelief, says "If Thou be the Christ, save Thyself and us." (v. 39).There was, alas! no faith in him towards Christ. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D.
There is a stream of precious blood which flowed from Jesu's veins;
And sinners washed in that blest flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that Saviour in his day;
And by that blood, though vile as he, our sins are washed away. William Cowper
N.J.Hiebert - 9167
March 31
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. John 15:5
How forgetful we are of that! The preacher goes out to face his audience to whom he has preached so frequently through the years, perhaps often from the very same passage of Scripture. He goes out with self-confidence, forgetting the need of prayer, of being before God for a time of heart searching lest anything, any root of bitterness, might have come up which might hinder the work of the Spirit of God.
He rushes to the platform and delivers his message--but his message had no power because he was not consciously abiding in the living Vine. A young preacher had been called to preach and had much confidence in his own ability. The people were watching him as he entered.
He read his text, but his whole message went from him. He read the text again, and still he could not recall. He tried the third time, "I want to read my text again," hoping his message would come back. But all was blank so far as the message was concerned, and looking at the audience he said, "I am sorry; but I can't speak to you this morning."
Down the stairs he went with bowed head and broken step. At the close an old man came to him and said, "Laddie, if you had gone up the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up!"
It is so easy to be self-confident and to believe that because we have done it before, of course we can do it again, and so we forget the need of constantly abiding, of ever being before Him in communion. And it is the same in every detail of Christian life.
"Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." (John 15:4.) Gospel of John - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9168
How forgetful we are of that! The preacher goes out to face his audience to whom he has preached so frequently through the years, perhaps often from the very same passage of Scripture. He goes out with self-confidence, forgetting the need of prayer, of being before God for a time of heart searching lest anything, any root of bitterness, might have come up which might hinder the work of the Spirit of God.
He rushes to the platform and delivers his message--but his message had no power because he was not consciously abiding in the living Vine. A young preacher had been called to preach and had much confidence in his own ability. The people were watching him as he entered.
He read his text, but his whole message went from him. He read the text again, and still he could not recall. He tried the third time, "I want to read my text again," hoping his message would come back. But all was blank so far as the message was concerned, and looking at the audience he said, "I am sorry; but I can't speak to you this morning."
Down the stairs he went with bowed head and broken step. At the close an old man came to him and said, "Laddie, if you had gone up the way you came down, you might have come down the way you went up!"
It is so easy to be self-confident and to believe that because we have done it before, of course we can do it again, and so we forget the need of constantly abiding, of ever being before Him in communion. And it is the same in every detail of Christian life.
"Abide in Me and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me." (John 15:4.) Gospel of John - H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 9168
April 1
OVERCOMING FAITH
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
The storms of life come and go. The winter weather is but for a short season. The dark squalls and gusting winds are passing phenomena. When they are gone, the rainbow of God's blessing and reassurance reminds us of His presence. The unique peace which He alone can provide for His people pervades our spirits.
And the rest He promises us endures as our legacy. All of us have winter weather. We face those formidable interludes in life when everything looks dark and depressing.
We all have times when our days are strewn with the apparent wreckage of wrong choices and derelict decisions. The best of men and women know what it is to be stripped down to the bedrock of sheer survival.
Yet amid all such storms what a consolation to know our Father has His strong hand upon us for our own good. What an assurance to recognize that Christ can be counted on to control the final outcome of our apparent calamities. What a strength to see His gracious Spirit bring great glory and beauty out of what to us may have seemed only disastrous! Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J.Hiebert - 9169
For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
The storms of life come and go. The winter weather is but for a short season. The dark squalls and gusting winds are passing phenomena. When they are gone, the rainbow of God's blessing and reassurance reminds us of His presence. The unique peace which He alone can provide for His people pervades our spirits.
And the rest He promises us endures as our legacy. All of us have winter weather. We face those formidable interludes in life when everything looks dark and depressing.
We all have times when our days are strewn with the apparent wreckage of wrong choices and derelict decisions. The best of men and women know what it is to be stripped down to the bedrock of sheer survival.
Yet amid all such storms what a consolation to know our Father has His strong hand upon us for our own good. What an assurance to recognize that Christ can be counted on to control the final outcome of our apparent calamities. What a strength to see His gracious Spirit bring great glory and beauty out of what to us may have seemed only disastrous! Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J.Hiebert - 9169
April 2
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according His purpose. Romans 8:28
It is one of the greatest triumphs of God that He has given the knowledge of His perfect goodness to many a frail man, so that the most difficult circumstances, the deepest bereavement of sorrow or suffering, cannot shake His confidence. Even Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)
But we are permitted to go a step further. We know that whatever is brought upon the believer by God is not merely the product of divine goodness, but the positive plannings of divine love. However severe the trial and deep the pain and trying the exercise, it does but the more convince us of that clear, warm love that makes no mistakes.
This love is so deeply concerned that the divine purpose should be worked out in us that it will not shrink from adopting means that may at the moment bring the tear to the eye and make the whole frame wince and quiver. "Nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11).
Ask that dying saint, racked with pain, lying, it may be, in a damp cottage with no earthly comfort; ask that bereaved one, out of whose life has passed forever with the silence of death the object of deepest affection; and each will answer, with brightening eye and kindling voice "The Lord is good." Nahum 1:7
A. J. Pollock
We cannot always trace the way where Thou our gracious Lord, dost move;
But we can always surely say, that God is love.
When clouds hang o'er our darkened path, We'll check our dread, each doubt reprove; For here each saint sweet comfort hath, that God is love. J. Bowring
N.J.Hiebert - 9170
It is one of the greatest triumphs of God that He has given the knowledge of His perfect goodness to many a frail man, so that the most difficult circumstances, the deepest bereavement of sorrow or suffering, cannot shake His confidence. Even Job said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him." (Job 13:15)
But we are permitted to go a step further. We know that whatever is brought upon the believer by God is not merely the product of divine goodness, but the positive plannings of divine love. However severe the trial and deep the pain and trying the exercise, it does but the more convince us of that clear, warm love that makes no mistakes.
This love is so deeply concerned that the divine purpose should be worked out in us that it will not shrink from adopting means that may at the moment bring the tear to the eye and make the whole frame wince and quiver. "Nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby." (Hebrews 12:11).
Ask that dying saint, racked with pain, lying, it may be, in a damp cottage with no earthly comfort; ask that bereaved one, out of whose life has passed forever with the silence of death the object of deepest affection; and each will answer, with brightening eye and kindling voice "The Lord is good." Nahum 1:7
A. J. Pollock
We cannot always trace the way where Thou our gracious Lord, dost move;
But we can always surely say, that God is love.
When clouds hang o'er our darkened path, We'll check our dread, each doubt reprove; For here each saint sweet comfort hath, that God is love. J. Bowring
N.J.Hiebert - 9170
April 3
posted by soundwords at
March 01, 2023
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