Gems for the Week
June 21 - 23
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine." (Isaiah 43:1)
"For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." (Isaiah 41:13)
The Lord is in control of every circumstance and will bring safely through every one who puts their trust in Him. He does not alter our circumstances, but He is with us in them, holding our hand and whispering, I am with thee, fear not. (Fragment - Christian Truth - Vol. 23)
N.J. Hiebert # 2286
"I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." (Romans 8:18)
"I reckon," says Paul, like a grand mathematician.
I have known, says he, every form of human suffering; at one time believers, even, forsook me, and no man stood by me. But I calculate, I reckon - I put these trials into one scale; and were I to have an eternity of them, they were as nothing compared with that "eternal weight of glory" which I have in the other. (Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 2287
" . . . that spiritual Rock that followed them . . ." (1 Corinthians 10:4)
At the time of her golden jubilee, Queen Victoria received dignitaries from all over the world. Among those who came to honour her was a representative from Madagascar. After conveying the good wishes of his people, he surprised Her Majesty by asking permission to sing for her. Those assembled thought he would choose one of his country's native songs, but they were amazed when he began, "Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee." The rendition was so beautiful that it brought tears to the eyes of the Queen.
The author of that lovely hymn Augustus Toplady was saved at the age of 16 while attending a small evangelistic meeting in a rural district of Ireland. The sermon was preached by an illiterate layman, who pointed the youth to the Lord Jesus Christ - the Rock of Ages - in whom he could hide from God's wrath and find peace and forgiveness. As the young convert became established in his new faith, he felt God's call and began studying for the ministry. Since he was very frail, however, his fiery zeal and inspired efforts soon put too much strain on his weak body. Yet his faith never wavered, for during his illness he composed the soul-thrilling words of the now famous hymn "Rock of Ages." Augustus Toplady died of tuberculosis when he was only 38, but the lyrics he wrote, firmly based on the Scriptures, still live on!
The next time you sing that old favourite, notice how the truths of salvation are expressed in all the verses, They will bless you as they did The Queen of England so many years ago. (H.G.B.)
When I rise to worlds unknown
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of ages, cleft for me,
Le me hide myself in Thee.
(Toplady)
You will not drift through life if you are anchored to the Rock. (D.J.D.)
OUR DAILY BREAD, RBC MINISTRIES, COPYRIGHT (1968), GRAND RAPIDS, MI. REPRINTED PERMISSION
N.J. Hiebert # 2288
