Gems for the Week
October 1 - 4
"The king said . . .Come thou over with me,
and I will feed thee with me in Jerusalem."
(2 Samuel 19:33)
The offerings that were presented in the Old Testament speak of the Lord Jesus. The offerings were "food" given to God - that which satisfied and delighted Him. The Lord was the One who delighted the Father. Is He also that which feeds us, which delights us?
On the last night before the Israelites left Egypt, they were given the Passover lamb to eat. The lamb along with unleavened bread was the food that gave them the strength to start their march out of Egypt into the wilderness. We too will have strength if we feed on Christ first and always.
The Israelites, while walking in the wilderness, ate manna every day for 40 years. This manna was to be gathered in the morning and then eaten throughout the day. (Exodus 16:14) They did not just gather some in the morning and eat it all immediately. Throughout the day they enjoyed what they had gathered in the morning. For us the Lord is this manna, the true bread from heaven. Many of us may find it difficult to take sufficient time each morning, but we can follow the example of the Israelites with the manna. We can gather our measure in the morning. Then at various opportunities throughout the day we can reflect on that which we gathered in the morning, working it through our hearts. We need it so much.
One has said that we today are a generation of restaurant Christians: we go to meetings every Sunday and expect to be fed; we expect someone else to do all the preparation and work for us and give us something to eat, according to our liking. But we ourselves need to enjoy the Lord every day. The Lord told Peter to "feed My sheep." What was the food that he was to give them? It could only be the Christ Himself. But we can only give to others the things that we ourselves have enjoyed and applied. (A. Blok)
N.J. Hiebert # 2387
"Who His own self bare our sins
in His own body on the tree
that we, being dead to sins,
should live unto righteousness:
by whose stripes ye were healed."
(1 Peter 2:24)
A father warned his young son that if he were naughty that day he should have no cake for dinner. Now his mother had baked an especially fine cake. The child disregarded the warning, and was naughty. Dinner was served and the father noticed the wistful look in the boy's eyes. When the cake was cut, the boy's eyes filled with tears. (I think his father had a "catch" in his throat). So his father said, "We cannot cut a piece for you, son. Father cannot go back on his word. But I'll do this, Bobby, I'll take the punishment instead, and you can have my piece of cake."
They both cried! What wisdom.
N.J. Hiebert # 2388
"Whosoever shall smite thee on they right cheek,
turn to him the other also." (Matthew 5:39)
Jesus' words have bothered many people. We can best understand them when we remember that the custom in Jesus' day was to give a light, left-handed slap on the face of an adversary to show disdain for him. This was not meant as a painful blow, but as an insult. Our Lord must have startled His listeners when He said, "Whosoever shall smite thee on they right cheek, turn to him the other also." He was not suggesting that force must never be used to restrain evil. Rather, He was saying that by offering the other cheek we reject the spirit of retaliation toward those who mistreat us, and we offer them forgiveness.
Sir Walter Scott had difficulty with the idea of "turning the other cheek." But Jesus' words took on special meaning one day when Scott threw a rock at a stray dog to chase it away. His aim was straighter and his delivery stronger than he had intended, for he hit the animal and broke its leg. Instead of running off, the dog limped over to him and licked his hand. Sir Walter never forgot that touching response. He said, "That dog preached the Sermon on the Mount to me as few ministers have ever presented it. "Scott said he had not found human beings so ready to forgive their enemies.
The world needs to see Jesus' likeness in every believer. We are to pardon those who treat us unfairly. By the power of the Holy Spirit let's exhibit a Christlike attitude toward those who hurt us. (H.G.B.)
In our daily life and service
Let us true disciples be;
Being meek when others hurt us,
Lord, in us may they see Thee! (H.G.B.)
To return good for good is human; to return good for evil is divine.
(Our daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (November 1998), Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2389
"And it came to pass, that while he (Zacharias)
executed the priest's office before God . . .
there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord
standing on the right side of the
altar of incense . . . he was troubled,
and fear fell upon him."
(Luke 1:8,11,12)
The earth may not be so prepared to receive such visitations, as heaven is to make them; but Gabriel has for both Zacharias and Mary the same healing and gladdening word, "fear not." And joy, the most satisfying joy, diffuses itself everywhere - old men and maidens, young men and children, join in. Mary, and Elizabeth, and the child in the womb, and Zacharias, in their several ways attest their joy; and in principle all creation is lighted up in gladness. Here is more than earlier days had known or voices of prophets foretold. (J.G. Bellett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2390
