Gems worth pondering
July 20
"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus . . ."
(John 12:3)
The Cost of Following God
It cost Abraham the willingness to yield his only son.
It cost Esther the risk of her life.
It cost Daniel being cast into the den of lions.
It cost Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being put in a fiery furnace.
It cost Stephen death by stoning.
It cost Peter a martyr's death.
it cost Jesus His life.
Does it cost you anything?
(SELECTED)
N.J. Hiebert - 3771
July 21
"A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side . . . some fell upon a rock . . . some fell among thorns . . . other fell on good ground . . ."
(Luke 8:4-8)
The seed is sown indiscriminately, and although man rejects it because his will is opposed, nevertheless it is sown in his heart, for this parable shows how the Word of God is perfectly adapted to the need of man, meeting his conscience and heart. "Never man spake like this Man" (John 7:46). Christ's Word came with a power that reached the heart and affections; the will is corrupt, and therefore resists it. It is not abstract grace here, but the condition of man that is recognized, therefore we find the Word so perfectly suited to the need, not claiming righteousness from man, but coming in with power to show him that he is a sinner, and laying open the thoughts and intents of the heart. When the heart is thus detected the Word comes with all gentleness and comfort for healing and rest, because there is grace to meet a soul in whatever state it may be found. The heart is spoken to, and therefore the Gospel leaves man without excuse. (J.N. DARBY - THE MAN of SORROWS)
N.J. Hiebert - 3772
July 22
"Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
(Romans 4:25)
A dead and risen Christ is the groundwork of salvation. To see Jesus by the eye of faith nailed to the cross, and seated on the throne, must give solid peace to the conscience, and perfect liberty to the heart.
We can look into the tomb and see it empty; we can look up to the throne and see it occupied, and go on our way rejoicing. The Lord Jesus settled everything on the cross on behalf of His people; and the proof of this settlement is that He is now at the right hand of God. A risen Christ is the eternal proof of an accomplished redemption; and if redemption is an accomplished fact, the believer's peace is a settled reality. (C.H. MACINTOSH)
N.J. Hiebert - 3773
