And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
Nebuchadnezzar gave instruction to Ashpenaz, the master of his eunuchs, that he should select certain capable young men from among the exiles for a career in the Civil Service of Babylon, and he defined the criteria to be used in the selection process. He stipulated that they must be of the royal line, handsome in appearance, and that they must have an outstanding academic record.
Quite clearly, this meant a process of elimination, so that only the best entered the king's service. When the selection process was finished, Daniel and his three companions were marked out as the best that had come from Judah. This was quite an honour, because Babylon was a great empire, boasting a sophisticated system of government and education.
How flattered Daniel and his companions could have felt to have been chosen for the best treatment that Babylon could give, and the promise of a bright career, with many opportunities for advancement. This attention could easily have gone to their heads, and made them clay in the hands of the Babylonian authorities.
This situation is not so far from what we face today. Amidst the chaos and confusion and the increasing violence of society, the world system is prepared to make attractive proposals to those who impress them with their personal ability and personality. The world has plans for people like this, and will make every attempt to mould these lives to suit that plan, with the promise that the relationship will be mutually beneficial. The system will get what it wants, and those willing to go along with it will realize the benefits of a secure career, a good salary, and desirable perks.
What could be more appealing than being singled out from the masses as outstanding, and being groomed in a special way for a bright career? But the sting is in the tail of this attractive situation, in that it can involve compromise in the area of faith, and the embracing of idolatry. We appeal to young men and women especially, along with those already in the world system of business, to be aware of what is going on, and to be prepared, like Daniel and his companions, to resist the attempts of the system to press you into its mould. Daniel - William Burnett
N.J. Hiebert - 20225
February 20
His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
Whatever throws you upon God is an immense gain to the soul. It is well for us all when we are grounded upon what has been termed the impregnable rock of scripture. Resting on this foundation opinions may come and opinions may go, but they will never be able to disturb the divine certainty of the soul that is able to say, "Thus it is written." We may always trust in the tenderness of the Lord, and fail as we may we may trust Him.
"Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." (John 11:5) In this very chapter Martha does nothing save to blunder, and exhibit her blindness to the glory of the Person of her Lord, and yet the chapter is prefaced by the statement that Jesus loved her. It touched me deeply as I saw a little of the significance of the statement, and it taught me that the Lord's love to us rises above all our failures, and that, therefore, we may count upon it and rest in it at all times.
His way is ever perfect, and it only needs that, with the knowledge of His love, we should repose in Him with unshaken confidence in all circumstances. It is ever a fatal mistake when we measure the difficulties of service by what we are. The question is what God is; and the difficulties that appear as mountains, looming through the mists of our unbelief, are nothing to Him but the occasion for the display of His omnipotent power.
There is nothing so destructive of confidence in God as a questioning mind. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
In heavenly love abiding, no change my heart shall fear,
And safe is such confiding, for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me, and can I be dismayed? A. Waring
N.J. Hiebert - 20226
February 21
And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord . . . as he journeyed, he came near Damascus; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: and he fell to the earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. . . . Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands; on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts 9:1-20
Now Saul is a Christian. Everybody was amazed, and God's power was with him, so that he confounded the Jews in Damascus, proving that Jesus truly is the Christ, the Messiah. They tried to kill him, as they had killed the Christ. He went away from the crowds of men into the deserts of Arabia. "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia . . ." (Galatians 1:17)
I am sure Saul of Tarsus went to Arabia to be alone with God. I can well understand that Saul felt he must have quiet, and time to be alone, and to hear God speak to him. This is a lesson you and I need. We know nothing of this visit to Arabia, but we can well understand it. It is just what we would have expected. I do not doubt he took with him his Bible, (Old Testament, for there was no New Testament then), and that there alone with God, the Holy Spirit made this book shine with a new light and glory, as He showed him JESUS on every page.
I do not doubt the Holy Spirit taught him many such things during this time in Arabia. Christian reader, if we are to serve God acceptably, we also must have our time in Arabia. We also must get time alone with God. With most of us, we have only to follow our Master when He rose up a great while before day, and we will be alone with God. May you and I learn the depth of meaning there is in those few words, "I went away into Arabia." Meditations on Galatians - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 20227
February 22
And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake? 2 Samuel 9:1
David gives free flow to his mercy toward those whom he desires to bless. There was no reason that his interest should be drawn toward the house of Saul; this house had ever made war against David and, as far as its present condition was concerned, only its misery could attract the king's attention. But it is precisely misery that attracts grace. "Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?" (verse 3). That is, divine kindness.
Ziba comes to tell him that there was a poor miserable person, a man whose both feet were lame. They were lame because in time past he had fled from the one whose only thought was to bless him. The King sends for him, for this Mephibosheth who was numbered among "the lame and the blind hated of David's soul" (ch. 5:8). This lame man presents himself before David. What emotions must have stirred in the heart of this poor cripple! With what anguish he must have pictured the fate awaiting him!
David had indeed told Ziba that he would exercise mercy toward Saul's descendants, but when once he had this offshoot of the family which had hunted him mercilessly would David still dream of exercising the promised mercy toward him? "And David said, Mephibosheth!" (verse 6) He calls him by name, the name that no one had pronounced in his presence. David knows me then; does he remember me? the wretch must be thinking. And Mephibosheth, bowed at the king's feet, says: "Behold thy servant!" (verse 6).
David does what the Lord always does when He desires to gain a sinner's confidence. He says to him: "Fear not," when this poor soul terrified by the judgment he was expecting finds himself at the feet of his judge. "Fear not; for I will certainly show thee kindness for Johnathan thy father's sake." (verse 7) . He remembers his covenant with Jonathan; he had bound himself to Jonathan by promises not to repented of (1 Samuel 20:14-17); he could not and would not break them. Mephibosheth had nothing to fear for his judge is telling him: "I will surely show thee kindness."
But David doe not stop there: "I will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father." He gives Mephibosheth a most privileged place at his court. He eats with the king; and much more, he does so "As one of the king's sons" (verse 11). Before the eyes of all David gives him the tittle and relationship of a son! Dr. H. L. Rossier
N.J. Hiebert - 20228
February 23
And He took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him. Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill Him: and the third day He shall rise again. Mark 10:32-34
Jesus was going before them: and they that followed were afraid. They are terrified by the dread possibilities which are before them; they are awed by the majestic fortitude of the Master. Let us pause to gaze on that face and form, the Son of God, going with unfaltering step toward the cross! Does it not awaken new love as we see how voluntary was His death for us; yet do we not wonder at the meaning and the mystery of that death?
The disciples cannot understand it. They are not able to believe it; yet, for the third time, He repeats the prediction, this time with a detail more full of horror than before: "They shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him unto the Gentiles: and they shall mock Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall scourge Him." (Mark 10:33) This is proof that Jesus saw in all its terrors the tragedy toward which He moved with such majestic, unfaltering tread.
This, too, is a proof that He was more than man, in His clear vision of the future, in His knowledge of things to come. This further suggests that His death was no mere incident in His career, no mere seal to His testimony; it was the goal toward which He was moving; He had not come merely "to minister," but "to give His life a ransom for many." (Mark 10:45).
No one was to take His life from Him Freely He was to offer His life for us. Death, however, was not His ultimate goal. His prediction always was, "After three days He shall rise again." The fulfillment of that promise became the final vindication of all His claims; it was the explanation of His matchless love. "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross." (Hebrews 12:2) Charles R. Erdman
N.J. Hiebert - 20229
February 24
"I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." Nehemiah 6:3
One of Satan's favourite employees is the "switchman." He likes nothing better than to side-track one of God's express trains, sent on some blessed mission and filled with fire of a holy purpose.
Something will come up in the pathway of an earnest soul, to attract its attention, and occupy its strength and thought. Sometimes it is a little irritation and provocation. Sometimes it is some petty grievance we stop to pursue or adjust.
Very often, and before we are aware of it, we are absorbed in a lot of distracting cares and interests that quite turn us aside from the great purpose of our life.
We may not do much harm, but we have missed our connection. We have gotten off the main line.
Let these things alone. Let distractions come and go, but press forward steadily and irresistibly with your God-given task. The eagle flying in the upper air, pays but little or no attention to what is going on in the earth below him. As children of God we are to occupy our rightful place, "in the heavenlies," "far above all" these petty things. God would have us to be "eagle saints." Let us not stoop from our position! Dr. A. B. Simpson
Be Thou the object bright and fair to fill and satisfy the heart;
My hope to meet Thee in the air, and nevermore from Thee to part:
That I may undistracted be to follow, serve, and wait for Thee. G. W. Frazer
N.J. Hiebert - 20230
February 25
"THE GOOD OLD DAYS"
Where is the Lord God of Elijah? 2 Kings 2:14
Elisha did not ask for the return of Elijah or sigh for the good old days of Elijah. Some of us are like Saul trying to call up departed Samuels (1 Samuel 28:11). "What would Moody do today? Oh, for the times we used to have!"
A subscriber wrote to a magazine editor, "Your magazine is not as good as it used to be." The editor replied, "It never has been." The times have never been as good as they used to be!
The early church, fresh from Pentecost, had barely started, when "there arose a murmuring." (Acts 6:1). Look at Corinth! (1 Corinthians 5:1). Don't forget Ananias and Sapphira, (Acts 5:1-11), the Galatians (Galatians 3:1), and Colossians (Colossians 2:8), Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2), the plight of Ephesus, Sardis, Laodicea (Revelation chapters. 2&3). It has always been so, yet God has carried on.
Looking back to the good old days is not the way out. Looking up to the God of "All the Days" is. (Psalm 23:6). Elijah goes, but "Thou, O Lord, remainest." (Hebrews 1:11).
Day by Day with Vance Havner
Jesus! Thou art enough the mind and heart to fill;
Thy patient life--to calm the soul; Thy love--its fear dispel.
O fix our earnest gaze so wholly, Lord, on Thee,
That, with Thy beauty occupied, we elsewhere none may see.
N.J Hiebert - 20231
February 26
