Bible Gems

September 20 “Then  believed they His words ;  they sang His praise . They soon forgat His works ; they waited not for His counsel: but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. And He gave them their request; -- but sent leanness into their soul. (Psalm 106:12-15) Have you ever known a weakening in the inward places of your soul because  you had let slip the memory of what your God did in the past? You had believed His words, you had sung His praises, for in very truth you had seen His words fulfilled. And then, somehow, the memory faded,  blotted out by a disappointment  perhaps, and you “forgat  His works.” I have known this happen, and I have proved that after such forgetfulness prayer becomes less adventurous, less brave in faith and expectation.  We ask for the smaller rather than the greater things, and then (as in the story from which I am quoting) “leanness" enters in...

September 8 “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Timothy 3:7) All throughout history the quest for new and different things has been an almost insatiable lust of mankind. New this, modern this, the latest . . . and the best this, seem to be the mantra of humanity. 2 Timothy 3 is a long series of verses that describe the last days. That list is ugly but accurate, and the above indictment surely applies. Granted, there are a lot of advantages to some things new, but when it comes to satisfying the craving of our spirit, only one thing brings the peace so sought after. Here’s a clue: “ Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way,  and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. ”  ( Jeremiah 6:16 ).  The Bible provides us with the truth we long for, the direction we need, the peace that seems to elude us and the joy which is deep and enduring.  It introdu...

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Out of the realized “ for me ” grows the practical “ for Thee .” If the former is a living root, the later will be its living fruit. “ For Thee !” This makes the difference between forced or formal, and therefore unreasonable service, and the reasonable service, which is the beginning of the perfect service where they see His face. This makes the difference between slave work and free work. For Thee, my Redeemer; for Thee who has spoken to my heart;  for Thee, who has done for me—what? Let us each pause, and fill up that blank with the great things the Lord hath done for us. For Thee, who art to me—what? Fill that up, too, before Him! For Thee, my Saviour Jesus, my Lord and my God! Help us lovingly to labour, looking for Thy present smile, Looking for Thy promised blessing, thro’ the brightening “little while.” Words for Thee in weakness spoken, Thou wilt here accept and ...