Gems for the Week
May 31 - June 4
"The words of Job are ended. I . . . repent in dust and ashes."
(Job 31:40, 42:6)
In their long-winded dispute, Job and his four "comforters" used hundreds of arguments, dozens of accusations, and some 13,000 words. Finally, Job felt he had said all there was to say. Not quite. Almighty God started speaking and Job realized that he needed to say at least two more words: "I repent." In the heat of verbal battle it is easy to forget those important words. Think of how many marriages could be saved, how many friendships could be repaired, how many rifts in fellowship or splits in assemblies could be avoided if we used "forgive me" sooner! (D. Logan)
N.J. Hiebert # 2265
"But it is good to be zealously affected ,always in a good thing and not only when I am present with you." (Galatians 4:18)
The experience of Paul with the Galatians was the exact opposite to what was found at Philippi. The apostle speaks of them as having always "obeyed, not as in his presence only, but much more in his absence." They were remarkable for their obedient spirit when he was present; and it is always the spirit of grace which produces this, as the law begets servility and fear. When we are happy in God's presence, we are united in one common object, and that object is Christ. There is thus a motive that governs every affection and action; and happiness, peace, and submissiveness are the proper and natural effects of grace working among the children of God. At Philippi, then, they had always obeyed, not only when Paul was there, but much more in his absence. They were working out their own salvation with fear and trembling, conscious of the mighty conflict in which they were engaged. They did not allow the fond dream that, because they were Christians, all the difficulty was over; but, on the contrary, having been brought to Christ, they nevertheless found themselves in the presence of a powerful enemy, and hence they were thrown upon God. (William Kelly - Lectures on the Epistle to the Galatians)
N.J. Hiebert # 2266
"For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments." (Ezra 7:10)
Where can one find a resource against spiritual decline and its results? There is but one resource: the Word of God. God raises up Ezra to teach the people the law of Moses and to remind them of its importance. It is not a question of new revelations, . . . but simply of bringing "the statutes and the ordinances" (verse 10) contained in "the law of Jehovah" to light again and of applying them to consciences.
Let us not forget that this is also our only safeguard in the present day, and our only means of restoration. The Lord says, "To this man will I look: to the afflicted and contrite in spirit, and who trembleth at my word" (Isaiah 66:2). (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on Ezra)
N.J. Hiebert # 2267
"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8)
There is no making light of sin, but the most exquisite tenderness to the poor sinner. The man nearest to God has the most intense hatred of sin, but the most intense love and tenderness to the poor sinner. The man nearest to God is always the hardest on himself, and the most tender to others, specially if they have failed! The further I am away from God the harder I shall be on others, while I let myself off tenderly - far too tenderly. (W.T.P. Wolston, M.D. - Handfuls of Purpose)
N.J. Hiebert # 2268
". . . the unsearchable riches of Christ." (Ephesians 3:8)
I saw a bee exploring the wealth of a nasturtium flower. Then I thought of all the flowers in my garden, and of all the flowers in my neighbourhood, and of all the flowers in my country - growing in quiet meadows, on heathery moor and in twilight glen; the floral splendours of other lands - bending on the blowing plain, or nestling in the hollows of the towering heights; to the inconceivable luxuriance of the tropics.
And then I came back to my bee, and I thought of that bee as setting out to explore the floral wonders of the universe! Then I came back to the apostle, equally busy extracting juices "sweeter than honey and the honeycomb" and almost bewildered by the vast and over-whelming glories of His inheritance. The unsearchable riches of Christ - wealth inexplorable! (Mrs. Charles E.Cowman - Traveling Toward Sunrise)
N.J. Hiebert # 2269
