Gems from December 1-6, 2004
December 1
"What time I am afraid, I will trust in THEE. In God I will praise HIS word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.... put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book?... God is for me.... In God have I put my trust; I will not be afraid what man can do unto me." (Psalm 56:3,4,8,11)
The word or promise of God is all His resource - not present strength, but the word of promise - God's remembrance of him.... The word is the hope of the sufferer here, and he assures himself that the chief occasion of his praise by and by will be the word also, or the accomplishing of what he now believes and hopes. As the apostle says, "I know whom I have believed." (2 Timothy 1:12) It is not that there is present deliverance, but there is promise, and faith can listen to that and receive it as the pledge of future praise.
Such should just be the state of our souls. They should rest in the promises, knowing that they will be made good, and become the theme of constant delight. We are never straitened in "the word" or the promises. They are all we want. We need only the faith to enjoy them with fulll ease of heart. As this poor sufferer anticipates occasions of praise and the payment of his vows, in the light of the living. (J.G. Bellett - Short Meditations on the Psalms)
N.J. Hiebert # 2085
December 2
"Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night. (Nehemiah 4:9)
"Here," said George Muller, "is the greatest secret of success; work with all your might but trust not in your own power to achieve. Pray with all your might for God's guidance and blessing. Pray, then work, work and pray; and again pray and work. Whether you see much fruit or little fruit, remember that God delights to bestow real blessing. This comes generally in answer to earnest, believing prayer."
While working for my Saviour here, the devil tries me hard;
He uses all his mighty power, my service to retard;
He's up to every move, and yet through all I prove,
A little talk with Jesus makes it right, all right.
N.J. Hiebert # 2086
December 3
"Oh that I were, as in months past." (Job 29:2)
It is always a bad sign when people look back to dwell on the past. Are people not to grow? Are children of God merely to be occupied with the immense favour of God? No doubt it is very true that one is plucked out of the teeth of Satan; but what is that compared with the positive knowledge of God? It is a great thing for us; but is not the knowledge of God infinitely greater than merely the action of divine grace in rescuing a poor wretched sinner? It is an admirable thing for the sinner always to feel it; but it is a sad thing when he looks back to it as the brightest of all things. Why, that means he has been making no progress at all; it means that he has been all these years afterwards looking back upon that as the divine moment. Surely divine life ought to be a growing enjoyment; and the more so as you know of Christ and of God. (William Kelly - Lectures on the Book of Job)
N.J. Hiebert # 2087
December 4
"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord." (2 Corinthians 4:5)
We have an excellent touchstone by which to try all sorts of teaching and preaching. The most spiritual teaching will ever be characterized by a full and constant presentation of Christ. The Spirit cannot dwell on aught but Jesus. Of Him He delights to speak. He delights in setting forth His attractions and excellencies. Hence, when a man is ministering by the power of the Spirit of God, there will always be more of Christ than anything else in his ministry. There will be little room in such ministry for human logic and reasoning. Such things may do very well when a man desires to set forth himself; but the Spirit's sole object - be it well remembered by all who minister - will ever be to set forth Christ. (C.H. Mackintosh)
N.J. Hiebert # 2088
December 5
"Being in an agony, He (Jesus) prayed more earnestly." (Luke 22:44)
Challenges and difficulties are an inevitability in this life. However, when trials and temptations come our way, too often we become disheartened or distracted and we pray less. But with our Lord it was so different. In the depths of His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane He prayed more earnestly. Instead of them being barriers to our prayer life, may our problems become blessed reasons for praying even more earnestly. (John M. Clegg)
Oh, what peace we often forfeit;
Oh, what needless pain we bear -
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
(Joseph Scriven)
N.J. Hiebert # 2089
December 6
"For ever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven." (Psalm 119:89)
The Bible - There it stands
Century follows century - There it stands.
Empires rise and fall and are forgotten - There it stands.
Dynasty succeeds dynasty - There it stands.
Kings are crowned and uncrowned - There it stands.
Storms of hate swirl about it - There it stands.
Atheists rail against it - There it stands.
Profane, prayerless punsters caricature it - There it stands.
Agnostics smile cynically - There it stands.
An anvil that has broken a million hammers - There it stands.
The flames are kindled about it - There it stands.
The arrows of hate are discharged against it - There it stands.
Radicalism rants and raves against it - There it stands.
Fogs of sophistry try to conceal it - There it stands.
The tooth of time gnaws, but makes no dent in it - There it stands.
(Anon)
N.J. Hiebert # 2090
