"The thief said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into Thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him...today shalt thou be with Me in paradise. Luke 23:42,43
There is no scene in the history of the world like that which is before us in Luke 23. There is a page in God's Word, and a page in the history of man's world, that stands alone, stands unique, because you have there the death of the only absolutely sinless, spotless, holy Man, by the side of two men who were sinners, and one of them becomes the companion of that sinless Man for eternity. The other got his chance but missed it.
Between these three seen here, each nailed to a cross, there is an immense difference. Of One I can say this--there was no sin in Him; although there was sin on Him. Then I come to the man who had no sin on him, though there was sin in him. And there was a third of these men, who had sin on him and sin in him. So he died. Ah! do not you be the eternal companion of that third man, I implore you.
You may perhaps say, what do you mean? One of these three had no sin in Him, and yet had sin on Him, when He was nailed to that tree! Yes! that was Jesus. Perfect He was. He was the holy, spotless Man; and the charm of this scene is this, that the thief confesses not only his own guilt and his own sin, but he makes, if I may say so, a public confession of what his faith is in regard to Christ. "This man hath done nothing amiss" (verse 41), was his true and blessed declaration.
That man reversed everybody's judgment; that man stood alone that day in his witness, and in his testimony, to Jesus. If you glance through what went before, you will find that everybody was against Christ,--Judas, Pilate, Herod, priests, scribes, populace, everybody; there was nobody for Him. Not one solitary soul stood for Him in all that company that day. What a scene! Betrayed by a false friend, denied by true friends, and deserted by all His followers; with the chief priest, who instigated the populace to demand His death, against Him; The governor against Him; the king against Him; the world against Him; everybody against Him. The dying thief changed his company and fell in with God in rich appreciation of Christ.
There was no sin on that thief, though there was sin in him. How is this? His sins were laid on Christ; they were taken off the poor thief who trusted Him. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8536
Between these three seen here, each nailed to a cross, there is an immense difference. Of One I can say this--there was no sin in Him; although there was sin on Him. Then I come to the man who had no sin on him, though there was sin in him. And there was a third of these men, who had sin on him and sin in him. So he died. Ah! do not you be the eternal companion of that third man, I implore you.
You may perhaps say, what do you mean? One of these three had no sin in Him, and yet had sin on Him, when He was nailed to that tree! Yes! that was Jesus. Perfect He was. He was the holy, spotless Man; and the charm of this scene is this, that the thief confesses not only his own guilt and his own sin, but he makes, if I may say so, a public confession of what his faith is in regard to Christ. "This man hath done nothing amiss" (verse 41), was his true and blessed declaration.
That man reversed everybody's judgment; that man stood alone that day in his witness, and in his testimony, to Jesus. If you glance through what went before, you will find that everybody was against Christ,--Judas, Pilate, Herod, priests, scribes, populace, everybody; there was nobody for Him. Not one solitary soul stood for Him in all that company that day. What a scene! Betrayed by a false friend, denied by true friends, and deserted by all His followers; with the chief priest, who instigated the populace to demand His death, against Him; The governor against Him; the king against Him; the world against Him; everybody against Him. The dying thief changed his company and fell in with God in rich appreciation of Christ.
There was no sin on that thief, though there was sin in him. How is this? His sins were laid on Christ; they were taken off the poor thief who trusted Him. Seekers for Light - W. T. P. Wolston M.D.
N.J. Hiebert - 8536
July 9
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
James 1:22,25.
We find here an important expression-- "The law of liberty." If I tell my child to remain in the house when he wishes to go out, he may obey; but it is not a law of liberty to him; he restrains his will. But if I afterwards say, "Now go where you wish to go;" he obeys, and it is a law of liberty, because his will and the command are the same; they run together.
The will of God was for Jesus a law of liberty. He came to do His Father's will, He desired nothing else. Blessed state! It was perfection in Him, a blessed example for us. The law is a law of liberty when the will, the heart of man, coincides perfectly in desire with the law imposed upon him--imposed in our case by God--the law written in the heart.
It is thus with the new man as with the heart of Christ. He loves obedience, and loves the will of God because it is His will, and as having a nature which answers to what His will expresses, since we partake of the divine nature; in fact it loves that which God wills.
But there is an index to what is found in the heart, which, more than any other, betrays what is within. This index is the tongue. He who knows how to govern his tongue is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)
The appearance of religion is vain if the tongue be not bridled; such a man deceives his own heart. True religion is shown by love in the heart, and by purity--keeping himself unspotted from the world. It thinks of others, for those who are in distress, in need of protection, and the help and support of love, as widows and orphans. The truly religious heart, full of the love of God, and moved by Him, thinks, as God does, upon sorrow, weakness, and need. It is the true christian character. (James 1:26,27) James - JND
N.J. Hiebert - 8537
We find here an important expression-- "The law of liberty." If I tell my child to remain in the house when he wishes to go out, he may obey; but it is not a law of liberty to him; he restrains his will. But if I afterwards say, "Now go where you wish to go;" he obeys, and it is a law of liberty, because his will and the command are the same; they run together.
The will of God was for Jesus a law of liberty. He came to do His Father's will, He desired nothing else. Blessed state! It was perfection in Him, a blessed example for us. The law is a law of liberty when the will, the heart of man, coincides perfectly in desire with the law imposed upon him--imposed in our case by God--the law written in the heart.
It is thus with the new man as with the heart of Christ. He loves obedience, and loves the will of God because it is His will, and as having a nature which answers to what His will expresses, since we partake of the divine nature; in fact it loves that which God wills.
But there is an index to what is found in the heart, which, more than any other, betrays what is within. This index is the tongue. He who knows how to govern his tongue is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2)
The appearance of religion is vain if the tongue be not bridled; such a man deceives his own heart. True religion is shown by love in the heart, and by purity--keeping himself unspotted from the world. It thinks of others, for those who are in distress, in need of protection, and the help and support of love, as widows and orphans. The truly religious heart, full of the love of God, and moved by Him, thinks, as God does, upon sorrow, weakness, and need. It is the true christian character. (James 1:26,27) James - JND
N.J. Hiebert - 8537
July 10
Looking unto Jesus . . . Hebrews 12:2 (continued from Gems #8530, 8531)
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at His enemies or at our own.
In place of hating them and fearing them, we shall then know how to love them and to overcome them.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at the obstacles which meet us in our path. As soon as we stop to consider them, they amaze us, they confuse us, they overwhelm us, incapable as we are of understanding either the reason why they are permitted, or the means by which we may overcome them.
The apostle began to sink as soon as he turned to look at the waves tossed by the storm; it was while he was looking at Jesus that he walked on the waters as on a rock. The more difficult our task, the more terrifying our temptations, the more essential it is that we look only at Jesus.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at our troubles,
to count up their number, to reckon their weight, to find perhaps a certain strange satisfaction in tasting their bitterness. Apart from Jesus trouble does not sanctify, it hardens or it crushes. It produces not patience but rebellion; not sympathy, but selfishness; not hope (Romans 5:3,4) but despair.
It is only under the shadow of the cross that we can appreciate the true weight of our own cross, and accept it each day from His hand, to carry it with love, with gratitude, with joy; and find in it for ourselves and for others a source of blessings.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS with a gaze more and more constant, more and more confident, "Changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8538
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at His enemies or at our own.
In place of hating them and fearing them, we shall then know how to love them and to overcome them.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at the obstacles which meet us in our path. As soon as we stop to consider them, they amaze us, they confuse us, they overwhelm us, incapable as we are of understanding either the reason why they are permitted, or the means by which we may overcome them.
The apostle began to sink as soon as he turned to look at the waves tossed by the storm; it was while he was looking at Jesus that he walked on the waters as on a rock. The more difficult our task, the more terrifying our temptations, the more essential it is that we look only at Jesus.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at our troubles,
to count up their number, to reckon their weight, to find perhaps a certain strange satisfaction in tasting their bitterness. Apart from Jesus trouble does not sanctify, it hardens or it crushes. It produces not patience but rebellion; not sympathy, but selfishness; not hope (Romans 5:3,4) but despair.
It is only under the shadow of the cross that we can appreciate the true weight of our own cross, and accept it each day from His hand, to carry it with love, with gratitude, with joy; and find in it for ourselves and for others a source of blessings.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS with a gaze more and more constant, more and more confident, "Changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18) Theodore Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8538
July 11
HE GIVETH MORE
"He giveth more grace," James 4:6
"He increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." Jude 2
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 8539
"He giveth more grace," James 4:6
"He increaseth strength." Isaiah 40:29
"Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied." Jude 2
He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labours increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father's full giving is only begun.
His love has no limit, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth and giveth and giveth again.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 8539
July 12
David said to Goliath, this day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Samuel 17:46
David and Goliath's unequal battle--the shepherd lad without a sword or spear meeting the mighty giant of the Philistines striding proudly with his spear and sword and shield to mortal combat in the valley of Elah--is one of the striking pictures in the Old Testament of Golgotha.
David was misjudged by his brethren. Eliab, his eldest brother, said in anger, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle" (1 Samuel 17:28). What stinging sarcasm and evil surmising! How untrue the charge of pride and idle curiosity! David was one of the noblest examples of meekness and lowliness in the Scriptures.
"To see the battle"? There was no battle till David came. There would have been no battle had he not come. David was there because his father sent him. David was there because he was needed there. David despised Goliath. "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David was fired with zeal for the dishonour that was done to the name of God. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).
See the courage and the confidence of David as he meets the towering giant. "David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:48). How soon it was all over! Goliath, like Dagon his god, lay stretched out with his face upon the earth. In the forehead of his pride, Goliath was pierced with the stone from David's sling. Before the men of Israel could scarcely get their breath, there was David standing on the carcass of the giant, swinging above his head the sword he had pulled from Goliath's sheath. Tears of admiration were in many an eye as David returned to the ranks of Israel carrying the head of the boasting enemy of God in his hand. (Leonard Sheldrake)
The record says suggestively, "But there was no sword in the hand of David"
(1 Samuel 17:50) to be a type of the Lord. (Leonard Sheldrake)|
By weakness and defeat, He won the mead and crown;
Trod all His foes beneath His feet, by being trodden down. Whitlock Gandy
N.J. Hiebert - 8540
David and Goliath's unequal battle--the shepherd lad without a sword or spear meeting the mighty giant of the Philistines striding proudly with his spear and sword and shield to mortal combat in the valley of Elah--is one of the striking pictures in the Old Testament of Golgotha.
David was misjudged by his brethren. Eliab, his eldest brother, said in anger, "Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle" (1 Samuel 17:28). What stinging sarcasm and evil surmising! How untrue the charge of pride and idle curiosity! David was one of the noblest examples of meekness and lowliness in the Scriptures.
"To see the battle"? There was no battle till David came. There would have been no battle had he not come. David was there because his father sent him. David was there because he was needed there. David despised Goliath. "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David was fired with zeal for the dishonour that was done to the name of God. "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied" (1 Samuel 17:45).
See the courage and the confidence of David as he meets the towering giant. "David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine" (1 Samuel 17:48). How soon it was all over! Goliath, like Dagon his god, lay stretched out with his face upon the earth. In the forehead of his pride, Goliath was pierced with the stone from David's sling. Before the men of Israel could scarcely get their breath, there was David standing on the carcass of the giant, swinging above his head the sword he had pulled from Goliath's sheath. Tears of admiration were in many an eye as David returned to the ranks of Israel carrying the head of the boasting enemy of God in his hand. (Leonard Sheldrake)
The record says suggestively, "But there was no sword in the hand of David"
(1 Samuel 17:50) to be a type of the Lord. (Leonard Sheldrake)|
By weakness and defeat, He won the mead and crown;
Trod all His foes beneath His feet, by being trodden down. Whitlock Gandy
N.J. Hiebert - 8540
July 13
Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities. . .nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39
George Matheson went completely blind when he was eighteen years old. Still, he remained a star student. He went on to become a great preacher in Scotland, assisted by his sister, who learned Greek and Hebrew to help with his research. This hymn was written on the evening of June 6, 1882. "I was at that time alone. It was the day of my sister's marriage. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering."
What was it that happened to him? Something he was remembering the time he himself was engaged to be married and fiancée broke the engagement when she learned that he would soon be completely blind. Or perhaps it was difficult for him to have his devoted sister getting married. In any case, he was led to ponder God's eternal love, which would turn his "flickering torch" into blazing daylight.
O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be. George Matheson
N.J. Hiebert - 8541
George Matheson went completely blind when he was eighteen years old. Still, he remained a star student. He went on to become a great preacher in Scotland, assisted by his sister, who learned Greek and Hebrew to help with his research. This hymn was written on the evening of June 6, 1882. "I was at that time alone. It was the day of my sister's marriage. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering."
What was it that happened to him? Something he was remembering the time he himself was engaged to be married and fiancée broke the engagement when she learned that he would soon be completely blind. Or perhaps it was difficult for him to have his devoted sister getting married. In any case, he was led to ponder God's eternal love, which would turn his "flickering torch" into blazing daylight.
O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe, that in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O Light that followest all my way, I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray, that in Thy sunshine's blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain, I cannot close my heart to Thee,
I trace the rainbow through the rain, and feel the promise is not vain
That morn shall tearless be. George Matheson
N.J. Hiebert - 8541
July 14
WITS' END CORNER
They reel to and fro . . . and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still . . . so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness. Psalm 107:27-31
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner" Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you, and all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you, and you in the battle alone?
Remember--at "Wits' End Corner" is just where God's power is shown.
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner," blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it, you cannot bear the strain--
Bruised through the constant suffering, dizzy, and dazed and numb?
Remember--to "Wits' End Corner" is where Jesus loves to come!
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner," your work before you spread,
All begun, lying unfinished and pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it, stretching out trembling hands?
Remember--at "Wits' End Corner" the Burden-Bearer stands.
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner", yearning for those you love,
Longing, and praying, and watching, pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus, wondering if you've been true?
He whispers, at "Wits' End Corner," I'll win them, as I won you!
Are you standing at "Wits End Corner?" then you're just in the very spot,
To learn the wondrous resources of Him who faileth not!
No doubt, to a brighter pathway your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at "Wits' End Corner" is the "God who is able" proved! A. Wilson
N.J.Hiebert - 8542
They reel to and fro . . . and are at their wits' end. Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still . . . so He bringeth them unto their desired haven. Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness. Psalm 107:27-31
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner" Christian, with troubled brow?
Are you thinking of what is before you, and all you are bearing now?
Does all the world seem against you, and you in the battle alone?
Remember--at "Wits' End Corner" is just where God's power is shown.
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner," blinded with wearying pain,
Feeling you cannot endure it, you cannot bear the strain--
Bruised through the constant suffering, dizzy, and dazed and numb?
Remember--to "Wits' End Corner" is where Jesus loves to come!
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner," your work before you spread,
All begun, lying unfinished and pressing on heart and head,
Longing for strength to do it, stretching out trembling hands?
Remember--at "Wits' End Corner" the Burden-Bearer stands.
Are you standing at "Wits' End Corner", yearning for those you love,
Longing, and praying, and watching, pleading their cause above,
Trying to lead them to Jesus, wondering if you've been true?
He whispers, at "Wits' End Corner," I'll win them, as I won you!
Are you standing at "Wits End Corner?" then you're just in the very spot,
To learn the wondrous resources of Him who faileth not!
No doubt, to a brighter pathway your footsteps will soon be moved,
But only at "Wits' End Corner" is the "God who is able" proved! A. Wilson
N.J.Hiebert - 8542
July 15
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. . . JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. John 19:19
The charge that the high priests of Jerusalem had made against Jesus was that He declared Himself to be King of the Jews. Pilate had asked Him "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" It was necessary that Pilate, as the one who condemned Jesus to die, should make out a placard that should indicate the crime of which the crucified one was guilty. He wrote "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS"-- in Hebrew, the language of religion; in Greek, the language of culture; and in Latin, the language of government.
The charge against Jesus was: "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." That was meant to say, "He is being crucified as a rebel, as an insurrectionist against the Roman Government." Pilate did not believe that for one moment, but on his part it was an ironical, sardonic thing. He wanted to taunt these chief priests and scribes who had hounded him until at last he had condemned, an innocent Man to death.
Pilate designates Him as King of the Jews, and some day it will be found that the title Pilate put over the cross was more true than he or the world realized. For this One who has gone to His Father's throne in heaven will return again for we are told that "They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced." (John 19:37). They will recognize Him, as the true King of the Jews.
It is remarkable how the cross of Christ brings out all that is in the heart of man, shows men up as they really are. In the light of that cross Pilate comes before us in all his cynicism and his lack of conscience. In the light of that cross the chief priests were manifested in all their hypocrisy and bitterness and their hatred of the holy, spotless Son of God. We see the callousness, indifference, greed and covetousness of the soldiers who were gambling for the clothing of the crucified One at the foot of the cross.
Gospel of John - H. A. Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8543
The charge that the high priests of Jerusalem had made against Jesus was that He declared Himself to be King of the Jews. Pilate had asked Him "Art Thou the King of the Jews?" It was necessary that Pilate, as the one who condemned Jesus to die, should make out a placard that should indicate the crime of which the crucified one was guilty. He wrote "JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS"-- in Hebrew, the language of religion; in Greek, the language of culture; and in Latin, the language of government.
The charge against Jesus was: "This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." That was meant to say, "He is being crucified as a rebel, as an insurrectionist against the Roman Government." Pilate did not believe that for one moment, but on his part it was an ironical, sardonic thing. He wanted to taunt these chief priests and scribes who had hounded him until at last he had condemned, an innocent Man to death.
Pilate designates Him as King of the Jews, and some day it will be found that the title Pilate put over the cross was more true than he or the world realized. For this One who has gone to His Father's throne in heaven will return again for we are told that "They shall look upon Him whom they have pierced." (John 19:37). They will recognize Him, as the true King of the Jews.
It is remarkable how the cross of Christ brings out all that is in the heart of man, shows men up as they really are. In the light of that cross Pilate comes before us in all his cynicism and his lack of conscience. In the light of that cross the chief priests were manifested in all their hypocrisy and bitterness and their hatred of the holy, spotless Son of God. We see the callousness, indifference, greed and covetousness of the soldiers who were gambling for the clothing of the crucified One at the foot of the cross.
Gospel of John - H. A. Ironside
N.J. Hiebert - 8543
July 16
The word of God is quick, powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.
Jonah is not the only prophet of Jehovah who in a fit of disappointment had prayed that he might die. You remember Elijah had prayed, "it is enough: now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."
(1 Kings 19:4) We, too, have had similar thoughts when we have been utterly disappointed with ourselves. How different if all our hopes had been in our Lord, and we had truly learned the lesson that "in me, that is, in my flesh, is no good thing." (Romans 7:18)
How gracious is Jehovah, whether to Jonah, or to Elijah, or to us! He might well have sharply rebuked Jonah for such a prayer as that, or for coming into His presence in displeasure and anger. How gracious is His reply to another question, too: "Doest thou well to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4) Jonah did the very best thing he could have done--he was silent. His mouth was closed. How graciously the Lord answered Elijah's prayer! This time the Lord was silent, and instead of a reply in words, He gave him sweet refreshing sleep under a broom-bush, and then fed him with a cake baked on hot stones. 1 Kings 4:5-7
Was it baked by the same One who prepared the fish on the fire of coals, and the bread, in John 21? He refreshed him with a cruse of water also. That prayer of Elijah's was never answered, for in place of taking away his life in death, as he had wished, the Lord took him home without passing through death at all, in His own chariot of fire. How gently and graciously the Lord has answered us in our times of disappointment and discouragement, giving us better than all we could ask or think, each one may bear witness for himself! but we can all unite in singing:
How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend,
Whose love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure not end."
Lessons From Jonah The Prophet - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8544
Jonah is not the only prophet of Jehovah who in a fit of disappointment had prayed that he might die. You remember Elijah had prayed, "it is enough: now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."
(1 Kings 19:4) We, too, have had similar thoughts when we have been utterly disappointed with ourselves. How different if all our hopes had been in our Lord, and we had truly learned the lesson that "in me, that is, in my flesh, is no good thing." (Romans 7:18)
How gracious is Jehovah, whether to Jonah, or to Elijah, or to us! He might well have sharply rebuked Jonah for such a prayer as that, or for coming into His presence in displeasure and anger. How gracious is His reply to another question, too: "Doest thou well to be angry?" (Jonah 4:4) Jonah did the very best thing he could have done--he was silent. His mouth was closed. How graciously the Lord answered Elijah's prayer! This time the Lord was silent, and instead of a reply in words, He gave him sweet refreshing sleep under a broom-bush, and then fed him with a cake baked on hot stones. 1 Kings 4:5-7
Was it baked by the same One who prepared the fish on the fire of coals, and the bread, in John 21? He refreshed him with a cruse of water also. That prayer of Elijah's was never answered, for in place of taking away his life in death, as he had wished, the Lord took him home without passing through death at all, in His own chariot of fire. How gently and graciously the Lord has answered us in our times of disappointment and discouragement, giving us better than all we could ask or think, each one may bear witness for himself! but we can all unite in singing:
How good is the God we adore, our faithful, unchangeable Friend,
Whose love is as great as His power, and knows neither measure not end."
Lessons From Jonah The Prophet - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8544
July 17
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. John 15:4
"Abide in Me." "Learn of Me." Christ really means it, and that it is His own work to keep us abiding when we yield ourselves to Him, that we shall venture to cast ourselves into the arms of His love, and abandon ourselves to His blessed keeping. It is not the yoke, but resistance to the yoke, that makes the difficulty; the whole-hearted surrender to Jesus, as at once our Master and our Keeper, finds and secures the rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me." Does it weary the traveller to rest in the house or on the bed where he seeks repose from his fatigue? Or is it a labour to a little child to rest in its mother's arms? Is it not the house that keeps the traveller within its shelter? Do not the arms of the mother sustain and keep the little one? And so it is with Jesus. The soul has but to yield itself to Him, to be still and rest in the confidence that His love has undertaken, and that His faithfulness will perform the work of keeping it safe in the shelter of His bosom.
Abiding in Jesus is nothing but giving up oneself to ruled and taught and led, and so resting in the arms of Everlasting Love. Blessed rest! The fruit and the foretaste and the fellowship of God's own rest, found of them who thus come to Jesus to abide in Him. It is the peace of God, that passes all understanding, and keeps the heart and mind. (Matthew 11:28). With this grace secured, we have strength for every duty, courage for every struggle, a blessing in every cross, and the joy of life eternal in death itself. Andrew Murray
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not, He cannot, desert to HIs foes;
That soul, tho' all hell should endeavour to shake,
He'll never, no never, no never forsake! Ribbon
N.J. Hiebert - 8545
"Abide in Me." "Learn of Me." Christ really means it, and that it is His own work to keep us abiding when we yield ourselves to Him, that we shall venture to cast ourselves into the arms of His love, and abandon ourselves to His blessed keeping. It is not the yoke, but resistance to the yoke, that makes the difficulty; the whole-hearted surrender to Jesus, as at once our Master and our Keeper, finds and secures the rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me." Does it weary the traveller to rest in the house or on the bed where he seeks repose from his fatigue? Or is it a labour to a little child to rest in its mother's arms? Is it not the house that keeps the traveller within its shelter? Do not the arms of the mother sustain and keep the little one? And so it is with Jesus. The soul has but to yield itself to Him, to be still and rest in the confidence that His love has undertaken, and that His faithfulness will perform the work of keeping it safe in the shelter of His bosom.
Abiding in Jesus is nothing but giving up oneself to ruled and taught and led, and so resting in the arms of Everlasting Love. Blessed rest! The fruit and the foretaste and the fellowship of God's own rest, found of them who thus come to Jesus to abide in Him. It is the peace of God, that passes all understanding, and keeps the heart and mind. (Matthew 11:28). With this grace secured, we have strength for every duty, courage for every struggle, a blessing in every cross, and the joy of life eternal in death itself. Andrew Murray
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
He will not, He cannot, desert to HIs foes;
That soul, tho' all hell should endeavour to shake,
He'll never, no never, no never forsake! Ribbon
N.J. Hiebert - 8545
July 18
Looking unto Jesus . . . Hebrews 12:2 (Continued from Gems 8530, 8531, 8538)
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at our strength.
Our strength is good only to glorify ourselves; to glorify God one must have the strength of God.
UNTO JESUS and not at weakness.
By lamenting our weakness have we ever become more strong? Let us look to Jesus, and His strength will communicate itself to our hearts, His praise will break forth from our lips.
UNTO JESUS and not what we are doing for Him.
Too much occupied with our work, we can forget our Master,--it is possible to have the hands full and the heart empty. When occupied with our Master, we cannot forget our work; if the heart is filled with His love, how can the hands fail to be active in His service?
UNTO JESUS and not to the apparent success of our efforts.
The apparent success is not the measure of the real success; and besides, God has not told us to succeed but to work; it is of our work that He requires an account, and not of our success,--why then concern ourselves with it? It is for us to scatter the seed, for God to gather the fruit; if not today, then it will be tomorrow; if He does not employ us to gather it, then He will employ others.
Even when success is granted to us, it is always dangerous to fix our attention on it: on the one hand we are tempted to take some of the credit of it to ourselves; on the other hand we thus accustom ourselves to abate our zeal when we cease to perceive its result, that is to say, at the very time when we should redouble our energy.
To look at the success is to walk by sight; to look at Jesus, and to persevere in following Him and serving Him, in spite of all discouragements, is to walk by faith. T. Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8546
Only three words, but in those three words is the whole secret of life.
LOOKING UNTO JESUS and not at our strength.
Our strength is good only to glorify ourselves; to glorify God one must have the strength of God.
UNTO JESUS and not at weakness.
By lamenting our weakness have we ever become more strong? Let us look to Jesus, and His strength will communicate itself to our hearts, His praise will break forth from our lips.
UNTO JESUS and not what we are doing for Him.
Too much occupied with our work, we can forget our Master,--it is possible to have the hands full and the heart empty. When occupied with our Master, we cannot forget our work; if the heart is filled with His love, how can the hands fail to be active in His service?
UNTO JESUS and not to the apparent success of our efforts.
The apparent success is not the measure of the real success; and besides, God has not told us to succeed but to work; it is of our work that He requires an account, and not of our success,--why then concern ourselves with it? It is for us to scatter the seed, for God to gather the fruit; if not today, then it will be tomorrow; if He does not employ us to gather it, then He will employ others.
Even when success is granted to us, it is always dangerous to fix our attention on it: on the one hand we are tempted to take some of the credit of it to ourselves; on the other hand we thus accustom ourselves to abate our zeal when we cease to perceive its result, that is to say, at the very time when we should redouble our energy.
To look at the success is to walk by sight; to look at Jesus, and to persevere in following Him and serving Him, in spite of all discouragements, is to walk by faith. T. Monod
N.J. Hiebert - 8546
July 19
THE PURPOSE OF PAIN
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10
At times the very life of the Living Christ which comes to us may appear clouded, maybe even murky. We cannot fully comprehend why the stream of daily events flowing over our little lives resembles the cold, chill glacial streams that bear their burden of "glacial flour." Yet this is the polishing compound that puts the fine polish and smooth satin patina over every stone it touches.
It is the minute pangs of human misunderstandings, the crude, persistent rub of rudeness from others, the little lapses of ingratitude that press in upon us, the subconscious grief of insensitivity that move over us. These are our all Father's "glacial flour" for polishing people in their pangs of pain.
Out of all this there has come to me an acute awareness that nothing is permitted to touch my life except in the gracious good will of my Father for me. In His infinite concern He is shaping a character that not only in time here, but in eternity to come, will reflect something of the wondrous work He did in me.
Out of my stony spirit He has brought something of beauty and worth. It has taken sorrow and suffering. But anything of great value costs a great deal to create and shape. W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8547
But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10
At times the very life of the Living Christ which comes to us may appear clouded, maybe even murky. We cannot fully comprehend why the stream of daily events flowing over our little lives resembles the cold, chill glacial streams that bear their burden of "glacial flour." Yet this is the polishing compound that puts the fine polish and smooth satin patina over every stone it touches.
It is the minute pangs of human misunderstandings, the crude, persistent rub of rudeness from others, the little lapses of ingratitude that press in upon us, the subconscious grief of insensitivity that move over us. These are our all Father's "glacial flour" for polishing people in their pangs of pain.
Out of all this there has come to me an acute awareness that nothing is permitted to touch my life except in the gracious good will of my Father for me. In His infinite concern He is shaping a character that not only in time here, but in eternity to come, will reflect something of the wondrous work He did in me.
Out of my stony spirit He has brought something of beauty and worth. It has taken sorrow and suffering. But anything of great value costs a great deal to create and shape. W. Phillip Keller
N.J. Hiebert - 8547
July 20
And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in Heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight. Colossians 1:20-22
The Basis of Our Peace with God. As convicted sinners:
- We see in the cross the everlasting foundation of our peace with God.
- We see our sin judged and put away.
- We see God as the sinner's Friend and the Righteous Justifier of the ungodly sinner.
- We see God dealing with sin in such a manner as to glorify Himself infinitely.
The cross displays all His divine attributes:
- Love that captures our hearts,
- Wisdom that baffles demons and astonishes angels,
- Holiness that repulses sin, the most intense expression of God's abhorrence of sin.
- And most of all the grace that sets the sinner in His very presence.
Thus the cross is the basis of the sinner's peace, of his worship, and of his eternal relationship with God.
C.H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 8548
The Basis of Our Peace with God. As convicted sinners:
- We see in the cross the everlasting foundation of our peace with God.
- We see our sin judged and put away.
- We see God as the sinner's Friend and the Righteous Justifier of the ungodly sinner.
- We see God dealing with sin in such a manner as to glorify Himself infinitely.
The cross displays all His divine attributes:
- Love that captures our hearts,
- Wisdom that baffles demons and astonishes angels,
- Holiness that repulses sin, the most intense expression of God's abhorrence of sin.
- And most of all the grace that sets the sinner in His very presence.
Thus the cross is the basis of the sinner's peace, of his worship, and of his eternal relationship with God.
C.H. Mackintosh
N.J.Hiebert - 8548
July 21
Death is swallowed up in victory. 1 Corinthians 15:54 Isaiah 25:8
This is a remarkable statement; twice repeated for confirmation. It is sometimes translated "Death has lost the battle" but I like the King James Version, quoted at the top. "Lost the battle" looks back, which is perfectly valid, but the concept of "victory" looks ahead to the results.
When we think just how powerful a force death is, it is amazing to think of it being "swallowed up" by anything. Death is the portal or gateway to what comes after natural life (whether eternal life or eternal death). No one but our Lord Jesus Christ has ever come back to tell us about that process, but it is because of His death and resurrection power, that the force of death can be declared broken.
Hebrews 2:4 says this: "That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil".
The victory of the Lord's resurrection opens up such marvellous truths as the promise to believers of life forever in company with the Lord, and, while we wait, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Who also unlocks the mystery of the scriptures for us. Lorne Perry
Death and judgment are behind us,
Grace and glory are before;
All the billows rolled o'er Jesus,
There they spent their utmost power.
by Mrs. J. A. Trench
N.J. Hiebert - 8549
This is a remarkable statement; twice repeated for confirmation. It is sometimes translated "Death has lost the battle" but I like the King James Version, quoted at the top. "Lost the battle" looks back, which is perfectly valid, but the concept of "victory" looks ahead to the results.
When we think just how powerful a force death is, it is amazing to think of it being "swallowed up" by anything. Death is the portal or gateway to what comes after natural life (whether eternal life or eternal death). No one but our Lord Jesus Christ has ever come back to tell us about that process, but it is because of His death and resurrection power, that the force of death can be declared broken.
Hebrews 2:4 says this: "That through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil".
The victory of the Lord's resurrection opens up such marvellous truths as the promise to believers of life forever in company with the Lord, and, while we wait, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, Who also unlocks the mystery of the scriptures for us. Lorne Perry
Death and judgment are behind us,
Grace and glory are before;
All the billows rolled o'er Jesus,
There they spent their utmost power.
by Mrs. J. A. Trench
N.J. Hiebert - 8549
July 22
Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. Matthew 27:45
At the sixth hour--that is, twelve o'clock, noon--darkness, like a pall, falls over the whole land. What is it? What is this strange eclipse at noon day? Is it God in judgment coming forth to execute vengeance on men--on sinners for their treatment of this Holy One, His beloved Son? Is God about to pour forth His judgment on their guilty heads? Well might they think so. No doubt they did. Well might they believe it was just retribution coming for their murder of Him:
- whom even the dying thief could say, "This man hath done nothing amiss;"
- whom Pilate declared to be a "just person," in whom he could find no fault;
- who even their own guilty consciences must have known was unworthy to die.
But was it God's judgment on a guilty world? No! It was something greater far, deeper far. It was not God dealing with sinful man, but God dealing with His own Son, God dealing with Christ, because of man's sin, that He had taken upon Him. In that terrible hour, when darkness veiled the land, God hid His face from Him.
And those three hours of darkness, those three hours of total eclipse between God and the One on the cross, rolled on, and then at the ninth hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, comes that great, that terrible cry from Him, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He forsook Jesus in that hour, that He might never forsake you and me. There was darkness for Him that there might be only light for us. He bore the judgment that we might go free. Once more, He cries with a loud voice, "It is finished," and gives up His spirit. "No man taketh it from Me, I lay it down of Myself." God is able now to come out in grace to man, in spite of His guilt, because of what Christ has done. The Call of the Bride - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 8550
At the sixth hour--that is, twelve o'clock, noon--darkness, like a pall, falls over the whole land. What is it? What is this strange eclipse at noon day? Is it God in judgment coming forth to execute vengeance on men--on sinners for their treatment of this Holy One, His beloved Son? Is God about to pour forth His judgment on their guilty heads? Well might they think so. No doubt they did. Well might they believe it was just retribution coming for their murder of Him:
- whom even the dying thief could say, "This man hath done nothing amiss;"
- whom Pilate declared to be a "just person," in whom he could find no fault;
- who even their own guilty consciences must have known was unworthy to die.
But was it God's judgment on a guilty world? No! It was something greater far, deeper far. It was not God dealing with sinful man, but God dealing with His own Son, God dealing with Christ, because of man's sin, that He had taken upon Him. In that terrible hour, when darkness veiled the land, God hid His face from Him.
And those three hours of darkness, those three hours of total eclipse between God and the One on the cross, rolled on, and then at the ninth hour, three o'clock in the afternoon, comes that great, that terrible cry from Him, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" He forsook Jesus in that hour, that He might never forsake you and me. There was darkness for Him that there might be only light for us. He bore the judgment that we might go free. Once more, He cries with a loud voice, "It is finished," and gives up His spirit. "No man taketh it from Me, I lay it down of Myself." God is able now to come out in grace to man, in spite of His guilt, because of what Christ has done. The Call of the Bride - W. T. P. Wolston
N.J. Hiebert - 8550
July 23
Commit thy way unto the Lord; Trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5
That three-part recipe begins with a definite act of commitment. Then the step of faith is followed by the walk of faith, ". . . Trust also in Him. . ." and it ends with victory, ". . . He shall bring it to pass."
We are so often creatures and victims of circumstance. Ask someone, "how do you feel?" and you may get the answer, "I'm doing the best I can UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES." Our Lord said, "In the world ye shall have tribulation (pressure)" and when has there been so much pressure as now! "but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Our Lord lived and died under the darkest of circumstances. He was under the constant pressure of the powers of darkness. The world, the flesh, and the devil were set against Him and they finally nailed Him to a cross. But He overcame the whole combination and lives for evermore!
The Christian does not have any business living UNDER the circumstances. He can live ABOVE them. He is MORE than conqueror. He does not merely triumph, He transcends. Nor must he fight his way THROUGH circumstances. No amount of flexing our muscles and gritting our teeth and furiously battling the fog will do it. We mount up with wings as eagles above the tempest instead of exhausting ourselves wrestling with it.
You can go crazy considering the circumstances. Plenty of people have. You can live a life of fear, worry, defeat UNDER the circumstances. You can exhaust yourself trying to battle THROUGH the circumstances. Jesus came to defeat the devil, the world, and death. He lives in every Christian's heart and we have victory because He is the Victor. The Holy Spirit came to make all this real and operative and we have built-in power that no circumstances can defeat. Though I Walk Through the Valley - Vance Havner
N.J. Hiebert - 8551
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