January 20
I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. Psalm 57:2
A simple-hearted man was once asked how he managed to live in such a state of constant tranquility even though surrounded by circumstances anything but pleasant.
His answer was as profound as it was simple: "I have learned to cooperate with the inevitable!"
The idea here set forth is so wise and practical that it is hard to see how we Christians have managed to overlook it so completely in our everyday living. That we do overlook it is shown by our conduct and conversation. Some of us "kick against the pricks" (Acts 9:5) for a lifetime, all the while believing, that we are surrendered to the will of God.
What wicked men do should not disturb the good man's tranquility. The inner world consists of our thoughts and emotions, presided over by our will. While we cannot determine circumstances we can determine our reaction to them. And that is where the battle is to be fought and victory won!
This is not to teach fatalism or to deny the freedom of the human will. Quite the contrary, it is to assert that freedom unequivocally.
Though we cannot control the universe, we can determine our attitude toward it. We can accept God's will wherever it is expressed. If my will is to do God's will, then there will be no controversy with anything that comes in the course of my daily walk. Let God make the alterations as He may see fit, either by His own sovereign providence or in answer to believing prayer!
Renewed Day by Day - A. W. Tozer
N.J. Hiebert - 8367
January 21
Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:25
The spring here is, not our love to Him, feeble at best, but His--"He first loved us." (1 John 4:19). Nor does this divine spring of love have its source in time. He did not begin to love the Church after he came to earth. "Though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor" (2 Corinthians 8:9).
He was rich in glory, the glory He had with the Father before the world was, and we trace to its eternal source the love that was in the Lord's heart for His church. How amazing, how sweetly solemn is this truth. Let our souls drink it in that we may realize more fully that which "passeth knowledge." (Ephesians 3:19). A love that had its source in heaven and in eternity cannot rest till it has its objects with itself in heaven for all eternity.
"He gave Himself for us." He delivered Himself up. It was no martyr's death, but it stands out in its unique, solemn and divine fullness--the death of the cross. Here He bore all the guilt, entered into all the distance, endured all the wrath of God's forsaking.
Mingled with the groans of Gethsemane, the "strong crying and tears," with the sweat falling in great blood-drops to the ground; accompanying the meek relinquishment to the arrest by the betrayer's treachery, arrayed in mockery and royal robes, smitten, spit upon and crowned with thorns; nailed to the cursed tree, mocked, railed upon and blasphemed; we hear the breathings of divine, eternal love; "Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it." S. Ridout
Oh my Saviour crucified, near Thy cross would I abide,
Gazing with adoring eye on Thy dying agony.
Yet in sight of Calvary, contrite should my spirit be,
Rest and holiness there find, fashioned like my Saviour's mind, R. Chapman
N.J. Hiebert - 8368
January 22
And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us: And If we know that He hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him. 1 John 5:14,15
Prayer is as various as life. There is a prayer that is swift, brief--a look, a thought; there is the long-drawn prayer of long tension; the prayer whose instant first answer is peace; the prayer that is just the pouring out of the heart-- "Lord, all my desire is before Thee" (Psalm 38:9). And as to that desire, love does not need to explain itself to Love.
But there is the kind of prayer that sooner or later we must learn to pray for one another. We must learn to pray far more for spiritual victory than for protection from battle-wounds, relief from their havoc, rest from their pain.
We must reach the place where we bend all our prayers that way, or our chief prayers. Love cannot be without longing to shield and to relieve, and love is of God, so we may be at rest about this inseparable instinct and quality of love, for Love understands.
Looking back, we often put the lesser first in our prayers for our beloveds. We see now that we cannot enter into the fullness of the confidence of 1 John 5:14,15 and say without any shade of metal reservation, we know that we have, unless our prayer is for God's greatest gift--spiritual triumph. This triumph is not deliverance from, but victory in, trial, and that not intermittent but perpetual. Amy Carmichael
"For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. . . that He would grant you. . . to be strengthened with might by His Spirt. . . That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love... and know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:14-19
N.J. Hiebert - 8369
January 23
ABIDING AND FRUIT BEARING
By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15
In using the example of the vine and branches, the Lord, in John 15, deals thoroughly with the necessity of staying close to our Lord Jesus in order to draw from Him that which it takes to produce fruit for His glory - no connection - no fruit. Both instances; being in His presence and going out to serve, can be included in fruit bearing.
Praise and thanksgiving are one kind of fruit that the Lord looks for and welcomes. Normally, the end result of that close communion will be a desire to be of some kind of service, each one of us, as directed by Him, resulting in abundant fruit for Him. Lorne Perry
Sometimes our thoughts will not stay "fixed", we cannot explain why. Before we know it, we find we have drifted back to thoughts of ourselves, or of others, or anything, but of Him Who is deepest down our greatest longing. Try "speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord". (Ephesians 5:19) "My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto Thee; and my soul which Thou hast redeemed." (Psalm 71:23)
The reason why singing is such a splendid shield against the fiery darts of the devil is that it greatly helps us to forget him. He likes us to be occupied with him, with what he is doing, with anything but our glorious Lord. Never be afraid of singing too much. We are much more likely to sing too little.
There are times, however, when we cannot sing aloud. "Making melody in your hearts to the Lord." This covers that inward singing that so often lifts the heart Heavenward. God make us a singing company. Edges of His Ways
N.J. Hiebert - 8370
January 24
We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Romans 15:1
The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary. Isaiah 50:4
If there be some weaker one,
Give me strength to help him on;
If a blinder soul there be,
Let me guide him nearer Thee. J.G. Whittier
Ask Him to increase your powers of sympathy: to give you more quickness and depth of sympathy, in little things as well as great. Opportunities of doing a kindness are often lost from mere want of thought. Half a dozen lines of kindness may bring sunshine into the whole day of some sick person.
Think of the pleasure you might give to someone, who is much shut up, and who has fewer pleasures than you have, by sharing with them some little comfort or enjoyment that you have learned to look upon as a necessity of life,--the pleasant drive, the new book, flowers from the country, etc.
Try to put yourself in another's place. Ask "what should I like myself, if I were hard-worked, or sick, or lonely?"
Cultivate the habit of sympathy. G. H. Wilkinson
Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, make me a blessing; out of my life may Jesus shine.
Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray; make me a blessing to someone today.
Ira B.Wilson
N.J. Hiebert - 8371
January 25
I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8.
He giveth His beloved sleep. Psalm 127:2
He guides our feet, He guards our way,
His morning smiles bless all the day;
Safe in the Lord; His heavenly care
Defends our life from every snare.
Isaac Watts
Those who trust in Jesus, can sleep in peace in His arms. We yield ourselves up to His protection, in a delightful consciousness of His tender mercies; no more restless uncertainties, no more anxious desires, no more impatience at the place we are in; for it is God who has put us there, and who holds us in His arms. Can we be unsafe where He has placed us?
One evening when Luther saw a little bird perched on a tree, to roost there for the night, he said, "this little bird has had its supper, and now is getting ready to go to sleep here, quite secure and content, never troubling itself what its food will be, or where its lodging on the morrow.
Like David, it "abides under the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1 It sits on its little twig content, and lets God take care.
Martin Luther
Under His wings I am safely abiding;
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me;
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.
William Cushing
N.J. Hiebert - 8372
January 26
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall presently give Me more than 12 legions of angels? Matthew 26:53
The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine, saith the Lord of Hosts. Haggai 2:8
A legion was a company of 6,000 soldiers. Does our Lord need our service? A word from Him to His Father would, He said, bring more than twelve legions of angels, more than 72,000 to help Him.
Think of the stars; we never with our naked eyes see more than 2,000 at a time. Try to imagine a host of 72,000, each one fit to offer perfect service. Why should the Lord of all the angels want you and me at all?
Does our Lord need our gifts? Before the mountains or plains were settled, where the gold and silver and copper are hidden, there He was. It was the Lord of Hosts, the hosts of the angels, who said, the silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine. All powers, all possessions are His. Why should He want anything that we can give?
"Treasure in heaven" (Matthew 6:20) answers that question. He has gone to prepare a place for us. (John 14:2). He does not want it to be empty, but full of treasure for us. Such is His love that He loves us to give cheerfully that which will fill the place He is preparing for us, full of unimaginable treasure! What a Lord! Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8373
January 27
INCARNATION
Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10,11
In Christ a foundation is laid for greater familiarity with God than Adam was at first capable of. The Son of God was not then the Son of man by incarnation; and at this door comes in the believer's sweetest familiarity with God.
God descends His throne, exchanges His majestic robes of glory for man's frail flesh; He leaves His palace (Psalm 45:8) to live for a time in His creature's humble cottage, and there not only familiarly converses with him, but, which is stranger, ministers to him; yea, which is more than all these, He surrenders Himself up to endure all manner of indignities, from His creature's hand.
And when this coarse entertainment is done, returns to heaven, not to complain to His Father, how He has been abused here below, and raise heaven's power against those who have so ill-treated Him, but to make ready heaven's palace for the reception of those who had thus abused Him, and now will accept His grace.
And lest these, yet left on earth, should fear His resumed royalty and majesty, in heaven's glory, would make some change in His heart. He goes back and gives them a constant assurance that He would be the same in the height of His honour that He was in the depth of His humiliation. W. Gurnall (1617-1679)
Though angels praise the heavenly King,
And Him their Lord adoring own,
We can with exultation sing,
"He wears our nature on the throne." T. Kelly
N.J. Hiebert - 8374
January 28
Ye shall say unto the good man of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the passover with My disciples? Luke 22:11
As there was a guest chamber when Jesus was with His disciples on earth, so during His absence there is such a thing now for those whose hearts are attached to Him. Such a place must be suitably prepared for Christ's presence. There He and His own can feast together in love when they gather to remember Him in His death for them.
But it means much more for His own to have an understanding of what is suitable to the Lord Jesus for such an occasion. First of all, as Jesus was attached to His disciples, who were to Him "the excellent, in whom is all My delight" (Psalm 16:3) even so should our hearts be attached to Him. Our hearts, too, should say, "Lord to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Many once served God in the temple, but Jesus was not there; He was leading His sheep outside of Jewish formalism into most blessed liberty and pasture (John10).
There was also a pitcher of water for the (Luke 22:10) guest chamber--a ministry to bring "His own" into communion with Himself, the like of which was never previously known.
Here are some question for us to consider: Do we desire the Lord's company above all else? Do we have the heart to find Him? In a day of religious confusion like the present, do we desire to be where the Lord Jesus is and where He would have His own to be? Oh, how deeply our hearts should be affected as we remember Him in His death for us, and think of His love for the assembly for which He gave Himself! There is a place on earth for all whose hearts are are attached to Christ, and who desire to enjoy His love and presence. The Lord is Near.
N.J. Hiebert - 8375
January 29
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. Romans 6:6
Practical Christianity may be said to consist of two things: (1) In nourishing the new life through occupation with Christ. (2) In judging the old, on which God has put the sentence of death in the most awfully solemn manner, in the cross.
But some may ask, "How are we to watch against its risings and judge it?" The apostle answers, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16). We have no power against nature but in the Holy Spirt, and in the assurance, by faith, that the flesh is a crucified thing in God's mind, and done with for ever.
It was on the cross that our old man was crucified; there it was nailed to the tree, and made a full end of; we have to believe this, and walk in the power and liberty which faith gives.
Know, then, for perfect rest and comfort, that from the moment we have life through faith in Christ, the whole of our corrupt nature is spoken of and treated in scripture as a dead thing. "Ye are dead," is the emphatic word of scripture, but that is not all, thank God, "And your life is hid with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3).
How safe! How secure! "With Christ in God." Could our old nature, or anything that belongs to it, be hidden there? Ah, no; All that is gone--gone forever; all that is Christ's remains--remains in all its changeless perfection in the best place in all heaven. By the cross we got rid of that which is ours--in resurrection we are put in possession of that which is Christ's. Not a particle of the old creation shall ever be found in the new. Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 8376
January 30
Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14
Some people are always worrying as to whether they have done the right thing. As soon as they have acted they begin to wish they had acted differently. Such people require to learn that it perhaps does not matter so very much after all. Let us learn to leave things with God. He can make them fit in in a wonderful way, and He makes all things work together for good to them that love Him. Romans 8:28.
There is the care, too, that arises from persecution, opposition, or from being misunderstood. The anxiety this brings is known only to those who have passed through the ordeal. The injustice, apart from every other consideration, is sufficiently galling, and when, as is almost invariably the case, your efforts to put things right only increase your difficulties, the situation becomes well - nigh unbearable.
But if you are persuaded of the justness of your cause, and that God is on your side, you may safely leave your character, as well as your comfort, in His hands. He will use all to teach you many a needed lesson, to fit you for nobler ends, and at last "He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noon day." Psalm 37:6 Angels in White - Russell Elliot
The little sharp vexations, and the briars that catch and and fret--
Why not take them to the Helper who never failed us yet?
Tell Him about the heartache, and tell Him the longing, too;
Tell Him the baffled purpose, when we scarce know what to do;
Then, leaving all our weakness, with the One divinely strong,
Forget that we bore the burden, and carry away the song." Phillips Brooks
N.J. Hiebert - 8377
January 31
And He saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them. Mark 6:48
In perplexities: when we cannot understand what is going on around us, cannot tell whither events are tending, cannot tell what to do, because we cannot see into or through the matter before us, let us be calmed and steadied and made patient by the thought that what is hidden from us is not hidden from Him.
If He chooses to guide us blindfold, let Him do it! It will not make the least difference to the reality and rightness of the guidance. In mysteries: when we see no clue, when we cannot understand God's partial revelation, when we cannot lift the veil that hangs before His secret counsel, when we cannot pierce the holy darkness that enshrouds His ways, or tread the great deep of His judgments where His footsteps are not known, is it not enough that even these matters are not hid from our Lord?
"My father will do nothing, either great or small, for he will show it me." (1 Samuel 20:2) "For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth Him all things that Himself doeth." (John 5:20) Our Lord could so easily reveal everything to us, make everything so clear! It would be nothing to Him to tell us all our questions.
When He does not, can we not trust Him, and just be satisfied that He knows, and would tell us if it were best? He has many things to say unto us, but He waits till we can bear them.
May we be glad that even our sins are not hid from Him? Yes, surely, for He who knows all, can and will cleanse all. He has searched us and known us, as we should shrink from knowing ourselves, and yet He has pardoned and yet He loves! Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8378
February 1
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and the life was the light of men. John 1:1-4
Why is the Lord designated as the Word? Just as the spoken word reveals a man's mind and personality, so God has revealed Himself in and by a Person, who came near to man, living a perfect life before them, and above all dying a sacrificial death upon the cross in order that this revelation of God might be one of infinite grace and eternal blessing.
In these verses we read that Jesus from all eternity was God, that He was a distinct Person in the Godhead, the eternal Word; that as distinct in the Godhead, He was eternally so; that He was the Creator of all things; that in Him was life inherently, that is to say not conferred, but that He was the eternal Source. This life was the light of men.
Then comes the stupendous statement that "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
There came a moment when the Son of God became flesh in Bethlehem, born of a virgin in a stable, and cradled in a manger. He was the eternal Son of God, who became Man, who died on the cross to satisfy the claims of Divine righteousness and enable God in all His holiness justly to save guilty sinners, as we are. Why I Believe the Bible - A, J Pollock
N.J. Hiebert - 8379
February 2
They which have believed in God . . . be careful to maintain good works. Titus 3:8 When thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:3,4
Put a seal upon your lips and forget what you have done. After you have been kind, after love has stolen forth into the world and done its beautiful work, go back into the shade, and say nothing about it. Love hides even from itself.
Oberlin was travelling on one occasion from Strasbourg. It was in winter. The ground was deeply covered with snow and the roads were almost impassable. He had reached the middle of his journey, and was so exhausted that he could stand up no longer. He commended himself to God, and yielded to what he felt to be the sleep of death.
He knew not how long he slept, but suddenly became conscious of someone rousing him up. Before him stood a wagon driver, the wagon not far away. He gave him a little wine and food, and the spirit of life returned. He then helped him on to the wagon, and brought him to the next village. The rescued man was profuse in his thanks, and offered money, which his benefactor refused. "It is only a duty to help one another," said the wagoner, and it is next thing to an insult to offer a reward for such a service".
"Then," replied Oberlin, "at least tell me your name, that I may have you in thankful remembrance before God". "I see," said the wagoner, "that you are a minister of the Gospel; please tell me the name of the good Samaritan". "That," said Oberlin, "l cannot do, for it was not put on record". "Then" replied the wagoner, "until you can tell me his name, permit me to withhold mine". Service thus rendered will bring glory to God. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify"--not you (no true Christian should desire that)-but "your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16)
Winsome Christianity
N.J. Hiebert - 8380
February 3
Now thanks be unto God which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of His knowledge by us in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
The supreme witness for God in this world is the one whose life is Christlike in spirit and conduct. Just as glass may be considered as brilliantly beautiful until we see the fascinating radiance of a diamond, so, when we behold our all-glorious Lord, we cry out with one of old: "He is altogether lovely".
The Lord Jesus ordained twelve, that they should be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach. "The officers took knowledge of Peter and John that they had been with Jesus," because these two men of God carried with them the fragrance of the One in Whose presence they had been dwelling.
For us today who have not access to His physical presence, the whole secret is enshrined in 2 Corinthians 3:18 "We all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Long ago the first protestant missionary to Japan was once brought into touch with members of the royal house of that country. During his furlough in England, he was visited in his room one day by some members of the Emperor's family who were touring Europe. They chatted for an hour and then left. Later in the day another group of Japanese officials called in. "Oh!" one of them exclaimed, "You have have been entertaining royalty here today!" "What makes you think so?" the missionary asked. "Why, there is perfume manufactured in our country for the exclusive use of royalty. No one else is allowed to use it, and its fragrant odour is in evidence in this apartment, so that we know you have had royal visitors today!"
Our Lord has promised not only to visit us, but also to abide with us . Is the fragrance of His presence diffused from us day by day? Henry Durbanville
N.J. Hiebert - 8381
February 4
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