December 1
HIS DESIRED DESIRE
With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15
With Gethsemane and Calvary in fullest view, His heart's desire was to spend those few last hours in closest fellowship with His disciples. Now, if we take the King at His word, and really believe that He thus desires us, can we possibly remain cold hearted and indifferent to Him?
Can we bear the idea of disappointing His love--such love--and meeting it with any such pale, cool response as would wound any human heart, "I do not know whether I love your or not!"
Oh, do let us leave off morbidly looking to see exactly how much we love (which is just like trying to warm ourselves with a thermometer, and perhaps only ends in doubting whether we love at all), and look straight away at His love and His desire!
Think of Jesus actually wanting you, really desiring your love, not satisfied with all the love of all the angels and saints unless you love Him too--needing that little drop to fill His cup of joy! Is there no answering throb, no responsive glow?
Within an "upper room" are met a small, yet faithful band,
On whom a deep yet chastened grief hath laid its softening hand.
Among them there is One who wears a more than mortal mien,
'Tis He on whom in all distress the weary one may lean.
Opened Treasures - Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 8682
December 2
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 13:23
The first time John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is in the Upper Room. What a scene for the heart to contemplate! Jesus is there with a love that can never break down, for "having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1
John is there delighting in the love of Christ, resting his head on the bosom of Jesus. He describes himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter is there with real, ardent love for the Lord, but trusting in his own love to the Lord rather than resting in the Lord's love to him. Lastly, Judas is there, with no love to the Lord--with the bag at his side and the devil in his heart, ready to betray the Lord and pass into the long dark night .
In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves,
as John can rest his head on the bosom of the One who dwelt in the bosom of the Father. In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love. In Judas we see what the heart of a the sinner can do with the Saviour--betray Him, for thirty pieces of silver.
The feet washing is over and the time has come for the Lord to utter His farewell words; but His spirit is troubled by the presence of the betrayer. The Lord unburdens His heart to His disciples, "One of you shall betray Me" (John 13:21).2 Immediately they look one on another, doubting of whom He spoke.
Looking at others will never solve difficulties that arise among believers. We must look to the Lord, but looking to the Lord demands nearness to the Lord, and in the circle of the upper room, the disciple that was nearest to the Lord was the one whose feet had been in the hands of the Lord, whose head was resting on the bosom of the Lord and whose heart was delighting in the love of the Lord. H. Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8683
The first time John is called the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is in the Upper Room. What a scene for the heart to contemplate! Jesus is there with a love that can never break down, for "having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end." John 13:1
John is there delighting in the love of Christ, resting his head on the bosom of Jesus. He describes himself as the disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter is there with real, ardent love for the Lord, but trusting in his own love to the Lord rather than resting in the Lord's love to him. Lastly, Judas is there, with no love to the Lord--with the bag at his side and the devil in his heart, ready to betray the Lord and pass into the long dark night .
In Jesus we see how very near His love has brought Him to men like ourselves,
as John can rest his head on the bosom of the One who dwelt in the bosom of the Father. In John we see what the heart of the Saviour can do for a sinner, bringing him to perfect rest in perfect love. In Judas we see what the heart of a the sinner can do with the Saviour--betray Him, for thirty pieces of silver.
The feet washing is over and the time has come for the Lord to utter His farewell words; but His spirit is troubled by the presence of the betrayer. The Lord unburdens His heart to His disciples, "One of you shall betray Me" (John 13:21).2 Immediately they look one on another, doubting of whom He spoke.
Looking at others will never solve difficulties that arise among believers. We must look to the Lord, but looking to the Lord demands nearness to the Lord, and in the circle of the upper room, the disciple that was nearest to the Lord was the one whose feet had been in the hands of the Lord, whose head was resting on the bosom of the Lord and whose heart was delighting in the love of the Lord. H. Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8683
December 3
The coming of the Lord draweth nigh. James 5:8
It is a good thing to understand prophecy; it is better to have the intended purpose for which it was given. Today more Christians have some idea of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than two centuries ago. But that does not mean that the hearts of Christians long for Him more than they did then.
Whenever the coming and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned, there is a practical importance attached to it. In John 14 it is so that the disciples' hearts may not be troubled in view of His imminent departure. In Romans 13:12, so that we may cast away the works of darkness and walk becomingly. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, so that we may be firm, immovable, and abounding always in the work of the Lord.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, so as to know that we sorrow not as others who have no hope. In 2 Timothy 4:6-9, so that we may fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. In Titus 2:12, so that we may live soberly, justly, and piously.
In 1 John 3:2-3 we have this most precious promise that "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!"--a statement that should never cease to fill our hearts with joy and lead us always to worship Him. "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."
Finally, in Revelation 22:20. we are told this so that our hearts may respond to His, saying, "Amen. Even so. come, Lord Jesus." A. M. Behnam
We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. P. Gerhardt
N.J. Hiebert - 8684
It is a good thing to understand prophecy; it is better to have the intended purpose for which it was given. Today more Christians have some idea of the return of the Lord Jesus Christ than two centuries ago. But that does not mean that the hearts of Christians long for Him more than they did then.
Whenever the coming and the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ are mentioned, there is a practical importance attached to it. In John 14 it is so that the disciples' hearts may not be troubled in view of His imminent departure. In Romans 13:12, so that we may cast away the works of darkness and walk becomingly. In 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, so that we may be firm, immovable, and abounding always in the work of the Lord.
In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, so as to know that we sorrow not as others who have no hope. In 2 Timothy 4:6-9, so that we may fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. In Titus 2:12, so that we may live soberly, justly, and piously.
In 1 John 3:2-3 we have this most precious promise that "We shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is!"--a statement that should never cease to fill our hearts with joy and lead us always to worship Him. "every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure."
Finally, in Revelation 22:20. we are told this so that our hearts may respond to His, saying, "Amen. Even so. come, Lord Jesus." A. M. Behnam
We go to meet the Saviour, His glorious face to see;
What manner of behaviour doth with this hope agree?
May God's illumination guide heart and walk aright,
That so our preparation be pleasing in His sight. P. Gerhardt
N.J. Hiebert - 8684
December 4
THE POWER OF FAITH IN THE TIME OF DIFFICULTY
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40
In our Lord's reply to Martha we have one of the most blessed utterances that ever fell on the human ear: "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" What living depth, what divine power, what freshness and comfort in these words! They present to us the very gist and marrow, the essential principle of the divine life. It is only the eye of faith that can see the glory of God. Unbelief sees only difficulties, darkness, and death. Faith looks above and beyond all these, and ever basks in the blessed beams of the divine glory.
Poor Martha saw nothing but a decomposed human body, simply because she was under a spirit of dark and depressing unbelief. Had she been swayed by simple faith she would have walked to the tomb in company with Him who is the resurrection and the life, assured that, instead of death and decomposition, she should see the glory of God.
This is a grand principle for the soul to grasp. It is utterly impossible for human language to overstate its value and importance. Faith never looks at difficulties, except indeed to feed on them. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." (2 Corinthians 4:18) It "endures as seeing Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). It takes hold of the living God. It leans on His arm; It makes use of His strength; it draws on His exhaustless treasury; it walks in the light of His blest countenance, and sees His glory shining forth over the darkest scenes of human life. C. H. Mackintosh
When sorrows assail us, or terrors draw nigh,
His love will not fail us, He'll guide with His eye;
And when we are fainting, and ready to fail,
He'll give what is wanting, and make us prevail. John Fawcett
N.J. Hiebert - 8685
Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? John 11:40
In our Lord's reply to Martha we have one of the most blessed utterances that ever fell on the human ear: "Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?" What living depth, what divine power, what freshness and comfort in these words! They present to us the very gist and marrow, the essential principle of the divine life. It is only the eye of faith that can see the glory of God. Unbelief sees only difficulties, darkness, and death. Faith looks above and beyond all these, and ever basks in the blessed beams of the divine glory.
Poor Martha saw nothing but a decomposed human body, simply because she was under a spirit of dark and depressing unbelief. Had she been swayed by simple faith she would have walked to the tomb in company with Him who is the resurrection and the life, assured that, instead of death and decomposition, she should see the glory of God.
This is a grand principle for the soul to grasp. It is utterly impossible for human language to overstate its value and importance. Faith never looks at difficulties, except indeed to feed on them. "We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." (2 Corinthians 4:18) It "endures as seeing Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27). It takes hold of the living God. It leans on His arm; It makes use of His strength; it draws on His exhaustless treasury; it walks in the light of His blest countenance, and sees His glory shining forth over the darkest scenes of human life. C. H. Mackintosh
When sorrows assail us, or terrors draw nigh,
His love will not fail us, He'll guide with His eye;
And when we are fainting, and ready to fail,
He'll give what is wanting, and make us prevail. John Fawcett
N.J. Hiebert - 8685
December 5
Make thee an ark of gopher wood. Genesis 6:14
Come thou and all thy house into the ark. Genesis 7:1
Go forth of the ark. Genesis 8:16
When we think about Noah and the overwhelming task he carried out, we wonder how did he do it? It was simple. He just followed God's plan. God instructed him each step of the way. God said build, come, go and Noah responded in faithful obedience.
Note too that God was with him through it all. God had to go in the ark before Noah did or He couldn't say "Come." God had to have stayed with Noah or He couldn't have ended the journey by saying "Go." To us He says, "I am with you always" ( Matthew 28:20.) Ken Gross
All the way my Saviour leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Fanny J. Crosby
N.J. Hiebert - 8686
Come thou and all thy house into the ark. Genesis 7:1
Go forth of the ark. Genesis 8:16
When we think about Noah and the overwhelming task he carried out, we wonder how did he do it? It was simple. He just followed God's plan. God instructed him each step of the way. God said build, come, go and Noah responded in faithful obedience.
Note too that God was with him through it all. God had to go in the ark before Noah did or He couldn't say "Come." God had to have stayed with Noah or He couldn't have ended the journey by saying "Go." To us He says, "I am with you always" ( Matthew 28:20.) Ken Gross
All the way my Saviour leads me.
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my guide?
Fanny J. Crosby
N.J. Hiebert - 8686
December 6
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord, He shall save thee. Proverbs 20:22
BUT GOD
I know not, but God knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All of my waiting days To Him are plain and clear;
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?" From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought: I know not but He knows.
I cannot, but God can; Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop His hand will lift and bear.
Though eagle pinions tire -- I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know, I cannot but God can.
I see not, but God sees; Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way to Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes may close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep; I see not, but He sees.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 8687
Wait on the Lord, He shall save thee. Proverbs 20:22
BUT GOD
I know not, but God knows; Oh, blessed rest from fear!
All of my waiting days To Him are plain and clear;
Each anxious, puzzled "Why?" From doubt or dread that grows,
Finds answer in this thought: I know not but He knows.
I cannot, but God can; Oh, balm for all my care!
The burden that I drop His hand will lift and bear.
Though eagle pinions tire -- I walk where once I ran --
This is my strength, to know, I cannot but God can.
I see not, but God sees; Oh, all-sufficient light!
My dark and hidden way to Him is always bright.
My strained and peering eyes may close in restful ease,
And I in peace may sleep; I see not, but He sees.
Annie Johnson Flint
N.J. Hiebert - 8687
December 7
And it came to pass after awhile, that the brook dried up...and the word of the Lord came unto him, (Elijah) saying, arise, get thee to Zarephath...I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 1 Kings 17:7-9
Though Elijah was happily alone by the brook Cherith, he was not exempt from the deep exercise of soul consequent upon a life of faith. The ravens, it is true, in obedience to the divine command, paid him their daily visits, and Cherith flowed on in its tranquil and uninterrupted course, so that the prophet's bread was given him, and his water was sure, and thus, as far as he was personally concerned, he might forget that the rod of judgment was stretched out over the land.
But faith must be put to the test. The child of God must pass through the school of Christ, and having mastered, through grace, the difficulties of one, he must be called to grapple wth those of another. It was, therefore, needful that the soul of the prophet should be tried in order that it might be seen whether he was depending upon Cherith, or upon the Lord; hence, It happened after awhile that the brook dried up.
We are ever in danger, through the infirmity of our flesh, of having our faith propped up by circumstances, and when these are favourable, we think our faith is strong, and vice versa. But faith never looks at circumstances; it looks straight to God; it has to do exclusively with Him and His promises.
Thus it was with Elijah; it mattered little to him whether Cherith continued to flow or not. God was his fountain, his unfailing exhaustless fountain. No drought could affect God. Elijah's faith must still rest upon the same immutable basis. "I have commanded." How truly blessed is this! Circumstances changed; human things failed; creature streams are dried up, but God and His Word are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8) C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8688
Though Elijah was happily alone by the brook Cherith, he was not exempt from the deep exercise of soul consequent upon a life of faith. The ravens, it is true, in obedience to the divine command, paid him their daily visits, and Cherith flowed on in its tranquil and uninterrupted course, so that the prophet's bread was given him, and his water was sure, and thus, as far as he was personally concerned, he might forget that the rod of judgment was stretched out over the land.
But faith must be put to the test. The child of God must pass through the school of Christ, and having mastered, through grace, the difficulties of one, he must be called to grapple wth those of another. It was, therefore, needful that the soul of the prophet should be tried in order that it might be seen whether he was depending upon Cherith, or upon the Lord; hence, It happened after awhile that the brook dried up.
We are ever in danger, through the infirmity of our flesh, of having our faith propped up by circumstances, and when these are favourable, we think our faith is strong, and vice versa. But faith never looks at circumstances; it looks straight to God; it has to do exclusively with Him and His promises.
Thus it was with Elijah; it mattered little to him whether Cherith continued to flow or not. God was his fountain, his unfailing exhaustless fountain. No drought could affect God. Elijah's faith must still rest upon the same immutable basis. "I have commanded." How truly blessed is this! Circumstances changed; human things failed; creature streams are dried up, but God and His Word are the same yesterday, today, and forever.
(Hebrews 13:8) C. H. Mackintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8688
December 8
O send out Thy light and Thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring unto Thy holy hill. Psalm 43:3
I am a creature of a day. I want to know one thing--the way to Heaven; how to land safely on that happy shore.
God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came down from Heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me this Book! At any price, give me the Book of God!
I have it; here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be a man of one Book. Here, then, I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His Book; for this end--to find the way to heaven.
John Wesley
There is a chart whose tracings show
The onward course when tempests blow--
'Tis God's own Word! There, there is found
Directions for the homeward bound.
H.J.B.
N.J. Hiebert - 8689
I am a creature of a day. I want to know one thing--the way to Heaven; how to land safely on that happy shore.
God Himself has condescended to teach the way; for this very end He came down from Heaven. He hath written it down in a book. O give me this Book! At any price, give me the Book of God!
I have it; here is knowledge enough for me. Let me be a man of one Book. Here, then, I am, far from the busy ways of men. I sit down alone; only God is here. In His presence I open, I read His Book; for this end--to find the way to heaven.
John Wesley
There is a chart whose tracings show
The onward course when tempests blow--
'Tis God's own Word! There, there is found
Directions for the homeward bound.
H.J.B.
N.J. Hiebert - 8689
December 9
This is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me.
1 Corinthians 11:24
Take notice of the word "remember." It is not a Christ as He now exists. His body is now glorified. That is not a remembrance. It is a remembrance of what He was on the cross, a body slain, shed blood, not a glorified body.
It is remembered, though, by those who are now united to Him in glory into which He is entered. As risen with Him in glory, they look back to that blessed work of love which gave them a place there. They drink also the cup of remembrance of Him.
In a word, it is Christ looked on as dead. There is not such a Christ now: it is the remembrance of Him. It is not only the value of His sacrifice, but also the remembrance of Himself. The apostle then shows us who it is that died. Impossible to find two words, the bringing together of which has so important a meaning--dead Christ.
How many things are comprised in that. He who is called the Lord has died! What love! What purpose! What efficacy! What results! The Lord Himself gave Himself up for us. We celebrate His death. J. N. Darby
We hear Thy voice, blest Saviour, "This do, remember Me"
With joyful hearts responding, we do remember Thee. G. W. Frazer
N.J. Hiebert - 8690
1 Corinthians 11:24
Take notice of the word "remember." It is not a Christ as He now exists. His body is now glorified. That is not a remembrance. It is a remembrance of what He was on the cross, a body slain, shed blood, not a glorified body.
It is remembered, though, by those who are now united to Him in glory into which He is entered. As risen with Him in glory, they look back to that blessed work of love which gave them a place there. They drink also the cup of remembrance of Him.
In a word, it is Christ looked on as dead. There is not such a Christ now: it is the remembrance of Him. It is not only the value of His sacrifice, but also the remembrance of Himself. The apostle then shows us who it is that died. Impossible to find two words, the bringing together of which has so important a meaning--dead Christ.
How many things are comprised in that. He who is called the Lord has died! What love! What purpose! What efficacy! What results! The Lord Himself gave Himself up for us. We celebrate His death. J. N. Darby
We hear Thy voice, blest Saviour, "This do, remember Me"
With joyful hearts responding, we do remember Thee. G. W. Frazer
N.J. Hiebert - 8690
December 10
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
To maintain the truth and pass it on to others is only possible as we are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The maintenance of the truth in a day of general departure will involve suffering. Naturally we shrink from suffering. Therefore, Timothy is exhorted, and each one that desires to be true to Christ, to "Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Compared with Paul the "share" of suffering we may be called to take will be small; but, wherever there is a saint to-day that refuses error and stands for the truth, he must be prepared in some measure to face opposition (ii.25), persecution (iii 12), desertion (iv. 10), and malice (iv. 14); and, as with the apostle, these things may come even from his brethren. This, however, involves suffering, and naturally when suffering unjustly we are inclined to retaliate.
Therefore, we are reminded to take our share in suffering, not as a natural man, but "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." A good soldier will obey his Captain and act as he does. Christ is the great Captain of our salvation, and He has reached His place of glory "through sufferings."
And He has left us this perfect example of suffering in patience, for "When He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). To act in a way so contrary to nature will indeed demand that we should be "strong the in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1). 2 Timothy - An Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8691
To maintain the truth and pass it on to others is only possible as we are strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The maintenance of the truth in a day of general departure will involve suffering. Naturally we shrink from suffering. Therefore, Timothy is exhorted, and each one that desires to be true to Christ, to "Take thy share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Compared with Paul the "share" of suffering we may be called to take will be small; but, wherever there is a saint to-day that refuses error and stands for the truth, he must be prepared in some measure to face opposition (ii.25), persecution (iii 12), desertion (iv. 10), and malice (iv. 14); and, as with the apostle, these things may come even from his brethren. This, however, involves suffering, and naturally when suffering unjustly we are inclined to retaliate.
Therefore, we are reminded to take our share in suffering, not as a natural man, but "as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." A good soldier will obey his Captain and act as he does. Christ is the great Captain of our salvation, and He has reached His place of glory "through sufferings."
And He has left us this perfect example of suffering in patience, for "When He suffered He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously" (1 Peter 2:23). To act in a way so contrary to nature will indeed demand that we should be "strong the in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1). 2 Timothy - An Expository Outline - Hamilton Smith
N.J. Hiebert - 8691
December 11
A bruised reed shall He not break, and the smoking flax shall He not quench: He shall bring forth judgment unto truth. Isaiah 42:3
The poorest shepherd boy on our south Indian hills is careful to choose, for the making of his flute, a reed that is straight and fine and quite unbruised.
But our Heavenly Shepherd often takes the broken and the bruised, and of such He makes His flutes. But life, like His Book, is full of parables of tenderness; and one of these parables has often come into this room of late. For a visitor whose name means "God's Peace" has brought his autoharp to play to me, and has first tuned it while I expectantly waited for the music which I knew would follow the tuning.
Is music to come from our harp? Music of prayer, of praise, of consolation? The strings are relaxed, or perhaps too tensely stretched. Illness can cause either condition. But we have a Tuner.
Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord, could never be,
The skill in me.
Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.
Tune Thou my harp;
Thy Spirit, breathe His thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee.
Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8692
The poorest shepherd boy on our south Indian hills is careful to choose, for the making of his flute, a reed that is straight and fine and quite unbruised.
But our Heavenly Shepherd often takes the broken and the bruised, and of such He makes His flutes. But life, like His Book, is full of parables of tenderness; and one of these parables has often come into this room of late. For a visitor whose name means "God's Peace" has brought his autoharp to play to me, and has first tuned it while I expectantly waited for the music which I knew would follow the tuning.
Is music to come from our harp? Music of prayer, of praise, of consolation? The strings are relaxed, or perhaps too tensely stretched. Illness can cause either condition. But we have a Tuner.
Tune Thou my harp;
There is not, Lord, could never be,
The skill in me.
Tune Thou my harp,
That it may play Thy melody,
Thy harmony.
Tune Thou my harp;
Thy Spirit, breathe His thought through me,
As pleaseth Thee.
Rose From Briar - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 8692
December 12
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