January 1
COVERED by the MOST HIGH
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
- The beach does not cover itself.
- It is covered by the sea.
- The shore does not change itself.
- It is shaped by the tides.
- The sea edge does not diminish its own size.
- The ocean does this as it sweeps in upon it.
- The alterations and rearrangements of the coast are the eternal work of the eternal tides.
And in my life as one who lies open, exposed and receptive to the action of The Most High, it is He who will cover and conform me to His own pattern of ultimate perfection.
- He does not relent.
- He does not rest.
- He neither slumbers nor sleeps.
It is He who is at work upon my soul and within my spirit both to will and to do according to His own grand designs.
The incoming of Christ by His sublime Sprit always changes the contours of our lives. Once we have been filled with all the fullness of His grace and goodness we are never the same again. His presence can inundate every crevice, can fill every corner of our convoluted lives. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J.Hiebert - 9079
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 8:12
- The beach does not cover itself.
- It is covered by the sea.
- The shore does not change itself.
- It is shaped by the tides.
- The sea edge does not diminish its own size.
- The ocean does this as it sweeps in upon it.
- The alterations and rearrangements of the coast are the eternal work of the eternal tides.
And in my life as one who lies open, exposed and receptive to the action of The Most High, it is He who will cover and conform me to His own pattern of ultimate perfection.
- He does not relent.
- He does not rest.
- He neither slumbers nor sleeps.
It is He who is at work upon my soul and within my spirit both to will and to do according to His own grand designs.
The incoming of Christ by His sublime Sprit always changes the contours of our lives. Once we have been filled with all the fullness of His grace and goodness we are never the same again. His presence can inundate every crevice, can fill every corner of our convoluted lives. Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J.Hiebert - 9079
January 2
THE BIBLE
For the Word of God is quick, 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
My Book! my Book! my grand old Book! by inspiration given!
There every page from age to age, reveals the path to heaven;
My Lamp of Light! in nature's night, thy un-beclouded ray
Has turned the gloom of death's cold tomb to everlasting day.
My Chart! my Chart! my changeless Chart by thee I guide my bark,
A simple child on ocean wild, o'er mountain billows dark;
By thee I steer my safe career, with canvas all unfurled,
And onward sail before the gale, to yonder blissful world.
My Staff! my Staff! my trusty Staff! I'll grasp thee in my hand,
As faint and weak on Pisgah's peak, I view the promised land;
Not sadly told, as one of old, to see--but to explore,
My hold I'll keep through Jordan's deep till safe on Canaan's shore.
My Sword! my Sword! my two-edged sword! by thy unerring might,
I deal my foe the deadly blow, in faith's unequal fight;
Thy tempered blade, that lent me aid in every conflict past,
Shall make me more than conqueror, through Him who loved, at last.
My Book! my Chart! my Staff! my Sword! heaven speed thee on thy way
From pole to pole, as ages roll, the harbinger of day,
Till Christ "the Light," shall banish night from this terrestrial ball,
And earth shall see her Jubilee, and God be all in all.
(Author unknown) Christian Treasury December 1990
N.J. Hiebert - 9080
For the Word of God is quick, 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
My Book! my Book! my grand old Book! by inspiration given!
There every page from age to age, reveals the path to heaven;
My Lamp of Light! in nature's night, thy un-beclouded ray
Has turned the gloom of death's cold tomb to everlasting day.
My Chart! my Chart! my changeless Chart by thee I guide my bark,
A simple child on ocean wild, o'er mountain billows dark;
By thee I steer my safe career, with canvas all unfurled,
And onward sail before the gale, to yonder blissful world.
My Staff! my Staff! my trusty Staff! I'll grasp thee in my hand,
As faint and weak on Pisgah's peak, I view the promised land;
Not sadly told, as one of old, to see--but to explore,
My hold I'll keep through Jordan's deep till safe on Canaan's shore.
My Sword! my Sword! my two-edged sword! by thy unerring might,
I deal my foe the deadly blow, in faith's unequal fight;
Thy tempered blade, that lent me aid in every conflict past,
Shall make me more than conqueror, through Him who loved, at last.
My Book! my Chart! my Staff! my Sword! heaven speed thee on thy way
From pole to pole, as ages roll, the harbinger of day,
Till Christ "the Light," shall banish night from this terrestrial ball,
And earth shall see her Jubilee, and God be all in all.
(Author unknown) Christian Treasury December 1990
N.J. Hiebert - 9080
January 3
INSISTING OR SUFFERING
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid ... neither be troubled." 1 Peter 3:14 "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:9
It is recorded that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh (part of Indonesia) was destroyed by the Tsunami that struck on December 26, 2004. Meulaboh, also lost over 80% of its population--souls instantly swept into eternity in that awful disaster. Though the majority of Meulaboh's residents follow the practices of Islam, among them are 400 professing Christians.
The Christians had wanted to come together on December 25th for an all day 'Christian' celebration. Evidently, religious authorities in Meulaboh forbade such a gathering. The Christians were told that if they wanted to be together for a special celebration on December 25th, they should go outside the city of Meulaboh, climb a rugged mountain where, at the top, they could meet together for the day.
Rather than complaining or going to 'civil' authorities to demand their 'legal' rights, the 400 Christians, submitting to religious persecution, left the city on December 25th and climbed to the mountain top, there spending the day together. Because of the arduous climb, they stayed at the top that night.
On Sunday morning, December 26, 2004, the terrible magnitude 9 earthquake struck, followed by Tsunami waves which are estimated to have taken well over a quarter million lives in that vast area. When the Tsunami struck Meulaboh, most of the city was destroyed and thousands were killed. The 400 Christians, however, who had submitted to religious harassment and persecution were still on the mountain top, safe from the destruction. Not one life was lost.
Our hearts ache for all the suffering caused by this terrible disaster allowed by God. How solemn to think of the vast number of souls swept so suddenly into eternity. God is surely speaking plainly, warning this Christ rejecting world of a far worse, coming judgment. May dear souls take heed (see Acts 17:31, Romans 12:19).
Let us soberly ask ourselves an obvious question. What would have happened to the 400 Christians had they demanded their 'rights' and received permission from the civil authorities to remain in the town of Meulaboh for their December 25th gathering? The Christian Shepherd - Doug Nicolet - March 2007
N.J.Hiebert - 9081
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid ... neither be troubled." 1 Peter 3:14 "The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished." 2 Peter 2:9
It is recorded that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh (part of Indonesia) was destroyed by the Tsunami that struck on December 26, 2004. Meulaboh, also lost over 80% of its population--souls instantly swept into eternity in that awful disaster. Though the majority of Meulaboh's residents follow the practices of Islam, among them are 400 professing Christians.
The Christians had wanted to come together on December 25th for an all day 'Christian' celebration. Evidently, religious authorities in Meulaboh forbade such a gathering. The Christians were told that if they wanted to be together for a special celebration on December 25th, they should go outside the city of Meulaboh, climb a rugged mountain where, at the top, they could meet together for the day.
Rather than complaining or going to 'civil' authorities to demand their 'legal' rights, the 400 Christians, submitting to religious persecution, left the city on December 25th and climbed to the mountain top, there spending the day together. Because of the arduous climb, they stayed at the top that night.
On Sunday morning, December 26, 2004, the terrible magnitude 9 earthquake struck, followed by Tsunami waves which are estimated to have taken well over a quarter million lives in that vast area. When the Tsunami struck Meulaboh, most of the city was destroyed and thousands were killed. The 400 Christians, however, who had submitted to religious harassment and persecution were still on the mountain top, safe from the destruction. Not one life was lost.
Our hearts ache for all the suffering caused by this terrible disaster allowed by God. How solemn to think of the vast number of souls swept so suddenly into eternity. God is surely speaking plainly, warning this Christ rejecting world of a far worse, coming judgment. May dear souls take heed (see Acts 17:31, Romans 12:19).
Let us soberly ask ourselves an obvious question. What would have happened to the 400 Christians had they demanded their 'rights' and received permission from the civil authorities to remain in the town of Meulaboh for their December 25th gathering? The Christian Shepherd - Doug Nicolet - March 2007
N.J.Hiebert - 9081
January 4
THE BRIDGE BUILDER
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Hebrews 12:13
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a raging tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow-pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You've crossed the chasm deep and wide.
Why build you this bridge at eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm which has been as naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
Will Allen Dromgoole
N.J.Hiebert - 9082
And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way. Hebrews 12:13
An old man, going a lone highway,
Came at the evening, cold and gray,
To a chasm vast and deep and wide,
Through which was flowing a raging tide.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim;
The sullen stream had no fears for him;
But he turned when safe on the other side,
And built a bridge to span the tide.
"Old man," said a fellow-pilgrim near,
"You are wasting your strength with building here;
Your journey will end with the closing day;
You never again will pass this way.
You've crossed the chasm deep and wide.
Why build you this bridge at eventide?"
The builder lifted his old gray head.
"Good friend, in the path I have come," he said,
"There followeth after me today
A youth whose feet must pass this way.
This chasm which has been as naught to me,
To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be;
He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;
Good friend, I am building this bridge for him."
Will Allen Dromgoole
N.J.Hiebert - 9082
January 5
AT THE GATE OF THE YEAR
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:18
In December 1939, England was at war. Nazi Germany had invaded Poland, and a dark, threatening cloud hung over all of Europe; an uncertain future lay before the people. King George VI was looking for inspiration as he was about to address the nation on the radio.
Thirteen year old Princess Elizabeth gave her father a poem to read just before he addressed the anxious nation. The original title of the poem, was "God Knows," but it became popularly known as "The Gate of the Year," after the public broadcast by King George.
He began his speech with, "A new year is at hand, we cannot tell what it will bring," and then concluded with the poem. Author, M. Haskins
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
As the king read the poem, it had the desired affect, and a calmness settled upon the nation that continued to the end of the war, Yes, God knows, in fact He knows all things; He knows what He is going to do "from eternity."
Christ taught us that the heavenly Father knows and cares even when a little bird falls to the ground, and that the very hairs of our head are numbered. We are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31). As we stand at "the gate" of this new year, may we also put our hand into the hand of the Father and trust Him for all things. Brian Reynolds
N.J.Hiebert - 9083
Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world. Acts 15:18
In December 1939, England was at war. Nazi Germany had invaded Poland, and a dark, threatening cloud hung over all of Europe; an uncertain future lay before the people. King George VI was looking for inspiration as he was about to address the nation on the radio.
Thirteen year old Princess Elizabeth gave her father a poem to read just before he addressed the anxious nation. The original title of the poem, was "God Knows," but it became popularly known as "The Gate of the Year," after the public broadcast by King George.
He began his speech with, "A new year is at hand, we cannot tell what it will bring," and then concluded with the poem. Author, M. Haskins
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied: "Go out into the darkness and put your hand in the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."
As the king read the poem, it had the desired affect, and a calmness settled upon the nation that continued to the end of the war, Yes, God knows, in fact He knows all things; He knows what He is going to do "from eternity."
Christ taught us that the heavenly Father knows and cares even when a little bird falls to the ground, and that the very hairs of our head are numbered. We are of more value than many sparrows (Matthew 10:29-31). As we stand at "the gate" of this new year, may we also put our hand into the hand of the Father and trust Him for all things. Brian Reynolds
N.J.Hiebert - 9083
January 6
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered. Joel 2:32
Why do not I call on His name? Why do I run to this neighbour and that when God is so near and will hear my faintest call? Why do I sit down and devise schemes and invent plans? Why not at once roll myself and my burden upon the Lord?
Straightforward is the best runner--why do not I run at once to the living God? In vain shall I look for deliverance anywhere else; but with God I shall find it; for here I have His royal shall to make it sure.
I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word "Whosoever" is a very wide and comprehensive one. Whosoever means me, for it means anybody and everybody who calls upon God. I will therefore follow the leading of the text, and at once call upon the glorious Lord who has made so large a promise.
My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver. C. H. Spurgeon
N.J.Hiebert - 9084
Why do not I call on His name? Why do I run to this neighbour and that when God is so near and will hear my faintest call? Why do I sit down and devise schemes and invent plans? Why not at once roll myself and my burden upon the Lord?
Straightforward is the best runner--why do not I run at once to the living God? In vain shall I look for deliverance anywhere else; but with God I shall find it; for here I have His royal shall to make it sure.
I need not ask whether I may call on Him or not, for that word "Whosoever" is a very wide and comprehensive one. Whosoever means me, for it means anybody and everybody who calls upon God. I will therefore follow the leading of the text, and at once call upon the glorious Lord who has made so large a promise.
My case is urgent, and I do not see how I am to be delivered; but this is no business of mine. He who makes the promise will find ways and means of keeping it. It is mine to obey His commands; it is not mine to direct His counsels. I am His servant, not His solicitor. I call upon Him, and He will deliver. C. H. Spurgeon
N.J.Hiebert - 9084
January 7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
If we could translate this verse: "Do not let your hearts be filled with care," I think it would give the meaning better. The word translated 'Be careful' (v.6) comes from the word for "care" as we see it in 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him;" or, "the care of this world (Matthew 13:22)," that chokes the Word.
God's way to get rid of this care that so often saps our very life, is to cast it all on Him. In Hebrews 10:35 we are told "Cast not away therefore your confidence." But, as another has put it, too often we 'Cast away our confidence; but carry all our care.' And the way to cast all our care upon Him, so that we are anxious for nothing, is told us in this lovely verse in Philippians 4:6: "in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Sometimes the load of care seems too heavy to cast it anywhere. Then the Lord invites us to "Commit (Roll) thy way upon the Lord" (Psalm 37:5). When we were children in Canada, in the winter, we would make great snowballs; and when they got too heavy to lift, we still could roll them.
So roll that great load of care on Him, "for He careth for you." (5:7). "because it is a matter of care to Him, concerning you," as the Greek Testament so sweetly puts it. And in the Greek Testament two different words are used here for care. The one is "anxious, harassing care:" the other is God's loving "providential care" over us.
Meditations on Philippians - G.C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9085
If we could translate this verse: "Do not let your hearts be filled with care," I think it would give the meaning better. The word translated 'Be careful' (v.6) comes from the word for "care" as we see it in 1 Peter 5:7 "Casting all your care upon Him;" or, "the care of this world (Matthew 13:22)," that chokes the Word.
God's way to get rid of this care that so often saps our very life, is to cast it all on Him. In Hebrews 10:35 we are told "Cast not away therefore your confidence." But, as another has put it, too often we 'Cast away our confidence; but carry all our care.' And the way to cast all our care upon Him, so that we are anxious for nothing, is told us in this lovely verse in Philippians 4:6: "in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
Sometimes the load of care seems too heavy to cast it anywhere. Then the Lord invites us to "Commit (Roll) thy way upon the Lord" (Psalm 37:5). When we were children in Canada, in the winter, we would make great snowballs; and when they got too heavy to lift, we still could roll them.
So roll that great load of care on Him, "for He careth for you." (5:7). "because it is a matter of care to Him, concerning you," as the Greek Testament so sweetly puts it. And in the Greek Testament two different words are used here for care. The one is "anxious, harassing care:" the other is God's loving "providential care" over us.
Meditations on Philippians - G.C. Willis
N.J.Hiebert - 9085
January 8
Thou, O king, art a king of kings: for the God of heaven hath given thee a kingdom, power, and strength, and glory...thou art this head of gold. Daniel 2:37-38
When Daniel revealed the dream of the great image and its meaning to Nebuchadnezzar...we discover that he had become completely obsessed with this portrayal of himself as the "head of gold."
Accordingly he made a great idol of gold, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide, and set it up in the plains of Dura as an object of worship. It was true that God had said that Nebuchadnezzar was that "head of gold" but he completely distorted truth. Nebuchadnezzar exaggerated it, and made it an idol to be worshipped.
We see this situation duplicated in the conduct of the Pharisees, during the Lord's time here on earth. The law had been given by God, but the Pharisees exaggerated it, expanded it, distorted it and in the end, violated the spirt of the Law.
The Lord said concerning them, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Matthew 23:4). The letter of truth had become and end itself. Taken to extremes, it violated the spirit of the letter, thus inflicting untold suffering upon men.
The Pharisees, for example, objected to the Lord and His disciples taking handfuls of grain and rubbing them together for the most basic meal, because it was the Sabbath day. The Pharisees would rather have had them starve than violate the Sabbath. Again, the observance of the Sabbath was more important to them than the healing of a man whose hand was withered (Luke 6). May the Lord enable us to hold the truth, but to do so in love. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9086
When Daniel revealed the dream of the great image and its meaning to Nebuchadnezzar...we discover that he had become completely obsessed with this portrayal of himself as the "head of gold."
Accordingly he made a great idol of gold, 90 feet high and 9 feet wide, and set it up in the plains of Dura as an object of worship. It was true that God had said that Nebuchadnezzar was that "head of gold" but he completely distorted truth. Nebuchadnezzar exaggerated it, and made it an idol to be worshipped.
We see this situation duplicated in the conduct of the Pharisees, during the Lord's time here on earth. The law had been given by God, but the Pharisees exaggerated it, expanded it, distorted it and in the end, violated the spirt of the Law.
The Lord said concerning them, "For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers" (Matthew 23:4). The letter of truth had become and end itself. Taken to extremes, it violated the spirit of the letter, thus inflicting untold suffering upon men.
The Pharisees, for example, objected to the Lord and His disciples taking handfuls of grain and rubbing them together for the most basic meal, because it was the Sabbath day. The Pharisees would rather have had them starve than violate the Sabbath. Again, the observance of the Sabbath was more important to them than the healing of a man whose hand was withered (Luke 6). May the Lord enable us to hold the truth, but to do so in love. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J.Hiebert - 9086
January 9
LIFTED BY WAY OF REMEMBRANCE
O my GOD, my soul is cast down within me. Psalm 42:6
Whenever you say this, add at once, "Therefore will I remember Thee." (v.6) And what then? What comes of thus remembering Him? "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips." (Psalm 63:5)
What can be a sweeter, fuller promise than this! Our heart's desire fulfilled in abundant satisfaction and joyful power of praise! Yet there is a promise sweeter and more thrilling still to the loving, longing heart.
And so, this very night, as you put away the profitless musings and memories, and remember Him upon your bed, He will keep His word and meet you, for has He not said, "Thou meetest . . . those that remember Thee in Thy ways"? (Isiah 64:5)
The darkness shall be verily the shadow of His wing, for your feeble, yet Spirit-given remembrance, shall be met by His real and actual presence, for "hath He said and shall He not do it?" (Numbers 23:19) Let us pray that this night the desire of our soul may be "to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee." (Isiah 26:8)
O sunlight of thanksgiving! Who that knows
Its bright forth-breaking after dreariest days,
Would change the after-thought of woes
For memory's loveliest light that glows,
If so he must forego one note of that sweet praise?
Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9087
O my GOD, my soul is cast down within me. Psalm 42:6
Whenever you say this, add at once, "Therefore will I remember Thee." (v.6) And what then? What comes of thus remembering Him? "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips." (Psalm 63:5)
What can be a sweeter, fuller promise than this! Our heart's desire fulfilled in abundant satisfaction and joyful power of praise! Yet there is a promise sweeter and more thrilling still to the loving, longing heart.
And so, this very night, as you put away the profitless musings and memories, and remember Him upon your bed, He will keep His word and meet you, for has He not said, "Thou meetest . . . those that remember Thee in Thy ways"? (Isiah 64:5)
The darkness shall be verily the shadow of His wing, for your feeble, yet Spirit-given remembrance, shall be met by His real and actual presence, for "hath He said and shall He not do it?" (Numbers 23:19) Let us pray that this night the desire of our soul may be "to Thy name, and to the remembrance of Thee." (Isiah 26:8)
O sunlight of thanksgiving! Who that knows
Its bright forth-breaking after dreariest days,
Would change the after-thought of woes
For memory's loveliest light that glows,
If so he must forego one note of that sweet praise?
Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J.Hiebert - 9087
January 10
Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my souls is well pleased. Matthew 12:18
Come now, and view that manger, the Lord of glory see,
A houseless, homeless Stranger, in this poor world for thee.
Oh, strange, yet fit beginning of all that life of woe,
In which Thy grace was winning poor man his God to know.
Bless'd Babe! who lowly liest in manger cradle there;
Descended from the highest, our sorrows all to share. J.N.D.
Every one found room in the inn save He, but any who wanted to find Him whom angels celebrate must go to the manger.
(Luke 4:4) It is the written Word He ever uses, and Satan is powerless. What amazing importance Jesus gives the scriptures. It was not as an act of divine authority He dismissed Satan, but the enemy is proved unable to grapple with obedience to the Word of God. Jesus does not reason with Satan. A single text silences when used in the power of the Spirit. The whole secret of strength in conflict is using the word of God in the right way.
(Luke 4:16) "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up"--the low, despised place, but just the place where spiritual power is found. Was it not ever thus? When was it found allied to the great things of this world? God did not despise Nazareth, but man despises Jesus because he came out of Nazareth. Man despises the lowliness to which grace brought Him--wretched man! Christ never worked miracles for Himself, but for others.
(Luke 8:37) The world beseeches Jesus to depart, desiring their own ease, which is more disturbed by the presence and power of God than by a legion of devils. Footprints for Pilgrims - J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9088
Come now, and view that manger, the Lord of glory see,
A houseless, homeless Stranger, in this poor world for thee.
Oh, strange, yet fit beginning of all that life of woe,
In which Thy grace was winning poor man his God to know.
Bless'd Babe! who lowly liest in manger cradle there;
Descended from the highest, our sorrows all to share. J.N.D.
Every one found room in the inn save He, but any who wanted to find Him whom angels celebrate must go to the manger.
(Luke 4:4) It is the written Word He ever uses, and Satan is powerless. What amazing importance Jesus gives the scriptures. It was not as an act of divine authority He dismissed Satan, but the enemy is proved unable to grapple with obedience to the Word of God. Jesus does not reason with Satan. A single text silences when used in the power of the Spirit. The whole secret of strength in conflict is using the word of God in the right way.
(Luke 4:16) "And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up"--the low, despised place, but just the place where spiritual power is found. Was it not ever thus? When was it found allied to the great things of this world? God did not despise Nazareth, but man despises Jesus because he came out of Nazareth. Man despises the lowliness to which grace brought Him--wretched man! Christ never worked miracles for Himself, but for others.
(Luke 8:37) The world beseeches Jesus to depart, desiring their own ease, which is more disturbed by the presence and power of God than by a legion of devils. Footprints for Pilgrims - J. N. Darby
N.J.Hiebert - 9088
January 11
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works. . . . let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Hebrews 4:10-11.
Labour in Hebrew 4:11 means "make haste." Is the word used to remind us that we shall not drift into rest? There must be the will to enter in. Perhaps what demands most will power is the resolution to cease from our own works, our own busyness, and to stay our minds upon our God.
We pray, and the answer is not what we expect. It seems an answer of loss, and sometimes loss upon loss. We must cease from our own thoughts about it and believe that what He has allowed is the perfect answer for the moment. As we believe, and accept, we enter into rest and the sense of strain passes into peace.
This covers all life: the illness of those we love, mental or spiritual suffering, the unexplained, everything. Let us not lose one hour in needless ineffective distress. Let us hasten by an act of the will to come to Him for rest.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9089
For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works. . . . let us labour therefore to enter into that rest. Hebrews 4:10-11.
Labour in Hebrew 4:11 means "make haste." Is the word used to remind us that we shall not drift into rest? There must be the will to enter in. Perhaps what demands most will power is the resolution to cease from our own works, our own busyness, and to stay our minds upon our God.
We pray, and the answer is not what we expect. It seems an answer of loss, and sometimes loss upon loss. We must cease from our own thoughts about it and believe that what He has allowed is the perfect answer for the moment. As we believe, and accept, we enter into rest and the sense of strain passes into peace.
This covers all life: the illness of those we love, mental or spiritual suffering, the unexplained, everything. Let us not lose one hour in needless ineffective distress. Let us hasten by an act of the will to come to Him for rest.
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J.Hiebert - 9089
January 12
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (mercy-seat) through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God. Romans 3:23-25
In the dispensation of His grace, God provides the sinner with an answer to His own demands upon him. He gives him security in the day of His righteous judgment. For He judges sin. Surely He cannot pass it by. Righteousness calls for the judgment of it. But He in grace provides the sinner with an answer and a shelter, and it becomes the duty and the obedience of a sinner to use this shelter--and this using of God's provision is faith.
The Lord in this way provided Noah with an answer to His own righteous and purposed judgment that was coming on the world before the Flood. "Make thee an ark of gopher wood." (Genesis 6:14), said God to him. Noah did so, believing the word both of judgment and of deliverance, and he was safe.
He provided Israel in Egypt against another day of judgment. Israel used this provision, putting the blood upon the lintel, (Genesis 12:7) and was sheltered from the sword of the Angel.
In like manner He made provision for Rahab in the day of the judgment of Canaan, as He had made provision for Israel in the day of the judgment of Egypt; and she escaped, just because she received the word by faith and used God's provisions, hanging the scarlet line out from the window. (Joshua 2:18) And thus it is still. J.G. Bellett
Time is gliding swiftly by, death and judgment both draw nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, be in time! William J. Kirkpatrick
N.J.Hiebert - 9090
In the dispensation of His grace, God provides the sinner with an answer to His own demands upon him. He gives him security in the day of His righteous judgment. For He judges sin. Surely He cannot pass it by. Righteousness calls for the judgment of it. But He in grace provides the sinner with an answer and a shelter, and it becomes the duty and the obedience of a sinner to use this shelter--and this using of God's provision is faith.
The Lord in this way provided Noah with an answer to His own righteous and purposed judgment that was coming on the world before the Flood. "Make thee an ark of gopher wood." (Genesis 6:14), said God to him. Noah did so, believing the word both of judgment and of deliverance, and he was safe.
He provided Israel in Egypt against another day of judgment. Israel used this provision, putting the blood upon the lintel, (Genesis 12:7) and was sheltered from the sword of the Angel.
In like manner He made provision for Rahab in the day of the judgment of Canaan, as He had made provision for Israel in the day of the judgment of Egypt; and she escaped, just because she received the word by faith and used God's provisions, hanging the scarlet line out from the window. (Joshua 2:18) And thus it is still. J.G. Bellett
Time is gliding swiftly by, death and judgment both draw nigh,
To the arms of Jesus fly, be in time! William J. Kirkpatrick
N.J.Hiebert - 9090
January 13
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