Gems for November - wk 1
November 1
"Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted." (Isaiah 53:4)
Christ's death was a shameful death. More than the pain they inflicted upon Him, perhaps the shame was the most trying aspect of what man did to the holy Saviour. In Roman executions, the criminals were stripped naked, and inhumanely exposed to public shame. So the Roman soldiers cast lots for His clothes and left Him naked. Scripture tells us, Christ "endured the cross, despising the shame." (Hebrews 12:2) This He did in love for sinners and because of His delight in doing the will of God. What a tragedy it is if we are ashamed of the One who bore such shame for us! (Milton Haack)
N.J.H. # 2783
November 2
"And all that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on (Stephen), saw his face as it had been the face of an angel." (Acts 6:15)
Never fear persecution; it will make your face shine as an angel's.
(J.N. Darby)
N.J.H. # 2784
November 3
"When Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw HIM,
she fell down at His feet . . ." (John 11:32)
Ah! it is blessed to be at the feet of Jesus in our sorrows, for there divine light shines upon them, and though we may suffer, and even be oppressed with our trials, we shall not, while there, doubt His love. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 2785
November 4
"And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so
must thou bear witness also at Rome." (Acts 23:11)
I am sure it is better for us . . . for divine wisdom and love to sit at the helm and decide for us than for us to have to decide. (G.V. Wigram)
N.J.H. # 2786
November 5
"What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips." (Job 2:10)
If we knew the heart of God we would never question any of His dealings with us, nor should we ever desire His hand lifted off us till we had learnt all He would teach us. (Footprints for Pilgrims)
N.J.H. # 2787
November 6
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have
spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things,
and to enter into His glory?" (Luke 24:25,26)
"O fools, and slow of heart to believe." What? "ALL that the prophets have spoken." Oh, how that should bind round your heart and mine every jot and syllable of God's Word! (J.G. Bellett)
N.J.H. # 2788
November 7
"And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost." (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
They (Thessalonians) received the Word in much affliction and yet in joy. This sounds paradoxical, and indeed it is; but the Christian may be sorrowful yet always rejoicing. The affliction to which the apostle refers may have been twofold. There was of course deep contrition as they recognized their sinfulness and mourned over their years of ungodliness and idolatry. Then, too, they knew that to decide for Christ would mean, in many instances, separation from loved ones, grievous misunderstandings, and even bitter persecution. But they were prepared for all this. They counted the cost and considered that Christ would mean far more to them than temporal comfort or worldly prosperity, and so they joyfully received the message which told them of sins forgiven and the hope of heaven. (H.A. Ironside)
N.J.H. # 2789
