Bible Gems

February 10

"And Moses said unto the Lord, wherefore hast Thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in Thy sight, that Thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? . . . I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me." (Numbers 11:11,14)

Part of our responsibility for each other is developed by relationship.  God has given us a care and concern for one another, which can develop into an intimate relationship.  This however does not always provide comfort but sometimes becomes more of a burden, a disruption in our normal "comfort zone".  We do not always like to be placed in a responsible position.  We don't like to be "put out" for another, but how do I know how much is counting on my participation - a cup of cold water, will be rewarded.  To think that He uses us as His arms, feet, hands, mouth, eyes and ears - what a privilege not a burden, service to any becomes.  How often we feel He shares the burden among others, often those we know not of, or don't associate with us.

It is easy for God's servant to get discouraged.  We often think we are the only ones chosen as capable of meeting the needs of those who need more than we can offer.  Self pity can be a dangerous area for the saint of God.  He alone empowers us to care and comfort His own, for out own selfishness will not provide any powers but only problems.  (Meditations in Numbers - B.R.)

N.J. Hiebert # 3611

February 11

"Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between Him that serveth God and him that serveth him not."  (Malachi 3:18)

There is a hidden but real bond between those who love and serve the Lord.  Think of:
- The home,
- The school,
- The workplace,
- The retirement home,  or above all,
- The gatherings of His people.
These can be arenas where the reality of that fellowship bond, if it exists, is played out.  Among those we meet in our daily lives, we soon know who really loves and serves the Lord.  We soon know those with whom we have so much in common.  What a privilege is fellowship in the Lord among those who serve Him!  (Mark Fenn)   

N.J. Hiebert # 3612

February 12

" . . . the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please Him."  (John 8:29)

It is human to stand with the crowd;  It is divine to stand alone.  It is manlike to follow the people, to drift with the tide; it is Godlike to follow a principle, to stem the tide.
It is natural to compromise conscience and follow the social and religious fashion for the sake of gain or pleasure;  it is against nature to sacrifice  both on the altar of His will.
"No man stood with me, but but all men forsook me," wrote the battle-scarred apostle in describing his first appearance before Nero to answer with his life for believing and teaching contrary to the Roman world. Truth has been out of fashion since man changed his robe of fadeless light for a garment of fading leaves.

- Noah built and voyaged alone.  His neighbours laughed at his strangeness and and perished in style.

- Abraham wandered and worshiped alone.  Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion and fed the flames.

- Daniel watched and prayed alone. 
- EliJah sacrificed and witnessed alone. 
- Jeremiah prophesied and wept alone. 
- JESUS loved and died alone.

I'm not alone, though others go  A different way from what I choose;
I'm not alone, though I say "No!"  I know that I will never lose.
I'm not alone, though others tease  And urge that I should go their way;
I'm not alone, though I displease  My friends by what I'll never say.
I'm not alone, for I now choose - Though other folk may call me odd,
 Though now it seems that I might lose - To go the way that Jesus trod.

(L.E. Dunkin)
(Mountain Trailways for Youth - Mrs. Chase. E. Cowman)

N.J. Hiebert # 3613

February 13

"It is good for me to draw near to God."  (Psalm 123:28)

The nearer we are to the Lord Jesus, the better we understand that he who touches His brethren "toucheth the apple of His eye."

The true effect of being near to Christ puts me into fellowship with Himself about others, instead of being under my own circumstances.  How can I be turning my heart to the joys of one, and the sorrows of another, unless I am living close to Christ, and getting my heart filled with Him instead of self.

Oh! that we . . . had nearness enough to Christ to draw from Him all grace and all devotedness, and correct in ourselves whatever tends to mar the one or the other.

Activity, unless renewing itself in communion with Him, may be sincere, but will degenerate into routine . . . and is even dangerous; the soul gets far from God without knowing it.  (Pilgrim Portions for the Day of Rest - J.N. Darby)

N.J. Hiebert # 3614