Gems from March 2026

March 1

This book...shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.  Joshua 1:8 

Go to God by prayer for a key to unlock the mysteries of His word.  It is not the plodding but the praying soul, that will get this treasure of scripture knowledge.  God often brings a truth to the Christian's hand as a return of prayer, which He had long hunted for in vain with much labour and study: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets"  (Daniel 2:28); and where does He reveal the secrets of His word but at the throne of grace?

"From the first day," saith the angel, "that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words". (Daniel 10:12)  And what was this heavenly messenger's errand to Daniel but to open more fully the Scripture to him? as appears by verse  14 compared with verse 21.  This holy man had got some  knowledge by his study in the word, and this sets him to praying, and prayer fetched an angel from heaven to give him more light. 

- "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11.  It was not the Bible in his hand to read it, not the word of his tongue to speak of it; but the hiding it in his heart, that he found effectual against sin. 

- "Quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:19,20)  They are coupled together; he that despises one loses both.  If the scholar is too proud to learn of the usher (guide), he is unworthy to be taught by the master.

- "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3,4).  Satan commonly stops the ear from hearing sound doctrine, before he opens it to embrace corrupt doctrine.    William Gurnall 

N.J. Hiebert - 20235

March 2

LONELINESS

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.  Psalm 102:7 

Loneliness is a very unpleasant feeling.  Many who have lost loved ones know the emotion, the feeling, even many years after their loss.  Such feelings were well understood by the Lord as He too passed through a deep sense of loneliness. In the latter part of Matthew the Lord foretells His coming rejection and crucifixion.  He speaks of Judas's betrayal; He tells His disciples they will all forsake Him, and mentions Peter's threefold denial.  

In the garden the Lord separates from His disciples to pray.  Even though three are invited to follow closer, they are unable to watch with Him as sleep overcomes them, and they are not at the Lord's side either as He prays to His Father.  The Lord is alone.  Soon afterward, the multitude comes to take Him, and His disciples flee.  During all His appearances before the authorities, He has no one at His side.  He was rejected by the people, whom He had served so wonderfully--"Crucify Him, crucify Him" was their clamour: "We will  not have this Man to reign over us."  Those who loved Him, who stood by the cross, stood afar off.

What loneliness He felt.  The Psalms very vividly describe the thoughts of His heart: "I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." (Psalm 69:20) "Lover and friend hast thou put far from Me." (Psalm 88:18)  "I am like a pelican of the wilderness...and am as a sparrow alone on the housetop." (Psalm 102:6,7) 

Then the climax, the last three hours on the cross, when darkness enshrouded Him and the heart-rending cry echoed forth, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)  Yes, there are times when we are lonely and it hurts, yet there is no loneliness or sorrow comparable to His.  But in all our sorrow we have One to whom we can go, One who gives comfort and support in times of deepest need, because He understands.    Albert Blok 

N.J. Hiebert - 20236

March 3

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  2 Timothy 1:2  

The Apostle can address Timothy as his "beloved son (child)."  What a comfort that in a day of ruin there are those to whom we can unreservedly express our affection, and to whom in all confidence we can unburden our hearts.  Two leading characteristics in Timothy drew forth the love and confidence of Paul.  

First, he was mindful of his tears; secondly, he remembered his unfeigned faith.  The tears of Timothy proved that he was a man of spiritual depth and affection who felt the low and broken condition of the Christian profession: his unfeigned faith proved that he was able to rise above all the evil in obedience to, and confidence in, God.

Timothy may indeed have been of a timid nature and in danger of being overwhelmed by the evil that was coming into the church; as he was marked by tears and faith, the  Apostle was was encouraged to instruct and exhort him knowing that he had qualities which would enable him to answer to his appeal.  Nor is it otherwise today.  

The instructions of this touching Epistle will find little response unless there are the tears that tell of a tender heart that can mourn over the sorrows of God's people, and the faith that can take God's path of separation in the midst of the ruin.

Paul delighted to remember in his prayers this man of tears and faith.  What a cheer to any saint, broken hearted by the condition of God's people, to know that there are devoted and faithful saints by whom he is remembered in prayer.  Faithfulness in a day of desertion binds hearts together in the bonds of divine love.  2 Timothy - Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 20237

March 4

WHEREFORE  DIDST  THOU  DOUBT?

Neither be ye of doubtful mind.  Luke 12:29 

We are to believe without doubting. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not..."  Matthew 21:21 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8)  Obey without doubting.  (Acts 11:12).So much of our faith, our praying, our obedience, comes to naught because it is clogged with doubt, diluted with unbelief.  Doubt puts the brakes on, takes all the assurance out of our hearts, makes us wavering disciples, driven by the wind and tossed.  (James 1:6)

When our Lord appeared after His resurrection, some believed but some doubted and one feels that chill in many a gathering of Christians.  In questionable matters, "And he that doubteth is (condemned) if he eat" (Romans 14:23) and the underground principle is "whatsoever is not of faith is sin".  We believe or we doubt and if both are mixed let us earnestly pray, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)  To the extent we are believing, we are not doubting and, if we are doubting, to that extent we are not believing.  Beware of a doubtful mind.  All the Days - Vance Havner

Ere you left your room this morning. Did you think to pray?  In the name of Christ, our Saviour, did you ask for loving favour, as a shield today?

When you met with great temptation, did you think to pray? By His dying love and merit did you trust the Holy Spirit as your guide and stay?

When your heart was filled with anger, did you think to pray?  Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another who has crossed your way?

Oh, how praying rests the weary!  Prayer will change the night to day; so when life seems dark and dreary, don't forget to pray.    (Mary Kidder - 1820 to 1905)

N.J. Hiebert - 20238

March 5

Be ye reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:20 

Reconciliation is one of the great spiritual blessings imparted to us by God, on the basis of our acceptance of the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour.   It speaks of bringing two opposing forces together in harmony - on the one hand, the unchanging will of God, and on the other, our own wills which are naturally inclined to oppose His will.  This was only possible through Christ.

1. An Act of God - If reconciliation depended upon us to any degree, it could never happen.  The wonder is that it was all up to God who came out to us in love, giving His only Son to be the perfect sacrifice for sins.  And it was by His Spirit that we actually took notice, listened and accepted the message.  (Isaiah 1:18).  Salvation is entirely His work.

2. Knowing, Compared to Believing - It is one thing to know that Jesus came to earth, died and rose again, and quite another to actually believe that it was for me, and effective in me, for eternity.  (John 17:3).  fruit of our reconciliation.

3. Believing Leads to Telling - There are some believers who keep their experience to themselves, and thereby deprive  other needy souls of hearing the good news of salvation. (Mark 16:15).

4. Ultimate Reconciliation - to be face to face with our blessed Lord and Saviour is anticipated day by day.  Then we will be carried to the Father's home to dwell there forever.  Since reconciled means "brought together", our promised future will be its complete fulfillment.  (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Past -  The moment we were saved, we were reconciled forever.
Present - For all of our Christian life we are being reconciled, in manner of life, to our Saviour's. 
Future - Finally, when we are with the Lord in glory, we will be reconciled in body as well as in soul and spirit.  Lorne Perry

N.J. Hiebert - 20239

March 6

Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.  Luke 15:1-2.

When publicans sat down to eat with the Lord, the scribes and Pharisees found fault: "Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? and Jesus answering said unto them, they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.  I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:30-32)  The Lord replied the physician seeks the sick rather than those who thought they needed Him not. (Luke 5:27-32). 

The "gospel" according to the Pharisees--"This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them"--was spoken when "publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him" (Luke 15:1-24). Then our Lord spoke those inimitable parables of the lost things and their finding.  The ways of the Lord were always ways of grace and truth.  He never sought the approbation of men.  In a proud world among a proud people, the Son of God walked a path of unprecedented lowliness and grace.

When the impotent man was healed at the pool of Bethesda (John 5), the  Jews interrogated the happy, healed man carrying his bed home on his back, "What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?" (John 5:12).  The man did not even know His name!  It says, "Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multitude being in that place" (John 5:13).  How unlike the ways of men who crave all the publicity which exploits will bring to them.

God had said of old, "My ways are not your ways" (Isaiah 55:8).  It was true of the Lord Jesus; the ways of men were not His ways.  Men thought little of God in heaven or of what would be pleasing to Him.  This was everything to Christ our Lord.  He did everything that pleased the Father.  The Father's Name, the Father's kingdom, and the Father's will were the great dominating  motives of the life of our Lord.  He cared for nothing else.  Leonard Sheldrake   

N.J. Hiebert - 20240

March 7

"BE  MUCH  IN  PRAYER"

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 
Ephesians 6:18-20.    

Be much in prayer, in this dark hour, for great are Satan's wiles;
Far worse than persecuting power are his seductive smiles.

And error comes in such disguise--smooth-tongued and circumspect-- 
That none but truth-enlightened eyes the monster can detect! 

And fair profession, hand in hand with evil, stalks abroad 
But to deceive.  O! who can stand, save those who trust in God? 

Be much in prayer for labouring ones, who in the Master's name,
And with the Master's message, run His mercy to proclaim. 

The harvest's great, the workmen few, and naught of time to spare;
Iniquity increases too--remember this in prayer.    

I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace.  Acts 20:32
Christian Treasury - June 

N.J. Hiebert - 20241

March 8

Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. Jonah 2:1 

Even when the the shipmaster wakened Jonah out of his sleep, and told him to call on his God, Jonah, made no attempt to pray.  He was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, and that is no time to pray unto Him.  He even made a frank confession of his sin to the whole ship's company, (Jonah 1:9) but still he did not pray. 

We have noted that solemn scene on deck, as the seamen reluctantly took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea. (1:15).  It is amazing that even as Jonah was about to die, he apparently made not the slightest attempt to come to God in prayer, though surely there had been a beginning of the restoration of of his soul.  It often takes some time to bring about full restoration.    

Do not think that Jonah was any worse that we are today.  The story before us is only an illustration of how very far from God, even a saint and a prophet, one who has been used of God to do His work, may get.  Even the sight of death itself did not break down the barrier that Jonah's sin and pride had raised between God and his heart.  True, the barrier was all on his part, but he would not humble himself to turn to God and cry for mercy.

How wonderful are the ways of God.  What the storm, the raging waves, what even death itself, could not accomplish, God now brought about by his own ways.  Alone in the belly of the fish, amidst that awful darkness, and that deathly silence, utterly without hope of deliverance by the hand of man--"Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly." (2:1)

This is the way Jonah described that moment.  Worse, far worse to Jonah, than a few short moment under the stormy waves, and then death; were those long hours, three days and three nights (Psalm 116:3-4) "in the belly of Sheol." The proud, rebellious spirit bowed at last, and Jonah prayed. 
Jonah - G. C. Willis

N.J. Hiebert - 20242

March 9

THE  INCARNATION  OF  THE  SON  OF GOD

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary...thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call His name JESUS...the Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall over shadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.  Luke 1:30-35 
 
When the fulness of time had come, that is the appointed time, the Son of God appeared on earth in the form of man.  The Word which was in the beginning, the Word that was with the Father, the Word that was God, the Word by whom all things were made, that Word was made flesh and dwelt on earth.  He who subsisted in the form of God, emptied Himself and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.

The incarnation is a deep mystery, the depths of which human reason can never fathom. "No man knoweth the Son, but the Father." (Matthew 11:27). We must approach it in the spirit of deep reverence. In Luke 1, we have the record of the  divine announcement of the incarnation as it was made to the virgin, who had found favour in the sight of God.  Was there ever such a message given to Gabriel before? Great as the revelation was which he was commissioned to carry to praying Daniel, (Daniel 9:21) the communication to the virgin Mary here is far greater.   A. C. Gaebelein     
 
Thou wast "the image," in man's lowly guise, of the invisible  to mortal eyes;
Come from His bosom, from the heavens above, we see in Thee incarnate, "God is love."

Thy lips the Father's name to us reveal; what burning power in all Thy words we feel,
When to our raptured hearts we hear Thee tell the heavenly glories which Thou know'st so well.

No curse of law, in Thee was sovereign grace, and now what glory in Thine unveiled face!
Thou didst attract the wretched and the weak, Thy joy the wand'rers and the lost to seek. 

N.J. Hiebert - 20243

March 10

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  Mark 16:15

Just after the end of WW II some dear Christians were preaching the gospel on the streets of downtown Ottawa, Canada.  A young man dressed in a military uniform stopped to listen.  After the preaching had ended, some spoke to him and found that he was a dear and warmhearted believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, just returned from combat in Europe.  He had served as a chaplain near the front lines, seeking to comfort soldiers brought in to the field hospital, who had been wounded in battle.

The army chaplain recounted a most heart warming incident that took place during heavy fighting.  He began by mentioning that before going into combat, he had been trained when dealing with wounded soldiers, to find out "what faith" each was of so that he could "more effectively" be a comfort to them.     

One night, at the height of the battle, a seriously wounded soldier was carried into the field hospital.  The chaplain immediately made his way to the young soldier's cot and leaning over, asked his standard question; "What church do you attend?"  There was silence for a moment and then a whispered response; "I'm of Paul's persuasion".

This puzzled the chaplain very much for he had never heard of such a church group before.  "This must be of some new denomination"  he thought to himself.  Turning to others in the ward, he asked if anyone there had ever heard of a church named "Paul's Persuasion" and if so, could they tell him anything about its beliefs.  But no one in the ward had ever heard of such a church.

Leaning back over the wounded soldier, he again asked him to try and describe the church or denomination to which he belonged.  In a weak but steady whisper the wounded young man replied: "...I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38,39).

May we too be thus "persuaded"--"...I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is abe to keep that which I have committed unto Him..." (2 Timothy 1:12).  The Christian Shepherd - 2005

N.J. Hiebert - 20244

March 11

A  MIND  AT  PERFECT  PEACE 

Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5 

Are there any tyrants more harassing than our own thoughts?  Control of deeds and words seems a small thing in comparison; but have we not been apt to fancy that we really cannot help our thoughts?  Instead of our dominating them, they have dominated us; and we have not expected nor even thought it possible, to be set free from the manifold tyranny of vain thoughts, and still less of wandering thoughts.

Yet, all the time, here has been God's Word about this hopeless, helpless matter only where  has been our faith?  It is very strong language that the inspiring Spirit uses here--not "thoughts" in general but definitely, and with no room for distressing exceptions, "every thought."  Must it not be glorious rest to have every thought of day and night brought into sweet, quiet, complete captivity to Jesus, entirely "obedient to the faith," to His holy and loving influence, to His beautiful and perfect law?

We should not have dared to hope or dream of such a rest to our souls; we should not have guessed it included in that promise to those who take the yoke of Christ upon them; and if we could find one text stating that it was not any part of God's infinitely gracious purpose for us, we should only say, "Of course, for it stands to reason it could not be!"

Not yet thou knowest what I do within thine own weak breast
To mold thee to My image true, and fit thee for My rest.
But yield thee to My loving skill; the veiled work of grace,
From day to day progressing still, it is not thine to trace.
(Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal)

N.J. Hiebert - 20245

"The Lamb is nearer to my heart than any. He has known me better than any, better than I know myself; and this Christ who dwells in our hearts by faith is the One we shall meet there. I shall find One in heaven nearer and dearer to my heart, than any one I know on earth. Nothing is so near to us as the Christ that is in us, and nothing is so near to God as Christ. Yet the world is in a man's heart." 

March 12

What shall I do to inherit eternal life?...Sell all that thou hast, and distribute to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven."  Luke 18:18,23

In the cathedral at Freiburg there was a wonderful organ.  One day a man entered and asked the custodian if he might play upon the great instrument.  The old keeper finally granted permission, grudgingly.  The stranger sat down and slowly began to play.  The attention of the old sexton was arrested; he dropped into a seat and listened spellbound;  soon tears coursed down his wrinkled face.  He had never head such music before.

The stranger arose to go, and the custodian followed him silently to the door.  Finally he managed to ask, "Who are you?"  The visitor answered simply, "I am Mendelssohn."  And all that the old man could do was to throw up his hands and cry, "And to think I almost refused to let you play the organ!"  Every man is the custodian of the organ of his soul.  What pitiful discords we make when we try to play our own instruments unaided, try to live our own lives by our own strength.  Everywhere worn faces, weary hearts, broken spirits tell the story; the custodian cannot play his own organ.

But One who is greater than Mendelssohn asks to sit at the keyboard of your heart.  He will bring forth music from it that you never dreamed could be there--melody instead of melancholy, hallelujahs instead of heartaches.  Not only will it thrill you but others will be drawn to hear for they will perceive that you have quit playing and that the Master plays instead.
    Down in the human heart, crushed by the tempter,
    Feelings lie buried that grace can restore; touched by a loving heart,
   Wakened by kindness, chords that are broken will vibrate once more.

Doubly true is that when His heart and hand take us in charge!  I think of the rich young man who came to Jesus.  What a magnificent keyboard of possibilities he carried!  But he chose to be his own musician and went away sorrowful "for he had great possessions."  But of what use is an organ if it cannot be played, and of what use is a life abounding in promise if we deny Him who alone can make anything of it? 

Jesus is passing by.  Through the ages He has been bringing heavenly harmony from even the most unsightly organs.  Who else could have made anything of Simon Peter?  What a harsh instrument was Saul of Tarsus!  Think of Augustine, the slave of lust; what an unpromising prospect was Moody, the shoe salesman; what melody could be expected of Gipsy Smith?

Mind you, we never were meant to be the organists of our souls.  We cannot play but we are the custodians; we can let Jesus play or refuse Him.  All the trouble in human lives begins when the custodian tries to be organist.  The playing is God's part; the permission is ours.  
In Tune With Heaven - Vance Havner - August 23,1936   

N.J. Hiebert - 20246

March 13

And David rose up early in the morning...and went, as Jesse had commanded him... (1 Samuel 17:20) 

He comes into the camp, where his brothers accuse his confidence in God and his faith, of being pride and naughtiness of heart (v.28). We too can ever expect the same treatment ourselves in following the simple path of faith.  Our relatives can no more understand our motives than the Lord's brothers could understand His. 

David answers Eliab: "What have I now done?" "Was it not laid upon me"? (v.29).  What had he done to deserve being insulted?  Did he not have a reason for going down to his brothers, when the God of Israel was daily being insulted by the enemy?

David asks "what shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel?" (v.26).  He learns that "the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father's house free in Israel." (v.25). 

But it is not to obtain this reward that he enters the campaign; it is for God, for Israel's deliverance, to make the Lord known in all the earth, and that all the congregation should know how the Lord saves (vv.46-47).  Doubtless his victory gives him, like Christ, great riches, a bride, and the liberation of his father's house, but this the result rather than the purpose of his work. 

David announces to Saul what he is going to accomplish (v.32).  The king, who can think of nothing but human methods, wants to provide him with his own armour; but David cannot go with weapons belonging to the flesh, and he has never even tried them.  He wants no other weapons than those a shepherd uses to defend or regather his sheep.  As for us, the Word is that weapon that faith alone can use; it overthrows Satan.  Human labour can have no part in such a conflict.  (2 Samuel - H. L. Rossier)

N.J. Hiebert - 20247

March 14

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them...and there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep...and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.  And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him. Acts 20:7-10

What is before us now is the "break of day." (Acts 20:11).  This is the Christian's to-morrow.  "The Morning Star" (Revelation 2:28) illumines the sky, and we wait for our departure.  Paul "talked a long while even till break of day, so he departed." And so the church will depart.  As Paul departed just before the day dawned, so it will be with the Church.  All true members of the Body of Christ will depart at dawn, before God's final judgments overtake this world, and in order that the saints may appear with their Lord when He comes to reign.

"And they brought the young man alive and were not a little comforted." (Acts 20:12).   Why should it tell us this except it be for our own comfort?  As Paul says with reference to his doctrine of the Coming: "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." (1 Thessalonians 4:18). Eternal youth will characterize the Church, as Him, whose bride and companion she will be and of whom it is written: "Thou hast the dew of thy youth." (Psalm 110:3). As sharers of His life, no mark of age, or sorrow  or change will ever be upon us.

The midnight darkness will be over; the storm and stress of the Church's pilgrim journey will be ended, and the "break of day" (Song of Solomon 2:17) for her will be that which finally will be ushered in. "Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober." (1 Thessalonians 5:6).  We are not of the night nor of darkness, and at the break of day we shall depart.  This is the period for which we wait.  The Church's pilgrim journey is almost over; her sad history is almost ended; "let us lift up our heads for our redemption draweth nigh.  (Luke 21:28)    Break of Day - Russell Elliott 

N.J. Hiebert - 20248

March 15

For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. . . . 

1 Timothy 4:4-7 

The Apostle has set before us certain dangers against which the Spirit expressly warns us.  Timothy was to put the brethren in remembrance of these things, and so doing would prove himself to be a good servant of Jesus Christ nourished up in the  words of faith and of good doctrine with which he was fully acquainted.  The seducing spirits, of which the Holy Spirit speaks, sought to exalt man with a sense of religious importance and sanctity.  The true servant seeks to exalt Christ by ministering the truth.

To be a good servant of Jesus Christ, it is not enough to know the truth, and hold the truth; we need to be nourished by the truth,  and, in practise, to follow up fully the truth.  Our own souls must be fed if we are to feed others.  We must be nourished, not simply in the words of teachers, however true, but "with the words of the faith" which convey to us "the good teaching" of Christianity and, if followed up, will produce a practical effect in our lives, preserving us from the evils of the later times. (v.6)

Having exhorted us to follow the truth, the Apostle warns us to refuse all that which is outside "the words of faith" (v.6).  The imaginations of men will always tend to profanity and foolishness which the Apostle characterises with contempt as "old wives' fables" (v.7).  Our great "exercise" should be to be found walking in piety.

The good servant will exercise himself unto piety that he may be "meet for the Master's use, and prepared unto every good work." (2 Timothy 2:21).  We may, at times, like the Corinthian saints, be very active in service, and boast in our gifts, and like them be very unspiritual through not exercising ourselves unto piety.  

(Piety is that individual confidence in God that takes up every circumstance of life in relation to God)    1 Timothy - Hamilton Smith    

N.J. Hiebert - 20249

March 16

I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?  If He will contend with Him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.  He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against Him, and hath prospered?  Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which over-turneth them in His anger.  Job 9:2-5

We would ask ourselves the question: How is it possible that God's power works for salvation, that His good news goes out to all and is received in faith by repentant sinners  without distinction of race, position or status?  In Romans 1:16 and the following verses, Paul mentions that in his message of the good news God's righteousness is revealed and applied. 

Later on we find how this is possible (Romans 3:21-31), namely, on the basis of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus accomplished once and for all.  These passages answer Job's question of how man can be righteous with God  (Job 9:2).  They also explain that this declaration of righteousness, which was impossible under the old covenant, is now made possible and makes us acceptable and precious to God.

What is the basis for this message?  "For He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in HIm." (2 Corinthians 5:21).  Blessed effect of His sacrifice, praise God! 
A. E. Bouter

The perfect righteousness of God is witnessed in the Saviour's blood;
'Tis in the cross of Christ we trace His righteousness, yet wondrous grace.

The sinner who believes is free, can say, "The Saviour died for me:"
Can point to the atoning blood, and say, "This made my peace with God." 
A. Midlane

N.J. Hiebert - 20250

March 17

March 18

March 19

March 20

Gems from February 2026

There shall come in the last days scoffers...saying, where, is the promise of His coming?  2 Peter 3:3,4   For yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry.  Hebrews 10:37  Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Rev. 22:20

Where is the promise of His coming? 
It is settled in the counsel of the Lord;
By prophets, saints and sages through the slow march of the ages
It was blazoned on the pages of His Word.

Where is the promise of His coming?
It was given unto Israel of old,
And through sore humiliation it is still their consolation 
While they wait the restoration long foretold.

Where is the promise of His coming?
It is hidden in the hearts of His redeemed;
In the gloom of shadowed spaces 'tis a light on lifted faces
From the radiant heavenly places whence it streamed.

Where is the promise of His coming? 
It is written in the records of the past,
In the evils unabated, in the blood-lust still unsated,
In the woes reiterated to the last.

Where is the promise of His coming?
It is shouted by the thunder of the guns,
By the flaming forges burning, where the plows to swords are turning,
By the weeping mothers yearning for their sons. 

Where is the promise of His coming?
It is  flashed around the world with every sun;
Every day's event a token that God's purpose stands unbroken,
And the things that He has spoken shall be done.

Where is the promise of His coming?
All the sentient earth  with joy electric hums;
On the waves of air 'tis flowing, on the winds of heaven blowing,
Sign on sign its surety showing, till He comes.  Annie Johnson Flint

N.J. Hiebert - 10206

February 1

So the shipmaster came to him, (Jonah) and said unto him, what meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God, if so be that God will think upon us, that we perish not.  Jonah 1:6 

I love those words. True, he did not know God as Jonah knew Him, for who could give a truer and more glorious character to God than Jonah: "I knew that Thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving-kindness and repentest Thee of the evil." (Jonah 4:2)  but the shipmaster did not know a God of such a character. The heathen knew nothing of a God like this: but he does venture to hope:

"Arise call upon thy God, Perhaps God will think upon us, that we perish not." (Jonah 1:6)  Later we hear them pray, not every man to his god, but this time to Jehovah Himself, and they say, "Ah, Jehovah, we beseech Thee, let us not perish for this man's life." (Jonah 1:14)

Later again, we hear the king of Nineveh, another heathen, exhorting his people to turn from their sins, "Who knoweth but that God will turn . . . that we perish not."  (Jonah 3:9).  There may have been but the feeblest, and most ignorant turning to the true God, the object before them being only that they should not perish, but how richly did God meet them in each case.

Can we read those words "perish not," repeated three times, without thinking of that most glorious of verses, "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) 

Truly God has found a way so that the vilest of sinners should not perish.  How can we, who have tasted of such grace and love, ever cease to praise Him?  How can we refuse or neglect to tell out  such glorious news to those who have never heard?  How can we let them go on and perish in their sins?   Jonah the Prophet - G. C. Willis 

N.J. Hiebert - 10207

February 2

My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?  

Psalm 22:1

The greatest of all the Lord's sufferings were from God.  With hushed breath, we must speak of this.  It is the Holy of Holies of the great work on the cross; the impenetrable mystery of the atoning work of the Son of God. From the darkness which enshrouded the cross and the blessed Sufferer on the accursed tree, there came the mournful cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"  

It made known the awful suffering, which the Lamb of God, the substitute of sinners, endured from the hand of a Holy God.  He was smitten and afflicted of God. Have you noticed that in Psalm 22 this cry of the Sufferer on the cross stands first? 

Man would have written the sufferings of Christ in a far different way. All the agony of the cross and its shame would have been described first by man.  Then how the multitude mocked and darkness came over the entire scene--then last of all, it would have been stated, He cried, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?"     

But the Holy Spirit in this great Prophecy puts the cry of deepest agony first.  Why?  Because in that hour the great work of atonement, propitiation, sin-bearing, judgment and wrath enduring, was once and for all accomplished. In this same Psalm we read what men energized by Satan's power, did unto Him. 

But man could not put Him to death.  It is written, "Thou (God) hast brought me into the dust of death." (Psalm 22:15).  God's own hand rested upon Him. "God laid upon Him the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6). "It pleased the Lord to bruise Him;  He hath put Him to grief." (Isaiah 53:10).   

But what it all meant for the Son of God!  Never shall we fully discover the greatness of the price which was paid. The Work of Christ - A. C. Gaebelein

N.J. HIebert - 10208

February 3

THE  SPIRIT-CONTROLLED  MIND

For it is God which worketh in you to will and to do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 

If I wish to have a Christian mind marked by the qualities of the mind of Christ, it is proper for the production of such a mind to come about by the inner working of the gracious Spirit in my mind. My appetites, my desires, my ambitions, my motives, will be molded and made up of impulses which had their origins with Him.  The degree to which this is done daily in my life is proportional to the degree to which I deliberately allow Him to control my mind, emotions, and will.

Not only will this result in my thinking upon those things which are pure and lovely and of good report, (Philippians 4:8) but it will mean my entire life exudes a wholesome aura of decency and uplift and integrity.  To be with me will be akin to walking amid the cedars of Lebanon--which are both noble and fragrant--trees of the high places.  This is to know something of the secret growth in godliness.

When we accept Christ as our Saviour we are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit.  "In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise." (Ephesians 1:13)

The question is, have I ever sincerely and earnestly invited the Holy Spirit to  take control of my mind in this manner?  He desires to fill my soul and begin His own winsome work of growth.  It is He who will give me a godly disposition.  Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller  (Read Philippians 2:12-18)

N.J. Hiebert - 10209

February 4

At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I (Gabriel) am come to show thee.   Daniel 9: 23

Daniel's prayer was answered in a remarkable way.  Before he had  even finished his supplication, Gabriel appeared by his side and made a remarkable statement. We are living in an era of unprecedented speed of communications.  We are able to send a message around the world in a matter of seconds.  We are able to sit in our homes and watch events on the other side of the world as they happen. But never has a communication system been devised that can approach the miracle of prayer.

Think about it.  Millions of Christians around the world can be praying at the same time.  All these prayers wing their way across the infinite expanses of a universe whose limits scientists have not been abe to define, save only to know that what has been discovered is, in some cases, millions of light years away from our tiny insignificant planet.  Yet across such infinitudes, the prayers of the sons of light ascend to the presence of deity, and an answer can be back before we rise from our knees.  Now that is communication worth having.

Daniel had this communication available to him in that ancient era, and Gabriel, one of the most powerful angelic beings in the armies of heaven, was dispatched to speak to God's praying servant and to bring him an answer.  Do we really believe in the miracle of prayer?  Just imagine the interest around the globe if, for example, we advertised a two-way communication system being demonstrated at a certain time and place, which would put us in touch with dwellers on the furthest reaches of the universe. 

Yet this two-way communication miracle is experienced millions of times every day by the people of God.  Sadly, we have become so accustomed  to it that personal prayer is often neglected, and the prayer meetings are often the poorest attended of all assembly meetings.  Let us recapture the wonder of the miracle of prayer, and the fact that God is willing to dispatch His holy angels to our side to bring His answers to our prayers.  Daniel - William Burnett

N.J. Hiebert - 20210

February 5

The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of  transgressors shall destroy them.  Proverbs 11:3  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge.  

2 Peter 1:5 

Often, the two words, 'integrity' and 'virtue' have similar meanings. We might say that they both have the sense of moral virtue and uprightness.  Another way in which they might be used would be that they both express having the courage to stand for your convictions, clinging without flinching to what you firmly believe is right. 

It may require that a person has to stand alone, but if their thoughts are guided by the precious Word of God, they will not be the loser, though they may not be understood.  Sometimes it becomes necessary to speak out - patiently and in love, but firmly - against what you know is wrong.

We recently heard of this excellent example of virtue and integrity in use.  A new, young surgical nurse was on her first surgical procedure with a well known surgeon in a highly respected hospital.  She was understandably both nervous and quite determined to do her very best work in her first surgery.

As the surgeon was closing up the patient's incision after a successful surgery, the new young nurse, responsible for counting the surgical sponges used and removed, said to the surgeon, "Doctor, you have only removed eleven sponges.  However we have used twelve on this patient."  Staring at the new nurse the experienced surgeon curtly replied, "No, I've removed them all.  We will continue to close the incision".  "No", rejoined the nurse in a quiet but firm voice.  She went on, "We used twelve sponges and only eleven of them have been removed".

Acting rather annoyed, the surgeon snapped, "I'll take the responsibility, nurse.  Now we will suture".  "But doctor", the nurse said in a very grim, emphatic tone;  "You can't do that!  Think of the patient.  You are leaving a sponge inside the incision!"  The doctor stared at the new nurse.  Then a smile covered his face.  He lifted his foot under which the12th sponge had been hidden.  Grinning at her he said, You'll do fine, nurse.  Welcome to my team!"  Christian Shepherd.- 2014 

N.J. Hiebert - 20211

February 6

Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vine: for our vines have tender grapes.   Song of Solomon 2:15 

An eagle carrying a serpent in its talons to its nest on the mountains was bitten to the heart and fell to the ground.  Have you seen a young man or woman fall away from God?  Do you know the cause of their fall?  The neglect of prayer, that stealthy indulgence in the intoxicating cup, that licentiousness  and profligacy unseen of man, that secret tampering with unbelief and error, was the serpent at the heart that brought the eagle down.  Theodora  L. Cuyler

If we wish to bask perpetually in the sunshine of God's love, the problems of sin must be firmly dealt with, and all love of it must cease.  For it is literally true that there is more evil in one drop of sin than in a whole sea of affliction.

Christian youth, beware how you think lightly of sin!   Take heed lest you fall little by little.
 
- Sin, a little thing?  Is it not a poison?  Who knows its deadliness? 
- Sin, a little thing? Do not the foxes spoil the grapes?
- Does not the tiny coral insect build a rock which wrecks a navy? 
- Sin a little thing?  It girded the Redeemer's head  with thorns, and pierced His heart! 

Could you weigh the least sin in the scales of eternity, you would fly from it as from a serpent.  Look upon all sin as that which crucified the Saviour, and you will see it to be "exceeding sinful."  C. H. Spurgeon 

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word.   Psalm 119:9

Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:11 

N.J. Hiebert - 20212

February 7

And when He was entered into a ship, His disciples followed Him.  And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but He was asleep.  

Matthew 8:23,24 

The ship was covered with the waves but why should the Master of wind and weather be disturbed?  It was His Father's world and what woke Him up was not the fury of the storm but the frenzy of His panicky disciples.  Why did they not say, "There is nothing to worry about.  The Lord of all creation is taking a nap and we are safe"?  Instead, they got their eyes on the storm instead of the Saviour. 

The weather is always a convenient topic for conversation but the Christian attitude toward the weather is rather mixed.  We say, "God runs the weather" and of course that is true for He has the whole world in His hands.  But God can give Satan some leeway and Satan uses it as he did with the mighty wind that destroyed Job's sons, (Job 1:19)  There would be no tornados, floods, hurricanes if sin had not entered the world.  

Storms are part of nature ruined by the Fall.  There are other kinds of storms and all for the same reason.  The Christian travels a tempestuous sea in this old world but Jesus is in the boat and sometimes He seems to be asleep!  When Lazarus lay ill and a hurried call was sent to the Master we read He stayed two days where He was (John 11:6).  There is the love that tarries.  God takes His time.  He may seem slow but He is never late.  We go into panic but no tempest disturbs His repose.
 
Are you in a storm? Is it failing health, financial distress, family trouble, depression of mind?  Does the Lord seem asleep and you feel like crying, "Carest Thou not that we perish?" (Mark 4:37-39). They cried, "Lord, save us"--that was faith.  "We perish"-- that was doubt. (Matthew 8:25)

"There arose a great storm" (v.37) and then, "He arose." (v. 39). The storms will arise but He too will arise--and the Saviour is the Answer to the storm. 
Though I Walk Through the Valley - Vance Havner  

 N.J. Hiebert - 20213

February 8

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.  
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.  Proverbs 15:1,2 - 16:32

It is impossible for man to estimate aright the power for good or evil that lies in the tongue.  A kindly, gracious word will often disarm a most ill-tempered and wrathful man; while a sharp, cutting remark has frequently separated friends dear to each other for years, until some trivial circumstance arose which might have been turned to an occasion for grace and forbearance on the part of each had love been ruling.  

It is considered unmanly by many not to resent an insult, and to allow wrathful words to pass unchallenged;  but it takes far more true character to meet an angry man in quietness of spirit, and to return cool, calm words for heated, hasty ones, than it does to give railing for railing, or malice for malice. 

The latter bespeaks a man who does not yet know how to rule his spirt; the former, one who has his personal feelings in subjection.  Grievous words but add fuel to the flame, while a gracious demeanour will go far towards cooling the angry passion of another. 

The wise man knows how to use knowledge so that it shall be for profit;  knows, too, when to speak and when to be silent.  The fool is always ready with a retort, whether it be fitting or not.   Notes on Proverbs - H. A Ironside

Angry words, oh let them never, from the tongue, unbridled slip.
May the love of Jesus ever fill the heart and keep the lip.

Angry words, though lightly spoken, do not suit the child of God.
Happy fellowship is broken by a single angry word.    Horatio Palmer 
  
N.J. Hiebert - 20214

February 9

ATTRACTIONS  AND  AFFECTIONS

Draw me!  Song of Solomon 1:4
Make haste, my beloved.  Song of Solomon 8:14 

Are we drawn to the Person of Christ?  Whether we contemplate the greatness of His work at Calvary or read of the many who were healed during the time of His earthly ministry, we must turn our gaze to the Beautiful One by whom and through whom these things were done.  When a loved one wears perfume, it is not to attract our hearts to the fragrance itself, but that the fragrance would turn our gaze to the person wearing it. 

Similarly, let us continually thank the Lord for forgiveness of sins and a hope of glory, but all the while may our heart's object be the One who provided this forgiveness.  Yes, we revel in the greatness of the salvation we enjoy, but in doing so let us magnify the Saviour--"The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20)! 

When the Lord Jesus sat with His disciples on the night He was betrayed, He took bread, broke it, and told them "...this is My body which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the cup, when He had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me."  (1 Corinthians 11:23-25). The institution of this holy meal is not merely a rite or ritual, but the focus here is to draw our attention to His Person, and it ought to cause us to worship.  It is only as our hearts are occupied with Him that we can truly appreciate what He has done.

As we contemplate Him, we will find ourselves more and more attracted to Him and our affections drawn to Him.  This in turn will cause our hearts to exclaim, "make haste," for we long to be with Him.  "Even so, come, Lord Jesus!"  (Revelation 22:20).  Eric  Clermont

N.J. Hiebert - 20215

February 10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Romans 10:9,10. 

Mark, it is first the heart, then the tongue.  It is not head-work.  That will not do here.  It is all head work  with zoology, geology, or physiology, but when you come to the knowledge of the Lord, it is heart-work.  You have all got hearts, let Christ fill them.

Think of His love--do you not believe that blessed One?  Do you ask me if I believe?  Yes, I believe Him from the bottom of my heart; I believe He loved me, as the apostle Paul says, "The Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me."  (Galatians 2:20).  What is the result of knowing and believing that?  The tongue is loosed. 

When a man's heart is touched, he believes, and then confesses Christ.  "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."  (Romans 10:10)  It is exceedingly simple.  "Confession is made unto salvation."  You get right with God first in your heart, and then put yourself right with men by your mouth.

Your tongue exalts Christ.  The man who is saved, tells of it to other people.  He rejoices to speak of Christ's grace, and to Christ's credit.  There is no credit to him.  It is all to the glory of Christ.  You believe in Him with your heart, and with your mouth confession is made to salvation, for the Scripture says, "For whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed." (Romans 10:11)   
Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston, M.D. 

N.J. Hiebert - 20216

February 11

He (Elijah) went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree . . . as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. . . . and he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.  And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great  for thee. and he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights . 1 Kings 19:4-8

And what did God do with His tired servant?  Gave him something good to eat, and put him to sleep.  Elijah had done splendid work, and had run alongside of the chariot in his excitement, and it had been too much for his physical strength, and the reaction had come on, and he was depressed.

The physical needed to be cared for.  What many people want is sleep, and the physical ailment  attended to.  There are grand men and women who get where Elijah was--under the juniper tree! and it comes very soothingly to such to hear the words of the Master:  "The journey is too great for thee," (verse 7) and I am going to refresh you.  Let us not confound physical weariness with spiritual weakness. 

I'm to tired too trust and too tired to pray,
Said one, as the overtaxed strength gave way.
The one conscious  thought by my mind possessed,
Is, oh, could I just drop it all and rest. 

Will God understand, do you suppose. 
If I go right to sleep as a baby goes,
Without an asking if I may,
Without ever trying to trust and pray?

Will God understand why think, dear heart,
When language to you was an unknown art,
Did a mother deny you needed rest,
Or refuse to pillow your head on her breast?

Did she let you want when you could not ask?
Did she set her child an unequal task?
Or did she cradle you in her arms,
And then guard your slumber against alarms?  - Ella Conrad Cowherd 

N.J. Hiebert - 20217

February 12

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.  Philippians 2:13 

Both the willing and the working are from God: there is no room to boast.  And if it is of GOD, it cannot fail, for, "HE FAILETH NOT." (Zephaniah 3:5) Notice the two "days" that are mentioned in Philippians 1:5 & 6: "The first day", and, "Christ Jesus' day:" the beginning of the race, and the ending.  "The first day" was the day when they heard the Gospel and believed it.  When is "Christ Jesus' day"?  The present time is called "Man's day" (1 Corinthians 3:13).  But "Christ Jesus' day "  (Philippians 1:6) is coming.

Now, man is allowed to a large extent to have his own way.
-Then, Christ Jesus will have His own way.  
- Then, all enemies will be put under His feet. 
- Then, He will gather all His own unto Himself. 
- Then, we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. 
- Then, even our bodies will be fashioned like unto His glorious body. 
- Then, we shall be conformed unto the image of His Son. 
- Then, He will finish up the good work which He began in us at the first day. 
(It is almost the same word as "It is finished" at the Cross.)

Well may the Apostle cry: "I AM PERSUADED, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate  us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  (Romans 8:38,39). Lord, Give us more of this "persuasion!"  
Philippians - G. Christopher Willis

N.J. Hiebert - 20218

February 13

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. . . .fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.  Matthew 10:29,31 

Civilla D. Martin, author of this gospel hymn text, tells of a visit in 1904 to a bedridden Christian friend.  Mrs. Martin asked the woman if she ever got discouraged because of her physical condition.  Her friend responded quickly: "How can I be discouraged when my heavenly Father watches over each little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me."  Within just a few minutes Mrs. Martin completed the writing of her new text, which has since been a source of great encouragement to many of God's people.

It is interesting that our Lord chose the most common of all birds, sparrows of little value, to teach a profound truth: In God's eyes, no one is insignificant!  He is vitally concerned with even the details of our lives.  Notice also that the Bible uses another bird to to teach this inspiring truth: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles" (Isaiah 40:31).  With an awareness of God's concern for our lives and the promise of His enabling power to live victoriously, why should we be afraid?

Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,  why should my heart be lonely and long for heav'n and home when Jesus is my portion? my constant friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me . . .   

"Let not your heart be troubled," His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness I lose my doubts and fear; tho' by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me . . .

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him, from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me . . .
Chorus:  I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

N.J. Hiebert - 20219

February 14

And their father Israel said unto them, if it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits...carry down the man a present...take double money...and the money that was brought again...take also your brother...and God almighty give you mercy before the man, that he may send away your other brother, and Benjamin.  If I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved." 

Genesis 43:11-14.

What a picture of man's way of seeking to obtain blessing from God.  Do your best, look to the mercy of God to make up for any failure in your efforts, and then hope for the best in the future, and if you are saved you will be saved, and if you are condemned you will be condemned. 

The brethren of Joseph proceed to act upon their father's plan only to realize its utter futility.  They took the present, they took double money, and Benjamin, and stood before Joseph. (v,15).  Joseph pays not the slightest heed to their gifts, he does not touch their money, he will not accept Benjamin as a ransom.  He entirely ignores their plan and commences to act according to his own heart. 

First, he says, "Bring those men home, and slay and make ready; for these men shall dine with me." (v16).  Is this not an anticipation of that far greater message  that God sends to a world of sinners, "Come for all things are now ready"? (Luke 14:17).  The purposes of Joseph far transcend the plans of his brethren. 

Their plan was simply to obtain a blessing from Joseph; his purpose was to bestow a blessing, but a blessing that they should enjoy in his company and in his home.  Their plan was to buy corn to make a feast among themselves, his plan to spread a feast to be enjoyed with him.  "These men shall dine with me" (v.16).

Like the brethren of Joseph we are equally slow to take in God's thoughts of blessing.  We would be content to obtain the forgiveness of sins, and salvation from hell.  But how far short of God's thoughts!  His thought is to have us with Himself to feast with Him in His home.  Joseph - Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 20220

February 15

And the king (David) was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! 
2 Samuel 18:33

David's heart is broken with unconsolable sorrow.  David could not have died for his son.  This was reserved for One alone who would die for the ungodly, the only One who was counted among the transgressors and who bore the sin of many (Isaiah 53:12).  But David could give free vent to his sorrow over the irrevocable loss of that one whose salvation he had so ardently desired.

No doubt human sentiments were mixed with all this mourning; this is why David needed to have a broken heart.  While it is much, a broken spirit (Psalm 51:17) is not enough.  With a broken spirit, self-will cannot be active.  Before he had a broken spirit David has followed his own will which had led him into adultery and to Uriah's murder.  A broken spirit gives up its own will in order to depend on God (15:25-26; 16:10-12; 18:4). There was no need for Jesus' spirit  to be broken.  Did He not say, when He came into the world: "Lo I come to do, O God, Thy will"?   

But sooner or later our heart must be broken as well as our spirit.  Sometimes God begins with one, sometimes with the other.  When Peter wept bitterly he truly had a broken, humbled heart, for brokenness of heart is always accompanied by humiliation (Psalm 51:17).  Peter's spirit was not broken until later: "When thou wast young," Jesus said to him, "thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst where thou desiredest; but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and bring thee where thou dost not desire" (John 21:18). 

Nor let us forget that we need continual brokenness. Each time God wants to manifest some new feature of Christ in us, He breaks our heart so that it may appear.  Thus it was with the apostle Paul.  Jesus' light and life  shining through this broken vessel warmed and quickened  the soul of his brethren.  H. L Rossier 

N.J. Hiebert - 20221

February 16

Behold the Lamb of God!  John 1:36
I have glorified Thee on the earth.  John 17:4

MEDITATIONS  on  the  CROSS

As the Lamb of God, Christ perfectly glorifies God in John 13; as the Son, He perfectly glorifies the Father in John 14. It is a wonderful thing, the cross; there, and there only, was God fully glorified.  Where do we find the love of God in all its fullness?  At the cross: "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us." (1 John 3:16) 

Where do we find perfect righteousness against sin? At the cross:  "He made Him to be sin, for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." 

Where do we find absolute obedience?  At the cross, where Christ was before God in the very place of sin: "obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Where was the majesty of God fully vindicated?  At the cross: "For it became Him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the Captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings." 

The more we look into the cross--and we must come to it first as poor sinners that need salvation--the more we shall wonder at God's love.  We get in the cross man in absolute hatred to God and all the power of Satan;  Man (Jesus), much more than man, in absolute obedience; and God in perfect righteousness against sin.  All Man was in goodness in Christ; all man was in badness; and all God was in love and righteousness, came out at the cross. 

Every question of good and evil was settled at the cross.  The new heaven and new earth are founded on it.   Though all our blessing is wrapped up in it, "God's Lamb" is for God's glory--for Himself and according to what He is. 
J. N. Darby

N.J. Hiebert - 20222

February 17

THE  CHARM  OF  GENTLEMANLINESS

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.  

Proverbs 15:13  

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians 2:20  

The Christian, indeed, should be the highest type of gentleman.  Although he may not be able to boast of noble descent, or of having received a classical education, he learns in the school of grace, where the heart keeps pace with the head, lessons that will enable him to bear, without abuse, the grand old name of  "Gentleman."

   1. He is careful to cultivate good manners - It is the natural thing for him to stand, in vehicles, for aged people, and to avoid pushing in crowds.  
   2. He is above doing a mean thing - He is generous and brave, and never descends to anything that is dishonourable.  He invades no secrets in the keeping of another.  He betrays none confined to his own keeping.  He never stabs in the dark.  He is not one thing to a man's face and another behind his back.  He has a cheer for those who pass him in the race.  His mind is filled with the things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, and of good report; and the opposite of these things have no place in his life (Philippians 4:8).
   3. He will never willingly give pain -  Conscious of the sense of tears in things mortal, a true gentleman does not make life hard for anyone. "So long as I have been here," said Lincoln, after his second election, "I have not willingly planted a thorn in any man's bosom".  Someone has defined a gentleman as "one who never puts his feelings before the rights of others; or his rights before their feelings".  
   4. He has a touch of kindly humour - God made both tears and laughter, and both for kind purposes.  For, as laughter enables mirth and surprise to breathe freely, so tears enable sorrow to vent itself patiently.  Tears hinder sorrow from becoming despair and madness; and laughter is one of the privileges of reason, being confined to the human species.  Winsome Christianity

N.J. Hiebert - 20223

February 18

God . . . who giveth songs in the night"  Job 35:10 

We make our songs in the day of our gladness,
When life is all laughter and joy and delight,
When never a shadow has clouded our sunshine;
But God giveth songs in the night.

He giveth songs in the night of our sorrow,
When tears are our drink and when grief is our meat,
Till we silence our weeping and still our repining 
To list to those cadences sweet. 

He giveth songs in the night of affliction,
When earth has no sun and the heavens no star; 
Like a comforting touch in the desolate darkness
His voice stealeth in from afar. 

He giveth songs--and His music is sweeter
Than earth's greatest voices and gladdest refrains;
Our loveliest melodies shade to the minor,
But His keep their full major strains.   

He giveth songs when our music is over,
When our voices falter and our tongues are mute;
When trembling hands drop from the lute and the harp strings,
And hushed are the viol and flute. 

Give us Thy songs, O Thou Maker of music! 
Teach us to sing, O Thou Bringer of joy! 
Till nothing can silence the notes of our triumph 
And naught our rejoicing destroy.    Annie Johnson Flint 

N.J. Hiebert - 20224

February 19

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.  

Romans 12:2

    Nebuchadnezzar gave instruction to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should select certain capable young men from among the exiles for a career in the Civil Service of Babylon, and he defined the criteria to be used in the selection process.  He stipulated that they must be of the royal line, handsome in appearance, and that they must have an outstanding academic record. 
    Quite clearly, this meant a process of elimination, so that only the best entered the king's service.  When the selection process was finished, Daniel and his three companions were marked out as the best that had come from Judah.  This was quite an honour, because Babylon was a great empire, boasting a sophisticated system of government and education.
    How flattered Daniel and his companions could have felt to have been chosen for the best treatment that Babylon could give, and the promise of a bright career, with many opportunities for advancement.  This attention could easily have gone to their heads, and made them clay in the hands of the Babylonian authorities.

    This situation is not so far from what we face today.  Amidst the chaos and confusion and the increasing violence of society, the world system is prepared to make attractive proposals to those who impress them with their personal ability and personality.  The world has plans for people like this, and will make every attempt to mould these lives to suit that  plan, with the promise that the relationship will be mutually beneficial.  The system will get what it wants, and those willing to go along with it will realize the benefits of a secure career, a good salary, and desirable perks.
    What could be more appealing than being singled out from the masses as outstanding, and being groomed in a special way for a bright career?  But the sting is in the tail of this attractive situation, in that it can involve compromise in the area of faith, and the embracing of idolatry.  We appeal to young men and women especially, along with those already in the world system of business, to be aware of what is going on, and to be prepared, like Daniel and his companions, to resist the attempts of the system to press you into its mould.   Daniel - William Burnett

N.J. Hiebert - 20225

February 20

His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.  Psalm 112:7 

Whatever throws you upon God is an immense gain to the soul.  It is well for us all when we are grounded upon what has been termed the impregnable rock of scripture.  Resting on this foundation opinions may come and opinions may go, but they will never be able to disturb the divine certainty of the soul that is able to say, "Thus it is written." We may always trust in the tenderness of the Lord, and fail as we may we may trust Him. 

"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." (John 11:5)  In this very chapter Martha does nothing save to blunder, and exhibit her blindness to the glory of the Person of her Lord, and yet the chapter is prefaced by the statement that Jesus loved her.  It touched me deeply as I saw a little  of the significance of the statement, and it taught me that the Lord's love to us rises above all our failures, and that, therefore, we may count upon it and rest in it at all times.

His way is ever perfect, and it only needs that, with the knowledge of His love, we should repose in Him with unshaken confidence in all circumstances.  It is ever a fatal mistake when we measure the difficulties of service by what we are.  The question is what God is; and the difficulties that appear as mountains, looming through the mists of our unbelief, are nothing to Him but the occasion for the display of His omnipotent power. 

There is nothing so destructive of confidence in God as a questioning mind.   Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett  

In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear,
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.

The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?  A. Waring

N.J. Hiebert - 20226

February 21

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord . . . as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?   And he said, Who art thou, Lord?  And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. . . . Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?  

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands; on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.   Acts 9:1-20

Now Saul is a Christian.  Everybody was amazed, and God's power was with him, so that he confounded the Jews in Damascus, proving that Jesus truly is the Christ, the Messiah.  They tried to kill him, as they had killed the Christ.  He went away from the crowds of men into the deserts of Arabia.  "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia . . ." (Galatians 1:17) 

 I am sure  Saul of Tarsus went to Arabia to be alone with God.  I can well understand that Saul felt he must have quiet, and time to be alone, and to hear God speak to him.  This is a lesson you and I need.  We know nothing of this visit to Arabia, but we can well understand it.  It is just what we would have expected.  I do not doubt he took with him his Bible, (Old Testament, for there was no New Testament then), and that there alone with God, the Holy Spirit made this book shine with a new light and glory, as He showed him JESUS on every page. 

I do not doubt the Holy Spirit taught him many such things during this time in Arabia.  Christian reader, if we are to serve God acceptably, we also must have our time in Arabia.  We also must get time alone with God. With most of us, we have only to follow our Master when He rose up a great while before day, and we will be alone with God.  May you and I learn the depth of meaning there is in those few words, "I went away into Arabia."  Meditations  on Galatians  - G. C. Willis  

N.J. Hiebert - 20227

February 22

And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?  2 Samuel 9:1 

David gives free flow to his mercy toward those whom he desires to bless.  There was no reason that his interest should be drawn toward the house of Saul; this house had ever made war against David and, as far as its present condition was concerned, only its misery could attract the king's attention.  But it is precisely misery that attracts grace.  "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" (verse 3). That is, divine kindness. 

Ziba comes to tell him that there was a poor miserable person, a man whose both feet were lame.  They were lame because in time past he had fled from the one whose only thought was to bless him.  The King sends for him, for this Mephibosheth who was numbered among "the lame and the blind hated of David's soul" (ch. 5:8). This lame man presents himself before David.  What emotions must have stirred in the heart of this poor cripple!  With what anguish he must have pictured the fate awaiting him! 

David had indeed told Ziba that he would exercise mercy toward Saul's descendants, but when once he had this offshoot of the family which had hunted him mercilessly would David still dream of exercising the promised mercy toward him?  "And David said, Mephibosheth!" (verse 6)  He calls him by name, the name that no one had pronounced in his presence.  David knows me then; does he remember me? the wretch must be thinking.  And Mephibosheth, bowed at the king's feet, says: "Behold thy servant!" (verse 6). 

David does what the Lord always does when He desires to gain a sinner's confidence.  He says to him: "Fear not," when this poor soul terrified by the judgment he was expecting finds himself at the feet of his judge.  "Fear not; for I will certainly show thee kindness for Johnathan thy father's sake." (verse 7) . He remembers his covenant with Jonathan; he had bound himself to Jonathan by promises not to repented of (1 Samuel 20:14-17); he could not and would not break them.  Mephibosheth had nothing to fear for his judge  is telling him: "I will surely show thee kindness."    

But David doe not stop there: "I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father."  He gives Mephibosheth a most privileged place at his court.  He eats with the king; and much more, he does so "As one of the king's sons" (verse 11).  Before the eyes of all David gives him the tittle and relationship of a son!   Dr. H. L. Rossier 

N.J. Hiebert - 20228

February 23

And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him.  Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day He shall rise again.  

Mark 10:32-34   

Jesus was going before them: and they that followed were afraid.  They are terrified by the dread possibilities which are before them; they are awed by the majestic fortitude of the Master.  Let us pause to gaze on that face and form, the Son of God, going with unfaltering step toward the cross!   Does it not awaken new love as we see how voluntary was His death for us; yet do we not wonder at the meaning and the mystery of that death? 

The disciples cannot understand it.  They are not able to believe it; yet, for the third time, He repeats the prediction, this time with a detail more full of horror than before:  "They shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him unto the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall scourge Him."  (Mark 10:33)  This is proof that Jesus saw in all its terrors the tragedy toward which He moved with such majestic, unfaltering tread.

This, too, is a proof that He was more than man, in His clear vision of the future, in His knowledge of things to come.  This further suggests that His death was no mere incident in His career, no mere seal to His testimony; it was the goal toward which He was moving; He had not come merely "to minister," but "to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45).  

No one was to take His life from Him   Freely He was to offer His life for us.  Death, however, was not His ultimate goal.  His prediction always was, "After three days He shall rise again."  The fulfillment of that promise became the final vindication of all His claims; it was the explanation of His matchless love.  "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross."  (Hebrews 12:2)     Charles R. Erdman

N.J. Hiebert - 20229

February 24

"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down."  Nehemiah 6:3 

One of Satan's favourite employees is the "switchman."  He likes nothing better than to side-track one of God's express trains, sent on some blessed mission and filled with fire of a holy purpose. 

Something will come up in the pathway of an earnest soul, to attract its attention, and occupy its strength and thought.  Sometimes it is a little  irritation and provocation.  Sometimes it is some petty grievance we stop to pursue or adjust.

Very often, and before we are aware of it, we are absorbed in a lot of distracting cares and interests that quite turn us aside from the great purpose of our life.  

We may not do much harm, but we have missed our connection.  We have gotten off the main line. 

Let these things alone.  Let distractions come and go, but press forward steadily and irresistibly with your God-given task.  The eagle flying in the upper air, pays but little or no attention to what is going on in the earth below him.  As children of God we are to occupy our rightful place, "in the heavenlies," "far above all" these petty things.  God would have us to be "eagle saints."  Let us not stoop from our position!      Dr. A. B. Simpson    

Be Thou the object bright and fair to fill and satisfy the heart;
My hope to meet Thee in the air, and nevermore from Thee to part:
That I may undistracted be to follow, serve, and wait for Thee.  G. W. Frazer 

N.J. Hiebert - 20230

February 25

"THE  GOOD  OLD  DAYS" 

Where is the Lord God of Elijah?  2 Kings 2:14

Elisha did not ask for the return of Elijah or sigh for the good old days of  Elijah.  Some of us are like Saul trying to call up departed Samuels (1 Samuel 28:11).  "What would Moody do today?  Oh, for the times we used to have!"
 
A subscriber wrote to a magazine editor, "Your magazine is not as good as it used to be."  The editor replied, "It never has been."  The times have never been as good as they used to be! 

The early church, fresh from Pentecost, had barely started, when "there arose a murmuring." (Acts 6:1). Look at Corinth! (1 Corinthians 5:1).  Don't forget Ananias and Sapphira, (Acts 5:1-11), the Galatians (Galatians 3:1), and Colossians (Colossians 2:8),  Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2), the plight of Ephesus, Sardis, Laodicea (Revelation chapters. 2&3).  It has always been so, yet God has carried on. 

Looking back to the good old days is not the way out.  Looking up to the God of "All the Days" is. (Psalm 23:6).  Elijah goes, but "Thou, O Lord, remainest." (Hebrews 1:11).  
Day by Day with Vance Havner

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.  

N.J Hiebert - 20231

February 26

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.  2 Corinthians 4:18 

I have been finding help in laying the great story of  2 Kings 6:14-17 alongside the great words of 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 "...therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about...and his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?  And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.  And Elisha prayed, Lord...open his eyes.   And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
The secret of peace and courage is shown to us in this story, taken with the words that lead up to and follow after "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."

So let us live, not in the visible but in the Invisible, not the temporal but in the Eternal.  Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael

Through waves, through clouds and storms, God gently clears the way;
We wait His time; so shall the night soon end in blissful day.

He everywhere hath sway, and all things serve His might;
His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light.

When He makes bare His arm, who shall His work withstand?
When He His people's cause defends, who then shall stay His hand?

We leave it to Himself  to choose and to command
With wonder filled, we soon shall see how wise, how strong His hand!
(Gerhardt, tr. by  John Wesley)       

N.J. Hiebert  - 20232

February 27

And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish?  Mark 4:38

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. 

Zephaniah 3:17

We know that the disciples need not have been afraid, they need not have disturbed our Lord's rest; but something I had never thought of before came to me, as I pictured that tossing boat and those frightened men and the resting Lord.  Do we never do just what they did?  He is resting in His love, in the silence of love.  Do not we, His lovers, sometimes break into the sweetness of that silence with a fear, a cry that is almost "carest Thou not?"  

No one paragraph, even in our Bible, shows life as whole. There are other aspects, I know, but this, which is perhaps the very innermost-the heart of the heart of love-is something we are meant to look at often, and far more, to live. 

There is silence which can be only met by silence.  Silence is not a gap to be filled.  It is the greatest of all preparations, and the climax of all adoration. 

"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation.  My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:1,5)  .

Let the storm beat as it will outside; within, let there be peace, so that  undisturbed He may rest in His love.  ("He will renew thee with His love".  Are they not dear words?  "He will rest in His love." "He will renew thee with His love."   Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael

N.J. Hiebert - 20233

February 28

I will arise and go to my father...and he arose, and came to his father... But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him...and fell on his neck and kissed him. Father I have sinned...But the father said...let us eat and be merry: for this my son...was lost and is found. Luke 15:18-24 

Years ago, while visiting a Canadian friend's home in Florida, we heard the sound of a big eighteen-wheeler coming by the window.  His wife's brother in law was bringing a load of hay from Canada for horses in Florida.  He would soon be returning to the province of Ontario with crates of oranges for an Ottawa grocery chain.

Seeing my interest in his big red truck, the driver said "Jump in."  I told him about this being a first for me, to climb high in such a monster, never having been that close to the roaring sound of such a powerful vehicle.

Then my trucker friend told me, "It's good to see you this close.  You know driving this rig mile after mile, it gets quite tiring and lonely, especially after the sun goes down."  He was quiet for a moment.  Then he said, "I hear you in the dark of night as I travel down the highways often listening to the Hour of Decision.  I can hardly see the road after you sing songs like 'Lord, I'm Coming Home.' "  His voice broke as we continued to talk about it.   Then we prayed together, and I knew that a new name had been written down in Glory.  It happened to my new friend from Canada, behind the steering wheel of his truck, parked in the back yard of his sister's Florida home.

Everyone longs for the comfort and security of a loving home.  The trucker from Canada longed for a special home--one that would be his forever.   It's a home all of us long for, even though some are not yet aware of of it. George Beverly Shea

    I've wandered far away from God, now I'm coming home; The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home.
     I've wasted many precious years, now I'm coming home ; I now repent wth bitter tears, Lord, I'm coming home.
    I'm tired of sin and straying, Lord, now I'm coming home; I'll trust Thy love, believe Thy word, Lord I'm coming home.
    My soul is sick, my heart is sore, now I'm coming home; My strength renew, my hope restore, Lord, I'm coming home. W. J. Patrick 

N.J. Hiebert - 20234

March 1

This book...shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night.  Joshua 1:8 

Go to God by prayer for a key to unlock the mysteries of His word.  It is not the plodding but the praying soul, that will get this treasure of scripture knowledge.  God often brings a truth to the Christian's hand as a return of prayer, which He had long hunted for in vain with much labour and study: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets"  (Daniel 2:28); and where does He reveal the secrets of His word but at the throne of grace?

"From the first day," saith the angel, "that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words". (Daniel 10:12)  And what was this heavenly messenger's errand to Daniel but to open more fully the Scripture to him? as appears by verse  14 compared with verse 21.  This holy man had got some  knowledge by his study in the word, and this sets him to praying, and prayer fetched an angel from heaven to give him more light. 

- "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11.  It was not the Bible in his hand to read it, not the word of his tongue to speak of it; but the hiding it in his heart, that he found effectual against sin. 

- "Quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:19,20)  They are coupled together; he that despises one loses both.  If the scholar is too proud to learn of the usher (guide), he is unworthy to be taught by the master.

- "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3,4).  Satan commonly stops the ear from hearing sound doctrine, before he opens it to embrace corrupt doctrine.    William Gurnall 

N.J. Hiebert - 20235

March 2

LONELINESS

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop.  Psalm 102:7 

Loneliness is a very unpleasant feeling.  Many who have lost loved ones know the emotion, the feeling, even many years after their loss.  Such feelings were well understood by the Lord as He too passed through a deep sense of loneliness. In the latter part of Matthew the Lord foretells His coming rejection and crucifixion.  He speaks of Judas's betrayal; He tells His disciples they will all forsake Him, and mentions Peter's threefold denial.  

In the garden the Lord separates from His disciples to pray.  Even though three are invited to follow closer, they are unable to watch with Him as sleep overcomes them, and they are not at the Lord's side either as He prays to His Father.  The Lord is alone.  Soon afterward, the multitude comes to take Him, and His disciples flee.  During all His appearances before the authorities, He has no one at His side.  He was rejected by the people, whom He had served so wonderfully--"Crucify Him, crucify Him" was their clamour: "We will  not have this Man to reign over us."  Those who loved Him, who stood by the cross, stood afar off.

What loneliness He felt.  The Psalms very vividly describe the thoughts of His heart: "I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." (Psalm 69:20) "Lover and friend hast thou put far from Me." (Psalm 88:18)  "I am like a pelican of the wilderness...and am as a sparrow alone on the housetop." (Psalm 102:6,7) 

Then the climax, the last three hours on the cross, when darkness enshrouded Him and the heart-rending cry echoed forth, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)  Yes, there are times when we are lonely and it hurts, yet there is no loneliness or sorrow comparable to His.  But in all our sorrow we have One to whom we can go, One who gives comfort and support in times of deepest need, because He understands.    Albert Blok 

N.J. Hiebert - 20236

March 3

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.  2 Timothy 1:2  

The Apostle can address Timothy as his "beloved son (child)."  What a comfort that in a day of ruin there are those to whom we can unreservedly express our affection, and to whom in all confidence we can unburden our hearts.  Two leading characteristics in Timothy drew forth the love and confidence of Paul.  

First, he was mindful of his tears; secondly, he remembered his unfeigned faith.  The tears of Timothy proved that he was a man of spiritual depth and affection who felt the low and broken condition of the Christian profession: his unfeigned faith proved that he was able to rise above all the evil in obedience to, and confidence in, God.

Timothy may indeed have been of a timid nature and in danger of being overwhelmed by the evil that was coming into the church; as he was marked by tears and faith, the  Apostle was was encouraged to instruct and exhort him knowing that he had qualities which would enable him to answer to his appeal.  Nor is it otherwise today.  

The instructions of this touching Epistle will find little response unless there are the tears that tell of a tender heart that can mourn over the sorrows of God's people, and the faith that can take God's path of separation in the midst of the ruin.

Paul delighted to remember in his prayers this man of tears and faith.  What a cheer to any saint, broken hearted by the condition of God's people, to know that there are devoted and faithful saints by whom he is remembered in prayer.  Faithfulness in a day of desertion binds hearts together in the bonds of divine love.  2 Timothy - Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 20237

March 4

WHEREFORE  DIDST  THOU  DOUBT?

Neither be ye of doubtful mind.  Luke 12:29 

We are to believe without doubting. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not..."  Matthew 21:21 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8)  Obey without doubting.  (Acts 11:12).So much of our faith, our praying, our obedience, comes to naught because it is clogged with doubt, diluted with unbelief.  Doubt puts the brakes on, takes all the assurance out of our hearts, makes us wavering disciples, driven by the wind and tossed.  (James 1:6)

When our Lord appeared after His resurrection, some believed but some doubted and one feels that chill in many a gathering of Christians.  In questionable matters, "And he that doubteth is (condemned) if he eat" (Romans 14:23) and the underground principle is "whatsoever is not of faith is sin".  We believe or we doubt and if both are mixed let us earnestly pray, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)  To the extent we are believing, we are not doubting and, if we are doubting, to that extent we are not believing.  Beware of a doubtful mind.  All the Days - Vance Havner

Ere you left your room this morning. Did you think to pray?  In the name of Christ, our Saviour, did you ask for loving favour, as a shield today?

When you met with great temptation, did you think to pray? By His dying love and merit did you trust the Holy Spirit as your guide and stay?

When your heart was filled with anger, did you think to pray?  Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another who has crossed your way?

Oh, how praying rests the weary!  Prayer will change the night to day; so when life seems dark and dreary, don't forget to pray.    (Mary Kidder - 1820 to 1905)

N.J. Hiebert - 20238

March 5