Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy Word. (Psalm 119:9) For we have not followed cunningly devised fables.
(2 Peter 1:16)
Some tell me that the Bible is not God's sacred Word,
And brand as cunning fables the records of the Lord;
That Moses is a fiction, that prophets never spake,
And e'en the blessed Gospels as myths I must forsake.
There was a time I listened to those old serpent lies,
My foolish heart sore tempted the Bible to despise;
Its holiness rebuked me, its precepts, crossed my will,
I wished to silence conscience, and thus my lusts fulfil.
I cared not for the Saviour, this present world I loved,
Its lusts, and wealth, and glory, alone my passions moved;
I cared not for a heaven, I hoped there were no hell,
I wished for no hereafter, I loved my sins too well.
His mercy still pursued me, while wandering far away,
His hand with sickness smote me, to wound, but not to slay;
His Spirit then convinced me, and brought my guilt to light;
I saw my lost condition, how awful was the sight!
The serpent's crafty teachings, the heart's deceitful lies,
The skeptic's subtle reasonings, all vanish from my eyes.
Naked, and lost, and guilty, beneath God's searching eye,
Eternity before me, Oh! whither could I fly?
Oh, then what beauteous sunshine burst on my raptured sight!
It chased away the darkness, and all was life, and light.
I saw how grace and glory in God's free gospel shone,
Before the cross, my terrors and unbelief were gone.
I love the blessed Bible, I know it all is true;
It is a faithful mirror in which myself I view;
It shows me all my weakness, my folly and my shame,
But makes thereby more precious my Saviour's grace and Name. The Remembrancer 1897
N.J. Hiebert - 10102
And brand as cunning fables the records of the Lord;
That Moses is a fiction, that prophets never spake,
And e'en the blessed Gospels as myths I must forsake.
There was a time I listened to those old serpent lies,
My foolish heart sore tempted the Bible to despise;
Its holiness rebuked me, its precepts, crossed my will,
I wished to silence conscience, and thus my lusts fulfil.
I cared not for the Saviour, this present world I loved,
Its lusts, and wealth, and glory, alone my passions moved;
I cared not for a heaven, I hoped there were no hell,
I wished for no hereafter, I loved my sins too well.
His mercy still pursued me, while wandering far away,
His hand with sickness smote me, to wound, but not to slay;
His Spirit then convinced me, and brought my guilt to light;
I saw my lost condition, how awful was the sight!
The serpent's crafty teachings, the heart's deceitful lies,
The skeptic's subtle reasonings, all vanish from my eyes.
Naked, and lost, and guilty, beneath God's searching eye,
Eternity before me, Oh! whither could I fly?
Oh, then what beauteous sunshine burst on my raptured sight!
It chased away the darkness, and all was life, and light.
I saw how grace and glory in God's free gospel shone,
Before the cross, my terrors and unbelief were gone.
I love the blessed Bible, I know it all is true;
It is a faithful mirror in which myself I view;
It shows me all my weakness, my folly and my shame,
But makes thereby more precious my Saviour's grace and Name. The Remembrancer 1897
N.J. Hiebert - 10102
October 21
For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:19-20
At the birth of the Lord the earth was saluted with words of peace. "Peace on earth," the angels proclaimed in the fields of Bethlehem. (Luke 2:14)
This, however, was but a salutation. It was not the authoritative pronunciation of peace. It was like the word which the Lord afterwards put into the lips of the seventy, in Luke 10:5 when sending them out. He then told them, into whatsoever house they entered first to say, "Peace be to this house." This was a salutation, a wishing them well, the proclamation of good will towards the house, not an authoritative pronunciation of peace: that would rather follow on its being found that the Son of peace was there.
Upon the resurrection of the Lord, however, we have the other thing. "Peace be unto you," the risen Saviour said to His disciples, being thus returned to them--and when He said that, He showed them His hands and His side. (John 20:19-20) He gave them to read their title to peace. Peace was not now merely wished, but authoritatively pronounced, conveyed to them on the warrant of the cross. Jesus now gave peace to them, because He had already made it for them.
And this is the peace that we, who have it, may testify to our fellow-sinners. We do not, like the commissioned seventy, merely say, "Peace be to this house," as saluting it, or wishing it well, but we proclaim to it the sure, settled, purchased peace which sinners have title to in the blood of the cross.
J.G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 10103
At the birth of the Lord the earth was saluted with words of peace. "Peace on earth," the angels proclaimed in the fields of Bethlehem. (Luke 2:14)
This, however, was but a salutation. It was not the authoritative pronunciation of peace. It was like the word which the Lord afterwards put into the lips of the seventy, in Luke 10:5 when sending them out. He then told them, into whatsoever house they entered first to say, "Peace be to this house." This was a salutation, a wishing them well, the proclamation of good will towards the house, not an authoritative pronunciation of peace: that would rather follow on its being found that the Son of peace was there.
Upon the resurrection of the Lord, however, we have the other thing. "Peace be unto you," the risen Saviour said to His disciples, being thus returned to them--and when He said that, He showed them His hands and His side. (John 20:19-20) He gave them to read their title to peace. Peace was not now merely wished, but authoritatively pronounced, conveyed to them on the warrant of the cross. Jesus now gave peace to them, because He had already made it for them.
And this is the peace that we, who have it, may testify to our fellow-sinners. We do not, like the commissioned seventy, merely say, "Peace be to this house," as saluting it, or wishing it well, but we proclaim to it the sure, settled, purchased peace which sinners have title to in the blood of the cross.
J.G. Bellett
N.J. Hiebert - 10103
October 22
And the people shall go out and gather a certain rate [portion] every day. Exodus16:4
The day's portion in its day: Such was the rule for God's giving and man's working in the ingathering of the manna. It is still the law in all the dealings of God's grace with His children. A clear insight into the beauty and application of this arrangement is a wonderful help in understanding. Now one, who feels himself utterly weak, can have the confidence and the perseverance to hold on brightly through all the years of his earthly course.
A doctor was once asked by a patient who had met with a serious accident: "Doctor, how long shall I have to lie here?" The answer, "Only a day at a time," taught the patient a precious lesson. It was the same lesson God had recorded for His people of all ages long before: The day's portion in its day.
It was, without doubt, with a view to this, and to meet man's weakness, that God graciously appointed the change of day and and night. If time had been given to man in the form of one long unbroken day, it would have exhausted and overwhelmed him; the change of day and night continually recruits and recreates his powers. As a child, who easily makes himself master of a book, when each day only the lesson for the day is given him, would be utterly hopeless if the whole book were given him at once; so it would be with man, if there were no divisions in time.
Broken small and divided into fragments, he can bear them; only the care and the work of each day have to be undertaken,--the day's portion in its day. The rest of the night fits him for making a fresh start with each new morning; the mistakes of the past can be avoided, its lessons improved. And he has only each day to be faithful for the one short day, and long years and a long life take care of themselves, without the sense of their length or their weight ever being a burden. Andrew Murray
N.J. Hiebert - 10104
The day's portion in its day: Such was the rule for God's giving and man's working in the ingathering of the manna. It is still the law in all the dealings of God's grace with His children. A clear insight into the beauty and application of this arrangement is a wonderful help in understanding. Now one, who feels himself utterly weak, can have the confidence and the perseverance to hold on brightly through all the years of his earthly course.
A doctor was once asked by a patient who had met with a serious accident: "Doctor, how long shall I have to lie here?" The answer, "Only a day at a time," taught the patient a precious lesson. It was the same lesson God had recorded for His people of all ages long before: The day's portion in its day.
It was, without doubt, with a view to this, and to meet man's weakness, that God graciously appointed the change of day and and night. If time had been given to man in the form of one long unbroken day, it would have exhausted and overwhelmed him; the change of day and night continually recruits and recreates his powers. As a child, who easily makes himself master of a book, when each day only the lesson for the day is given him, would be utterly hopeless if the whole book were given him at once; so it would be with man, if there were no divisions in time.
Broken small and divided into fragments, he can bear them; only the care and the work of each day have to be undertaken,--the day's portion in its day. The rest of the night fits him for making a fresh start with each new morning; the mistakes of the past can be avoided, its lessons improved. And he has only each day to be faithful for the one short day, and long years and a long life take care of themselves, without the sense of their length or their weight ever being a burden. Andrew Murray
N.J. Hiebert - 10104
October 23
Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. . . . Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. (Romans 6:6,9)
There are those who tell us that the flesh in them is dead, or is "burned out," and will never act again. No, the flesh is very much alive, as we will soon see, if we do not heed the Holy Spirit within us.
There was a man who insisted that his flesh was dead, and he had no more passionate desires. Someone threw a cup of water in his face, and immediately he lost his temper, and became very angry. His flesh was not dead, but was only waiting for an opportunity to manifest itself. Though the flesh is not dead, and will be with us as long as we are down on this earth, yet we may thank God that He has provided a way in which it may be kept in the place of death. (Romans 6:6-13)
But the only way I can put this into practical effect in my life, is by walking by the Spirit, letting the Spirit lead me, yielding myself and my members to God, to lead me, and use me as He pleases. So I live to God, not to the flesh.
This life is produced in us by the work of the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God. The Christians's walk should show forth this new life, which indeed manifests Christ, for Christ is our life. If we follow this path we shall not at all give effect to the passionate cravings of the flesh. It is thus we avoid sin, not by taking the law to compel us to do what we do not wish to do. The law has no power to compel the flesh to obey, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7) Galatians or Beautiful Grace - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 10105
There are those who tell us that the flesh in them is dead, or is "burned out," and will never act again. No, the flesh is very much alive, as we will soon see, if we do not heed the Holy Spirit within us.
There was a man who insisted that his flesh was dead, and he had no more passionate desires. Someone threw a cup of water in his face, and immediately he lost his temper, and became very angry. His flesh was not dead, but was only waiting for an opportunity to manifest itself. Though the flesh is not dead, and will be with us as long as we are down on this earth, yet we may thank God that He has provided a way in which it may be kept in the place of death. (Romans 6:6-13)
But the only way I can put this into practical effect in my life, is by walking by the Spirit, letting the Spirit lead me, yielding myself and my members to God, to lead me, and use me as He pleases. So I live to God, not to the flesh.
This life is produced in us by the work of the Holy Spirit, through the Word of God. The Christians's walk should show forth this new life, which indeed manifests Christ, for Christ is our life. If we follow this path we shall not at all give effect to the passionate cravings of the flesh. It is thus we avoid sin, not by taking the law to compel us to do what we do not wish to do. The law has no power to compel the flesh to obey, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7) Galatians or Beautiful Grace - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 10105
October 24
PROFIT AND LOSS
What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
What are all the schemes and undertakings which begin, continue, and end in time, when compared with eternity and the salvation of your never-dying soul? They are as the small dust of the balance. "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his owns soul?"
If you had the wealth of a Rothchild--the money-king; if you stood on the loftiest pinnacles of literary fame or political ambition; if your name were adorned with all the honour which the universities of this world could bestow; if your brow were wreathed with the laurels and your breast covered wth the medals of a hundred victories, what would it profit you?
You must leave all - you must pass through the narrow arch of time into the boundless ocean of eternity. Men of princely wealth, men of literary fame, men who have ruled by their intellectual power in the highest political offices; men who have held thousands hanging entranced upon their lips; men who have reached the very highest point of naval, military, and forensic distinction, have passed into eternity; and the solemn question as to each such is, "Where is their soul?" C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 10106
What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Mark 8:36
What are all the schemes and undertakings which begin, continue, and end in time, when compared with eternity and the salvation of your never-dying soul? They are as the small dust of the balance. "What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his owns soul?"
If you had the wealth of a Rothchild--the money-king; if you stood on the loftiest pinnacles of literary fame or political ambition; if your name were adorned with all the honour which the universities of this world could bestow; if your brow were wreathed with the laurels and your breast covered wth the medals of a hundred victories, what would it profit you?
You must leave all - you must pass through the narrow arch of time into the boundless ocean of eternity. Men of princely wealth, men of literary fame, men who have ruled by their intellectual power in the highest political offices; men who have held thousands hanging entranced upon their lips; men who have reached the very highest point of naval, military, and forensic distinction, have passed into eternity; and the solemn question as to each such is, "Where is their soul?" C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 10106
October 25
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.
2 Timothy 1:12
The vanity of the flesh likes to be popular and self-important and make itself prominent before the world and the saints, but in view of that day, it is better to take a lowly place in self-effacement rather than a public place in self-advertisement, for then it will be found that many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
We may indeed suffer for our own failure, and this should humble us. Nevertheless, with the example of the Apostle before us, we do well to remember that had we walked in absolute faithfulness we should have suffered still more, for it ever remains true that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
If we are faithful to the light that God has given us, and seek to walk in separation from all that is a denial of the truth, we shall find, in our little measure, that we shall have to face persecution and opposition, and, in its most painful forms, from our fellow-Christians. And well for us, when the trial comes, if we can, like Paul, commit all to the Lord, and wait for His vindication in that day.
Too often we are fretful and impatient in the presence of wrongs, and seek to have have them righted in this day instead of waiting for "that day." If, in the faith of our souls, the glory of that day shines before us, instead of being tempted to rebel at the insults and wrongs that may be allowed, we shall "rejoice and be exceeding glad" for, says the Lord, "great is your reward in heaven " (Matthew 5:12) Hamilton Smith - The second Epistle of Timothy
N.J. Hiebert - 10107
2 Timothy 1:12
The vanity of the flesh likes to be popular and self-important and make itself prominent before the world and the saints, but in view of that day, it is better to take a lowly place in self-effacement rather than a public place in self-advertisement, for then it will be found that many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
We may indeed suffer for our own failure, and this should humble us. Nevertheless, with the example of the Apostle before us, we do well to remember that had we walked in absolute faithfulness we should have suffered still more, for it ever remains true that "all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Timothy 3:12).
If we are faithful to the light that God has given us, and seek to walk in separation from all that is a denial of the truth, we shall find, in our little measure, that we shall have to face persecution and opposition, and, in its most painful forms, from our fellow-Christians. And well for us, when the trial comes, if we can, like Paul, commit all to the Lord, and wait for His vindication in that day.
Too often we are fretful and impatient in the presence of wrongs, and seek to have have them righted in this day instead of waiting for "that day." If, in the faith of our souls, the glory of that day shines before us, instead of being tempted to rebel at the insults and wrongs that may be allowed, we shall "rejoice and be exceeding glad" for, says the Lord, "great is your reward in heaven " (Matthew 5:12) Hamilton Smith - The second Epistle of Timothy
N.J. Hiebert - 10107
October 26
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together . . . but exhorting one another. Hebrews 10:25.
When you get into the house, what are you doing together? Are you to be down in the depths of conscious ruin? No; but exhorting one another to love and to good works. These are the activities of the house. We dwell together in one happy house, exhorting one another, and so much the more as we point to the sky and say, "Look! the dawning of morning is near; the sky is breaking."
We want a great deal more to exhort one another to know our dignity in Christ than to know our degradation in ourselves. It is very right to know ourselves poor worthless creatures. Confession is very right; but to gird up the mind to the apprehension of our dignity is much more acceptable and priestly work than to be ever in the depths. "Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD. (Psalm 130:1).
Here we see ourselves accepted; holding our hope without wavering; exhorting one another; and saying, as we point to the eastern sky. "The dawn is coming."
Musings on the Epistle to the Hebrews - J. G. Bellett (1795)
The holiest we enter in perfect peace with God,
Through whom we found our centre, in Jesus and His blood:
Though great may be our dullness in thought, and word, and deed,
We glory in the fulness of Him that meets our need.
Mary Bowley
N.J. Hiebert - 10108
When you get into the house, what are you doing together? Are you to be down in the depths of conscious ruin? No; but exhorting one another to love and to good works. These are the activities of the house. We dwell together in one happy house, exhorting one another, and so much the more as we point to the sky and say, "Look! the dawning of morning is near; the sky is breaking."
We want a great deal more to exhort one another to know our dignity in Christ than to know our degradation in ourselves. It is very right to know ourselves poor worthless creatures. Confession is very right; but to gird up the mind to the apprehension of our dignity is much more acceptable and priestly work than to be ever in the depths. "Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O LORD. (Psalm 130:1).
Here we see ourselves accepted; holding our hope without wavering; exhorting one another; and saying, as we point to the eastern sky. "The dawn is coming."
Musings on the Epistle to the Hebrews - J. G. Bellett (1795)
The holiest we enter in perfect peace with God,
Through whom we found our centre, in Jesus and His blood:
Though great may be our dullness in thought, and word, and deed,
We glory in the fulness of Him that meets our need.
Mary Bowley
N.J. Hiebert - 10108
October 27
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the king of England to blaze in his crown of state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put in the hands of an expert lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it? He took this gem of priceless value. He cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand, cleft in twain.
What recklessness! what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness! Not so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world. Do you say that blow was a mistake! No. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill.
When he struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was in fact its perfect redemption. For, from these two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mines.
So, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life. The soul cries out in an agony of wondering protest. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe. Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King of kings. As you lie in His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from it depths of blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you. J. H. McConkey
N.J. Hiebert - 10109
Several years ago there was found in an African mine the most magnificent diamond in the world's history. It was presented to the king of England to blaze in his crown of state. The king sent it to Amsterdam to be cut. It was put in the hands of an expert lapidary. And what do you suppose he did with it? He took this gem of priceless value. He cut a notch in it. Then he struck it a hard blow with his instrument and lo! the superb jewel lay in his hand, cleft in twain.
What recklessness! what wastefulness! what criminal carelessness! Not so. For days and weeks that blow had been studied and planned. Drawings and models had been made of the gem. Its quality, its defects, its lines of cleavage had all been studied with minutest care. The man to whom it was committed was one of the most skillful lapidaries in the world. Do you say that blow was a mistake! No. It was the climax of the lapidary's skill.
When he struck that blow, he did the one thing which would bring that gem to its most perfect shapeliness, radiance, and jewelled splendor. That blow which seemed to ruin the superb precious stone was in fact its perfect redemption. For, from these two halves were wrought the two magnificent gems which the skilled eye of the lapidary saw hidden in the rough, uncut stone as it came from the mines.
So, sometimes, God lets a stinging blow fall upon your life. The soul cries out in an agony of wondering protest. The blow seems to you an appalling mistake. But it is not, for you are the most priceless jewel in the world to God. And He is the most skilled lapidary in the universe. Some day you are to blaze in the diadem of the King of kings. As you lie in His hand now He knows just how to deal with you. Not a blow will be permitted to fall upon your shrinking soul but that the love of God permits it, and works out from it depths of blessing and spiritual enrichment unseen, and unthought of by you. J. H. McConkey
N.J. Hiebert - 10109
October 28
October 29
October 30
