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Eph
1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
This is a Hebraism, and means the same as "to his glorious grace."
The object was to excite thanksgiving for his glorious grace
manifested in those chosen in love. The real tendency in minds that
are properly affected, is not to excite opposition to God, or to lead to the
charge of partiality, tyranny, or severity; it is to animate thankfulness
and praise.
In accordance with this, Paul introduced the statement (Eph 1:3) by saying
that God was to be regarded as "blessed" for forming and executing
this plan. The meaning is, that this act of being chosen, lays the
foundation of adoring gratitude and praise.
Jesus is the center as well as the channel of all blessedness. All the
chosen in heaven and earth are to be gathered together in one in him.
The measure of His redeeming grace is the measure of God's own eternal
goodness.
By the giving of the LAW, God's justice and holiness were rendered most
glorious. By the giving of the GOSPEL, his grace and mercy are made
more brightly and prominently glorious.
But
when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle,
because the harvest is come. Mark 4:29
When the corn is ripe, it is reaped for the benefit of him who sowed it.
It can be of little or no use till it is ripe: so when a soul is saved
from all sin, it is capable of being fully employed in the work of the Lord:
it is then, and not till then, fully fitted for the Master's use.
God saves men to the uttermost, that they may here perfectly love him, and
worthily magnify his name. To take them away the moment they are
capable of doing this, would be, so far, to deprive the world and the Church
of the manifestation of the glory of his grace. "But the text
says, he immediately sendeth out the sickle; and this means that the person
dies, and is taken into glory, as soon as he is fit for it."
1. That a preacher is a person employed by God, and sent out to sow the good
seed of his kingdom in the souls of men.
2. That it is a sin against God to stay in the field and not sow.
3. That it is a sin to pretend to sow, when a man is not furnished by the
keeper of the granary with any more seed.
4. That it is a high offence against God to change the Master's seed, to mix
it, or to sow bad seed in the place of it.
5. That he is not a seeds-man of God who desires to sow by the way side,
&, and not on the proper ground, i.e. he who loves to preach only to
genteel congregations, to people of sense and fashion, and feels it a pain
and a cross to labor among the poor and the ignorant.
6. That he who sows with a simple, upright heart, the seed of his Master,
shall (though some may be unfruitful) see the seed take deep root; and,
notwithstanding the unfaithfulness and sloth of many of his hearers, he
shall doubtless come with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
But
will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and
the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I
have built! 2Chronicles 6:18
No person who entertains just and exalted views of the spiritual nature of
the Divine Being will suppose that he can raise a temple for the habitation
of Deity, as a man builds a house for himself. Nearly as improper and
inadmissible is the idea that a temple can contribute to enhance the glory
of God, as a monument may be raised in honor of a great man.
Solomon described the true and proper use of the temple, when he entreated
that the Lord would "hearken unto the supplications of His servant and
His people Israel, which they should make towards this place."
In short, the grand purpose for which the temple was erected was precisely
the same as that contemplated by churches--to afford the opportunity and
means of public and social worship, according to God’s Word. Always
we are to entreat the divine mercy and favor--to render thanks for past
instances of goodness, and offer petitions for future blessings.
How faithfully our Lord dwells upon His covenant with us. It is sweet
praying when we can plead the promises.
It
hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles
have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to
minister unto them in carnal things Romans 15:27
We are all debtors to the church no matter what race, and ought to be always
doubly ready to give for the furtherance of the Gospel. To despise or
think harshly of giving is very unbecoming for those who assert they adore
"The King of the Kings."
If we are blessed by the power of the word through signs and wonders than we
have immediate and long term benefit. As we ourselves labor to meet
our own needs so are we given power by God to gain wealth through the word
thus preached to us.
Have those who give themselves in the service of God done so that they and
their family would hunger. Or that their need would weigh ever heavily
on their heart. Or are these rare and chosen vessels to struggle with
so little carnal means to continue to preach the gospel.
I tell you truthfully none who answer the call, do so because of the promise
of gain, and would minister faithfully in pure obedience and love for God;
if that were indeed all that was offered. But this is not reason to
say they should continue to lack to prove their motivation of heart.
The word declares they should in fact be given, a double portion of the mean
income of the church.
We would say we want the gospel to reach the ends of the world yet the job
requires so much more than words. God gives us opportunity to give in
faithfulness. Give, prove God not men, and live in obedience to the
scriptures.
For
in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are
complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Colossians
2:9,10
We have all things in Jesus, and want no religious rites. To all these
we are dead and buried, our baptism teaches us that; and by faith we are
risen from all dead formalities into a new spiritual life. This
requires none of the ordinances of man to sustain it.
All that is necessary to secure your salvation, your prosperity, and your
healing is to be found in the Lord Jesus. There is a completion, or a
filling up, in him, so as to leave nothing wanting.
This is true in respect:
(1.) to the wisdom which is needful to guide us;
(2.) the atonement to be made for sin and sickness;
(3.) the merit by which a sinner can be justified; and
(4.) the grace which is needful to sustain us in the trials, and to aid us
in the duties of life.
Therefore, there is no necessity, that we should look to the aid of
philosophy, or human earthy wisdom, as if there was a defect in the
teachings of the Savior. We are not to look to human strength, as if
Jesus were unable to save us heal us or prosper us. We are not to look
to the merits of the saints, as if those merits of our Redeemer were not
sufficient to meet all our wants.
Behold,
for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered
it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy
back. Isaiah 38:17
Literally it can be said He has transformed my bitterness into peace.
What sinister curse tries to violently hurtle my heart to the winds, yet at
the heart of hearts lies the perfect love of God. Though sin would
demand a price to be paid my gentle Redeemer creates the miracle of life.
He cast off the chains of death that I may forever be transformed.
This miracle of creation can not be quenched by fiery dart or hellish storm
for great is the Promise of Peace. Nothing in this world can prevent
my praise for indeed I am free. Free from darkness eternally lifted
upward into the everlasting arms of light.
But
as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered
into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. 1Corinthians 2:9
What reason and imagination could not have conceived, the Holy Spirit has
revealed. Spiritual men and women of God have an inner eye and ear to
which the Spirit grants discernment.
This is designed clearly to describe the blessedness of those who were
admitted to the Divine favor. These elect have communion with God and
God manifests himself as their Friend. That blessedness is said to be
superior to all that men elsewhere enjoy. This closeness can be
found nowhere else but in God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This privileged view of wisdom, and fitness, and beauty, can be found in no
other plan. It is true that this view is attended with a high degree
of comfort; but the comfort is not the immediate thing in the eye of the
apostle. He truly envisions a place where we have power from God that
propels us forward into the conflict battling darkness with perfect
confidence in the love which upholds us.
And
deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage. Heb 2:15
That he might be able to identify with the curse that holds all of us in the
complete bondage of sin, to sickness poverty and eternal death, through his
own resurrection and victory over the curse of death and sickness uplifts
our downcast souls. He bears with our infirmities, Jesus himself
became a man like ourselves.
Troubled hearts should think of this, and be of good cheer. The Holy
Spirit speaks of him most sweetly here.
We once preferred life in any state, even with the most grievous evils, to
death, because we had no hope beyond the grave.
In full assurance now the born again believer has God's love, and the fear
of death sickness and poverty is removed. By the purification of our
hearts through faith, the sting of death is extracted and we can now rest
fully assured in the miraculous deliverance for all evil and bondage of the
curse.
The people who know not God are in continual torment through the fear of
death, and they fear death because they fear something beyond death.
They are conscious to themselves that they are wicked, and they are afraid
of God, and terrified at the thought of eternity.
By these fears thousands of sinful, miserable souls are prevented from
hurrying themselves into the unknown world. They live their lives
subject to whatever good or bad happens hiding their eyes for fear they see
themselves as accursed and unwilling to believe this could be true.
Better they say to live for today for in truth they know they have no
tomorrow.
Not so with us dear believer for we fear nothing and challenge life to
produce blessing! We fully reject the old bondage of sickness poverty
and death. They have nothing in us who believe.
O
LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou
hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Isaiah 25:1
Christ's eyes are upon faithful persons, or faithful ministers of the word,
who preach the Gospel faithfully. These administer the ordinances
truly, and are faithful to the souls of men in watching over them, reproving
and exhorting them.
His eyes are upon them to keep and preserve them, and to honour and reward
them with a crown of life that fadeth not away. His eyes are also on
faithful members of churches, such who truly believe in him, who hold fast
the faithful word, and keep close to his worship
His eyes are upon them, to show favor to them, to bestow blessings upon
them, and to protect and defend them, and to preserve them from perishing:
So such as are faithful shall dwell with Christ both here and
hereafter. They dwell in him and with him by faith, and have communion
with him. They dwell in his house below, and shall dwell with him
above for evermore
Truth breaks every yoke that would prevent us.
These two, faithfulness and truth, are sisters of our success in this
life and the life to come.
That
ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. Romans 15:6
Among Christians there must be unity, and especially in Christian families,
so that all our powers may be undividedly employed in praising God. If
we are jealous one of another, or use angry language, and quarrelsome words,
we cannot glorify God as we ought.
Thus the Savior sets his seal upon assemblies of the faithful, even of the
smallest kind, not only in their acts of discipline, but in their
intercessions. Note how tenderly Jesus speaks of his followers:
"If two of you." Matthew
18:19. If two of you agree in prayer on earth, "my
Father which is in heaven" will hearken to your pleading.
Prayer should be matter for previous consideration, and persons about to
join in prayer should "agree as touching anything that they shall
ask." We first search God’s word for the answer to our joint
petition. Then we come together with an intelligent design, seeking a
known blessing, and agreeing to combine our desires and our faith in
reference to the one chosen object.
Two believers united in holy desire and solemn prayer will have great power
with God. Instead of despising the verdict of so small a gathering, we
ought to respect it, since the Father does so. Note the power of
combined prayer and understand there is no excuse for giving up gathering in
prayer while there are two praying people in the place. Two in one
accord can prevail with God.
Of course, more is needed than a cold agreement as God’s word lays our
certain things which are desirable. There must be importunity and
faith. We desire to speak the same as God’s word and as we each
gather at the throne faithfully and habitually calling upon God’s promise
in the name of our Lord Jesus we do with certainty, receive such a request
with great joy.
Abide
in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it
abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. John 15:4
Do what we may, we can bring forth no truly good thing except in union with
our Lord: our strength, our fruitfulness, yes, and our very life, all lie in
Him.
Remain united to the our Lord Jesus by a living faith. Live a life of
dependence on Him, and obey His doctrines, imitate His example, and
constantly exercise faith in Him.
That is, if you remain attached to the Lord, He will remain with you, and
will teach, guide, and comfort you. This he proceeds to illustrate by
a reference to the vine. If the branch should be cut off an instant,
it would die and be fruitless. As long as it is in the vine the parent
stock imparts its sweet juices, and furnishes a constant circulation of fuel
adapted for the growth and fruitfulness of the branch.
So our faithfulness, if we should be separate from Christ, or if we cease to
feel our union to him and dependence on him, withers and droops. While
we are united to him by a living faith, from the nature of the case,
strength flows from him to us, and we receive help as we need. Devoutness
then, manifested in good works and in love, is as natural, as easy, as
unconstrained, and as lovely as the vine covered with fruitful branches is
at once useful and enticing.
The
churches of Asia
salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the
church that is in their house. 1Corth. 16:19
Every Christian family should in some respects be a Christian church. In
some cases (as, for instance, were they cast away on a deserted shore), they
should be a church themselves.
Families that pray together stay together.
In our personal families we should live under the direction of Christian
rules, and daily offer up Christian worship. Wherever two or three are
gathered together, and Christ is among them, there is a church. We
should conduct and encourage daily prayer together and separately. We
should enjoy the study of God’s word. Strength comes through
exercise and when we exercise our family ties they are not easily broken.
We lead our families to the altar as Joshua said “but as for me and my
house, we will serve the LORD.” As the head of our families we stand
accountable to god for how we offer ourselves to the Lord and we must never
shirk the responsibility of bringing our family together with the saints to
worship our God of mercy and grace.
Only
take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the
things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all
the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons' sons; Deut. 4:9
Moses' last discourse to the people whom he had so lovingly ruled was
simple. If the Lord has condescended to tenderly teach and train us,
let us not be forgetful hearers, neither let us neglect to transmit his
teachings to our children.
If a man knows the worth of his own soul, he will sense the importance of
the salvation of his own family. Those who neglect family religion,
neglect personal religion. If more attention were paid to the this
simple yet profound service, we would soon have a better state of civil
society. On family religion, God lays much stress and no head of a
family can neglect it without endangering his future relationship with their
own children.
We plant seeds of faith or seeds of discourse. When they mature we
find comfort or we find a troubled heart.
And
they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb,
saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true
are thy ways, thou King of saints. Revelations 15:3
A song of thanksgiving and praise, such as Moses taught the Hebrew people to
sing after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage. The meaning here
is not that they would sing that identical song, but that Moses taught the
people to celebrate their deliverance with a magnificent hymn of praise.
There is an obvious propriety here in referring to the "song of
Moses," because the circumstances are very similar. The occasion
of the redemption from that formidable Antichristian power here referred to
had a strong resemblance to the rescue from Egyptian bondage. We too
sing in honor of the Lamb, as our great deliverer thus exciting wonder and
admiration of our hearts.
Our praise is celebrated in our Lord--the JEHOVAH--the uncreated and eternal
One. He is God--the creator, upholder, and sovereign of all things;
and that he is Almighty--having all power in all worlds.
It is the Lord--the Ruler of all worlds; it is God-- the Maker of the race,
and the Father of the race, who performs the work of redemption. It is
a work which could be accomplished only by one who is Almighty. Justice
and truth are brought prominently into view also in the redemption of man.
It is proper that these attributes should be celebrated in the songs
of praise in heaven.
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2/06
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When
the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth
for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel
will not forsake them. Isaiah 41:17
To strengthen our faith in this promise, God bids us to look back upon the
Lord's wonders of old and to expect yet greater things, for God has not
changed, nor are the fountains of his power and grace exhausted.
Seasons of deep distress have often been to God's people the dawn of a
bright and glorious day. We believers have thus withdrawn from every
worldly confidence, and are continually led to seek deliverance from God by
deep repentance and earnest supplication.
Water is figuratively refreshment and, prosperity after their affliction.
The language is so constructed to be fully realized in the waters of life
and of the Spirit, under the Gospel. We believe the power, God has
entrusted us with, by and in His Spirit so that all needs may find cure.
We with full assurance of faith draw near to our dear Lord that we may drink
deeply of the elixir of life health, and wealth, fully realizing complete
deliverance in every circumstance of life.
We do praise our God for His perfect care equally of the smallest to the
largest of all trials.
But
ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers
of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory
shall ye boast yourselves. Isaiah 61:6
The opening words of this chapter were quoted by our Lord Jesus as his
credentials, when he stood up to read in the synagogue of Nazareth. The
description which is here given is applicable to Jesus, and in him every
word is verified.
The whole Trinity unite in the work of grace. Jehovah the Father--the
Lord God, anoints his Son to his glad office; the Spirit rests upon him; and
the Son himself performs divine acts. This glorious gospel of the
sacred Trinity is not for the proud and boastful, but for mourners and those
who are in heaviness for sin.
If we belong to that class, Jesus has come to bless us. Yet we too
walk in this most wonderful calling in our Lord Jesus. We to find such
incomprehensible blessing for our labors of love.
Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment
greater than these. Mark 12:31
Now, as we are not to love ourselves supremely, this is virtually a command,
in the first place, not to love our neighbor with all our heart and soul and
mind and strength. And thus it is a condemnation of the idolatry of
the creature. Our supreme and uttermost affection is to be reserved
for God.
As sincerely as ourselves we are to love all mankind, and with the same
readiness to do and suffer for them as we should reasonably desire them to
show to us. The golden rule is our best interpreter of the nature and extent
of these claims.
"On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets"
It is as if He had said, "This is all Scripture in a nutshell.
The whole law of human duty in a portable, pocket form.
" Indeed, it is so simple that a child may understand it, so brief that
all may remember it, so comprehensive as to embrace all possible cases.
From its very nature it is unchangeable. It is inconceivable
that God should require from his rational creatures anything less, or in
substance anything else, under any dispensation, in any world, at any period
throughout eternal duration.
He cannot but claim this--all this--alike in heaven, in earth, and in hell!
And this incomparable summary of the divine law belonged to the Jewish
religion! As it shines in its own self-evidencing splendor, so it
reveals its own true source. The religion from which the world has
received it could be none other than a God-given religion!
And
I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in
paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and
crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake
them. Isaiah 42:16
In the midst of judgment, mercy and truth shall not be forgotten; God's
chosen shall be led safely, and their afflictions shall be removed.
Especially precious are the last words, "and
not forsake them." Why are we sorrowful? for
God is our friend still. Never has he deserted a sincerely believing
heart, and he never will, come what may. Let us, then, rest in his
love, and go forward to our life's end with triumphant courage.
Stand
still, and see the salvation of the Lord. Exodus 14:13
These words contain God's command to the believer when he is reduced to
great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot
retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the
left; what is he now to do?
The Master's word to him is, "Stand still." It will be well
for him if at such times he listens only to his Master's word, for other and
evil advisers come with their suggestions.
Despair whispers, "Lie down and die; give it all up." But
God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times,
rejoice in His love and faithfulness.
Cowardice says, "Retreat; go back to the world's way of action; you
cannot play the Christian's part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your
principles."
But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it
if you are a child of God. His divine decree has beseeched us go from
strength to strength, and so we shall, and neither death nor hell shall turn
us from our Lord’s course. What, if for a while we are called to
stand still, yet this is but to renew our strength for some greater advance
in due time.
Impetuosity cries, "do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and
wait, is sheer idleness." We must be doing something at once--we
must do it so we think--instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do
something but will do everything.
Presumption boasts, "If the sea be before you, march into it and expect
a miracle."
But Faith listens neither to Presumption, nor to Despair, nor to Cowardice,
nor to Precipitancy, but it hears God say, "Stand still," and
immovable as a rock it stands.
"Stand still";--keep the posture of an upright man, ready for
action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the
directing voice; and it will not be long before God shall say to you, as
distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, "Go forward."
He
expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:27
The two disciples on the road to Emmaus had a most profitable journey.
Their companion and teacher was the best of tutors; the interpreter
one of a thousand, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge. The Lord Jesus humbled himself to become a preacher of the
gospel, and He was not ashamed to exercise His calling before an audience of
two persons, neither does He now refuse to become the teacher of even one.
Let us woo the company of so excellent an Instructor, for till He is
made unto us wisdom we shall never be wise unto salvation.
This unrivalled tutor used as His curriculum the best of books. Although
able to reveal fresh truth, He preferred to expound the old. He knew
by His omniscience what was the most instructive way of teaching, and by
turning at once to Moses and the prophets, He showed us that the surest road
to wisdom is not speculation, reasoning, or reading human books, but
meditation upon the Word of God. The most expeditious way to be
spiritually rich in heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of diamonds,
to gather pearls from this heavenly sea. When Jesus Himself sought to
enrich others, He searched deep in the quarry of the Holy Scripture.
The favored pair were
led to consider the best of subjects, for Jesus spoke of Jesus, and
expounded the things concerning Himself. Here the diamond cut the
diamond, and what could be more admirable?
The Master of the House unlocked His own doors, conducted the guests to His
table, and placed His own well planned meal upon it. He who hid
the treasure in the field Himself guided the searchers to it.
With an eye to find our Savior we should always search the Word. The
grace to study the Bible with Jesus as both our teacher and our lesson is
born of faith!
O
God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and give praise, even with my glory.
Psalm 108:1
We cannot find it in our heart to dismiss this psalm by merely referring the
reader to Ps 57:7-11 and Ps 60:5-12, though these two Scriptures are almost
identical with this verses. It is true that most of the commentators
have done so, and we are not so presumptuous as to dispute their wisdom; but
we must believe that the words would not have been repeated if there had not
been an object for so doing, or can one think that we had that before, and
therefore we need not meditate upon it again.
The Holy Spirit is not so short of expressions that he needs to repeat
himself, and the repetition cannot be meant merely to fill the book: there
must be some intention in the arrangement of two former divine utterances in
a new connection. We at least endeavor to try to discover the intent,
and we may expect divine assistance in guiding us.
We have before us The Warrior's Morning Song, with which he adores his God
and strengthens his heart before entering upon the conflicts of the day.
David appeals to his God and sets up his banner in Jehovah's name.
First we have an utterance dictated by the spirit of praise, Ps 108:1-5;
then a second deliverance evoked by the spirit of believing prayer, Ps
108:6-12; and then a final word of resolve (Ps 108:13), as the warrior hears
the war trumpet summoning him to join the conflict immediately, and
therefore marches with his friend and family soldiers at once to the battle.
That
ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without
offence till the day of Christ; Philippians 1:10
That ye may approve things, "Or, try." The word used here
denotes the kind of trial to which metals are exposed in order to test their
nature; and the sense is that the apostle wished them so to try the things
that were of real value, as to discern that which was true and genuine.
That are excellent "or, differ." The idea is, that he wished
them to be able to distinguish between things that differed from each other.
To have an intelligent apprehension of what was superior. He would not
have them love and approve all things indiscriminately. They should be
esteemed according to their real value. How anxious the apostle was,
not only that they should be Christians, but that they should be intelligent
Christians, and should understand the real worth and value of objects.
Sincere. is rendered pure. The word properly means, that which is
judged of in sunshine, which is clear and manifest. It is that over
which there are no clouds; which is not doubtful and dark; which is pure and
bright. The word sincere means literally without wax that is, honey
which is pure and transparent.
Applied to Christian character, it means that which is not deceitful,
ambiguous, hypocritical. It is that which is not mingled with error,
worldliness, and sin. It is also that which does not proceed from
selfish and interested motives, and where there is nothing disguised. There
is no more desirable character trait than that you are a sincere friend,
benefactor, Christian.
(1.) he is truly converted--that he has not assumed Christianity as a mask;
(2.) his motives axe disinterested and pure;
(3.) his conduct is free from double-dealing, trick, and cunning;
(4.) he is true to his word, and faithful to his promises;
(6.) he is always what he professes to be.
A sincere Christian would bear to have the light let in upon him always; to
have the emotions of his heart seen; to be scanned everywhere, and at all
times, by men, by angels, and by God and inoffensive to others
For
I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the
supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, According to my earnest expectation
and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness,
as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be
by life, or by death. Philippians 1:19,20
He hoped that the spread of the gospel would call Nero's attention to his
case, and end his imprisonment one way or another, and little did he care
whether he was set free by death, or by being allowed to resume his labors.
He had the most confident expectation that God would stand by him, so that
he should be enabled, with the utmost liberty of speech, to testify the
Gospel of the grace of God.
Christ shall be magnified-his person, nature, doctrine, and shown to be,
what He really is, most noble, most excellent, most necessary, and most
glorious.
Wherever we stand today abiding in this most noble of causes we continue to
believe. Peace is not measured in the believer by his outward
circumstance. Strength is not measured in physical ability. For
our salvation is wrought in our present weakness. Our Joy cannot be
stolen but is in fact elevated by the challenge as the Spirit of our God
reigns big in our heart.
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 40:3
At the Passover, before his passion,
our Lord sang one of the grand old Psalms of praise; but what is the music
of his heart now, in the midst of his redeemed! What a song is that in
which his glad heart forever leads the chorus of the elect! Neither
Miriam’s tambourine nor Moses' triumphant can for a moment rival that ever
new and exulting song.
Justice magnified and grace victorious; hell subdued and heaven glorified;
death destroyed and immortality established; sin overthrown and
righteousness magnificent. What a theme for a hymn in that day when
our Lord drank the red wine new with us all in our heavenly Father's
kingdom!
Even on earth, and before his great passion, he foresaw the joy which was
set before him, and was sustained by the prospect. Our God. The God of
Jesus, the God of Israel, "my God and your God." How will we
praise him!
Jesus will be the chief player on our stringed instruments; he will lead the
solemn hallelujah which shall go up from the host redeemed by blood. Many
shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord. A multitude that
no man can number shall see the griefs and triumphs of Jesus, shall tremble
because of their sinful rejection of him, and then through grace shall
receive faith and become trusters in Lord Jehovah.
Here is our Lord's reward. Here is the assurance which makes preachers
bold and workers tenacious. We are all one among the many? Note
the way of salvation, a sight, a fear, a trust! Do you know what these
mean by possessing and practicing them in your own soul? Trusting in
the Lord is the evidence, no, the essence of salvation. He who is a
true believer is evidently redeemed from the dominion of sin, curse and
Satan.
Thou
wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because
he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD
JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:3,4
Shalom, shalom, "peace, peace," or better yet peace upon peace-all
kinds of prosperity-happiness in this world and in the world to come.
Happy are those who are protected and kept in peace by their Omnipotent God.
Is there one in our house who does not trust in the Lord? Let us pray
that all our minds may be stayed on God.
The rock of ages;" or, according to Rab. Maimon,-the eternal Fountain,
Source, or Spring. This refers to the lasting streams from the rock in
the desert. And that rock was Christ. Our hoped is in the Lord
for the everlasting promises.
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Where
thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me,
and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. Ruth 1:17
Thus Ruth joined the Lord's people, and she never regretted it. Those
who cast in their lot with Jesus may have to rough it for awhile; but a more
than fair portion surely lies before them.
Naomi had been absent ten years, but her character in her better days had
stood very high with the people. They were therefore glad to see her
return, though they wondered at her poverty. Her many griefs may have
so altered her that even her former acquaintances asked, "Is this
Naomi?"
Such changes may come to us: May faith and patience prepare us for them that
we remain honored yet for our faith walk that sets the image of our life far
above changing circumstances.
And
the LORD said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto
the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom
I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and
of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall
not go. Judges 7:4
This was a great trial for Gideon's faith. If weak in some points, it
was mighty in others. The lappers were men in a hurry for action, full
of passion for the war. These were men who could not rest till they
had ruined their cruel oppressors. The Lord will work with such men
who are eager for victory.
The swordsmen melted away, and only a few trumpeters remained. Now the
matters were right for conflict, and ripe for victory. When we are
weak, then we are strong. Stripped of all such strength as can be
seen, we cast ourselves upon the power
invisible.
God blesses and gives signs and assurances which it might be sinful for
others to desire. How gently the Lord deals with his servant. He
assures him that there is no room for fear, but lest a fear should remain,
He removes it. Because Gideon had so many tokens, we are by no means
to expect them, but rather to remember that blessed are they who have not
seen and yet have believed.
And
it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask
what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said,
I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. 2Kings 2:9
What did Elijah’s Lord find him doing when he came? He was talking
with Elisha, instructing and encouraging him, directing him in his work, and
quickening him to it, for the good of those whom he left behind. He
was not meditating nor praying, as one wholly taken up with the world he was
going to, but engaged in edifying discourse, as one concerned about the
kingdom of God among men.
We make a mistake if we think our preparation for heaven is carried on only
by contemplation and the acts of devotion. Usefulness to others will
pass as well in our account as any thing. Thinking of divine things is
good, but talking of them (if it come from the heart) is better, because it
edifies.
Christ ascended as he was blessing his disciples.
And
some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our
brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see
how they do. Acts 15:36
An active spirit will not be at rest long. Love to Jesus sets a man at
work for his cause, and leads him to stir up others, as Paul did Barnabas.
Let us not presently begin new work, nor break up new ground; but let us
take a view of the fields we have sown. Come,
and let us get up early to the vineyards, let us see if the vine flourish,
Song 7:12. Let us go again and visit our brethren in every
city where we have preached the word of the Lord.
What a pleasant task to visit again the fruit nearly mature. What a
pleasure of the heart to renew acquaintance once more. What quality
life could be lost to never touch a friend in Jesus.
How
are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished! 2Samuel 1:27
Dr. Krummacher, in his "David, the King of Israel," has the
following excellent passage,
"David did not in his lamentation speak too highly in praise of the
King. Was not Saul truly a valiant hero? Did not also that which
was gentle and tender oftentimes find an echo in his soul? Did not
Jonathan and his other sons show themselves towards him true and faithful
children even unto death?
All this at that time hovered before the mind of David. With such
recollections as these there was associated a deep, sorrowful compassion for
the sad fate of the king. And thus it was David's genuine feeling and
sentiment to which he gave full outspoken expression in his lamentation for
the dead.
These words of the song--'Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets
of Askelon,' have, since that time, become a proverb in the circles of the
faithful. It is frequently heard when one of their community has
failed to take heed to his ways, and, therefore, has given rise to a
scandal.
Would that the call were more faithfully observed than is usually the case!
Would that the honor of the spiritual Zion lay always as near to the heart
of the children of the kingdom as did that of the earthly to the heart of
David!
But how often does it happen that they even strive to disclose before the
world the weakness of their brethren, and thus, by a repetition of the
wickedness of Ham, become traitors to the Church which Christ has purchased
with his own blood.
They make themselves guilty of bringing dishonor upon the gospel, by opening
the gates to such reproach through their talebearing, and to their own great
prejudice they disown the charity which 'believeth all things and hopeth all
things.'"
Therefore
now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee:
behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I
visit I will visit their sin upon them. Exodus 32:34
The Lord refused to be personally present with the tribes, but graciously
promised to direct them by an angelic deputy. This was a sad
threatening for Moses, who knew the value of the divine presence; and to the
people themselves it was grievous news, especially the sentence that the
Lord would visit them for their sin.
Verse 32 is reference to Moses' answered prayer in showing mercy to him,
while the people suffered under the hand of justice. But the promise
of God did not fail, for although those who sinned were blotted out of the
book, yet their posterity enjoyed the inheritance. Yet Moses and this
people he loved so greatly did not enter the promised land
What a heart, the lover of God shows toward God and yet cannot leave out
even the most repulsive of sinners. Such a challenge to us to remain
still in circumstances of difficulty or suffering ourselves as to not leave
one behind. What can I gain for self if part of my love’s expression
is not present.
Husbands love your wives. Wives love your husbands. Parents love
your children. Children love your parents. Let love’s heart
guide us in our acts of love one to another.
For
the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by
night, in the sight of all the house of Israel,
throughout all their journeys. Exodus 40:38
This daily and nightly appearance was at once both a merciful gift, and a
demonstrative proof of the Divinity of their faith. These tokens
continued with them throughout all their journeys. Notwithstanding
their frequently repeated disobediences and rebellions, God never withdrew
these tokens of his presence from them, till they were brought into the
promised land at journey’s end.
Every thing that concerned them was under the direction and management of
God. But all these things typified the presence and influence of God
in his Church, and in the hearts of his followers. His Church can
possess no sanctifying knowledge, no quickening power but from the presence
and influence of his Spirit.
By this influence all his followers are taught, enlightened, led, quickened,
purified, and built up on their most holy faith; and without the indwelling
and the empowering of his Spirit, light, life, salvation, and ministry are
impossible. These Divine influences are necessary, not only for a
time, but through all our journeys.
Through ever altering scenes of change, and through every step in life we
believers are yet led. The followers of Christ are to possess, not by
inference or inductive reasoning, but consciously, a real and active
presence. The influence is to be felt, and the fruits and gifts of it
to appear as fully as the cloud of the Lord by day, and the fire by night,
appeared in the sight of all the house of Israel.
Have you this Spirit? Are all your goings and comings ordered by its
continual guidance? Does Christ, in whom dwelt all the fullness of the
Godhead bodily, dwell in thy heart by faith? If not, call upon God for
that blessing which, for the sake of his Son, he is ever disposed to impart;
then you will be live gloriously, and on all your glory there shall be a
defense.
And
there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said
one to another, Why sit we here until we die? If we say, We will enter into
the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we
sit still here, we die also. Now therefore come, and let us fall unto
the host of the Syrians: if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they
kill us, we shall but die. And they rose up in the twilight, to go
unto the camp of the Syrians: and when they were come to the uttermost part
of the camp of Syria, behold, there was no man there. 2Kings 7:3-5
How these lepers reasoned themselves into a resolution to make
a visit in the night to the camp of the Syrians, should they go should they
sit still. They determined to go over to the enemy, and throw
themselves upon their mercy. Better die by the sword than by famine,
one death than a thousand.
Common sense will often lead
us to a method which may better our condition, but need not make it worse.
According to this resolution, they went, in the beginning of the night, to
the camp of the Syrians, and, to their great surprise, found it wholly
deserted, not a man to be seen or heard in it.
God ordered it, that these lepers came as soon as the Syrians had fled, for
they fled in the twilight, the evening twilight, and in the twilight the
lepers came, and so no time was lost.
They again reasoned themselves into a resolution to bring tidings of this to
the city. They feasted in the first tent they came to and then began
to think of enriching themselves with the plunder; but they corrected
themselves
"We do not well to conceal these good tidings from the community we are
members of, under color of being avenged upon them for excluding us from
their society; it was the law that did it, not they, and therefore let us
bring them the news. Though we awake them from sleep, it will be life
from the dead to them."
Their own consciences told them mischief would befall them if they sought
for themselves only. Selfish narrow-spirited people cannot expect to
prosper; the most comfortable advantage is that which we share with our
brethren.
For
they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the
work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands.
Nehemiah 6:9
How much debt is required in prayer to find help in time of need. Here
is a good prayer, when we are entering on any particular services or
conflicts in our Christian warfare.
God sets himself at a distance from those that set him at defiance.
The wicked say to the Almighty, Depart from us, and He is, accordingly, far
from them. He does not manifest himself to them, has no communion with
them, will not hear them, will not help them, no, not in the time of their
need. They shall be for ever banished from his presence and he will
behold them afar off.
Our heavenly Father will draw nigh to those in a way of mercy who draw nigh
to him in a way of duty. He hears the prayer of the righteous, accepts
it, is well pleased with it, and will grant an answer of peace to it. It
is the prayer of a righteous man that avails much, James 5:16. He is
nigh to them, a present help, in all that they call upon him for.
"Like
an eagle that stirs up its nest, That hovers over its young, He spread His
wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions. De 32:11
The mother Eagle flutters over her brood to excite them to fly; or, as some
think, disturbs her nest to oblige the young ones to leave it. So God
by His strong hand in Egypt obliged the Israelites, otherwise very
reluctant, to leave a place which he appeared by his judgments to have
devoted to destruction.
She broods over them, communicating to them a portion of her own vital
warmth: so did God, by the influences of his Spirit, enlighten, encourage,
and strengthen their minds.
Then, she spreads abroad her wings in order, not only to teach them how to
fly, but to bear them when weary. For to this fact there seems the
inference, it being generally believed that the eagle, through extraordinary
affection for her young, takes them upon her back when they are weary of
flying.
How God by His Spirit continues His care and protection of us today.
Though always is there to uphold us He knows we must learn to fly on our own
and develop the strength for protection and guidance of those we love in
kind.
Who
executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD
sets the prisoners free. Psalm 146:7
The People's Rights!
There are three rights of humanity.
- Justice
He is swift and impartial administrator of justice. Our King pays no
deference to rank or wealth, and is never the respecter of persons. He
is the friend of the down trodden, the avenger of the persecuted, the
champion of the helpless. Safely may we trust our cause with our faith
- Bread
He dost dispenses bounty! All food comes from God; but when we are
reduced to hunger, and providence supplies our necessity, we are
peculiarly struck with the fact. Let every hungry man lay hold on this
statement, and plead it before the mercy seat, whether he suffer bodily
hunger, or heart hunger. Our God finds his special loved ones among the
lowest of mankind: the oppressed and the starving find.
- Freedom
Thus he completes the triple blessing: Our Lord does not love to see men
pining in dungeons, or fretting in fetters: he brought up Joseph from
the round house, and Israel from the house of bondage. Jesus is the
Emancipator, spiritually, advantageously, and nationally. As faith in
Jehovah shall become common among men freedom will advance in every
form, especially will mental, moral, and spiritual bonds be loosed, and
the slaves of error, sin, and death shall be set free. Well might the
Psalmist praise Our Lord Jesus, who is so kind to men in bonds! Well may
the freed ones be loudest in the song!
Jehovah is King, and His
kingdom can never come to an end. Neither does he die, nor abdicate, nor
lose His crown by force. Glory be to His name, His throne is never in
jeopardy. As the Lord ever lives, so he ever reigns.
I
thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you
in Christ Jesus, 1Corinthians 1:4
It is always well to acknowledge and commend all the good which we see in
our brethren, even though we may discern there is much to mourn over.
They will all the more readily receive our reproofs, if we are just enough
to admit and admire their nobilities.
Notice their various spiritual gifts which they have received, as specified
in the succeeding verses.
A minister, or a parent, may frequently do better to inspire by judicious
commendation as by reproof, and much more than by faultfinding and harsh
crimination.
Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it
may continue for ever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and
with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever.
2 Samuel 7:29
Then
I said, "Alas, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, Because I
am a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am a youth,'
Because everywhere I send you, you shall go, And all that I command you, you
shall speak. Jeremiah 1:6, 7
It is interesting to note that other eminent prophets besides Moses have
shrunk at first from their commission. Jeremiah was wholly
inexperienced, as a child, utterly incapable of conceiving rightly enough,
or even of having the ability to care for himself i.e. his own clothing,
food, and shelter.
Those who are in fact called of God to the sacred ministry are such as have
been brought to a deep acquaintance with themselves, feel their own
ignorance, and know their own weakness. They know also the awful
responsibility that attaches to the work; and nothing but the authority of
God can induce such to undertake it. They whom God never called run,
because of the need for worldly honor and personal comfort.
A few hear the call with fear and trembling, and can go only in the strength
of Jehovah. God would comfort the honest of heart, “It is my words
and message, not your own, that you shall deliver. I shall teach you;
therefore, your youth and inexperience can be no hindrance.
Do not say the obvious for it is obvious you are but a frail, feeble human.
But say what God would have you say. Speak in faith knowing full well
God will finish what he has commanded you speak.
See
how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called
children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him. 1John 3:1
Fellowship with Jesus and joy lie ever so closely together, that the apostle
could aim at both at the same time. Yet we had neither claim nor merit
that we should be called, that is made, the sons of God, who were before
children of the wicked one; therefore, the love which brought us from such a
depth of misery must appear the more extraordinary and impressive.
What love, in kind and in degree. In kind the most tender and the most
elevating and dignifying, as He adopted us into his family, and permitted us
to address him as our Father. In degree the most exalted, since there
is no higher love that can be shown than in adopting a poor and friendless
orphan, and giving him a parent and a home. Even God could bestow upon
us no more valuable token of affection than that we should be called His
children, and permitted to regard him as our Father.
Our Father’s love admitted us who believe to the same privileges, power,
and honors as all members of His heavenly family; such honor God has
bestowed on us! Such joy that we should enjoy these great pleasures.
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ohn
12:13 Took
branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna:
Blessed is the King of Israel
that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Psalm 118:24-26 This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will
rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I
beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the
name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.
These words, “Hosanna” and “cometh in the name of the Lord” were
sung by the Jews on the feast of tabernacles, when carrying green branches
in their hands; and proclaiming Hosanna. This was sung by the Jewish
children when Christ made his public entry into Jerusalem.
When persons applied to the king for help, or to rectify their grievances,
they used the word hosanna, or rather from the Hebrew HOSHIAH
NA! Save
now! remedy our grievances, prosper us, and give us help from
oppression! Thus,
both the words and actions of the people prove that they acknowledged Christ
as their king, and looked to him for deliverance. He who comes in the
name and authority of the Most High.
Let the utmost degrees of hosanna, of salvation, and deliverance, of
prosperity be communicated to your people!
GREAT HOSANNA! Assist us
who believe in this time of forgiveness and resurrection power with the
greatest liberation. On this day, deliver us with all speed and
powerful help against our enemies, and likewise deliver to us a prosperous
and fruitful time of blessing without measure, both spiritual and physical.
Ye
know that after two days is the feast of the passover, and the Son of man is
betrayed to be crucified. Matthew 26:2
Passover was a feast instituted in Egypt, to commemorate the destroying
angel's passing over the houses of the Israelites, when he slew the
firstborn of the Egyptians. This feast began on the fourteenth day of
the first moon, in the first month, Nisan, and it lasted only one day; but
it was immediately followed by the days of unleavened bread, which were
seven, so that the whole lasted eight days, and all the eight days are
sometimes called the feast of the Passover, and sometimes the feast or days
of unleavened bread.
God appointed that on the night wherein they were to go out of Egypt they
should, in each of their families, kill a lamb. The lamb was to be
readied four days before and that afternoon they were to kill it as a
sacrifice; not strictly, for it was not offered upon the altar, but as a
religious ceremony, acknowledging God's goodness to them, not only in
preserving them from, but in delivering them by, the plagues inflicted on
the Egyptians. Their doorpost were to be painted with the blood of
this lamb so that the angel of death would passover this home. The
angel of death took the first born of every home without the blood of the
lamb.
Jesus was betrayed, (rather delivered up,) to be crucified this same night.
The first born of God was delivered into the hands of the dispensers
of death. With amazing calmness and precision, our blessed Lord speaks
of this awful event! What a proof he gives of his insight in so
correctly predicting it; and of his love in so cheerfully undergoing it!
Having instructed his disciples and the Jews by his discourses, edified them
by his example, convinced them by his miracles, he now prepares to redeem
them by his blood!
And
said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them,
Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast
perfected praise? Matthew 21:16
The eighth Psalm, out of which these words are quoted “2.
Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because
of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.”
It was a common thing among
the Jews for the children to be employed in public acclamations; and thus
they were accustomed to hail their celebrated rabbis. This shouting of
the children was therefore no strange thing in the land: only they were
exasperated, because a person was celebrated against whom they had a rooted
hatred. They did not regard the prophecy that foretold this.
He who delights in the songs of angels is pleased to honor himself in the
eyes of his enemies by the praises of little children. Yet we also
remember David in particular, who being but a ruddy youth was used of God as
an instrument to still Goliath of Gath.
Jesus said "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because
thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them
unto babes." So, when under the heavenly influences of grace the
tide of love rises, and goes swelling over our duties and difficulties, a
child can do a man's work, and a man can do a giant's.
How great this power given unto us so we may find no excuse. How
responsible we become to rightly use this power to end the fowl taste of
sickness, poverty, sin, and death. Power to still the enemy and the
avenger!
explaining
and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the
dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the
Christ." Acts 17:3
The apostle's custom was to reason from the Scriptures, and surely there is
no weapon so powerful as that which is taken from the armory of inspiration.
He collected the scriptures that spoke of the Messiah. He applied
these to Jesus Christ, showing that in him all these scriptures were
fulfilled, and that he was the Savior whom they expected. He showed
also that the Christ, or Messiah, must needs suffer-that this was predicted,
and was an essential mark of the true Messiah.
By proving this point, he corrected their false notion of a triumphant
Messiah, and thus removed the scandal of the cross. His miracles
proved that he was the Messiah, for he professed to be, and God would not
work a miracle to confirm the claims of an impostor. For the same
reason, his resurrection from the dead proved that he was the Messiah
Victorious indeed! For he conquered death and the grave!
Now
if Christ is preached, that He has been raised from the dead, how do some
among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there
is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised; and
if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also
is vain. 1Corinthians 15:12-14
Christianity stands or falls with the resurrection of its founder. No
man can be a Christian and doubt the resurrection of the Lord. If that
resurrection had not happened, the whole matter would have been proved an
false.
If after all there is no resurrection, then the apostles
suffered for nothing, they were wretched dupes, and having higher
expectations than others their disappointment was proportionately bitter.
By Adam's sin all who are in him die, and by Christ's righteousness, all who
are in him shall be made alive. There are two great covenant
headships: the first was Adam's headship under the covenant of works, by
which we have fallen, and the second is the headship of the Lord Jesus under
the covenant of grace, by which we rise to eternal life.
According to the promise, Psalm 110:1: "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit
thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."
Therefore the kingdom cannot be given up till all rule and government be
cast down. So that while the world lasts, Jesus, as the Messiah and
Mediator, must reign; and all human beings are properly his subjects, are
under his government, and are accountable to him.
Praise God for a government who upholds integrity and truth. Never
wondering from this high calling and forever establishing us who believe.
"She
has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.
"Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole
world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of
her." Mark 14:8, 9
She has done what she could. She has showed the highest affection in
her power; and it was, as it is now, a sufficient argument against there
being any real waste, that it was done for the honor of Christ.
The objections came from none of the true-hearted Eleven--as we learn from
John (John 12:4): "Then saith one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot,
Simon's son, which should betray Him." Doubtless the thought
stirred first in his breast, and issued from his base lips; and some of the
rest, ignorant of his true character and feelings, and carried away by his
plausible speech, might for the moment feel some annoyance at the apparent
waste.
How much will history remember our acts of love? Do we waste time,
energy, or material possession when we offer ourselves to worship at the
feet of Jesus? Prophecy will be fulfilled whether we are applied or
not. How often are we invited yet how often do we halt fearing the
world’s reprisal upon us?
Behold once more here the majesty of Jesus’ royal judicial supremacy in
the government of the world, in this, 'Verily I say unto you,” and this
finishes the matter.
The
angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are
looking for Jesus who has been crucified. "He is not here, for He
has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.
"Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and
behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee,
there you will see Him; behold, I have told you." Matthew 28:5- 7
Jesus always keeps his word: “He
is risen, as he said.” He said he would rise from the
dead, and he did; he says that his people also shall rise, and they shall.
“Come, see the place where the
Lord lay. And go quickly,” the angel would not let the
women stay long looking into the sepulcher, for there was work for them to
do.
In this world, we cannot afford to spend all our time in contemplation,
however heavenly it may be. Notice the angel’s words: first “See,”
and then “Go.” Make
sure about the fact for yourselves, and then let others know of it. What
you know, tell; and do it “quickly.”
Swift to your feet; such good news as you have to carry should not be
long on the road.
“The King’s business required
haste.”
“Tell his disciples that he is risen
from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee;
there shall ye see him.” Matthew wrote THE GOSPEL OF THE
KINGDOM, yet in his writings, there is much about that despised region
called “Galilee
of the Gentiles”, that borderland which touches us as well as
the chosen seed of Abraham. There, in Galilee, is the place where
Jesus will hold the first general assembly of his church after his
resurrection.
The
Lord our God hath shewed us His glory. Deuteronomy 5:24
God's great design in all His works is the manifestation of His own glory.
Any aim less than this would be unworthy of Himself. But how
shall the glory of God be manifested to such fallen creatures as we are?
Man's eye is not single, he has ever a side glance towards his own
honor, has too high an estimate of his own powers, and so is not qualified
to behold the glory of the Lord.
It is clear, then, that self must stand out of the way, so that there may be
room for God to be exalted; and this is the reason why often why we find
ourselves in straits and difficulties. We then through this challenge
are made conscious of our own folly and weakness, thus we may be fitted to
behold the majesty of God when He comes forth to work our deliverance.
Not that God sent the trial but that He attends our trials with us.
He whose life is an even and smooth path, will see little of the glory of
the Lord, for he has few occasions of self-emptying, and hence, only a
little fitness for being filled with the revelation of God. They who
navigate little streams and shallow creeks, know only a little of the life
of tempests; but they who "do business in great waters," see His
"wonders in the deep." Among the huge oceanic waves of
mourning, poverty, temptation, distress, and reproach, we learn the power of
Jehovah, because we feel the littleness of man. Thank God, then, if
you have found a rough road: it is this which has given you your experience
in using God's greatness of power and the clarity of His loving kindness.
Your troubles have enriched you with a wealth of knowledge gained by no
other means: your trials have been the cleft of the rock in which Jehovah
has set you, as He did His servant Moses, that you might behold His glory as
it passed by.
Praise God that you have not been left to the darkness and ignorance, but
that in the great fight of affliction, you have been empowered for the
outshinings of His glory in His wonderful dealings with you as He gives you
the victory born of the strength of perseverance.
We
dwell in Him. 1 John 4:13
Do you want a house for your soul? Do you ask, "What is the
purchase price?" It is something less than proud human nature
will likely give you. It is without money and without price.
Ah! But you would like to pay a respectable rent! You would love to do
something to win Christ?
Then you cannot have the house! for
it is "without price."
Will you take my Master's house on a lease for all eternity, with nothing to
pay for it, nothing but the rent of loving and serving Him forever? Will
you take Jesus and "dwell in Him?" See, that this house is
furnished with all you want, it is filled with riches more than you will
spend as long as you live. Here you can have intimate communion with
the Lord Jesus Christ and feast on His love; here are tables well-kept
with food for you to live on for ever; in it, when weary, you can find
rest with Jesus; and from it you can look out and see the glory of
heaven itself.
Will you have the house? But if you are houseless, you may say,
"I should like to have the house; but may I have it?"
Yes; there is the key--the key is,
"Come to Jesus."
"But," you say, "I am too tattered and worn for such a
house." Never mind; there are garments inside. If you
feel guilty and condemned, come; and though the house is too good for you,
Jesus will make you good enough for the house. He will wash you and
cleanse you, and you will yet be able to sing, "We
dwell in Him."
Believer: three times happy are you to have such a dwelling-place!
You are greatly privileged, for you have a "strong habitation" in
which you are ever safe.
And "dwelling in Him," you have not only a perfect and secure
house, but an everlasting one.
When this world shall have melted like a dream, our house shall live, and
stand more imperishable than marble, more solid than granite, self-existent
as God, for it is God Himself--"We dwell in Him."
The
LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will exult
over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you
with shouts of joy. Zephaniah 3:17
The self-existent and eternal Being, who is in covenant with you. The
character of God in reference to the believers when standing in the nearest
possible relation to them.
I prefer explaining it of that calm silent joy in the possession of the
object of one's love, too great for words to express. Just as God
after the six days of creation rested with silent satisfaction in His work,
for "behold it was very good". So the parallel clause by
contrast expresses the joy, not kept silent as this, but uttered in
"singing."
In
pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of
Christ Jesus, [constantly] nourished on the words of the faith and of the
sound doctrine which you have been following. 1Timothy 4:6
It is the duty of the ministry to show to the people of their charge what is
error and where it may be apprehended, and to caution them to avoid it.
That is, you will be then "a good minister of Jesus Christ, as becomes
one who has been nourished up in the words of faith, or trained up in the
doctrines of faith and grace." The apostle evidently sincerely
wants to remind Timothy of the manner in which he had been trained, and to
show him how he might act in accordance with that. From one who had
been thus educated, it was reasonable to expect that he would be a faithful
and exemplary minister of the gospel.
“Whereunto thou hast attained.”
The word used here means, properly, to accompany side by side; to
follow closely; to follow out, trace, or examine. It is rendered in
the Gospels as having had understanding; and hast fully known. It does
not occur elsewhere in the New Testament.
The meaning here seems to be, that Timothy had followed out the instructions
of faith given to him by his mentor Paul. He had been trained to their
legitimate results; he had accurately seen and understood their bearing, as
leading him to embrace the Christian service.
His early training in the Scriptures was now fully carried out, by embracing
the Lord Jesus as the Messiah, and by evidencing the proper results of the
early training and service to Paul. If he now followed the directions
of the apostle, he would be a minister of the Lord Jesus, worthy of the
attainments in religious knowledge which he had made, and of the
expectations which had been formed of him.
No young man should, by neglect, indolence, or folly, disappoint the
reasonable expectations of his mentors. Their cherished hopes are a
proper ground of appeal to him, and it may be properly demanded of every one
that he shall carry out to their legitimate results all the principles of
his early training, and that he shall be in his profession all that his
early advantages make it reasonable to expect that he will be.
But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy James 3:17
The Wisdom of God is a gift to man. In this gift we se a great
difference between the wisdom of man in contrast. Thus we are enabled
in our ability to discern God’s will and direction for our lives.
God’s wisdom cannot be different than His character.
Is first pure.
That is, the first effect of it on our receiving soul is to make it
pure. The influence on the man is to create the inexplicable desire to
be decent, sincere, truthful, holy. The word used here is that which
would be applied to one who is innocent, or free from crime or blame.
Not an act of will through good works but the out working of the miracle of
God.
Then peaceable.
The effect of true faith --the wisdom which is from above--will be to
dispose a man to live in peace with all others and with God. Peace
that we bring to the table no matter what circumstances would try to steal
our station.
Gentle.
Mild, inoffensive, pleasant. The word here used is rendered
moderation in Php 4:6; patient in 1Ti 3:3; and gentle in Tit 3:2. Every
one has a clear idea of the virtue of gentleness--gentleness of spirit, of
deportment, and of manners; and every one can see that that is the
appropriate spirit of fellowship with God and saint alike.
And easy to be
entreated. It means easily persuaded, compliant. It
cannot refer to things which are in themselves wrong. The sense is, that one
who is under the influence of the wisdom which is from above, is not a
stiff, stern, obstinate, unyielding person. This is one who can be
affected by any appeals which may be made to him on the grounds of
patriotism, justice, or benevolence; but is one who is ready to yield when
truth requires him to do it, and who is willing to sacrifice his own
convenience for the good of others.
There is no disguise or mask assumed. What the person pretends to be,
they are. This is everywhere the nature of true faith. It has
nothing of its own of which to be ashamed, or which needs to be concealed.
Its office is not to hide or conceal anything that is wrong. It
neither is a mask, nor does it need a mask.
If such is the nature of the "wisdom which is from above," who is
there that should be ashamed of it? Who is there that should not
desire that its blessed influence should spread around the world?
"Now
on whom dost thou trust?" --Isaiah 36:5
This is an important question. Listen to the Christian's answer, and
see if it is yours.
"On whom dost thou trust?"
"I trust," says the Christian, "in a triune God. I
trust the Father, believing that He has chosen me from before the
foundations of the world; I trust Him to provide for me through divine
intervention, to teach me, to guide me, to correct me if need be, and to
bring me home to His own house where the many mansions are.
I trust the Son. Completely God of complete God He is --the man Christ
Jesus. I trust in Him to take away all my sins by His own sacrifice,
and to adorn me with His perfect righteousness. I trust Him to be my
Intercessor, to present my prayers and desires before His Father's throne, I
trust Him to provide prosperity and healing for me, and I trust Him to be my
Advocate at the last great day, to plead my cause, and to justify me.
I trust Him for what He is, for what He has done, and for what He has
promised yet to do. And I trust the Holy Spirit--He has begun to save
me from my inbred sins; I trust Him to drive them all out; I trust Him to
curb my temper, to subdue my will, to enlighten my understanding, to check
my passions, to comfort my despondency, to help my weakness, to illuminate
my darkness; I trust Him to dwell in me as my life, to reign in me as my
King, to sanctify me wholly, spirit, soul, and body, I trust Him to perform
His Word through me with signs and wonders, I trust Him to empower me with
the fruits and gifts in this life, and then to take me up to dwell with the
saints in light for ever."
Oh, blessed trust! To trust Him whose power will never be exhausted,
whose love will never wane, whose kindness will never change, whose
faithfulness will never fail, whose wisdom will never be less than complete,
and whose perfect goodness can never know a attenuation!
Happy are you, if this trust is yours! So trusting, you shall enjoy
sweet peace now, and glory hereafter, and the foundation of thy trust shall
never be removed.
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Then
shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring
forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the
LORD shall be thy reward. Isaiah 58:8
Here are precious promises for those to feast freely and cheerfully upon by
faith who keep the fast that God has chosen; let them know that God will
bless them beyond measure.
1. God will return mercy after great offense of affliction.
2. God will put honor upon them. Good works shall be recompensed with
a good name; He that would be the greatest of all, and best-beloved, let him
by humility and diligence make himself a servant of all.
3. They shall always be safe under the divine protection: Examine what
it is that is our defense; it is our righteousness, and the glory of the
Lord, that is Christ.
4. God will be always near unto them, to hear their prayers. This is
an expression of God's readiness to hear prayer. When God calls to us
by his word it becomes us to say, “Here we are; what does our Lord speak
unto his servants?” Be not afraid, when danger is near our protector
is nearer, a very present help.
5. The Lord shall guide you continually. While we are here, in the
wilderness of this world, we have need of continual direction from heaven.
6. God will give them abundance of satisfaction in their own minds. "These
will satisfy thy soul, will put gladness into thy heart, even in the drought
of affliction; these will make fat thy bones, and fill them with marrow,
will give thee that pleasure which will be a support to thee as the bones to
the body, that joy of the Lord which will be thy strength. He shall give thy
bones rest"
7. They and their families shall be public blessings. It completes the
satisfaction of a good man, as to this world, to think that those that come
after him shall be doing good when he is gone.
"Thou shalt be the restorer of paths, safe and quiet paths, not only to
travel in, but to dwell in, so safe and quiet that people shall make no
difficulty of building their houses by the road-side."
This
then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that
God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1John 1:5
These little words contain a mint of meaning. What a wondrous
sentence,--"God is light!"
He is the source of wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and happiness; and in him
is no darkness at all. There is no ignorance, no imperfection, no
sinfulness, no misery. And from him wisdom, knowledge, holiness, and
happiness are received by every believing soul.
This is the magnificent message of the Gospel, the great principle on which
the happiness of man depends.
LIGHT implies every
essential excellence, especially wisdom, holiness, and happiness.
DARKNESS implies all imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness,
and misery.
LIGHT is the purest, the most subtle, the most useful, and the most
diffusive of all God's creation. It is, therefore, a very proper
emblem of the purity, perfection, and goodness of the Divine nature.
God is to human soul, what the light is to the world; without the latter all
would be dismal and uncomfortable, and terror and death would universally
prevail: and without an indwelling God what is our faith?
Without his all-penetrating and diffusive light, what is the soul of man?
Religious conviction would be an empty science, a dead letter, a system
unsubstantiated and un-influencing, and the soul a trackless wilderness, a
howling waste, full of evil, of terror and dismay, and ever racked with
realizing anticipations of future, successive, permanent, substantial, and
endless misery.
No wonder the apostle lays this down as a first and grand principle, stating
it to be the essential message which he had received from Christ to deliver
to the world.
I
rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have
received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady,
not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had
from the beginning, that we love one another. 2Jo 1:4, 5
The venerable old man's heart was more comforted by seeing family religion
than by all else below the heavens. How good and how pleasant it is to
see a household loving the Lord.
This Christian matron was apparently the mother of a family, probably a
widow. She was also a deaconess in the church, and one in those house
the traveling evangelists preached, and there they were entertained.
The children mentioned here may either be her own children, or those members
of the Church which were under her care, or some of both.
The apostle was glad to find, probably by an epistle sent from herself to
him, or from the information of some of the itinerant evangelists, that the
work of God was prospering in the place where she lived, and also in her own
household.
He does not say that all were walking in the truth, but some of her
children. There was a growing and spreading work, and there were many
adversaries who strove to pervert them who had already believed, and perhaps
were successful in drawing several away from their simplicity.
John sings so sweetly this melody. Being so aged a man none would
misunderstand his affectionate words. Obedience to Christ is love.
"Be ye holy" is the most ancient mission statement of the church;
all lovers of God obey it. Especially, when not all follow in this
obedience.
The
angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "The LORD is with
you, O valiant warrior.
Judges 6:12
It is amazing How God sees us when we have trouble seeing ourselves
sometimes. Gideon was hiding trying to avoid being seen just to have
some of his harvest without it too being stolen. Hardly what you would
identify as brave.
God found Gideon retired, employed, and distressed. These were three
suitable conditions to warrant a heavenly intervention. He had very
little wheat, for he had no oxen to thresh it; and he was in great fear of
the enemy, and therefore threshed not on the barn floor, but in the
winepress. Yet in his poverty, he received rich grace. God is no
respecter of persons.
God will cause you to rise and face your enemies winning every battle.
At the appearance of the Lord in your circumstance things are about to
change.
Jephthah
made a vow to the LORD and said, "If You will indeed give the sons of
Ammon into my hand, then it shall be that whatever comes out of the
doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon,
it shall be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering."
Judges 11:30
31
Brave man as he was, he needed a divine preparation for his work, and God
graciously accommodated him. When the Spirit of the Lord comes upon a
man, it makes him far more than he was before. The Spirit elevates,
guides, inspires, and strengthens. He who has the Spirit will find his
arms upheld, and his strength rendered sufficient for accomplishing the most
arduous undertakings. May this same Spirit, in a more gracious manner,
rest upon us.
When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah,
behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with
dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or
daughter. When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, "Alas,
my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you are among those who
trouble me; for I have given my word to the LORD, and I cannot take it
back." So she said to him, "My father, you have given your
word to the LORD; do to me as you have said, since the LORD has avenged you
of your enemies, the sons of Ammon." Judges 11:34-36
Let us hope that her father, no matter how difficult and complicated his
life to this point, did not actually sacrifice her: if he did, it was an act
most abhorrent in the sight of God. Her submission to her doom was
touchingly beautiful.
Let us hope that the vow was capable of a softer construction, and that she
lived a celibate life, consecrated to the Lord. Though he may well
have burned the calf as consecration of his vow. Her virginity
remained consecrated to God thus the birth of a noble custom of the Jewish
maiden.
Many expressions in the chapter encourage that hope; at the same time it is
sufficiently doubtful, to lead us to repeat our warning against every rash
vow. Pause, hot spirit! Consider! Reckon all the
consequences, and if you open your mouth unto the Lord, make sure that, what
you are covenanting to do is really for his glory, and within the legitimate
extent of your power.
Naphtali
is a deer let loose. He gives goodly words. Genesis 49:21
Exuberance of spirit was linked with readiness of speech, a good combination
for a believer of the gospel. The best rendering we know is this;
"Naphtali is
a deer roaming at liberty; he shooteth forth goodly branches,"…Or
majestic antlers
The meaning of the prophecy seems to be that the tribe of Naphtali would be
located in a territory so fertile and peaceable, that, feeding on the
richest pasture, he would spread out, like a deer, branching antlers.
How marvelous to know how words spoken in a goodly fashion may bring such
sweet peace and branching growth. We simply begin adding wise words
then the crown of our life begins to show its maturity and potential through
these words aptly chosen and rightly applied.
Yet more astonishing still is the freedom we have been given in the power of
God’s prophetic word to speak without bondage to anger, bitterness and
maliciousness.
They
went before me in the day of my calamity; but the LORD was my stay. He
brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me because He
delighted in me. Ps 18:18, 19
The enemy of our faith will take advantage of the time in which we are least
able to make headway against them, and their attack is so sudden and
powerful. We should have been overthrown, but the Lord was my stay.
Though nearly exhausted by the fatigue of the day, the giant will avail
himself of this advantage. Yet we have not lost. Visions seem to
dim, yet we have not lost. Circumstances seem to find time to increase
when we seem frozen, yet we have not lost.
The battle is not yet been recorded as history. For we have yet to
engage. When we lift our eyes to the one in whom we trust, He will
decide the day of battle. On that day, He will decide on whom His
favor shall be luxuriated.
I delight in my Lord
as He delights in me. So shall I stay.
For
my love they are my adversaries: but I give myself unto prayer. Ps 109:4
They hate me because I love them. One of our poets says of the Lord
Jesus -- "Found guilty of excess of love."
Surely, it was his only fault. Our Lord might have used all the
language of this complaint most emphatically -- they hated him without a
cause and returned him hatred for love. What pain this is to the soul,
to be hated in proportion to the gratitude which it deserved, hated by those
it loved, and hated because of its love.
This was a cruel case, and the sensitive mind of the psalmist winced under
it. Yet his answer was not to come from man.
He did nothing else but pray. He became prayer as they became malice.
This was his answer to his enemies, he appealed from men and their
injustice to the Judge of all the earth, who must do right. True
bravery alone can teach a man to leave his defamers unanswered, and carry
the case unto the Lord.
Not only this courage was found but his vehicle most excellent. His
heart was carried on the song of prayer. From the Hebrew t@phillah
meaning literally “prayer in song.” We miss much when we do not
understand and utilize singing and praying in the Spirit. What more
exceptional prayer than one carried from the heart on the melody of passion?
Restore
unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm
51:12
None but God can give back joy; he can do it; we may ask for it; he will do
it for his own glory and our benefit.
This joy does not come first, but follows pardon and cleanliness: in this
order it is safe, in any other it is vain presumption or unwise delirium.
Conscious of weakness, mindful of having so lately fallen, he seeks to be
kept on his feet by power superior to his own. That royal Spirit,
whose is true dignity, is able to make us walk as kings and priests, in all
the uprightness of holiness. He will do so if we seek his gracious
upholding.
Such influences will not enslave but emancipate us; for holiness is liberty,
and the Holy Spirit is a free Spirit. In the roughest and most
treacherous ways we are safe with such a Keeper. In our best efforts
we stumble if left to ourselves.
The praying for joy and upholding go well together; joy is all over if the
foot is not kept steady; and, on the other hand, joy is a very upholding
thing, and greatly aids devoutness and faith; meanwhile, the free, noble,
royal Spirit is at the bottom of both.
But
his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day
and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. Ps 1:2, 3
He is not under the law as a curse and condemnation, but he is in it, and he
delights to be in it as his rule of life; he delights, moreover, to meditate
in it; meditate literally means, to mutter, roar, speak, talk, utter it.
He takes a text and carries it with him all day long; and in the
night watches, when sleep forsakes his eyelids, he muses upon the Word of
God. In the day of his prosperity he sings and speaks psalms out of
the Word of God.
Every plant which my heavenly Father has planted, shall not be rooted up.
The rivers of pardon and the rivers of grace, the rivers of the
promise, the rivers of healing, the rivers of provision and the rivers of
communion with Christ, are never failing sources of supply.
The man who delights in God's Word, being taught by it, brings forth
patience in the time of suffering, faith in the day of trial, and holy joy
in the hour of prosperity. Fruitfulness is an essential quality of a
gracious man and it’s season must come.
But
thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.
Psalm 3:3
The word in the original Hebrew signifies more than a shield. It means
a buckler round about, a protection which shall entirely surround a man, a
shield above, beneath, around, without and within. What a shield is
God for his people! He wards off the fiery darts of Satan from
beneath, and the storms of trials from above, while, at the same instant, he
speaks peace to the tempest within our deepest longing.
David knew that though he was driven from his capital in contempt and scorn,
he should yet return in triumph, and by faith he looks upon God as honoring
and glorifying him. O for grace to see our future glory in the middle
of our present humiliation! Indeed, there is a present glory in our
afflictions.
“And the lifter up of mine head” You oh my God shall yet exalt me.
Though I hang my head in sorrow, I shall very soon lift it up in joy and
thanksgiving. What a divine trio of mercies contained in this verse!
There is defense for the defenseless, glory for the despised, and joy for
the comfortless. Surely, we may fitly say, "there
is none like the God of Jeshurun."
Then
understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but
of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Matthew 16:12
The doctrine of these groups had a secret, insinuating, and souring
influence; and the disciples must carefully watch lest even a little of its
spirit and teaching should get into their minds, and then spread throughout
their whole nature.
Both these leavens may be at work at the same time in the same community; in
fact, they are only one leaven. The two sets of opponents attacked the
Lord Jesus at the same time, for they had a common ground of opposition
against him. To this day these two forms of evil are ever working,
either secretly or openly, and we have need to beware of them at all times.
It is well to understand this, and both purge out the old leaven of
Pharisaism (legalistic religion), and keep out the new leaven of Sadduceeism
(humanism).
Self-righteousness and carnal reasoning must both be cast out. Faith
will find them both to be her deadly foes. Many are amusing themselves
with the evil leaven; and before they are aware, the unhallowed thing will
defile them.
To be of true faith, and yet to be superstitious or rationalistic at the
same time, is impossible. These false doctrines are contrary to
believing and receiving God’s miraclulous intervention in our lives.
Certain contemporaries may try to bake with this leaven, but their bread
will be sour. BEWARE!
Ye
looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I
did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that
is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house . Haggai 1:9
“Ye looked for much”--literally "looked" so as to
turn your eyes "to much." The Hebrew infinitive here
expresses continued looking. You hoped to have your fortune made
"much" by neglecting the temple. The greater was your
greediness, the more bitter your disappointment in being poorer than ever.
Even the little crop brought into your barns were dissipated. "I did
blow upon," that is, I scattered and caused to perish with My mere
breath, as scattered and blighted corn.
“Ye run”--expressing the
keenness of everyone of them in pursuing their own selfish interests with
apathy about God's house
They gave little, and therefore received little. When men are bad
stewards, our great Lord refuses to trust them with his estate; and will
certainly let it out to others. This is but just and right.
I
will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou,
LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
Sweet Evening Hymn! I shall not sit up to watch through fear, but I
will lie down; and then I will not lie awake listening to every rustling
sound. I will lie down in peace and sleep, for I have nothing to fear.
He that has the wings of God above him needs no other covering.
Better than bolts or bars is the protection of the Lord. Armed men
kept the bed of Solomon, but we do not believe that he slept more soundly
than his father, whose bed was the hard ground, and who was haunted by blood
thirsty foes.
Note the word only,
which means that God alone was his keeper, and that though alone, without
man's help, he was even then in good keeping, for he was "alone with
God." A quiet conscience is a good bedfellow. How many of
our sleepless hours might be traced to our untrusting and disordered minds.
They slumber sweetly whom faith rocks to sleep. No pillow so soft as a
promise; no blanket so warm as an assured interest in Christ.
O Lord, give us this calm restfulness in you, that like David we may lie
down in peace, and sleep each night while we live; and joyfully may we lie
down to rest in God.
My
voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct
my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3
I will not be dumb, I will not be silent, I will not withhold my speech, I
will cry to you for the fire that dwells within compels me to pray. I
must speak that which is truth. I cannot lay still as though all about
me has not effect on me. I must respond the ear that will most
certainly bring justice. None of God's children are possessed with a
dumb devil
I will direct my words towards heaven, and then when I have shot up my
arrow, I will look up to see where it has gone. But the Hebrew has a
still fuller meaning than this -- "I will direct my prayer."
It is the word that is used for the laying in order of the wood and the
pieces of the victim upon the altar, and it is used also for the putting of
the shewbread upon the table.
It means just this: "I will arrange my prayer before thee;" I will
lay it out upon the altar in the morning, just as the priest lays out the
morning sacrifice. I will arrange my prayer. I will put
them in order, call up all my powers, and bid them stand in their proper
places, that I may pray with all my might, and pray acceptably.
I will make certain that I speak an appropriate prayer in agreement with
God’s word. I will look up to see myself as He already is. I
will not murmur and complain. I will pray the answer not the problem.
I will speak faith before an all knowing God. I need not elaborate on
feelings and failings that are already known but I must speak in faith only
as we are instructed by God’s word.
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But
as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your
holy temple I will bow in reverence for You. Psalm 5:7
With bent knee in prayer; already having set the argument for deliverance,
the character and the fate of the wicked; now we contrast this with our
condition as the righteous blood washed servant.
But as for me, I will come into your house. I will not stand at a
distance; I will come into your sanctuary, just as a child comes into his
father's house. But I will not come there by my own merits; no, I have
a multitude of sins, and therefore I will come in the multitude of your
mercy. I will approach you with confidence because of your
immeasurable grace. God's judgments are all numbered, but his mercies
are innumerable; he gives his wrath by weight, but without weight his mercy.
These words and the sense of it, carry a powerful contrast. For there
are two things with which this life is exercised, HOPE and FEAR, which are,
as it were, those two springs of Judges 1:15, the one from above, the other
from beneath. When our eyes fall upon only the circumstances of life,
without blessing, we founder in the muddy waters of this earth. Our
hearts fail us with only consternation toward God. What more can a man
endure?
Yet we are not without hope. We are truly blessed with that which is
more excellent. For there are heavenward cascading rapids of pure
washing waters that purge and cleanse. They create hope that we can
change what is evil. We can put under foot the enemies of the cross.
Sickness and death eternal no longer have locks on her weighted chains.
I am free to bath in the ever flowing graces of the Holy Spirit!
Depart
from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my
weeping Psalm 6:8
What a fine Hebraism, and what great poetry it is in English! "He
hath heard the voice of my weeping." Is there a voice in weeping?
Does weeping speak? In what language does it utter its meaning?
Why, in that universal tongue which is known and understood in all the
earth, and even in heaven above. When a man weeps, whether he be a Jew
or Gentile, Barbarian, bond or free, it has the same meaning in it.
Weeping is the eloquence of sorrow. It is an unstammering orator,
needing no interpreter, but understood of all. Is it not sweet to
believe that our tears are understood even when words fail? A penitent
tear is an undeniable ambassador, and never returns from the throne of grace
unsatisfied.
Learn to think of your tears as liquid prayers, and of weeping as a constant
dropping of importunate intercession which will wear its way right surely
into the very heart of mercy, despite the stony difficulties which obstruct
the way. My God, I will "weep" when I cannot plead, for you
hear the voice of my weeping.
…
O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot
displeasure.
Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my
bones are vexed. Psalm 6:1,2
This Psalm is commonly known as the first of the PENITENTIAL PSALMS, and
certainly, its language well fits the lips of the penitent heart. It
expresses at first sorrow, then the humiliation and finally the hatred of
sin. These are the unfailing marks of the contrite spirit when it
turns to God. O Holy Spirit, birth in us this true repentance.
The Psalmist speaks progressively, “chasten me not in thy hot
displeasure”, lest the rod become a sword, and lest in smiting, my life or
purpose in life should end. So may we pray that the chastisements of
our gracious God, if they may not be entirely removed, may at least be
sweetened by the consciousness that they are "not in anger, but in his
dear covenant of love."
All griefs running into this channel, as little brooks, losing themselves in
a great river, change their name and nature. He that at first was only
concerned for his sickness, is now wholly concerned with sorrow and recoils
in pain under the fear and hazard of his soul's condition.
How we dear friends can relate to the imaginations and random thoughts
produced when we too are touched by pain. These sorrows seem to grow
with a life of their own until God seems to have turned His back on us.
Not so, for our God will never leave us or forsake us. We are able to
bring these random and dangerous thoughts into captivity by one means only.
Mercy needs no further reason to bring together again what was separated.
Mercy needs no reason to heal so will I give its abundant grace at this
moment of need. Shadows of despair are diminished by the light of His
merciful attendance.
I
will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to
the name of the LORD most high. Psalm 7:17
Oh, how good to have a true and upright heart. Crooked sinners, with
all their craftiness, are undone by honest hearts. God defends the
right. Filth will not long abide on the pure white garments of the
saints, but shall be brushed off by divine help to the vexation of the men
by whose base hands it was thrown.
The believer should not fear anything which they may say against him, for
the tree which God plants no winds can uproot. God judges the
righteous, he has not given them up to their persecutors.
To bless God for mercies is the way to increase them; to bless him for
miseries is the way to remove them: no good lives so long as that which is
thankfully improved; no evil dies so soon as that which is patiently
endured. William Dyer.
Out
of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of
thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger. Psalm 8:2
There is no disposition more incongruous to the character and circumstances
of man among whom pride would appear more unseemly or incompatible than in
man, considering the situation in which he is placed. He is exposed to
numerous degradations and calamities, to the rage of storms and tempests,
the devastations, the ravages of the sword, famine, pestilence, and
diseases; and at length he must sink into the grave, and his body must
become the companion of worms!
The most dignified and haughty of the sons of men are liable to these and
similar degradations as well as the meanest of the human family. Yet,
in such circumstances, man -- has the effrontery to strut in all the
haughtiness of pride, and to glory in his shame.
Many men have been made to hold their tongues, while sucklings have borne
witness to the glory of the God of heaven. Did not the children cry
"Hosanna!" in the temple, when proud Pharisees were silent and
contemptuous? and did not the Savior quote these very words as a
justification of their infantile cries?
Fox tells us, in the Book of Martyrs, that when Mr. Lawrence was burnt in
Colchester, he was carried to the fire in a chair, because through the
cruelty of the Papists, he could not stand upright, several young children
came about the fire, and cried as well as they could speak, "Lord,
strengthen thy servant, and keep thy promise." God answered their
prayer, for Mr. Lawrence died as firmly and calmly as any one could wish to
breath his last.
When another of these persecutors told Mr. Wishart, the great Scotch martyr,
that he had a devil in him, a child that stood by cried out, "A devil
cannot speak such words as yonder man speaketh." One more
instance is still nearer to our time.
In a postscript to one of his letters, in which he details his persecution
when first preaching in Moorfields, Whitfield says, "I cannot help
adding that several little boys and girls, who were fond of sitting round me
on the pulpit while I preached, and handed to me people's notes -- though
they were often pelted with eggs, dirt, &c., thrown at me -- never once
gave way; but on the contrary, every time I was struck, turned up their
little weeping eyes, and seemed to wish they could receive the blows for me.
God make them, in their growing years, great and living martyrs for him who,
out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, perfects praise!" He
who delights in the songs of angels is pleased to honor himself in the eyes
of his enemies by the praises of little children. What a contrast
between the glory above the heavens, and the mouths of babes and sucklings!
yet by both the name of God is made excellent.
Be of good courage this day for God has an army of the innocent to stand
with you when all the great turn away.
The
LORD also will be a stronghold for the oppressed, A stronghold in times of
trouble; Psalm 9:9
He who gives no quarter to the wicked in the day of judgment, is the defense
and refuge of his saints in the day of trouble.
There are many forms of oppression; both from man and from Satan oppression
comes to us; and for all its forms, a refuge is provided in the Lord Jesus.
There were cities of refuge under the law, God is our refuge city under the
gospel.
As the ships when sore pressed with tempest make for harbor, so do the
oppressed hasten to the wings of a just and gracious God. He is a high
tower so impregnable, that the hosts of hell cannot carry it by storm, and
from its lofty heights faith looks down with scorn upon her enemies.
…In
the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, "Flee as a bird to
your mountain; Psalm 11:1
In temptations of inward trouble and terror, it is not convenient to dispute
the matter with Satan.
David in Psalm 42:11, seems to correct himself for his mistake; his soul was
cast down within him, and for the cure of that temptation, he had prepared
himself through arguments to dispute that evil thought. But,
perceiving himself in a wrong course, he shakes off the disquieted
temptation to an immediate application of God and His promises.
"Trust still in God, for I shall yet praise him;" but here he is
pre-preparing his heart for his work, even while his enemies being motivated
by Satan attempt to discourage him. He rejects the temptation at
first, before it settled upon his thoughts, and chases it away as a thing
that he would not give ear to.
In the Lord, I put my trust: how can you say to my soul, Flee as a bird to
your mountain? There are weighty consequences that should dissuade us
from entering in agreement with the reasons provided by Satan to temp us
with inward trouble.
He crouches, he bows
down, And the unfortunate fall by his mighty ones. Psalm 10:10 O LORD, You
have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You
will incline Your ear Psalm 10:17
Humility has a counterfeit…
In verse 10; Seeming humility is often armor bearer to malice. The
lion crouches that he may leap with greater force, and bring down his strong
limbs upon his prey. When a wolf was old, and had tasted human blood,
the old Saxon cried, "Ware, wolf!" and we may cry, "Ware
fox!" They who crouch to our feet are longing to make us fall.
Be very careful of fawners; for friendship and flattery are deadly enemies.
There is a humbling act of faith put forth in prayer. This is a faith
which sets the soul in the presence of our mighty God. By the sight of
him, which faith gives us, it is that we see our own unpleasantness,
sinfulness, and often our unworthiness of those mercies we must seek after.
In the Psalms how often do we read that God hears the prayers of the humble;
which always involves and includes faith in it. Ps 9:12, "He forgetteth
not the cry of the humble," and Ps 10:17, Lord, thou hast heard the
desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine
ear to hear. To be deeply humbled is to have the heart prepared and fitted
for God to hear the prayer; and therefore you find the psalmist pleading,
often repeating, "I am poor and needy."
These deep humblings of ourselves, being joined with vehement implorations
upon the mercy of God to obtain, is reckoned into the account of praying by
faith, both by God and Christ. We can believe we receive not because
of self but because God has ordained this to the humble of heart.
Humility is not a weakness Pride is. Humility does not forfeit grace
but gains it. Humility does not go without but is abundantly and
mercifully supplied for.
Satan has three titles given in the Scriptures, setting forth his malignity
against the church of God: a dragon, to note his malice; a serpent, to note
his subtlety; and a lion, to note his strength. But none of all these
can stand before the prayer of faith.
The greatest malice of Haman sinks under the prayer of Esther; the deepest
policy, the counsel of Ahithophel, withers before the prayer of David; the
largest army, a host of a thousand Ethiopians, run away like cowards before
the prayer of Asa.
Psalm
12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that
speaketh proud things:
4
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is
lord over us?
So it was: twelve poor and unlearned men on the one side, all the eloquence
of Greece and Rome arrayed on the other. From the time of Tertullus to
that of Julian the apostate, every species of oratory, learning, wit, was
lavished against the church of God. The result, like the well known
story of that dispute between the Christian peasant and the heathen
philosopher, when the latter, having challenged the assembled fathers of a
synod to silence him, was put to shame by the simple faith of the former
"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, I command thee to be dumb."
Michael Ayguan, in J. M. Neale's Commentary.
With the tongue of the proud there seems to be this claim of power,
self-possession, and liberty. However, contrast this and the
believer's confession, "we are not our own." The
believer’s tongue has been given God’s words not our own.
1. That nothing which we have is our own.
2. Whatsoever is given to us of God is for service to be done to him.
3. That whatsoever we do or say, we have a Lord over us to whom we must be
answerable when he calls us to account.
But
I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will
sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5, 6
The time of the singing of birds is come. The mercy seat has so
refreshed the poor weeper, that he clears his throat for a song. If we
have mourned with him, let us now dance with him. It is worthy to be
observed that the joy is all the greater because of the previous sorrow, as
calm is all the more delightful in recollection of the preceding tempest.
So shall it be with us if we patiently await. The complaint which in
our haste we utter shall be joyfully retracted, and we shall witness that
the Lord hath dealt bountifully with us.
Ye
have shamed the counsel of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge. Psalm
14:6
Notwithstanding their real cowardice, the wicked put on the lion's skin and
lord it over the Lord's poor ones. Though fools themselves, they mock
at the truly wise as if the folly were on their side. But, this is
what might be expected, for how should brutish minds appreciate excellence,
and how can those who have owl's eyes admire the sun?
The special point and butt of their jest seems to be the confidence of the
godly in their Lord.
What can your God do for you now?
Who is that God who can deliver you out of our hand?
Where is the reward of all your praying and beseeching?
Taunting questions of this sort, they thrust into the faces of weak but
gracious souls, and tempt them to feel ashamed of their refuge. Let us
not be laughed out of our confidence by them, let us scorn their scorning
and defy their jeers. We shall need to wait but a little, and then the
Lord our refuge will avenge his own elect, and ease himself of his
adversaries, who once made so light of him and of his people.
Wrestling Jacob shall rejoice before him when he is revealed as their
salvation.
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He
that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth
in his heart. Psalm 15:2
The Lord in answer to the question informs us by his Holy Spirit of
the character of the man who alone can dwell in his holy hill. In
perfection, this holiness is found only in the Man of Sorrows, but in a
measure it is wrought in all his people by the Holy Ghost.
Faith and the graces of the Spirit are not mentioned, because this is a
description of outward character, and where fruits are found the root may
not be seen, but it is surely there. Observe the accepted man's
walk, work, and word.
His faith shows itself by good works, and therefore is no dead faith.
God's house is a hive for workers, not a nest for drones.
Saints not only desire to love and speak truth with their lips, but they
seek to be true within; they will not lie even in the closet of their
hearts, for God is there to listen. They scorn double meanings,
evasions, equivocations, white lies, flatteries, and deceptions.
Though truths, like roses, have thorns about them, good men wear them in
their bosoms. Our heart must be the sanctuary and refuge of truth.
At all risk we must entertain the angel of truth, for truth is God's
daughter. We must be careful that the heart is really fixed and
settled in principle, for tenderness of conscience toward truthfulness,
like the bloom on a peach, needs gentle handling, and once lost it were
hard to regain it.
Jesus was the mirror of sincerity and holiness.
The
LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my
lot. Psalm 16:5
With what confidence and bounding joy does Jesus turn to Jehovah, whom his
soul possessed and delighted in!
Content beyond measure with his portion in the Lord his God, his cup was
full, and his heart was full too. Even in his sorest sorrows he
still laid hold with both his hands upon his Father, crying, "My God,
my God;" he had not so much as a thought of falling down to worship
the prince of this world, although tempted with an "all these will I
give thee."
We, too, can make our boast in the Lord; he is the meat and the drink of
our souls. He is our portion, supplying all our necessities, and our
cup yielding royal luxuries. He is our cup in this life, and our
inheritance in the life to come. As children of the Father who is in
heaven, we inherit, by virtue of our joint heirship with Jesus, all the
riches of the covenant of grace.
The portion which falls to us sets upon our table the bread of heaven and
the new wine of the kingdom. Who would not be satisfied with such an
exquisite diet? Our shallow cup of sorrow we may well drain with
resignation, since the deep cup of love stands side by side with it, and
will never be empty.
Some tenants have a
covenant in their leases that they themselves shall maintain and uphold,
but in our case Jehovah himself maintains our lot. Our Lord Jesus
delighted in this truth, that the Father was on his side, and would
maintain his right against all the wrongs of men. He knew that his
elect would be reserved for him, and that almighty power would preserve
them as his lot and reward for ever. Let us also be glad, because
the Judge of all the earth will vindicate our righteous cause.
I
have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:8,9
The fear of death at one time cast its dark shadow over the soul of the
Redeemer, and we read that, "he was heard in that he feared."
There appeared unto him an angel, strengthening him; perhaps the heavenly
messenger reassured him of his glorious resurrection as his people's
surety, and of the eternal joy into which he should admit the flock
redeemed by blood.
Then hope radiated full upon our Lord's soul, and, as recorded in these
verses, he surveyed the future with holy confidence because he
continuously kept his eye upon Jehovah, and enjoyed his perpetual
presence. He felt that, thus sustained, he could never be driven
from his life's grand design; nor was he, for he stayed not his hand till
he could say, "It is finished."
What an infinite mercy was this for us! In this immovableness,
caused by simple faith in the divine help, Jesus is viewed as our
standard. To recognize the presence of the Lord is the duty of every
believer;
Our Lord, our champion, is set the always before and to trust the Lord as
our guard is the privilege of every saint.
The eye of Jesus' faith could discern beforehand the continuance of divine
support to us his suffering family, in such a degree that he should never
be moved from the accomplishment of his purpose of redeeming his people.
By the power of God at his right hand he foresaw that he should smite
through all who rose up against him, and on that power he placed the
firmest reliance.
I
have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I
shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory
rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. Psalm 16:8,9
The fear of death at one time cast its dark shadow over the soul of the
Redeemer, and we read that, "he was heard in that he feared."
There appeared unto him an angel, strengthening him; perhaps the heavenly
messenger reassured him of his glorious resurrection as his people's
surety, and of the eternal joy into which he should admit the flock
redeemed by blood.
Then hope radiated full upon our Lord's soul, and, as recorded in these
verses, he surveyed the future with holy confidence because he
continuously kept his eye upon Jehovah, and enjoyed his perpetual
presence. He felt that, thus sustained, he could never be driven
from his life's grand design; nor was he, for he stayed not his hand till
he could say, "It is finished."
What an infinite mercy was this for us! In this immovableness,
caused by simple faith in the divine help, Jesus is viewed as our
standard. To recognize the presence of the Lord is the duty of every
believer;
Our Lord, our champion, is set the always before and to trust the Lord as
our guard is the privilege of every saint.
The eye of Jesus' faith could discern beforehand the continuance of divine
support to us his suffering family, in such a degree that he should never
be moved from the accomplishment of his purpose of redeeming his people.
By the power of God at his right hand he foresaw that he should smite
through all who rose up against him, and on that power he placed the
firmest reliance.
Thou
wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11
To Jesus the first in all things was shown, for he is the first begotten
from the dead, the firstborn of every creature. He himself opened up
the way through his own flesh, and then trod it as the forerunner of his
own redeemed. The thought of being made the path of life to his
people, gladdened the soul of Jesus. Whatever promise must be had in
Christ for no other path has been laid. Freely receive what our Lord
himself has first possessed to without restraint give to us.
Christ being raised from the dead ascended into glory, to dwell in
constant nearness to God, where joy is at its full for ever: the foresight
of this urged him onward in his glorious but grievous toil. To bring
his chosen to eternal happiness was the high ambition which inspired him,
and made him wade through a sea of blood. O God, when all has
expired, forever with Jesus we dwell
Meanwhile, we may have an earnest of our eternal habitation by tasting
Christ love below.
Trapp's writes, "Here is as much said as can be, but words are too
weak to utter it. For quality there is in heaven joy and pleasures;
for quantity, a fullness, a torrent whereat they drink without let or
loathing; for constancy, it is at God's right hand, who is stronger than
all, neither can any take us out of his hand; it is a constant happiness
without intermission: and for perpetuity it is for evermore. Heaven's joys
are without measure, mixture, or end."
<<A
Prayer of David.>> Hear
the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth
not out of feigned lips. As for me, I will behold thy face in
righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
Psalm 17:1, 15
David would not have been a man after God's own heart, if he had not been
a man of prayer. He was a master in the sacred art of supplication.
So frequent were David's prayers that they could not all be dated and
titled; and hence this simply bears the author's name, and nothing more.
Yet there is wisdom taught here, that one may find it helpful to write
down our supplication, our feelings, our faith, our vision, and a positive
statement of faith in our complete deliverance. How often I look
back on these writings to see how God has so completely answered my
prayers. What a marvelous encouragement to faith!
The smell of the furnace is upon the present psalm, but there is evidence
in the last verse that he who wrote it came unharmed out of the flame.
To behold God's face and to be changed by that vision into his image, to
partake in his righteousness, this is my good ambition. In the
prospect of this, I cheerfully persevere in waiting, believing to receive,
certain present gratifications according to God’s word. Yet even
in this fight of faith, I know my complete unfettered promise is to come.
I shall sleep awhile, but I shall wake at the sound of the trumpet; wake
to everlasting joy, because I arise in His likeness, O my God and King!
Glimpses of glory God’s good children have here today to stay our sacred
hunger, but the full feast awaits them in the heavenly. Compared
with this deep, inexpressible, eternal fullness of delight, the joys of
this life are as a drop of a bucket to the ocean.
Now
unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,
Jude 1:24
This ascription to one who was able to keep believers from failing is made
in view of the facts adverted to in the epistle--the dangers of being led
away by false teachers, circumstances and trials of life. By the
power of God’s Spirit we are aided in being preserved from
failing,.yielding to temptation, and dishonouring our faith in God.
It is God only who, in the midst of the trials of this world, can keep us
from falling and, blessed be His name,
He can do it, and if we trust in Him
He will do it!
We are thus delivered to stand, not fated to have grimaced faces,
contorted with pain and suffering but rather a far greater promise in this
life and in the greater life to come. We are guaranteed to receive
abounding joy held for the redeemed.
We who believe are rescued from sorrow, sin, sickness, poverty and death,
and that heaven is to be our eternal home. If the joy I experince in
Christ care for me now creates in me joy nspeakable and full of glory, who
now can form an adequate idea of the happiness of that greater hour?
The
LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength,
in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my
high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised:
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. Psalm 18:2 3
Dwelling among the crags and mountain fastnesses of Judea David had
escaped the malice of Saul, and here he compares his God to such a place
of concealment and security. Believers have hidden places they may
conceal themselves in their God from the strife of tongues and the fury of
the storm of trouble. The clefts of the Rock of Ages are safe
abodes.
When almost captured the Lord's people are rescued from the hand of the
mighty by him who is mightier still. This title of
"deliverer" has many sermons in it, and is well worthy of the
study of all experienced saints.
My strength; this word is
really my rock, in the
sense of strength and immobility. My sure, unchanging, eternal
confidence and support. Thus the word rock occurs twice, but it is
no redundancy, for the first time it is a rock for concealment, but here a
rock for firmness and immutability.
|
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Which
is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man
to run his course.
Psalm 19:5
As a champion girded for running cheerfully applies himself to the race,
so does the sun speed onward with matchless regularity and unwearyingly
swiftness in his appointed orbit. It is but mere play to him; there
are no signs of effort, dwindling, or exhaustion.
No other creature yields such joy to the earth as her bridegroom the sun;
and none, whether they be horse or eagle, can for an instant compare in
swiftness with that heavenly champion. But all his glory is but the
glory of God; even the sun shines in light borrowed from the Great Father
of Lights.
"Thou sun, of this great world both eye and soul, Acknowledge Him
your greater; sound his praise Both when you climb, and when you have
gained high noon, And when you fall."
As a bridegroom, for the King of heaven at this holy time made a great
wedding for his Son. Mat 22:1.
Christ is the bridegroom, man's nature the bride, the conjunction and
blessed union of both in one person is his marriage. The best way to
reconcile two disagreeing families is to make some marriage between them:
even so, the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us in the world that he
might hereby make our peace, reconciling God to man and man to God.
1Corth 15:51 52 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all
sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an
eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
So then comes our beloved on the song of heaven.
Grant
thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all thy counsel. We
will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up
our banners: the LORD fulfill all thy petitions. Psalm 20:4 5
Christ's desire and counsel were both set upon the salvation of his
people; the church desired a quick work of him in his design, and the
church in these latter days, with all our heart desires the complete
fulfilment of his purpose.
In Christ Jesus sanctified souls may appropriate this verse as a promise;
they shall have their desire, and their plans to glorify their Master
shall succeed. We may success in our own will, when our will is
God's will. What need for submission in our case; if it
was necessary to him, how much more for us?
We lift the standard of defiance in the face of the foe, and wave the flag
of victory over the fallen adversary. Some proclaim war in the name
of one king, and some of another, but the faithful go to war in Jesus’
name, the name of the incarnate God, Immanuel, God with us. The
times are evil at present, but so long as Jesus lives and reigns in his
church we need not furl our banners in fear, but advance them with sacred
courage.
Jesus’ tremendous
name puts all our adversaries to flight; Jesus, the meek, the angry Lamb;
a lion is in the midst of the battle.
The church cannot
forget that Jesus is her advocate before the throne, and therefore she
sums up the desires already expressed in the short sentence, The
Lord fulfil all thy petitions. Let us never forget that
among those petitions is that choice one, "Father, I will that they
also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am.
You
have given him his heart's desire, And You have not withheld the request
of his lips. Selah.
Psalm 21:2
That desire he passionately pursued when he was on earth, both by his
prayer, his actions, and his suffering; he manifested that his heart
longed to redeem his people, and now in heaven he has his desire granted
him, for he sees his beloved coming to be with him where he is. The
desires of the Lord Jesus were believed from his heart, and the Lord heard
them; if our hearts are right with God, he will in our case also fulfill
our desires." Our hearts can only be right if we line up with
God’s word concerning His promises.
What is in the fountain of the heart is sure to come up in the overflow of
the lips, and those are the only true prayers where the heart's desire is
first, and the lip's request follows after. Jesus prayed vocally as
well as mentally; speech is a great assistance to thought. Some of
us feel that even when alone we find it easier to collect our thoughts and
concentrate our faith when we can pray aloud.
The requests of the Savior were not withheld. He was and still is a
prevailing Pleader. Our Advocate on high does not return empty from
the throne of grace. He asked for his elect in the eternal council
chamber, he asked for blessings for them here, he asked for glory for them
hereafter, and his requests have gone forth rapidly. He is ready to
ask for us at the mercyseat. Have we not at this hour some desire to
send up to his Father by him? Be not slack to use our willing,
loving, all prevailing Intercessor.
Selah. Here a pause is very
properly inserted that we may admire the blessed success of the king's
prayers, and that we may prepare our own requests which may be presented
through him. If we had a few more quiet rests, a few more Selahs in
our public worship, it might be profitable.
7.
All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they
shake the head, saying,. 8. He trusted on the LORD that he
would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him. 22.
I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the
congregation will I praise thee
Psalm 22: 7, 8, 22
Here the taunt is cruelly aimed at the sufferer's faith in God, which is
the most tender point in a good man's heart, the very apple of his eye.
They must have learned the diabolical art from Satan himself, for they
made rare proficiency in it. According to Mt 27:39-44, there were
five forms of taunt hurled at the Lord Jesus; this special piece of
mockery is probably mentioned in this psalm because it is the most bitter
of the whole. It has a biting, sarcastic irony in it, which gives it
a peculiar venom. It must have stung the Man of Sorrows to the
quick. When we are tormented in the same manner, let us remember him
who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, and we shall be
comforted.
“Is this a prophecy or a history? The description is so accurate.
We must not lose sight of the truth which was unwittingly uttered by the
Jewish scoffers. They themselves are witnesses that Jesus of
Nazareth trusted in God: why then was he permitted to perish? Jehovah
had aforetime delivered those who rolled their burdens upon him: why was
this man deserted? Oh that they had understood the answer!” Trapp
Note further, that their ironical jest, “seeing he delighted in
him,” was true. The Lord did delight in his dear Son, and when he
was found in fashion as a man, and became obedient unto death, he still
was well pleased with him. Strange mixture! God Almighty
delights in him, and yet bruises him; is well pleased, and yet slays him.
The transition is very marked; from a horrible tempest all is changed into
calm. The darkness of Calvary at length passed away from the face of
nature, and from the soul of the Redeemer, and beholding the light of his
triumph and its future results the Savior smiled.
We have followed him through the gloom, let us attend him in the returning
light. It will be well still to regard the words as a part of our
Lord's faithful whisper upon the cross, uttered in his mind during the
last few moments before his death.
Thou
preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou
anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5
The good man has his enemies. He would not be like his Lord if he
had not. If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not
the friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity to God.
Yet see the calmness of the godly man in spite of, and in the sight of,
his enemies. How refreshing is his calm bravery!
May we live in the daily enjoyment of this blessing, receiving a fresh
anointing for every day's duties. Every Christian is a priest, but
he cannot execute the priestly office without unction, and hence we must
go day by day to God the Holy Ghost, that we may have our heads anointed
with oil. A priest without oil misses the chief qualification for
his office, and the Christian priest lacks his chief suitability for
service when he is devoid of new grace from on high.
He had not only enough, a cup full, but more than enough, a cup which
overflowed. A poor man may say this as well as those in higher
circumstances. "What, all this, and Jesus Christ too?"
Whereas a man may be ever so wealthy, but if he be discontented his cup
cannot run over; it is cracked and leaks. Content is the man who
finds the gift which turns all he touches into gold; happy is he who has
found it. Content is more than a kingdom, it is another word for
happiness.
Who
is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty
in battle. Psalm 24:8
The watchers at the gate hearing the song look over the battlements and
ask,
Who is this King
of glory?
A question full of meaning and worthy of our meditations.
Who is he in person, nature, character, office and work?
What is his pedigree?
What his rank and what his race?
The answer given in a mighty wave of music is, The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle. We know the might of Jesus by the battles
which he has fought, the victories which he has won over sin, and death,
and hell, (having conquered all his enemies, and made them his footstool,
triumphing over death, and the devil which is the founder of death, and
sin which is the sting of death, and the grave which is the prison of
death, and hell itself which is the proper dominion of the devil and
death)
He who, having once descended to earth, the grave and hell, now returns to
his throne.
We clap our hands as we see him leading captivity captive in the majesty
of his strength. Oh for a heart to sing his praises! Mighty
hero, be crowned for ever King of kings and Lord of lords.
Unto
thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let
me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. Ps 25:1, 2
This title is dearer than the name Jehovah. Already the sweet singer
has drawn nearer to his heavenly helper, for he is bold to grasp him with
the hand of assured possession, calling him, my God. Oh the
celestial music of that word -- "My God!"
The psalmist does not deny expression to those gracious feelings with
which God had favored him. He does not fall into loathsome fake
modesty, but finding in his soul a desire to seek the Lord he avows it.
And again believing that he had a rightful interest in Jehovah he
declares it, and knowing that he had confidence in his God he professes
it; O my God, I trust in thee.
Faith is the anchor cable which keeps us secure from drifting, and by
pulling at it we draw ourselves to the safety. Faith unites us to
God, and then draws us near to him. As long as the anchor of faith
holds there is no fear in the worst tempest. If it should fail
us there would be no hope left.
We must see to it that our faith is sound and strong, for otherwise prayer
cannot prevail with God. Woe to the warrior who throws away his
shield; what defense can be found for him who finds no defense in his God?
Let me not be ashamed.
Let not my disappointed hopes make me feel ashamed of my former
testimonies of your faithfulness. Many were on the watch for this.
The best of men have their enemies, and should pray against them that they
may not see their wicked desires accomplished.
Let not mine enemies triumph over me.
Suffer no wicked mouth to make blasphemous fun out of my distresses by
asking, "Where is thy God?"
There is a great jealousy in believers for the honor of God, and they
cannot endure that unbelievers should taunt them with the failure of their
expectations from the God of their salvation. All other trusts will
end in disappointment and eternal shame, but our confidence shall never be
confounded.
Judge
me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in
the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Ps 26:1
A solemn appeal to the just heart of a searching God, warranted by the
circumstances of the writer, so far as regarded the particular offences
with which he was wrongly charged.
Worried and worn out by the injustice of men, the innocent spirit flees
from its false accusers to the throne of Eternal Right. The need has
a clear case who dares to carry his suit into the King's Seat of Justice
of heaven. Such an appeal as this is not to be rashly made on any
occasion; and as to the whole of our walk and conversation, it should
never be made at all, except as we are justified in Christ Jesus. A
far more fitting prayer for a sinful mortal is the petition, "Enter
not into judgment with thy servant."
“For I have walked in mine
integrity.” He held integrity as his principle, and
walked in it as his practice. David had not used any traitorous or
unrighteous means to gain the crown, or to keep it; he was conscious of
having been guided by the noblest principles of honor in all his actions
with regard to Saul and his family.
What a comfort it is to have the approval of one's own conscience!
If there is peace within the soul, the disquieting storms of slander which
howl around us are of little consideration. When the little bird in
my bosom sings a merry song, it is no matter to me if a thousand owls hoot
at me from without.
“I have trusted also in the Lord.”
Faith is the root and sap of integrity. He who leans upon
the Lord is sure to walk in righteousness. David knew that God's
covenant had given him the crown, and therefore he took no indirect or
unlawful means to secure it. He would not slay his enemy in the
cave, nor suffer his men at arms to smite him when he slept unguarded on
the plain. Faith will work hard for the Lord, and in the Lord's way,
but she refuses so much as to lift a finger to fulfill the devices of
unrighteous cunning
Faith trusts God to accomplish his own decrees. Why should I steal
when God has promised to supply my need? Why should I avenge myself
when I know that the Lord has joined my cause? Confidence in God is
a most effectual security against sin.
“Therefore I shall not slide.”
Slippery as the way is, so that I walk like a man upon ice, yet faith
keeps my heels from tripping, and will continue to do so. We cannot
trust in God if we walk crookedly; but straight paths and simple faith
bring the believer happily to his journey's end.
For
in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret
place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock. And now
my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in
His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing
praises to the LORD. Ps 27:5 6
The psalmist's desire after communion with God was thus secured in the
hour of hazard. For in the time of trouble, that needy time, that
time when others forsake me, he
shall hide me in his house of worship. The royal
pavilion was erected in the centre of the army, and around it all the
mighty men kept guard at all hours. Thus in that divine sovereignty
which almighty power is sworn to maintain, the believer peacefully is
hidden, hidden not by himself secretly, but by the king, who hospitably
entertains him.
No one of old dared to enter the most holy place on pain of death; and if
the Lord has hidden his people there, what foe shall venture to molest
them? How blessed is the standing of the man whom God himself sets
on high above his foes, upon an impregnable rock which never can be
stormed!
He is quite sure of it. Godly men of old prayed in faith, nothing
wavering, and spoke of their answer to their prayers as a certainty.
David was by faith so sure of a glorious victory over all those who beset
him that he arranged in his own heart what he would do when his foes lay
prostrate before him.
The place which he longed for in his conflict should see his thankful
delight in his triumphant return. He does not speak of jubilations
to be offered in his palace, and feastings in his banqueting halls, but
holy joy he selects as most fitting for so divine a deliverance.
This is the most natural mode of expressing thankfulness. Yes, I
will sing praises unto the Lord. Let those who will be silent be as
they choose, but as for me a believer when my prayer is heard, it must and
I will make my praise to be heard above all others. The believer
reserves his music for the Lord alone.
The
Lord will give <unyielding and impenetrable> strength to His people;
the Lord will bless His people with peace. Psalm 28:11 amplified
bible
This is a prayer for the church militant, written in short words, but full
of weighty meaning. We must pray for the whole. Save your people.
Deliver them from their enemies, preserve them from their sins, support
them under their troubles, rescue them from their temptations, and ward
off from them every illness.
There is a plea hidden in the expression, "thy people:" for it
may be safely concluded that God's interest in the church, as his own
portion, will lead him to guard it from destruction.
Grant positive blessings, peace, plenty, prosperity, happiness; make all
your dearly purchased and precious heritage to be comforted by your
Spirit.
Revive, refresh, enlarge, and sanctify thy church. Feed them also.
Be a shepherd to your flock, let their bodily and spiritual wants be
plentifully supplied.
By your word, and ordinances, direct, rule, sustain, and satisfy those who
are the sheep of your hand. And lift them up for ever. Carry them in
your arms on earth, and then lift them into your bosom in heaven.
Elevate their minds and thoughts, spiritualize their affections, make them
heavenly, Christ like, and full of God. O Lord, answer this our
petition, in Jesus' name.
Psalm
29:3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders,
The LORD is over many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful, The
voice of the LORD is majestic.
An irresistible power attends the lightning of which the thunder is the
report. As the voice of God in nature is so powerful, so is it in
grace. Draw a parallel, and find much in the gospel which may be
illustrated by the thunder of the Lord in the tempest. His voice,
whether in nature or revelation, shakes both earth and heaven.
Do not refuse him that speaks. If his voice be thus mighty, what
must his hand be! The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of
the Lord is full of majesty. The King of kings speaks like a king.
As when a lion roars, all the beasts of the forest are still, so is the
earth hushed and mute while Jehovah thunders marvelously.
As for the written word
of God, its majesty is apparent both in its style, its matter, and its
power over the human mind; blessed be God, it is the majesty of mercy
wielding a silver scepter; of such majesty the word of our salvation and
healing is full to overflowing. |
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You
have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth
and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not
be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. Ps 30:11, 12
What a contrast as God takes away the mourning of his people; and what
does he give them instead of it? Quiet and peace? Yes, and a
great deal more than that. He makes their hearts to dance at the
sound of his name. To twirl and dance about the foot of my
Savior’s throne excites my heart with great release of Christian
energies. For we are born of faith and love.
For eager hearts He takes off their sackcloth. That is good!
What a pleasure to be rid of the garments of unhappiness and
sorrowfulness! But what then? He clothes us. And how?
With some common dress? No, but with that royal vestment which is
the array of glorified saints of heaven.
For my Lord has girded me with gladness. Many a faithful Christian
wears this heavenly apparel wrapped around their heart.
To the end -- namely, with this view and intent -- that my tongue -- may
sing praise to you, oh my Lord, and not be silent. It would be a
shameful crime, if, after receiving God's mercies, we should forget to
praise him. God would not have our tongues lie idle when we could
use them so wisely. We children of the Almighty are all to sing in
heaven.
Be
strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:24
Keep up your spirit; let no cowardly thoughts cause you
to pale. Fear weakens, courage strengthens. Victory waits upon
the banners of the brave… And he shall strengthen your heart.
Power from on high shall be given in the most effectual manner by
administering force to the fountain of vitality. Never pulling back
or leaving us, the Lord will draw very near to us in our adversity, and
put his own power into us. Therefore, hope in the Lord every one of
you, lift up your heads and sing for joy of heart.
God is faithful, and does not fail his little children who do but hope,
wherefore why should we be afraid?
I
acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said,
"I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"; And You forgave
the guilt of my sin. Selah. Psalm 32:5
David now gives us his own experience: no instructor is so efficient as
one who testifies to what he has personally known and felt. He makes
clear who reveals his matter out of his own heart.
After long lingering, the broken heart thinks of what it ought to have
done at the first, and laid bare its bosom before the Lord.
Sometimes we must lance the infection so that relief can be found.
The least thing we can do, if we would be pardoned, is to acknowledge our
fault. If we are too proud for this we deserve double punishment
We must confess the shame as well as the fact of sin. It is useless
to conceal it, for it is well known to God. It is beneficial to us
to own it, for a full confession softens and humbles the heart.
“I will confess my transgressions
unto the Lord,” Not to my fellow men or to the high priest,
but unto my Lord. The faithful look to God alone for deliverance
from sin's intolerable load. When the soul determines to lay low and
plead guilty, absolution is near at hand; hence we read, And thou
forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Not only was the sin itself
pardoned, but the iniquity of it; the virus of its guilt was put away, and
that at once, so soon as the acknowledgment was made.
God's pardons are deep and thorough: the knife of mercy cuts at the roots
of the ill weed of sin.
Pause, my soul, adore and wonder, ask, why such love to me? Grace
has numbered me in the Savior’s family. Hallelujah! Eternal
thanks, to my Lord Jesus.
Give
thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten
strings. Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of
joy. Psalm 33:2, 3
All songs of praise should be unto our Lord. Singing for singing's
sake is worth nothing. We must carry our tribute to the King, and
not cast it to the winds.
Do most worshippers have this in mind? Our perceptions should be
exercised when we are magnifying the Lord, so as not to run in an old
groove without thought. We ought to make every melodic expression of
praise a new song. To keep up the freshness of worship is a great
thing, and in private it is indispensable.
Let us not present old worn out praise, but put life, and soul, and heart,
into every song, since we have new mercies every day, and see new beauties
in the work and word of our Lord.
Play skillfully. It
is hard to hear God praised in a careless manner. He deserves the
best that we have. Every Christian should endeavor to sing according
to the rules of the art, so that he may keep time and tune with the
congregation. The sweetest tunes and the sweetest voices, with the
sweetest words, are all too little for the Lord our God. Do not
offer him limping rhymes put out by unmusical voices.
With a loud noise. Heartiness
should be conspicuous in divine worship. Well bred dignities not
allowed when in the presence of so great a power. It is not that the
Lord cannot hear us, but that it is natural for great exultation to
express itself in the loudest manner. Men shout at the sight of
their kings and sports heroes: shall we not offer loud hosannas to the Son
of God?
My
soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.
O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together. Ps
34:2,3
Boasting is a very natural inclination, and if it were used as in this
case, the more it were indulged the better.
The excitement of this verse is no mere tongue bragging, "the
deepness of our soul" is in it, the boasting is meant and felt before
it is expressed. What scope there is for holy boasting in Jesus!
His person, attributes, covenant, promises, works, and a thousand things
besides, are all incomparable, unparalleled, and matchless.
We may acclaim them up as we please, but we shall never be convicted of
vain and empty speech in so doing. Truly he who writes these words
of comment has nothing of his own to boast of, but much to lament over,
and yet none shall stop him of his boast in God so long as he lives.
The humble shall hear thereof, and be
glad. The humble are usually grieved to hear boastings.
They turn aside from vauntings and lofty speeches, but boasting in
the Lord is quite another matter. By this the most lowly are
consoled and encouraged. The confident expressions of tried
believers are a rich solace to their brethren of less experience. We
ought to talk of the Lord's goodness on purpose that others may be
confirmed in their trust in a faithful God.
They
looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces will never be ashamed.
Psalm 34:5
The psalmist maintains that his case was not at all peculiar; it was
matched in the lives of all the faithful. Each one of them on
looking to their Lord was brightened up, their faces began to shine, and
their spirits were uplifted.
What a means of blessing one look at the Lord may be! There is life,
light, liberty, love, everything in fact, in a look at the crucified One.
Never did a sore heart look in vain to the good Physician. Never a
dying soul turned darkening eye to the brazen serpent to find its virtue
gone. None of their faces were ashamed. Their faces were
covered with joy but not blushed. He who trusts in God has no need
to be ashamed of his confidence, time and eternity will both justify his
reliance.
Fear
not <there is nothing to fear>, for I am with you; do not look
around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen
and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you
up and retain you with My <victorious> right hand of rightness and
justice. Isaiah 41: 10 amplified
The scope of this verse is to silence our fears, and encourage our faith,
when the servant. of God is in distress. All that faithfully serve
God, through patience and comfort of this scripture, may have hope. Though
a word of caution, counsel, and comfort, which is so often repeated,
“Fear not;” again and again.
It is against the mind of God that his people should be a timid people.
For the suppressing of fear he assures them that:
- they
may depend upon his presence with them as their God,
- and
He is a God all-sufficient for them in the worst of times.
What tenderness God
speaks, and how willing is he to let the heirs of promise know the
immutability of his counsel, and how he desires to make these same
promises easy to attain.
Fear not, for I am with you, not only within range of your call, but
present with you. Be not dismayed at the power of those that are
against thee, for I am your God, and engaged for you.
Are you weak? I will strengthen you. Are you destitute of
friends? I will help you in the time of need. Are you ready to
sink, ready to fall? I will uphold you with the right hand of my
righteousness, and that right hand is full of righteousness, in dispensing
rewards to the faithful,
<<A
Psalm of David.>> Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me;
Fight against those who fight against me. Psalm 35:1
Does the world condemn you for your zeal in the service of God?
Oh, but if your conscience condemn you not all this while, if that be
rectified by the sacred word of God, if you aim at his glory in pursuing
your own moral high ground, and side not with the disturbers of the peace,
go on, good Christian, in the practice of piety, do not be discouraged in
your gracious endeavors, but recount with comfort that the Lord is your
judge.
"I know whom I have believed." Are you wrongfully judged
in the erroneous courts of men? are truth and righteousness gone aside
from their proper places? Is equity neglected, and poverty overlaid?
Well, have patience awhile, cheer up your fainting spirits, there is a God
who beholds the innocence of your cause, unto whom you have liberty to
make your appeal:
Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them
that fight against me. Are you injured by the hands of malicious
men? and does an impoverished estate disable you to sue for amends?
Does a Nimrod oppress you? A Laban defraud you? A covetous
landlord gripe you? Do not take the matter into your own hands by
attempting unlawful courses; presume not to be judge in your own cause,
for apparent lack of a present remedy; but often remember what the apostle
taught his Thessalonians: "It is a righteous thing with God to
protect you from them that trouble you."
Your
lovingkindness, O LORD, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches
to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; Your
judgments are like a great deep. O LORD, You preserve man and beast. Ps
36:5, 6
Far, far above all comprehension is the truth and faithfulness of God.
He never fails, nor forgets, nor falters, nor forfeits his word.
Afflictions are like clouds, but the divine truthfulness is the sky all
around them. While we are under the cloud we are in the region of
God's faithfulness. When we mount above it we shall not need such an
assurance. To every word of threat, or promise, prophecy or
covenant, the Lord has exactly adhered, for he is not a man that he should
lie, nor the son of man that he should repent.
God's dealings with men are not to be fathomed by every boaster who
demands to see a why for every wherefore. Who has gone to the depths
of the sea and come again to tell us its secret treasures. Yet as
the deep mirrors the sky, so the mercy of the Lord is to be seen reflected
in all the arrangements of his government on earth, and over the profound
depth the covenant rainbow casts its arch of comfort, for the Lord is
faithful in all that he does.
Yet
a little while and the wicked man will be no more; And you will look
carefully for his place and he will not be there. But the humble
will inherit the land And will delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Ps 37:10, 11
When unbelieving or unfaithful men reach to greatness, the judgments of
God frequently sweep them away. Their riches melt, their power
decays, their happiness turns to wretchedness; they themselves cease any
longer to be numbered with the living. The shortness of life makes
us see that the glitter of the unfaithful and wicked great is not true
gold. His house shall be empty, his position vacant, his estate
without an owner; he shall be utterly left out, perhaps cut off by his own
debauchery, or brought to ruin by his own extravagance
But the faithful above all others they shall enjoy life. Even if
they suffer, their consolations shall be much greater than their
tribulations. By inheriting the land is meant obtaining covenant
privileges and the salvation of God.
Such as are truly humble believer shall take their lot with the rest of
the faithful heirs of grace, to whom all good things come by a sacred
birthright. The believers shall delight themselves in the abundance
of peace and shall prosper. Peace they love and peace they shall
have. Justice they believe in and justice they shall have.
Faithful perseverance shall break way to vindication.
Some will find joy in strife, and thus arise from their misery in due
time, but the constant peace of the believer has a peace that leads on to
abundant peace, and the more a man loves it the more it shall come to him.
My
heart throbs, my strength fails me; And the light of my eyes, even that
has gone from me.
Psalm 38:10
Here begins another tale of sadness. He was so pained by the
unkindness of friends that his heart was in a state of perpetual
palpitation. Sharp and quick were the beatings of his heart; he was
like a hunted deer, filled with distressing alarms, and ready to fly out
of itself with fear.
The soul seeks sympathy in sorrow, and if it finds none, its sorrowful
heart throbs are incessant.
My strength faileth me. What
with disease and distraction, he was weakened and ready to expire. A
sense of sin, and a clear perception that none can help us in our
distress, are enough to bring a man to death's door, especially if there
be none to speak a gentle word, and point the broken spirit to the beloved
Physician.
As for the light of my eyes, it also is gone from me. Sweet light
departed from his bodily eye, and consolation vanished from his soul.
Those who were the very light of his eyes forsook him. Hope, the
last lamp of night, was ready to go out. What a plight was the poor
prisoner of circumstances in!
Yet here, some of us have been; and here we should have perished had not
the infinite mercy Jesus interposed. Now, as we remember the loving
kindness of the Lord, we see how good it was for us to find our own
strength fail us, since it drove us to the strong for strength; and how
right it was that our light should all be quenched, that the Lord's light
should be all in all to us.
Will you call upon faith to trust in the Strength of Our Lord today.
Will you raise up in faith healed in body and mind, ready to make today
matter for the Glory of our Lord.
I
said, "I will guard my ways that I may not sin with my tongue; I will
guard my mouth as with a muzzle while the wicked are in my presence.”
I was mute and silent, I refrained even from good, And my sorrow grew
worse. My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire
burned; Then I spoke with my tongue: "LORD, make me to know my end
and what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am.
Psalm 39:1-4
To avoid sin one has need be very circumspect, and keep one's actions as
with a guard. Heedless is another word for graceless. In times
of sickness or other trouble we must watch against the sins peculiar to
such trials, especially against murmuring and worry.
Tongue sins are great sins; like sparks of fire ill words spread, and do
great damage as we have be given power to build or to destroy. Our
tongue always needs watching, for it is as restless as a caged wild beast.
I will keep my mouth with a bridle, or more accurately, with a
muzzle. As a muzzle we must stop it altogether. When he went
so far as to condemn himself to entire silence, "even from
good," there must have been at least a little crustiness in his soul.
In trying to avoid one fault, he fell into another.
Yet, if we blame we must also praise, for the highest wisdom suggests that
when good men are bewildered with skeptical thoughts, they should not soon
repeat them, but should fight out their inward battle upon its own
battlefield of God’s Word.
The firmest believers are exercised with unbelief, and it would be doing
the devil's work with a vengeance if they were to publish abroad all our
questionings and suspicions. If I have the fever myself, there is no
reason why I should contaminate my neighbors.
Did he mean as Elias in his agony, "Let me die, I am no better than
my father"? Perhaps so.
At any rate, he rashly and petulantly desired to know the end of his
wretched life so he might begin to reckon the days till death should
finish his woe.
Impatience would search for an end as if there were no other comfort to be
had. Unbelief would hide itself in the grave and sleep itself into
oblivion. David was neither the first nor the last who have spoken
this unadvised prayer.
Yet, there is a better meaning: the psalmist would know more of the
shortness of life that he might better bear its transient challenge.
In this attitude of heart we may safely kneel with him, uttering the
same petition. They who see death through the Lord's eyes, see a
fair sight, which makes them forget the evil of life in foreseeing the end
of trial. Yes truly we must rather see Him the conqueror He is and
raise from thoughts of death to thoughts of eternal blessing. Why
wait for the hand of physical death when we may daily put the circumstance
to death.
That I may know how frail I am, or when I shall cease to be. Such
pettishness in a saint! When tried, it marvels us that we hold
together well in such storms. David's case is not recorded for our
imitation, but for our learning.
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He
brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He
set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song
in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will
trust in the LORD.
Ps 40:2 3
When our Lord bore in his own person the terrible curse which was due to
sin, he was so cast down as to be like a prisoner in a deep, dark, fearful
dungeon, amid whose horrible glooms the captive heard a noise as of
rushing torrents, while overhead resounded the tramp of furious foes.
Our Lord in his anguish was like a captive in the dungeon, forgotten of
all mankind, immured amid horror, darkness, and desolation.
Yet the Lord God Almighty made him to ascend; he retraced his steps from
that deep hell filled with anguish into which he had been cast as our
substitute. He who thus delivered our surety in our extreme
condition, will not fail to liberate us from our far lighter grief’s.
Once given a good foothold the burden is greatly lightened, but to be
loaded and to be placed on slimy, slippery clay is to be tried doubly.
The dear Redeemer, who for our sake, was deprived of all consolation while
surrounded with every form of misery found melody; and if you too have
experienced the divine help, be sure to join your Lord in this song.
At the passover, before his passion, our Lord sang one of the great Psalms
of praise; but what is the music of his heart now, in the midst of his
redeemed! What song is that in which his glad heart forever leads
the chorus of the elect! Not Miriam's, nor Moses' triumphant hymns
can for a moment rival that ever new and exulting song.
Justice magnified and grace victorious; hell subdued and heaven glorified;
death destroyed and immortality established; sin overthrown and
righteousness in its brilliance; what a theme for a hymn for this day!
How
blessed is he who considers the helpless; The LORD will deliver him in a
day of trouble. The LORD will protect him and keep him alive, And he
shall be called blessed upon the earth; And do not give him over to the
desire of his enemies. The LORD will sustain him upon his sickbed;
In his illness, You restore him to health. Psalm 41:1-3
To search the word of God comes first, pardoned sin is second, and now the
forgiven sinner brings forth fruit unto God available for the good of
others. Like our Lord Jesus, we bless and we shall be blessed, we
preserve and shall be preserved, we watch over the lives of others and we
ourselves shall be precious in the sight of the Lord.
Prosperity shall attend us! Our cruse of oil shall not be dried up
because we fed the poor prophet. We shall cut from our roll of cloth
and find it longer at both ends.
"There was a man, and some did count him mad,
the more he gave away the more he had."
If temporal gain is given, blessings shall be doubled to him. His
little shall be blessed, even the small things satisfy. Yet this
again is not enough for our loving God. He must yet give more!
The liberal are and must be blessed even here; they have this at present
as well as a future portion.
He certainly helps the distressed, and now we find a champion in our God.
It is better to be in a pit of vipers than to be at the mercy of
persecutors. Even casting our eyes to our Lord Jesus, do we not know
that although he was exempted from much of blessing, being made a curse
for us, yet even he was not altogether nor for ever left of God, but in
due time was exalted above all his enemies. If He, than we too are
forcibly delivered by Almighty Jehovah.
What, of his sick children? Herein is love indeed. A bed soon
grows hard when the body is weary with tossing to and fro upon it, but
grace gives hope of a new possibility. For we may rise and be
healed. A life given in love to others is a life maintained,
strengthened and healed!
My
tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me,
Where is thy God? When I remember these things, I pour out my soul
in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of
God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope
thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.
Ps 42:3-5
When a man comes to tears, constant tears, plenteous tears,
tears that fill his cup, he is in earnest indeed. The salt drops
glitter in the eyes of David. Perhaps it was well for him that the
heart could open the safety valves; there is a dry grief far more terrible
than showery sorrows. Yet these tears are in defense of our mocked
God.
Where is thy God? Cruel
taunts come naturally from cowardly doubtful minds of those who lack
vision.
God is unchangeable, and
therefore his grace is the ground for unshaken hope. If everything
is dark, yet the day will come, and meanwhile hope carries true vision,
her lamps are not dependent on oil from without; her light is fed by
secret visitations of God, which sustain the heart.
My sighs give place to songs, my mournful cries exchanged for triumphal
cheers. A loss of the present sense of God's love is not a loss of
love itself; the jewel is still and always there. Hope expects the
promised windfall though present circumstances stands before her with
empty hands.
O
send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto
thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Psalm 43:3
The joy of your presence and the faithfulness of your heart; let both of
these be manifest to me. Reveal my true purpose by your light, and
reward me according to your truthful promise.
As the sun darts forth his beams, so does the Lord send forth his favor
and his faithfulness towards all his people; and as all nature rejoices in
the sunshine, even so the saints triumph in the manifestation of the love
and dependability of their God, which, like the sunbeam, lights up even
the darkest surroundings with delightful brilliance.
Be my star to guide me to my rest. Be my guides to conduct me over
mountains and precipices to the safety of grace. Let them bring me
unto your holy hill, and to your tabernacles.
First in your mercy bring me out of this trial, and end my weary exile.
We do seek not light to sin by, nor truth to be exalted by it, but
that they may become our practical guides to the nearest communion with
God. Only such light and truth as have been sent to us from God will
do this.
Common light is not strong enough to show the road to heaven, nor will
mere moral or physical truths assist us to the holy hill. But, the
light of the Holy Spirit, and the truth as it is in Jesus, these are
elevating, sanctifying, perfecting; and hence their virtue in leading us
to the glorious presence of God.
It is beautiful to observe how David's longing to be away from the
oppression of man always leads him to sigh more intensely for communion
with God.
For
they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their
own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy
countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Psalm 44:3
Behold how the Lord alone was exalted in bringing his people to the land
of promise! He, in his distinguishing grace, had put a difference
between Canaan and
Israel
, and therefore, by his own effectual power, he wrought for his chosen and
against their adversaries. The tribes fought for their allotments,
but their success was wholly due to the Lord who wrought with them.
The warriors of
Israel
were not inactive, but their valor was secondary to that divine working by
which
Jericho
's walls fell down, and the hearts of the heathen failed them for fear.
The efforts of all the men at arms were employed, but as these would have
been futile without divine help, all the honor is ascribed unto the Lord.
Men are not saved without prayer, repentance, etc., but none of those save
a man, salvation is altogether of the Lord. Canaan was not conquered
without the armies of
Israel
, but equally true is it that it was not conquered by them. The Lord
was the conqueror, and the people were but instruments in his hands.
The divine hand actively fight for us, the divine arm powerfully sustained
us with more than human energy, and the divine smile inspired us with
resolute courage.
Here is the fountain from where every stream of mercy flows. The
Lord's delight in his people, his peculiar affection, his distinguishing
consideration this is the power source which moves every wheel of a
God’s intervention. We as
Israel
are a chosen nation, hence our victories and the scattering of our foes;
believers are an elect people, hence their spiritual blessings and
conquests.
There was nothing in the people themselves to secure them success, the
Lord's favor alone does it, and it is ever so in our case, our hope of
final glory must not rest on anything in ourselves, but on the free and
sovereign favor of the Lord of Hosts. He will watch over His word to
perform it!
You
have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God,
has anointed You With the oil of joy above Your fellows. Psalm 45:7
On account of our Lord's perfect life he is now rewarded
with superior joy. At Oriental feasts oil was poured on the heads of
distinguished and very welcome guests; God himself anoints the man Christ
Jesus, as he sits at the heavenly feasts, anoints him as a reward for his
work, with higher and fuller joy than anyone else can know; thus is the
Son of man honored and rewarded for all his pains.
The Hebrew word (chaber), is very generous, and is translated, companions,
copartners, partakers; or as ours text reads it, fellows. Thus such
as are partakers with him in the anointing of the Spirit, who do in their
measure receive the same Spirit, every Christian being appointed with the
same grace and dignified with the same titles.
Christ and the saints are in common one with another. Does the
Spirit of holiness power dwell in him? So he does in them too.
Is Christ King and Priest? So are they too, by the grace of union
with him.
This is the saints' dignity, to be Christ's fellows, consorts, or
copartners; so that look whatever grace or excellency is in Christ, it is
not impropriated to himself, but they do share with him; for indeed he was
filled with the fullness of the Spirit for their sakes and use. As
the sun is filled with light not to shine to itself, but to others, so is
Christ with grace; and therefore some translate the text above thy
fellows, but for thy fellows; (Rivetus),
There
is a river whose streams make glad the city of
God
, The holy dwelling places of the Most High. Psalm 46:4
What is the river that makes glad the
city of
God
?
God himself is the river, as in the following verse, "God is in the
midst of her."
1. God the Father is the river: "For my people have committed
two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed
them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." Jer
2:13.
2. God the Son is the river, the fountain of salvation: "In
that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David, and the
inhabitants of
Jerusalem
for sin and for uncleanness." Zec 13:1.
3. God the Spirit is the river: "He that believeth on me, as
the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living
water." "Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him
shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be a well of
water springing up into everlasting life." John 7:38; 4:14.
What are the streams of this river?
The perfections of God, the fullness of Christ, the operations
fruits and gifts of the Spirit, and these running in the channel of the
covenant of promise..
Happy are they who know from their own experience that there is such a
river
of
God
. The streams whereof in their various influences, for they are many,
shall make glad the city of God, by assuring the citizens that Zion's Lord
will unfailingly supply all their needs. The streams are clear,
cool, fresh, abundant, and gladdening.
In seasons of trial all sufficient grace will be given to enable us to
endure unto the end. The church is like a well ordered city,
surrounded with mighty walls of truth and justice, garrisoned by
omnipotence, beautifully built and adorned by infinite wisdom. Its
ruling body, the saints, enjoy high privileges; they trade with far off
lands, they live in the smile of the King; and as a great river is the
very making and mainstay of a town, so is the broad river of everlasting
love, and grace their joy and bliss.
It is dedicated to his praise, and glorified by his presence.
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God
is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. Sing
praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.
Psalm 47:5
Faith hears the people already shouting. The command is regarded as
a fact. The fight is over, the conqueror ascends to his triumphant
throne, and coming through the gates of the city which is frenzied with
the joy of his return.
We do not doubt that angels and glorified spirits welcomed him with
acclamations. He came with song! The Lord with the sound of a
trumpet. Jesus is Jehovah. Fresh from the depths of
destruction, with his garments still stained in red, he ascended, leading
captivity captive.
Let him have all our praise. Let his power be the fountain of
gladness. It is a inspirational attribute, and full of delight to
the faithful. Let our reverence be paid not in groans but with
songs. He does not inslave us to serve his throne; he is no tyrant;
singing is fit homage for a monarch so blessed and gracious.
Let all hearts that have received of Him sing and sing on for ever, for
there is everlasting reason for thanksgiving while we dwell under the
shadow of such a throne.
Great
is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the
mountain of his holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the
whole earth, is
mount
Zion
, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. Psalm 48:1, 2
Rising high above the deep valleys on the west and south, and the scarcely
less deep one on the east, it could only be assailed from the northwest.
Yet on the sides of the north it was magnificently beautiful, and
fortified by walls, towers, and bulwarks, the wonder and terror of the
nations: "For the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marveled. They were troubled, and they ran
away."
At the thought of it the psalmist bursts forth in triumph: "Walk
about
Zion
, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof. Mark ye well her
bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation
following."
Her towers have long since fallen to the ground, her bulwarks have been
overthrown, her palaces have crumbled to dust, and we who now walk about
Zion can tell no other story than this to the generation following.
There is another
Zion
whose towers are still more glorious, and shall never be overthrown.
"God is known in her palaces for a refuge." And "this
God is our God for ever and ever."
How often is this name synonymous with the church of the living God! and
no other spot that has the affection of his people -- no other name but
one can awaken such joyful hopes in the Christian's heart. The
temporal
Zion
is now in the dust, but the true
Zion
is rising and shaking herself from it, and putting on her beautiful
garments to establish her King over the whole earth.
So Lord Jehovah is praised, whether we look at his essence, his power, his
wisdom, his justice, or his mercy, for all are infinite, everlasting, and
incomprehensible; and thus, so much is God greatly to be praised. But,
of all things revealed, there is no one thing that can give us a greater
idea of his greatness, or for which were should praise and thank him more,
than the establishment of his church
My
mouth will speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart will be
understanding. Psalm 49:3
Inspired and therefore lifted beyond himself, the prophet is not praising
his own attainments, but extolling the divine Spirit which spoke in him.
He knew that the Spirit of truth and wisdom spoke through him and would
change his circumstances according to Divine knowledge.
He who is not sure that his cause is good and is in line with God’s Word
has no right to ask a hearing.
The same Spirit who made the ancient prophets eloquent, also made them
thoughtful. The help of the Holy Ghost was never meant to supersede
the use of our own mental powers. The Holy Spirit does not make us
speak as Balaam's ass, which merely uttered sounds, but never meditated.
But much more; he first leads us to consider and reflect, and then
he gives us the tongue of fire to speak with power.
1. To exercise our minds to understand them.
2. To try our faith by believing them -- "incline" implies a
submissive mind.
3. To excite our joy as we grasp them -- "upon the harp."
4. To employ our faculties in explaining them to others
"If
I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and all it
contains.
"Shall I eat the flesh of bulls Or drink the blood of male goats?
"Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving And pay your vows to the
Most High;
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor
Me." Ps 50:12-15
Strange conception, a hungry God! Yet if such an absurd ideal could
be truth, and if the Lord hungered for meat, he would not ask it of men.
He could provide for himself out of his own possessions; he would not turn
pleading to his own creatures. Even under the grossest ideal of God,
faith in outward ceremonies is ridiculous.
Do men fancy that the Lord needs banners, and music, and incense, and fine
linen? If he did, the stars would glorify his standard, the winds
and the waves become his orchestra, ten thousand times ten thousand
flowers would breathe forth perfume, the snow should be his long, white
linen robe, the rainbow his belt, the clouds of light his mantle.
O fools and slow of heart, you worship you know not what! For the
world is mine, and the fullness thereof. What can He need who is
owner of all things and able to create as he wills? Thus
overwhelmingly does the Lord pour forth his arguments upon superficial
worshipers.
Internal emotions of love consequent upon a remembrance of divine goodness
are commended as the substance, meaning, and soul of sacrifice. The
reality of your sacrifice of prayer shall be seen in its answer.
Then as answered in His miraculous means does this glorify and honors God.
To truly know and worship is to understand believe and receive of His
perfect promises.
Restore
unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
Psalm 51:12
Salvation he had known, and had known it as the Lord's own. He had
also felt the joy which arises from being saved in the Lord, but he had
lost it for a while, and therefore he longed for its restoration.
None but God can give back this joy; he can do it; we may ask it; he will
do it for his own glory and our benefit. This joy does not come
first, but follows pardon and purity. In this order it is safe, in
any other it is vain presumption or idiotic delirium.
Conscious of weakness, mindful of having so lately fallen, he seeks to be
kept on his feet by a power superior to his own. That noble Spirit,
whose holiness is true dignity, is able to make us walk as kings and
priests, in all the uprightness of holiness; and he will do so if we seek
his gracious upholding.
Such influences will not enslave but emancipate us; for holiness is
liberty, and the Holy Spirit is a free Spirit. In the roughest and
most treacherous ways we are safe with our loving Keeper. In the
best paths we stumble if left to ourselves.
Wondrously
show Your lovingkindness, O Savior of those who take refuge at Your right
hand From those who rise up against them. Keep me as the apple of
the eye; Hide me in the shadow of Your wings Psalm 17:7 8
No part of the body more precious, more tender, and more carefully guarded
than the eye; and of the eye, no portion more peculiarly to be protected
than the central apple, the pupil, or as the Hebrew calls it, "the
daughter of the eye."
The all wise Creator has placed the eye in a well protected position; it
stands surrounded by projecting bones like Jerusalem encircled by
mountains. Moreover its has surrounded with many inward coverings,
besides the hedge of the eyebrows, the curtain of the eyelids, and the
fence of the eyelashes. The persecuted saint, is the apple of God's
eye.
In addition to this, he has given to every man so high a value for his
eyes, and so quick an apprehension of danger, that no member of the body
is more faithfully cared for than the object of sight. Thus keep me
as protected and ready to respond, Lord, for I am one with Jesus, and so a
member of His body.
Hide me under the shadow of your wings. As the parent bird
completely shields her brood from evil, and meanwhile cherishes them with
the warmth of her own heart, by covering them with her wings, so do this
with me. For I am your offspring, and you have a parent's love in
perfection.
This last clause is in the Hebrew in the future tense, as if to show that
what the psalmist had asked for but a moment before, he was now sure,
would be granted to him. Confident expectations should keep pace
with earnest supplication
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12/06
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"The
Lord's portion is His people." --Deuteronomy 32:9
How are they His? He chose them, and set His love upon
them. This He did altogether apart from any goodness in them at the
time, or any goodness which He foresaw in them. He had mercy on whom
He would have mercy, and ordained his faithful unto eternal life.
They are not only His by choice, but by purchase. He has bought and
paid for them to the utmost farthing, hence about His title there can be
no dispute. Not with corruptible things, as with silver and gold,
but with the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord's portion
has been fully redeemed. There is no mortgage on His estate; no
suits can be raised by opposing claimants, the price was paid in open
court, and the Church is the Lord's freehold for ever.
See the blood-mark upon all the believers, invisible to human eye, but
known to Christ, for "the Lord knoweth them that are His"; He
forgets none of those whom He has redeemed from among men; He counts the
sheep for whom He laid down His life, and remembers well the Church for
which He gave Himself.
They are also His by conquest. What a battle He had in us before we
would be won! How long He laid siege to our hearts! How often
He sent us terms of capitulation! but we barred our gates, and
fenced our walls against Him.
Do we not remember that wonderful hour when He carried our hearts by
storm? When He placed His cross against the wall, and scaled our
defenses, planting on our strongholds the blood-red flag of His omnipotent
mercy? Yes, we are, indeed, the conquered captives of His omnipotent
love. Thus chosen, purchased, and subdued, the rights of our divine
possessor are inalienable: we rejoice that we never can be our own; and we
desire, day by day, to do His will, and to show forth His glory.
The
thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is
that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9
Every thing in the whole of nature has its revolutions; summer and winter,
heat and cold, rain and drought, seedtime and autumn. There is the
whole system of corruption and generation, alternately succeed each other,
so that whatever has been shall be again.
There is really, physically, and philosophically, nothing absolutely new
under the sun, in the course of things of this world. The same is
the case in all the revolutions of the heavens.
The original is beautiful. "Is there any thing which will say,
See this! it is new?" Men may say this of their discoveries,
but universal nature says, It is not new. It has been, and it will
be again.
Knowledge is to be hard acquired. In order to investigate the
operations of nature, the most laborious discussions, and perplexing
experiments must be instituted, and conducted to their proper results.
It is God's determination that knowledge shall be acquired in no
other way.
We too must labor to enter the rest provided already. We invent no
new rest. We may not pat ourselves on the back when we think we have
accomplished the remarkable. What was is… and what shall be is
with us now. We do invest ourselves into the study of God’s Word
to find the hidden wealth given to those who would dare look beyond the
veil.
Does this remove the pleasure of discovery. In no way for it is a
life style of ever drawing close to God’s heart. Filling our lives
with the precious love of our Redeemer, Friend.
Bless
the LORD, you His angels, Mighty in strength, who perform His word,
Obeying the voice of His word! Bless the LORD, all you His hosts,
You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the LORD, all you works of
His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the LORD, O my soul! Psalm
103:20-22
Finding his work of praise growing upon his hands, he calls upon "the
firstborn sons of light" to speak the praises of the Lord, as well
they may “for they best can tell.” Dwelling near to that throne
they see in nearer vision the glory which we would adore.
To them is given an exceeding might of intellect, and voice, and force
which they delight to use in sacred service for the Lord of Glory. Let
them now turn all their strength into that solemn song which we would send
up to the third heaven.
To him who gave angelic strength let all angelic strength be given. They
are his angels, and therefore they are ready to ring out his praises.
These majestic powers do his commandments, hearkening to the voice
of his word. Let those un-fallen spirits, whose bliss it is never to
have transgressed, give to the Lord the glory of their holiness.
They eagerly await for yet more commands, obeying as much by reverent
listening as by energetic
action, and in this they teach us how the heavenly will should
evermore be fervently done. Ready hearts to hear the voice of the
Lord.
O that we could hear them chant the high praises of God, as did the
shepherds on that greatest of all birth nights!
We stand as the voice of the Lord thus we speak His word with all might
and power given to do and fulfill the word of God!
See
how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called
children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him. 1John 3:1
Fellowship with Jesus and joy lie ever so closely together, that the
apostle could aim at both at the same time. Yet we had neither claim
nor merit that we should be called, that is made, the sons of God, who
were before children of the wicked one; therefore, the love which brought
us from such a depth of misery must appear the more extraordinary and
impressive.
What love, in kind and in degree. In kind the most tender and the
most elevating and dignifying, as He adopted us into his family, and
permitted us to address him as our Father. In degree the most
exalted, since there is no higher love that can be shown than in adopting
a poor and friendless orphan, and giving him a parent and a home. Even
God could bestow upon us no more valuable token of affection than that we
should be called His children, and permitted to regard him as our Father.
Our Father’s love admitted us who believe to the same privileges, power,
and honors as all members of His heavenly family; such honor God has
bestowed on us! Such joy that we should enjoy these great pleasures.
See
how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called
children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not
know us, because it did not know Him. 1John 3:1
Fellowship with Jesus and joy lie ever so closely together, that the
apostle could aim at both at the same time. Yet we had neither claim
nor merit that we should be called, that is made, the sons of God, who
were before children of the wicked one; therefore, the love which brought
us from such a depth of misery must appear the more extraordinary and
impressive.
What love, in kind and in degree. In kind the most tender and the
most elevating and dignifying, as He adopted us into his family, and
permitted us to address him as our Father. In degree the most
exalted, since there is no higher love that can be shown than in adopting
a poor and friendless orphan, and giving him a parent and a home. Even
God could bestow upon us no more valuable token of affection than that we
should be called His children, and permitted to regard him as our Father.
Our Father’s love admitted us who believe to the same privileges, power,
and honors as all members of His heavenly family; such honor God has
bestowed on us! Such joy that we should enjoy these great pleasures.
"...and
the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing." ISAIAH 10:27
This same principle of activating a power source applies in the natural
realm. For instance, plugging a fan into an electrical outlet on a
hot summer day activates the power of electricity and causes the fan to
cool the air. However,
if no one plugs in the fan, the fan won't work and the room stays hot.
In that same case, the power of electricity is present and available to
cool the room, but it isn't being utilized or activated. In order to
tap into the power and cool the room, someone has to plug in the fan!
The electricity is already there; someone just needs to tap into it to
activate it. It is the same with healing. We just need to tap
into the power of God that is already available and activate it by faith
in His Word! When faith is mixed with the power of God, the anointing
breaks every yoke!
Luke 5:17, "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching,
that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were
come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power
of the Lord was present to heal them."
Notice that even though the power of the Lord was present to heal people,
it doesn't mention one single person getting healed. The only person
the Bible records being healed in this account was the paralyzed man who
was lowered through the roof of the house by his four friends (Luke
5:18,19). And the Bible says Jesus healed that paralyzed man because
He saw their faith (Luke 5:20-25).
The faith of the four men, plus the faith of the paralyzed man, activated
the power of God to effect a healing and a cure in the man's body and the
paralyzed man immediately rose up healed!!
The power of God won't do a thing in the world by itself. It's
inactive, inert, and passive until faith is mixed with it - until someone
taps into it by believing and acting upon God's Word! You see, faith
gives action to the anointing or the power of God. If there is no
faith to give action to the anointing, nothing will happen!
For
the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and
intents of the heart.-HEBREWS 4:12
To be strong in faith,
the first thing you must settle on is the integrity of the Word of God.
You must know that the
Bible is exactly what it declares itself to be - God's Word - a revelation
from God to us! It is God speaking to us now! It is not only a
book of the past and the future; it is a book for now. It is a
God-breathed, God-indwelt, God-inspired message.
Moffat's translation of
Hebrews 4:12 reads, "For the Logos [Word] of God is a living thing...
Quick! Alive! Living! But it will come alive to you only
as you accept it and act upon it.
Since salvation’s work
is complete, let us hold to it and enjoy the consequent blessings.
We should be foolish indeed to leave such riches of grace.
And
the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings
of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day
in the city of
David
a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye
shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And
suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host
praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace,
good will toward men. Luke 2:10-14
While the gift of God appeared as a helpless infant, he was the object of
worship to the angels of God.
The design of God, in the incarnation, was to manifest the hidden glories
of his nature, and to reconcile men to each other and to himself. The
angels therefore declare that this incarnation shall manifest and promote
the glory of God.
What then is the Glory of God except his presence Emmanuel (God with us.)
In the presence of the Most High sickness poverty and death are driven
away. Thus man is given the gift that brings all eyes toward God.
The testimony of his salvation and healing draw all men to the goodness of
God.
What a great gift to give to those we celebrate Christmas with this year.
To give your testimony wrapped in the love of God!
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