Lift up your heads, O ye gates . . . and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Psalm 24:9-10.
It is told of Mr. Hyde of India that one day he was traveling to a distant village with a beloved Pujabi evangelist and his two children. The men were speaking sadly about the village,--how long the Gospel had been preached there, and how little interest the people showed.
The children had no such sad thoughts: they were so happy that they sang, and went on singing Psalms and Hymns one after another, till the two men were constrained to join in. They were so carried away with the spirit of praise that they continued singing till they reached the village. Imagine their amazement when they found the people full of interest, and eager to confess Christ and follow Him. Over a dozen showed such a living faith, that they were baptized before they left. This was the first Gospel triumph in that village, heralded and brought about by the spirit of praise from the children.
In another village they were so discouraged, they decided to leave early next morning, but that night someone suggested that they should all go to the village and sing the Gospel in it. This they did, and sang on and on, till after midnight. Next morning they were preparing to leave, when a young man came running from the village, to beg them not to go, for not one, he told them, had gone to work that morning, but were even then considering if they should not at once decide for Christ.
They waited, and found some fifteen men, mostly heads of family, quite ready to be baptized. The young man who brought the message said to Mr. Hyde: This is the result of your singing last night. You sang--
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates,
And let the King of Glory enter in !"
Has He not entered in this morning? Philippians - G.Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9818
The children had no such sad thoughts: they were so happy that they sang, and went on singing Psalms and Hymns one after another, till the two men were constrained to join in. They were so carried away with the spirit of praise that they continued singing till they reached the village. Imagine their amazement when they found the people full of interest, and eager to confess Christ and follow Him. Over a dozen showed such a living faith, that they were baptized before they left. This was the first Gospel triumph in that village, heralded and brought about by the spirit of praise from the children.
In another village they were so discouraged, they decided to leave early next morning, but that night someone suggested that they should all go to the village and sing the Gospel in it. This they did, and sang on and on, till after midnight. Next morning they were preparing to leave, when a young man came running from the village, to beg them not to go, for not one, he told them, had gone to work that morning, but were even then considering if they should not at once decide for Christ.
They waited, and found some fifteen men, mostly heads of family, quite ready to be baptized. The young man who brought the message said to Mr. Hyde: This is the result of your singing last night. You sang--
"Lift up your heads, O ye gates,
And let the King of Glory enter in !"
Has He not entered in this morning? Philippians - G.Christopher Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 9818
January 10
CAPTIVE THOUGHTS
Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Are there any tyrants more harassing than our own thoughts? Control of deeds and words seems a small thing in comparison; but have we not been apt to fancy that we really can't help our thoughts? Instead of our dominating them, they have dominated us; and we have not expected, or even thought it possible, to be set free from the manifold tyranny of vain thoughts, and still less of wandering thoughts. Yet, all the time, here has been God's word about this hopeless, helpless matter, only where has been our faith?
Must it not be glorious rest to have every thought of day and night brought into sweet, quiet, complete captivity to Jesus. We say, "of course, it stands to reason it could not be!" To reason perhaps, but not to faith; for words cannot be plainer than these in which Paul sets forth this marvellous privilege of all God's children, if they are only willing and simply believing in the matter. For while "the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" is the measure of the fullness of His promises, "according to your faith" is the appointed measure of their reception and benefit by ourselves. "Lord, increase our faith." (Matthew 9:29)
But there is an order in their effectual working, and we must not begin at the wrong end. Before this triumph-leading of every thought can take place, there is the "casting down imaginations" (2 Corinthians 10:5), or, "reasonings". As long as we are reasoning about a promise, we never know its reality. It is not God's way. It is "the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalm 34:2) Has it not always been, that we had to lay down our arms and accept God's thought and God's way instead of our own ideas, and be willing that He should "speak the word only," and believe it as little children believe our promises? Then He will "keep (garrison) your hearts with the peace of God which passeth all understanding". Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9819
Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5
Are there any tyrants more harassing than our own thoughts? Control of deeds and words seems a small thing in comparison; but have we not been apt to fancy that we really can't help our thoughts? Instead of our dominating them, they have dominated us; and we have not expected, or even thought it possible, to be set free from the manifold tyranny of vain thoughts, and still less of wandering thoughts. Yet, all the time, here has been God's word about this hopeless, helpless matter, only where has been our faith?
Must it not be glorious rest to have every thought of day and night brought into sweet, quiet, complete captivity to Jesus. We say, "of course, it stands to reason it could not be!" To reason perhaps, but not to faith; for words cannot be plainer than these in which Paul sets forth this marvellous privilege of all God's children, if they are only willing and simply believing in the matter. For while "the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus" is the measure of the fullness of His promises, "according to your faith" is the appointed measure of their reception and benefit by ourselves. "Lord, increase our faith." (Matthew 9:29)
But there is an order in their effectual working, and we must not begin at the wrong end. Before this triumph-leading of every thought can take place, there is the "casting down imaginations" (2 Corinthians 10:5), or, "reasonings". As long as we are reasoning about a promise, we never know its reality. It is not God's way. It is "the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalm 34:2) Has it not always been, that we had to lay down our arms and accept God's thought and God's way instead of our own ideas, and be willing that He should "speak the word only," and believe it as little children believe our promises? Then He will "keep (garrison) your hearts with the peace of God which passeth all understanding". Frances Ridley Havergal
N.J. Hiebert - 9819
January 11
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 15:13
For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5
Hope is the handkerchief that God puts into His people's hands, to wipe the tears from their eyes, which their present troubles, and long stay of expected mercies, draw from them: "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord . . . and there is hope in thine end." Jeremiah 31:16-17
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a way you will never find, a work you will never be able to do of yourselves thus to wait patiently till Christ come, "The Lord," therefore, "direct your hearts" into it. Love Him, and you will wait for Him. "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 21
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;
Be Thou our guide while troubles last, and our eternal home.
Isaac Watts
N.J. Hiebert - 9820
Romans 15:13
For Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.
Psalm 71:5
Hope is the handkerchief that God puts into His people's hands, to wipe the tears from their eyes, which their present troubles, and long stay of expected mercies, draw from them: "Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord . . . and there is hope in thine end." Jeremiah 31:16-17
"The Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ" (2 Thessalonians 3:5). It is a way you will never find, a work you will never be able to do of yourselves thus to wait patiently till Christ come, "The Lord," therefore, "direct your hearts" into it. Love Him, and you will wait for Him. "Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." Jude 21
The Christian in Complete Armour - William Gurnall.
O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
O God our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;
Be Thou our guide while troubles last, and our eternal home.
Isaac Watts
N.J. Hiebert - 9820
January 12
Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. Psalm 32:7
Some years ago, as I was passing along one of our streets one afternoon, I heard a fluttering of birds over my head and, looking up, saw a little bird flying wildly about in circles, chased by a hawk!
The bird flew down lower and lower, and then darted into my bosom, under my coat. I cannot express to you, the feeling which filled my heart at that moment--the little bird, chased by an enemy, had come to me for refuge, trusting me in time of danger.
I laid my hand over the bird, which nestled as quietly and confidently under my coat, as a baby would in a mother's bosom.
I carried the little thing along for several blocks until I thought the way was clear of danger, and then let it out. It flew away into the air again, but showed no fear of me. Ever since that experience, I have understood better what it is to fly into the bosom of Christ for refuge and safety in time of danger, or in time of distress.
Anonymous - With thanks to Dan Hopkins
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, oh, leave me not alone, still support and comfort me,
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenceless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 9821
Some years ago, as I was passing along one of our streets one afternoon, I heard a fluttering of birds over my head and, looking up, saw a little bird flying wildly about in circles, chased by a hawk!
The bird flew down lower and lower, and then darted into my bosom, under my coat. I cannot express to you, the feeling which filled my heart at that moment--the little bird, chased by an enemy, had come to me for refuge, trusting me in time of danger.
I laid my hand over the bird, which nestled as quietly and confidently under my coat, as a baby would in a mother's bosom.
I carried the little thing along for several blocks until I thought the way was clear of danger, and then let it out. It flew away into the air again, but showed no fear of me. Ever since that experience, I have understood better what it is to fly into the bosom of Christ for refuge and safety in time of danger, or in time of distress.
Anonymous - With thanks to Dan Hopkins
Jesus, lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom fly,
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high:
Hide me, O my Saviour, hide, till the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide; O receive my soul at last.
Other refuge have I none, hangs my helpless soul on Thee;
Leave, oh, leave me not alone, still support and comfort me,
All my trust on Thee is stayed, all my help from Thee I bring;
Cover my defenceless head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Charles Wesley
N.J. Hiebert - 9821
January 13
January 14
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