Gems for June - wk 1
June 1
"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who being in the form of God . . . took upon Him the form of a servant . . ." (Philippians 2:5,7)
"The form of a servant" was a reality just as much as "the form of God" in Christ Jesus - as truly an assumed reality as the other was an essential, intrinsic reality. And being such, His ways were those of a servant; just as, being the Son, His glories and prerogatives were those of God. He prayed; He continued whole nights in prayer. He lived by faith, the perfect pattern of a believer, as we read of Him, "the leader and completer of faith" (Hebrews 12:2; JND Translation). In sorrow He made God His refuge. In the presence of enemies He committed Himself to Him who judged righteously. He did not His own will, perfect as that will was, but the will of Him who sent Him. In these and in all kindred ways was "the form of a servant" found and proved and read and know to perfection. It is seen to have been a great and living reality. The Life of this Servant was the life of faith from beginning to end. (J.G. Bellett)
N.J. Hiebert # 3356
June 2
"For we are labourers together with God." (1 Corinthians 3:9)
May the Lord stir up the hearts of His own to excel more and more in this work of faith and labour of love.
Shepherding and feeding the flock of God may be a service little desired or thought of, but the Lord's words to Peter are, "Feed My lambs, " "Shepherd My sheep," "Feed My sheep" (John 21:15,17) Comforting the sorrowing and tried, encouraging the weak, and bearing the burdens of the afflicted; searching out the straying, gathering the scattered; instructing those who oppose themselves; speaking a word in season to the weary, and to those out of the way; visiting the sick; helping out all, and exhorting one another - these are indeed services of love to the Lord. What a wide field of labour for Him all this is!
The promise to such labourers is "a crown of glory that fadeth not away," to be given them at the appearing of "the chief Shepherd." May we earnestly covet this pastoral gift; let us encourage all who are engaged in this service, because the flock of God is very dear to Christ (1 Peter 5:4). A cup of cold water may not seem to be of much account, but the Lord says, "And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." (Matthew 10:42) "For who hath despised the day of small things?" (Zechariah 4:10) (W.E.Sibthorpe)
N.J. Hiebert # 3357
June 3
"One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after;
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life,
to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple."
(Psalm 27:4)
As we come together to worship, what is the focus of our attention? Do we meditate upon the beautiful character and person of our Saviour? He never sinned and never had to ask forgiveness for His words or actions. His words were full of grace and truth. His life was a life fragrant with love for all. His loving hands healed the sick. His loving lips spoke words of forgiveness to the broken sinner. His agonizing death for sinners proclaimed the amazing love of God. He is a beautiful Saviour! Behold the beauty of the Lord! (Donald Norbie)
N.J. Hiebert # 3358
June 4
"Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible." (1 Peter 1:23)
God has not only adopted us, but we are His by birth: We have been born into His kingdom. My boy was as much mine when he was a day old as now that he is fourteen. He was my son: although it did not appear what he would be when he attained manhood. He is mine; although he may have to undergo probation under "tutors and governors (guardians & trustees)." (Galatians 4:2). The children of God are not perfect; but we are perfectly His children. (D.L. Moody - Daily Gems)
N.J. Hiebert # 3359
June 5
"When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me." (Matthew 14:29,30)
Peter had a little faith in the midst of his doubts, says Bunyan; and so with crying and coming he was brought to Christ.
But here you see that sight was a hindrance; the waves were none of his business when once he had set out; all Peter had any concern with, was the pathway of light that came gleaming across the darkness from where Christ stood. If it was tenfold Egypt beyond that, Peter had no call to look and see.
When the Lord shall call to you over the waters, "Come," step gladly forth. Look not for a moment away from Him.
Not by measuring the waves can you prevail; not by gauging the wind will you grow strong; to scan the danger may be to fall before it; to pause at the difficulties, is to have them break above your head. Lift up your eyes unto the hills, (Psalm 121:1), and go forward - there is no other way. (Streams in the Desert)
N.J. Hiebert # 3360
June 6
"It came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because
there had been no rain in the land." (1 Kings 17:7)
Week after week, with unfaltering and steadfast spirit, Elijah watched that dwindling brook; often tempted to stagger through unbelief, but refusing to allow his circumstances to come between himself and God. Unbelief sees God through circumstances, as we sometimes see the sun shorn of his rays through smoky air; but faith puts God between itself and circumstances, and looks at them through Him. And so the dwindling brook became a sliver thread; and the silver thread stood presently in pools at the foot of the largest boulders; and the pools shrank. The birds fled; the wild creatures of field and forest came no more to drink; the brook was dry. Only then to his patient and unwavering spirit, "the word of the Lord came, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath." (1 Kings 17:9)
Most of us would have gotten anxious and worn with planning long before that. We should have ceased our songs as soon as the streamlet caroled less musically over its rocky bed; and with harps swinging on the willows, we should have paced to and fro upon the withering grass, lost in pensive thought. And probably, long ere the brook was dry, we should have devised some plan, and asking God's blessing on it, would have started off elsewhere.
God often does extricate us, because His mercy endures forever; but if we had only waited first to see the unfolding of His plans, we should never have found ourselves landed in such an inextricable labyrinth; and we should never have been compelled to retrace our steps with so many tears of shame. Wait, patiently wait!
(F.B. Meyer)
N.J. Hiebert # 3361
June 7
"He hath brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me; because He delighted in me." (Psalm 18:19)
And what is this "large place"? What can it be but God Himself, that infinite Being in whom all other beings and all other streams of life terminate? God is a large place indeed. And it was through humiliation, through abasement, through nothingness that David was brought into it. (Madame Guyon)
N.J. Hiebert # 3362
June 8
"I bare you on eagle's wings, and brought you unto Myself." (Exodus 19:4)
Fearing to launch on "full surrender's" tide,
I asked the Lord where would its waters glide
My little bark, "To troubled seas I dread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.
Weeping beside an open grave I stood,
In bitterness of soul I cried to God:
"Where leads this path of sorrow that I tread?"
"Unto Myself," He said.
Striving for souls, I loved the work too well;
Then disappointments came; I could not tell
The reason, till He said, "I am thine all;
Unto Himself I call."
Watching my heroes - those I loved the best -
I saw them fail; they could not stand the test,
Even by this the Lord, through tears not few,
Unto Himself me drew.
Unto Himself! No earthly tongue can tell
The bliss I find, since in His heart I dwell;
The things that charmed me once seem all as naught;
Unto Himself I'm brought.
(Selected)
N.J. Hiebert # 3363
