Sound Words for Pilgrims

The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.    Deuteronomy 33:27

While cleaning windows around the swimming pool where I work I watched a father and his young son together in the deep end of the pool. The lad was reveling in his father’s presence, splashing about, unaware of the danger of the deep water he was swimming in. Yet the father was nearby, a reassuring presence, carefully watching over his child, making him safe from all harm. This is how we should be in all we do, excited that God is watching over us and trusting that He is in control of every situation--enjoying an intimate relationship with Him now and even more so in eternity.   
--Jerry Proctor

Jesus before Thy face we fall, our Lord, our life, our all!
For we have nowhere else to flee. No sanctuary Lord but Thee! --Whitting

So He drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.    Genesis 3:24

The word “haphak” is translated “way” twice in this verse. It means to “turn about” and by implication to “return.” Armed Cherubim guarded Eden to ensure “every” possible return route would be met with flaming judgment. There is only “one” way to the tree of life. It is Calvary’s road. There is one street in heaven and the tree of life is in the midst of it (Rev. 22:2). The Lord Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.” Jesus is the only way to eternal life.
--Warren Henderson

Footprints of Jesus, that make the pathway glow!
We will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go. --Mary Slade

Let brotherly love continue.     Hebrews 13:1

There in no greater testimony to a perishing world than believers showing love to one another. The Lord Jesus says it is the mark of true discipleship for “by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (Jn. 13:35). Love is expressed in action, so “let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and truth” (1 Jn. 3:18). This presents a great challenge! Is your love for the believers so evident to the unbelievers around you that they desire to find its source?    --Jim Paul

Jesus fill now with Thy Spirit, hearts that full surrender know,
That the streams of living water, from my inner man may flow,
Channels only blessed Master, but with all Thy wondrous power,
Flowing thru us Thou can’st use us, every day and every hour.

They were troubled, because there was no shepherd.    Zech. 10:2

This verse could be written over far too many local churches today as it is not a new problem at all. But praise God, while there was no human shepherd to take care of the flock, there was the divine Shepherd! The shepherds of Zechariah’s day, who thought of themselves, lived for themselves, and fed only themselves are starkly contrasted with the One who gave Himself for the flock (Zechariah 13:7). It is as we learn from the perfect Shepherd who thought of others, lived and died for others, that we can become the true shepherds of God’s flock.   
--Craig Funston

To all Thy churches such impart, resembling Thy own gracious heart;
Whose courage, watchfulness, and love, men may attest and God approve.
--P. Doddridge

The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is His name.   
Exodus 15:3

Since the fall, man has been in a war between good and evil, heaven and earth, God and Satan. The Lord injected Himself into the battle on our behalf and “He hath triumphed gloriously”--here for Israel at the Red Sea and for us at Calvary. Victorious over the enemy, He has “made a show of them openly, triumphing over them” and brought us true peace. The “Man of War” first became the “Man of Sorrows” (Isa. 53:3) that He might ever be the Man of Glory (Heb. 12:2).  
--Sam Thorpe

Look, ye saints! The sight is glorious: see the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight return victorious, every knee to Him shall bow:
Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him! Crown Him!
Crowns become the Victor’s brow.                         --Thomas Kelly

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.    Psalm 42:5

Are you cast down like a poor helpless sheep that can’t get up by himself? Has peace and tranquility been taken from you? It is a simple truth but hope thou in God! He sees; He hears; He knows! The Good Shepherd is able to place you on your feet again, give strength to your bones, and restore joy to your soul!    --E. MacLelland

Hope thou in God! Hope thou in God!
In sunshine or rain,
In sorrow or pain
Hope thou in God!         
--Unknown

But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.    Exodus 1:17
And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.    Exodus 1:21

Our spiritual house is of great importance to God. Notice that it was by the midwives’ obedience to God and not Pharaoh, that they were blessed. Pharaoh’s name means “great house” and yet God would make the house of His faithful servants great, and multiply their efforts in their children. By our obedience to the Master we are investing in our own family, and the family of God, which is an investment for eternity.    --Donald Norbie

There shall be showers of blessing, if we but trust and obey;
There shall be seasons refreshing, if we let God have His way.
--D. Whittle

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.    2 Tim. 2:22

The Christian life is full both of fleeing and following. Here we are told to flee youthful desires or passions, and to choose our companions carefully. It is important to know what to avoid, but in addition we need to fill our lives with that which edifies. Our close friends and companions should be deliberately chosen using the criteria of this verse. Men like Timothy and Titus were blessed to have older men like Paul as their companions, and what an influence the Apostle had in their lives! May we actively seek and cultivate friendship and companionship with those who walk with the Lord.  
--Carl Knott

This life is like a garden place; our friendships are the flowers,
The perfumes of the blossoms fair are friendship’s pleasant hours. --Halladay

For I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.    John 8:16
The Father hath not left Me alone.    John 8:29
I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.    John 16:32

Jesus affirmed these three times in John’s Gospel that His Father had not left Him alone, because He and the Father are One, and as the perfect Holy One of God, He always did those things that pleased the Father. Nevertheless, His Father sent Him into the world to endure the time when He would cry out, “My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” (Mt. 27:46). How we love Him for it!   
--Tom Steere

By Thee, O God invited, we look unto the Son,
In whom Thy soul delighted, who all Thy will hath done;
And by the one chief treasure Thy bosom freely gave,
Thine own pure love we measure, Thy willing mind to save.
--M. B. Peters

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you.       
Deuteronomy 4:2

A solemn warning to everyone who handles the Scriptures, both on the page and on the platform. To tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth was never more crucial than with the Word of God. How many false notions have arisen from someone’s “extended interpretation” of what the Bible actually says? Ezra the scribe read distinctly, gave the sense, and caused his listeners to understand the reading (Nehemiah 8:8). The danger lies in anything more or less.    
--Rick Morse

Master, speak! And make me ready, when Thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady, still to follow every word.

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them.    Ecclesiastes 12:1

How many complain about their present situation and wish for “the good old days”? How many look back with regret on a life wasted? We all have the choice to serve ourselves or to serve God. Choose today to serve the One who created you for a purpose. “For I have created for my glory, I have formed ; yea, I have made ” (Isa. 43:7).   
--Warren Hagey

Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
Jesus calls thee in life’s morning through His own Word of truth;
Come and trust Him, boldly own Him, serve the Lord faithfully;
He’ll be with you, satisfy you, till in heav’n His face you’ll see!
--A. P. Gibbs

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be condemned.    Song of Solomon 8:7

The love of Christ is unquenchable; its flame can never be extinguished. Nor can it be purchased, for its preciousness is inestimable. It cannot be bought or sold for its value cannot be assessed. Divine love is gratuitous, it is without cause. But God has commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).   
--Jim Flanigan

God is its blessed source, death ne’er can stop its course,
Nothing can stay its force; matchless it is.
--Thomas Kelly

Look not thou upon the wine…At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.  Proverbs 23:31-32

The Gaboon Viper can be as thick as one’s thigh and has the most brilliant colours--truly the most beautiful snake I have ever seen. To a child it might look like a lovely plaything! But its bite, with fangs two inches long, is deadly. All sin, like wine, looks very attractive and alluring. Young person, reading these words, have you already been bitten and are you facing the results of what you thought was just “playing around”? Thank God, through Jesus Christ who died and rose again for you, you can be saved from sin’s guilt and power, if you will only come to Him today.  
--David Croudace

I’m tired of sin and straying Lord; now I’m coming home.
I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word, Lord I’m coming home.
--Kirkpatrick

Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.    Philippians 1:20

How can a finite creature magnify our infinite Lord? It seems impossible, but through a consistent life and testimony, the Lord will be magnified in the heart of sinners. A telescope does not change the size of the stars, but it makes them appear bigger in the eyes of the beholder. Paul’s sincere desire was that through life or death, he would magnify Christ. When we follow his example, our Lord, who can appear so distant to mankind will be brought near so the sinner can hear Him say, “Come unto me and I will give you rest.” Magnify Him in your life today.  
--Milton Haack

Let thoughtless thousands choose the road, that leads away from God;
This happiness, dear Lord be mine, to live and die entirely Thine.
--Hoskins