Gems for the Weekend
June 24 - 26
"And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden. ...Jabal, he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and such as have cattle ... Jubal, he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ ... Tubal-cain, an instructor of every artificer in brass and in iron ..." (Genesis 16-21)
The tendency of everything, even the best on this earth, is to make us forget that we do not belong to it. You may think that very sweeping; but, I repeat, it does not matter what it is, even the best thing that belongs to this world has the tendency to make us forget that we do not belong to it. Thus everything becomes a test to us; mercies test us, favours test us, and we find that we cannot trust ourselves even for a moment. (W.T.T.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2289
"The Lord is the portion . . . of my cup." (Psalms 16:5)
Such is the language of the psalmist. Is it yours? Look now into your cup. You may have youth in that cup, beauty, friendship, honours, and riches in that cup; but, if you have only these, you have nothing - nothing but a mere earthly sediment which can never run over but will be emptied at death.
Look now into the cup of the believer. There may not be youth there, nor beauty there, nor friendship there, nor honour there, nor riches there; but CHRIST is there, a portion infinitely great and inexhaustibly fresh. The believer can say, "The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup." No more sediment this! for, adds the psalmist. "My cup runneth over." (Psalm 23:5) (J.D.S.)
N.J. Hiebert # 2290
"Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away." (Matthew 24:35)
I earnestly urge you to make Bible reading your daily habit. Let it be a fixed principle with you that you need the words of His mouth for your soul's nourishment and health.
You have found forgiveness through faith in the atoning blood of Christ, and you are supremely happy. But forgiveness is not food. And if you have no food you will have no strength . You will hunger, and the hungry shall eat anything.
If you do not go on applying yourself to the daily reading of your Bible, your famished soul will readily eat of the world's dainties. But if you are nourished by the hidden manna, you will have no heart for the world's allurements.
If you would stand before the enemy, if you would walk humbly and happily with your God, if you would be useful in the Lord's vineyard, search the Scriptures daily and diligently. (Christian Truth)
N.J. Hiebert # 2291
