LET GO DISPLEASURE
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8
Sometimes something happens which recalls great pain. You are not able to find pleasure in that thing. You are oppressed by it and saddened. Suddenly the word comes, "Let go displeasure."
Displeasure is not always wrath; it is not unkindness, or the fretting which the Psalm says so truly, "tendeth only to evildoing." (Psalm 37:8) It is just something that is not pleasure but pain, and so can depress the heart.
Let it go. Do not hold on to it. Let it slip out of mind. Turn to something that does give pleasure and fasten your thoughts on that. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7) "Commit thy way" (and the way of those thou lovest) "unto the Lord" (Psalm 37:5) and thou shalt delight thyself in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:11)
Prove this word if ever you are tempted in this way. You will find that by an act of will, by His grace, you can "Let go displeasure" and be most tenderly released and refreshed.
Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10062
Sometimes something happens which recalls great pain. You are not able to find pleasure in that thing. You are oppressed by it and saddened. Suddenly the word comes, "Let go displeasure."
Displeasure is not always wrath; it is not unkindness, or the fretting which the Psalm says so truly, "tendeth only to evildoing." (Psalm 37:8) It is just something that is not pleasure but pain, and so can depress the heart.
Let it go. Do not hold on to it. Let it slip out of mind. Turn to something that does give pleasure and fasten your thoughts on that. "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him." (Psalm 37:7) "Commit thy way" (and the way of those thou lovest) "unto the Lord" (Psalm 37:5) and thou shalt delight thyself in the abundance of peace." (Psalm 37:11)
Prove this word if ever you are tempted in this way. You will find that by an act of will, by His grace, you can "Let go displeasure" and be most tenderly released and refreshed.
Edges of His Ways - Amy Carmichael
N.J. Hiebert - 10062
September 11
Work out (cultivate) your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Philippians 2:12
It might be of interest to look at a few other passages where this Greek word (work out) might be translated in the same way (cultivate):
- The law cultivates wrath. Romans 4:15
- Tribulation cultivates patience. Romans 5:3
- Godly sorrow cultivates repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10
- The trying of your faith cultivates patience. James 1:3
Cultivate means to loosen the soil so the rain and air can get to the roots so the plants grow strong and bear fruit. Another purpose is to get rid of the weeds.
An important point in this verse is the use Scripture makes of the word "salvation". If we think of the salvation of our souls only, many passages of Scripture will be very hard to understand: that salvation was completed at the cross, and was given to us freely when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
We could not "work out," or even "cultivate" this salvation: for it is complete and perfect for ever: our souls are as safe now as they will be when we are at Home in Glory. But Scripture looks at salvation in various ways. It speaks of the salvation of our bodies as well as of our souls. It looks at salvation of our bodies as past, present, or future: according as redemption, grace, or glory are in view.
For our souls, salvation is past: (1 Peter 1:9). But for our bodies, the Lord keeps us safe day by day, and hour by hour, and this will not be completed until He has us safe at Home, spirit, soul and body: (Romans 5:9,10) "much more being reconciled, we shall be kept safe in His life". This is present salvation; and in Romans 8:23,24 we see future salvation: "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 13:11)...the present guardian care of our God who brings us safely through. Philippians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 10063
It might be of interest to look at a few other passages where this Greek word (work out) might be translated in the same way (cultivate):
- The law cultivates wrath. Romans 4:15
- Tribulation cultivates patience. Romans 5:3
- Godly sorrow cultivates repentance. 2 Corinthians 7:10
- The trying of your faith cultivates patience. James 1:3
Cultivate means to loosen the soil so the rain and air can get to the roots so the plants grow strong and bear fruit. Another purpose is to get rid of the weeds.
An important point in this verse is the use Scripture makes of the word "salvation". If we think of the salvation of our souls only, many passages of Scripture will be very hard to understand: that salvation was completed at the cross, and was given to us freely when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.
We could not "work out," or even "cultivate" this salvation: for it is complete and perfect for ever: our souls are as safe now as they will be when we are at Home in Glory. But Scripture looks at salvation in various ways. It speaks of the salvation of our bodies as well as of our souls. It looks at salvation of our bodies as past, present, or future: according as redemption, grace, or glory are in view.
For our souls, salvation is past: (1 Peter 1:9). But for our bodies, the Lord keeps us safe day by day, and hour by hour, and this will not be completed until He has us safe at Home, spirit, soul and body: (Romans 5:9,10) "much more being reconciled, we shall be kept safe in His life". This is present salvation; and in Romans 8:23,24 we see future salvation: "waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body" (Romans 13:11)...the present guardian care of our God who brings us safely through. Philippians - G.C. Willis
N.J. Hiebert - 10063
September 12
A VITAL TRUTH ILLUSTRATED
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Henry Moorhouse, a British evangelist, once said that he found it difficult for many to take their place as guilty sinners before God. Some time ago a woman had said to him, "I cannot believe that one who has perhaps broken only one law of the commandments can be as bad as another who has broken five or ten laws."
He said to her, "but has it occurred to you that God never gave five or ten laws? He gave only one LAW, and it consists of ten commandments. Look at this watch. Count the wheels and you will find ten or more. It is a broken watch, and will not run. Only one wheel is broken; but it is still a broken watch."
As the woman still could not see it, he said, "Suppose you were hanging by a chain over a precipice. The chain consists of ten links. If someone took a hammer and smashed every link, where would you go?"
"To the bottom, of course."
"But, suppose only one link were broken, where would you go?"
"That would be just as bad; I would fall. And now I see the point. Even for one sin, I am a sinner, and need a Saviour. Thank God for His Son--Jesus, my Saviour Who cleanses from all sin."
It take just as much of the grace of God to save the best people in the world as to save the vilest. Nothing but grace through faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ can give salvation to a lost soul and freedom from the law of sin. Grace Triumphant - Tom Dear
N.J. Hiebert - 10064
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Henry Moorhouse, a British evangelist, once said that he found it difficult for many to take their place as guilty sinners before God. Some time ago a woman had said to him, "I cannot believe that one who has perhaps broken only one law of the commandments can be as bad as another who has broken five or ten laws."
He said to her, "but has it occurred to you that God never gave five or ten laws? He gave only one LAW, and it consists of ten commandments. Look at this watch. Count the wheels and you will find ten or more. It is a broken watch, and will not run. Only one wheel is broken; but it is still a broken watch."
As the woman still could not see it, he said, "Suppose you were hanging by a chain over a precipice. The chain consists of ten links. If someone took a hammer and smashed every link, where would you go?"
"To the bottom, of course."
"But, suppose only one link were broken, where would you go?"
"That would be just as bad; I would fall. And now I see the point. Even for one sin, I am a sinner, and need a Saviour. Thank God for His Son--Jesus, my Saviour Who cleanses from all sin."
It take just as much of the grace of God to save the best people in the world as to save the vilest. Nothing but grace through faith in the precious blood of Jesus Christ can give salvation to a lost soul and freedom from the law of sin. Grace Triumphant - Tom Dear
N.J. Hiebert - 10064
September 13
They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels. Malachi 3:17
What do God's children as jewels remind us of?
1. Like jewels they are rare.
2. Like jewels they are beautiful, brilliant, ornamental.
3. Like jewels they are found in strange and unlikely places.
4. Like jewels they are obtained only with much risk and trouble.
5. Like jewels they have to be cut and polished to bring out their beauty and value.
6. Like jewels they are very valuable; hence they cost a great deal.
7. Like jewels they are carefully preserved.
8. Like jewels they will be collected and exhibited.
Sapphires, rubies, opals, precious every one;
The great Lapidary sees His work begun.
He will not relax His care
Till His work is finished there. - E.E.T.
From the archives of Tom Dear
'Tis the promise of our Father, given in His Word divine,
Pledge of never failing mercy, those who love Me shall be Mine.
When He gathers up His jewels, every bright and precious gem,
Then shall shine in realms of glory, stars in Jesus' diadem.
Would you be a star in glory, in the Saviour's kingdom shine?
Trust in Him, it is His promise, those who love Me shall be Mine.
[Refrain] Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For His precious love divine!
When He gathers up His jewels I will with the ransomed shine. W. F. Cosmer
N.J. Hiebert - 10065
What do God's children as jewels remind us of?
1. Like jewels they are rare.
2. Like jewels they are beautiful, brilliant, ornamental.
3. Like jewels they are found in strange and unlikely places.
4. Like jewels they are obtained only with much risk and trouble.
5. Like jewels they have to be cut and polished to bring out their beauty and value.
6. Like jewels they are very valuable; hence they cost a great deal.
7. Like jewels they are carefully preserved.
8. Like jewels they will be collected and exhibited.
Sapphires, rubies, opals, precious every one;
The great Lapidary sees His work begun.
He will not relax His care
Till His work is finished there. - E.E.T.
From the archives of Tom Dear
'Tis the promise of our Father, given in His Word divine,
Pledge of never failing mercy, those who love Me shall be Mine.
When He gathers up His jewels, every bright and precious gem,
Then shall shine in realms of glory, stars in Jesus' diadem.
Would you be a star in glory, in the Saviour's kingdom shine?
Trust in Him, it is His promise, those who love Me shall be Mine.
[Refrain] Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For His precious love divine!
When He gathers up His jewels I will with the ransomed shine. W. F. Cosmer
N.J. Hiebert - 10065
September 14
So shall My word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11
In the 1930s, Stalin, the Russian dictator, ordered massive purges of segments of the Soviet population to eliminate any whom he considered to be a threat to his rule. Christians (with their Bibles) were among the groups specially marked for elimination. Some historians estimate that over one million Christians died in Stalin's purges.
In Stavropol, Russia, Stalin's order to eliminate all Christians and all Bibles was strongly enforced. Thousands of Bibles were confiscated, while many Christians were immediately executed or set to the gulags (prisons) where most died, branded as "enemies of the state."
Many years later, when Soviet persecution of Christians had greatly eased, a Christian missionary team, was allowed to visit Stavropol to make contact with any Christians living there. However, the Bibles they had ordered from Moscow to distribute in Stavropol had not arrived. A local Russian who knew the history of the Stavropol purges mentioned that the warehouse where the confiscated Bibles had been stored still existed.
A member of the missionary team went to the warehouse to see if the Bibles were still there. The warehouse officials assured him that they were indeed still stored there. A request to remove the Bibles and to distribute them to the people of Stavropol also received official approval.
The next day the missionary team returned with a truck and with several Russian men who had been hired to help load the Bibles. One of these, a young college student, was particularly hostile and arrogant, a self-proclaimed agnostic. It was obvious he had come just to earn a day's wages.
While loading the Bibles one of the missionaries notice that the young man had disappeared. When they found him, he was huddled in the corner of the warehouse holding a Bible in his hands and weeping. He had planned to take one of the Bibles for himself and had stolen away from the truck unnoticed so that none would know that he too wanted a Bible.
Once alone with a pile of Bibles, he had picked up a dusty, well-worn copy. Opening it, he was deeply shaken when he saw, inside the front cover, the faded hand-writing and the name of the Bible's former owner--one of the Christians who had been purged by Stalin so many years before --his own grandmother. (Courtesy of John Kaiser)
N.J. Hiebert - 10066
In the 1930s, Stalin, the Russian dictator, ordered massive purges of segments of the Soviet population to eliminate any whom he considered to be a threat to his rule. Christians (with their Bibles) were among the groups specially marked for elimination. Some historians estimate that over one million Christians died in Stalin's purges.
In Stavropol, Russia, Stalin's order to eliminate all Christians and all Bibles was strongly enforced. Thousands of Bibles were confiscated, while many Christians were immediately executed or set to the gulags (prisons) where most died, branded as "enemies of the state."
Many years later, when Soviet persecution of Christians had greatly eased, a Christian missionary team, was allowed to visit Stavropol to make contact with any Christians living there. However, the Bibles they had ordered from Moscow to distribute in Stavropol had not arrived. A local Russian who knew the history of the Stavropol purges mentioned that the warehouse where the confiscated Bibles had been stored still existed.
A member of the missionary team went to the warehouse to see if the Bibles were still there. The warehouse officials assured him that they were indeed still stored there. A request to remove the Bibles and to distribute them to the people of Stavropol also received official approval.
The next day the missionary team returned with a truck and with several Russian men who had been hired to help load the Bibles. One of these, a young college student, was particularly hostile and arrogant, a self-proclaimed agnostic. It was obvious he had come just to earn a day's wages.
While loading the Bibles one of the missionaries notice that the young man had disappeared. When they found him, he was huddled in the corner of the warehouse holding a Bible in his hands and weeping. He had planned to take one of the Bibles for himself and had stolen away from the truck unnoticed so that none would know that he too wanted a Bible.
Once alone with a pile of Bibles, he had picked up a dusty, well-worn copy. Opening it, he was deeply shaken when he saw, inside the front cover, the faded hand-writing and the name of the Bible's former owner--one of the Christians who had been purged by Stalin so many years before --his own grandmother. (Courtesy of John Kaiser)
N.J. Hiebert - 10066
September 15
Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7
We may well be happy with such a One to care for us. Again we ask: Have you realized that the order which was given about the man in the inn (Luke 10:35)-- "Take care of him"--has been given about you? Let us wake up to the fact that we have SOMEONE to care for us. Why is a babe so happy though so helpless? Because it is the best-cared-for person in the house. Its cry brings immediate aid, its wants are always attended to.
Would that we were content to be the Creator's babes! For are we anything more in the presence of the vast universe that stretches all around us, and of Him who made it? Are there no arms to enfold, no hands to uplift, no bosom to shelter us? Thank God, there are for all those who become as little children.
It will assist us to rise above all our care if we are looking in the right direction. We catch the impress of what we behold. "They looked unto Him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed" (Psalm 34:5).
During some very costly wars in which England was engaged more than a hundred years ago, it is said that while the then Prime Minister was always elated, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the contrary, was always depressed. The former looked only at the trophies of the war, the latter only at the expense.
Where are we looking? and what do we look for? Upon the answer to these two questions very much of our happiness depends. We often look for that which is bound to bring us disappointment, but if we look as Scripture directs us, we shall be more than satisfied. "Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time...unto salvation." "Looking for that blessed hope." "From whence also we look for the Saviour. (Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20)
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 10067
We may well be happy with such a One to care for us. Again we ask: Have you realized that the order which was given about the man in the inn (Luke 10:35)-- "Take care of him"--has been given about you? Let us wake up to the fact that we have SOMEONE to care for us. Why is a babe so happy though so helpless? Because it is the best-cared-for person in the house. Its cry brings immediate aid, its wants are always attended to.
Would that we were content to be the Creator's babes! For are we anything more in the presence of the vast universe that stretches all around us, and of Him who made it? Are there no arms to enfold, no hands to uplift, no bosom to shelter us? Thank God, there are for all those who become as little children.
It will assist us to rise above all our care if we are looking in the right direction. We catch the impress of what we behold. "They looked unto Him and were lightened, and their faces were not ashamed" (Psalm 34:5).
During some very costly wars in which England was engaged more than a hundred years ago, it is said that while the then Prime Minister was always elated, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on the contrary, was always depressed. The former looked only at the trophies of the war, the latter only at the expense.
Where are we looking? and what do we look for? Upon the answer to these two questions very much of our happiness depends. We often look for that which is bound to bring us disappointment, but if we look as Scripture directs us, we shall be more than satisfied. "Unto them that look for Him shall He appear the second time...unto salvation." "Looking for that blessed hope." "From whence also we look for the Saviour. (Hebrews 9:28; Titus 2:13; Philippians 3:20)
Angels in White - Russell Elliott
N.J. Hiebert - 10067
September 16
THE UNFATHOMABLE SUFFERINGS OF CHRST
Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow.
Behold and see if there be any sorrow like unto My sorrow.
Lamentations 1:12
Many and various causes of sorrow are presented in the life of our blessed Lord on earth; one coming on another. And sorrow becoming more and more intense, up to the closing scene on Mount Calvary. Suffering, connected with testimony for God; whoever is for God will be sure to suffer in such a world.
Then there was the peculiarity of sorrow, as being the One to solve that problem which seemed so impossible to solve--how God and the sinner could go together. How could God find anyone to show the bearing of divine glory in connection with mercy towards one covered with sin? He did find One who was to be the perfect measure of what sin was in His presence. That One takes the cup of wrath from God's hand; and in that hour, God cannot look at the One in whom was all His delight. That hour of forsaking, when the "sword" (Zechariah 13:7) was to awake, only came out at the cross. There was but the anticipation of its unsheathing at Gethsemane.
I see there God's estimate of sin when it comes into His presence. That Son of His love had to be treated as if the whole mass of sin was His, and the whole weight of wrath for that sin came upon Him. He had to bear it all there, alone. He may be a Man of sorrows all through His life, but He has God with Him in it. Never till the cross do we find the sense of God's distance from Him--expressed in that cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34). He never could taste that before, for only then was He bearing sin in His own body, in God's presence. Not one ray of light came from Him while the Son of His love was there, suffering, the Just for the unjust. (1 Peter 3:18). Man tries to keep sin far away, out of God's presence, but Christ carried it right into His presence. G. V. Wigram
N.J. Hiebert - 10068
Many and various causes of sorrow are presented in the life of our blessed Lord on earth; one coming on another. And sorrow becoming more and more intense, up to the closing scene on Mount Calvary. Suffering, connected with testimony for God; whoever is for God will be sure to suffer in such a world.
Then there was the peculiarity of sorrow, as being the One to solve that problem which seemed so impossible to solve--how God and the sinner could go together. How could God find anyone to show the bearing of divine glory in connection with mercy towards one covered with sin? He did find One who was to be the perfect measure of what sin was in His presence. That One takes the cup of wrath from God's hand; and in that hour, God cannot look at the One in whom was all His delight. That hour of forsaking, when the "sword" (Zechariah 13:7) was to awake, only came out at the cross. There was but the anticipation of its unsheathing at Gethsemane.
I see there God's estimate of sin when it comes into His presence. That Son of His love had to be treated as if the whole mass of sin was His, and the whole weight of wrath for that sin came upon Him. He had to bear it all there, alone. He may be a Man of sorrows all through His life, but He has God with Him in it. Never till the cross do we find the sense of God's distance from Him--expressed in that cry, "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" (Mark 15:34). He never could taste that before, for only then was He bearing sin in His own body, in God's presence. Not one ray of light came from Him while the Son of His love was there, suffering, the Just for the unjust. (1 Peter 3:18). Man tries to keep sin far away, out of God's presence, but Christ carried it right into His presence. G. V. Wigram
N.J. Hiebert - 10068
September 17
