Gems for April - wk 2
April 8
"He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things
concerning Himself." (Luke 24:27)
A Jesus dying on the cross for the vilest meets the wants and burdens of the vilest. . . . If His sins are a burden to him he may see Christ bearing them, that he may be free and have peace. (J.N. Darby)
N.J.H. # 2940
April 9
"His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord."
(Psalm 112:7)
It is well for us all when we are grounded upon what has been termed the impregnable rock of scripture. Resting on this foundation opinions may come and opinions may go, but they will never be able to disturb the divine certainty of the soul that is able to say, "Thus it is written." (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 2941
April 10
"My son, if thou wilt receive my sayings, and lay up my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom and apply thy heart to understanding; yea , if thou criest after knowledge; and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasure; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:1-5)
It is no careless reading of the Scriptures that is here indicated. The soul is exhorted to "receive" these sayings. This is something more than a cursory examination of them. The sayings of God must be received into the heart. And there they are to be "laid up," or " hidden." The ear must be inclined to wisdom; the heart applied to understanding; while the mouth cries after knowledge, and the voice is lifted up for that which will give spiritual intelligence. The whole being is thus devoted to the search for the truth. As men dig deep for silver and make diligent effort to locate hidden treasure, so the earnest seeker must dig into the word of God, and be not content with surface findings. When thus esteeming the words of His mouth as more than one's necessary food, the result is certain: "Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." (H.A. Ironside - Notes on Proverbs)
N.J.H. # 2942
April 11
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints." (Ephesians 6:18)
Believe me, you can only plead with God as you know Christ. He alone is the channel by which God can bless. . . . The power of intercession is a great thing to the servant of God. (G.V. Wigram)
N.J.H. # 2943
April 12
"Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you . . . rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven." (Luke 6:22-23)
If you can make yourselves happy and comfortable in this world which has rejected Jesus, count not on His blessing. (J.N. Darby)
N.J.H. # 2944
April 13
"Looking unto JESUS the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)
It is hard to believe that God is doing your business in this world. It is much easier to us to do Christ's work than to believe He has done ours. (J.G. Bellett)
N.J.H. # 2945
April 14
"He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father." (John 14:9)
None but the Son of the Father could make such a claim. He alone, who dwelt in the bosom of the Father, could fully declare - though in human form - the heart and the character of God. All that He said, all that He did, and all that He was, was a revelation of God to men. Well might His disciples exclaim, "What manner of Man is this?" (Jim Flanigan)
N.J.H. # 2946
