Gems for the Week
June 8
"Unto thee it was showed, that thou mightest know that the Lord He is God; there is none else beside Him . . . Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the Lord He is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else." (Deuteronomy 4:35,39)
It is an amazing thing that God, the creator of all things, takes an interest in man. His purpose for Israel is rehearsed here, established at present but formed in the past through the patriarchs. Chosen not through any particular strength or merit of their own, merely because He declared it to be and made it so. They were chosen because of the faithfulness of their fathers much like the believer is chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. (B.R. - Meditations on Deuteronomy)
N.J. Hiebert # 3364
June 9
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed out
transgressions from us." (Psalm 103:12)
See how mightily God wishes us to rest in His forgiveness; the complete removal of our sins - cast into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19); placed upon the head of the scapegoat, which was let go to wander in the wilderness, "in a land not inhabited." The God of all mercy says, "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17) He does not want to remember them. For the righteous God, the question was settled for eternity at Calvary, and we rest in His satisfaction. Worship Him who alone is worthy! (R.E. Harlow)
N.J. Hiebert # 3365
June 10
". . . I (Paul) persecuted the church of God and wasted it . . . but when it pleased God, who . . . called me by His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood . . ." (Galatians 1:13-16)
- The soul that has found all its springs in God, can, without any demur, retire from all creature streams.
- The moment we confer with flesh and blood, our testimony and service are marred, for flesh and blood can never obey.
- If we merely act from impulse, when the impulse subsides, the acting will subside also.
- True devotedness will ever be founded upon, and governed by, divine principle.
- Whenever devotedness passes beyond divinely appointed bounds, it is suspicious.
- It is easy to make a show of devotedness, when there is no demand for it.
- Nothing can be more thoroughly worthless than a spirit of empty pretension.
(Food for the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert # 3366
