Gems for the Week
May 1 - 3
"These things saith the AMEN, the faithful and true witness." (Revelation 3:14)
The "AMEN" is one of the many titles of our Lord Jesus. It means, "so be it; surely; verily; trustworthy." What an appropriate title for our Lord, as all that He is and does is firmly established, entirely secure and utterly certain. Every promise He has ever made has been perfectly fulfilled. He constantly proves Himself the Friend who sticks closer than a brother; the Shepherd who goes with us through the valley of the shadow of death; the Great High Priest who sympathizes with us in all our weaknesses and sorrows. What a Saviour and what a Lord! Can we not all say "AMEN" to that? (Milton Haack)
N.J. Hiebert # 2599
"Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen (tested) thee in the furnace of affliction ." (Isaiah 48:10)
There is a necessary hardening process that our all wise God allows each of His children to pass through in order that we may be strengthened in the path of faith. In perfect wisdom and love, He knows exactly when to allow the heat of trials - and He knows too just how fierce the heat must be to strengthen the vessel for its intended service. Few believers are allowed to pass through this "wilderness journey" without experiencing at one time or another (perhaps at many different times) the vitally important, but often uncomfortable heat of the "furnace (kiln) of affliction". (In the Potter's Hand)
N.J. Hiebert # 2600
"And Pharaoh said unto Joseph,
See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt."
(Genesis 41:41)
The brother they had hated and sold into slavery had gone from pit to prison to palace and finally to the pinnacle of Egypt's power and prestige. Our beloved Lord trod the same path, but in the reverse order. He went from the pinnacle of universal power to the miry pit (Psalm 40:2) of Calvary's awful shame and suffering to find you and me. On the Lord's Day, may we gratefully remember the One whom God has highly exalted and has given the name which is above every name, our Lord Jesus Christ. (Arnot P. McIntee)
The storm that bowed Thy blessed head
Is hushed forever now,
And rest divine is ours instead,
While glory crowns Thy brow.
(H.L. ROSSIER)
N.J. Hiebert # 2601
