December 1
But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause. John 15:25
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
He who was hated without a cause loved without a cause. In fact His love without cause both preceded and will outlast the hatred expressed toward Him. The Lord never states the reason for His love, but He always gives the reason for His judgment.
It is the wonder of all wonders that He loved us when we were unlovable and so much so that He gave His Son to die for us. Gary W. Seale
When I know that for me He the anguish bore,
That from sin He might set me free,
Oh, I know that I'll love Him forever more,
When I think of His love for me. Louis Paul Lehman, Jr.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.
Though guilty we, yet on the tree God gave His Son to win;
All who believe are reconciled, and pardoned from their sin.
Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Fredrick Martin Lehman
N.J.Hiebert - 9048
We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
He who was hated without a cause loved without a cause. In fact His love without cause both preceded and will outlast the hatred expressed toward Him. The Lord never states the reason for His love, but He always gives the reason for His judgment.
It is the wonder of all wonders that He loved us when we were unlovable and so much so that He gave His Son to die for us. Gary W. Seale
When I know that for me He the anguish bore,
That from sin He might set me free,
Oh, I know that I'll love Him forever more,
When I think of His love for me. Louis Paul Lehman, Jr.
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star, and reaches to the lowest hell.
Though guilty we, yet on the tree God gave His Son to win;
All who believe are reconciled, and pardoned from their sin.
Could we with ink the ocean fill, and were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill, and every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole, though stretched from sky to sky.
Fredrick Martin Lehman
N.J.Hiebert - 9048
December 2
Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.
Psalm 119:11
When we speak on that verse to the little people, we tell them that there you have the right word- Thy Word; in the right place--my heart; for the right purpose--that I might not sin against God. We older folk are the children of eternity; we, too, need to hide our Father's Word in our hearts; and so I pass on a few suggestions that may enable rightly to divide the Word of truth.
- When you are in sorrow, read John 14.
- When men fail you, read Psalm 27.
- When you have sinned, read Psalm 51.
- When you are worried, read Matthew 6.
- When God seems far away, read Psalm 139.
- When you are discouraged, read Isaiah 40.
- If you want to be fruitful, read John 15.
- To recount your blessings, read Psalm 103.
- When your faith is weak, read Hebrews 11.
- When you want courage, read Joshua 1.
- When feeling down and out, read Romans 8.
- When loved ones pass on, read Psalm 90.
- When inclined to be critical, read 1 Corinthians 13.
- Before undertaking a journey, read Psalm 121. Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9049
When we speak on that verse to the little people, we tell them that there you have the right word- Thy Word; in the right place--my heart; for the right purpose--that I might not sin against God. We older folk are the children of eternity; we, too, need to hide our Father's Word in our hearts; and so I pass on a few suggestions that may enable rightly to divide the Word of truth.
- When you are in sorrow, read John 14.
- When men fail you, read Psalm 27.
- When you have sinned, read Psalm 51.
- When you are worried, read Matthew 6.
- When God seems far away, read Psalm 139.
- When you are discouraged, read Isaiah 40.
- If you want to be fruitful, read John 15.
- To recount your blessings, read Psalm 103.
- When your faith is weak, read Hebrews 11.
- When you want courage, read Joshua 1.
- When feeling down and out, read Romans 8.
- When loved ones pass on, read Psalm 90.
- When inclined to be critical, read 1 Corinthians 13.
- Before undertaking a journey, read Psalm 121. Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9049
December 3
BEING WHERE GOD WANTS US TO BE
And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah 2:10
Initially, Jonah refused to do what he knew to be the will of God. Has that not been true of all of us? But God brought Jonah to his senses and delivered him! Jonah came up from the depths of the sea humbled and chastened, but scarcely broken, for the concluding chapter of his book shows that he still had much to learn. But he had experienced the power of God to lay low those who rise up against His will, and he was also assured that, come what may, God will never cast off His own.
We need not suppose that the great fish remained stationary during Jonah's imprisonment; the eye of the Creator was upon it, and it was guided to drop the prophet just where the Lord wanted him. The obedience of the humblest creatures, as recorded in Scripture, is deeply instructive. The Lord Jesus, when on earth, wanted a fish which possessed a shekel, and to have that particular fish--and no other--caught on Peter's hook (Matthew 17:27).
The colt upon which no man ever sat, an untamed novice for work, obediently carried the Lord through the streets of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:7). In like manner, this sea monster was at the appointed place when Jonah was cast out of the ship; it took care of him for the divinely appointed period, and then released him in God's time, and in the place where God required him. Alas that man, the most gifted of all earthy creatures, should be the arch rebel of this planet!
We are of the most use to God when we are where He wants us to be. God wanted Jonah to be in Nineveh. Where does He want you? Even when we are in the right place at the right time, we need the guidance of the Spirit constantly as to what we should say or do. We may know this truth, but it is essential that we put it into practice! W. W. Feredy
N.J.Hiebert - 9050
And the Lord spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land. Jonah 2:10
Initially, Jonah refused to do what he knew to be the will of God. Has that not been true of all of us? But God brought Jonah to his senses and delivered him! Jonah came up from the depths of the sea humbled and chastened, but scarcely broken, for the concluding chapter of his book shows that he still had much to learn. But he had experienced the power of God to lay low those who rise up against His will, and he was also assured that, come what may, God will never cast off His own.
We need not suppose that the great fish remained stationary during Jonah's imprisonment; the eye of the Creator was upon it, and it was guided to drop the prophet just where the Lord wanted him. The obedience of the humblest creatures, as recorded in Scripture, is deeply instructive. The Lord Jesus, when on earth, wanted a fish which possessed a shekel, and to have that particular fish--and no other--caught on Peter's hook (Matthew 17:27).
The colt upon which no man ever sat, an untamed novice for work, obediently carried the Lord through the streets of Jerusalem (Matthew 21:7). In like manner, this sea monster was at the appointed place when Jonah was cast out of the ship; it took care of him for the divinely appointed period, and then released him in God's time, and in the place where God required him. Alas that man, the most gifted of all earthy creatures, should be the arch rebel of this planet!
We are of the most use to God when we are where He wants us to be. God wanted Jonah to be in Nineveh. Where does He want you? Even when we are in the right place at the right time, we need the guidance of the Spirit constantly as to what we should say or do. We may know this truth, but it is essential that we put it into practice! W. W. Feredy
N.J.Hiebert - 9050
December 4
And they said unto me (Nehemiah) the remnant that are left of the captivity...are in great affliction and reproach...when I heard these words I wept...and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Nehemiah 1:3,4
Nehemiah's heart was very heavy as he went to his room in the royal palace. But he must have remembered his own name and its meaning: Nehemiah, The Lord is my comforter. He went to his Comforter...and he poured out all his sorrow to God. Suppose we walk through a conservatory and admire rare flowers of all types. We see a beautiful plant (azalea) covered with hundreds of pure white blossoms. But there is so much else to see that we scarcely notice it. We are not amazed to see it healthy and covered in blossoms, for we know that it has the ideal circumstances to grow.
But suppose, that walking through the slums of a huge city we see in an attic window a similar azalea. Now we are really surprised to see it, for it is in the most unlikely place; there is nothing to encourage its growth, yet there it stands, a marvel of beauty. Surely in Nehemiah we have seen the white flower in the attic. We expect fo find a man of God, breathing in the very atmosphere of purity, with godly people all around him...no one would be astonished to find a man of God in such a place.
But here was Nehemiah living in a heathen palace, in the midst of a wicked court, surrounded by drunkenness, and all that is vile and impure, breathing in the atmosphere of sin. Yet we find him a plant of the Lord, as pure as the azalea, a man of faith, prayer, a holy man of God. He was a flourishing plant in the garden of the Lord. Are we ever tempted to say in our hearts, I cannot serve the Master faithfully. If I were in another position, if my home life were favourable to my deciding for Christ, if I had different companions, a different job and surroundings then I would grow in grace.
What does the Master say as He hears words like these? "My grace is sufficient for thee." "As thy day so shall they strength be." Even in most unlikely soil God can make His plants grow and flourish and fruitful. If I do not become a flourishing plant, it is not my position that is to blame. It is because I will not seek that grace which the Lord is ready to give me. "Ye have not because ye ask not. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24) Mrs. O. F. Walton
N.J. Hiebert - 9051
Nehemiah's heart was very heavy as he went to his room in the royal palace. But he must have remembered his own name and its meaning: Nehemiah, The Lord is my comforter. He went to his Comforter...and he poured out all his sorrow to God. Suppose we walk through a conservatory and admire rare flowers of all types. We see a beautiful plant (azalea) covered with hundreds of pure white blossoms. But there is so much else to see that we scarcely notice it. We are not amazed to see it healthy and covered in blossoms, for we know that it has the ideal circumstances to grow.
But suppose, that walking through the slums of a huge city we see in an attic window a similar azalea. Now we are really surprised to see it, for it is in the most unlikely place; there is nothing to encourage its growth, yet there it stands, a marvel of beauty. Surely in Nehemiah we have seen the white flower in the attic. We expect fo find a man of God, breathing in the very atmosphere of purity, with godly people all around him...no one would be astonished to find a man of God in such a place.
But here was Nehemiah living in a heathen palace, in the midst of a wicked court, surrounded by drunkenness, and all that is vile and impure, breathing in the atmosphere of sin. Yet we find him a plant of the Lord, as pure as the azalea, a man of faith, prayer, a holy man of God. He was a flourishing plant in the garden of the Lord. Are we ever tempted to say in our hearts, I cannot serve the Master faithfully. If I were in another position, if my home life were favourable to my deciding for Christ, if I had different companions, a different job and surroundings then I would grow in grace.
What does the Master say as He hears words like these? "My grace is sufficient for thee." "As thy day so shall they strength be." Even in most unlikely soil God can make His plants grow and flourish and fruitful. If I do not become a flourishing plant, it is not my position that is to blame. It is because I will not seek that grace which the Lord is ready to give me. "Ye have not because ye ask not. Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24) Mrs. O. F. Walton
N.J. Hiebert - 9051
December 5
". . . According as He hath promised, . . ." Exodus 12:25
Andrew Murray said "When you get a promise from God it is worth just as much as fulfillment. A promise brings you into direct contact with God. Honour Him by trusting the promise and obeying Him." Worth just as much as fulfillment!
Do we grasp that truth often? Are we not frequently in the state of trying to believe, instead of realizing that these promises bring us into contact with God? "God's promise is as good as His presence."
To believe and accept the promise of God is not to engage in some mental gymnastics where we reach down into our imaginations and begin a process of auto-suggestion, or produce a notional faith in which we argue with ourselves in an endeavour to believe God. It is absolute confidence in and reliance upon God through His Word.
By a naked faith in a naked promise I do not mean a bare assent that God is faithful, and that such a promise in the Book of God may be fulfilled in me, but a bold, hearty, steady venturing of my soul, body, and spirit upon the truth of the promise with an appropriating act.
"When once His word is past, when He hath said, 'I will,'
The thing shall come at last; God keeps His promise still."
"And God said . . . and it was so." (Genesis 1:9.) Mountain Trailways
N.J. Hiebert - 9052
Andrew Murray said "When you get a promise from God it is worth just as much as fulfillment. A promise brings you into direct contact with God. Honour Him by trusting the promise and obeying Him." Worth just as much as fulfillment!
Do we grasp that truth often? Are we not frequently in the state of trying to believe, instead of realizing that these promises bring us into contact with God? "God's promise is as good as His presence."
To believe and accept the promise of God is not to engage in some mental gymnastics where we reach down into our imaginations and begin a process of auto-suggestion, or produce a notional faith in which we argue with ourselves in an endeavour to believe God. It is absolute confidence in and reliance upon God through His Word.
By a naked faith in a naked promise I do not mean a bare assent that God is faithful, and that such a promise in the Book of God may be fulfilled in me, but a bold, hearty, steady venturing of my soul, body, and spirit upon the truth of the promise with an appropriating act.
"When once His word is past, when He hath said, 'I will,'
The thing shall come at last; God keeps His promise still."
"And God said . . . and it was so." (Genesis 1:9.) Mountain Trailways
N.J. Hiebert - 9052
December 6
And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, behold a sower went forth to sow; and when he sowed, some seeds . . . fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root they withered away.
Matthew 13:3-6
Many take up their godliness upon trust, and trade in religion with the credit they have gained from others' opinion of them. They believe themselves to be Christians, because others hope them to be such; and so their great business is, by a zeal in those exercises of religion that lie outermost, to keep up the credit they have abroad, but do not look to get a stock of solid grace within; and this proves their undoing at last.
They say trees shoot as much in the root underground as in the branches above, and so does true grace. Remember what was the perishing of the seed in stony ground! It lacked root; and why so because it was stony? Be willing that the plough go deep enough to humble you for sin, and rend your heart from sin.
A hypocrite never got pardon in the disguise of a saint. He will call you by your own name, though you come to Him in the semblance of a penitent: "Come in, thou, wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another?" (1 Kings 14:6), said the prophet. Hypocrisy is too thin a veil to blind the eyes of the Almighty. You may put your own eyes out, so as not to see Him, but you can never blind HIS eyes so that HE should not see you.
The Christian In Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J.Hiebert - 9053
Many take up their godliness upon trust, and trade in religion with the credit they have gained from others' opinion of them. They believe themselves to be Christians, because others hope them to be such; and so their great business is, by a zeal in those exercises of religion that lie outermost, to keep up the credit they have abroad, but do not look to get a stock of solid grace within; and this proves their undoing at last.
They say trees shoot as much in the root underground as in the branches above, and so does true grace. Remember what was the perishing of the seed in stony ground! It lacked root; and why so because it was stony? Be willing that the plough go deep enough to humble you for sin, and rend your heart from sin.
A hypocrite never got pardon in the disguise of a saint. He will call you by your own name, though you come to Him in the semblance of a penitent: "Come in, thou, wife of Jeroboam; why feignest thou thyself to be another?" (1 Kings 14:6), said the prophet. Hypocrisy is too thin a veil to blind the eyes of the Almighty. You may put your own eyes out, so as not to see Him, but you can never blind HIS eyes so that HE should not see you.
The Christian In Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J.Hiebert - 9053
December 7
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb" Revelation 7:9-10.
Thus, the following three scriptures may be read in most interesting and profitable connection.
- In Genesis 11, God gives various tongues as an expression of His judgment.
- In Acts 2, He gives various tongues as an expression of grace.
- In Revelation 7, we see all those tongues gathered around the Lamb in glory.
How much better it is, therefore, to find our place in God's association than in man's!
- The former ends in glory,
- The later in confusion;
- The former is carried forward by the energy of the Holy Ghost,
- The later by the unhallowed energy of fallen man;
- The former has for its object the exhalation of Christ,
- The later has for its object the exaltation of man, in some way or other.
Finally, I would say, that all who would sincerely desire to know the true character, object and issue of human associations, should read the opening verse of Genesis 11; and, on the other hand, all who desire to know the excellency, the beauty, the power, the enduring character of divine association, should look at that holy, living, heavenly corporation, which is called, in the New Testament, the Church of the living God--the body of Christ--the bride of the Lamb.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9054
Thus, the following three scriptures may be read in most interesting and profitable connection.
- In Genesis 11, God gives various tongues as an expression of His judgment.
- In Acts 2, He gives various tongues as an expression of grace.
- In Revelation 7, we see all those tongues gathered around the Lamb in glory.
How much better it is, therefore, to find our place in God's association than in man's!
- The former ends in glory,
- The later in confusion;
- The former is carried forward by the energy of the Holy Ghost,
- The later by the unhallowed energy of fallen man;
- The former has for its object the exhalation of Christ,
- The later has for its object the exaltation of man, in some way or other.
Finally, I would say, that all who would sincerely desire to know the true character, object and issue of human associations, should read the opening verse of Genesis 11; and, on the other hand, all who desire to know the excellency, the beauty, the power, the enduring character of divine association, should look at that holy, living, heavenly corporation, which is called, in the New Testament, the Church of the living God--the body of Christ--the bride of the Lamb.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9054
December 8
GOD'S ESTIMATE OF THE BLOOD, NOT OURS
When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 12:13
Where the blood was sprinkled, salvation was the result; and where no blood was seen, the plague fell. God passed through the land that night in judgment, and "there was not a house where there was not one dead" (Exodus 12:30). In the houses of Israel there was one dead: the lamb, the victim, the substitute. In the houses of Egypt there was one dead: the firstborn. In the houses of Israel the lamb had died instead of the firstborn, and that brought peace to many a household that night.
You might have gone up to a young man in one of the households of Israel, who was the firstborn, and asked him: How is it with you tonight? Have you peace?--Perfect peace! How do you feel?--I do not rest on my feelings, but on the word of Jehovah. The blood is upon the lintel. It was my father's work to put it there, but I assure you, I took good care to see that it was done; my life would go this night if the blood were not there. But the blood is there, and Jehovah has said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." And are you at rest? At perfect rest. The blood is the basis of my peace, not what I feel.
Peace is not a feeling; it is not an emotion; it is not an experience; it flows from the fact that the claims of God have been met by the Lamb of God, and God respects His precious blood. As one has said, the blood of Jesus has reached, and touched, the very memory of God, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:17) Its value God alone knows. You and I do not know the value of the blood of Christ. We do value it surely, but our valuation of it is very poor and inadequate. God knows its value perfectly; He esteems its worth fully; and He says to you and me, "Trust that blood; get under its shelter."
W. T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9055
When I see the blood, I will pass over you. Exodus 12:13
Where the blood was sprinkled, salvation was the result; and where no blood was seen, the plague fell. God passed through the land that night in judgment, and "there was not a house where there was not one dead" (Exodus 12:30). In the houses of Israel there was one dead: the lamb, the victim, the substitute. In the houses of Egypt there was one dead: the firstborn. In the houses of Israel the lamb had died instead of the firstborn, and that brought peace to many a household that night.
You might have gone up to a young man in one of the households of Israel, who was the firstborn, and asked him: How is it with you tonight? Have you peace?--Perfect peace! How do you feel?--I do not rest on my feelings, but on the word of Jehovah. The blood is upon the lintel. It was my father's work to put it there, but I assure you, I took good care to see that it was done; my life would go this night if the blood were not there. But the blood is there, and Jehovah has said, "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." And are you at rest? At perfect rest. The blood is the basis of my peace, not what I feel.
Peace is not a feeling; it is not an emotion; it is not an experience; it flows from the fact that the claims of God have been met by the Lamb of God, and God respects His precious blood. As one has said, the blood of Jesus has reached, and touched, the very memory of God, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 10:17) Its value God alone knows. You and I do not know the value of the blood of Christ. We do value it surely, but our valuation of it is very poor and inadequate. God knows its value perfectly; He esteems its worth fully; and He says to you and me, "Trust that blood; get under its shelter."
W. T. P. Wolston
N.J.Hiebert - 9055
December 9
And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. Exodus 17:11,12
That is the kind of prayer that is much assaulted. Moses' hands were heavy. So are ours often, and we are very apt to lean on Aaron and Hur to hold them up--in other words, to depend on others to help us by their earnestness and steadfastness.
There is something kindling to prayer in being with others who are praying, and all through the Bible this is recognized--even in Gethsemane our dear Lord seems to have wanted human companionship in prayer.
But He pressed through that sense of need as He must have done often before, and He can give it to us to press through. He can teach us more than we have yet learned of "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:12).
He can draw us deep into His own blessed Presence, even as He drew many a man of old--and among them was Moses--and He can strengthen our hands so that they shall be steady until the going down of the sun.
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9056
That is the kind of prayer that is much assaulted. Moses' hands were heavy. So are ours often, and we are very apt to lean on Aaron and Hur to hold them up--in other words, to depend on others to help us by their earnestness and steadfastness.
There is something kindling to prayer in being with others who are praying, and all through the Bible this is recognized--even in Gethsemane our dear Lord seems to have wanted human companionship in prayer.
But He pressed through that sense of need as He must have done often before, and He can give it to us to press through. He can teach us more than we have yet learned of "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him." (Ephesians 3:12).
He can draw us deep into His own blessed Presence, even as He drew many a man of old--and among them was Moses--and He can strengthen our hands so that they shall be steady until the going down of the sun.
Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9056
December 10
And he (Eli) said unto them, why do ye such things?...it is no good report that I hear of your evil dealings...ye make the Lord's people to transgress. 1 Samuel 2:23,24
We are living in times characterized by a certain activity in service. This activity often presses itself upon ourselves and others, for it has the appearance of great zeal for the Lord and for His work. It may even be accompanied by eminent gifts, but the gifts and activity are of little significance, if there is not the corresponding moral character.
This moral character was grievously flawed in Eli's case; and without this character there can be no true service according to God. Samuel offers a striking contrast to this state of things in every detail. In his case, we may trace the uninterrupted development of a life of holiness despite more than one weakness, for perfection is found only in Christ.
1 - Samuel was still only a small child, "And he worshipped the Lord there.(v.28).
2. - "The child ministered unto the Lord before Eli the priest (v.2:11).
3 - "But Samuel ministered before the Lord." (v.2:18).
4 - "And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord." (v.21).
5 - "Samuel grew on, and was in favour with the Lord, and with men." (v.26). .
The relationship of affection between Samuel and the Lord caused his walk to draw the attention of men, who took note of it as a walk pleasing to the Lord. Intimacy with God was reflected in the face of this young boy. This is what is told us of John the Baptist (Luke 1:80), and for how much greater reason, of Jesus: "Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). All the power of our Christian testimony depends on a secret life spent in the Lord's presence. May God grant us to resemble young Samuel in our conduct more than Eli. 1 Samuel - Henri L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 9057
We are living in times characterized by a certain activity in service. This activity often presses itself upon ourselves and others, for it has the appearance of great zeal for the Lord and for His work. It may even be accompanied by eminent gifts, but the gifts and activity are of little significance, if there is not the corresponding moral character.
This moral character was grievously flawed in Eli's case; and without this character there can be no true service according to God. Samuel offers a striking contrast to this state of things in every detail. In his case, we may trace the uninterrupted development of a life of holiness despite more than one weakness, for perfection is found only in Christ.
1 - Samuel was still only a small child, "And he worshipped the Lord there.(v.28).
2. - "The child ministered unto the Lord before Eli the priest (v.2:11).
3 - "But Samuel ministered before the Lord." (v.2:18).
4 - "And the boy Samuel grew before the Lord." (v.21).
5 - "Samuel grew on, and was in favour with the Lord, and with men." (v.26). .
The relationship of affection between Samuel and the Lord caused his walk to draw the attention of men, who took note of it as a walk pleasing to the Lord. Intimacy with God was reflected in the face of this young boy. This is what is told us of John the Baptist (Luke 1:80), and for how much greater reason, of Jesus: "Jesus advanced in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man" (Luke 2:52). All the power of our Christian testimony depends on a secret life spent in the Lord's presence. May God grant us to resemble young Samuel in our conduct more than Eli. 1 Samuel - Henri L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 9057
December 11
A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. Proverbs 15:13
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Matthew 15:11
The wise man affirms that a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, and doeth good like a medicine. What is more refreshing than the merry laugh of a child?
It is the bubbling up of the fountain of innocence and simplicity in the little one's heart. Did not our Master bid us to become as little children? "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 18:3)
Be assured then that you will make your own life happier and better, and through your happiness the lives of others happier and better by using the faculty of cheerfulness.
- to heal dissensions,
- to solve anger,
- to mitigate suffering,
- to cheer adversity,
- to save us from the wearing action of petty troubles,
- to arm us with the brightness of spirit which makes the best, and not the worst, of everything! Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9058
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine. Proverbs 17:22
These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. Matthew 15:11
The wise man affirms that a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, and doeth good like a medicine. What is more refreshing than the merry laugh of a child?
It is the bubbling up of the fountain of innocence and simplicity in the little one's heart. Did not our Master bid us to become as little children? "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
(Matthew 18:3)
Be assured then that you will make your own life happier and better, and through your happiness the lives of others happier and better by using the faculty of cheerfulness.
- to heal dissensions,
- to solve anger,
- to mitigate suffering,
- to cheer adversity,
- to save us from the wearing action of petty troubles,
- to arm us with the brightness of spirit which makes the best, and not the worst, of everything! Winsome Christianity - Henry Durbanville
N.J.Hiebert - 9058
December 12
THE WORLD IN NOAH'S DAY
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:4-7
The busy world was pressing on its way
Intent to plant and build, to sell and buy:
And neither knew nor cared that every day
The Lord Himself came from His home on high, To walk with men.
And thus the course of time its way fast rolled,
Till soon three hundred years were fully gone.
While Enoch, prophet of the Lord, foretold
The Lord with thousands of His saints will come, Will come to judge.
Alas, the busy world still sped its way,
Nor thought, not cared, for God's most solemn cry.
Then, strangely, Enoch was not found one day,
For God had taken him to dwell on high, To dwell with Him.
But Enoch's son still spread the message grave:
"When I shall die the judgment sure must fall."
And Noah build an ark their souls to save:
He, too, while building, preached the solemn call: The judge is near.
The world sped on without a thought of God.
No time had they to hear what He might say.
Nor did they know until had come the flood
And took them all, yea, every one, away: The judge had come.
And still the busy world runs its own way,
Intent to plant and build, to sell and buy:
And heed not, just as 'twas in Noah's day,
That God still sends abroad that solemn cry: The judge is near.
Before shall swiftly fall that judgment dire,
Like Enoch once, our God shall claim His own.
The world, and all its works, are burnt with fire;
But His shall walk with Him in white, at Home: At home, with Him!
G. Christopher Willis (From the Chinese edition)
N.J.Hiebert - 9059
But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 2 Peter 3:4-7
The busy world was pressing on its way
Intent to plant and build, to sell and buy:
And neither knew nor cared that every day
The Lord Himself came from His home on high, To walk with men.
And thus the course of time its way fast rolled,
Till soon three hundred years were fully gone.
While Enoch, prophet of the Lord, foretold
The Lord with thousands of His saints will come, Will come to judge.
Alas, the busy world still sped its way,
Nor thought, not cared, for God's most solemn cry.
Then, strangely, Enoch was not found one day,
For God had taken him to dwell on high, To dwell with Him.
But Enoch's son still spread the message grave:
"When I shall die the judgment sure must fall."
And Noah build an ark their souls to save:
He, too, while building, preached the solemn call: The judge is near.
The world sped on without a thought of God.
No time had they to hear what He might say.
Nor did they know until had come the flood
And took them all, yea, every one, away: The judge had come.
And still the busy world runs its own way,
Intent to plant and build, to sell and buy:
And heed not, just as 'twas in Noah's day,
That God still sends abroad that solemn cry: The judge is near.
Before shall swiftly fall that judgment dire,
Like Enoch once, our God shall claim His own.
The world, and all its works, are burnt with fire;
But His shall walk with Him in white, at Home: At home, with Him!
G. Christopher Willis (From the Chinese edition)
N.J.Hiebert - 9059
December 13
They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
It is important to discern both the distinction and the connection between mounting up with wings as eagles, and what it means to "run and not be weary." Running implies a closer touch with this present scene and our actual surroundings.
It is the effort to get through to reach a certain end. But we should know nothing of that end and certainly have no desire to reach it except, first of all, we "mount up with wings as eagles."
Apart from the first experience, the second would be impossible. When a person runs he usually has some object before him. And herein lies the connection between mounting up and and running. In mounting up we apprehend the true goal of the Christian calling, and this gives both the desire and energy to run the race set before us.
How necessary then to mount up; for the renewed spirit, to soar, so to speak, into its own domain, and breathe its native air! It is this that starts us on the race. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9060
It is important to discern both the distinction and the connection between mounting up with wings as eagles, and what it means to "run and not be weary." Running implies a closer touch with this present scene and our actual surroundings.
It is the effort to get through to reach a certain end. But we should know nothing of that end and certainly have no desire to reach it except, first of all, we "mount up with wings as eagles."
Apart from the first experience, the second would be impossible. When a person runs he usually has some object before him. And herein lies the connection between mounting up and and running. In mounting up we apprehend the true goal of the Christian calling, and this gives both the desire and energy to run the race set before us.
How necessary then to mount up; for the renewed spirit, to soar, so to speak, into its own domain, and breathe its native air! It is this that starts us on the race. Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9060
December 14
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