Gems for July - wk 3
July 16
"For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22) "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19)
There is no question whether this world in the end is to be a place of blessing. It will eventually be abundantly blessed. But God alone will bless it. It is folly for men to attempt to bless it. Six thousand years of fruitless effort have told them that they cannot do it. The world has rejected Christ and is judged in consequence, though execution of judgment may be stayed in the long-suffering mercy of God. "The whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:22) There will be no blessing to the world until the "manifestation of the sons of God." (Romans 8:19) (Christian Truth - Vol. 13 -1962)
N.J.H. # 3037
July 17
"The heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not show me which of us isfor the king of Israel? And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber." (2 Kings 6:11,12)
Seeing his plans continually foiled, the king of Syria suspected treachery in his court, for the idea of God and of His intervention -- does not even occur to him. The world always thinks this way. It attributes all the events of life to second causes rather than seeing the hand of God in them. One of the king's servants, more alert than his king to the true state of affairs, opens his eyes. Generally discernment and spiritual understanding diminish with a man's elevation, and those that should have the most interest in knowing the truth are those who know it the least. (H.L. Rossier - Meditations on 2 Kings)
"Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest (discerns) my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, Thou knowest it altogether." (Psalm 139:2-4)
N.J.H. # 3038
July 18
"He that receiveth you receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man inthe name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man'sreward." (Matthew 10:40,41)
He proves that his own heart is right with God. We show our real state of soul by the opinion we pronounce. Supposing I speak or act unwarrantably against a good man doing his duty, I show that I am not with God in that particular thing. On the other hand, if I have faith to discern what is of God, and to take my part with him in the face of general desertion, happy am I indeed. God alone enables a man to do so. We show where our hearts are by our judgments of and conduct toward others. (William Kelly - Matthew)
N.J.H. # 3039
July 19
"Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity." (2 Timothy 2:19)
In God's faithfulness lies eternal security. I once asked my father what predestination was. He answered, "The ground on which I build my faith is not in me, but in the faithfulness of God." (Corrie Ten Boom - This Day is the Lord's)
N.J.H. # 3040
July 20
"And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel." (Nehemiah 8:1)
This chapter contains the key to providing delight and satisfaction for children dwelling in the protected, separated Christian home. In materially well favoured Western lands - especially the North American continent - the world presents very much to attract the hearts of our children. Parents who have built a moral wall and gates for their home - keeping the world out - must also be careful that such an environment supplies joy and satisfaction for their children. Otherwise they will begin looking to the world to discover what ought to be provided for them within their home. The key for preventing this is simple and wonderful - your personal daily delight in, and the reverent reading of, the precious Word of God - as a family - as one. Don't read the Word of God in the spirit of something you have to do - but in the spirit of "How sweet are Thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (Psalm 119:103) (TCS - June 2005)
N.J.H. # 3041
July 21
"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 3:18)
One frequently observes this in the history of Christians; the evils which in after life prove their greatest snares are those against which there is the greatest watchfulness at first. Most happy is it when the spirit of watchfulness increases with our increasing knowledge of the tendencies and capabilities of our hearts. But this is not always the way: on the contrary, how frequently do we find Christians of some years' standing indulging in the things which at first their consciences would have shrunk from. This may seem to be but a growing out of a legal spirit; but should it not rather be viewed as a growing our of a tender and sensitive conscience? To grow in the knowledge of truth is to grow in the knowledge of God, and to grow in the knowledge of God is to grow in practical holiness. The conscience that can let pass without reproof things from which it would formerly have shrunk is, it is much to be feared, instead of being under the action of the truth of God, under the hardening influence of the deceitfulness of sin. (C.H. Mackintosh)
N.J.H. # 3042
July 22
"John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this
Man (Jesus) were true." (John 10:41)
You may be very discontented with yourself. You are no genius, have no brilliant gifts, and are inconspicuous for any special faculty. Mediocrity is the law of your existence. Your days are remarkable for nothing but sameness and insipidity. Yet you may live a great life.
John did no miracle, but Jesus said that among those born of women there had not appeared a greater than he.
John's main business was to bear witness to the Light, and this may be yours and mine. John was content to be only a voice, if men would think of Christ.
Be willing to be only a voice, heard but not seen; a mirror whose surface is lost to view, because it reflects the dazzling glory of the sun; a breeze that springs up just before daylight, and says, "The dawn! the dawn!" and then dies away. (George Matheson - submitted by Richard K. (Dick) Gorgas - Feb. 24, 2001)
N.J.H. # 3043
