February 10
Saul lay sleeping within the trench and his spear stuck in the ground at his bolster...and the people lay round about him...David said...as the Lord liveth,...the Lord shall smite him; or his day shall come to die...The Lord forbid that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lord's anointed.
(1 Samuel 26:7,10)
The deep sleep that God had caused to fall on Saul and on all the camp might have given birth to the thought of taking advantage of such a moment. This was not so. God had sent this sleep to preserve His beloved and not to give him an occasion to avenge himself. God would save him in view of the work of grace He would call Him to accomplish toward Saul.
Grace is reserved for David; judgment is reserved for the Lord. But David takes a token, as he had taken one in the cave. The spear and the cruse of water are two witnesses by which the events that had taken place are confirmed. The weapon that Saul had sought to use against David more than once is now found in David's hand.
Would he use it against the Lord's anointed as he had once used Goliath's sword against this enemy of Israel? In no way. It is enough for David to take away from Saul that which he had used in his effort to harm David, to show the king that he was well aware of his weapons and that they were powerless against him.
Now David goes far away from sleeping Saul and puts "a great space ... between them" (v. 13). To have acted otherwise would have been blind confidence in man. Sometimes the world must see the distance that separates it from the children of God. If they do not distance themselves from the world they often support it in its illusion as to its condition. (1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier)
NJ.Hiebert - 9119
(1 Samuel 26:7,10)
The deep sleep that God had caused to fall on Saul and on all the camp might have given birth to the thought of taking advantage of such a moment. This was not so. God had sent this sleep to preserve His beloved and not to give him an occasion to avenge himself. God would save him in view of the work of grace He would call Him to accomplish toward Saul.
Grace is reserved for David; judgment is reserved for the Lord. But David takes a token, as he had taken one in the cave. The spear and the cruse of water are two witnesses by which the events that had taken place are confirmed. The weapon that Saul had sought to use against David more than once is now found in David's hand.
Would he use it against the Lord's anointed as he had once used Goliath's sword against this enemy of Israel? In no way. It is enough for David to take away from Saul that which he had used in his effort to harm David, to show the king that he was well aware of his weapons and that they were powerless against him.
Now David goes far away from sleeping Saul and puts "a great space ... between them" (v. 13). To have acted otherwise would have been blind confidence in man. Sometimes the world must see the distance that separates it from the children of God. If they do not distance themselves from the world they often support it in its illusion as to its condition. (1 Samuel - H. L. Rossier)
NJ.Hiebert - 9119
February 11
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. Ezekiel 34:16
Perhaps when we read those words our hearts are sad over some who do not seem to want to be brought back, and bound up and strengthened.
It helps, if we remember that this is first and foremost His sorrow. Our feeling it, too, means that we do not leave Him to sorrow alone, as He was left to pray alone in the garden of Gethsemane.
So let us not give up hope, for He never does. Even if we have prayed for someone for many years without seeing any result, let us continue steadfastly. We know that the Good Shepherd goes on seeking His lost sheep until He finds. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.
CHORUS
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Fanny Crosby
N.J.Hiebert - 9120
Perhaps when we read those words our hearts are sad over some who do not seem to want to be brought back, and bound up and strengthened.
It helps, if we remember that this is first and foremost His sorrow. Our feeling it, too, means that we do not leave Him to sorrow alone, as He was left to pray alone in the garden of Gethsemane.
So let us not give up hope, for He never does. Even if we have prayed for someone for many years without seeing any result, let us continue steadfastly. We know that the Good Shepherd goes on seeking His lost sheep until He finds. Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
Down in the human heart, Crushed by the tempter,
Feelings lie buried that grace can restore;
Touched by a loving heart, wakened by kindness,
Chords that are broken will vibrate once more.
CHORUS
Rescue the perishing, care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.
Fanny Crosby
N.J.Hiebert - 9120
February 12
But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions...but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 2 Timothy 3:10,11.
We are definitely told that the great safeguard against all that is false is the knowledge of that which is true...There is no necessity to know fully the evil, for we do not escape evil simply by the knowledge of evil. It is by the knowledge of the truth that we can detect that which is false and contrary to the truth; and having detected the evil the exhortation is, not to be occupied with it, but to "turn away" from those who pursue it.
The Apostle can appeal to his "manner of life". His life was wholly consistent with the doctrine that he taught.... In his doctrine he proclaimed the heavenly calling of the saints and, in consistency with his doctrine, his manner of life was that of a stranger and a pilgrim whose citizenship is in heaven. It was a life governed by a definite "purpose," lived by "faith," exhibiting the character of Christ in all "longsuffering," "love" and "endurance", involving "suffering" and "persecution."
Thus the first great safeguard from the evil of the last days is the knowledge of the truth; and the second safeguard, a life lived in consistency with the truth....thirdly, we read of the support of the Lord. "out of them all the Lord delivered me."(v11). If we are diligent to know the doctrine, if we are prepared to live a life consistent with the doctrine, we shall realize the support of the Lord.
Others may forsake us even as they did the Apostle; others may think we are too extreme and too uncompromising; but, in contending for the faith, we shall find even as he did, that the Lord will stand by us, the Lord will strengthen us.
2 Timothy - Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9121
We are definitely told that the great safeguard against all that is false is the knowledge of that which is true...There is no necessity to know fully the evil, for we do not escape evil simply by the knowledge of evil. It is by the knowledge of the truth that we can detect that which is false and contrary to the truth; and having detected the evil the exhortation is, not to be occupied with it, but to "turn away" from those who pursue it.
The Apostle can appeal to his "manner of life". His life was wholly consistent with the doctrine that he taught.... In his doctrine he proclaimed the heavenly calling of the saints and, in consistency with his doctrine, his manner of life was that of a stranger and a pilgrim whose citizenship is in heaven. It was a life governed by a definite "purpose," lived by "faith," exhibiting the character of Christ in all "longsuffering," "love" and "endurance", involving "suffering" and "persecution."
Thus the first great safeguard from the evil of the last days is the knowledge of the truth; and the second safeguard, a life lived in consistency with the truth....thirdly, we read of the support of the Lord. "out of them all the Lord delivered me."(v11). If we are diligent to know the doctrine, if we are prepared to live a life consistent with the doctrine, we shall realize the support of the Lord.
Others may forsake us even as they did the Apostle; others may think we are too extreme and too uncompromising; but, in contending for the faith, we shall find even as he did, that the Lord will stand by us, the Lord will strengthen us.
2 Timothy - Hamilton Smith
N.J.Hiebert - 9121
February 13
BETWEEN TWO FIRES
And when they had kindled a fire . . . Peter sat down among them.
Luke 22:55
As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there.
John 21:9
Peter warmed himself at the enemy's fire--and denied His Lord. The devil always has a convenient fire for saints who are about to slip. Taking it easy is often the prelude to backsliding. Comfort precedes collapse.
Days later, Peter warmed at another fire, the coals his Master had kindled on the beach. There he met the question, "lovest thou Me?" John 21:16 and received the commission, "Feed My sheep."
Many Christians are living in an interim between Satan's Fire and the Saviour's fire. If you have fallen because you warmed yourself when you should have warned yourself, the Lord seeks an interview.
Peter, the backslider, was marked Special: "Go tell his disciples and Peter" (Mark 16:7). He does not want to fire you out but fire you up! If you have collapsed at Satan's fire, you may be converted at the Saviour's fire. Do not live "between fires." Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9122
And when they had kindled a fire . . . Peter sat down among them.
Luke 22:55
As soon as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there.
John 21:9
Peter warmed himself at the enemy's fire--and denied His Lord. The devil always has a convenient fire for saints who are about to slip. Taking it easy is often the prelude to backsliding. Comfort precedes collapse.
Days later, Peter warmed at another fire, the coals his Master had kindled on the beach. There he met the question, "lovest thou Me?" John 21:16 and received the commission, "Feed My sheep."
Many Christians are living in an interim between Satan's Fire and the Saviour's fire. If you have fallen because you warmed yourself when you should have warned yourself, the Lord seeks an interview.
Peter, the backslider, was marked Special: "Go tell his disciples and Peter" (Mark 16:7). He does not want to fire you out but fire you up! If you have collapsed at Satan's fire, you may be converted at the Saviour's fire. Do not live "between fires." Vance Havner
N.J.Hiebert - 9122
February 14
Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Matthew 13:52.
It is only with God-given treasure that we can enrich others. When we want to give a word to another, it generally seems to come with more power if, instead of casting about for what we think likely to suit them, we simply hand over to them any treasure word which He has freshly given to ourselves.
When He opens to us some shining bit of treasure, let us not forget: "Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8. Also, let us not stand idly waiting for some further opening of the treasure, but "let there be search made in the king's treasure house . . . search was made in the house of rolls, (archives) where the treasures were laid up . . . and therein was a record thus written . . ." Ezra 5:17, 6:1,2.
"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3). They are truly hidden riches.
Neither must we we trust in our own store of spiritual treasures, whether of memory, experience, or even of grace. No, it is only continual drawing from HIs good treasure that will profit us, even "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."(2 Corinthians 4:7) .
Frances Ridley Hvergal.
N.J.Hiebert - 9123
It is only with God-given treasure that we can enrich others. When we want to give a word to another, it generally seems to come with more power if, instead of casting about for what we think likely to suit them, we simply hand over to them any treasure word which He has freshly given to ourselves.
When He opens to us some shining bit of treasure, let us not forget: "Freely ye have received, freely give." Matthew 10:8. Also, let us not stand idly waiting for some further opening of the treasure, but "let there be search made in the king's treasure house . . . search was made in the house of rolls, (archives) where the treasures were laid up . . . and therein was a record thus written . . ." Ezra 5:17, 6:1,2.
"And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3). They are truly hidden riches.
Neither must we we trust in our own store of spiritual treasures, whether of memory, experience, or even of grace. No, it is only continual drawing from HIs good treasure that will profit us, even "The light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us."(2 Corinthians 4:7) .
Frances Ridley Hvergal.
N.J.Hiebert - 9123
February 15
SUSTAINED IN SUFFERING
In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3
None find such quick response at the throne of grace as suffering saints. Peter knocked at the gate of those who were assembled to seek God for him. (Acts 12:13) Almost as soon, their prayer knocked at heaven's gate in his behalf.
There is always a door more than the Christian sees in his prison, by which Christ can with a turn of His hand open a way for His saint's escape.
Man may, the devil to be sure will, leave all without help or protection, when in need, that do his work. But if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. When your faithfulness to Him has brought you into the briers: be not troubled if you are cast overboard.
Like Jonah, before you see the provision which God makes for your safety: it is always at hand, but sometimes out of sight, like Jonah's whale, sent of God to ferry him ashore under water, and the prophet in his belly, before he knew where he was.
That which you think comes to devour you, may be the messenger that God sends to bring you safe to land.
William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J.Hiebert - 9124
In the day when I cried Thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul. Psalm 138:3
None find such quick response at the throne of grace as suffering saints. Peter knocked at the gate of those who were assembled to seek God for him. (Acts 12:13) Almost as soon, their prayer knocked at heaven's gate in his behalf.
There is always a door more than the Christian sees in his prison, by which Christ can with a turn of His hand open a way for His saint's escape.
Man may, the devil to be sure will, leave all without help or protection, when in need, that do his work. But if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. When your faithfulness to Him has brought you into the briers: be not troubled if you are cast overboard.
Like Jonah, before you see the provision which God makes for your safety: it is always at hand, but sometimes out of sight, like Jonah's whale, sent of God to ferry him ashore under water, and the prophet in his belly, before he knew where he was.
That which you think comes to devour you, may be the messenger that God sends to bring you safe to land.
William Gurnall (1617-1679)
N.J.Hiebert - 9124
February 16
THANKFUL FOR SALVATION
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21) For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).
Strange, incomprehensibly
The Courts above are a strange place for me to tread. How can I find myself at ease there? Ah! Because of the accepted Sacrifice; up there everything belongs to Him. Without Him heaven would be a perfectly strange place to me.
But as soon as my mind gets occupied with Him in heaven, I know it to be true of me before God that Christ is there as the accepted Sacrifice for me, and faith acts on the fact of His being there to give me perfect ease. What a thing it is to be certain that if I were out of the body tonight, I have a life bound up with Christ up there, and I have got practical peace from His being up there as my accepted Sacrifice.
How can I hesitate to draw near to God when He has told us that His whole delight is in the accepted Sacrifice who has perfected me forever? That blood has done it--that death, which has become a record in heaven of what sin is, as well as a record of sin being put away from before God.
Oh what a light God has let shine in on me! He has let me know what a wretched thing I am--all ruin, all misery; but ah! I have fallen to the lot of the Lord Jesus. I am not a wretched man; I am a saved man, and where all is utterly marred and ruined, just there can I say, "I thank God through Jesus Christ." G. V. Wigram
N.J.Hiebert - 9125
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:21) For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14).
Strange, incomprehensibly
The Courts above are a strange place for me to tread. How can I find myself at ease there? Ah! Because of the accepted Sacrifice; up there everything belongs to Him. Without Him heaven would be a perfectly strange place to me.
But as soon as my mind gets occupied with Him in heaven, I know it to be true of me before God that Christ is there as the accepted Sacrifice for me, and faith acts on the fact of His being there to give me perfect ease. What a thing it is to be certain that if I were out of the body tonight, I have a life bound up with Christ up there, and I have got practical peace from His being up there as my accepted Sacrifice.
How can I hesitate to draw near to God when He has told us that His whole delight is in the accepted Sacrifice who has perfected me forever? That blood has done it--that death, which has become a record in heaven of what sin is, as well as a record of sin being put away from before God.
Oh what a light God has let shine in on me! He has let me know what a wretched thing I am--all ruin, all misery; but ah! I have fallen to the lot of the Lord Jesus. I am not a wretched man; I am a saved man, and where all is utterly marred and ruined, just there can I say, "I thank God through Jesus Christ." G. V. Wigram
N.J.Hiebert - 9125
February 17
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of Him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. Galatians 5:7-9
Faith in Christ alone can save. But what about the Galatians? Were they still being persecuted? When they turned from Christ to circumcision, then their persecution would cease. It may be that Paul would gently remind them of this. If Paul were preaching the doctrines of the Jews, then the scandal of the cross would surely have ceased.
It was such a scandalous thing to preach about a Man who had been nailed on a cross. This death was worse than being hanged on a gallows. This death was kept for slaves and for criminals of the worst kind. A Roman citizen could not be crucified. But Paul gloried in the cross. He loved to tell the story of the cross.
He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, nor of the cross of Christ. To him it was the power of God unto salvation. But to men of the world, it was a scandal. We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block (or scandal), and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:23,24) G. C. Willis
Christ the Saviour of sinners came into the world to save!
Sing His glory, His worth, His fame, Jesus alone can save!
No name else is given. Search through earth and heaven --
Jesus alone, Jesus alone, Jesus alone can save.
"Works of righteousness" all in vain, Jesus alone can save,
His blood cleanses from every stain, Jesus alone can save.
Now His work's completed, now in glory seated --
Jesus alone, Jesus alone can save, Jesus alone can save.
Inglis Fleming
N.J.Hiebert - 9126
Faith in Christ alone can save. But what about the Galatians? Were they still being persecuted? When they turned from Christ to circumcision, then their persecution would cease. It may be that Paul would gently remind them of this. If Paul were preaching the doctrines of the Jews, then the scandal of the cross would surely have ceased.
It was such a scandalous thing to preach about a Man who had been nailed on a cross. This death was worse than being hanged on a gallows. This death was kept for slaves and for criminals of the worst kind. A Roman citizen could not be crucified. But Paul gloried in the cross. He loved to tell the story of the cross.
He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, nor of the cross of Christ. To him it was the power of God unto salvation. But to men of the world, it was a scandal. We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block (or scandal), and unto the Greeks foolishness; but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 1:23,24) G. C. Willis
Christ the Saviour of sinners came into the world to save!
Sing His glory, His worth, His fame, Jesus alone can save!
No name else is given. Search through earth and heaven --
Jesus alone, Jesus alone, Jesus alone can save.
"Works of righteousness" all in vain, Jesus alone can save,
His blood cleanses from every stain, Jesus alone can save.
Now His work's completed, now in glory seated --
Jesus alone, Jesus alone can save, Jesus alone can save.
Inglis Fleming
N.J.Hiebert - 9126
February 18
I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3
The writing of this text is most remarkable! It was authored by an esteemed Scottish minister George Matheson who was totally blind and who described the writing as the "fruit of much mental suffering."
"My hymn was composed on the evening of June 6 1882, when I was 40 years of age. It was the night of my sister's marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life."
"I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. This came like a dayspring from on high."
Though never fully substantiated, it is claimed that it was the result of the reminder at his sister's wedding of the great disappointment that Matheson had experienced just before he was to have been married to his college fiancée. When told of his impending total blindness, she is said to have informed him, "I do not wish to be the wife of a blind preacher." Kenneth W. Osbeck
O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O light that follows all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee; my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine's blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.
O joy that seekest me thru pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow thru the rain, and know the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.
N.J.Hiebert - 9127
The writing of this text is most remarkable! It was authored by an esteemed Scottish minister George Matheson who was totally blind and who described the writing as the "fruit of much mental suffering."
"My hymn was composed on the evening of June 6 1882, when I was 40 years of age. It was the night of my sister's marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life."
"I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. This came like a dayspring from on high."
Though never fully substantiated, it is claimed that it was the result of the reminder at his sister's wedding of the great disappointment that Matheson had experienced just before he was to have been married to his college fiancée. When told of his impending total blindness, she is said to have informed him, "I do not wish to be the wife of a blind preacher." Kenneth W. Osbeck
O love that wilt not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee; I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow may richer, fuller be.
O light that follows all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee; my heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine's blaze its day may brighter, fairer be.
O joy that seekest me thru pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee; I trace the rainbow thru the rain, and know the promise is not vain that morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head, I dare not ask to fly from Thee; I lay in dust life's glory dead, and from the ground there blossoms red, life that shall endless be.
N.J.Hiebert - 9127
February 19
THE HEART REVEALED
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. Genesis 50:15
They remember that when Joseph was but a lad of seventeen, "They hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him," and now they conclude, "Joseph will peradventure hate us." Conscience recalls how wickedly they had acted in regard to Joseph, and now they say, He "will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him." They judge of his thoughts by their thoughts, of his heart by their hearts, and of his acts by their acts.
THE CONDITION REVEALED
Alas! are not we Christians today often times like Joseph's brethren of old? We know something of the glory of the Person of Christ, we know something of the efficacy of His work, we enjoy the benefits that flow from His finished work on the cross and His present service in the glory, but when some little crisis arises in our history it becomes manifest how little we know of His heart, and therefore what little confidence we have in Himself.
We lack that personal intimate acquaintance with Christ, by which alone His mind is learned in such fashion that we can say not only "I know what He has done for me," but "I know how He feels about me." The result is that in the presence of some special trial we are, like Joseph's brethren, greatly distressed in soul.
One has truly said, "nothing has contributed more to the present distraction of saints than the lack of personal relationship with the Lord. There has been a great and increased zeal to acquire knowledge of the Scriptures, but personal acquaintance with the Lord has not been correspondingly sought after".
Joseph - Hamilton Smith.
N.J.Hiebert - 9128
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. Genesis 50:15
They remember that when Joseph was but a lad of seventeen, "They hated him and could not speak peaceably unto him," and now they conclude, "Joseph will peradventure hate us." Conscience recalls how wickedly they had acted in regard to Joseph, and now they say, He "will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him." They judge of his thoughts by their thoughts, of his heart by their hearts, and of his acts by their acts.
THE CONDITION REVEALED
Alas! are not we Christians today often times like Joseph's brethren of old? We know something of the glory of the Person of Christ, we know something of the efficacy of His work, we enjoy the benefits that flow from His finished work on the cross and His present service in the glory, but when some little crisis arises in our history it becomes manifest how little we know of His heart, and therefore what little confidence we have in Himself.
We lack that personal intimate acquaintance with Christ, by which alone His mind is learned in such fashion that we can say not only "I know what He has done for me," but "I know how He feels about me." The result is that in the presence of some special trial we are, like Joseph's brethren, greatly distressed in soul.
One has truly said, "nothing has contributed more to the present distraction of saints than the lack of personal relationship with the Lord. There has been a great and increased zeal to acquire knowledge of the Scriptures, but personal acquaintance with the Lord has not been correspondingly sought after".
Joseph - Hamilton Smith.
N.J.Hiebert - 9128
February 20
LIGHTHOUSES BUILT ON SOLID ROCK
Ye are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men. Matthew 5:14-15
A few years ago, our family took a vacation up the New England coast and over to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. As we traveled, we found the lighthouses to be the most impressive sights along the shore. By day they were imposing-enough structures standing tall on cliffs or at the inlets of the ocean. But by night they were outstanding beacons, bright lights to guide ships away from harm's way and into safe harbour.
One lighthouse we visited looked like it grew right out of the solid rock upon which it was built. The water had worn away the rock below, but not the lighthouse which was situated high above the water. For over 100 years it not only kept ships from the dangerous rocks lurking just beneath the water's surface, but also guided their way into the safety of the nearby harbour.
Shouldn't Christians be situated like these lighthouses as well? Doesn't the Word of God call us to be built upon solid rock (Matthew 7:24), where we can both stand firm and be useful guides in the darkness and danger that is all around today? Shouldn't we be useful both to guide souls away from danger and into a safe and secure relationship with Jesus Christ?
When the Ethiopian eunuch told Philip he could not understand Scripture "except some man should guide me," (Acts 8:31,35). Philip responded immediately and announced the glad tidings of Jesus to him. Shouldn't we be ever ready to do likewise? L.J. Ondrejack
Brightly beams our Father's mercy from His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning! send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save. P. P. Bliss
N.J.Hiebert - 9129
Ye are the light of the world...let your light so shine before men. Matthew 5:14-15
A few years ago, our family took a vacation up the New England coast and over to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. As we traveled, we found the lighthouses to be the most impressive sights along the shore. By day they were imposing-enough structures standing tall on cliffs or at the inlets of the ocean. But by night they were outstanding beacons, bright lights to guide ships away from harm's way and into safe harbour.
One lighthouse we visited looked like it grew right out of the solid rock upon which it was built. The water had worn away the rock below, but not the lighthouse which was situated high above the water. For over 100 years it not only kept ships from the dangerous rocks lurking just beneath the water's surface, but also guided their way into the safety of the nearby harbour.
Shouldn't Christians be situated like these lighthouses as well? Doesn't the Word of God call us to be built upon solid rock (Matthew 7:24), where we can both stand firm and be useful guides in the darkness and danger that is all around today? Shouldn't we be useful both to guide souls away from danger and into a safe and secure relationship with Jesus Christ?
When the Ethiopian eunuch told Philip he could not understand Scripture "except some man should guide me," (Acts 8:31,35). Philip responded immediately and announced the glad tidings of Jesus to him. Shouldn't we be ever ready to do likewise? L.J. Ondrejack
Brightly beams our Father's mercy from His lighthouse evermore,
But to us He gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.
Let the lower lights be burning! send a gleam across the wave!
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save. P. P. Bliss
N.J.Hiebert - 9129
February 21
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? 1 Corinthians 9:7
If we run unsent, we shall not only be left to learn our folly, but to exhibit it. It is a teacher's business to set forth God's Word, and it is a servant's business to set forth the Master's will; but while all this is fully understood and admitted, we must ever remember the deep need there is of counting the cost ere we undertake to build a tower or go forth to war. (Luke 14:28)
Abraham was called of God from Ur to Canaan, and hence God led him forth on the way. When Abraham tarried at Charran, God waited for him; When he went down into Egypt, He restored him; when he needed guidance, He guided him; when there was a strife and a separation, He took care of him; so that Abraham had only to say, "Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee: which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)
He lost nothing by the strife. He had his tent and his altar before, and he had his tent and his altar afterwards. "Then Abraham removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." (Genesis 13:18)
Lot might choose Sodom; but as for Abraham, he sought and found his all in God. There was no altar in Sodom. Alas! all who travel in that direction are in quest of something quite different from that. It is never the worship of God, but the love of the world, that leads them thither. And even though they should attain their object, what is it?--how does it end? Just thus:
"He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." (Psalm 106:15) Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9130
If we run unsent, we shall not only be left to learn our folly, but to exhibit it. It is a teacher's business to set forth God's Word, and it is a servant's business to set forth the Master's will; but while all this is fully understood and admitted, we must ever remember the deep need there is of counting the cost ere we undertake to build a tower or go forth to war. (Luke 14:28)
Abraham was called of God from Ur to Canaan, and hence God led him forth on the way. When Abraham tarried at Charran, God waited for him; When he went down into Egypt, He restored him; when he needed guidance, He guided him; when there was a strife and a separation, He took care of him; so that Abraham had only to say, "Oh, how great is Thy goodness, which Thou hast laid up for them that fear Thee: which Thou hast wrought for them that trust in Thee before the sons of men!" (Psalm 31:19)
He lost nothing by the strife. He had his tent and his altar before, and he had his tent and his altar afterwards. "Then Abraham removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the Lord." (Genesis 13:18)
Lot might choose Sodom; but as for Abraham, he sought and found his all in God. There was no altar in Sodom. Alas! all who travel in that direction are in quest of something quite different from that. It is never the worship of God, but the love of the world, that leads them thither. And even though they should attain their object, what is it?--how does it end? Just thus:
"He gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul." (Psalm 106:15) Genesis - C. H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 9130
February 22
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