Gems from September 2023
September 1
Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7
THINGS THAT MAKE PEOPLE ANXIOUS
Ill health is often another fruitful source of care.Your very success in life may depend upon good health, and that seems denied. Or you may have others depending upon you, and you are feeling less and less equal to the strain.
Perhaps few things are more trying than to feel unequal, physically and mentally, to the demands of your calling, and yet to be obliged to face them day after day.
Under such circumstances everything is apt to become draped in black. All we look at is in varying shade of India ink. Heavens blue is forgotten, and cold grey mist envelopes everything. The thistle-down, lighter than a feather seems to our distorted imagination a ton weight.
All this may be purely physical; and there is the physical side of getting free from care as well as the spiritual, for man is body as well as soul and spirit. To pay due attention to each is one of the great problems of life.
But the very remembrance that your feeling of depression has no real cause in circumstances, but only in some transitory condition of your body, will enable you to arise and shake yourself free from it. There is one text too, which has often been like a sheet-anchor under pressure of this kind.
"God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation (trial) also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 Angels in White - Russell Elliott
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When thine eye is single, thy whole body also is full of light. Luke 11:34
We all know how easily our poor heart persuades itself of the rightness of any step which it desires to take, and how the devil furnishes plausible arguments to convince us of its rightness. He comes with arguments which the moral condition of the soul causes us to regard as clear, forcible and satisfactory.
The very fact of our thinking of such a thing proves our unfitness to weigh, with a well-balanced mind and spiritually adjusted conscience, the solemn consequences of such a step.
If the eye were single (that is, if we were governed by but one object, namely, the glory and honour of the Lord Jesus Christ), we should have no difficulty or perplexity about the matter.
A racer whose eye is resting on the crown will not be troubled with any perplexity as to whether he ought to stop and tie a hundred-pound weight around his neck. Such a thought would never cross his mind.
Whenever I am in perplexity as to my path, I have reason to suspect that my eye is not single, for, assuredly, perplexity is not compatible with a body “full of light.”
We frequently go to pray for guidance in matters with which, if the eye were single and the will subject, we would have nothing whatever to do, and hence we should have no need to pray about them. To pray about anything concerning which the Word of God is plain marks the activity of a rebellious will.
As a writer has well remarked, “We sometimes seek God’s will, desiring to know how to act in circumstances in which it is not His will that we should be found at all; if conscience were in real healthful activity, its first effect would be to make us quit them.
It is our will which sets us there, and we should like, nevertheless, to enjoy the consolation of God’s direction. Be assured that if we are near enough to God, we shall have no trouble to know His will.” The Lord is Near
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He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:2
The real power to do great things for Christ must come from secluded places, where men commune with God.
Let us remember, to range over the whole garden of Scripture and not to confine ourselves to a few particularly wealthy spots; for the green pastures are everywhere. By the anointed eye, Christ is as really beheld in the types of the pentateuch (First five books of the O.T.) as in the later portions of the inspired Word.
He is enfolded in the Old Testament and unfolded in the New. “Search the Scriptures . . .” said Jesus, “for they are they which testify of Me”. (John 5:39) “Had ye believed Moses ye would have believed Me; for he wrote of Me.” (John 5:46).
And after His resurrection He joined the two disconsolate ones on their way to Emmaus, and, “beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)
Oh, what a Bible-reading have we here, not barren theory—musty, dry and drear—
But Christ, the “altogether lovely”, full in view. Himself the Preacher, text and sermon too.
And thus we learn that if our souls are to be kept healthy, vigorous, and strong; that if our work for God is to be of an enduring character; that if we are to combat successfully the principalities and powers which are arrayed against us and which are determined to resist every advance we attempt to make in the knowledge of God—we must read and study the Word of God. Pearl of the Psalms - George Henderson
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Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.
(Psalm 4:1)
(In pressure Thou hast enlarged me.)
“How can God, of whom you say that He is love, of whom you claim He can do whatever is His will—how can He look upon a body racked with terrible pain without stepping in with a helping hand? How can He see all the misery, the suffering, the need of humanity without putting an end to it?” It was a bitter voice that spoke thus. Has such a question ever been raised in your heart? It was asked by a once jovial young lady.
By falling from a horse, she had received serious injury, and had just overheard the doctors say, “Helpless for life!” At this, her whole being rebelled. “How could God allow this, since He is Almighty? He has no love!”
For awhile her true friend, who stood by her side at this time of trouble, was silent. Then as though he would speak of something else, he asked: “Child, did it hurt very much when they applied the cast?”
“Hurt? Why it was terrible!” she answered.
“But wasn’t your father present then?”
“Of course he was.”
“And he allowed them to torture you so? He could have stopped them.”
“But it was necessary. It’s to help me, that I may at least be able to sit up again.”
The friend said slowly and with feeling: “So, therefore, your father looked on, when the doctor caused you such pain, and he allowed it to be although he loved you so much, or just because he loved you so dearly?”
The patient gazed into the face of the speaker with a strange light in her large eyes. “You mean to say,“ she said hesitatingly, “that God has allowed this accident because He loves me?”
He nodded his head, unable to speak.
A Father’s hand will never cause
His child a needles tear. W. F. Lloyd
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Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself.
Luke 24:39
Now look at them! What do you think about those wounds on the riven body of Jesus? Do they not speak peace to your heart and conscience? “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s Son] cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Oh! yes, my fellow-believer, Jesus feels keenly every doubting thought that arises in our hearts.
Blessed Jesus! Thy work is finished; here our souls rest. Our sins were laid on Thee; they cannot be laid on us. On our account our wrath was on Thee; on Thy account it is peace, endless peace, to us. Hear the words of Jesus, “Go in peace,” and doubt no more. He does not say, Look at your sins or your failings.
We might look at them in despair. But He says, “Behold My hands and MY feet,” as though He had said, Is it not enough? Could I love you more?
Faith is always self-renouncing; it brings a broken, empty heart to receive and welcome God’s gracious gifts. Faith, therefore, gives all the glory to God.
Believing in Christ, we come to Him for all, employ Him in all, trust Him through all, look to Him under all, hope in Him to do all, and to Him ascribe the glory of all.
C Stanley 1821 - 1888) (adapted)
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Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
Prayer the Sign of Life.
What is prayer, but the breathing forth of that grace which is breathed into the soul by the Holy Spirit?
When God breathed into man the breath of life, he became a living soul; so when God breathes into the creature the breath of spiritual life, he becomes a praying soul: “Behold, he prayeth,” says God of Paul to Ananias (Acts 9:11).
Praying is the same to the new creature, (2 Corinthians 5:17) as crying to the natural. The child is not taught by art to cry, but by nature—it comes into the world crying. Praying is not a lesson got by forms and rules of art, but flowing from principles of new life. The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
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He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth. Isaiah 53:7
In the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain. Revelation 5:6.
We live in an area of Ireland where at certain times of the year we see lambs running in the fields. They look so pure, innocent and harmless.
Every time I see a lamb I am amazed that in Revelation, the Lord of the entire universe is depicted as the eternal Lamb of God. You would think the Lion in the midst of the throne would be more fitting. But who can fathom the humble nature of our God?
Interestingly, the word for lamb used in Revelation is not the ordinary word but one that means the smallest and dearest lamb in the fold. Let us muse on our Lamb today. Paul Robertson
Lamb of God, our souls adore Thee, while upon Thy face we gaze,
There the Father’s love and glory shine in all their brightest rays.
O what wondrous love and mercy! Thou didst lay Thy glory by,
And for us didst come from heaven as the Lamb of God to die. - J. G. Deck
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O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!
Romans 11:33
A poor weaver in Scotland preached a brief sermon on three texts:
(1) “The blood of Jesus Christ…cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7). “That‘s my sins away.” (2) “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?” (Luke 12:6) Ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (v.7) That’s my cares away. (3) We shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)“ And that’s myself away.”
That good man’s sermon—which covers the whole of a Christian’s life—has suggested to me the lines which I should follow in discussing the theme that is to occupy us in the pages of this book.
We are told that just before a very critical operation the late eminent surgeon, Dr. T. Parvin, read to the assembled physicians the 139th Psalm, and then said: “It is a great literary document; but even more it is a wonderful spiritual treasure. It can be heartily commended for your study, for its message is greatly needed. After all, there is nothing which will effectually drive out fear, except a living faith in a living, loving God; and the 139th Psalm should be a great help to those who would do the the thing most needed—practise the presence of God.
“Thou hast beset me behind.“That takes care of my past. “Thou hast beset me before. That takes care of my future. “Thou hast laid Thine hand upon me.”That takes care of the present (v.5).
Or, take three statements from Hebrews 9 “He once appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” (v.26) “He now appears in the presence of God for us.” V.24) He shall appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (v.28) Heaven’s Cure for Earth’s care - George Henderson
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Them that honour Me I will honour, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30
Like Joseph, Daniel and his companions had a firm grasp of the sovereign ways of God, and, despite the situation and its complexities, he refused to compromise his faith. He acted in Babylon as he would have acted under better circumstances in Jerusalem.
Daniel believed that, somehow, Babylon was a temporary phase in the ways of God with His people, and that, eventually, the promises made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob would be fulfilled, and Israel would return to their land.
What a challenge to us today. How do we behave when we are away from home,
or when fellow believers aren't around to check up on us? How do we behave when we are alone, and in a situation where a little bit of compromise could open up all
sorts of lucrative and attractive prospects for us?
How many lives have been ruined for God, not in the pits of immorality, but in the highest societies around a meal table?Ah, we need to be constantly on our guard. It is so easy to yield when the circumstances are congenial, the food is good, the chat is interesting, and the prospects are glowing.
Beware lest you be compromised in your faith and in your commitment to the Lord.
Daniel: Godly Living in a Hostile World - William Burnett
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Men ought always to pray, and not to faint. Luke 18:1
Go to the ant thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Proverbs 6:6
Tammerlane used to relate to his friends an anecdote of his early life. “I once,“
he said, “was forced to take shelter from my enemies in a ruined building, where
I sat alone many hours.
Desiring to divert my mind from my hopeless condition, I fixed my eyes on an
ant that was carrying a grain of corn larger than itself up a high wall. I numbered
the efforts it made to accomplish this object.
The grain fell sixty-nine times to the ground; but the insect persevered, and the
seventieth time it reached the top. This sight gave me courage at the moment,
and I never forgot the lesson. The King's Business
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By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king for he endured, as seeing Him who is invisible. Hebrews 11:27
You cannot see the loving eyes of your Lord or see His hand stretched out to help you. And yet you are trusted to go on just as if you saw. You are trusted to endure as seeing Him who is invisible, your Redeemer, your Captain and your Lord.
There is no life that is not surrounded at times with difficulties. We are not called to be weaklings but warriors. So let no one be surprised when the enemy comes in like a flood. But there is no need ever to be overwhelmed.
There is not one word in the Bible to tell us to expect to be overwhelmed, for the moment the enemy comes like a flood, that very moment "the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." (Isiah 59:19) and makes us strong to endure as seeing Him who is invisible.
I find much comfort in Psalm 138:3, “In the day when I cried Thou answeredst
me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.”
"In the day that I cried:” That does not mean the day after, or an hour or two, or even a minute after, but that very day, that very hour, that very minute. God hears us the moment we cry and strengthens us with the only kind of strength that is
of any use at all. Candles in the Dark - Amy Carmichael
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Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be faint hearted. Isaiah 7:4
Whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be be quiet from
fear of evil. Proverbs 1:33
Be still, my heart, for faithful is your Lord,
And pure and true and tried His holy Word;
Through stormy flood that rages as the sea,
His promises your stepping-stones shall be.
I will not seek to know the future years,
Nor cloud today with dark tomorrow’s fears;
I will but ask a light from heaven, to show
How, step by step, my pilgrimage should go.
Selected
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Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
2 Chronicles 34:18-19
Judging The Word Or The Word Judging Us
Here we have a tender conscience bowing under the action of the Word of God. This was one special charm in the character of Josiah. He was, in truth, a man of a humble and contrite spirit who trembled at the Word of God.
Would that we all knew more of this! Josiah had no question whatever in his mind as to the genuineness and authenticity of the words which Shaphan had read in his hearing.
We do not read of his asking, “How am I to know that this is the Word of God?” No, he trembled at it; he bowed before it; he was smitten down under it; he rent his garments. He did not presume to sit in judgment upon the Word of God, but he allowed the Word to judge him.
Thus it should ever be. If man is to judge Scripture, then Scripture is not the Word of God at all; but if Scripture is in very truth the Word of God, then it must judge man. And so it is, and so it does. It lays bare the very roots of his nature. It opens up the foundations of his moral being. It holds up before him the only faithful mirror in which he can see himself perfectly reflected.
This is the reason why man does not like Scripture, cannot bear it, seeks to set it aside, delights to pick holes in it, dares to sit in judgment upon it. It is not so in reference to other books. No, but Scripture judges them, judges their ways, their lusts. Hence the enmity of the natural mind to that most precious and marvellous Book. There is a power in Scripture which must bear down all before it. All must bow down under it, sooner or later. C. H. Mackintosh
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WE SEE JESUS
But we see Jesus . . . crowned with glory and honour. Hebrews 2:9
When we focus on our Lord Jesus, we must include thoughts of His suffering at Calvary. That work opened the way to a relationship with Him, providing for the many privileges from the divine side. But we do not remain at Calvary. We cannot even stay by the empty tomb.
At the cross, we find it empty. If we go to the tomb, it is also empty. In either case we are concerned with Christ as dead. However, if by faith, we look into heaven, we see the exalted Man, crowned with glory and honour.
Knowing that the cross is empty and the tomb is empty, that sight provokes our rejoicing and promotes worship. In looking into heaven there is investment in the present and future realities. Hadley Hall
Gazing on the Lord in glory, while our hearts in worship bow,
There we read the wondrous story of the cross—its shame and woe.
Every mark of dark dishonour heaped upon the thorn-crowned brow,
All the depths of Thy heart’s sorrow told in answering glory now.
On that cross alone—forsaken—where no pitying eye was found;
Now to God’s right hand exalted, with Thy praise the heavens resound.
Did Thy God e’en then forsake Thee, hide His face from Thy deep need?
In Thy face, once marred and smitten, all His glory now we read.
Gazing on it we adore Thee, blessèd, precious, holy Lord;
Thou, the Lamb, alone art worthy, this be earth’s and heaven’s accord.
Rise our hearts, and bless the Father, ceaseless song e’en here begun,
Endless praise and adoration to the Father and the Son. Miss C. Thompson
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Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8
AT HOME
Two striking words are used here, one meaning to be away from home, the other to be among one’s own people. The Christian is a pilgrim in a strange land.
What joy it is to come home from weeks among strangers! The believer belongs to another country and what a prospect we have of going home! The true disciple can never make himself feel at home in this world. He is in a backslidden condition if he begins to integrate into the society of this age.
My dear wife’s favourite song was ”This World Is Not My Home.” She is at home tonight and I am still making my way through these lowlands. I know what Paul means. “We are confidant, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 5:8).
I am anxious to become an absentee from this poor earth and “Present!” with the Lord. Vance Havner - All The Days
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Then David said unto the messenger, thus shalt thou say unto Joab, let not this thing displease thee for the sword devoureth one as well as another: make thy battle more strong against the city, and overthrow it: and encourage thou him. And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.
(2 Samuel 11:25-27)
The story, instead of ending, only is beginning . . . we find a little expression, the only thing David had not thought of and the only one he ought to have remembered:
“But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of Jehovah.
Let us take heed to our ways. It takes only an instant to fall, but to avoid falling we must constantly be on the alert in all that precedes the incident. Yes, we must watch daily to avoid walking in “any grievous way” so that we may be led “in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:24).
In this path all is peace for our souls; this is the path of life that leads to unclouded rejoicing in God’s presence: “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” (Psalm 16:11)
Meditations on 2 Samuel H. L. Rossier
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Great is the mystery of godliness. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. 1 Timothy 3:16
Be assured that God knows how to manage His own affairs. He has shown it.
The Lord Jesus was in this world “a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3). A world of sin in contrast with His holiness, a world of sorrow and suffering in contrast with His love could not but be for His heart a source of sorrow and pain.
Christ as man was born of the Holy Ghost: His life was the expression of the Holy Spirit. He cast out devils by the Holy Ghost (Matthew 12:28). His words were Spirit and life. By the Holy Spirit He offered Himself without spot to God.
(Hebrews 9:14).
Finally, the power of the Holy Spirit was shown in the greatest and most perfect way in the Lord’s resurrection. “Being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit.” (1 Peter 3:18).
His faithfulness to His church and people who trust in Him is infallible, and He cannot but help you in all for which you look to Him.
J. N. Darby - Footprints for Pilgrims.
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THE DESIRED HAVEN
I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23:6.
Blessèd conclusion to a blessèd theme! Dark valleys may be required to be travelled (v4); malignant foes may have to be encountered (v.5); but beyond the former, and in a scene where the latter can never enter—a realm where all is harmony, and light, and love—we shall live eternally—”I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.”
(Psalm 23:6)
For All Eternity. In the clear light of the New Testament we can assert that every child of God will infallibly dwell in the house of the Lord for all eternity. “In My Father’s House,” said the Lord Jesus, “are many mansions . . . I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
“And if I go, I will come again and receive you unto myself, that where I am there ye may be also.”
(John 14:3).
This is confirmed in (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), where the apostle, describing the events which will take place at the second coming of our Lord, declares that we “shall be caught up… to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” (1 Thessalonians 4:17)
What a strong and sure hope; what a grand and glorious destiny! The hope is strong and sure because the anchor will never drag. (Hebrews 6:19)
Then He shall be satisfied (Isaiah 53:11) and then we shall be satisfied, for we shall awake with His likeness.
(Psalm 17:15).
He and I, in that bright glory, one deep joy shall share,
Mine to be forever with Him, His that I am there.
Francis Bevon
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And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus Himself drew near, and went with them. Luke 24:15
Jesus Himself drawing near was journeying with them. How good and comforting it is to know that the fact of His Presence did not depend on their feeling Him near. He was near; He was journeying with them.
If even for an hour that blessed Presence seems far distant, and we are (as they were) cast down and in trouble, the quickest way to recover is to do what they did. They came to a stand (v17).
There was a pause for quietness, then questions and time given for answers; and then “abide with us.” (v29).
“As he sat at meat with them, He took bread, and blessed it, and break and gave to them. And their eyes were opened, and they knew Him.”
Luke 24:30-31) Whispers of His Powers - Amy Carmichael
Abide with Me: fast falls the even-tide;
The darkness deepens; Lord, with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, Oh abide with me!
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who like Thyself my guide and strength can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Oh abide with me. H. Lyte
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Ye are complete in HIm. . . . Colossians 2:10
A friend sent to me a bookmark that reads:
Birds do not sing because they have an answer,
They sing because they have a song!
The birds do not have all the answers, but they sing because they have a song within. We are told to consider the birds. They have their mishaps and miseries, but not even a sparrow falls without God’s notice.
(Matthew 10:29)
The Christian does not have all the answers to the whys that baffle and perplex him, but He has the Answer in whom are gathered up all our problems. We see yet not all things put under Jesus, but we see Him (Hebrews 2:8-9) and He is our song.
“And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3
Vance Havner .
I have a song that Jesus gave me, it was sent from heaven above; There never was a sweeter melody, ‘tis a melody of love.
I love the Christ who died on Calvary, for He washed my sins away; He put within my heart a melody, and I know it’s there to stay.
‘Twill be my endless theme in glory, with the ransomed I will sing; ‘Twill be a song with glorious harmony, when the courts of heaven ring.
Elton Roth
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SEVEN STEPS DOWNWARD
Christ Jesus: who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, (emptied Himself) and took upon Him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:5-8
“He emptied Himself.” Remember it was when He was in the form of God that He emptied Himself. It was love made Him empty Himself: of all His outward glory: but let us remember that He never ceased to be God. That Babe in the manger was Emmanuel, “God with us,” Just as truly God,— upholding all things by the word of His power, as when “all things were
created by Him and for Him.” (Colossians 1 :16)
Could there be another step downwards, beyond death? We would not have thought so: but the Father, Who looked down with perfect delight on all that pathway, sees one more step: not only did He become obedient unto death: but that death, was the death of a cross.
That last step tells out the awfulness, the horror, the shame, the anguish of the death to which He became obedient. “Jesus…endured the cross, despising the shame.” (Hebrews 12:2) There was probably no death from which one so much shrink as “the death of the cross.” It was to this, the lowest step that could be taken, that the Lord of Glory went.
Philippians - G Christopher Willis
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In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord . . . I remembered God, I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed . . . I am so troubled that I cannot speak. But I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old . . . Thy way is in the sea, and Thy footsteps are not known. Thou leddest Thy people like a flock. (Psalm 77)
Have you noticed how, when you are in heaviness, you are always tempted to think about yourself—your uselessness, your failures, your nothingness—yourself in one way or another? . . . Straight against this is the word we have in this Psalm.
When I am in heaviness, I will think upon God. I will turn my thoughts from myself to my Father Who loves me and does not stop loving me, though I am useless and a failure and less than nothing at all.
It may seem quite impossible that we should rise and triumph, but ”Thou art the God that doeth wonders.” We do not understand this strange way; be it so. “Thy way is in the sea.” Who can find footsteps in the sea? Even so, even there, “Thou led Thy people like sheep.” Amy Carmichael
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Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; (respect) not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward (unjust). 1 Peter 2:18
THE WORKPLACE
God puts high value on work. To work is an honourable thing. If you work for someone, how is the work environment? How does your employer treat the employees? How does your employer treat you?
We know that God is all about relationships. Our verse for today provides valuable advice for the employee (servant) as how he/she relates to the boss(es).
First it speaks of being subject to them. Their position of authority commands that. I once had a Principal who had a doctor's degree already by his early thirties - he was Dr. "Doe." I had been teaching 7 years longer than he had been alive. What was I to do? Be subject to him - he was my boss! It provided a good object lesson for my students.
Next it tells us how to be subject to them - “with all respect.” Yes, when we interact with them we are to be respectful, in actions and in words. Is that always easy to do?
No, because it goes on to say, “not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.” And, there may be employers who don’t see the big picture (or the details) as well as you do - yes that happens more than we realize. Still, we’re called to be subject and respectful, and here’s why:
For this is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.”
(verse 19)
Who knows but what, by our respectfulness, some might be drawn to the Christ they see in us. L.I.F.E. LINES - Fred Pratt
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Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.
Psalm 50:15
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. Psalm 91:15
In the above verses we are given to see in advance some of the blessings we can reap from the day of trouble. It is a day in which we have a special invitation to call upon the Lord. We also have the assurance of God’s response: “I will deliver thee.”
God said the same thing in Psalm 91:15, “He shall call upon Me.” and He adds, “And I will answer Him.”
Thus the first blessing is fellowship and communion with Him. We call and He answers. Furthermore His presence is felt: “I will be with him in trouble.” If the trouble is as severe as the fiery furnace, He will walk with us so that no harm will befall us. His promise is not only, “I will deliver Him,” but it goes beyond this: “and honour HIm.” So, a day starting with trouble can end with honour!
But still more wonderful than that is the statement,”and Thou shalt glorify Me.”Just think of all the blessings that we gain when God permits us to have a “day of
trouble:“ fellowship, deliverance, and honour. But best of all, we glorify Him.
A. M. Behnam
Our times are in Thy hand, Father, we wish them there;
Our life, our soul, our all, we leave entirely to Thy care.
W. F. Lloyd
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My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father which gave them Me is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.
(John 10:27-30)
The wilderness journey of Israel is a beautiful, lively picture of the journey the believer is now taking from the blood (Exodus 12:13) to the glory (Colossians 3:4).
We are out of Egypt and looking toward Canaan. The danger is, not lest the blood should not be on the door, but lest we should break down by the way, as thousands did in the wilderness.
It never calls you to re-investigate the question of having found rest in the blood, but to take care how you travel along the road. “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart.” (Hebrews 4:7). He calls the whole through which we are passing
one day—
“Today”. It was a short day to the dying thief, a short day to the martyred Stephen. A longer day to Paul, and a longer day still to John; but let the wilderness journey
be short or long, it is one day, and you are to hold by Christ to the very end. Cling to Him day by day till the wilderness journey is over. Hebrews - J. G. Bellett
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Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee.
Isaiah 26:3
All the way my Saviour leads me—what have I to ask beside? Can I doubt His tender mercy, who through life has been my guide? Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell! For I know, what ever befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
As rivers of water in a dry place, as a shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
Isaiah 32:2
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock that shadows a dry, thirsty land; He hideth my life with the depths of His love, and covers me there with His hand.
Be careful for nothing. Philippians 4:6
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast, There by His love o’er shaded, sweetly my soul shall rest. Hark! ‘tis the voice of angels, borne in a song to me.
Over the fields of glory, over the jasper sea.
Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe from corroding care,
Safe rom the world’s temptations, sin cannot harm me there. Free from the blight of sorrow, free from my doubts and fears; Only a few more trials, only a few more tears!
The Treasures of Fanny Crosby (Physically blinded at six weeks)
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When they had laid many stripes upon them (Paul and Silas) they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: who…thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
Acts 16:23-24
But midnight approached, and what was heard in the prison? Any one passing by outside that night would have concluded that they were having a good time in there. Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises unto God. But their feet were fast in the stocks, their backs bleeding from the stripes they had received; hungry, cold. The prisoners heard these songs of praise going up to God.
God stepped in; there was a physical earthquake which shook the prison to its very foundations. The doors opened, every prisoner’s bands loosened, “and the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep and seeing the prison doors open, drew out his sword and would have killed himself.”
Note how beautifully the grace of God interposed. The voice of God’s servant, whom the jailor had treated so cruelly a few hours before was heard saying, “Do thyself no harm, for we are all here.” (16:28) The earthquake woke him out of his sleep, but what touched his conscience was that he heard a man, whom he had treated in the most brutal manner calling to him in a most tender, loving way “Do thyself no harm.”
“Sirs, What must I do to be saved?” He is not told to do anything but believe.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” (Acts 16:31}
Now he was a saved man by simply believing God’s message. The lion had become
a lamb. (Acts 16:33-34) The servant of the devil had become a happy servant of Christ. What freedom indeed is that which grace brings to sin’s captives through the sweet and lovely name of Jesus. Night Scenes of Scripture - W. T. P. Wolston
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Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. Hebrews 1:3
Grammatically speaking, the word “Himself” does not need to be in this text. It could read, “when He had purged our sins.” However the Spirit of God has added it and surely it is to convey to us the incredible loneliness He endured purging our sin.
And is it not to reinforce that there was no one else who could complete the work? Christ alone could cleanse me from my sins. How thankful we are for those words
“by Himself.” Paul Robertson .
On earth the song begins;
In heaven more sweet and loud—
To Him that cleansed our sins
By His atoning blood;
To Him, we sing in joyful strain,
Be honour, power, and praise, Amen.
Alone He bare the cross,
Alone its grief sustained;
His was the shame and loss,
And He the victory gained;
The mighty work was all His own,
Tho’ we shall share His glorious throne.
Joseph Swain
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By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.” Hebrews 11:23
Those of us who have lived in a land dominated by a hostile foe can perhaps better appreciate the magnificent courage of this devoted couple, when they were not afraid of the king’s commandment. It was a trial of their faith, but we know that it was “much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire.” 1 Peter 1:7. And how God honoured their faith! Each of their three children became one of His own honoured servants.
What a cheer to parents today to take a stand boldly on the Lord’s side for their children, to count on Him alone, and to fear no man! Surely He will honour such faith today, just as He honoured it in the days of Amram and Jochebed, (Moses parents).
But Jochebed teaches us another most lovely lesson. Pharaoh had charged all his people, saying, Every son that is born ye shall cast into the river. Jochebed obeys the king. She owns that the king’s command applies to her son, and she casts him into the river, but hidden in an ark, so that not one drop of those waters of death could touch him. And God richly honours her faith.
You all know the story. The king’s daughter takes him up, and the baby’s sister runs to “call a nurse,” who is no other than the child’s own mother. With what joy she takes that little one from the arms of the king’s daughter, not now for herself, but for the one who has saved him. “Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages.” (Exodus 2:9).
Jochebed knew her time was limited before she must send Moses back into Pharaoh’s court to be learned in ”all the wisdom of the Egyptians.” (Acts 7:22) But I believe that she had peace through her faith in God that all would be well and he would ultimately lead to the deliverance of God”s people.
The Christian (December 2019) G. C. Willis (adapted)
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It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2
It is not given to all Christians to witness a spectacular work of God either in their own spiritual experience or in their ministry. That is no indication of divine disapproval. The Spirit divideth severally as He will.
We are prone to measure our experience in the light of someone else’s testimony,
and grow depressed because our little work may look drab or uneventful. It is well to remember that Matthew Henry considered his pastoral work almost a failure, but his commentary stands on the shelves of thousands of fundamental preacher’s studies today.
To be sure, we may be living short of what God has for us. But if we are in His will as best we know, it is required only that we be faithful. Promotion hereafter is for being faithful now, “faithful over a few things,” (Matthew 25:23) “Faithful in that which is least.“ (Luke 16:10) .
True-hearted, whole-hearted, Saviour all - glorious!
Take Thy great power and reign there alone,
Over our wills and affections victorious,
Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.
Frances Ridley Havergal
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And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4
I have not the thought of what we shall do in glory: my thought is, Christ will be there. I shall be in the place where everything is ruled by the mind of Christ.
Have you known down here the calming effect of realizing His presence, hearing Him
breathing out like oil on the waters, “It is I!” What will it be to be in a world where all is subject to Him who gives such peace even here! What will heaven be, when all that He is, all His perfect grace, will come out to us in the Father’s house!
What will it be where everything will be attuned to the name of Jesus! The full stream of His affections will flow over and spread blessing everywhere, “His fullness” (John 1:16) poured forth to fill every heart, and every heart perfectly filled and satisfied with it. Gleanings From the Teaching of G. V. Wigram
What will it be to dwell above, and with the Lord of glory reign, Since the blest knowledge of HIs love so brightens all this dreary plain? No heart can think, no tongue can tell what joy ‘twill be with Christ to dwell.
When left this scene of faith and strife, the flesh and sense deceive no more, When we shall see the Prince of life, and all His works of grace explore: What heights and depths of love divine will there through endless ages shine!
And God has fixed the happy day when the last tear shall dim our eyes; When He will wipe these tears away, and fill our hearts with glad surprise; To hear His voice, and see His face, and know the fullness of His grace.
J. Swain - 1792
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Hast Thou considered My servant Job. Job 1:8
Job, a wealthy Oriental sheik, lived in the days before the knowledge of God had been lost, though it is evident that idolatry, particularly the worship of the heavenly bodies, already had supplanted in places the older worship. For, be it remembered, paganism is not a step upward in the evolution of religion.
It is rather a declension, as Romans 1 shows us. Men turned from the living and true God to these vain idols, and “for this cause God gave them up“ (Romans 1:26) to all sorts of unclean practices. But Job had escaped all this. He was perfect in his behaviour, upright in all his ways, one who reverenced God and detested iniquity.
In chapters 1 and 2, we get a remarkable revelation of things in the unseen world. Job is the subject of a conversation between God and Satan, “the accuser of the brethren.” (Revelation 12:10) who accuses them before God day and night. The Lord challenges Satan, “Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth…one that feareth God, and eschewth evil? (blameless and upright) (Job 1:8)
Note, Job was all that God said he was—a man of faith, a true child of God. This book gives us, then, not the repentance of a sinner, but the repentance of a saint.
Satan denies the truthfulness of the divine estimate of Job and particularly declares that Job does not love and reverence the Lord for what He is in Himself, but for what Job receives at His hand.
To prove the contrary, the devil is permitted to wrest from the patriarch all that he possessed. Instead of renouncing God, Job exclaims, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).Thus far Satan is defeated, but he is relentless. “Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10) He glorifies God in the fires. Satan is defeated. Job is loyal and loves God for Himself alone, and not simply for His gifts.
It is a marvellous thing thus to find one to whom God means more than all earthly possessions, yes, than life itself. Unless You Repent - H. A. Ironside
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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
How wondrous the glories that meet in Jesus, and from His face shine. His love is eternal and sweet; ‘tis human, ‘tis also divine!
His glory—not only God’s Son—in manhood He had His full part— And the union of both joined in one forms the fountain of love in His heart. Robert Hawker
It was love, divine, precious, unspeakable love that led Him to die for us on that accursed tree, and, if you believe on Him, you have eternal life through His death. I say receive it, believe it. You may tell me you cannot understand it. No, but what I cannot understand I can believe, what I cannot fathom I can swim in, what I cannot comprehend I can enjoy I know that God’s Son has died for me, and I know that the source of all blessing is in His perfect love.
Could I with ink the ocean fill, were every blade of grass a quill, Were the whole heaven of parchment made, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry, Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
F. M. Lehman
Think of being loved by God after such a sort, and yet not believing it. Believe it now, my friend and you will have everlasting life. But you tell me, I do not know for whom this everlasting life is. The answer is here: it is for “whosoever believeth in Him.” Believing in Jesus, you shall not perish, but have everlasting life. You will be brought into everlasting blessing, in association with the Son of God.
What you have to do is to trust Him, bow down your heart to Him, and then confess Him. That is the way of salvation. For it is added, “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” (John 3:17) Night Scenes of Scripture - W. T. P. Wolston
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posted by soundwords at
September 01, 2023
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