Bible Gems

May 12

SHEPHERD'S CARE

"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures." 
(Psalm 23:2)

No other class of livestock requires more careful handling, more detailed direction, than sheep.  For them to lie down:

1. They must be free of fear;

2. Because of the social behaviour within a flock, sheep will not lie down unless they are free from friction with others of their own kind;

3. If tormented by flies or parasites, sheep will not lie down;  There are many irritations - "being bugged" - frustrations that only can be alleviated by the Shepherd.

4. They must be free from hunger. (Selected)

N.J. Hiebert # 3702

May 13

"For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."
(Romans 3:23)

The story is told of two men who were trying to escape from an erupting volcano.  As the fiery molten rock gushed out of its gaping crater, they fled in the only direction open to them.   All went well until they came to a stream of hot, smoking lava about 30 feet across. Sizing up their situation, they realized that their only hope was to get over that wide barrier.  One of the men was old and arthritic; the other was a healthy young track star who could broad jump 25 feet.  With a running start, they each tried to leap to safety.  The first man went only a few feet through the air before falling into the bubbling mass.  The younger, with his greater strength and skill, catapulted himself much further.  Though he almost made it, he still missed the mark.  It didn't matter that he outdistanced his companion, for he too perished in the burning lava.

Now I don't know whether or not this actually happened, but it does illustrate an important spiritual truth - man cannot save himself.  The Bible says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  No one can make it to Heaven on his own. Some may pride themselves in their good works, fine reputation, and charitable deeds, but everyone falls short.  To break the law in just one point is to be guilty of all (James 2:10).

No matter how good or how bad you are, you need Christ.  He lived a perfect life, and His death on the cross has bridged the gap between you and a holy God.  So place your trust in the Lord.  The Scripture says, "There is, therefore, now no condemnation to them who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).        

(R.W.D)

'Tis simply to receive Him,  The holy One and just;
'Tis only to believe Him -  It is not "try" but "trust."
(Anon)

We are saved by God's mercy, not by our merit - by Christ's dying, not by our doing!

N.J. Hiebert # 3703
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Our Daily Bread, RBC Ministries, Copyright (1979), Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted permission.

May 14

"He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth His ways shall die."  (Proverbs 19:16)

Man was made in God's image, after His likeness.  He had dominion given him over fish and fowl, cattle and reptile, and over all the earth too.  Yet was he put under commandment.  And "he that keepeth the commandment keepeth his soul; as he that despiseth,"  or is reckless of, "his ways shall die."  So Adam proved, and no less Adam's race.  Even when no open sin was, man must bow to God.  To seek independency of God is his ruin.  To look up in gratitude and obey Him is not only the first of human duties, but vital to man whose breath is in his nostrils, and his life but a vapour.  When sin entered and death through sin, how very evident and urgent it was that he should be dependent on that God who forthwith held out a Deliverer from the power of evil before banishing him from the paradise he had lost by his disobedience!  (William Kelly)

N.J. Hiebert # 3704