March 1
WAKEFUL HOURS
"Thou holdest mine eyes waking." Psalm 77:4
If we could always say, night after night, "I will both lay me down in peace and sleep," (Psalm 4:8) receiving in full measure the Lord's quiet gift to His beloved, we should not learn the disguised sweetness of this special word for the wakeful ones.
When the wearisome nights come, it is hushing to know that they are appointed (Job 7:3). But this is something nearer and closer bringing, something individual and personal; not only an appointment, but an act of our Father: "Thou holdest mine eyes waking." (Psalm 77:4). It is not that He is merely not giving us sleep; it is not a denial, but a different dealing.
Every moment that the tired eyes are sleepless, it is because our Father is holding them waking. It seems so natural to say, "How I wish I could go to sleep!" Yet even that restless wish may be soothed by the happy confidence in our Father's hand, which will not relax its "hold" upon the weary eyelids until the right moment has come to let them fall in slumber.
Ah! but we say, "It is not only wish, I really want sleep." Well; wanting it is one thing, and needing it is another. For He is pledged to supply "All our need, not all our notions." (Philippians 4:19) And if He holds our eyes waking, we may rest assured that, so long as He does so, it is not sleep but wakefulness that is our true need.
Now if we first simply submit ourselves in the appointed wakefulness, instead of getting fidgeted because we cannot go to sleep, the resting in His will, even in this little thing, will bring a certain blessing. And the perfect learning of this little page in the great lesson-book of our Father's will, will make others easier and clearer. Royal Bounty - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8407
March 2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:2-4)
It is no evidence of God's displeasure when His people are called upon to pass through great trials. If one professes to have faith in the Lord he can depend upon it that his profession will be put to the test sooner or later. Alas, that we so frequently lose courage and become despondent in the hour of temptation, instead of realizing that it is the very time when we should look up into the Father's face with confidence, knowing that He is working out some purpose in us which could not be wrought out in any other way. We are called upon to count it all joy when we fall into many trials.
The word "temptation," as used here, does not refer to our being tempted to sin, but rather as when God did tempt Abraham, to the testing of our faith. Paul tells us that tribulation worketh patience, and James affirms the same: "The trying of your faith worketh patience."
By nature we are inclined to be fretful and impatient. Even Christians sometimes rebel against the ways of God when these go contrary to their own desires. But he who learns to be submissive to whatever God permits glorifies Him who orders all things according to the counsel of His own will. David said his soul had quieted itself as a weaned child (Psalm 131:2). This is patience exemplified.
When natural nourishment is taken from a babe, and it is fed on other food more suitable for its age, it becomes peevish and fretful. But when actually weaned all this is ended, and it accepts gratefully the proffered refreshment.
Notes on James - H. A. Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8408
March 3
Verily, verily, I (Jesus) say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old . . . another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. . . And when He had spoken this, He said unto him, Follow Me. (John 21:18,19)
But Peter is Peter right on to the end, and even here again he appears as we read, "Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved, following. . . . Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do?" (vs. 20,21). John, without doubt, is meant here, and having heard the call to Peter, himself follows Jesus. What Peter was bidden to do; John does. The Lord's answer is enigmatical (puzzling), but highly instructive-- "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Follow thou Me." It is enough to know our own path, we are not called on to inquire as to our brother's.
"What shall this man do?" is too often on our lips. The Lord's reply is rather of the nature of a rebuke. "You keep your eye on Me, not on your brother." How good, how salutary, such a word! One can hardly conceive that under such circumstances, with his fault just only forgiven, and his death foretold, that Peter could have put such a question about another.
But as we read the record we can only say, "That is Peter to life." No matter where you find him, he is always the same impulsive man. Discretion had little part in his composition, while warmth ever marked him, and I doubt not it was his affection for John that led to his last indiscreet question. All his others we have see elicited valuable truth from the Lord, and this is no exception.
Whether the explanation of this be clear to our minds or not, the last word of the Lord to Peter, "Follow thou Me," is abundantly plain. May our hearts, each one, heed it to the full, and so please and serve Him, fully and untiringly, till He come! Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 8409
March 4
THROUGH THE WATERS
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1
Into death's dark waters faring,
Christ passed for me;
Shame, reproach and sorrow bearing, all, all for me.
Now I spurn the sins that slew Him,
Turn from scenes that never knew Him;
Take my cross and hasten to Him; He died for me!
See, the grave has closed around Him,
Silent and lone;
They who wove the thorns that crowned Him, sealing the stone.
To His tomb have I descended,
Seen my earthly pathway ended;
Here by faith have comprehended His grave my own.
O the joy, the blest awaking,
When Christ arose!
Every band forever breaking, my Lord arose.
Free with Him, what tie can bind me?
Safe in Him, what foe can find me?
Death and darkness all behind me, with Him I rose.
Sharing in His triumph glorious
O'er every foe,
Now to walk in life victorious, forward I go.
Where in Heaven, His work completed,
Christ at God's right hand is seated,
There my portion, too, is meted, there, there I go. James M. S. Tait
N.J. Hiebert - 8410
March 5
For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy. 2 Corinthians 11:2
How an old harper dotes on his harp! How he fondles and caresses it, as a child resting on his bosom! His life is bound up in it. But, see him tuning it. He grasps it firmly, strikes a chord with a sharp, quick blow; and while it quivers as if in pain, he leans over intently to catch the first note that rises. The note, as he feared, is false and harsh.
He strains the chord with the torturing thumb-screw; and though it seems ready to snap with the tension, he strikes it again, bending down to listen softly as before, till at length you see a smile on his face as the first true tone trembles upward.
So it may be that God is dealing with you. Loving you better than any harper loves his harp, He finds you a massive jarring discords. He wrings your heart strings with some torturing anguish; he bends over you tenderly, striking and listening; and, hearing only a harsh murmur, strikes you again, while His heart bleeds for you, anxiously waiting for that strain--"Not my will, but Thine be done"--which is melody sweet to His ear. Nor will He cease to strike until your chastened soul shall blend with all the pure and infinite harmony of His own choosing. Selected.
Oh, the sweetness that dwells in a harp of many strings,
While each, all vocal with love in a tuneful harmony rings!
But, oh, the wail and the discord, when one and another is rent,
Tensionless, broken and lost, from the cherished instrument.
For rapture of love linked with the pain or fear of loss,
And the hand that takes the crown, must ache with many a cross;
Yet he who hath never a conflict, hath never a victor's palm,
And only the toilers know the sweetness of rest and calm.
Streams in the Desert
N.J. Hiebert - 8411
March 6
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:13,14
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4,5
A multitude of the heavenly host came to announce the arrival of this divine Stranger, praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:13,14) But the only ones to hear their message were a few shepherds out on the hillside keeping watch over their sheep. Jerusalem, the city of the great King, was troubled by the news that He was born (Matthew 2:3).
And the chief priests and scribes, who should have been the first to welcome Him, did not make the smallest effort to seek Him. True, there were those who brought kingly gifts and falling before Him did Him homage, but these were Gentile strangers. (Matthew 2:11). And old Simeon, or Anna, had a heart prepared to give a welcome to the newborn King; and Anna knew all those in Jerusalem that looked for redemption, and she spoke of Him to them.
I fear the number was not great. (Luke 2:25, 36-38). Such was man's condition when God's time arrived, when "the fullness of time came." In Romans 5:6, the Holy Spirit calls it "due time." In Mark 1:15, He sent to men the message, "The time is fulfilled." It was God's time, the time for the most important event that ever has happened in the history of the universe:
"GOD SENT FORTH FROM HIMSELF HIS SON."
G. C. Willis - Galatians or "BEAUTIFUL GRACE"
N.J. Hiebert - 8412
March 7
The Word of God is quick [living] and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
It is no idle boast that the Bible makes. It is living. It is powerful. It is the only living book in the world. No wonder the Christian hymn writer wrote: - -
"Oh! for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's praise:
The glories of my God and King, the triumph of His grace."
If Charles Wesley were alive now, he would rejoice to know that the Bible has been translated into one thousand languages and dialects, and that a thousand tongues all over the world are singing the great Redeemer's praise.
There is an interesting story told of Lord Lyttleton (1709-1773) and his friend Gilbert West. Both were trained lawyers, well able to sift evidence. Both were infidels. They consulted together and conceived the idea that if they could disprove the resurrection of Christ and the conversion of the apostle Paul they would strike a mortal and much desired blow at Christianity. Of course they had to read diligently the Bible accounts of these two great events.
They were obliged to weigh the evidences. They were convinced against their will. Both sat down to their tasks full of prejudice; but the result of their separate attempts was, that they were both converted by their efforts to overthrown the truth of Christianity. They came together, not as they expected, to exult over an imposture expose to ridicule, but to lament over their own folly and to express great joy on their joint conviction that the Bible was the Word of God.
Their books can be seen in the library at Oxford at this present time.
Why I believe the Bible - A. J. Pollock
N.J. Hiebert 8413
March 8
So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6
To talk with God no breath is lost--talk on, . . .
To walk with God no strength is lost--walk on, . . .
To wait on God no time is lost--wait on, . . .
To grind the axe no work is lost--grind on, . . .
The work is quicker, better done, . . .
Nor needing half the strength laid on-- grind on, . . .
Work without God is labour lost--work on, . . .
Full soon you'll learn, add to your cost--toil on, . . .
Little is much when God is in it; much is little everywhere . . .
Man's busiest day is not worth God's minute, if God the labour does not share,
Go work with God, and nothing's lost: . . . who works with Him does best and most--work on.
E. Stanley Jones
Then in fellowship sweet, let us sit at His feet,
Or walk by His side in the way;
What He says may do, where He sends may we go,
Never fear, only trust and obey.
John H. Sammis
N.J. Hiebert - 8414
March 9
[We] worship God in the Spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:3
By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually. Hebrews 13:15
Petition and praise are often mingled into worship, but properly speaking they alone do not constitute worship. "Lord, save me" is petition; "Thank you, Lord, for saving my soul," is praise; but "Thank you, Lord, for what you are" is worship.
Petition. To illustrate, let us suppose that a person who cannot swim falls into a river. As he struggles to save himself, he realizes how hopeless it is, and cries out from his heart, "Help! help! Save me!" This is petition.
Praise. Suddenly, a well-dressed man appears and, risking his own life, without hesitation dives into the river and rescues the drowning man. The response is overwhelming praise. "How brave you were in saving me! How can I ever express my gratitude to you for saving my life! Thank you, thank you!" This illustrates what takes place when a sinner accepts Christ's substitutionary work on Calvary. He is assured that he is saved from his sins' penalty and his soul is filled with joy and with praise for the One who saved him.
Worship. Now the rescuer says, "Please come to my home tomorrow and dine with me so we can become better acquainted." To his surprise his rescuer is wealthy! Then during an excellent dinner, he becomes aware of his host's, nobility, kindness, graciousness, and humility--his moral character and true worth. While he does not forget that his host was the rescuer, he now admires and appreciates what the rescuer is in himself. The expression of this is worship.
We can never forget that Christ is our Saviour and has redeemed us at the cost of His blood, but as the Spirit reveals His character, we are increasingly able to worship Him. The Lord is Near - 2007 A. P. Gibbs
N.J. Hiebert - 8415
March 10
While He thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. Luke 9:34
This evening the clouds lay low on the mountains, so that some times we could hardly see them, and sometimes the stars were nearly all covered. But always, just when it seemed as though the mountains were going to be quite lost in the mist, the higher peaks pushed out, and whereas the dimmer stars were veiled, the brighter ones shone through.
Even supposing the clouds had wholly covered the face of the mountains, and not a star had shone through the piled-up masses, the mountains would still have stood steadfast, and the stars would not have ceased to shine. Our feelings do not affect God's facts. They may blow up like clouds and cover the eternal things that we do most truly believe. We may not see the shining of the promises, but still they shine; and the strength of the hills that is His also, is not for one moment less because of our human weakness.
How often we fear as we enter into some cloud of the unknown. The unknown year--or perhaps only the unknown day, can make us fear. Shall we be led through it, always caused to triumph? or shall we fail? Or the cloud may be the sorrow which all of us know so well, the grief (that fills the hour like a cloud) over some well-loved soul that has taken the wrong turn. "They feared as they entered into the cloud."
But "there came a Voice out of the cloud saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him", and as we listen we hear. To each heart comes the word it needs most at that moment, and often the first word will be, "Fear thou not", and with the words will come an assurance of His Presence, or a promise of His succour. "And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone." (Luke 9:36) Edges of His ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8416
March 11
She laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. . . . They spit in His face, and buffeted Him; and others smote Him with the palms of their hands . . . [Pilate] scourged Jesus, and he delivered Him to be crucified. Luke 2:7 Matthew 26:67,27:26
EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY
The common, overwhelming picture we have of Christ in the Gospels is that of the despised, lowly, suffering Servant; however, we do find occasional glimpses of His divine glory and majesty:
1. Even while the infant Jesus was lying in a feed trough in a dark and dirty stable, the glory of the Lord shone down to reveal to the shepherds the glory and majesty that belonged to this wondrous Being (Luke 2:9-14);
2. Later, the wise men visited Jesus and worshipped Him Matthew 2:1-11;
3. Peter confessed Him as "the Christ, the Son of the living God"
Matthew 16:16;
4. The centurion exclaimed, Truly this Man was the Son of God Mark 15:39,
These people accorded to Jesus the honour and place that were rightfully His even though He did not make an outward display of glory and majesty.
But we do find one instance in the Gospels of His divine glory and majesty breaking through the veil of His humanity. We read that "He was transfigured" before Peter, James and John (Matthew 17:2-5). This is the scene Peter refers to in (2 Peter 1:16-18) "We. . . were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For He received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to Him from the excellent glory, This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
The more we meditate upon the glory, the majesty of our Lord, the more deeply we are impressed with how worthy He is to receive from our lives continual honour, glory, praise, adoration, worship, and obedience. P. L. Canner
N.J. Hiebert - 8417
March 12
March 13
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