Gems from the Weekend
June 5 - 6
"A man's pride shall bring him low." (Proverbs 29:23)
While thou art priding in thy gifts, thou art dwindling and withering in thy grace. Such are like corn that runs up much into straw, whose ear commonly is light and thin. Grace is too much neglected where gifts are too highly prized; we are commanded to be clothed with humility. . . . Pride kills the spirit of praise: when thou should bless God, thou art applauding thyself. It destroys Christian love, and stabs our fellowship with the saints to the heart: a proud man hath not room enough to walk in company, because the gifts of others he thinks stand in his way. Pride so distempers the palate that it can relish nothing that is drawn from another's vessel. . . . Pride loves to climb up, not as Zaccheus, to see Christ, but to be seen himself. (William Gurnall - The Christian in Complete Armour - Gleanings from the complete work published in 1665)
N.J. Hiebert # 2270
"And with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation." (Isaiah 12:3)
How many wells of salvation has God provided for the joy and pleasure of His people? I'm not sure, but for a start I'd like to suggest an acrostic of nine inexhaustible wells of salvation for our joy and refreshment.
Security - In a world of insecurity, our Good Shepherd has given us a secure promise of eternal life. We shall never perish (John 10:28).
Assurance - God's inspired word can be fully trusted. It not only makes us wise to salvation, but fully fits and furnishes us unto every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Love - Having demonstrated His love by dying for us, our risen Saviour continues to love us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).
Vision - With opened eyes, we can behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6).
Access - We have boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, the new and living way (Hebrews 10:19).
Testimony - Our lives, once full of bitterness and sin, can now set forth the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9).
Illumination - God has revealed to us by His Spirit the things He has prepared for those who love Him - things which eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
Opportunity - We have the great privilege of being ambassadors for Christ and urging people everywhere to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20).
Nearness - We who once were far away have been brought near to God by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). (G.W. Steidl)
N.J. Hiebert # 2271
