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
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
THAT ALL MAY KNOW
The Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19
We know that we are of God. 1 John 5:19
By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another John 13:35
God knows His own. It is well that He does, for sometimes it would be difficult for us to determine who are His! Heaven will surprise us both ways.
We can know that we are His. The little book of First John is full of "know-so" evidence, to say nothing of plenty more elsewhere.
And others know by the badge of love. Not tongues nor faith nor prophecy nor knowledge nor martyrdom nor philanthropy, but love is the Christian's mark of distinction. How we cultivate all the others and fail here!
All may know, that we are His. God knows, we know, others may know. It is a "Know-so" faith. Day by Day - Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9091
The Lord knoweth them that are His. 2 Timothy 2:19
We know that we are of God. 1 John 5:19
By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another John 13:35
God knows His own. It is well that He does, for sometimes it would be difficult for us to determine who are His! Heaven will surprise us both ways.
We can know that we are His. The little book of First John is full of "know-so" evidence, to say nothing of plenty more elsewhere.
And others know by the badge of love. Not tongues nor faith nor prophecy nor knowledge nor martyrdom nor philanthropy, but love is the Christian's mark of distinction. How we cultivate all the others and fail here!
All may know, that we are His. God knows, we know, others may know. It is a "Know-so" faith. Day by Day - Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9091
January 14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them and pursued them...and he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14:14-16
Lot was Abraham's brother after all, and brotherly love must act. "A brother is born for adversity;" (Proverbs17:17) and it often happens that a season of adversity softens the heart, and renders it susceptible of kindness, even from one with whom we have had to part company.
The claims of a brother's trouble are answered by the affections of a brother's heart. This is divine. Genuine faith, while it always renders us independent, never renders us indifferent;--it will never wrap itself up in its fleece while a brother shivers in the cold.
There are three things which faith does,--it "purifies the heart," "it works by love," and it "overcomes the world; and all these results of faith are beautifully exhibited in Abraham on this occasion.
His heart was purified from Sodom's pollutions; he manifested genuine love to Lot, his brother; and, finally, he was completely victorious over the kings. Such are the precious fruits of faith, that heavenly, Christ-honouring principle.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9092
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them and pursued them...and he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. Genesis 14:14-16
Lot was Abraham's brother after all, and brotherly love must act. "A brother is born for adversity;" (Proverbs17:17) and it often happens that a season of adversity softens the heart, and renders it susceptible of kindness, even from one with whom we have had to part company.
The claims of a brother's trouble are answered by the affections of a brother's heart. This is divine. Genuine faith, while it always renders us independent, never renders us indifferent;--it will never wrap itself up in its fleece while a brother shivers in the cold.
There are three things which faith does,--it "purifies the heart," "it works by love," and it "overcomes the world; and all these results of faith are beautifully exhibited in Abraham on this occasion.
His heart was purified from Sodom's pollutions; he manifested genuine love to Lot, his brother; and, finally, he was completely victorious over the kings. Such are the precious fruits of faith, that heavenly, Christ-honouring principle.
Notes on Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9092
January 15
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
When the flesh or Satan beg time of you, it is to steal time from you. They put you off prayer at one time, to shut you out at last from prayer at any time.
What day in all the year is inconvenient to Satan? What place or company are you in, that he cannot make a snare for your soul?
Satan knows what orders you keep in your house and closet; and though he has not a key to your heart, yet he can stand in the next room to it and lightly hear what is whispered there. If once he but smells which way your heart inclines, he knows how to take the hint; if but one door is unbolted, here is advantage enough. The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1616-1679)
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight faithfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus, He will cary you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God's name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind hearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
To him that o'er cometh God giveth a crown,
Thro' faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He, who is our Saviour, our strength will renew
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
H. R. Palmer
N.J.Hiebert - 9093
When the flesh or Satan beg time of you, it is to steal time from you. They put you off prayer at one time, to shut you out at last from prayer at any time.
What day in all the year is inconvenient to Satan? What place or company are you in, that he cannot make a snare for your soul?
Satan knows what orders you keep in your house and closet; and though he has not a key to your heart, yet he can stand in the next room to it and lightly hear what is whispered there. If once he but smells which way your heart inclines, he knows how to take the hint; if but one door is unbolted, here is advantage enough. The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1616-1679)
Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each victory will help you some other to win;
Fight faithfully onward, dark passions subdue
Look ever to Jesus, He will cary you through.
Shun evil companions, bad language disdain,
God's name hold in reverence, nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest, kind hearted and true,
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
To him that o'er cometh God giveth a crown,
Thro' faith we shall conquer, though often cast down;
He, who is our Saviour, our strength will renew
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.
H. R. Palmer
N.J.Hiebert - 9093
January 16
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17
As by friction, one iron instrument is sharpened and polished by contact with another, so we may be a help to each other by interesting and profitable communication and exchange of thought. A recluse is always a very one-sided man.
He who would be a blessing to his fellows must mingle with them that he may learn to understand their needs and their sorrows, as well as that he may find gain by what in them is superior to his own knowledge or virtues.
Among Christians, fellowship one with another is precious indeed, and becomes increasingly sweet as the days grow darker. How profitable to a Timothy the association with a Paul! Notes on Proverbs - H. A. Ironside
"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (2 Timothy 3:10,11)
N.J.Hiebert - 9094
As by friction, one iron instrument is sharpened and polished by contact with another, so we may be a help to each other by interesting and profitable communication and exchange of thought. A recluse is always a very one-sided man.
He who would be a blessing to his fellows must mingle with them that he may learn to understand their needs and their sorrows, as well as that he may find gain by what in them is superior to his own knowledge or virtues.
Among Christians, fellowship one with another is precious indeed, and becomes increasingly sweet as the days grow darker. How profitable to a Timothy the association with a Paul! Notes on Proverbs - H. A. Ironside
"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me." (2 Timothy 3:10,11)
N.J.Hiebert - 9094
January 17
Their father (Jacob) said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food...Judah said...I will be surety for him (v.9)...Take also your brother, and arise, go again unto the man: and God almighty give you mercy before the man..."
(Genesis 43:2-13).
The sin of Joseph's brethren has been recalled; their conscience has been awakened; the fear of God has arisen in their souls. There are, however, other experiences they must pass through before Joseph can reveal himself in all the love of his heart, and ere his brethren can be at perfect ease in his presence.
In the past they had sinned, not only against Joseph, but also against their father. They had been "reckless of a brother's cries and of a father's grief." They had sinned as brethren before their brother, they had sinned as sons before their father. One they had treated with the utmost cruelty, the other with the grossest deception. Both as sons and as brethren they had revealed the evil of their way and the hardness of their hearts.
The time has come when they will be tested, and Joseph will prove how far any real change has been wrought in them. They have said "we are true men." (42:11). Joseph will therefore place them in circumstances that will reveal whether at last they can act as true brothers, and true sons. With the utmost wisdom Joseph will re-enact the past. Once again ten men will have to act in regard to a younger brother. Once again they will have to face an aged father with his great love for the younger son.
Times have changed and circumstances have altered; the setting of the picture is entirely new, but in principle the story of the fields of Dothan (37:17) is to be enacted in the land of Egypt. Will those ten men once again abandon their brother, and invent some story to deceive their father? Has true repentance been wrought in the hearts of those brethren? This is the great question that Joseph will solve in their second visit to Egypt. (Joseph - Hamilton Smith)
Part 1 - To be continued - January 14
N.J.Hiebert - 9095
(Genesis 43:2-13).
The sin of Joseph's brethren has been recalled; their conscience has been awakened; the fear of God has arisen in their souls. There are, however, other experiences they must pass through before Joseph can reveal himself in all the love of his heart, and ere his brethren can be at perfect ease in his presence.
In the past they had sinned, not only against Joseph, but also against their father. They had been "reckless of a brother's cries and of a father's grief." They had sinned as brethren before their brother, they had sinned as sons before their father. One they had treated with the utmost cruelty, the other with the grossest deception. Both as sons and as brethren they had revealed the evil of their way and the hardness of their hearts.
The time has come when they will be tested, and Joseph will prove how far any real change has been wrought in them. They have said "we are true men." (42:11). Joseph will therefore place them in circumstances that will reveal whether at last they can act as true brothers, and true sons. With the utmost wisdom Joseph will re-enact the past. Once again ten men will have to act in regard to a younger brother. Once again they will have to face an aged father with his great love for the younger son.
Times have changed and circumstances have altered; the setting of the picture is entirely new, but in principle the story of the fields of Dothan (37:17) is to be enacted in the land of Egypt. Will those ten men once again abandon their brother, and invent some story to deceive their father? Has true repentance been wrought in the hearts of those brethren? This is the great question that Joseph will solve in their second visit to Egypt. (Joseph - Hamilton Smith)
Part 1 - To be continued - January 14
N.J.Hiebert - 9095
January 18
And when Joseph saw Benjamin with them, he said to the ruler of his house, bring these men home, and slay, and make ready; for these men shall dine with me at noon. Genesis 43:16
The brethren of Joseph proceed to act upon their father's plan only to realize its utter futility. They took the present, they took double money, and Benjamin, rose up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph (v.15). Joseph pays not the slightest heed to their gifts, he does not touch their money, he will not accept Benjamin as a ransom. He entirely ignores their plan and commences to act according to his own heart. (v.16).
Is this not an anticipation of that far greater message that God sends to a world of sinners, "Come for all things are now ready"? The purposes of Joseph far transcend the plans of his brethren. Their plan was simply to obtain a blessing from Joseph; his purpose was to bestow a blessing, but a blessing that they should enjoy in his company and in his home.
"These men shall dine with me." (v.16) Like the brethren of Joseph we are equally slow to take in God's thoughts of blessing. We would be content to obtain the forgiveness of sins, and salvation from hell. But how far short of God's thoughts! His thought is to have us with Himself to feast with Him in His home. But we are slow to take in the greatness of God's grace. Even as Joseph's brethren, who "were afraid" (v.18) They could only think they were brought in to be condemned, they could not imagine they were brought in to be feasted. . . .
They looked upon Joseph as against them, as one that must be appeased. They had yet to learn that he is making all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Instead of judging themselves they are judging Joseph. In all these marks of favour they can only imagine that Joseph is seeking occasion agains them--is going to fall upon them and make them bondmen. (v.17,18). Joseph - Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9096
The brethren of Joseph proceed to act upon their father's plan only to realize its utter futility. They took the present, they took double money, and Benjamin, rose up and went down to Egypt and stood before Joseph (v.15). Joseph pays not the slightest heed to their gifts, he does not touch their money, he will not accept Benjamin as a ransom. He entirely ignores their plan and commences to act according to his own heart. (v.16).
Is this not an anticipation of that far greater message that God sends to a world of sinners, "Come for all things are now ready"? The purposes of Joseph far transcend the plans of his brethren. Their plan was simply to obtain a blessing from Joseph; his purpose was to bestow a blessing, but a blessing that they should enjoy in his company and in his home.
"These men shall dine with me." (v.16) Like the brethren of Joseph we are equally slow to take in God's thoughts of blessing. We would be content to obtain the forgiveness of sins, and salvation from hell. But how far short of God's thoughts! His thought is to have us with Himself to feast with Him in His home. But we are slow to take in the greatness of God's grace. Even as Joseph's brethren, who "were afraid" (v.18) They could only think they were brought in to be condemned, they could not imagine they were brought in to be feasted. . . .
They looked upon Joseph as against them, as one that must be appeased. They had yet to learn that he is making all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Instead of judging themselves they are judging Joseph. In all these marks of favour they can only imagine that Joseph is seeking occasion agains them--is going to fall upon them and make them bondmen. (v.17,18). Joseph - Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9096
January 19
My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? why art Thou so far from helping Me, and from the words of My roaring (groaning)? Psalm 22:1
Is it not this side of the suffering of our adorable Lord that we find so wonderfully set before us in Psalm 22? "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" This, the deepest suffering of all, came from God, not from man, though caused by our sins. Some people would tell us that the Lord Jesus only thought that God had forsaken Him, as in Jonah's case: "I am cast out of Thy sight." (Jonah 2:4)
It was, however, very different in the case of our Lord and Saviour. There on the cross, He bore our sins; and with all those mountains of sins upon Him, God must turn away from Him, and it was in very truth that He uttered that awful cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
We may, to some small extent (never fully), enter into what is meant to our pure and holy Saviour to bear those external sufferings and shame and reproach from man; but no human mind can ever fathom the depth of suffering contained in that terrible cry, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?"
Here, indeed, the waters compassed Him about, to the soul. It was then He took that awful cup of the wrath of a holy God against sin (the cup you and I deserved to drink), and drank it to its vey dregs. G. C. Willis
The depths of all Thy suffering no heart can e'er conceive;
The cup of wrath o'er-flowing, for us Thou didst receive. G. W. Frazer
N.J.Hiebert - 9097
Is it not this side of the suffering of our adorable Lord that we find so wonderfully set before us in Psalm 22? "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" This, the deepest suffering of all, came from God, not from man, though caused by our sins. Some people would tell us that the Lord Jesus only thought that God had forsaken Him, as in Jonah's case: "I am cast out of Thy sight." (Jonah 2:4)
It was, however, very different in the case of our Lord and Saviour. There on the cross, He bore our sins; and with all those mountains of sins upon Him, God must turn away from Him, and it was in very truth that He uttered that awful cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?"
We may, to some small extent (never fully), enter into what is meant to our pure and holy Saviour to bear those external sufferings and shame and reproach from man; but no human mind can ever fathom the depth of suffering contained in that terrible cry, "Eli, Eli, Lama Sabachthani?"
Here, indeed, the waters compassed Him about, to the soul. It was then He took that awful cup of the wrath of a holy God against sin (the cup you and I deserved to drink), and drank it to its vey dregs. G. C. Willis
The depths of all Thy suffering no heart can e'er conceive;
The cup of wrath o'er-flowing, for us Thou didst receive. G. W. Frazer
N.J.Hiebert - 9097
January 20
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17
The sorrows of earth will become the gems of glory. Every suffering that Christian martyrs ever bore, every sorrow rightly felt by saints of God, under the hand of their Father, is helping to produce those precious jewels that shall ere long flash in the light of the Lord God Almighty.
If we have to shed tears now, there is a time coming when thy will all be wiped away. (Revelation 7:17) It is said that God will do this. Will you have any to be removed by such a hand? Do not think it hard that you have to shed them now. Think of what it will be for God to wipe them away!
An aged Christian once wrote: "If I had not been called to pass through this trouble, and shed these tears, I should have missed the softness of the hand that wiped them away."
God has numbered the hairs of our head, (Luke 12:7) and He, and no other, will wipe away our tears. Oh, the gladness of that moment! For when God has wiped them away, they will never come again! Our sins are gone for ever, because He has put them away; and our tears will go too, some day, for the same reason, never to return. Need we then be careful and troubled about many things when there is a God Who bids us cast our care upon Him, and tells us that He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
There is a time coming when every riddle will be solved, when infidelity shall for ever be a nightmare of the past, and faith shall reach its pinnacle of triumph; when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord and become one vast temple to His praise; and then the one universal note of adoring worship upon every lip will surely be this: "AS for God His way is perfect." (Psalm 18:30)
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9098
The sorrows of earth will become the gems of glory. Every suffering that Christian martyrs ever bore, every sorrow rightly felt by saints of God, under the hand of their Father, is helping to produce those precious jewels that shall ere long flash in the light of the Lord God Almighty.
If we have to shed tears now, there is a time coming when thy will all be wiped away. (Revelation 7:17) It is said that God will do this. Will you have any to be removed by such a hand? Do not think it hard that you have to shed them now. Think of what it will be for God to wipe them away!
An aged Christian once wrote: "If I had not been called to pass through this trouble, and shed these tears, I should have missed the softness of the hand that wiped them away."
God has numbered the hairs of our head, (Luke 12:7) and He, and no other, will wipe away our tears. Oh, the gladness of that moment! For when God has wiped them away, they will never come again! Our sins are gone for ever, because He has put them away; and our tears will go too, some day, for the same reason, never to return. Need we then be careful and troubled about many things when there is a God Who bids us cast our care upon Him, and tells us that He cares for us. (1 Peter 5:7)
There is a time coming when every riddle will be solved, when infidelity shall for ever be a nightmare of the past, and faith shall reach its pinnacle of triumph; when the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord and become one vast temple to His praise; and then the one universal note of adoring worship upon every lip will surely be this: "AS for God His way is perfect." (Psalm 18:30)
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J.Hiebert - 9098
January 21
If a man desire the office of a bishop, (overseer) he desireth a good work...he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach...not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil..." 1 Timothy 3:1,6,7
It is one thing to be a child of God; it is quite another to be a servant of Christ. I may love my child very much, yet, if I set him to work in my garden, he may do more harm than good. Why? Is it because he is not a dear child? No; but because he is not a practiced servant. This make all the difference. Relationship and office are distinct things.
Not one of the Queen's children is at present capable of being her prime minister. It is not that all God's children have not something to do, something to suffer, something to learn. Undoubtedly they have; yet it ever holds good, that public service and private discipline are intimately connected in the ways of God.
One who comes forward much in public will need that chastened spirit, that matured judgment, that subdued and mortified mind, that broken will, that mellow tone, which are the sure and beautiful result of God's secret discipline; and it will generally be found that those who take a prominent place without more or less of the above moral qualifications, will sooner or later break down.
Lord Jesus, keep Thy feeble servants very near unto Thine own most blessed Person, and in the hollow of Thine hand! C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9099
It is one thing to be a child of God; it is quite another to be a servant of Christ. I may love my child very much, yet, if I set him to work in my garden, he may do more harm than good. Why? Is it because he is not a dear child? No; but because he is not a practiced servant. This make all the difference. Relationship and office are distinct things.
Not one of the Queen's children is at present capable of being her prime minister. It is not that all God's children have not something to do, something to suffer, something to learn. Undoubtedly they have; yet it ever holds good, that public service and private discipline are intimately connected in the ways of God.
One who comes forward much in public will need that chastened spirit, that matured judgment, that subdued and mortified mind, that broken will, that mellow tone, which are the sure and beautiful result of God's secret discipline; and it will generally be found that those who take a prominent place without more or less of the above moral qualifications, will sooner or later break down.
Lord Jesus, keep Thy feeble servants very near unto Thine own most blessed Person, and in the hollow of Thine hand! C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9099
January 22
"IN THE POTTER'S HANDS"
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, why hast Thou made me thus?
Romans 9:20
When sorrows deep, and burdens, mount.
And tears well up as from a fount,
My child's heart is wont to say
"Wherein has Thou Thy love displayed?"
Thy rod I feel, the pressure builds,
My Potter's hand its strength doth wield,
And I, an unformed lump of clay,
Ask "Why hast Thou formed me this way?"
My Father's heart, how must it ache,
When I His love and grace mistake,
For vengeance or a pleasure vain,
When He doth keenly feel my pain?
How dare I reason--feeble mind!
Or doubt the plan, wise and Divine,
Which, using pressure, fire or flood,
Would form a vessel honouring God?
Bob Short, 2002
N.J.Hiebert - 9100
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to Him that formed it, why hast Thou made me thus?
Romans 9:20
When sorrows deep, and burdens, mount.
And tears well up as from a fount,
My child's heart is wont to say
"Wherein has Thou Thy love displayed?"
Thy rod I feel, the pressure builds,
My Potter's hand its strength doth wield,
And I, an unformed lump of clay,
Ask "Why hast Thou formed me this way?"
My Father's heart, how must it ache,
When I His love and grace mistake,
For vengeance or a pleasure vain,
When He doth keenly feel my pain?
How dare I reason--feeble mind!
Or doubt the plan, wise and Divine,
Which, using pressure, fire or flood,
Would form a vessel honouring God?
Bob Short, 2002
N.J.Hiebert - 9100
January 23
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