My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.
Mark 14:34.
When He, their Lord, was praying more earnestly in Gethsemane because of the coming cross with all its terror, He said, "My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch." If ever He desired the sympathy of loving human hearts, it was then. "His sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground." But when He came from prayer, the three favoured disciples were asleep.
"What, could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation," He warned them. He went away and prayed again. When He returned to them, they were asleep again. Then He said, "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
At Calvary, when our Lord suffered the repeated abuse and mortification of the shame men heaped on Him, He said, "Father, forgive then; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34). He was suffering the cruel, heartless infliction of crucifixion; yet He could remember their ignorance and plead it to His Father for their forgiveness. How wonderful that His spirit never soured. The fountain of His heart's love could not be stopped.
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake
How wondrous the glories that meet in Jesus, and from His face shine,
His love is eternal and sweet, 'Tis human, 'tis also divine!
His glory - not only God's Son - in manhood He had His full part -
And the union of both joined in one form the fountain of love in His heart.
The merits and worth of His blood have freed us from hell and from fear,
That we, as the blest son's of God, may make His good pleasure our care.
N.J. Hiebert - 8214
August 21
LOVE WEEPING
And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother. Genesis 42:21
The goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. Romans 2:4
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
But all this awakening of conscience, while so far good, is only among themselves. It must all come out before Joseph if they are ever to be happy in the presence of Joseph. Hence Joseph will keep his hand upon them.
Simeon is bound before their eyes, but it is love that binds the cords round Simeon, for even as he does so he turns aside to weep. The cords that bound him were cords of love.
Moreover, he commanded that their sacks be filled with corn. He is not unmindful of their needs and thus grants a measure of relief; nonetheless Simeon is held in bondage. And in the way Joseph meets their needs he is still leading his brethren a further stage in their restoration, for while supplying them with corn he returns every man his money. Had they eyes to see they would learn in this that Joseph was a giver. But in their condition gifts bestowed only aroused deeper fear. Their hearts failed them at the discovery of their money.
"What is this that God hath done unto us?" (v.28). They had recalled their sin, now they see that God is dealing with them. The fear of God is arising in their souls. Not indeed that holy fear that marked Joseph. They feared because they were offenders; he feared lest he should offend, So again when they returned to Jacob, and each finds his money in his sack, "they were afraid." (v.35) The goodness of Joseph should have gladdened their hearts, but they are miserable and afraid in the presence of a goodness that their guilty consciences tell them that they do not deserve. Joseph - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8215
August 22
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
The word "all" is the first word in this verse and also the last. All is a small word but large in its meaning. The first "all" presents our condition without Christ and reminds us that everyone of us is a sinner and guilty before God.
The second "all" reminds us that Christ has died for everyone. His work is sufficient to save all who accept Him as Saviour and substitute. All our sins on Him were laid. Come to Him and receive salvation today.
Robert Gentile
All the way my Saviour leads me--what have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy, who thru life has been my guide?
Heavenly peace, divinest comfort, here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know what'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well.
All the way my Saviour leads me--cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial, feeds me with the living bread.
Though my weary steps may falter and my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me, lo! a spring of joy I see.
All the way my Saviour leads me--Oh the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised in my Father's house above.
When my spirit, clothed immoral, wings its flight to realms of day,
This my song thru endless ages: Jesus led me all the way.
Fanny J. Crosby
N.J. Hiebert - 8216
August 23
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23
How than can I (Joseph) do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9
The strength of a temptation lies in the response of our nature to its suggestions. It is because our hearts are so desperately wicked that we need to stand in constant watchfulness.
There is no sin in having certain tendencies, appetites and desires; else there would be sin in hunger, and drowsiness leading to soft sleep.
We should always carefully distinguish between the appetites and desires which are natural to us; and those which we have acquired by evil habit. About the later we need have no hesitation. They must be cut up root and branch; as weeds from garden soil are thrown upon the bank, that the sun might scorch out their life.
But the former need careful watching; because though in themselves they are natural and beautiful, yet they are always liable to demand excessive gratification in directions which are unnatural and forbidden. We must never expect the time to arrive, on this side of death, when these natural tendencies will be rooted out; and so long as they remain in us, they will constitute a breeding place in which the germs of temptation may sow themselves, and fruit.
No thoughtful man, who knows his own weakness, can ever dare to affirm his immunity from temptation, or the impossibility of his yielding. If he stands it is only by the grace of God. Joseph - F. B. Meyer
N.J. Hiebert - 8217
August 24
WALKING IN THE LIGHT
Blessed is the people . . . they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Psalm 89:15-16
Most of us have never learned the humble though powerful practice of concentrating on Christ. Outside, walking alone, away from the usual surroundings which remind us of our feverish workaday world, we can give our hearts a chance to center their interest and affection on Him.
It is a simple, humble habit. Perhaps it is too ordinary for most people. But to walk with God means just that--daily.
This in essence is the secret of rest. It is the time of waiting, of communing with God the Father, of coming to Christ, of being inwardly conscience of the Holy Spirit's gentle voice entreating me to lift up my soul to Him who, when He was among us, said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). And having come, I will be refreshed and fitted for new growth in God during future days.
Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus' side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow; this shall then be your reward;
And when e'er you leave the silence of that happy meeting-place,
By the Spirit bear the image of the Master in your face. (Ellen Goreh)
N.J. Hiebert - 8218
August 25
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Paganini, the great violinist, came out before his audience one day and made the discovery just as they ended their applause that there was something wrong with his violin. He looked at it a second and then saw that it was not his famous and valuable one.
He felt paralyzed for a moment, then turned to his audience and told them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin. He stepped back behind the curtain thinking that it was still where he had left it, but discovered that someone had stolen his and left that old second-hand one in its place. He remained back of the curtain a moment, then came out before his audience and said: "Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul."
He played as he had never played before. Out of that second-hand instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enraptured with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building, because the man had revealed to them that music was not in the machine but in his own soul.
It is your mission, tested and tried one to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that the music is not in conditions, not in the things, not in externals, but the music of life is in your own soul.
If peace be in the heart,
The wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty,
The midnight flash but shows the path of duty,
Each living creature tells some new and joyous story,
The very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory,
If peace be in the heart. Charles Richardson
N.J. Hiebert - 8219
August 26
How than can I (Joseph) do this great wickedness, and sin against God? Genesis 39:9
The strength of a temptation lies in the response of our nature to its suggestions. It is because our hearts are so desperately wicked that we need to stand in constant watchfulness.
There is no sin in having certain tendencies, appetites and desires; else there would be sin in hunger, and drowsiness leading to soft sleep.
We should always carefully distinguish between the appetites and desires which are natural to us; and those which we have acquired by evil habit. About the later we need have no hesitation. They must be cut up root and branch; as weeds from garden soil are thrown upon the bank, that the sun might scorch out their life.
But the former need careful watching; because though in themselves they are natural and beautiful, yet they are always liable to demand excessive gratification in directions which are unnatural and forbidden. We must never expect the time to arrive, on this side of death, when these natural tendencies will be rooted out; and so long as they remain in us, they will constitute a breeding place in which the germs of temptation may sow themselves, and fruit.
No thoughtful man, who knows his own weakness, can ever dare to affirm his immunity from temptation, or the impossibility of his yielding. If he stands it is only by the grace of God. Joseph - F. B. Meyer
N.J. Hiebert - 8217
August 24
WALKING IN THE LIGHT
Blessed is the people . . . they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of Thy countenance. In Thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in Thy righteousness shall they be exalted. Psalm 89:15-16
Most of us have never learned the humble though powerful practice of concentrating on Christ. Outside, walking alone, away from the usual surroundings which remind us of our feverish workaday world, we can give our hearts a chance to center their interest and affection on Him.
It is a simple, humble habit. Perhaps it is too ordinary for most people. But to walk with God means just that--daily.
This in essence is the secret of rest. It is the time of waiting, of communing with God the Father, of coming to Christ, of being inwardly conscience of the Holy Spirit's gentle voice entreating me to lift up my soul to Him who, when He was among us, said, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). And having come, I will be refreshed and fitted for new growth in God during future days.
Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
In the secret of His presence how my soul delights to hide!
Oh, how precious are the lessons which I learn at Jesus' side!
Earthly cares can never vex me, neither trials lay me low;
For when Satan comes to tempt me, to the secret place I go.
Would you like to know the sweetness of the secret of the Lord?
Go and hide beneath His shadow; this shall then be your reward;
And when e'er you leave the silence of that happy meeting-place,
By the Spirit bear the image of the Master in your face. (Ellen Goreh)
N.J. Hiebert - 8218
August 25
These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Paganini, the great violinist, came out before his audience one day and made the discovery just as they ended their applause that there was something wrong with his violin. He looked at it a second and then saw that it was not his famous and valuable one.
He felt paralyzed for a moment, then turned to his audience and told them there had been some mistake and he did not have his own violin. He stepped back behind the curtain thinking that it was still where he had left it, but discovered that someone had stolen his and left that old second-hand one in its place. He remained back of the curtain a moment, then came out before his audience and said: "Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul."
He played as he had never played before. Out of that second-hand instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enraptured with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building, because the man had revealed to them that music was not in the machine but in his own soul.
It is your mission, tested and tried one to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that the music is not in conditions, not in the things, not in externals, but the music of life is in your own soul.
If peace be in the heart,
The wildest winter storm is full of solemn beauty,
The midnight flash but shows the path of duty,
Each living creature tells some new and joyous story,
The very trees and stones all catch a ray of glory,
If peace be in the heart. Charles Richardson
N.J. Hiebert - 8219
August 26
FIRST THINGS FIRST
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. 2 Corinthians 8:12
It is important to remember that there is no much or little in God's sight, except as relatively to our means and willingness.
He knows what we have not, as well as what we have. He knows all about the low wages in one sphere, and the small allowance, or the fixed income with rising prices in another.
And it is not a question of paying to God what can be squeezed out of these, but of giving Him all, and then holding all at His disposal, and taking His orders about the disposal of all.
Oh, let me give
Out of the gifts Thou freely givest;
Oh, let me live
With life abundantly because Thou livest;
Oh, make me shine
In darkest places, for Thy light is mine;
Oh, let me be
A faithful witness for Thy truth and Thee..
Opened Treasures - Frances R. Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8220
August 27
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John 1:14.
These sublime words take us back into a timeless, dateless past. It establishes the eternality, equality, and deity of the Son of God.
The Word became flesh is an amazing mystery and Paul was caught up in the wonder of it. "Great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). There is nothing that will consecrate the believer to yield to this blessed person than the realization of the majesty, glory, and power of Him whom they have trusted. Jim Paul
Thou art the everlasting Word, the Father's only Son;
God manifest, God seen and heard, the heaven's bèloved One;
Refrain: Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.
In Thee most perfectly expressed, the Father's self doth shine;
Fulness of Godhead, too: the Blessed, eternally divine.
Image of th' Infinite Unseen, whose being none can know;
Brightness of light no eye hath seen, God's love revealed below.
The higher mysteries of Thy fame the creature's grasp transcend;
The Father only Thy blest name of Son can comprehend.
Yet loving Thee, on whom His love ineffable doth rest,
The worshippers, O Lord, above, as one with Thee, are blest.
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
Th' eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's belovèd One Josiah Condor
N.J. Hiebert - 8221
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to what he hath not. 2 Corinthians 8:12
It is important to remember that there is no much or little in God's sight, except as relatively to our means and willingness.
He knows what we have not, as well as what we have. He knows all about the low wages in one sphere, and the small allowance, or the fixed income with rising prices in another.
And it is not a question of paying to God what can be squeezed out of these, but of giving Him all, and then holding all at His disposal, and taking His orders about the disposal of all.
Oh, let me give
Out of the gifts Thou freely givest;
Oh, let me live
With life abundantly because Thou livest;
Oh, make me shine
In darkest places, for Thy light is mine;
Oh, let me be
A faithful witness for Thy truth and Thee..
Opened Treasures - Frances R. Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8220
August 27
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. John 1:14.
These sublime words take us back into a timeless, dateless past. It establishes the eternality, equality, and deity of the Son of God.
The Word became flesh is an amazing mystery and Paul was caught up in the wonder of it. "Great is the mystery of godliness; God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16). There is nothing that will consecrate the believer to yield to this blessed person than the realization of the majesty, glory, and power of Him whom they have trusted. Jim Paul
Thou art the everlasting Word, the Father's only Son;
God manifest, God seen and heard, the heaven's bèloved One;
Refrain: Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou
That every knee to Thee should bow.
In Thee most perfectly expressed, the Father's self doth shine;
Fulness of Godhead, too: the Blessed, eternally divine.
Image of th' Infinite Unseen, whose being none can know;
Brightness of light no eye hath seen, God's love revealed below.
The higher mysteries of Thy fame the creature's grasp transcend;
The Father only Thy blest name of Son can comprehend.
Yet loving Thee, on whom His love ineffable doth rest,
The worshippers, O Lord, above, as one with Thee, are blest.
Of the vast universe of bliss, the centre Thou, and Sun;
Th' eternal theme of praise is this, to heaven's belovèd One Josiah Condor
N.J. Hiebert - 8221
August 28
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:13-17.
Men will brave untold dangers and exhaust human ingenuity in their search for precious metals and sparkling jewels; but in following Wisdom's ways treasures are to be found which all the costly gems of earth could never equal in value.
Length of days, riches and honour she offers to those who find her; and coupled with these, she gives what earthly stores detract from: peace and quietness of soul. The ways of Wisdom are the ways that be in Christ; the ways into which the word of God would guide the feet of the subject soul. Such ways are indeed "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Notes on Proverbs by H. A. Ironside
A little girl sat by her mother's cottage door, with the Bible upon her knees. An infidel passing by asked her what she was so diligently reading. "I am reading the word of God, that I may be wise and good." The child's words, so simply expressed, touched his heart, and he was humbled by the conviction that this little one was wiser than he. He began to search the Scriptures from that day; and the more he read them the more he loved them. He found the Pearl of great price, and Christ became to him better than rubies.
Stories Illustrative of the Book of Proverbs - J. L. Nye
N.J. Hiebert - 8222
August 29
It came to pass . . . Genesis 22:1
This introductory expression occurs many times in the Bible. It usually means, It happened this way.... What did happen afterwards was either good or bad, as is always the case in scripture, what God scheduled to happen, did in fact happen. In the case of Abraham and Isaac, what looked to Abraham like a terrible prospect, turned for good; there was a substitute for Isaac.
It also seems appropriate to place a comma after the first two words, thus: It came, to pass... That alteration gives the thought; that whatever bad thing is going to follow, it will, in due course, pass away. From that we take courage. Obviously the whole world is going through a bad patch right now, having the effect of forcing wars, natural and man-made disasters off the news. But, if we look at Covid-19 as something that has indeed come, but which, in time, is going to fade away, we can lift our eyes to better days.
For the believer in the finished work of our Lord Jesus at the cross, we realize that for Him, there was no substitute. As a result, we can look at the world scene and see it as something God has allowed, but will pass from being front and center in our gaze. When the Lord calls us to join Him in the clouds, we will instead fix our gaze on His lovely face, and keep it there for eternity. It is important to remember that, right now, we can have as much of Christ as we want; there is no limit. The more we have Him before us as our daily support and as the object of our affection, the less what has come to pass in this world will loom large. Lorne Perry
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
N.J.Hiebert - 8223
August 30
KINDNESS
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness (kindness) Galatians 5:22
Kindness comes from a lovely Greek word, "Chreestos." Christ in Greek is "Christos." The sound is almost the same. In the old days, the people used to say that "Christians" (from the name Christ which we bear) were also "Chreestians" (from Chreestos, meaning kind), because the Christians were known for their kindness to others.
This is just as it should be; and I hope that every one of us may be "Chreestians", as well as Christians. This is the word, translated "easy", used by our Lord to describe His yoke. "For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:30. We use "easy" in this sense for the comfort of and old, well-fitting shoe, that does not hurt the foot in any part; so should the Christian be to those with whom he has to do. Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of KINDNESS,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve:
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing, in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze:
By and by, the harvest and the labour ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!
Go then ever weeping, sowing for the Master,
Tho' the loss sustained our spirit often grieves:
When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves. Knowles Shaw
N.J. Hiebert - 8224
August 31
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God. Psalm 42:11
George Muller, the great man of prayer and faith, had placed his hope and trust in God for sixty-eight years when he made the declaration that he had read considerably more than one hundred times through the entire Bible with prayer and meditation. Through faith and prayer, Mr Muller provided and cared for 10,000 orphans, at Ashley Down, Bristol, England. He was once asked how he could manage this. He replied with great confidence, "I hope in God!"
What is hope? Webster says, "Hope is desire, accompanied by expectation." The Apostle Paul says, "Hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for?" (Romans 8:24). George Muller said that whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and even though to all appearances help is impossible, it is still our business to hope in God. "There is never a time when we may not hope in God."
Hope placed in men and conditions may be thwarted or disappointing, but hope placed in God will never be disappointing. God has never let one down who hopes in Him. In the Lord's own time help does come! "Oh, the hundreds, yea the thousands of times that I have found it thus within the past seventy years and four months!" testifies George Muller. When it seemed impossible that help could come, help did come from God and His own resources may be counted by hundreds, by thousands. He is not confined to this thing or that thing, or to twenty things; in ten thousand different ways, and at ten thousand different times, God may help us. Selected
"Assured hope keeps the heart young," someone said. "Life is ever at the dawn. Life is continuously at a beginning. It is always morn. Morning is the daughter of night. One cannot be discouraged no matter how long, or hard, or wearisome the way; one keeps right on climbing -- for he knows the path leads not only somewhere, but to Everywhere. He knows he shall arrive."
N.J. Hiebert - 8225
September 1
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
Would you not have your hope strong? Then keep thy conscience pure. Thou canst not defile one, without weakening the other. Living godly in this present world, and looking for the blessed hope laid up for us in the other, are both conjoined. Can a bird fly, when one of its wings is broken? Faith and a good conscience are hope's two wings; if, therefore, thou hast wounded thy conscience by any sin, repent, that so thou mayest exercise faith for the pardon of it, and redeem thy hope.
If a Jew had pawned his bedclothes, God provided mercifully, that it should be restored before night; "For that is his covering; wherein shall he sleep?" (Exodus 22:27). Truly, hope is the saint's covering, wherein he wraps himself, when he lays his body down to sleep in the grave: "My flesh also shall rest in hope" (Psalm 16:9). A sad going to the grave he hath, who hath no hope of a resurrection to life.
Hope is the handkerchief that God puts into His people's hands, to wipe the tears from their eyes, which their present troubles, and long stay of expected mercies, draw from them "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end." (Jeremiah 31:16-17).
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a way you will never find, a work you will never be able to do of yourselves thus to wait patiently till Christ come, "The Lord" therefore, "direct your heart's" into it. Love Him, and you will wait for Him. "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21.
The Christian in complete armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8226
September 2
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
The spiritual depth of "My Jesus I Love Thee" is made all the more remarkable by the knowledge that it was written by a teenager. William Ralph Featherstone of Montreal, Canada, is thought to have written these lines of heart felt gratitude to Christ at the time of his conversion when only sixteen. He sent the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles, who then sent it to England, where it appeared in The London Hymnbook of 1864. How marvellous are the workings of God in bringing together expressions such as these, providing a hymn that has been used in a remarkable way for more than a century to direct Christians to a deeper relationship with their Lord.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine -
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer my Saviour art Thou:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou givest me breath;
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
"If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
"If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now."
William Ralph Featherstone (1846-1873)
N.J. Hiebert - 8227
September 3
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Proverbs 3:13-17.
Men will brave untold dangers and exhaust human ingenuity in their search for precious metals and sparkling jewels; but in following Wisdom's ways treasures are to be found which all the costly gems of earth could never equal in value.
Length of days, riches and honour she offers to those who find her; and coupled with these, she gives what earthly stores detract from: peace and quietness of soul. The ways of Wisdom are the ways that be in Christ; the ways into which the word of God would guide the feet of the subject soul. Such ways are indeed "ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."
Notes on Proverbs by H. A. Ironside
A little girl sat by her mother's cottage door, with the Bible upon her knees. An infidel passing by asked her what she was so diligently reading. "I am reading the word of God, that I may be wise and good." The child's words, so simply expressed, touched his heart, and he was humbled by the conviction that this little one was wiser than he. He began to search the Scriptures from that day; and the more he read them the more he loved them. He found the Pearl of great price, and Christ became to him better than rubies.
Stories Illustrative of the Book of Proverbs - J. L. Nye
N.J. Hiebert - 8222
August 29
It came to pass . . . Genesis 22:1
This introductory expression occurs many times in the Bible. It usually means, It happened this way.... What did happen afterwards was either good or bad, as is always the case in scripture, what God scheduled to happen, did in fact happen. In the case of Abraham and Isaac, what looked to Abraham like a terrible prospect, turned for good; there was a substitute for Isaac.
It also seems appropriate to place a comma after the first two words, thus: It came, to pass... That alteration gives the thought; that whatever bad thing is going to follow, it will, in due course, pass away. From that we take courage. Obviously the whole world is going through a bad patch right now, having the effect of forcing wars, natural and man-made disasters off the news. But, if we look at Covid-19 as something that has indeed come, but which, in time, is going to fade away, we can lift our eyes to better days.
For the believer in the finished work of our Lord Jesus at the cross, we realize that for Him, there was no substitute. As a result, we can look at the world scene and see it as something God has allowed, but will pass from being front and center in our gaze. When the Lord calls us to join Him in the clouds, we will instead fix our gaze on His lovely face, and keep it there for eternity. It is important to remember that, right now, we can have as much of Christ as we want; there is no limit. The more we have Him before us as our daily support and as the object of our affection, the less what has come to pass in this world will loom large. Lorne Perry
For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
N.J.Hiebert - 8223
August 30
KINDNESS
The fruit of the Spirit is . . . gentleness (kindness) Galatians 5:22
Kindness comes from a lovely Greek word, "Chreestos." Christ in Greek is "Christos." The sound is almost the same. In the old days, the people used to say that "Christians" (from the name Christ which we bear) were also "Chreestians" (from Chreestos, meaning kind), because the Christians were known for their kindness to others.
This is just as it should be; and I hope that every one of us may be "Chreestians", as well as Christians. This is the word, translated "easy", used by our Lord to describe His yoke. "For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light." Matthew 11:30. We use "easy" in this sense for the comfort of and old, well-fitting shoe, that does not hurt the foot in any part; so should the Christian be to those with whom he has to do. Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
Sowing in the morning, sowing seeds of KINDNESS,
Sowing in the noontide and the dewy eve:
Waiting for the harvest, and the time of reaping,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing, in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter's chilling breeze:
By and by, the harvest and the labour ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves!
Go then ever weeping, sowing for the Master,
Tho' the loss sustained our spirit often grieves:
When our weeping's over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing bringing in the sheaves. Knowles Shaw
N.J. Hiebert - 8224
August 31
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God. Psalm 42:11
George Muller, the great man of prayer and faith, had placed his hope and trust in God for sixty-eight years when he made the declaration that he had read considerably more than one hundred times through the entire Bible with prayer and meditation. Through faith and prayer, Mr Muller provided and cared for 10,000 orphans, at Ashley Down, Bristol, England. He was once asked how he could manage this. He replied with great confidence, "I hope in God!"
What is hope? Webster says, "Hope is desire, accompanied by expectation." The Apostle Paul says, "Hope that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth why doth he yet hope for?" (Romans 8:24). George Muller said that whatever our necessities, however great our difficulties, and even though to all appearances help is impossible, it is still our business to hope in God. "There is never a time when we may not hope in God."
Hope placed in men and conditions may be thwarted or disappointing, but hope placed in God will never be disappointing. God has never let one down who hopes in Him. In the Lord's own time help does come! "Oh, the hundreds, yea the thousands of times that I have found it thus within the past seventy years and four months!" testifies George Muller. When it seemed impossible that help could come, help did come from God and His own resources may be counted by hundreds, by thousands. He is not confined to this thing or that thing, or to twenty things; in ten thousand different ways, and at ten thousand different times, God may help us. Selected
"Assured hope keeps the heart young," someone said. "Life is ever at the dawn. Life is continuously at a beginning. It is always morn. Morning is the daughter of night. One cannot be discouraged no matter how long, or hard, or wearisome the way; one keeps right on climbing -- for he knows the path leads not only somewhere, but to Everywhere. He knows he shall arrive."
N.J. Hiebert - 8225
September 1
Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Titus 2:13
Would you not have your hope strong? Then keep thy conscience pure. Thou canst not defile one, without weakening the other. Living godly in this present world, and looking for the blessed hope laid up for us in the other, are both conjoined. Can a bird fly, when one of its wings is broken? Faith and a good conscience are hope's two wings; if, therefore, thou hast wounded thy conscience by any sin, repent, that so thou mayest exercise faith for the pardon of it, and redeem thy hope.
If a Jew had pawned his bedclothes, God provided mercifully, that it should be restored before night; "For that is his covering; wherein shall he sleep?" (Exodus 22:27). Truly, hope is the saint's covering, wherein he wraps himself, when he lays his body down to sleep in the grave: "My flesh also shall rest in hope" (Psalm 16:9). A sad going to the grave he hath, who hath no hope of a resurrection to life.
Hope is the handkerchief that God puts into His people's hands, to wipe the tears from their eyes, which their present troubles, and long stay of expected mercies, draw from them "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end." (Jeremiah 31:16-17).
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a way you will never find, a work you will never be able to do of yourselves thus to wait patiently till Christ come, "The Lord" therefore, "direct your heart's" into it. Love Him, and you will wait for Him. "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21.
The Christian in complete armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8226
September 2
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
The spiritual depth of "My Jesus I Love Thee" is made all the more remarkable by the knowledge that it was written by a teenager. William Ralph Featherstone of Montreal, Canada, is thought to have written these lines of heart felt gratitude to Christ at the time of his conversion when only sixteen. He sent the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles, who then sent it to England, where it appeared in The London Hymnbook of 1864. How marvellous are the workings of God in bringing together expressions such as these, providing a hymn that has been used in a remarkable way for more than a century to direct Christians to a deeper relationship with their Lord.
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine -
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer my Saviour art Thou:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary's tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now.
I'll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou givest me breath;
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
"If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, 'tis now."
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I'll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I'll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
"If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus, 'tis now."
William Ralph Featherstone (1846-1873)
N.J. Hiebert - 8227
September 3
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