June 21
Thou has ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse...
Song of Solomon 4:9
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:25
A man may have a very handsome estate, and value it much, but he can never have the same feelings towards it that he has towards his wife and children. They are a part of himself, not it. What were all the pleasures of paradise to the first Adam compared with his delight in his loved and beautiful Eve? She was part of himself, not creation.
He had been cast into a deep sleep, and from his opened side a helpmeet was formed. When he awoke out of sleep and saw standing by his side the fair one, whom the Lord God, in His goodness, had provided for him, he exclaimed, "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23). The blank was now filled up. He had seen nothing till now to suit his heart. The fair creation--the beauties of Eden, had been, as it were, a blank to the first man, until he possessed and enjoyed the fruit of his typical sufferings and death.
But what was merely typical in the first man, was real in the Second Man--the last Adam. He was indeed cast into a deep sleep--the sleep of death; and as the fruit of His opened side, a second Eve, as it were, has been formed, all fair and spotless in His sight, who shall, ere long, share with Him the joys and dominion of the new--the redeemed creation; and there, amidst its glories, reflect His love which was stronger than death, and bask in the beams of His cloudless favour for ever and ever.
Almighty power could create a world; divine love alone, through suffering and death, could redeem a lost sinner. Who can understand this love--this love to a poor worthless sinner? Amazing truth! The heart of Christ ravished (taken away)! And by what--by whom? By one who has been washed in His own precious blood, and adorned with His own peerless excellencies.
Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 8519
Song of Solomon 4:9
Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for it. Ephesians 5:25
A man may have a very handsome estate, and value it much, but he can never have the same feelings towards it that he has towards his wife and children. They are a part of himself, not it. What were all the pleasures of paradise to the first Adam compared with his delight in his loved and beautiful Eve? She was part of himself, not creation.
He had been cast into a deep sleep, and from his opened side a helpmeet was formed. When he awoke out of sleep and saw standing by his side the fair one, whom the Lord God, in His goodness, had provided for him, he exclaimed, "This is now bone of my bone, and flesh of my flesh" (Genesis 2:23). The blank was now filled up. He had seen nothing till now to suit his heart. The fair creation--the beauties of Eden, had been, as it were, a blank to the first man, until he possessed and enjoyed the fruit of his typical sufferings and death.
But what was merely typical in the first man, was real in the Second Man--the last Adam. He was indeed cast into a deep sleep--the sleep of death; and as the fruit of His opened side, a second Eve, as it were, has been formed, all fair and spotless in His sight, who shall, ere long, share with Him the joys and dominion of the new--the redeemed creation; and there, amidst its glories, reflect His love which was stronger than death, and bask in the beams of His cloudless favour for ever and ever.
Almighty power could create a world; divine love alone, through suffering and death, could redeem a lost sinner. Who can understand this love--this love to a poor worthless sinner? Amazing truth! The heart of Christ ravished (taken away)! And by what--by whom? By one who has been washed in His own precious blood, and adorned with His own peerless excellencies.
Song of Solomon - Andrew Miller
N.J. Hiebert - 8519
June 22
If there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. . . and the God of Peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:8,9
It is not what one does, nor is it what one says, but it is what one thinks that makes the man. What one thinks determines what he will say and do. A person may try to make his words and actions to be much different than he actually thinks, but it will be all in vain.
For it is still the thoughts that manage to break through the actions and the words regardless how closely they are guarded. Others can always see the soul when it is off guard.
Paul knew the human mind and character very well. He suggests that we are to think on all things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, and well esteemed, all virtue, all things praiseworthy; and as these are allowed to dwell in our thoughts, they cannot help but transform us into His likeness.
Do not weary of the training that that is in store for you. To be the person you most desire will take a very large part of your Christian life. Do not tire of trying the good thoughts, putting aside the bad. When you are about to give up in despair, the Holy Spirit is willing to live those thoughts through you. Give Him the opportunity to do the work which He was placed in your life to do.
Think much of God that you shall like Him be,
In words of faith and hope and charity;
Protect His image from all foul abuse,
And keep your temple holy for His use.
F. G. Burroughs
Streams in the Desert
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
N.J. Hiebert - 8520
It is not what one does, nor is it what one says, but it is what one thinks that makes the man. What one thinks determines what he will say and do. A person may try to make his words and actions to be much different than he actually thinks, but it will be all in vain.
For it is still the thoughts that manage to break through the actions and the words regardless how closely they are guarded. Others can always see the soul when it is off guard.
Paul knew the human mind and character very well. He suggests that we are to think on all things that are true, honourable, just, pure, lovely, and well esteemed, all virtue, all things praiseworthy; and as these are allowed to dwell in our thoughts, they cannot help but transform us into His likeness.
Do not weary of the training that that is in store for you. To be the person you most desire will take a very large part of your Christian life. Do not tire of trying the good thoughts, putting aside the bad. When you are about to give up in despair, the Holy Spirit is willing to live those thoughts through you. Give Him the opportunity to do the work which He was placed in your life to do.
Think much of God that you shall like Him be,
In words of faith and hope and charity;
Protect His image from all foul abuse,
And keep your temple holy for His use.
F. G. Burroughs
Streams in the Desert
For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he." Proverbs 23:7
N.J. Hiebert - 8520
June 23
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28,29.
These verses tell us of something to do-- "come"; of something to leave-- our "burden"; of something to take--"My yoke"; and of something to find--"rest". In order to understand the significance of the whole passage, notice that it speaks of two kinds of rest--one in verse 28, and one in 29.The first of these is a gift--"I will give you rest"; the second is a discovery-- "ye shall find rest".
The one is the rest of salvation; the other is the rest of sanctification. The former-- rest of conscience--is unconditional, being imparted by Christ to all who, in response, to His invitation, come to Him; the latter--rest of heart--is conditional upon our learning of Him, Who is meek and lowly of heart. Meekness and lowliness: these represent the active and the passive sides of humility--a virtue which, because of its rarity, commands universal esteem.
When walking in lowliness we are not likely to wound other people, and when walking in meekness we shall not allow ourselves to be offended should they treat us in an unseemly manner. Is it not just the absence of these graces that causes so much fevered restlessness in our lives? We want to do the work of the man with ten talents when God has gifted us with only one; to occupy a prominent position in public when He intends us to fill a lowly place in private.
When God intends a creature to fly He always provides it with wings. If He has fitted one for publicity and prominence, the gift with which He has endowed that one will inevitably make room for itself (Proverbs 18:16). And the strong probability is that, did we but know the perils which surround those who occupy high positions and the fierce conflict which those have to wage who lead the van in Christian warfare, we would cease envying them and commence praying for them, and be thankful and content that we are filling, in lowly obscurity, the niche which God intends us to fill. Pearl of the Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8521
These verses tell us of something to do-- "come"; of something to leave-- our "burden"; of something to take--"My yoke"; and of something to find--"rest". In order to understand the significance of the whole passage, notice that it speaks of two kinds of rest--one in verse 28, and one in 29.The first of these is a gift--"I will give you rest"; the second is a discovery-- "ye shall find rest".
The one is the rest of salvation; the other is the rest of sanctification. The former-- rest of conscience--is unconditional, being imparted by Christ to all who, in response, to His invitation, come to Him; the latter--rest of heart--is conditional upon our learning of Him, Who is meek and lowly of heart. Meekness and lowliness: these represent the active and the passive sides of humility--a virtue which, because of its rarity, commands universal esteem.
When walking in lowliness we are not likely to wound other people, and when walking in meekness we shall not allow ourselves to be offended should they treat us in an unseemly manner. Is it not just the absence of these graces that causes so much fevered restlessness in our lives? We want to do the work of the man with ten talents when God has gifted us with only one; to occupy a prominent position in public when He intends us to fill a lowly place in private.
When God intends a creature to fly He always provides it with wings. If He has fitted one for publicity and prominence, the gift with which He has endowed that one will inevitably make room for itself (Proverbs 18:16). And the strong probability is that, did we but know the perils which surround those who occupy high positions and the fierce conflict which those have to wage who lead the van in Christian warfare, we would cease envying them and commence praying for them, and be thankful and content that we are filling, in lowly obscurity, the niche which God intends us to fill. Pearl of the Psalms - George Henderson
N.J. Hiebert - 8521
June 24
If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain" 1 Corinthians 15:14.
We are not saved by the teaching of Jesus, wonderful as that was: "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). His teaching could not atone for sin; His teaching could not cleanse guilty souls; it could not make men and women fit for heaven. Neither are we saved by imitating the lovely life of Jesus.
If our salvation depended upon our imitating that perfect life, we might everyone of us give up all hope and consider that we are just as good as eternally lost; because it is absolutely impossible for any sinful man to live a life such as Jesus, the holy Son of God, lived.
It is true that after we are converted, after we have received a new nature through faith in Him, we are called upon to follow in His steps; but even then as we seek to imitate Him we realize day by day how much we fail.
It is not the teaching of Jesus that saves us; it is not not by imitation of His life that we are saved. We are saved by His death and resurrection! "He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Scripture is clear and definite in regard to the great reality of His triumph over death. One witness after another is brought before us to testify to the fact that Joseph's new tomb was empty after the three days following the crucifixion. Angels appeared to say He was risen; He Himself appeared on one occasion after another during forty days before He ascended into heaven in the sight of His apostles.
One has well said that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the best attested fact of ancient history. Luke - H. A. Ironside.
N.J. Hiebert 8522
We are not saved by the teaching of Jesus, wonderful as that was: "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). His teaching could not atone for sin; His teaching could not cleanse guilty souls; it could not make men and women fit for heaven. Neither are we saved by imitating the lovely life of Jesus.
If our salvation depended upon our imitating that perfect life, we might everyone of us give up all hope and consider that we are just as good as eternally lost; because it is absolutely impossible for any sinful man to live a life such as Jesus, the holy Son of God, lived.
It is true that after we are converted, after we have received a new nature through faith in Him, we are called upon to follow in His steps; but even then as we seek to imitate Him we realize day by day how much we fail.
It is not the teaching of Jesus that saves us; it is not not by imitation of His life that we are saved. We are saved by His death and resurrection! "He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Romans 4:25).
Scripture is clear and definite in regard to the great reality of His triumph over death. One witness after another is brought before us to testify to the fact that Joseph's new tomb was empty after the three days following the crucifixion. Angels appeared to say He was risen; He Himself appeared on one occasion after another during forty days before He ascended into heaven in the sight of His apostles.
One has well said that the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the best attested fact of ancient history. Luke - H. A. Ironside.
N.J. Hiebert 8522
June 25
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15.
God had promised blessings to the righteous, and if anyone could have been found who was righteous, God would have blessed him on that ground. But it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12).
Therefore if God blesses man it must be as unrighteous, and as one who has no good in him, as an ungodly sinner. And this is just what God does, for it is "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Hm that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). Man has no righteousness of his own; it must be given to him by God and it is only the righteousness that God gives that will satisfy Him; therefore God proves man to be unrighteous, also guilty, that "every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-23).
God is perfectly JUST (Romans 3:26) in acting in this way, because He has first given up His own beloved Son to death, Who has accomplished redemption by His blood. The Ways of God With Man - W. M Sibthorpe
N.J. Hiebert - 8523
God had promised blessings to the righteous, and if anyone could have been found who was righteous, God would have blessed him on that ground. But it is written, "There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one" (Romans 3:10-12).
Therefore if God blesses man it must be as unrighteous, and as one who has no good in him, as an ungodly sinner. And this is just what God does, for it is "to him that worketh not, but believeth on Hm that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness" (Romans 4:5). Man has no righteousness of his own; it must be given to him by God and it is only the righteousness that God gives that will satisfy Him; therefore God proves man to be unrighteous, also guilty, that "every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God" (Romans 3:19).
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:21-23).
God is perfectly JUST (Romans 3:26) in acting in this way, because He has first given up His own beloved Son to death, Who has accomplished redemption by His blood. The Ways of God With Man - W. M Sibthorpe
N.J. Hiebert - 8523
June 26
My peace I give unto you. John14:27
"Peace I leave with you" is much; "My peace I give unto you" is more. The added word tells the fathomless marvel of the gift--"My peace." Not merely "peace with God;" Christ has made that by the blood of His cross, (Colossians 1:20) and being justified by faith we have it through Him (Romans 3:24).
But after we are thus reconciled, the enmity and the separation being ended, Jesus has a gift for us from His own treasures; and this is its special and wonderful value, that it is His very own.
How we value a gift which was the giver's own possession! What a special token of intimate friendship we feel it to be! To others we give what we have made or purchased; it is only to very near and dear ones that we give what has been our own personal enjoyment or use.
And so Jesus gives us not only peace made and peace purchased, but a share in His very own peace--divine, eternal, incomprehensible peace--which dwells in His own heart as God, and which shone in splendour of calmness through His life as man. No wonder that it "passeth all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
Thy reign is perfect peace;
Not mine, but Thine!--
A stream that cannot cease,
For its fountain is Thy heart. O depth unknown!
Thou givest of Thine own,
Pouring from Thine and filling mine.
The "noise of war" hath passed away;
God's peace is on the throne,
Ruling with undisputed sway.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8524
"Peace I leave with you" is much; "My peace I give unto you" is more. The added word tells the fathomless marvel of the gift--"My peace." Not merely "peace with God;" Christ has made that by the blood of His cross, (Colossians 1:20) and being justified by faith we have it through Him (Romans 3:24).
But after we are thus reconciled, the enmity and the separation being ended, Jesus has a gift for us from His own treasures; and this is its special and wonderful value, that it is His very own.
How we value a gift which was the giver's own possession! What a special token of intimate friendship we feel it to be! To others we give what we have made or purchased; it is only to very near and dear ones that we give what has been our own personal enjoyment or use.
And so Jesus gives us not only peace made and peace purchased, but a share in His very own peace--divine, eternal, incomprehensible peace--which dwells in His own heart as God, and which shone in splendour of calmness through His life as man. No wonder that it "passeth all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
Thy reign is perfect peace;
Not mine, but Thine!--
A stream that cannot cease,
For its fountain is Thy heart. O depth unknown!
Thou givest of Thine own,
Pouring from Thine and filling mine.
The "noise of war" hath passed away;
God's peace is on the throne,
Ruling with undisputed sway.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8524
June 27
PAUL'S CALENDAR
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Someone has said that Paul's calendar had only two days, "today" and "that day." The man who is ready for that day is ready for any day.
But we need to wear our spiritual bifocals and see both days. Some of the saints are near-sighted. Some are far-sighted. Paul may have had trouble wth his physical eyes, but he had no spiritual astigmatism. He had good bifocals; he saw the near and the far.
Do not busy yourself today with "wood, hay, stubble," and fail to build with "gold, silver, precious stones" against that day. For "the day shall declare it," and some works will go up in smoke! (1 Corinthians 3:12,13)
On the other hand, do not so contemplate eternity that you waste today. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Today if ye will hear His voice" (Hebrews 4:7)
Day by Day with Vance Havner
I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him, or "meet Him in the air."
But "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
D. W. Whittle
N.J. Hiebert - 8525
I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day. 2 Timothy 1:12
Someone has said that Paul's calendar had only two days, "today" and "that day." The man who is ready for that day is ready for any day.
But we need to wear our spiritual bifocals and see both days. Some of the saints are near-sighted. Some are far-sighted. Paul may have had trouble wth his physical eyes, but he had no spiritual astigmatism. He had good bifocals; he saw the near and the far.
Do not busy yourself today with "wood, hay, stubble," and fail to build with "gold, silver, precious stones" against that day. For "the day shall declare it," and some works will go up in smoke! (1 Corinthians 3:12,13)
On the other hand, do not so contemplate eternity that you waste today. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
"Today if ye will hear His voice" (Hebrews 4:7)
Day by Day with Vance Havner
I know not when my Lord may come, at night or noon-day fair,
Nor if I'll walk the vale with Him, or "meet Him in the air."
But "I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day."
D. W. Whittle
N.J. Hiebert - 8525
June 28
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto Him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled." 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2.
Here this word tells us of that great gathering in the air, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, when all the true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, whether living or sleeping, shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
What a gathering together that will be, and all unto Him! Not one saint, to the last one brought to the Saviour before He comes again, will be missing then: then all will be gathered together unto their Lord, and He will be the Centre, the only Centre and Object, of that vast throng.
And, note, the One unto Whom we are gathered is not left to be understood, (as it is in some cases), but is plainly told us:--"Unto Him,"--unto the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The archangel will be there, and will utter his voice: but he is not the Centre or Object, the One to whom that vast throng is gathered! No! It is unto the Lord Himself, the Lord alone, He is the Centre of all: "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The Lord Himself is our only Object and Centre then.
Who would be wiling to miss that meeting in the air, with the Lord Himself in the midst? Who then, at that moment, will want any other centre, any other object, than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8526
Here this word tells us of that great gathering in the air, described in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, and in 1 Corinthians 15:51-57, when all the true believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, whether living or sleeping, shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air.
What a gathering together that will be, and all unto Him! Not one saint, to the last one brought to the Saviour before He comes again, will be missing then: then all will be gathered together unto their Lord, and He will be the Centre, the only Centre and Object, of that vast throng.
And, note, the One unto Whom we are gathered is not left to be understood, (as it is in some cases), but is plainly told us:--"Unto Him,"--unto the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
The archangel will be there, and will utter his voice: but he is not the Centre or Object, the One to whom that vast throng is gathered! No! It is unto the Lord Himself, the Lord alone, He is the Centre of all: "The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout." (1 Thessalonians 4:16) The Lord Himself is our only Object and Centre then.
Who would be wiling to miss that meeting in the air, with the Lord Himself in the midst? Who then, at that moment, will want any other centre, any other object, than the Lord Jesus Christ Himself?
Hid Treasures - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8526
June 29
And the Lord said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock. Exodus 33:21
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5
What words of assurance and comfort for the weary, exhausted traveller, beaten by the storms of life. How good to know that there is a place where life's tumult never can reach and the harassments of earth can never invade.
That place is by His side, in the eternal calm of His presence. It is a place that He has prepared for us, into which we can safely retreat. We feel the rock beneath our feet when all other places are but shifting sand. W. H. Burnett
From every stormy wind that blows, from every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sweet retreat; 'tis found before the mercy seat.
There is a place where mercy sheds the oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all beside more sweet--it is the heavenly mercy-seat.
There is a spot where souls unite, and saint meets saint in heavenly light;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet before the common mercy seat.
Ah! whither could we flee for aid when tempted, desolate, dismayed?
Or how the hosts of hell defeat, had suffering saints no mercy-seat?
Thither by faith we upward sore, and time and sense seem all no more,
For freely God our souls can greet where glory crowns the Mercy-seat.
H.Stowell
N.J. Hiebert - 8527
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in His pavilion: in the secret of of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a rock. Psalm 27:5
What words of assurance and comfort for the weary, exhausted traveller, beaten by the storms of life. How good to know that there is a place where life's tumult never can reach and the harassments of earth can never invade.
That place is by His side, in the eternal calm of His presence. It is a place that He has prepared for us, into which we can safely retreat. We feel the rock beneath our feet when all other places are but shifting sand. W. H. Burnett
From every stormy wind that blows, from every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sweet retreat; 'tis found before the mercy seat.
There is a place where mercy sheds the oil of gladness on our heads;
A place than all beside more sweet--it is the heavenly mercy-seat.
There is a spot where souls unite, and saint meets saint in heavenly light;
Though sundered far, by faith they meet before the common mercy seat.
Ah! whither could we flee for aid when tempted, desolate, dismayed?
Or how the hosts of hell defeat, had suffering saints no mercy-seat?
Thither by faith we upward sore, and time and sense seem all no more,
For freely God our souls can greet where glory crowns the Mercy-seat.
H.Stowell
N.J. Hiebert - 8527
June 30
Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:10,11
While Joshua fought, Moses prayed. As long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed in battle, but when his hands drooped, Amalek prevailed. This battle was not won by Israel's fighting ability, since they were not experienced soldiers nor adept at warfare.
The battle was won by Moses through prayer. What a reminder as to the value, power, and absolute necessity of prayer! Have you prayed today?
W. Ross Rainey
Behold the throne of grace!
The promise calls us near!
To seek our God and Father's face,
Who loves to answer prayer.
Thy rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round we see,
Provides for those who come to God
An all prevailing plea.
My soul, ask what thou wilt;
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since His own blood for thee He spilt,
What else can He withhold?
Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and pow'r can bless;
To praying souls He always grants
More than they can express. John Newton
N.J. Hiebert - 8528
While Joshua fought, Moses prayed. As long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed in battle, but when his hands drooped, Amalek prevailed. This battle was not won by Israel's fighting ability, since they were not experienced soldiers nor adept at warfare.
The battle was won by Moses through prayer. What a reminder as to the value, power, and absolute necessity of prayer! Have you prayed today?
W. Ross Rainey
Behold the throne of grace!
The promise calls us near!
To seek our God and Father's face,
Who loves to answer prayer.
Thy rich atoning blood,
Which sprinkled round we see,
Provides for those who come to God
An all prevailing plea.
My soul, ask what thou wilt;
Thou canst not be too bold;
Since His own blood for thee He spilt,
What else can He withhold?
Beyond thy utmost wants
His love and pow'r can bless;
To praying souls He always grants
More than they can express. John Newton
N.J. Hiebert - 8528
July 1
For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21
Let us consider Christ's work on the cross and what has been accomplished by it. But who is able to speak worthily of this theme of all themes? Who can fathom the solemn yet blessed fact, the death of the Son of God on the cross? What tongue or pen can describe the sad, yet glorious truth, that the Just One died for the unjust, that Christ died for the ungodly! And what human mind can estimate the wonderful results of His work on the cross!
There can be nothing deeper than the death of God's Son on the cross. Depths are here which are unfathomable. We must ever turn back to the cross. Always we shall learn something new. With unspeakable Glory upon us and greater glory before us in eternal ages to come, the cross of Christ and the Lamb of God which has taken away the sin of the world can never be forgotten. But we shall never know what that death on the cross meant for Him and what it meant to God.
"Through the eternal He Spirit offered Himself without spot to God" (Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Lamb of God, with no spot or blemish upon Him, shed His precious blood on the cross, to procure redemption. But what it all meant for Him who was as truly Man as He is God! Here was a Being perfectly holy, One who had always pleased God and did His will, yea, His meat and drink was to do the will of Him that sent Him.
Sin was the horrible defiling thing to Him. He, too, like the Holy God hated and hates sin. And yet such a One was made sin for us. He had to stand in the place of guilty sinners and all the waves and billows of divine judgment and wrath had to pass over Him. He drank the cup of wrath to the last drop.
A. C. Gaebelein (1861-1945)
N.J. Hiebert - 8529
Let us consider Christ's work on the cross and what has been accomplished by it. But who is able to speak worthily of this theme of all themes? Who can fathom the solemn yet blessed fact, the death of the Son of God on the cross? What tongue or pen can describe the sad, yet glorious truth, that the Just One died for the unjust, that Christ died for the ungodly! And what human mind can estimate the wonderful results of His work on the cross!
There can be nothing deeper than the death of God's Son on the cross. Depths are here which are unfathomable. We must ever turn back to the cross. Always we shall learn something new. With unspeakable Glory upon us and greater glory before us in eternal ages to come, the cross of Christ and the Lamb of God which has taken away the sin of the world can never be forgotten. But we shall never know what that death on the cross meant for Him and what it meant to God.
"Through the eternal He Spirit offered Himself without spot to God" (Hebrews 9:14). The Holy Lamb of God, with no spot or blemish upon Him, shed His precious blood on the cross, to procure redemption. But what it all meant for Him who was as truly Man as He is God! Here was a Being perfectly holy, One who had always pleased God and did His will, yea, His meat and drink was to do the will of Him that sent Him.
Sin was the horrible defiling thing to Him. He, too, like the Holy God hated and hates sin. And yet such a One was made sin for us. He had to stand in the place of guilty sinners and all the waves and billows of divine judgment and wrath had to pass over Him. He drank the cup of wrath to the last drop.
A. C. Gaebelein (1861-1945)
N.J. Hiebert - 8529
July 2
Looking unto Jesus. Hebrews 12:2
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS in the Scriptures,
to learn there what He is, what He has done, what He gives, what He desires; to find in His character our pattern, in His teachings our instruction, in His precepts our law, in His promises our support, in His person and in His work a full satisfaction provided for every need of our souls.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Crucified,
to find in His shed blood our ransom, our pardon, our peace.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Risen,
to find in Him the righteousness which alone makes us righteous, and permits us, all unworthy as we are, to draw near with boldness, in His Name, to Him Who is His Father and our Father, His God and our God.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Glorified,
to find in Him our Heavenly Advocate completing by His intercession the work inspired by His loving-kindness for our salvation; (1 John 2:1) Who even now is appearing for us before the face of God (Hebrews 9:24), the kingly Priest, the spotless victim, bearing the iniquity of our holy things (Exodus 28:38).
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Who gives repentance,
as well as forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31) because He give us the grace to recognize, to deplore, to confess, and to forsake our transgressions.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS NOW, if we have never looked unto Him,--
UNTO JESUS AFRESH, if we have ceased doing so,--
UNTO JESUS ONLY, STILL, ALWAYS, thus awaiting the hour when He will call us to pass from earth to heaven, and from time to eternity,--when at last "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2 Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8530
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS in the Scriptures,
to learn there what He is, what He has done, what He gives, what He desires; to find in His character our pattern, in His teachings our instruction, in His precepts our law, in His promises our support, in His person and in His work a full satisfaction provided for every need of our souls.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Crucified,
to find in His shed blood our ransom, our pardon, our peace.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Risen,
to find in Him the righteousness which alone makes us righteous, and permits us, all unworthy as we are, to draw near with boldness, in His Name, to Him Who is His Father and our Father, His God and our God.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Glorified,
to find in Him our Heavenly Advocate completing by His intercession the work inspired by His loving-kindness for our salvation; (1 John 2:1) Who even now is appearing for us before the face of God (Hebrews 9:24), the kingly Priest, the spotless victim, bearing the iniquity of our holy things (Exodus 28:38).
LOOKING UNTO JESUS Who gives repentance,
as well as forgiveness of sins (Acts 5:31) because He give us the grace to recognize, to deplore, to confess, and to forsake our transgressions.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS NOW, if we have never looked unto Him,--
UNTO JESUS AFRESH, if we have ceased doing so,--
UNTO JESUS ONLY, STILL, ALWAYS, thus awaiting the hour when He will call us to pass from earth to heaven, and from time to eternity,--when at last "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." 1 John 3:2 Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8530
July 3
Looking unto Jesus . . . Hebrews 12:2 (Continued from Gem # 8530)
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS to receive from Him the task and the cross for each day, with the grace which is sufficient to carry the cross and to accomplish the task;
the grace that enables us to be patient wth His patience, active with His activity, loving with His love;
never asking "What am I able for?" but rather: "What is He not able for?" and waiting for His strength which is made perfect in our weakness.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
LOOKING UNTO JESUS to go forth from ourselves and to forget ourselves; so that our darkness may flee away before the brightness of His face; so that our joys may be holy, and our sorrow restrained;
- that He may cast us down, and that He may raise us up;
- that He may afflict us, and that He may comfort us;
- that He may deprive us, and that He may enrich us;
- that He may teach us to pray, and that He may answer our prayers;
- that while leaving us in the world, He may separate us from it, our life being hidden with Him in God, and our behaviour bearing witness to Him before men.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and at nothing else,
as our text expresses it in one untranslatable word (aphoroontes),
which at the same time directs us to fix our gaze upon Him, and to turn it away from everything else.
Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8531
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS to receive from Him the task and the cross for each day, with the grace which is sufficient to carry the cross and to accomplish the task;
the grace that enables us to be patient wth His patience, active with His activity, loving with His love;
never asking "What am I able for?" but rather: "What is He not able for?" and waiting for His strength which is made perfect in our weakness.
(2 Corinthians 12:9)
LOOKING UNTO JESUS to go forth from ourselves and to forget ourselves; so that our darkness may flee away before the brightness of His face; so that our joys may be holy, and our sorrow restrained;
- that He may cast us down, and that He may raise us up;
- that He may afflict us, and that He may comfort us;
- that He may deprive us, and that He may enrich us;
- that He may teach us to pray, and that He may answer our prayers;
- that while leaving us in the world, He may separate us from it, our life being hidden with Him in God, and our behaviour bearing witness to Him before men.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and at nothing else,
as our text expresses it in one untranslatable word (aphoroontes),
which at the same time directs us to fix our gaze upon Him, and to turn it away from everything else.
Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8531
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