Gems worth pondering
September 12
"He was moved with compassion."
(Matthew 9:36)
"The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy."
(James 5:11)
Jesus . . . could say, "I have glorified Thee." The more evil there was done here, the more the Father was glorified. Never did irritation enter into Him; no contradiction ever prevented His having the same heart for man and for God.
When we study Christ's life down here, and what His heart and motives were, how shallow we are, . . . and how deep and far beyond our view the sufferings of His soul down here!
A broken heart is suited to a heart-healing God.
Whatever produces a care in us produces God's care for us.
There is much more reality in a living loving care of us than we are aware of. The Lord takes pains to assure us of His love, to persuade us of His love.
"Ye are of more value than many sparrows."
(PILGRIM PORTION FOR THE DAY OF REST - J.N.D.)
N.J. Hiebert - 3825
September 13
"This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:13,14)
I shall never forget Dr. R.A. Torrey saying to me as a young preacher, "Young man, make up your mind on one thing and stick to it." The Christian life should be like a sword with one point, not like a broom ending in many straws. Such a single purpose forgets the past, reaches toward the future, and presses on. There is no time or place for side issues, diversions to the right or to the left. There is no place for hands on the plow with eyes looking back. Paul was a one-track man, but you can go a long way on one track! (VANCE HAVNER - ALL THE DAYS)
N.J. Hiebert - 3826
September 14
"Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame."
(Hebrews 12:2)
For us the Lord "endured" the cross. He deliberately and consciously persevered through the anguish of Golgotha. For us he "despised" the shame. He thought little of all the cruel beatings, and mockery and judgment that He would bear for our redemption. What have we endured for Him? What shame have we received for the name of Christ? It is shameful how shameless we are. The joy that motivated the Lord was the knowledge that one day we would be with Him, and this made the cross worth bearing. What is it that will motivate us today? (SAJU MATHEW)
N.J. Hiebert - 3827
September 15
" . . . I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, . . . that I may win Christ."
(Philippians 3:8)
When Mahoud, the conqueror of India, had taken the city of Gujarat, he proceeded, as was his custom, to destroy the idols. There was one, fifteen feet high, which its priests and devotees begged him to spare. He was deaf to their entreaties, and seizing a hammer he struck it one blow when, to his amazement, from the shattered image there rained down at his feet a shower of gems - pearls and diamonds - a treasure of fabulous value, which had been hidden within it! Had he spared the idol, he would have lost all this wealth. Let us not spare our idols. It is to our interest to demolish them. If we shatter them, there will rain about our hearts the very treasures of heaven, the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit; but if we spare our idols, we miss the riches unsearchable.
If you do not crown Him Lord of all, you do not crown Him Lord at all.
(JOHN MAC NEIL)
N.J. Hiebert - 3828
September 16
"And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him (Moses) in a flame of fire out of the midst of the bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed." (Exodus 3:2)
What a sight as the Lord appeared to Moses in the midst of the burning bush! When you feel the fire of trial and temptation, don't forget that God is in the midst of that fire. In the heat of your trial, keep trusting, for you will not be overcome by it. Remember God's faithfulness. He said, "I have surely seen the affliction . . . and I am come down to deliver them" (Exodus 3:7-8) (JAMES COMTE)
Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see;
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided -
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!
N.J. Hiebert - 3829
