Gems from December 1- 5, 2025

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 - 10141

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 - 10142

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 - 10143

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 - 10144

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). 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 - 10145

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 - 10146

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 - 10147

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 - 10148

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 - 10149

December 7

Center of it All

In Genesis, I was the Word of God, creating the heavens and the earth.

In Exodus, I was the Passover Lamb, whose blood was sprinkled on the doorposts of your heart so that you could escape the bonds of slavery.
In Leviticus, I was the temple, the holy place where you met with God.
In Numbers, I was your ever-present guide, your pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.
In Deuteronomy, I was the prophet coming who is greater than Moses.

In Joshua, I was the conquering warrior leading you into the Promised Land.
In Judges, I was the broken Savior rising up to rescue you.
In Ruth, I was your kinsman-redeemer.
In 1&2 Samuel, I was the pure-hearted shepherd king, who rushed out to face your giants all alone.  In 1&2 Kings, I was the righteous ruler.

In 1&2 Chronicles, I was the restorer of the kingdom.
In Ezra, the faithful scribe.
In Nehemiah, the rebuilder of the walls.
In Esther, I was your advocate, risking my life to restore you to royalty.

In Job, I was your living Redeemer.
In the Psalms, I was the one who hears your cries.
In Proverbs, I am wisdom personified.
In Ecclesiastes, I am the meaning that lets you escape the madness.
In the Song of Solomon, I am your lover and your bridegroom.

In Isaiah, I was the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, wounded for your transgressions and bruised for your iniquities.
In Jeremiah, I am the Spirit that writes God’s laws on your hearts.
In Lamentations, I was the weeping prophet.
In Ezekiel, I was the river of life bringing healing to the nations.
In Daniel, the fourth man in the fire.
In Hosea, I was the ever-faithful husband pursuing my unfaithful bride.
In Joel, I was the restorer of all that the locusts have eaten.

In Amos, I was your burden bearer.
In Obadiah, the judge of all the earth.
In Jonah, the prophet cast out into the storm so that you could be brought in.
In Micah, the everlasting ruler born to us in Bethlehem.

In Nahum, the Avenger of God’s elect.
In Habakkuk, your reason to rejoice even when our fields are empty.
In Zephaniah, I am the great Reformer.
In Haggai, the cleansing fountain.
In Zechariah, the pierced Son whom every eye on earth will one day behold.
And in Malachi, I am the Sun of Righteousness rising with healing in my wings.

But the Bible doesn’t end there. He wasn’t just promised. He came.

In Matthew, he’s the King of the Jews.
In Mark, he’s the Son of God.
In Luke, he’s the Savior born to us in the city of David, Christ the Lord.
In John, he’s the Word become flesh, dwelling among us. In Acts, he is Christ the risen Lord, proclaiming salvation to the nations. In Romans, he’s the Justifier.

In 1&2 Corinthians, the Spirit at work in the churches. In Galatians, he is the righteousness imputed to us by faith. In Ephesians, our righteous armor.

In Philippians, the God who meets our every need.
In Colossians, the firstborn of all creation.

In 1&2 Thessalonians, he’s descending from heaving with a shout, coming to meet us together in the clouds.
In 1&2 Timothy, the one mediator between God and man.
In Titus, our faithful pastor.
In Philemon, our Redeemer, restoring us to service.
In Hebrews, our great high priest.

In James, the life at work in our faith.
In 1&2 Peter, our living cornerstone.
In 1, 2, and 3 John, our advocate, pleading his righteousness in our place.
In Jude, he’s God our Savior, the one who keeps us from stumbling and presents us blameless in his presence with great joy.

And in Revelation, he’s the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

It’s always only ever been about him. He is the center of it all.

James David "J.D." Greear

Gems from November 21- 30, 2025

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and Thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1 

Abram had just been through some trying experiences--a famine in the land; the defection of his nephew Lot from the path of faith; the battle with the kings--but Abram had stood firm in his faith, unmoved by the swelling tide of circumstance.

It is "after these things," that God gave Abram this word of encouragement: Fear not.  So it is as we tread this wilderness scene.  Often we face trial upon trial, but our God is aware of it, and just when we need it, He gives that renewing word from Himself--fear not!    William Burnett 

Is the wilderness before thee, desert land where drought abides?
Heavenly springs shall there restore thee, fresh from God's exhaustless tides.

Light divine surrounds thy going, God Himself shall mark thy way;
Secret blessings, richly flowing, lead to everlasting day.

In the desert God will teach thee what the God that thou has found, 
Patient, gracious, powerful, holy, all His grace shall there abound.

Though thy way be long and dreary, eagle strength He'll still renew:
Garments fresh and foot unweary tell how God hath brought thee through.

When to Canaan's long-loved dwelling Love divine thy foot shall bring,
There, with shouts of triumph swelling, Zion's songs in rest to sing--   

There no stranger-God shall meet thee, stranger thou in courts above,
He Who to His rest shall great thee, greets thee with a well-known love. 
J. N. Darby 1837

N.J. Hiebert - 10132

November 20

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my Words shall not pass away.  Matthew 24:35

Bibles are more plentiful today than they ever have been.  The words of the Lord Jesus are better known and loved by a greater multitude today than ever before in the history of the world.  The gospels have been handed down by the noblest of earth, through rivers of blood, at the cost of liberty and life, in the history of every nation in Christendom. 

Christians have fought by weakness, enemies  as diverse as Herod, Pontius Pilate, and the people of Israel, and have always  been victorious.  The enemy, the devil, in one age, has prepared his weapons in the monasteries of superstition; in another he has conducted his warfare from the colleges of infidelity; but whether Greek or Jew, ignorant or intellectual, every weapon has failed. 

Passed away!  What has passed away? The kings of earth have passed away.  The cruelty of the inquisition and the scoffings of Voltaire have passed away.  Whatever opposition may arise to God and His Word shall surely pass away: for the Son of Man Who was Son of God, said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away."

Let the ages answer. Let history come with the officers to the seat of power and learning.  With one voice all will say, "Never man spake like this Man."

"And the Pharisees and the chief priest sent officers to take Him . . . Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought Him? The officers answered, Never man spake like this man." (John 7:32,45,46)   

Leonard Sheldrake (1885-1952) A Plant of Renown  

N.J. Hiebert - 10133

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 - 10134

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 - 10135

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 - 10136

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 - 10137

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 - 10138

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 - 10139

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 - 10140

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 - 10141

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 - 10142

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 - 10143

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 - 10144

December 2