May 21
Whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Ephesians 5:13
The light shows exactly what the true state of affairs is; and, therefore, until a man is in the light he does not know what he is; and he does not know God. In fact, until a soul is brought into the light it really does not understand its true state before God.
Now, in the verse above you see this brought out. We have elsewhere the wonderful statement, that, "Light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19). Light comes first of all, in the Person of Christ, for, "In Him was light; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (John 1:4,5).
Now, that is a remarkable statement. You see if you bring in natural light, into the darkness out goes the darkness. If this room were in darkness, and someone turned on the light the darkness would vanish at once. If you were in a coal-pit, and your light went out, you would be in darkness, and you could not estimate the relation of things. What would be the natural way of letting you see where you were, and what your surroundings were? Bring in the light; for, when the light comes in, away goes the darkness.
That is the truth regarding natural things; but in divine things the solemn thing is this, that although light comes, the darkness remains; for the darkness does not comprehend the light. (1 John 1:5) But what is the light? God--"God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5). And what is the darkness? Man. Man makes the darkness; the darkness is what his own state as a sinner is. That constitutes the darkness, as we read, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). It is a wonderful moment when a man gets into the light, and becomes "Light in the Lord." You will never get into the light, until you get to Christ. Seekers for Light -Dr.W. T. P. Wolston,
N.J. Hiebert - 8488
The light shows exactly what the true state of affairs is; and, therefore, until a man is in the light he does not know what he is; and he does not know God. In fact, until a soul is brought into the light it really does not understand its true state before God.
Now, in the verse above you see this brought out. We have elsewhere the wonderful statement, that, "Light is come into the world, and men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil." (John 3:19). Light comes first of all, in the Person of Christ, for, "In Him was light; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not" (John 1:4,5).
Now, that is a remarkable statement. You see if you bring in natural light, into the darkness out goes the darkness. If this room were in darkness, and someone turned on the light the darkness would vanish at once. If you were in a coal-pit, and your light went out, you would be in darkness, and you could not estimate the relation of things. What would be the natural way of letting you see where you were, and what your surroundings were? Bring in the light; for, when the light comes in, away goes the darkness.
That is the truth regarding natural things; but in divine things the solemn thing is this, that although light comes, the darkness remains; for the darkness does not comprehend the light. (1 John 1:5) But what is the light? God--"God is Light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5). And what is the darkness? Man. Man makes the darkness; the darkness is what his own state as a sinner is. That constitutes the darkness, as we read, "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). It is a wonderful moment when a man gets into the light, and becomes "Light in the Lord." You will never get into the light, until you get to Christ. Seekers for Light -Dr.W. T. P. Wolston,
N.J. Hiebert - 8488
May 22
The word of the Preacher, the son of David . . . Vanity of Vanities . . . all is vanity (emptiness). What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? Ecclesiastes 1:1-3.
"Therefore I hated life, (Ecclesiastes 2:17,19,21,23), yea, all my labour which I took under the sun," and "therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all my labour which I took under the sun." For what is there in the labour itself? Nothing that satisfies by itself. It is only the anticipation of final satisfaction and enjoyment that can make up for the loss of quiet and ease now; prove that to be a vain hope, and the mere labour and planning night and day are indeed "empty vanity."
Thus much for labour "under the sun," with self for its object, and death for its limit. Now for the contrast again in its refreshing beauty of the "new" as against the "old" "therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58). "All my labour is vanity" is the "groan" of the old, "for death with its terrors cuts me off from my labour and I leave it to a fool." "No labour in vain" is the song of victory of the new, for resurrection with its glories but introduces me to the precious fruit of those labours, to be enjoyed forever.
Let us cherish this precious word, "not in vain," let us be indeed "persuaded" of it, and "embrace" it, not giving up our glorious heritage and going back to the mere human wisdom that Solomon the king possessed, and which only led then, as it must now and ever, to the groan of "vanity!" But "not in vain" is ours. No little one refreshed with even a up of cold water (Matthew 10:42) but that soon the fruit of even that little labour of love shall meet its sweetest recompense in the smile, the approval, the praise of our Lord Jesus; and that shall make our hearts full to overflowing with bliss; as we there echo and re-echo our own word: it was indeed, "not in vain". F. C. Jennings (with thanks - Bill Weiss)
N.J. Hiebert - 8489
"Therefore I hated life, (Ecclesiastes 2:17,19,21,23), yea, all my labour which I took under the sun," and "therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all my labour which I took under the sun." For what is there in the labour itself? Nothing that satisfies by itself. It is only the anticipation of final satisfaction and enjoyment that can make up for the loss of quiet and ease now; prove that to be a vain hope, and the mere labour and planning night and day are indeed "empty vanity."
Thus much for labour "under the sun," with self for its object, and death for its limit. Now for the contrast again in its refreshing beauty of the "new" as against the "old" "therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord." (1 Corinthians 15:58). "All my labour is vanity" is the "groan" of the old, "for death with its terrors cuts me off from my labour and I leave it to a fool." "No labour in vain" is the song of victory of the new, for resurrection with its glories but introduces me to the precious fruit of those labours, to be enjoyed forever.
Let us cherish this precious word, "not in vain," let us be indeed "persuaded" of it, and "embrace" it, not giving up our glorious heritage and going back to the mere human wisdom that Solomon the king possessed, and which only led then, as it must now and ever, to the groan of "vanity!" But "not in vain" is ours. No little one refreshed with even a up of cold water (Matthew 10:42) but that soon the fruit of even that little labour of love shall meet its sweetest recompense in the smile, the approval, the praise of our Lord Jesus; and that shall make our hearts full to overflowing with bliss; as we there echo and re-echo our own word: it was indeed, "not in vain". F. C. Jennings (with thanks - Bill Weiss)
N.J. Hiebert - 8489
May 23
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this Man. John 7:45,46.
The only writing of our Lord was with His finger, and that in the loose sand of the ground (John 8:6). Other men who spoke words, wrote in books to preserve to themselves a perpetual memorial of literary glory. Not so the Son of God. When He expired, forsaken on the cross, His words only remained sown on the hearts of men. There the Holy Spirit, like the sun and the rain, made them bear fruit after His resurrection.
When the Lord Jesus died, His works were doubted; His disciples seemed hopeless, and His words appeared lost, like the seed of the harvest, in the cold ground during the frozen winter. Peter had said, "Thou hast the words of eternal life," but those words were not written, and now Peter has denied Him in the presence of his enemies. The officers testified, "Never man spake like this Man," but now they have seen Him answering not a word, "like a lamb dumb before her shearers, so He opened not His mouth." All His friends were disappointed, and despaired when He was crucified. Who now would care about His words? The tree is cut down; how can it now bear any fruit?
No other person's words have been so cherished as the words of the Lord Jesus. Yet His words lived! Here then is one of the wonders in the words of Christ. They are imperishable words. Passed away! What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away. Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35) Let the ages answer. Bibles are more plentiful today than they have ever been. The Words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude than ever before in the history of the world. We add our simple testimony to the outspoken excuse of the Sanhedrin officers, "Never man spake like this Man." Leonard Sheldrake - A Plant of Renown
N.J. Hiebert - 8490
The only writing of our Lord was with His finger, and that in the loose sand of the ground (John 8:6). Other men who spoke words, wrote in books to preserve to themselves a perpetual memorial of literary glory. Not so the Son of God. When He expired, forsaken on the cross, His words only remained sown on the hearts of men. There the Holy Spirit, like the sun and the rain, made them bear fruit after His resurrection.
When the Lord Jesus died, His works were doubted; His disciples seemed hopeless, and His words appeared lost, like the seed of the harvest, in the cold ground during the frozen winter. Peter had said, "Thou hast the words of eternal life," but those words were not written, and now Peter has denied Him in the presence of his enemies. The officers testified, "Never man spake like this Man," but now they have seen Him answering not a word, "like a lamb dumb before her shearers, so He opened not His mouth." All His friends were disappointed, and despaired when He was crucified. Who now would care about His words? The tree is cut down; how can it now bear any fruit?
No other person's words have been so cherished as the words of the Lord Jesus. Yet His words lived! Here then is one of the wonders in the words of Christ. They are imperishable words. Passed away! What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away. Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35) Let the ages answer. Bibles are more plentiful today than they have ever been. The Words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude than ever before in the history of the world. We add our simple testimony to the outspoken excuse of the Sanhedrin officers, "Never man spake like this Man." Leonard Sheldrake - A Plant of Renown
N.J. Hiebert - 8490
May 24
". . . He left not Himself without witness, . . ." Acts 14:17
Frances Ridley Havergal tells of her experience in the girls' school at Dusseldorf. She went there soon after she had become a Christian and had confessed Christ. Her heart was very warm with love for her Saviour, and she was eager to speak for Him. To her amazement, however, she soon learned that among the hundred girls in the school, she was the only Christian. Her first thought was one of dismay--she could not confess Christ in that great company of worldly, non-Christian companions. Her gentle sensitive heart shrank from a duty so difficult!
Her second thought, however, was that she could not refrain from confessing Christ. She was the only one Christ had there, and she must be faithful! "This was very bracing," she writes. "I felt I must walk worthy of my calling for Christ's sake! It brought me to a new and strong desire to bear witness for my Master. It made me more watchful and earnest than ever before, for I knew that any slip in word or deed would bring discredit to my Lord and Master."
She realized that she had in that school a mission to fulfill; that she was called to be Christ's witness there--His only witness--and that she dare not fail. The Christian life cannot be a subterfuge (evasion). It cannot be lived incognito (disguised). There must be confession; a bold and clarion-like avowal that henceforth I am a soldier of the Lord!
Give a positive testimony!
God has put you where you are because He wants a witness just there. Mountain Trailways
"Just where you stand in the conflict, there is your place!
Just where you think you are useless, hide not your face!
God placed you there for a purpose, what e'er it be;
Think you He has chosen you for it: work loyally. (Anon)
N.J. Hiebert - 8491
Frances Ridley Havergal tells of her experience in the girls' school at Dusseldorf. She went there soon after she had become a Christian and had confessed Christ. Her heart was very warm with love for her Saviour, and she was eager to speak for Him. To her amazement, however, she soon learned that among the hundred girls in the school, she was the only Christian. Her first thought was one of dismay--she could not confess Christ in that great company of worldly, non-Christian companions. Her gentle sensitive heart shrank from a duty so difficult!
Her second thought, however, was that she could not refrain from confessing Christ. She was the only one Christ had there, and she must be faithful! "This was very bracing," she writes. "I felt I must walk worthy of my calling for Christ's sake! It brought me to a new and strong desire to bear witness for my Master. It made me more watchful and earnest than ever before, for I knew that any slip in word or deed would bring discredit to my Lord and Master."
She realized that she had in that school a mission to fulfill; that she was called to be Christ's witness there--His only witness--and that she dare not fail. The Christian life cannot be a subterfuge (evasion). It cannot be lived incognito (disguised). There must be confession; a bold and clarion-like avowal that henceforth I am a soldier of the Lord!
Give a positive testimony!
God has put you where you are because He wants a witness just there. Mountain Trailways
"Just where you stand in the conflict, there is your place!
Just where you think you are useless, hide not your face!
God placed you there for a purpose, what e'er it be;
Think you He has chosen you for it: work loyally. (Anon)
N.J. Hiebert - 8491
May 25
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7
In my own life I am acutely aware that I am a roughhewn man. Because of my rather tough, rough upbringing in a frontier environment, there are characteristics in my makeup which may seem harsh and unyielding. But, despite this, my life has been deeply touched by the mercy of those who took the time to try and understand me--who cared enough to forgive so many faults and in mercy made me their friend.
Often these were people to whom I had shown no special kindness. Their bestowal of mercy on me was something totally unexpected and undeserved. Because of this, it has been a double delight. More than that, it has been an enormous inspiration that lifted and challenged me to respond in a measure beyond my wildest dreams.
Mercy does just that to people. It excites and stimulates their hopes. It reassures them that life can be beautiful. It convinces them that there is good reason to carry on and push for better things if others care that much. This all implies that if someone has extended mercy to me, surely I, in turn, can and must extend mercy to others.
But, to really find the true source of inner inspiration for this sort of conduct, the Christian simply must look beyond his fellow man. He must look away to the mercy of God our Father. Nothing else in all the world will so humble us. Nothing else will so move our stony spirits to extend mercy. Nothing else will so powerfully induce us to do the proper thing in extending genuine mercy to our contemporaries.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:4,5,8) Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8492
In my own life I am acutely aware that I am a roughhewn man. Because of my rather tough, rough upbringing in a frontier environment, there are characteristics in my makeup which may seem harsh and unyielding. But, despite this, my life has been deeply touched by the mercy of those who took the time to try and understand me--who cared enough to forgive so many faults and in mercy made me their friend.
Often these were people to whom I had shown no special kindness. Their bestowal of mercy on me was something totally unexpected and undeserved. Because of this, it has been a double delight. More than that, it has been an enormous inspiration that lifted and challenged me to respond in a measure beyond my wildest dreams.
Mercy does just that to people. It excites and stimulates their hopes. It reassures them that life can be beautiful. It convinces them that there is good reason to carry on and push for better things if others care that much. This all implies that if someone has extended mercy to me, surely I, in turn, can and must extend mercy to others.
But, to really find the true source of inner inspiration for this sort of conduct, the Christian simply must look beyond his fellow man. He must look away to the mercy of God our Father. Nothing else in all the world will so humble us. Nothing else will so move our stony spirits to extend mercy. Nothing else will so powerfully induce us to do the proper thing in extending genuine mercy to our contemporaries.
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ . . . for by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:4,5,8) Songs of My Soul - W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8492
May 26
For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2
The story is told of a time during WW II when two allied battleships, had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy, foul weather for several days. A sailor one particularly bad night was serving his watch when the visibility was so poor, that the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.
The evening fell and shortly after another lookout on the huge ship reported to the captain, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow, Sir"! The captain immediately responded, "Is it steady or moving astern?" The reply came back almost immediately, "Steady, Captain".
This was very bad news for it meant that battlement-ship group were on a danger collision course with that ship whose light had been spotted. The Captain immediately ordered the signalman to "Signal that ship this message: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change your course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'"
After a short pause a signal from the light; "Most advisable for you to change your course twenty degrees." The captain, tense because of the bad weather, snapped out another command; "Send: I'm the Captain of this ship. 'Change your course twenty degrees immediately!'" A moment later a reply was received; "I'm a sea-man second-class, Sir. Urgently advise that you had better change your course twenty degrees now."
By that time the Captain was furious. He spat out another order; "Send: 'This is a US battleship. Change your course twenty degrees now.'" Almost instantly came back the flashing signal light, "I'm a light house. Highly advise you change your course now." Without further comment, signals or delay the battle-ship changed its course by twenty degrees. The Christian Shepherd- Doug Nicolet
N.J. Hiebert - 8493
The story is told of a time during WW II when two allied battleships, had been at sea on maneuvers in heavy, foul weather for several days. A sailor one particularly bad night was serving his watch when the visibility was so poor, that the captain remained on the bridge keeping an eye on all activities.
The evening fell and shortly after another lookout on the huge ship reported to the captain, "Light, bearing on the starboard bow, Sir"! The captain immediately responded, "Is it steady or moving astern?" The reply came back almost immediately, "Steady, Captain".
This was very bad news for it meant that battlement-ship group were on a danger collision course with that ship whose light had been spotted. The Captain immediately ordered the signalman to "Signal that ship this message: 'We are on a collision course, advise you change your course, advise you change course twenty degrees.'"
After a short pause a signal from the light; "Most advisable for you to change your course twenty degrees." The captain, tense because of the bad weather, snapped out another command; "Send: I'm the Captain of this ship. 'Change your course twenty degrees immediately!'" A moment later a reply was received; "I'm a sea-man second-class, Sir. Urgently advise that you had better change your course twenty degrees now."
By that time the Captain was furious. He spat out another order; "Send: 'This is a US battleship. Change your course twenty degrees now.'" Almost instantly came back the flashing signal light, "I'm a light house. Highly advise you change your course now." Without further comment, signals or delay the battle-ship changed its course by twenty degrees. The Christian Shepherd- Doug Nicolet
N.J. Hiebert - 8493
May 27
THE LORD'S REQUEST
This do in remembrance of Me. Luke 22:19
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS--"This do, remember Me,"
To those whom sorrow gathered that night so close to Thee;
By grace our hearts do listen to hear its echo still,
It strikes a chord within us, and praise our hearts doth fill.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, has touched the deepest spring,
And wakes anew affections our waiting hearts within;
Thy parting word, when sorrow around Thy footsteps pressed,
When Satan, death, and judgment their fears to Thee addressed.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, ere judgment on Thee broke,
Ere on Thy Holy Person came down that righteous stroke;
The wrath of God before Thee, while foes did gather round,
There too Thy "friend' betrayed Thee. And darkness did abound.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, before thou did endure
The being of God forsaken, our blessing to secure;
Oh grace beyond expression! Which sought that we should be,
All through Thy time of absence, in death remembering Thee.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, we treasure in our heart,
And from the love which spoke it we never more can part:
Soon, Lord, Thou will receive us unto Thyself on high,
Till then we Thee remember, Who for our sins did die.
The Remembrancer - G. W. F.
N.J. Hiebert - 8494
This do in remembrance of Me. Luke 22:19
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS--"This do, remember Me,"
To those whom sorrow gathered that night so close to Thee;
By grace our hearts do listen to hear its echo still,
It strikes a chord within us, and praise our hearts doth fill.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, has touched the deepest spring,
And wakes anew affections our waiting hearts within;
Thy parting word, when sorrow around Thy footsteps pressed,
When Satan, death, and judgment their fears to Thee addressed.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, ere judgment on Thee broke,
Ere on Thy Holy Person came down that righteous stroke;
The wrath of God before Thee, while foes did gather round,
There too Thy "friend' betrayed Thee. And darkness did abound.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, before thou did endure
The being of God forsaken, our blessing to secure;
Oh grace beyond expression! Which sought that we should be,
All through Thy time of absence, in death remembering Thee.
Thy parting word, Lord JESUS, we treasure in our heart,
And from the love which spoke it we never more can part:
Soon, Lord, Thou will receive us unto Thyself on high,
Till then we Thee remember, Who for our sins did die.
The Remembrancer - G. W. F.
N.J. Hiebert - 8494
May 28
For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20
I am a citizen of heaven sojourning on earth, not a citizen of earth journeying to heaven. God help me never to lose my pilgrimage character. It is so easy to drive down our tent- pegs in this world. I would sit loose to its attractions like someone once said "I wear this world like a loose garment."
I am not merely looking for something to happen but for Someone to come. When I studied arithmetic, I remembered that the answers were in the back of the book. No matter how I floundered among my problems, the correct solution was on the last page.
I have failed often in working out life's problems, and I dwell in the midst of a people who are hopelessly trying to to untangle the riddle of this present age. But I am cheered by one unfailing certainty--there is a Book (Bible) that solves the enigma and the answer is in the back of the Book, "Behold I come quickly." "Even so come Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:7,20
Vance Havner - That I May Know Him
'Tis the hope of His coming that gladdens my heart,
That drives away sadness and bids care depart;
No dread of the morrow, no sorrow I see,
For Jesus is coming, He's coming for me.
And though clouds darken o'er me. Though storms may assail,
With Jesus beside me, I'll weather the gale;
The storm is without me, no trouble within,
For Jesus my Saviour has cleansed me from sin.
Mrs. A. R. Rule
N.J. Hiebert - 8495
I am a citizen of heaven sojourning on earth, not a citizen of earth journeying to heaven. God help me never to lose my pilgrimage character. It is so easy to drive down our tent- pegs in this world. I would sit loose to its attractions like someone once said "I wear this world like a loose garment."
I am not merely looking for something to happen but for Someone to come. When I studied arithmetic, I remembered that the answers were in the back of the book. No matter how I floundered among my problems, the correct solution was on the last page.
I have failed often in working out life's problems, and I dwell in the midst of a people who are hopelessly trying to to untangle the riddle of this present age. But I am cheered by one unfailing certainty--there is a Book (Bible) that solves the enigma and the answer is in the back of the Book, "Behold I come quickly." "Even so come Lord Jesus." Revelation 22:7,20
Vance Havner - That I May Know Him
'Tis the hope of His coming that gladdens my heart,
That drives away sadness and bids care depart;
No dread of the morrow, no sorrow I see,
For Jesus is coming, He's coming for me.
And though clouds darken o'er me. Though storms may assail,
With Jesus beside me, I'll weather the gale;
The storm is without me, no trouble within,
For Jesus my Saviour has cleansed me from sin.
Mrs. A. R. Rule
N.J. Hiebert - 8495
May 29
And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Acts 7:9,10
Joseph, cut off from his own people in a strange land becomes a slave in the house of Potiphar; falsely accused by a wicked woman, and under the stigma of a great sin, he is cast into prison. There treated with base ingratitude, he is left to languish, a forgotten man. Suffering dishonour upon dishonour, his path is ever downward. The clouds gather round him and his way grows darker, until apparently his sun has set in hopeless gloom.
But behind all that is apparent to nature, faith can discern the purpose of God to exalt Joseph to a position of supremacy and glory. If God is set upon the fulfillment of His purpose, Satan will put forth every effort to thwart God's purpose. Satan uses the wickedness of the brethren to banish Joseph from house and home; he uses Potiphar's wicked wife to bring Joseph into prison; and he uses Pharaoh's ungrateful butler to keep him there.
Every step in the downward path is an apparent triumph for Satan, and seems to make the fulfillment of God's purpose more remote. To the natural view Satan's plans appear to prosper, and God's purposes suffer apparent defeat.
Faith, however, can discern the hand of God behind the wiles of Satan. If Satan is using man to hinder God's purposes, God is using Satan to carry them out. Every kind of agent is at God's disposal. Angels, saints and sinners, the devil and his demons all serve to carry out God's plans. The very elements--fire and hail, snow and vapours, and stormy wind--are "fulfilling His word" (Psalm 148:8). Nor is it otherwise with the circumstances of life, as we see in the story of Joseph. The trials he passes through are preparing for the exercise of power in the day of his glory. The service in the trials prepares for the right use of glory. Hamilton Smith - Joseph
N.J. Hiebert - 8496
Joseph, cut off from his own people in a strange land becomes a slave in the house of Potiphar; falsely accused by a wicked woman, and under the stigma of a great sin, he is cast into prison. There treated with base ingratitude, he is left to languish, a forgotten man. Suffering dishonour upon dishonour, his path is ever downward. The clouds gather round him and his way grows darker, until apparently his sun has set in hopeless gloom.
But behind all that is apparent to nature, faith can discern the purpose of God to exalt Joseph to a position of supremacy and glory. If God is set upon the fulfillment of His purpose, Satan will put forth every effort to thwart God's purpose. Satan uses the wickedness of the brethren to banish Joseph from house and home; he uses Potiphar's wicked wife to bring Joseph into prison; and he uses Pharaoh's ungrateful butler to keep him there.
Every step in the downward path is an apparent triumph for Satan, and seems to make the fulfillment of God's purpose more remote. To the natural view Satan's plans appear to prosper, and God's purposes suffer apparent defeat.
Faith, however, can discern the hand of God behind the wiles of Satan. If Satan is using man to hinder God's purposes, God is using Satan to carry them out. Every kind of agent is at God's disposal. Angels, saints and sinners, the devil and his demons all serve to carry out God's plans. The very elements--fire and hail, snow and vapours, and stormy wind--are "fulfilling His word" (Psalm 148:8). Nor is it otherwise with the circumstances of life, as we see in the story of Joseph. The trials he passes through are preparing for the exercise of power in the day of his glory. The service in the trials prepares for the right use of glory. Hamilton Smith - Joseph
N.J. Hiebert - 8496
May 30
Jonah 1:17 "Now the Lord had prepared a great fish."
Jonah 4:6 "And the Lord God prepared a gourd."
Jonah 4:7 "But God prepared a worm."
Jonah 4:8 "God prepared a vehement east wind."
We cannot leave the subject of what God prepared for Jonah, without mention of another place specially prepared by the Lord Himself, which we doubt not Jonah will also share. The Lord Jesus said: "In My Father's house are many mansions (abodes)...I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
When at home in the Father's house, we look back over the wilderness pathway, we will then recognize many a thing and many a circumstance that the Lord has specially prepared for us. I suppose that Jonah did not realize at the time that the great fish and the gourd and the worm and the sultry wind had each in turn been specially prepared for him. He thought they had just "happened".
We believe it was Jonah's own hand that wrote the little book that bears his name, for we cannot suppose it was any other: it would not be like Jonah's Master to allow another servant to so openly disclose the faults and failings of a fellow-servant. If this be so, we may see how deeply Jonah learned, before the end of his journey to take all things from the hand of God; and what gratitude must have risen up in his heart at the tender care of his God for him. Who else would take the trouble specially to prepare a worm on purpose for him, to teach him a greatly needed lesson?
So, I suppose, at the end of our journey, when we reach the place our Lord has prepared for us, our hearts will rise up in gratitude, not alone for that prepared place, but for all His tender care along the way, for the worms, or what we now term the "misfortunes", as well as for the gourds, or what we now call the "blessings"--both alike, are specially prepared for us. (Psalm 78:72) Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8497
Jonah 4:6 "And the Lord God prepared a gourd."
Jonah 4:7 "But God prepared a worm."
Jonah 4:8 "God prepared a vehement east wind."
We cannot leave the subject of what God prepared for Jonah, without mention of another place specially prepared by the Lord Himself, which we doubt not Jonah will also share. The Lord Jesus said: "In My Father's house are many mansions (abodes)...I go to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
When at home in the Father's house, we look back over the wilderness pathway, we will then recognize many a thing and many a circumstance that the Lord has specially prepared for us. I suppose that Jonah did not realize at the time that the great fish and the gourd and the worm and the sultry wind had each in turn been specially prepared for him. He thought they had just "happened".
We believe it was Jonah's own hand that wrote the little book that bears his name, for we cannot suppose it was any other: it would not be like Jonah's Master to allow another servant to so openly disclose the faults and failings of a fellow-servant. If this be so, we may see how deeply Jonah learned, before the end of his journey to take all things from the hand of God; and what gratitude must have risen up in his heart at the tender care of his God for him. Who else would take the trouble specially to prepare a worm on purpose for him, to teach him a greatly needed lesson?
So, I suppose, at the end of our journey, when we reach the place our Lord has prepared for us, our hearts will rise up in gratitude, not alone for that prepared place, but for all His tender care along the way, for the worms, or what we now term the "misfortunes", as well as for the gourds, or what we now call the "blessings"--both alike, are specially prepared for us. (Psalm 78:72) Jonah - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8497
May 31
AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN?
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5
Can any believer contemplate the "amazing love" of Calvary without sharing the awe and wonder of the questions in this hymn by Charles Wesley? Written a short time after his heart-warming Aldersgate experience on May 20,1738, this song of grateful adoration for God's great plan of redemption has been one of the most deeply moving and treasured hymns for more than two hundred years.
Even though he had a strict religious training in his youth, education at Oxford University and missionary service in the new colony of Georgia, Charles Wesley had no peace or joy in his heart and life. Returning to London after a discouraging time in America, he met with a group of Moravians in the Aldersgate Hall and came to realize that "Salvation is by faith alone". In his journal entry for May 20, he wrote, "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceeding abundantly above what I can ask or think."
In this spirit of joyous enthusiasm, Charles began to write new hymns with increased fervour. He traveled throughout Great Britain with his older brother John a quarter of a million miles, mostly on horseback, leading great crowds in singing his hymns in massive outdoor services of forty thousand people. With every new spiritual experience or thought that crossed Charles's mind a new hymn was born. Even on his death bed it is said that he dictated to his wife a final hymn of praise to the Lord he had loved so intimately and served so effectively. Kenneth W. Osbeck
And can it be that I should gain an interest the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain? for me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my Lord should die for me.
He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye defused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own,
N.J. Hiebert - 8498
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Revelation 1:5
Can any believer contemplate the "amazing love" of Calvary without sharing the awe and wonder of the questions in this hymn by Charles Wesley? Written a short time after his heart-warming Aldersgate experience on May 20,1738, this song of grateful adoration for God's great plan of redemption has been one of the most deeply moving and treasured hymns for more than two hundred years.
Even though he had a strict religious training in his youth, education at Oxford University and missionary service in the new colony of Georgia, Charles Wesley had no peace or joy in his heart and life. Returning to London after a discouraging time in America, he met with a group of Moravians in the Aldersgate Hall and came to realize that "Salvation is by faith alone". In his journal entry for May 20, he wrote, "At midnight I gave myself to Christ, assured that I was safe, whether sleeping or waking. I had the continual experience of His power to overcome all temptation, and I confessed with joy and surprise that He was able to do exceeding abundantly above what I can ask or think."
In this spirit of joyous enthusiasm, Charles began to write new hymns with increased fervour. He traveled throughout Great Britain with his older brother John a quarter of a million miles, mostly on horseback, leading great crowds in singing his hymns in massive outdoor services of forty thousand people. With every new spiritual experience or thought that crossed Charles's mind a new hymn was born. Even on his death bed it is said that he dictated to his wife a final hymn of praise to the Lord he had loved so intimately and served so effectively. Kenneth W. Osbeck
And can it be that I should gain an interest the Saviour's blood?
Died He for me who caused His pain? for me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my Lord should die for me.
He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace!
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race.
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for O my God, it found out me.
Long my imprisoned spirit lay fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye defused a quickening ray, I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free; I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own,
N.J. Hiebert - 8498
June 1
BACK TO THE FOLD
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:3
'Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that went astray
In the parable Jesus told,
A grown up sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out on the hillside, out in the cold,
'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought,
Borne on His shoulders and back to the fold,
The sheep the Good Shepherd brought.
Why for the sheep should we earnestly long
And as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong
They may lead the lambs astray.
Lambs will follow the sheep, you know
Wherever the sheep may stray,
If the sheep go wrong, it won't be long
'Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So for the sheep let us earnestly pray,
For the sake of the lambs today,
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
Some sheep will have to pay.
Mrs. Furstenfeld
N.J. Hiebert - 8499
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:3
'Twas a sheep, not a lamb, that went astray
In the parable Jesus told,
A grown up sheep that wandered away
From the ninety and nine in the fold.
Out on the hillside, out in the cold,
'Twas a sheep the Good Shepherd sought,
Borne on His shoulders and back to the fold,
The sheep the Good Shepherd brought.
Why for the sheep should we earnestly long
And as earnestly hope and pray?
Because there is danger, if they go wrong
They may lead the lambs astray.
Lambs will follow the sheep, you know
Wherever the sheep may stray,
If the sheep go wrong, it won't be long
'Till the lambs are as wrong as they.
So for the sheep let us earnestly pray,
For the sake of the lambs today,
If the lambs are lost, what a terrible cost
Some sheep will have to pay.
Mrs. Furstenfeld
N.J. Hiebert - 8499
June 2
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 Rise, let us be going. Matthew 26:46
RESTING AND ROUSING
He rests us and He rouses us. This nervous age keeps going with pills to put it to sleep and pills to keep it awake. From sedative to stimulant our generation lives by "shots in the arm". We both rest and rouse our jaded selves artificially.
But all we need for both purposes is found in Jesus. He give us peace. "Rest in the Lord." (Psalm 37:7) is God's prescription. We can rest in Him when we cease from our own feverish works and rest in HIs finished work.
And He rouses us. "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) There you have the world's false stimulant and Divine stirring of the Spirit. "Stir up the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6-7) means kindling the Fire within us, although the coals may be covered with ashes. Alas, "there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee." (Isaiah 64:7)
Whether you need resting or rousing, He does both. But we cooperate as we rest in Him or rouse ourselves to do His bidding.
Day by Day with Vance Havner (1901-1986)
Come unto Me, it is the Saviour's voice - the Lord of life, who bids thy heart rejoice;
O weary heart, with heavy cares oppressed, come unto Me, and I will give you rest.
Nate Norton
N.J. Hiebert - 8500
RESTING AND ROUSING
He rests us and He rouses us. This nervous age keeps going with pills to put it to sleep and pills to keep it awake. From sedative to stimulant our generation lives by "shots in the arm". We both rest and rouse our jaded selves artificially.
But all we need for both purposes is found in Jesus. He give us peace. "Rest in the Lord." (Psalm 37:7) is God's prescription. We can rest in Him when we cease from our own feverish works and rest in HIs finished work.
And He rouses us. "Be not drunk with wine wherein is excess, but be filled with the Spirit." (Ephesians 5:18) There you have the world's false stimulant and Divine stirring of the Spirit. "Stir up the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6-7) means kindling the Fire within us, although the coals may be covered with ashes. Alas, "there is none that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee." (Isaiah 64:7)
Whether you need resting or rousing, He does both. But we cooperate as we rest in Him or rouse ourselves to do His bidding.
Day by Day with Vance Havner (1901-1986)
Come unto Me, it is the Saviour's voice - the Lord of life, who bids thy heart rejoice;
O weary heart, with heavy cares oppressed, come unto Me, and I will give you rest.
Nate Norton
N.J. Hiebert - 8500
June 3
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold . . . but with the precious blood of Christ as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world. 1 Peter 1:18-20
The death and resurrection of Christ form the new basis on which God establishes every relationship with fallen man. Little wonder then that the Holy Scriptures are replete with types, prophecies, and shadows, all pointing to the coming One. Already before the foundation of the world was laid God had His Lamb in reserve.
And when the first man, Adam, sinned and thus failed in his responsibility towards God, it but served as an occasion for God to introduce the Second Man, the Man of His counsels, the Lord from heaven, into this world.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). God Himself must provide a Lamb, for we had none to bring. And what the holiness of God required, the love of God provided in the sending of His Son.
Wonderful provision for ruined sinners who now been brought to God, "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). The same One who was on the cross bearing our sins is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God: blessed proof of God's satisfaction with the work of putting sin away.
Moreover God's righteousness requires that all who have been redeemed will also be glorified with Christ where He is. We will be like Him and with Him,
(1 John 3:2) the fruit of His grace and the objects of God's eternal pleasure.
J. Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 8501
The death and resurrection of Christ form the new basis on which God establishes every relationship with fallen man. Little wonder then that the Holy Scriptures are replete with types, prophecies, and shadows, all pointing to the coming One. Already before the foundation of the world was laid God had His Lamb in reserve.
And when the first man, Adam, sinned and thus failed in his responsibility towards God, it but served as an occasion for God to introduce the Second Man, the Man of His counsels, the Lord from heaven, into this world.
When John the Baptist saw Jesus, he declared, "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). God Himself must provide a Lamb, for we had none to bring. And what the holiness of God required, the love of God provided in the sending of His Son.
Wonderful provision for ruined sinners who now been brought to God, "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6). The same One who was on the cross bearing our sins is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God: blessed proof of God's satisfaction with the work of putting sin away.
Moreover God's righteousness requires that all who have been redeemed will also be glorified with Christ where He is. We will be like Him and with Him,
(1 John 3:2) the fruit of His grace and the objects of God's eternal pleasure.
J. Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 8501
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