Gems for February - wk 2
February 8
"Then Jesus . . . came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom He raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him."
(John 12:1,2)
Bethany receives Jesus for the last time; the blessed but momentary retreat of a
heart which has given us, in His relations with this beloved family, the example
of an affection perfect, yet human, which found sweetness in being responded to
and appreciated. (J.N. Darby)
N.J.H. # 3243
February 9
"Him whom my soul loveth." (Song of Solomon 3:4)
It is worth a world to have an intimate eternity with Christ. (J.G. Bellett)
N.J.H. # 3244
February 10
"Our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem
us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people,
zealous of good works." (Titus 2:13,14)
God has put our sin out of His sight for ever. Though it be in us, it is not the object on which His eye rests. He sees only the blood; and, therefore, He can go on with us, and allow us the most unhindered fellowship with Him. (Food for the Desert)
N.J.H. # 3245
February 11
"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God." (Psalm 50:23)
Others are affected by what I am, and say, and do. And these others have also their sphere of influence. So that a single act of mine may spread in widening circles through influencing others. (Stopford Brooke - 1902)
N.J.H. # 3246
February 12
"Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12)
Just a word about "your own salvation." The farmer very likely gets the hired man to cultivate his corn and soybeans for him. But you and I cannot do that. We must each cultivate our own salvation. It is like the shield of faith: each must carry his own shield. You remember Goliath had a man that went before him to carry his shield (1 Samuel 17:41): and it cost him his life. So, in the same way, self-judgment and communion are terribly individual things, into which another can scarcely enter. (G. Christopher Willis - Sacrifices of Joy Being Meditations on Philippians)
N.J.H. # 3247
February 13
"I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a
new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall
see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psalm 40:1-3)
I was in a slimy pit and needed help. It was impossible to pull myself out. But through His work on the cross, the Lord Jesus pulled me from that horrible pit. He paid the debt of my sins and He has become the Rock on which I stand. He has given me a new heart and a new song. What He has done for me, He can do for you. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. (V. Gaynier - Choice Gleanings)
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the Rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love
And covers me there with His hand. - F.Crosby
N.J.H. # 3248
February 14
"Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him (Jesus): and he was perplexed, because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead. . . and Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this,
of whom I hear such things? And he desired to see him."
(Luke 9:7,9)
Tell me, do you think you have done with sin, when you have committed it? One thing is certain: It has not done with you. The charm of sin is gone the moment it is perpetrated. That is your way of disposing of sin, but conscience which makes cowards of us all, lets you know that it has not done with you. Herod had beheaded John long before, but now it was said of some that John was risen from the dead, and he is perplexed. Here the worm that never dies was doing its business. I am not of course determining its eternity, but the Lord in such cases lifts the veil from hell and shows us the worm at its work. Herod could not rest. How could he? - the murderer of the greatest witness of God in the world at that moment! (J.G. Bellett - Notes on the Gospel of Luke)
N.J.H. # 3249
