Gems for the Week
October 20 - 26
"For Demas hath forsaken me,
having loved this present world." (2 Timothy 4:10)
His heart had long been upon the present age, and the captivity of Paul and the consequent "afflictions of the gospel" were but the occasion of its manifestation. A time of persecution is always a time of searching, and Demas could no longer conceal his condition. He therefore forsook the Apostle - the Lord's prisoner - and followed his heart into the world. He might have been a real Christian, not merely a professor, but, lacking courage, he lost the opportunity of fidelity to the testimony at such a solemn crisis, and surrendered himself to the influences of the age, all of which were antagonistic to the truth, and to the devoted servant to whom the truth had been committed.
The "age," as distinguished from the world, has generally a moral signification, and is expressive of the sum of the influences that are at work around us in the world at any given moment; and it is precisely these influences that constitute the danger of God's people, and to which so many, like Demas, succumb, and make "shipwreck" of their testimony. It is on this very account that the Apostle writes, "Be not conformed to this world (age)" (Romans 12:2) Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2406
"Jesus of Nazareth . . . who went about doing good." (Acts 10:38)
There is nothing negative about this verse; it does not say, "Who did no harm." There was One who, in His pathway through this world of misery and need, was actively engaged in doing good. His love was unwearied and, in spite of rebuffs and even hatred, He "went about dong good." The ungrateful response of those to whom He came is told in the words of the Psalm: "For My love they are My adversaries. . . . They have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love." (Psalm 109:4,5) (Paul Wilson)
N.J. Hiebert # 2407
"Trust in Him at all times." (Psalm 62:8)
"All times." includes the time when we almost fancy the salvation of a dear one depends on our little bits of prayers ad efforts. Not that this trust will lead to an easy-going idleness. It never does this when it is real. The deepest trust leads to the most powerful action. It is the silencing oil that makes the machinery obey the motive power with greatest readiness and result. It may seem a great trial of trust very often, but who is it that we have to trust thus unquestioningly and quietly? Jesus Christ! Cannot we trust the Good Shepherd about His own sheep? Why should it actually seem harder to trust Him about His own affairs than about our own? (Francis Ridley Havergal - Opened Treasures)
N.J. Hiebert # 2410
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. . . .
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted
above that ye are able." (1 Corinthians 10:12,13)
What we have to do, whether to Christians, to backsliders, or to sinners, is to maintain the attitude of God towards each of these classes. He never gives up one of His own, nor diminishes His love, though He does change His manner. As some one has said, we do not cease to love, but we do not caress a naughty child. (Edward Dennett)
N.J. Hiebert # 2411
"Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness,
leaning upon her beloved?"
(Song of Solomon 8:5)
- The tendency is to lose dependence when we are enjoying the results of dependence.
- I consider self-vindication unworthy of any one standing for the Lord and for His truth, and I never saw a case of it where the one in the right did not suffer loss.
- You ought to begin your day with this confidence, that you have enough in Christ to meet every difficulty that may befall you.
- I have One who loves me ten thousand times better than I love myself, and I am in His sphere. I belong to His house, and He cares for me. (Footprints for Pilgrims)
N.J. Hiebert # 2412
