THE DAY OF CHRIST
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Philippians 2:16
Ye also are our's (our boast) in the day of the Lord Jesus.
2 Corinthians 1:14
And what is this "Day" of which the Apostle so often speaks? This "Day of our Lord Jesus Christ"? We speak of "Caesars day" or, "Napoleon's day"; and we all understand by this that it means the day when Caesar or Napoleon held sway, and exercised his will.
So is it now: it is "man's day," (1 Corinthians 4:3) when man is permitted to act according to his own will. But the time is coming when the Lord Jesus Christ will have His day: when He will come again and take all His own to be with Himself forever.1 Thessalonians 4.
This is the beginning of the day of our Lord Jesus Christ: but it will include the Judgment Seat of Christ. I think this is the time that the Apostle refers to in Philippians 2. When He sees His beloved brethren from Philippi receive their reward for their faithful walk down here, it will be a boast to Paul, that not in vain he ran, and not in vain he toiled.
And, beloved fellow labourer, you and I have that same bright hope: nor do I mean by that word "fellow labourer" (1 Corinthians 3:9) any special class of persons. A child who seeks to lead a school-mate to the Saviour; the Sunday School teacher who seeks to win the class to Him; the worker who points his companion to Christ: and, perhaps the sweetest of all, the parents who win their own child: these all are "labourers" for Christ: these all may look forward to that same boast the apostle had: if these dear souls continue in the path marked out. Meditations on Philippians - G. Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8559
August 1
- There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
- By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this (lame) man stand here before you. (v.10)
- They (council) commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus (v.18).
- But Peter and John answered . . . Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (v.19).
- For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (v.20)
The council admit defeat, (v.16) and then, calling in the apostles, commanded them (v.18). This command raised the most important question possible: Was God to be obeyed or man? Peter and John answered (v.19,20).
It is to be noted here that the action of the apostles is in no sense opposed to the scripture that enjoins: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers" (Romans 13:1,2) (1 Peter 2:13,14). In the case before us it was not a question of the king or of the civil power,--which the saint ever recognizes as the sword of God put into man's hand,--but of ecclesiastical and priestly arrogance, which has no claim on the conscience for allegiance.
This is a principle of immense importance here, viz., that a child of God is never supposed to disobey God, in order to obey man. The civil power may make regulations which deprive the saint of privileges he would like to enjoy, but the latter must never disobey God, in order to conform to the will of the former. He may have to endure deprivation of a privilege, but never can disobey a divine command. This Peter's action here makes abundantly clear.
(Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston)
N.J. Hiebert - 8560
- By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by Him doth this (lame) man stand here before you. (v.10)
- They (council) commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus (v.18).
- But Peter and John answered . . . Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye (v.19).
- For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (v.20)
The council admit defeat, (v.16) and then, calling in the apostles, commanded them (v.18). This command raised the most important question possible: Was God to be obeyed or man? Peter and John answered (v.19,20).
It is to be noted here that the action of the apostles is in no sense opposed to the scripture that enjoins: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers" (Romans 13:1,2) (1 Peter 2:13,14). In the case before us it was not a question of the king or of the civil power,--which the saint ever recognizes as the sword of God put into man's hand,--but of ecclesiastical and priestly arrogance, which has no claim on the conscience for allegiance.
This is a principle of immense importance here, viz., that a child of God is never supposed to disobey God, in order to obey man. The civil power may make regulations which deprive the saint of privileges he would like to enjoy, but the latter must never disobey God, in order to conform to the will of the former. He may have to endure deprivation of a privilege, but never can disobey a divine command. This Peter's action here makes abundantly clear.
(Simon Peter - W. T. P. Wolston)
N.J. Hiebert - 8560
August 2
INTIMACY WITH CHRIST
I have called you friends. John 15:15
Whatever makes Christ more precious to us is of God. "It is I; be not afraid." (John 6:20). The realization of Christ's presence is the antidote to every possible fear, and the way to comfort people is the ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit, to so present Him that they shall apprehend His presence. To be near Christ is the greatest enjoyment of the spiritual life.
The nearer we are to God the more we lose sight of ourselves and the better we are able to apprehend and to communicate His mind.
I do not know a happier employment than to sit down quietly before the Lord and let Him make impressions on your heart--to let Him impress you with His own presence, and to produce whatever influences He will upon you.
By sitting at the feet of Jesus we shall both delight His heart and find ourselves in the place of untold and unfathomed blessing.
Many people think communion is having happy feelings. It is being in the mind of God. Communion is doing the right thing at the right moment in the right way. Once get out of communion and you cannot do anything rightly.
Are we satisfied with light instead of cultivating love for Christ? The more light the better if affection goes with it, but if light be held without the heart it will not benefit us. John 20 illustrates this. John had more light about the resurrection than Mary, yet when he came to the sepulchre and found it empty he went home. Mary had no light about the resurrection, yet as she waited there, weeping, Jesus revealed Himself to her. It is to the heart and not to the head that Christ reveals Himself, so the more heart you have the more you will get manifestations of Him. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8561
I have called you friends. John 15:15
Whatever makes Christ more precious to us is of God. "It is I; be not afraid." (John 6:20). The realization of Christ's presence is the antidote to every possible fear, and the way to comfort people is the ministry of Christ in the power of the Spirit, to so present Him that they shall apprehend His presence. To be near Christ is the greatest enjoyment of the spiritual life.
The nearer we are to God the more we lose sight of ourselves and the better we are able to apprehend and to communicate His mind.
I do not know a happier employment than to sit down quietly before the Lord and let Him make impressions on your heart--to let Him impress you with His own presence, and to produce whatever influences He will upon you.
By sitting at the feet of Jesus we shall both delight His heart and find ourselves in the place of untold and unfathomed blessing.
Many people think communion is having happy feelings. It is being in the mind of God. Communion is doing the right thing at the right moment in the right way. Once get out of communion and you cannot do anything rightly.
Are we satisfied with light instead of cultivating love for Christ? The more light the better if affection goes with it, but if light be held without the heart it will not benefit us. John 20 illustrates this. John had more light about the resurrection than Mary, yet when he came to the sepulchre and found it empty he went home. Mary had no light about the resurrection, yet as she waited there, weeping, Jesus revealed Himself to her. It is to the heart and not to the head that Christ reveals Himself, so the more heart you have the more you will get manifestations of Him. Footprints for Pilgrims - Edward Dennett
N.J. Hiebert - 8561
August 3
Preach wisely.
Because the preacher was wise, he . . . sought to find out acceptable words. Ecclesiastes 12:9,10. Not rude, loose, and indigested stuff, in a slovenly manner brought forth, lest the carelessness of the cook should turn the stomachs of the guests.
Preach gently.
The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. 2 Timothy 2:24, 25. O how careful is God that nothing should be in the preacher to prejudice the sinner's judgment, or harden his heart against the offer of His grace! If the servant be proud and hasty, how shall they know that the Master is meek and patient?
He that will take the bird must not scare it. A forward, peevish messenger is no friend to him that sends him. Sinners are not pelted into Christ with stones of hard provoking language, but wooed into Christ by heart-melting exhortations.
The oil makes the nail drive without splitting the board. The word never enters the heart more kindly, than when it falls most gently. The word preached comes, indeed, best from a warm heart. "The words of wise men are heard in quiet." Ecclesiastes 9:17
Preach diligently.
All the water is lost that runs beside the mill, and all your thoughts are waste which help you not to do God's work withal in your general or particular calling. The bee will not sit on a flower where no honey can be sucked, neither should the Christian.
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1616 - 1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8562
Because the preacher was wise, he . . . sought to find out acceptable words. Ecclesiastes 12:9,10. Not rude, loose, and indigested stuff, in a slovenly manner brought forth, lest the carelessness of the cook should turn the stomachs of the guests.
Preach gently.
The servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves. 2 Timothy 2:24, 25. O how careful is God that nothing should be in the preacher to prejudice the sinner's judgment, or harden his heart against the offer of His grace! If the servant be proud and hasty, how shall they know that the Master is meek and patient?
He that will take the bird must not scare it. A forward, peevish messenger is no friend to him that sends him. Sinners are not pelted into Christ with stones of hard provoking language, but wooed into Christ by heart-melting exhortations.
The oil makes the nail drive without splitting the board. The word never enters the heart more kindly, than when it falls most gently. The word preached comes, indeed, best from a warm heart. "The words of wise men are heard in quiet." Ecclesiastes 9:17
Preach diligently.
All the water is lost that runs beside the mill, and all your thoughts are waste which help you not to do God's work withal in your general or particular calling. The bee will not sit on a flower where no honey can be sucked, neither should the Christian.
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall (1616 - 1679)
N.J. Hiebert - 8562
August 4
Who hath measured the waters in the hollow of His hand. Isaiah 40:12
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. Isaiah 49:16
Jesus said: I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them our of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one. John 10:28-30
One day, deep in the forest, we came upon a rock in midstream scooped by the backwash of immemorial waters to a hollow like the palm of a man's hand. Over this rock fell a crystal sheet of water, and through that moving clearness we saw maidenhair fern growing in a lovely profusion in the hollow of the "hand".
It was not the place where we should have planted a fern; at any moment it might have been tossed, a piteous, crumpled mass, down the shouting river--this is how it seemed to us. But it was safe. The falls flowed over it, not on it. And it was blessed.
When the fern on the bank shrivelled in heat, it was green, for it was watered all the year long by dust of spray. So does our wonderful God turn that which had seemed to be a perpetual threat to a perpetual benediction. Is there anything to fear with such a God? Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
Safe am I, safe am I, in the hollow of His hand;
Sheltered o'er, sheltered o'er with His love for evermore.
No ill can harm me, no foe alarm me,
For He keeps both day and night.
Safe am I, in the hollow of His hand. Mildred L. Dillon
N.J. Hiebert - 8563
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands. Isaiah 49:16
Jesus said: I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them our of My Father's hand. I and My Father are one. John 10:28-30
One day, deep in the forest, we came upon a rock in midstream scooped by the backwash of immemorial waters to a hollow like the palm of a man's hand. Over this rock fell a crystal sheet of water, and through that moving clearness we saw maidenhair fern growing in a lovely profusion in the hollow of the "hand".
It was not the place where we should have planted a fern; at any moment it might have been tossed, a piteous, crumpled mass, down the shouting river--this is how it seemed to us. But it was safe. The falls flowed over it, not on it. And it was blessed.
When the fern on the bank shrivelled in heat, it was green, for it was watered all the year long by dust of spray. So does our wonderful God turn that which had seemed to be a perpetual threat to a perpetual benediction. Is there anything to fear with such a God? Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
Safe am I, safe am I, in the hollow of His hand;
Sheltered o'er, sheltered o'er with His love for evermore.
No ill can harm me, no foe alarm me,
For He keeps both day and night.
Safe am I, in the hollow of His hand. Mildred L. Dillon
N.J. Hiebert - 8563
August 5
THE UNFATHOMABLE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST
Behold . . . is any sorrow like unto My sorrow. Lamentation 1:12
Many and various causes of sorrow are presented in the life of our blessed Lord on earth; one coming on another. And sorrow becoming more and more intense, up to the closing scene on Mount Calvary. Suffering, connected with testimony for God; whoever is for God will be sure to suffer in such a world.
Then there was the peculiarity of sorrow, as being the One to solve that problem which seemed so impossible to solve--how God and a sinner could go together. How God could find anyone to show the bearing of divine glory in connection with mercy towards one covered with sin? He did find One Who was to be the perfect measure of what sin was in His presence. That One takes the cup of wrath from God's hand; and in that hour, God cannot look at the One in whom was all His delight. The hour of forsaking, when the "sword" was to awake, only came out at the cross. (Zechariah 13:7) There was but the anticipation of its unsheathing at Gethsemane.
I see there God's estimate of sin when it comes into His presence. That Son of His love had to be treated as if the whole mass of sin was His, and the whole weight of wrath for that sin came upon Him. He had to bear it all there, alone. He may be a Man of sorrows all through His life, but He has God with Him in it. Never till the cross do we find the sense of God's distance from Him--expressed in that cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)
He never could taste that before, for only then was He bearing sin in His own body, in God's presence. Not one ray of light came from Him while the Son of His love was there, suffering, the Just for the unjust. (1 Peter 3:18). Man tries to keep sin far away, out of God's presence, but Christ carried it right into His presence. G.V.Wigram
N.J. Hiebert - 8564
Behold . . . is any sorrow like unto My sorrow. Lamentation 1:12
Many and various causes of sorrow are presented in the life of our blessed Lord on earth; one coming on another. And sorrow becoming more and more intense, up to the closing scene on Mount Calvary. Suffering, connected with testimony for God; whoever is for God will be sure to suffer in such a world.
Then there was the peculiarity of sorrow, as being the One to solve that problem which seemed so impossible to solve--how God and a sinner could go together. How God could find anyone to show the bearing of divine glory in connection with mercy towards one covered with sin? He did find One Who was to be the perfect measure of what sin was in His presence. That One takes the cup of wrath from God's hand; and in that hour, God cannot look at the One in whom was all His delight. The hour of forsaking, when the "sword" was to awake, only came out at the cross. (Zechariah 13:7) There was but the anticipation of its unsheathing at Gethsemane.
I see there God's estimate of sin when it comes into His presence. That Son of His love had to be treated as if the whole mass of sin was His, and the whole weight of wrath for that sin came upon Him. He had to bear it all there, alone. He may be a Man of sorrows all through His life, but He has God with Him in it. Never till the cross do we find the sense of God's distance from Him--expressed in that cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46)
He never could taste that before, for only then was He bearing sin in His own body, in God's presence. Not one ray of light came from Him while the Son of His love was there, suffering, the Just for the unjust. (1 Peter 3:18). Man tries to keep sin far away, out of God's presence, but Christ carried it right into His presence. G.V.Wigram
N.J. Hiebert - 8564
August 6
We glory in tribulation...knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; and hope maketh not ashamed. Romans 5:3-6.
"Knowing", Paul says, that tribulation worketh patience, experience, hope. And another thing we notice is, these tribulations stand in direct relation with the love of God--shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. This is the climx of the passage. He knew what tribulation could do for him, and so he gloried in it; and more than that, he knew that the One who sent the tribulation loved him perfectly.
These two things, the conviction that tribulations are only a blessing in disguise, and that it must be so because the One who permits it all loves us, will enable the weakest saint to glory in them.
Yes, it is the "knowing" what tribulation can work, and the "knowing" the love which is behind it all, that enables us to praise God. As the psalmist says, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: to show forth Thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night, upon an instrument of ten strings."
And if God is allowing sorrow after sorrow to enter into your life, and calamities one after another to come upon you just as if they watched and waited, scanning one another's motions, when the first descends the others follow.
He is only adding the strings, which are really your own experience how of He has delivered you and brought you to Himself, of how He loves you, of how He makes all things work together for your good, (Romans 8:28) that thus the music may become more varied, and possess greater harmony.
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 8565
"Knowing", Paul says, that tribulation worketh patience, experience, hope. And another thing we notice is, these tribulations stand in direct relation with the love of God--shed abroad in the heart by the Holy Spirit. This is the climx of the passage. He knew what tribulation could do for him, and so he gloried in it; and more than that, he knew that the One who sent the tribulation loved him perfectly.
These two things, the conviction that tribulations are only a blessing in disguise, and that it must be so because the One who permits it all loves us, will enable the weakest saint to glory in them.
Yes, it is the "knowing" what tribulation can work, and the "knowing" the love which is behind it all, that enables us to praise God. As the psalmist says, "It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto Thy name, O most High: to show forth Thy loving kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night, upon an instrument of ten strings."
And if God is allowing sorrow after sorrow to enter into your life, and calamities one after another to come upon you just as if they watched and waited, scanning one another's motions, when the first descends the others follow.
He is only adding the strings, which are really your own experience how of He has delivered you and brought you to Himself, of how He loves you, of how He makes all things work together for your good, (Romans 8:28) that thus the music may become more varied, and possess greater harmony.
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 8565
August 7
"Looking unto Jesus . . ." Hebrews 12:2 and not at our faith.
The last device of the adversary, when he cannot make us look elsewhere, is to turn our eyes from our Saviour to our faith, and thus to discourage us if it is weak, to fill us with pride if it is strong: and either way to weaken us. For power does not come from the faith but from the Saviour by faith. It is not looking at our look, it is "looking unto Jesus".
Looking unto Jesus as long as we remain on the earth,--unto Jesus from moment to moment, without allowing ourselves to be distracted by memories of a past which we should leave behind us, nor by occupation with a future of which we know nothing.
HENCEFORTH--not unto Themselves. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
OH, the bitter shame and sorrow, that a time could ever be,
When I let the SAVIOUR'S pity plead in vain, and proudly answered:
All of self, and none of Thee.
Yet He found me: I beheld Him bleeding on the accursed tree,
Heard Him pray : "Forgive them, Father;" and my wistful heart said faintly:
Some of self, and some of Thee.
Day by day His tender mercy, healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient, brought me lower, while I whispered:
Less of self, and more of Thee.
Higher than the highest heaven, deeper than the deepest sea,
LORD, Thy love at last hath conquered; grant me now my supplication:
None of self, and all of Thee.
Theodore Monod (1874)
N.J. Hiebert - 8566
The last device of the adversary, when he cannot make us look elsewhere, is to turn our eyes from our Saviour to our faith, and thus to discourage us if it is weak, to fill us with pride if it is strong: and either way to weaken us. For power does not come from the faith but from the Saviour by faith. It is not looking at our look, it is "looking unto Jesus".
Looking unto Jesus as long as we remain on the earth,--unto Jesus from moment to moment, without allowing ourselves to be distracted by memories of a past which we should leave behind us, nor by occupation with a future of which we know nothing.
HENCEFORTH--not unto Themselves. (2 Corinthians 5:15)
OH, the bitter shame and sorrow, that a time could ever be,
When I let the SAVIOUR'S pity plead in vain, and proudly answered:
All of self, and none of Thee.
Yet He found me: I beheld Him bleeding on the accursed tree,
Heard Him pray : "Forgive them, Father;" and my wistful heart said faintly:
Some of self, and some of Thee.
Day by day His tender mercy, healing, helping, full and free,
Sweet and strong, and ah! so patient, brought me lower, while I whispered:
Less of self, and more of Thee.
Higher than the highest heaven, deeper than the deepest sea,
LORD, Thy love at last hath conquered; grant me now my supplication:
None of self, and all of Thee.
Theodore Monod (1874)
N.J. Hiebert - 8566
August 8
And David, went on, and grew great, (going and growing) and the Lord God of host was with him. (margin) 2 Samuel 5:10.
When a believer stops going he cease growing also. There must be obedience to the truth of God, a "going" on in the ways that be in Christ, as they are learned from His Word.
No shirking of the cross that obedience often brings with it, but steady "going and growing" steadily and constantly. They are the happy saints who thus go on growing, and they are fruitful ones too.
They are not toppled over with every wind, for they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, striking down their roots deeper every year, and flourish like the palm tree, evergreen, amid burning deserts.
J. Ritchie
The cedar boughs once touched the grass; but every year they grew
A little farther from the ground and nearer to the blue.
So live that you may each year be, while time glides swiftly by,
A little farther from the earth, and nearer to the sky.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6,7)
N.J. Hiebert - 8567
When a believer stops going he cease growing also. There must be obedience to the truth of God, a "going" on in the ways that be in Christ, as they are learned from His Word.
No shirking of the cross that obedience often brings with it, but steady "going and growing" steadily and constantly. They are the happy saints who thus go on growing, and they are fruitful ones too.
They are not toppled over with every wind, for they grow like the cedar in Lebanon, striking down their roots deeper every year, and flourish like the palm tree, evergreen, amid burning deserts.
J. Ritchie
The cedar boughs once touched the grass; but every year they grew
A little farther from the ground and nearer to the blue.
So live that you may each year be, while time glides swiftly by,
A little farther from the earth, and nearer to the sky.
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him: rooted and built up in Him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6,7)
N.J. Hiebert - 8567
August 9
". . . Yes Lord . . ." Mark 7:28
"YES LORD" are two words found only once in the Bible: (Mark 7:28) But they were the key to blessing for a person who needed help that only the Lord Jesus Christ could give.
These words are still the key which will open the door to good things in our lives. When we submit our wills to the will of God, we have started in the right direction. God has spoken to us in His word, the Bible.
He loves us and wants us to have His best. He sent His Son into our world to die as a sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross. God raised Him from among the dead and has taken Him back to heaven and placed Him on His throne of grace and power.
Jesus lives today. He is LORD. Submit yourself to Him by faith right now. "YES, LORD" is the key!
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) R. Reeves - J-O-Y GOSPEL DISTRIBUTORS
N.J. Hiebert - 8568
"YES LORD" are two words found only once in the Bible: (Mark 7:28) But they were the key to blessing for a person who needed help that only the Lord Jesus Christ could give.
These words are still the key which will open the door to good things in our lives. When we submit our wills to the will of God, we have started in the right direction. God has spoken to us in His word, the Bible.
He loves us and wants us to have His best. He sent His Son into our world to die as a sacrifice for us on Calvary's cross. God raised Him from among the dead and has taken Him back to heaven and placed Him on His throne of grace and power.
Jesus lives today. He is LORD. Submit yourself to Him by faith right now. "YES, LORD" is the key!
If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, Thou shalt be saved." Romans 10:9
Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) R. Reeves - J-O-Y GOSPEL DISTRIBUTORS
N.J. Hiebert - 8568
August 10
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:13
God's love is very brave. He trusts us not to look back and wonder about things, or wonder about present things either, or fear for future things. Often in our work for Him something happens which seems the most hindering thing possible. It cuts straight across our hopes and plans. The only thing to do then is to take 2 Timothy 1:12 and use it about everything.
For 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.
If we are certain, beyond a doubt, that He whom we have believed is able to keep that precious thing or person which we have committed unto Him, then we have peace. If we hold fast the form of these sound words, they will carry us through any storm. They will lead us straight to those other words in
Isaiah 26:3.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.
The Lord help us to give Him the joy that our children give to us when they loyally and lovingly keep our words. Let us give Him this joy today.
Jesus said . . .If a man love Me, he will keep My words. John 14:23
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8569
God's love is very brave. He trusts us not to look back and wonder about things, or wonder about present things either, or fear for future things. Often in our work for Him something happens which seems the most hindering thing possible. It cuts straight across our hopes and plans. The only thing to do then is to take 2 Timothy 1:12 and use it about everything.
For 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.
If we are certain, beyond a doubt, that He whom we have believed is able to keep that precious thing or person which we have committed unto Him, then we have peace. If we hold fast the form of these sound words, they will carry us through any storm. They will lead us straight to those other words in
Isaiah 26:3.
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusted in Thee.
The Lord help us to give Him the joy that our children give to us when they loyally and lovingly keep our words. Let us give Him this joy today.
Jesus said . . .If a man love Me, he will keep My words. John 14:23
Whispers of His Power - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8569
August 11
The Lord stood with me, and strengthened me. 2 Timothy 4:17
Oh, help me, Lord, to take the time to set all else aside,
That in the secret place of prayer I may with Thee abide. -Unknown
One of the loneliest feelings we can have comes when we face a time of need without having a loving friend to talk to about it. Everyone needs at least one trusted friend in whom to confide. Elisha A. Hoffman, author and composer of more than two thousand gospel songs, gives the following account of the writing of this well-loved hymn.
There was a woman to whom God permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, he, found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do?" He quoted from the Word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."
For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As he left her home he had a vision of that joy-illuminated face and he heard all along his pathway the echo," I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus." Hoffman quickly wrote the following words and soon completed the music as well. This text has reminded many believers that they have a heavenly Friend who is always available to hear and help.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.
O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me over the world the vict'ry to win.
Chorus: I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burden alone;
I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929
N.J. Hiebert - 8570
Oh, help me, Lord, to take the time to set all else aside,
That in the secret place of prayer I may with Thee abide. -Unknown
One of the loneliest feelings we can have comes when we face a time of need without having a loving friend to talk to about it. Everyone needs at least one trusted friend in whom to confide. Elisha A. Hoffman, author and composer of more than two thousand gospel songs, gives the following account of the writing of this well-loved hymn.
There was a woman to whom God permitted many visitations of sorrow and affliction. Coming to her home one day, he, found her much discouraged. She unburdened her heart, concluding with the question, "Brother Hoffman, what shall I do? What shall I do?" He quoted from the Word, then added, "You cannot do better than to take all of your sorrows to Jesus. You must tell Jesus."
For a moment she seemed lost in meditation. Then her eyes lighted as she exclaimed, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." As he left her home he had a vision of that joy-illuminated face and he heard all along his pathway the echo," I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus." Hoffman quickly wrote the following words and soon completed the music as well. This text has reminded many believers that they have a heavenly Friend who is always available to hear and help.
I must tell Jesus all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone;
in my distress He kindly will help me, He ever loves and cares for His own.
I must tell Jesus all of my troubles, He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
if I but ask Him, He will deliver, make of my troubles quickly an end.
O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me over the world the vict'ry to win.
Chorus: I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus! I cannot bear my burden alone;
I must tell Jesus! Jesus can help me, Jesus alone. Elisha A. Hoffman, 1839-1929
N.J. Hiebert - 8570
August 12
And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Mark 15:34
Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34
Christ had been falsely accused by the chief priests and elders, taken to stand trial before Annas and Caiaphas, sent to Pilate and Herod and back again to Pilate. The Roman soldiers brutally beat Him, pulled the hair from His cheeks, and mocked Him. The prophet Isaiah had spoken of this One saying, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus Christ, bearing His cross and wearing a crown of thorns, was led to Calvary to be crucified.
We stand in awe as we consider the Lord of glory hanging on the accursed tree. We should have been there, and we would have been, had His wondrous love not caused Him to take our place as our blessed Substitute. Christ Himself gave the answer to the question, "Why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The Lord Jesus was forsaken by God so that we would never be forsaken. Instead, we know and enjoy the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ--God's gift to us.
Willful, sinful, callous hands nailed the Son of God to that Roman cross. At any time, He could have called for twelve legions of angels, but He would not. Instead, at this very time, He prayed. He did not pray for help to be delivered from His adversaries, but He prayed for His enemies: "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Unless He would endure the cross, Jesus knew that no one could be forgiven. Justice must be satisfied; Satan must be defeated; the sinner must be reconciled. What wonderful love! Jacob Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 8571
Then said Jesus, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
Luke 23:34
Christ had been falsely accused by the chief priests and elders, taken to stand trial before Annas and Caiaphas, sent to Pilate and Herod and back again to Pilate. The Roman soldiers brutally beat Him, pulled the hair from His cheeks, and mocked Him. The prophet Isaiah had spoken of this One saying, "He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so He openeth not His mouth" (Isaiah 53:7). Jesus Christ, bearing His cross and wearing a crown of thorns, was led to Calvary to be crucified.
We stand in awe as we consider the Lord of glory hanging on the accursed tree. We should have been there, and we would have been, had His wondrous love not caused Him to take our place as our blessed Substitute. Christ Himself gave the answer to the question, "Why hast Thou forsaken Me?" The Lord Jesus was forsaken by God so that we would never be forsaken. Instead, we know and enjoy the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ--God's gift to us.
Willful, sinful, callous hands nailed the Son of God to that Roman cross. At any time, He could have called for twelve legions of angels, but He would not. Instead, at this very time, He prayed. He did not pray for help to be delivered from His adversaries, but He prayed for His enemies: "Father forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:34). Unless He would endure the cross, Jesus knew that no one could be forgiven. Justice must be satisfied; Satan must be defeated; the sinner must be reconciled. What wonderful love! Jacob Redekop
N.J. Hiebert - 8571
August 13
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