Bible Gems

Sunday, March 1, 2026

Gems from March 1- 6, 2026

March 1

This book...shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night. Joshua 1:8

Go to God by prayer for a key to unlock the mysteries of His word. It is not the plodding but the praying soul, that will get this treasure of scripture knowledge. God often brings a truth to the Christian's hand as a return of prayer, which He had long hunted for in vain with much labour and study: "There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets" (Daniel 2:28); and where does He reveal the secrets of His word but at the throne of grace?

"From the first day," saith the angel, "that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words". (Daniel 10:12) And what was this heavenly messenger's errand to Daniel but to open more fully the Scripture to him? as appears by verse  14 compared with verse 21. This holy man had got some knowledge by his study in the word, and this sets him to praying, and prayer fetched an angel from heaven to give him more light.

- "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee." Psalm 119:11. It was not the Bible in his hand to read it, not the word of his tongue to speak of it; but the hiding it in his heart, that he found effectual against sin.

- "Quench not the Spirit, despise not prophesyings" (1 Thessalonians 5:19,20)  They are coupled together; he that despises one loses both. If the scholar is too proud to learn of the usher (guide), he is unworthy to be taught by the master.

- "They shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables" (2 Timothy 4:3,4). Satan commonly stops the ear from hearing sound doctrine, before he opens it to embrace corrupt doctrine.   William Gurnall

N.J. Hiebert - 20235

March 2

LONELINESS

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the housetop. Psalm 102:7

Loneliness is a very unpleasant feeling. Many who have lost loved ones know the emotion, the feeling, even many years after their loss. Such feelings were well understood by the Lord as He too passed through a deep sense of loneliness. In the latter part of Matthew the Lord foretells His coming rejection and crucifixion. He speaks of Judas's betrayal; He tells His disciples they will all forsake Him, and mentions Peter's threefold denial.

In the garden the Lord separates from His disciples to pray. Even though three are invited to follow closer, they are unable to watch with Him as sleep overcomes them, and they are not at the Lord's side either as He prays to His Father.  The Lord is alone. Soon afterward, the multitude comes to take Him, and His disciples flee. During all His appearances before the authorities, He has no one at His side. He was rejected by the people, whom He had served so wonderfully--"Crucify Him, crucify Him" was their clamour: "We will not have this Man to reign over us." Those who loved Him, who stood by the cross, stood afar off.

What loneliness He felt. The Psalms very vividly describe the thoughts of His heart: "I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none." (Psalm 69:20) "Lover and friend hast thou put far from Me." (Psalm 88:18) "I am like a pelican of the wilderness...and am as a sparrow alone on the housetop." (Psalm 102:6,7)

Then the climax, the last three hours on the cross, when darkness enshrouded Him and the heart-rending cry echoed forth, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46) Yes, there are times when we are lonely and it hurts, yet there is no loneliness or sorrow comparable to His. But in all our sorrow we have One to whom we can go, One who gives comfort and support in times of deepest need, because He understands.    Albert Blok

N.J. Hiebert - 20236

"But be of good cheer if your hearts are set on Christ: there is your stay, the anchor of your soul. If He is such, dear friends, stand forward for Him; be not ashamed to own your relationship to Him, your dependence on Him: be decided, cut short all expedients for deferring the bold acknowledgment of your being His; confess Him before men, and act for Him, and live for Him in an ungodly world. He is not ashamed to call you brethren; and will you be ashamed to confess Him as your Lord and Master in the face of all the world?" -John Nelson Darby

March 3

To Timothy, my dearly beloved son: grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 2 Timothy1:2

The Apostle can address Timothy as his "beloved son (child)." What a comfort that in a day of ruin there are those to whom we can unreservedly express our affection, and to whom in all confidence we can unburden our hearts. Two leading characteristics in Timothy drew forth the love and confidence of Paul.

First, he was mindful of his tears; secondly, he remembered his unfeigned faith. The tears of Timothy proved that he was a man of spiritual depth and affection who felt the low and broken condition of the Christian profession: his unfeigned faith proved that he was able to rise above all the evil in obedience to, and confidence in, God.

Timothy may indeed have been of a timid nature and in danger of being overwhelmed by the evil that was coming into the church; as he was marked by tears and faith, the Apostle was was encouraged to instruct and exhort him knowing that he had qualities which would enable him to answer to his appeal. Nor is it otherwise today.

The instructions of this touching Epistle will find little response unless there are the tears that tell of a tender heart that can mourn over the sorrows of God's people, and the faith that can take God's path of separation in the midst of the ruin.

Paul delighted to remember in his prayers this man of tears and faith. What a cheer to any saint, broken hearted by the condition of God's people, to know that there are devoted and faithful saints by whom he is remembered in prayer. Faithfulness in a day of desertion binds hearts together in the bonds of divine love.  2 Timothy - Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith

N.J. Hiebert - 20237

"All that we can do is to walk with vigilance, but peacefully, thinking of the interests of the Lord Jesus; as to ourselves having nothing to gain and nothing to lose. The path of peace, the place of testimony, is to seek to please God." -John Nelson Darby

March 4

WHEREFORE DIDST THOU DOUBT?

Neither be ye of doubtful mind. Luke 12:29

We are to believe without doubting. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not..." Matthew 21:21 "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8)  Obey without doubting.  (Acts 11:12).So much of our faith, our praying, our obedience, comes to naught because it is clogged with doubt, diluted with unbelief. Doubt puts the brakes on, takes all the assurance out of our hearts, makes us wavering disciples, driven by the wind and tossed.  (James 1:6)

When our Lord appeared after His resurrection, some believed but some doubted and one feels that chill in many a gathering of Christians. In questionable matters, "And he that doubteth is (condemned) if he eat" (Romans 14:23) and the underground principle is "whatsoever is not of faith is sin". We believe or we doubt and if both are mixed let us earnestly pray, "Lord, I believe; help Thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)  To the extent we are believing, we are not doubting and, if we are doubting, to that extent we are not believing. Beware of a doubtful mind.  All the Days - Vance Havner

Ere you left your room this morning. Did you think to pray? In the name of Christ, our Saviour, did you ask for loving favour, as a shield today?

When you met with great temptation, did you think to pray? By His dying love and merit did you trust the Holy Spirit as your guide and stay?

When your heart was filled with anger, did you think to pray? Did you plead for grace, my brother, that you might forgive another who has crossed your way?

Oh, how praying rests the weary! Prayer will change the night to day; so when life seems dark and dreary, don't forget to pray.    (Mary Kidder - 1820 to 1905)

N.J. Hiebert - 20238

March 5

Be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20

Reconciliation is one of the great spiritual blessings imparted to us by God, on the basis of our acceptance of the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour. It speaks of bringing two opposing forces together in harmony - on the one hand, the unchanging will of God, and on the other, our own wills which are naturally inclined to oppose His will. This was only possible through Christ.

1. An Act of God - If reconciliation depended upon us to any degree, it could never happen. The wonder is that it was all up to God who came out to us in love, giving His only Son to be the perfect sacrifice for sins. And it was by His Spirit that we actually took notice, listened and accepted the message.  (Isaiah 1:18). Salvation is entirely His work.

2. Knowing, Compared to Believing - It is one thing to know that Jesus came to earth, died and rose again, and quite another to actually believe that it was for me, and effective in me, for eternity.  (John 17:3).  fruit of our reconciliation.

3. Believing Leads to Telling - There are some believers who keep their experience to themselves, and thereby deprive other needy souls of hearing the good news of salvation. (Mark 16:15).

4. Ultimate Reconciliation - to be face to face with our blessed Lord and Saviour is anticipated day by day. Then we will be carried to the Father's home to dwell there forever. Since reconciled means "brought together", our promised future will be its complete fulfillment.  (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Past - The moment we were saved, we were reconciled forever.
Present - For all of our Christian life we are being reconciled, in manner of life, to our Saviour's.
Future - Finally, when we are with the Lord in glory, we will be reconciled in body as well as in soul and spirit.  Lorne Perry

N.J. Hiebert - 20239

March 6

Then drew near unto Him all the publicans and sinners for to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This Man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. Luke 15:1-2.

When publicans sat down to eat with the Lord, the scribes and Pharisees found fault: "Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? and Jesus answering said unto them, they that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:30-32) The Lord replied the physician seeks the sick rather than those who thought they needed Him not. (Luke 5:27-32).

The "gospel" according to the Pharisees--"This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them"--was spoken when "publicans and sinners drew near to hear Him" (Luke 15:1-24). Then our Lord spoke those inimitable parables of the lost things and their finding. The ways of the Lord were always ways of grace and truth. He never sought the approbation of men. In a proud world among a proud people, the Son of God walked a path of unprecedented lowliness and grace.

When the impotent man was healed at the pool of Bethesda (John 5), the Jews interrogated the happy, healed man carrying his bed home on his back, "What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?" (John 5:12). The man did not even know His name! It says, "Jesus had conveyed Himself away, a multitude being in that place" (John 5:13). How unlike the ways of men who crave all the publicity which exploits will bring to them.

God had said of old, "My ways are not your ways" (Isaiah 55:8). It was true of the Lord Jesus; the ways of men were not His ways. Men thought little of God in heaven or of what would be pleasing to Him. This was everything to Christ our Lord. He did everything that pleased the Father. The Father's Name, the Father's kingdom, and the Father's will were the great dominating motives of the life of our Lord. He cared for nothing else. Leonard Sheldrake

N.J. Hiebert - 20240

March 7

"BE MUCH IN PRAYER"

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make know the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Ephesians 6:18-20.

Be much in prayer, in this dark hour, for great are Satan's wiles;
Far worse than persecuting power are his seductive smiles.

And error comes in such disguise--smooth-tongued and circumspect--
That none but truth-enlightened eyes the monster can detect!

And fair profession, hand in hand with evil, stalks abroad
But to deceive. O! who can stand, save those who trust in God?

Be much in prayer for labouring ones, who in the Master's name,
And with the Master's message, run His mercy to proclaim.

The harvest's great, the workmen few, and naught of time to spare;
Iniquity increases too--remember this in prayer.

I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace. Acts 20:32
Christian Treasury - June

N.J. Hiebert - 20241

March 8

Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly. Jonah 2:1

Even when the the shipmaster wakened Jonah out of his sleep, and told him to call on his God, Jonah, made no attempt to pray. He was fleeing from the presence of Jehovah, and that is no time to pray unto Him. He even made a frank confession of his sin to the whole ship's company, (Jonah 1:9) but still he did not pray.

We have noted that solemn scene on deck, as the seamen reluctantly took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea. (1:15). It is amazing that even as Jonah was about to die, he apparently made not the slightest attempt to come to God in prayer, though surely there had been a beginning of the restoration of of his soul. It often takes some time to bring about full restoration.

Do not think that Jonah was any worse that we are today. The story before us is only an illustration of how very far from God, even a saint and a prophet, one who has been used of God to do His work, may get. Even the sight of death itself did not break down the barrier that Jonah's sin and pride had raised between God and his heart. True, the barrier was all on his part, but he would not humble himself to turn to God and cry for mercy.

How wonderful are the ways of God. What the storm, the raging waves, what even death itself, could not accomplish, God now brought about by his own ways. Alone in the belly of the fish, amidst that awful darkness, and that deathly silence, utterly without hope of deliverance by the hand of man--"Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish's belly." (2:1)

This is the way Jonah described that moment. Worse, far worse to Jonah, than a few short moment under the stormy waves, and then death; were those long hours, three days and three nights (Psalm 116:3-4) "in the belly of Sheol." The proud, rebellious spirit bowed at last, and Jonah prayed.
Jonah - G. C. Willis

N.J. Hiebert - 20242

March 9

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Gems from February 20- 28, 2026

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

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

I have been finding help in laying the great story of 2 Kings 6:14-17 alongside the great words of 2 Corinthians 4:8-18 "...therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about...and his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, Lord...open his eyes. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."
The secret of peace and courage is shown to us in this story, taken with the words that lead up to and follow after "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen."

So let us live, not in the visible but in the Invisible, not the temporal but in the Eternal. Thou Givest...They Gather - Amy Carmichael

Through waves, through clouds and storms, God gently clears the way;
We wait His time; so shall the night soon end in blissful day.

He everywhere hath sway, and all things serve His might;
His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light.

When He makes bare His arm, who shall His work withstand?
When He His people's cause defends, who then shall stay His hand?

We leave it to Himself to choose and to command
With wonder filled, we soon shall see how wise, how strong His hand!
(Gerhardt, tr. by John Wesley)

N.J. Hiebert - 20232

February 27

And He was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake Him, and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

We know that the disciples need not have been afraid, they need not have disturbed our Lord's rest; but something I had never thought of before came to me, as I pictured that tossing boat and those frightened men and the resting Lord. Do we never do just what they did? He is resting in His love, in the silence of love. Do not we, His lovers, sometimes break into the sweetness of that silence with a fear, a cry that is almost "carest Thou not?"

No one paragraph, even in our Bible, shows life as whole. There are other aspects, I know, but this, which is perhaps the very innermost-the heart of the heart of love-is something we are meant to look at often, and far more, to live.

There is silence which can be only met by silence. Silence is not a gap to be filled. It is the greatest of all preparations, and the climax of all adoration.

"Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from Him cometh my salvation. My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." Psalm 62:1,5) .

Let the storm beat as it will outside; within, let there be peace, so that undisturbed He may rest in His love. ("He will renew thee with His love". Are they not dear words? "He will rest in His love." "He will renew thee with His love." Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael

N.J. Hiebert - 20233

February 28

I will arise and go to my father...and he arose, and came to his father... But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him...and fell on his neck and kissed him. Father I have sinned...But the father said...let us eat and be merry: for this my son...was lost and is found. Luke 15:18-24

Years ago, while visiting a Canadian friend's home in Florida, we heard the sound of a big eighteen-wheeler coming by the window. His wife's brother in law was bringing a load of hay from Canada for horses in Florida. He would soon be returning to the province of Ontario with crates of oranges for an Ottawa grocery chain.

Seeing my interest in his big red truck, the driver said "Jump in." I told him about this being a first for me, to climb high in such a monster, never having been that close to the roaring sound of such a powerful vehicle.

Then my trucker friend told me, "It's good to see you this close. You know driving this rig mile after mile, it gets quite tiring and lonely, especially after the sun goes down." He was quiet for a moment. Then he said, "I hear you in the dark of night as I travel down the highways often listening to the Hour of Decision. I can hardly see the road after you sing songs like 'Lord, I'm Coming Home.' " His voice broke as we continued to talk about it. Then we prayed together, and I knew that a new name had been written down in Glory. It happened to my new friend from Canada, behind the steering wheel of his truck, parked in the back yard of his sister's Florida home.

Everyone longs for the comfort and security of a loving home. The trucker from Canada longed for a special home--one that would be his forever. It's a home all of us long for, even though some are not yet aware of of it. George Beverly Shea

I've wandered far away from God, now I'm coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home.
I've wasted many precious years, now I'm coming home ;
I now repent wth bitter tears, Lord, I'm coming home.
I'm tired of sin and straying, Lord, now I'm coming home;
I'll trust Thy love, believe Thy word, Lord I'm coming home.
My soul is sick, my heart is sore, now I'm coming home;
My strength renew, my hope restore, Lord, I'm coming home. W. J. Patrick

N.J. Hiebert - 20234

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