Gems for the Week
June 13
"When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers,
they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt
not be burned, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee." (Isaiah 43:2)
We are never staying in the valley or the rough waters; we are always only passing through them, just as the bride in the Song of Solomon is seen coming up from the wilderness leaning upon her Beloved. (Song of Solomon 8:5)
So whatever the valley is, or however rough the waters are, we won't fear. Leaning upon our Beloved we shall come up from the wilderness and, as Psalm 84:6 says, "Passing through the valley of weeping they make it a place of springs (make it a well)." even use the valley as a well, make it a well. We shall find the living waters there and drink of them. (Amy Carmichael - Candle in the Dark)
N.J. Hiebert # 3369
June 14
"And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it." (1 Corinthians 12:26)
It is delightfully easy to thank God for the grace we ourselves have received, but it requires great grace to thank God always for the grace which is given to others. Even Christians are apt to be jealous and envious, thinking themselves better fitted to serve God than their neigbours. Such selfishness can never walk in the fellowship of the Spirit. We are unfit to be used of God as long as we are unwilling to acknowledge and thank God for the grace and gifts He has bestowed on others for the edifying of the body, the Church. The readiness to thank God always for the grace given to others shows a spirit in full and sweetest fellowship with the mind and purposes of God. (Attitude of Grace)
N.J. Hiebert # 3370
