After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and Thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1
Abram had just been through some trying experiences--a famine in the land; the defection of his nephew Lot from the path of faith; the battle with the kings--but Abram had stood firm in his faith, unmoved by the swelling tide of circumstance.
It is "after these things," that God gave Abram this word of encouragement: Fear not. So it is as we tread this wilderness scene. Often we face trial upon trial, but our God is aware of it, and just when we need it, He gives that renewing word from Himself--fear not! William Burnett
Is the wilderness before thee, desert land where drought abides?
Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God's exhaustless tides.
Light divine surrounds thy going, God Himself shall mark thy way;
Secret blessings, richly flowing, lead to everlasting day.
In the desert God will teach thee what the God that thou has found,
Patient, gracious, powerful, holy, all His grace shall there abound.
Though thy way be long and dreary, eagle strength He'll still renew:
Garments fresh and foot unweary tell how God hath brought thee through.
When to Canaan's long-loved dwelling Love divine thy foot shall bring,
There, with shouts of triumph swelling, Zion's songs in rest to sing--
There no stranger-God shall meet thee, stranger thou in courts above,
He Who to His rest shall great thee, greets thee with a well-known love.
J. N. Darby 1837
N.J. Hiebert - 10132
It is "after these things," that God gave Abram this word of encouragement: Fear not. So it is as we tread this wilderness scene. Often we face trial upon trial, but our God is aware of it, and just when we need it, He gives that renewing word from Himself--fear not! William Burnett
Is the wilderness before thee, desert land where drought abides?
Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God's exhaustless tides.
Light divine surrounds thy going, God Himself shall mark thy way;
Secret blessings, richly flowing, lead to everlasting day.
In the desert God will teach thee what the God that thou has found,
Patient, gracious, powerful, holy, all His grace shall there abound.
Though thy way be long and dreary, eagle strength He'll still renew:
Garments fresh and foot unweary tell how God hath brought thee through.
When to Canaan's long-loved dwelling Love divine thy foot shall bring,
There, with shouts of triumph swelling, Zion's songs in rest to sing--
There no stranger-God shall meet thee, stranger thou in courts above,
He Who to His rest shall great thee, greets thee with a well-known love.
J. N. Darby 1837
N.J. Hiebert - 10132
November 20
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away. Matthew 24:35
Bibles are more plentiful today than they ever have been. The words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude today than ever before in the history of the world. The gospels have been handed down by the noblest of earth, through rivers of blood, at the cost of liberty and life, in the history of every nation in Christendom.
Christians have fought by weakness, enemies as diverse as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the people of Israel, and have always been victorious. The enemy, the devil, in one age, has prepared his weapons in the monasteries of superstition; in another he has conducted his warfare from the colleges of infidelity; but whether Greek or Jew, ignorant or intellectual, every weapon has failed.
Passed away! What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away. The cruelty of the inquisition and the scoffings of Voltaire have passed away. Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away."
Let the ages answer. Let history come with the officers to the seat of power and learning. With one voice all will say, "Never man spake like this Man."
"And the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take Him . . . Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (John 7:32,45,46)
Leonard Sheldrake (1885-1952) A Plant of Renown
N.J. Hiebert - 10133
Bibles are more plentiful today than they ever have been. The words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude today than ever before in the history of the world. The gospels have been handed down by the noblest of earth, through rivers of blood, at the cost of liberty and life, in the history of every nation in Christendom.
Christians have fought by weakness, enemies as diverse as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the people of Israel, and have always been victorious. The enemy, the devil, in one age, has prepared his weapons in the monasteries of superstition; in another he has conducted his warfare from the colleges of infidelity; but whether Greek or Jew, ignorant or intellectual, every weapon has failed.
Passed away! What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away. The cruelty of the inquisition and the scoffings of Voltaire have passed away. Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away."
Let the ages answer. Let history come with the officers to the seat of power and learning. With one voice all will say, "Never man spake like this Man."
"And the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take Him . . . Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (John 7:32,45,46)
Leonard Sheldrake (1885-1952) A Plant of Renown
N.J. Hiebert - 10133
November 21
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be? It spreads from one to another more quickly and certainly than any of the fevers we know so well. So, for the sake of others, let us refuse the spirit of fear which God never gives us (if He does not, who does?), and let us open our hearts wide to the Spirit "of power and love and discipline." We can do this if we will.
Thank God, courage is as infectious as discouragement. Have you not often felt the cheer and strength that seem to flow from one whose mind is stayed on God? I have. And I have been thinking of another, a greater, reason for refusing the spirit of fear. When we are downhearted, or fearful, or weak, we are saying to everybody, by looks and by deeds if not by by words, "After all, our Lord is not to be absolutely trusted."
Somewhere near us, though we do not see them, are others, the good angels and the spirits of evil. To them, too, when we yield to fear, we say the same dishonouring thing. So for the greater glory of our glorious Saviour Who has never once failed us, and never will fail us, Who has loved and led and guarded us all these years, let us look to Him now and pray from the ground of our heart, Lord, give us valour. Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose,
and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15
Whatever the fever, His touch can heal it; whatever the tempest, His voice can still;
There is only joy as we seek His pleasure, there is only rest as we chose His will.
And some day, after life's fitful fever, I think that we shall say, in the home on high,
If the hands that He touched but did His bidding,
How little it matters what else went by! Edith Cheery
N.J. Hiebert - 10134
Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be? It spreads from one to another more quickly and certainly than any of the fevers we know so well. So, for the sake of others, let us refuse the spirit of fear which God never gives us (if He does not, who does?), and let us open our hearts wide to the Spirit "of power and love and discipline." We can do this if we will.
Thank God, courage is as infectious as discouragement. Have you not often felt the cheer and strength that seem to flow from one whose mind is stayed on God? I have. And I have been thinking of another, a greater, reason for refusing the spirit of fear. When we are downhearted, or fearful, or weak, we are saying to everybody, by looks and by deeds if not by by words, "After all, our Lord is not to be absolutely trusted."
Somewhere near us, though we do not see them, are others, the good angels and the spirits of evil. To them, too, when we yield to fear, we say the same dishonouring thing. So for the greater glory of our glorious Saviour Who has never once failed us, and never will fail us, Who has loved and led and guarded us all these years, let us look to Him now and pray from the ground of our heart, Lord, give us valour. Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose,
and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15
Whatever the fever, His touch can heal it; whatever the tempest, His voice can still;
There is only joy as we seek His pleasure, there is only rest as we chose His will.
And some day, after life's fitful fever, I think that we shall say, in the home on high,
If the hands that He touched but did His bidding,
How little it matters what else went by! Edith Cheery
N.J. Hiebert - 10134
November 22
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou...hast redeemed us. Revelation 5:4,9
It is easy to become discouraged when we think about our world's sad state of affairs. There seems to be no end to its evil downward spiral. But, Christian, don't despair! Our Lord has already redeemed us with His own precious blood. He will one day execute judgment.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11) (Romans 14:11)
The victory is already won. It won't be long before our Lord will reign in righteousness and there will be peace on earth. --C. Mark Hogan
"Till He come," O let the words linger on the trembling chords,
Let the "little while" between in their golden light be seen;
Let us think how Heaven and home lie beyond that, "Till He come."
When the weary ones we love enter on their rest above,
Seems the earth so poor and vast, all our life joy overcast?
Hush be every murmur dumb; it is only, "Till He come."
Clouds and conflicts round us press; would we have one sorrow less?
All the sharpness of the cross, all that tells the world is lost,
Death and darkness, and the tomb, only whisper, "Till He come."
(1 Corinthians 11:26 Hebrews 10:37)
N.J. Hiebert - 10135
It is easy to become discouraged when we think about our world's sad state of affairs. There seems to be no end to its evil downward spiral. But, Christian, don't despair! Our Lord has already redeemed us with His own precious blood. He will one day execute judgment.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11) (Romans 14:11)
The victory is already won. It won't be long before our Lord will reign in righteousness and there will be peace on earth. --C. Mark Hogan
"Till He come," O let the words linger on the trembling chords,
Let the "little while" between in their golden light be seen;
Let us think how Heaven and home lie beyond that, "Till He come."
When the weary ones we love enter on their rest above,
Seems the earth so poor and vast, all our life joy overcast?
Hush be every murmur dumb; it is only, "Till He come."
Clouds and conflicts round us press; would we have one sorrow less?
All the sharpness of the cross, all that tells the world is lost,
Death and darkness, and the tomb, only whisper, "Till He come."
(1 Corinthians 11:26 Hebrews 10:37)
N.J. Hiebert - 10135
November 23
November 24
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