Gems for September - wk 5
September 26
"There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: the lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it." (Job 28:7,8)
These precious and comforting words set before us some of the keenest senses of nature. Yet we learn from them that the most intellectual and intelligent mind of man cannot be trusted to know the mind of God as to His path.
Two little words provide a solemn yet most encouraging lesson in this matter. Though seemingly insignificant words, one is the word "is,", the other, the word "a". "Is" tells us that this path was and is and will be until He takes His church home. The other word, "a", reminds us that there is one path, not many. "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and forever." (Hebrews 13:8)
Now if this is true (and it most surely is) then why do we so willingly decide that the conflict is just too much and, yielding to one natural pressure or another, there comes the tendency to give up. Let us never forget that "God is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6) (TCS - Adapted, D.B.)
N.J.H. # 3108
September 27
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
Beware of lethargy! - a loss of the sense of spiritual things - a drowsy dullness to the Lord. Lethargy (indifference) speaks forth from our inner being when we say, "It's easier to stay home," or when we refuse to make that visit, or give that word of encouragement.
God's remedy for this: Hebrews 10:25.
- Be with the saints;
- This warms us up;
- We are encouraged;
- We are warned;
-The Lord is coming soon!
(Anon - TCNL)
N.J.H. # 3109
September 28
"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also." (John 15:18-20)
The cross was the punishment of felons and slaves - not only a cruel, but a shame-ful death. To take up the cross was to assume a position outside the world, the object of the world's enmity and contempt. This then is what Jesus calls His disciples to do. Nor did this cease with His death. (T.B.B. - Christian Truth - vol 21 - August 1968)
N.J.H. # 3110
September 29
"Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:14,15)
Timothy is to approve himself to God by being a good workman. It would be possible for a servant to really strive to commend himself to God, and yet, through ignorance of the truth, to be a bad workman. How many godly, devoted men, for example, have had their eyes opened to perceive (and with what sorrow has the discovery been made!) that they had been misleading souls for years! It is not only necessary therefore to be godly, to have a single eye, but there must be also that knowledge of the Lord's mind, as revealed in the Scriptures, which will enable those who are in the place of teachers to rightly divide, to cut in a straight line, the word of truth. Diligence is requisite for this - diligence in the prayerful study of the Word - and it is this which is really enjoined upon Timothy. Ability to teach is a divine gift; to be a good workman is the result of study, training, and practice, in dependence upon the power of the Holy Ghost. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 3111
September 30
"Shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneus and Philetus; who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:16-18)
Timothy was to be occupied with the Word. There is no more successful snare of Satan than the seduction of the Lord's servants into foolish controversies. To contend for the truth in a day of departure from it is one of their first responsibilities; but this is a very different thing from turning aside to verbal discussions and "doubtful disputations," or, as the Apostle here expresses it, "empty voices" - words or sounds without significance for the believer. It can never indeed be too often asserted that the best way to refute error is by the statement of the truth; and controversy conducted in this way will edify both speaker and hearers, while profane and vain babblings will only tend to produce more impiety, because they harden both the heart and conscience. (Edward Dennett)
N.J.H. # 3112
October 1
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
The infinite LORD of Glory requests to communicate with sinful man. "Deity stoops to speak to dust." Look again at Calvary and see our Saviour, bearing in our stead, the "consuming fire" of judgment that we deserved. Now the scarlet sins have been forgiven and God sees us as white as snow. Listen now to the Saviour, "Be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matthew 9:2). (Milton Haack)
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul,
When at the cross the Saviour made me whole;
My sins were washed away, and my night was turned to day,
Heaven came down and glory filled my soul. - John Peterson
N.J.H. # 3113
"I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)
There is a day coming when the trust that we have committed to God's keeping will be returned to us a millionfold more. We shall find what a good investor of our treasures God is, when the pleasure we laid down and the friendship we committed to Him, shall come back to us from His hands multiplied, when our teardrops shall have been crystallized into diamonds, our cups of cold water shall have turned into heavenly wine, and He shall say, "Ye did it unto Me." (TCN - March - April 1992)
N.J.H. # 3114
