Gems for the Week
October 8
"Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:11)
Since redemption's work is accomplished and Jesus glorified, the personal presence of the Holy Spirit on earth is the consequence; and He is the strength and joy of our hearts during the absence of the Lord Jesus Christ. The disciples seem to have had a foretaste of this joy on the occasion referred to above.
Nevertheless the Lord's absence still leaves a blank in the hearts of His own, which can never be filled till they see Him. Therefore the disciples hail with joy the words which fell from the lips of the two heavenly witnesses, who assured these "men of Galilee," who stood looking up into heaven, that this same Jesus, who had been taken up from them into heaven, should so come in like manner as they had seen Him go into heaven.
"Tis the treasure we've found in His love
That has made us now pilgrims below."
And when the Treasure was taken to heaven, the hearts of them that were set upon it were taken there too; "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 3486
October 9
"Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever
therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." (James 4:4)
Whatever may be their ignorance, if the children of God make any alliance with the world, and thus pursue a line of conduct opposed to their true character, they will assuredly find disappointment. (J.N. Darby)
N.J. Hiebert # 3487
October 10
"While He (Jesus) yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He saith . . . BE NOT AFRAID, ONLY BELIEVE." (Mark 5:35,36)
The Lord took no notice of the messenger. He thought only of the effect of the message upon the ruler's heart; and in His infinite grace He immediately covered him with the shield of faith. "Be not afraid, only believe." Precious words!
- Words which can carry the soul through every difficulty and every danger,
- Words for a sickbed or a chamber of death,
- Words for all circumstances, all places, and all conditions,
- Words of comfort and consolation for the poor, sinking, fainting, tottering heart.
"Be not afraid, only believe." (C.H. Mackintosh)
N.J. Hiebert # 3488
October 11
"Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?" (Genesis 4:8,9)
Cain threw back an accusation against God when he was challenged, "Where is Abel thy brother?" He replied with a lie, "I know not," and then added, "Am I my brother's keeper?" By this last remark Cain charged God with not looking after the one whom He had approved and accepted. This is the world's plight now. God sent His beloved Son into it in love, and men killed Him. God has not forgotten this, though it may seem so to Cain's present followers; nor is God in the least indifferent to it. He will yet vindicate His Son and judge the world in righteousness "by that man whom He hath ordained" (Acts 17:31); and the resurrection of Christ from the dead is the evidence that Christ will be the judge. (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 3489
