November 21
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7
Have you ever thought how infectious fear can be? It spreads from one to another more quickly and certainly than any of the fevers we know so well. So, for the sake of others, let us refuse the spirit of fear which God never gives us (if He does not, who does?), and let us open our hearts wide to the Spirit "of power and love and discipline." We can do this if we will.
Thank God, courage is as infectious as discouragement. Have you not often felt the cheer and strength that seem to flow from one whose mind is stayed on God? I have. And I have been thinking of another, a greater, reason for refusing the spirit of fear. When we are downhearted, or fearful, or weak, we are saying to everybody, by looks and by deeds if not by by words, "After all, our Lord is not to be absolutely trusted."
Somewhere near us, though we do not see them, are others, the good angels and the spirits of evil. To them, too, when we yield to fear, we say the same dishonouring thing. So for the greater glory of our glorious Saviour Who has never once failed us, and never will fail us, Who has loved and led and guarded us all these years, let us look to Him now and pray from the ground of our heart, Lord, give us valour. Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
And He touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose,
and ministered unto them. Matthew 8:15
Whatever the fever, His touch can heal it; whatever the tempest, His voice can still;
There is only joy as we seek His pleasure, there is only rest as we chose His will.
And some day, after life's fitful fever, I think that we shall say, in the home on high,
If the hands that He touched but did His bidding,
How little it matters what else went by! Edith Cheery
N.J. Hiebert - 8672
November 22
And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book...Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou...hast redeemed us. Revelation 5:4,9
It is easy to become discouraged when we think about our world's sad state of affairs. There seems to be no end to its evil downward spiral. But, Christian, don't despair! Our Lord has already redeemed us with His own precious blood. He will one day execute judgment.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11) (Romans 14:11)
The victory is already won. It won't be long before our Lord will reign in righteousness and there will be peace on earth. --C. Mark Hogan
"Till He come," O let the words linger on the trembling chords,
Let the "little while" between in their golden light be seen;
Let us think how Heaven and home lie beyond that, "Till He come."
When the weary ones we love enter on their rest above,
Seems the earth so poor and vast, all our life joy overcast?
Hush be every murmur dumb; it is only, "Till He come."
Clouds and conflicts round us press; would we have one sorrow less?
All the sharpness of the cross, all that tells the world is lost,
Death and darkness, and the tomb, only whisper, "Till He come."
(1 Corinthians 11:26 Hebrews 10:37)
N.J. Hiebert - 8673
It is easy to become discouraged when we think about our world's sad state of affairs. There seems to be no end to its evil downward spiral. But, Christian, don't despair! Our Lord has already redeemed us with His own precious blood. He will one day execute judgment.
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10,11) (Romans 14:11)
The victory is already won. It won't be long before our Lord will reign in righteousness and there will be peace on earth. --C. Mark Hogan
"Till He come," O let the words linger on the trembling chords,
Let the "little while" between in their golden light be seen;
Let us think how Heaven and home lie beyond that, "Till He come."
When the weary ones we love enter on their rest above,
Seems the earth so poor and vast, all our life joy overcast?
Hush be every murmur dumb; it is only, "Till He come."
Clouds and conflicts round us press; would we have one sorrow less?
All the sharpness of the cross, all that tells the world is lost,
Death and darkness, and the tomb, only whisper, "Till He come."
(1 Corinthians 11:26 Hebrews 10:37)
N.J. Hiebert - 8673
November 23
The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree. Psalm 92:12
Several interesting facts about the date palm give encouragement and comfort in applying this verse to our lives as Christians:
1. It never grows wild, but must be planted and carefully tended when young. Like ugly weeds, the natural man will grow wild and flourish without being planted or tended. But only God can produce "fruitful trees" by redeeming sinners to Himself and then fashioning them into objects of beauty and fruitfulness.
2. It grows from within. Its bark is only the support and protection of its inner life from whence its fruitfulness comes. The real inner life of a Christian is renewed day by day as he walks with the Lord. It is this inward man that produces fruit for God.
3. It has well over 200 uses, including food and floor mats. Sometimes we foolishly objects to some uses God has for us (such as to be a floor mat), but true fruitfulness results from submitting to Him in all things.
4. Its foliage is always green, because of deep roots getting hidden moisture. It thrives even in dry and sandy soil. "Palm tree Christians" do not require a favourable environment to survive, in fact, they often bear the choicest fruit in hostile circumstances.
5. It bears its best fruit in old age. Those Christians who mature and mellow with age become a delight to God, and also serve as a beautiful example to younger saints. They become a source of wonder even to unbelievers. While Satan ruthlessly discards his faithful servants when they become old and feeble, God choses to give His own a special glow at eventide -- a glow that reflects His own glory. G. W. Steidl
N.J. Hiebert - 8674
Several interesting facts about the date palm give encouragement and comfort in applying this verse to our lives as Christians:
1. It never grows wild, but must be planted and carefully tended when young. Like ugly weeds, the natural man will grow wild and flourish without being planted or tended. But only God can produce "fruitful trees" by redeeming sinners to Himself and then fashioning them into objects of beauty and fruitfulness.
2. It grows from within. Its bark is only the support and protection of its inner life from whence its fruitfulness comes. The real inner life of a Christian is renewed day by day as he walks with the Lord. It is this inward man that produces fruit for God.
3. It has well over 200 uses, including food and floor mats. Sometimes we foolishly objects to some uses God has for us (such as to be a floor mat), but true fruitfulness results from submitting to Him in all things.
4. Its foliage is always green, because of deep roots getting hidden moisture. It thrives even in dry and sandy soil. "Palm tree Christians" do not require a favourable environment to survive, in fact, they often bear the choicest fruit in hostile circumstances.
5. It bears its best fruit in old age. Those Christians who mature and mellow with age become a delight to God, and also serve as a beautiful example to younger saints. They become a source of wonder even to unbelievers. While Satan ruthlessly discards his faithful servants when they become old and feeble, God choses to give His own a special glow at eventide -- a glow that reflects His own glory. G. W. Steidl
N.J. Hiebert - 8674
November 24
Whatsoever things are lovely (Lovable). Philippians 4:8
After our first five years in China, we had been home 2 or 3 weeks, and the children were terribly homesick for the dear Chinese people they loved so well: they had not seen one.
On a snowy afternoon in February, we were walking down a quiet street, when suddenly the children saw a Chinese man with a big box on a hand-sleigh, delivering laundry. He was old, and stooped, he had lost most of his teeth, and was about as unattractive an old man as you could find. His arms were filled with parcels of laundry he was about to deliver.
The children saw him, and instantly all four rushed across the street and started talking to him. He was so amazed to hear these fair-haired little ones talking in his own tongue wherein he was born, that he dropped the laundry in the snow and did not trouble to pick it up; and the five of them all had a really good time.
My little daughter of eight came back and as she took my hand again, she looked up with a great sigh of satisfaction and said: "O Daddy, isn't he perfectly lovely!" I understood and so replied, yes, Darling, he surely is!" Love has that wondrous power to turn unlovely things into both lovely and loveable ones.
We may be surprised how many lovely things there are on which we may meditate. A little child called, "Oh, come quickly! The gates of Heaven are open wide, and all the glory's shining through!" She had found something very lovely in a beautiful sunset. "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 His glory does "shine through".
To us, His own, who know His love, He gives all these things richly to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17). And they tell us not only of His glory, but also of His love, which provided them: and thus we may truly count them among the "lovely things" on which we are to meditate. Sacrifices of Joy - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8675
After our first five years in China, we had been home 2 or 3 weeks, and the children were terribly homesick for the dear Chinese people they loved so well: they had not seen one.
On a snowy afternoon in February, we were walking down a quiet street, when suddenly the children saw a Chinese man with a big box on a hand-sleigh, delivering laundry. He was old, and stooped, he had lost most of his teeth, and was about as unattractive an old man as you could find. His arms were filled with parcels of laundry he was about to deliver.
The children saw him, and instantly all four rushed across the street and started talking to him. He was so amazed to hear these fair-haired little ones talking in his own tongue wherein he was born, that he dropped the laundry in the snow and did not trouble to pick it up; and the five of them all had a really good time.
My little daughter of eight came back and as she took my hand again, she looked up with a great sigh of satisfaction and said: "O Daddy, isn't he perfectly lovely!" I understood and so replied, yes, Darling, he surely is!" Love has that wondrous power to turn unlovely things into both lovely and loveable ones.
We may be surprised how many lovely things there are on which we may meditate. A little child called, "Oh, come quickly! The gates of Heaven are open wide, and all the glory's shining through!" She had found something very lovely in a beautiful sunset. "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork." Psalm 19:1 His glory does "shine through".
To us, His own, who know His love, He gives all these things richly to enjoy. (1 Timothy 6:17). And they tell us not only of His glory, but also of His love, which provided them: and thus we may truly count them among the "lovely things" on which we are to meditate. Sacrifices of Joy - G. C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 8675
November 25
I am the Lord. And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.
(Exodus12:12-13)
The passover celebrated in Egypt is the well-known type of Christ averting from His people the judgment which overtakes the ungodly. The destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt, and smote the firstborn in every house. Israel escaped by the death of the lamb, and by that alone. The blood sprinkled on the door post told the destroyer that the sentence of death had already been executed, and he therefore passed over.
When it was a question of life or death, the blood, and the blood alone, fixed the line of demarcation: "When I see the blood, I will pass over." This was God's record, presented for the obedience of faith. The blood was outside, and Israel were inside, and hence they could not see the blood, nor was that needful. All that was needed was simple faith in God's record, and the more simple the faith, he fuller was their peace. It was their privilege to eat the lamb within their houses, while the destroyer passed, inflicting terrible judgment on all who were not sheltered beneath the blood.
How simple is this! How striking! How much we learn from it! God's way of salvation is simple, as simple as it is complete: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, (Jesus as Lord) and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Christ is God's salvation and it is God's estimate of Christ that forms the basis of the believer's peace.
Many suffer not a little by looking at their faith, instead of at faith's Object. Now faith is only the hand, as it were, that takes hold of the gift of God. Genuine faith never looks at itself, but only at Jesus. "When I see the blood, I will pass over." (Exodus 12:13). Nothing could avail but the blood of the Lamb.
C.H. Macintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8676
The passover celebrated in Egypt is the well-known type of Christ averting from His people the judgment which overtakes the ungodly. The destroying angel passed through the land of Egypt, and smote the firstborn in every house. Israel escaped by the death of the lamb, and by that alone. The blood sprinkled on the door post told the destroyer that the sentence of death had already been executed, and he therefore passed over.
When it was a question of life or death, the blood, and the blood alone, fixed the line of demarcation: "When I see the blood, I will pass over." This was God's record, presented for the obedience of faith. The blood was outside, and Israel were inside, and hence they could not see the blood, nor was that needful. All that was needed was simple faith in God's record, and the more simple the faith, he fuller was their peace. It was their privilege to eat the lamb within their houses, while the destroyer passed, inflicting terrible judgment on all who were not sheltered beneath the blood.
How simple is this! How striking! How much we learn from it! God's way of salvation is simple, as simple as it is complete: "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, (Jesus as Lord) and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). Christ is God's salvation and it is God's estimate of Christ that forms the basis of the believer's peace.
Many suffer not a little by looking at their faith, instead of at faith's Object. Now faith is only the hand, as it were, that takes hold of the gift of God. Genuine faith never looks at itself, but only at Jesus. "When I see the blood, I will pass over." (Exodus 12:13). Nothing could avail but the blood of the Lamb.
C.H. Macintosh
N.J. Hiebert - 8676
November 26
"NOTHING WAVERING"
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James 1:6
The man who lacks wisdom is promised it, but he must ask in faith and not be like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Our Lord said we could move mountains if we commanded them to move and did not doubt in our hearts. (Mark 11:23).
The positive side of that is in the next verse (24), which says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Abraham "Staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith." There we have the negative and positive again (Romans 4:20). Some are saved from sin but not from staggering.
"Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." Positive and negative! Are you walking by faith or wobbling in doubt? We lie to God in prayer when we do not rely on God after prayer. James is very clear: "Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord." (James 1:7)
Asking without believing marks a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Day by Day - with Vance Havner
I believe the answer's on the way. I believe the Lord has heard me pray.
"Cast not away your confidence" saith the Lord our God.
Now by faith in Him alone I stand, firmly held by His almighty hand.
Fully trusting in His promise - Praise the Lord.
N.J. Hiebert - 8677
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. James 1:6
The man who lacks wisdom is promised it, but he must ask in faith and not be like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed. Our Lord said we could move mountains if we commanded them to move and did not doubt in our hearts. (Mark 11:23).
The positive side of that is in the next verse (24), which says, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
Abraham "Staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith." There we have the negative and positive again (Romans 4:20). Some are saved from sin but not from staggering.
"Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering." Positive and negative! Are you walking by faith or wobbling in doubt? We lie to God in prayer when we do not rely on God after prayer. James is very clear: "Let not that man think he shall receive anything of the Lord." (James 1:7)
Asking without believing marks a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Day by Day - with Vance Havner
I believe the answer's on the way. I believe the Lord has heard me pray.
"Cast not away your confidence" saith the Lord our God.
Now by faith in Him alone I stand, firmly held by His almighty hand.
Fully trusting in His promise - Praise the Lord.
N.J. Hiebert - 8677
November 27
Men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:19
No man by nature understands God. No man naturally loves holiness and purity. Have you ever noticed that you do not have to teach little children to tell lies, but you do have to teach them to tell the truth; you never have to teach them to lose their temper, but you have to teach them to control it; you never have to teach them to be disobedient, but you do have to teach them to be obedient?
Why is this? Because men naturally are children of darkness. As we look into the faces of babes we do not like to think that in their little hearts there is the same sinful tendency that we find in ourselves, but it is there nevertheless, and therefore there is the necessity of regeneration: "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)
Men say, "I am not responsible, because I was born a sinner, because my understanding was darkened; God is responsible for permitting me to come into the world like this."
God is not going to send anyone to eternal judgment because he was born a sinner; He is not going to send any one to everlasting ruin because he was born in darkness; but the blessed God has come to men and offered them a way out, and that way we find in the gospel.
"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21) H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 8678
No man by nature understands God. No man naturally loves holiness and purity. Have you ever noticed that you do not have to teach little children to tell lies, but you do have to teach them to tell the truth; you never have to teach them to lose their temper, but you have to teach them to control it; you never have to teach them to be disobedient, but you do have to teach them to be obedient?
Why is this? Because men naturally are children of darkness. As we look into the faces of babes we do not like to think that in their little hearts there is the same sinful tendency that we find in ourselves, but it is there nevertheless, and therefore there is the necessity of regeneration: "Ye must be born again." (John 3:7)
Men say, "I am not responsible, because I was born a sinner, because my understanding was darkened; God is responsible for permitting me to come into the world like this."
God is not going to send anyone to eternal judgment because he was born a sinner; He is not going to send any one to everlasting ruin because he was born in darkness; but the blessed God has come to men and offered them a way out, and that way we find in the gospel.
"But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." (John 3:21) H. A. Ironside
N.J.Hiebert - 8678
November 28
He giveth quietness. Job 34:29
The calm sea says more to the thoughtful soul than the same sea in a storm and tumult. But we need the understanding of eternal things, and the sentiment of the Infinite to be able to feel this. People of passionate temperament never understand this. Amiel's Journal.
"The lovely things are quiet things - soft falling snow,
And feathers dropped from flying wings make no sound as they go.
A petal loosened from a rose, quietly seeks the ground,
And love, if lovely, when it goes, goes without sound."
The silent seasons of life are imperative. The winter is the mother of spring; the night is the fountain of the physical forces of the day; the silent soil is the womb where vegetable life is born. The greatest things in our spiritual life come out of our waiting hours, when all activity is suspended, and the soul learns to be "silent unto God" while He shapes us for future activities and fruitful years.
The greatest forces in nature are quiet ones. The law of gravitation is silent, yet invincible. So, back of all our activities and actions the law of faith is the mightiest force of the spiritual world, and mightiest when quietest and least demonstrative. When the soul is anchored to the will of God and His exceeding great and precious promises, with the calm unwavering confidence that His power and love are behind us and can never fail us until all His will for us is accomplished, our life must be victorious. Springs in the Valley
In the center of the whirlpool, while the waters rush around,
There's a space of perfect stillness, though with turmoil it is bound:
All is calm, and all is quiet, scarcely e'en a sense of sound.
So with us--despite the conflict--when in Christ His peace is found."
N.J. Hiebert - 8679
The calm sea says more to the thoughtful soul than the same sea in a storm and tumult. But we need the understanding of eternal things, and the sentiment of the Infinite to be able to feel this. People of passionate temperament never understand this. Amiel's Journal.
"The lovely things are quiet things - soft falling snow,
And feathers dropped from flying wings make no sound as they go.
A petal loosened from a rose, quietly seeks the ground,
And love, if lovely, when it goes, goes without sound."
The silent seasons of life are imperative. The winter is the mother of spring; the night is the fountain of the physical forces of the day; the silent soil is the womb where vegetable life is born. The greatest things in our spiritual life come out of our waiting hours, when all activity is suspended, and the soul learns to be "silent unto God" while He shapes us for future activities and fruitful years.
The greatest forces in nature are quiet ones. The law of gravitation is silent, yet invincible. So, back of all our activities and actions the law of faith is the mightiest force of the spiritual world, and mightiest when quietest and least demonstrative. When the soul is anchored to the will of God and His exceeding great and precious promises, with the calm unwavering confidence that His power and love are behind us and can never fail us until all His will for us is accomplished, our life must be victorious. Springs in the Valley
In the center of the whirlpool, while the waters rush around,
There's a space of perfect stillness, though with turmoil it is bound:
All is calm, and all is quiet, scarcely e'en a sense of sound.
So with us--despite the conflict--when in Christ His peace is found."
N.J. Hiebert - 8679
November 29
O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. Daniel 10:19
God reminded Daniel three times that he was "greatly beloved." This enabled him to overcome the many trials that he faced. So also with the Bride, in the days of separation from her Beloved. The thing that sustains her until she is forever with Him, is this knowledge, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved, is mine." (Song of Solomon 6:3) He lives for us, and is coming back for us. Surely this quells the anxious fears that rise within our hearts, as we face the challenges of time. W.H. Burnett
Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace, that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above, who hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
Heaven above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.
Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.
His forever, only His: who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine. G. W.Robinson
N.J. Hiebert - 8680
God reminded Daniel three times that he was "greatly beloved." This enabled him to overcome the many trials that he faced. So also with the Bride, in the days of separation from her Beloved. The thing that sustains her until she is forever with Him, is this knowledge, "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved, is mine." (Song of Solomon 6:3) He lives for us, and is coming back for us. Surely this quells the anxious fears that rise within our hearts, as we face the challenges of time. W.H. Burnett
Loved with everlasting love, drawn by grace, that love to know;
Spirit, breathing from above, who hast taught me it is so.
Oh, this full and perfect peace! Oh, this transport all divine!
In a love which cannot cease, I am His, and He is mine.
Heaven above is softer blue, earth around is sweeter green;
Something lives in every hue Christless eyes have never seen:
Birds with gladder songs o'erflow, flowers with deeper beauties shine,
Since I know, as now I know, I am His, and He is mine.
Things that once were wild alarms cannot now disturb my rest;
Closed in everlasting arms, pillowed on the loving breast.
Oh, to lie forever here, doubt and care and self resign,
While He whispers in my ear, I am His, and He is mine.
His forever, only His: who the Lord and me shall part?
Ah, with what a rest of bliss Christ can fill the loving heart.
Heaven and earth may fade and flee, firstborn light in gloom decline;
But, while God and I shall be, I am His, and He is mine. G. W.Robinson
N.J. Hiebert - 8680
November 30
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
The ordinary interpretation of Psalm 23 is that it brings before us a three-fold picture-- the Shepherd and His sheep in verse 1; the traveller and his Guide in verse 4; and the Host and His guest in verse 5. But, while that may be true by application, it is not the primary significance of this portion of scripture. From start to finish Psalm 23 sings of shepherd life.
"The valley of the shadow of death" of which it speaks refers to those places of deadly peril through which the flocks have sometimes to pass, and in which they are cast entirely on the guidance and protection of the shepherd. This symbolizes the darker and more difficult portions of the path over which the flock of God travels to the heavenly land.
Then, as regards the "preparing of a table before me in the presence of mine enemies", it has been said by one who is familiar with shepherd-life in oriental lands, that "There is no higher task of the shepherd in Eastern countries than to go from time to time to study places, and examine the grass, and find a good and safe feeding-place for his sheep. There are many poisonous plants in the grass, and the shepherd must find and avoid them."
Then there are viper's holes, and the reptiles bite the noses of the sheep if they are not driven away. And round the feeding place, which the shepherd thus prepares, in holes and caves in the hill-sides, there are jackals, wolves, hyenas and tigers; and the bravery and skill of the shepherd are at the highest point in closing up the dens with stones, or slaying the wild beasts with his long-bladed knife. Of nothing do you hear the shepherds boasting more proudly than of their achievements in this part of their care of their flocks.
The Pearl of Psalm - George Henderson.
N.J. Hiebert - 8681
The ordinary interpretation of Psalm 23 is that it brings before us a three-fold picture-- the Shepherd and His sheep in verse 1; the traveller and his Guide in verse 4; and the Host and His guest in verse 5. But, while that may be true by application, it is not the primary significance of this portion of scripture. From start to finish Psalm 23 sings of shepherd life.
"The valley of the shadow of death" of which it speaks refers to those places of deadly peril through which the flocks have sometimes to pass, and in which they are cast entirely on the guidance and protection of the shepherd. This symbolizes the darker and more difficult portions of the path over which the flock of God travels to the heavenly land.
Then, as regards the "preparing of a table before me in the presence of mine enemies", it has been said by one who is familiar with shepherd-life in oriental lands, that "There is no higher task of the shepherd in Eastern countries than to go from time to time to study places, and examine the grass, and find a good and safe feeding-place for his sheep. There are many poisonous plants in the grass, and the shepherd must find and avoid them."
Then there are viper's holes, and the reptiles bite the noses of the sheep if they are not driven away. And round the feeding place, which the shepherd thus prepares, in holes and caves in the hill-sides, there are jackals, wolves, hyenas and tigers; and the bravery and skill of the shepherd are at the highest point in closing up the dens with stones, or slaying the wild beasts with his long-bladed knife. Of nothing do you hear the shepherds boasting more proudly than of their achievements in this part of their care of their flocks.
The Pearl of Psalm - George Henderson.
N.J. Hiebert - 8681
December 1
HIS DESIRED DESIRE
With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.
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
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
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