Gems for the Week
July 4
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (Revelation 19:10)
The scripture above, is a deeply interesting statement. It is one of the few sentences in Scripture which can be reversed. We can say equally well, "The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus."
It brings out a thought dear to every Christian who understands that prophecy has in all its parts a relation to Christ. This is true, whether the prophecy is direct or indirect as to Christ, whether it has to do with the Church, which is His body; the Jews, who are His earthly people; or the Gentiles over whom He will rule eventually as Son of Man. HE is the Centre of prophecy, and all its predictions are related to that Centre. That being so, how absorbingly interesting the prophetic word becomes.
Alas! the misuse of prophecy is not uncommon. Its details are too often discussed simply as appealing to the intellect, and the conscience is not exercised, and the heart's affections are not stirred. Let us ever remember that God never records the past, nor reveals the future, without designing to affect us by His word in the present.
To see how God will have all things headed up in Christ, to see aright how His ways in grace and government are all leading to this grand goal, is to secure these two things - a conscience exercised and affections deepened. (A.J. Pollock - Things Which Must Shortly Come to Pass)
NJ. Hiebert # 3390
July 5
"Peace . . . which passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)
In all things . . . instead of disquieting ourselves . . . we ought to present our request to God with prayer, with supplication . . . so that, even while making our petition to Him, we can already give thanks, because we are sure of the answer of His grace, be it what it may. . . . It does not say, you will have what you ask; but God's peace will keep your hearts. . . . Oh, what grace! that even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvelous peace. (Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - JND)
N.J. Hiebert # 3391
July 6
"Take My yoke upon you, and LEARN of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find REST unto your souls." (Matthew 11:29)
How novel the connection between these two words, "Learn" and "Rest"! How few of us have ever associated them - ever thought that "Rest" was a thing to be learned. Does it not show how entirely new Christ's teaching still is to the world, that so old and threadbare an aphorism (precept or proverb) should still be so little applied? The last thing most of us would have thought of would have been to associate "REST" with "LEARNING." (Peace Be With You - Henry Drummond)
N.J. Hiebert # 3392
July 7
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
(John 15:13)
Sadhu Sundar Singh passed a crowd of people putting out a jungle fire at the foot of the Himalayas. Several men, however, were standing gazing at a tree the branches of which were already alight.
"What are you looking at?" he asked. They pointed to a nest of young birds in the tree. Above it a bird was flying wildly to and fro in great distress. The men said, "We wish we could save that tree, but the fire prevents us from getting near to it."
A few minutes later the nest caught fire. The Sadu thought the mother bird would fly away. But no! she flew down, spread her wings over the young ones, and in a few minutes was burned to ashes with them.
Let us have love heated to the point of sacrifice!
". . . Though the day be dark and dreary,
Here's comfort for the weary -
We mean a lot to Some One
Who died for you and me."
(Mountain Trailways for Youth)
N.J. Hiebert # 3393
