Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the later day upon the earth. Job 19:23-25
Monuments of stone will wear away and their inscriptions perish. The words of Christ spoken and written in the Scriptures, are not only remembered on earth, they are forever settled in heaven. There the beauty of those precious words will never wear away.
They had a way of preserving fruit a hundred years ago that I understand is now lost. I have seen a dish of oranges and apples that look as lovely as though freshly plucked from the trees. That fruit was seventy-five years old. It looked nice but it was as hard as rock. It was only good to look at; it could not be eaten.
This is like the preserved words of ancient men; the volumes look nice on library shelves, but not one in a hundred would take the trouble to read them, or to listen to them being read. Their power and life are gone.
The ancient writings are mostly heavy, dead, and uninteresting; but the souls of men still feed on the words of Christ today as they did a thousand years ago. "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63) In this His words are different; they are fresh and satisfying, like fruit from our orchards in the summertime. Truly, "Never man spake like this Man." (John 7:46)
A Plant of Renown - Leonard Sheldrake.
N.J. Hiebert - 10183
January 11
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2
I've seen the face of Jesus...it was a wondrous sight! Oh, glorious face of beauty, Oh gentle touch of care; If here it is so blessed, what will it be up there? W. Spencer Walton
In our fast-paced daily life, how easy it is to get caught up in the "things of earth" so that eternal values become blurred and almost forgotten. As we conclude the first month's journey through this new year, we need today's hymn to remind us that we must continue to make Christ the central core of our lives--to pursue the kingdom of God and His righteousness--if we are to be victorious believers.
In 1918, Helen Howarth Lemmel (1864-1961) the author and composer of this hymn, was given a tract by a missionary friend. As she read it, Helen's attention was focused on this line: "So then, turn your eyes upon Him, look full into His face, and you will find that the things of earth will acquire a strange new dimness." She wrote the following hymn the same week. Kenneth W. Osbeck
O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Saviour, and life more abundant and free!
Thru death into life everlasting He passed, and we follow Him there;
over us sin no more hath dominion--for more than conq'rors we are!
His word shall not fail you--He promised; believe Him, and all will be well:
then go to a world that is dying, His perfect salvation to tell!
Chorus: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.
N.J. Hiebert - 10185
January 12
CURE FOR SELF-PITY
Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust. Psalms 103:13,14.
Self-pity can become a ruinous habit. We weaken our powers feeling sorry for ourselves and defeat ourselves in advance before the battle begins. We do not know all the facts anyway and may be lamenting something that may be God's providence working things out for our good, as they always do to them that love God and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)
He knows our frame and He expects from us only what His grace will enable us to do. Do not count on yourself and then you will not be disappointed. Count on God and again you will not be disappointed!
Our Father pities His children. Let Him do it--don't pity yourself.
All the days - Vance Havner
Our times are in Thy hand, Father, we wish them there;
Our life, our soul, our all, we leave entirely to Thy care.
Our times are in Thy hand, whatever they may be,
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to Thee.
Our times are in Thy hand, why should we doubt or fear?
A Father's hand will never cause His child a needless tear.
(W. F. Lloyd - 1835)
10186
January 13
January 14
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