AT EVENTIDE
"At eventide weeping may come in to lodge for the night . . . " (Psalm 30:5 Berkeley). Weeping at eventide. All of us are faced with this fact of life. None are exempt from the possibility, the probability. It may be further away for some but all must face up to it. We cannot lightly put it aside, we dare not. Eventide shall come when weeping may come in to lodge for the night. Not a happy prospect, nevertheless true, so we must face it honestly, and do whatever is necessary in preparation.
In a world that has been blighted by sin, how could it be otherwise? Sickness, pain, sorrow, and death must take their toll in every family, every life. They may be deferred for a while, but come they will. Your life will know an eventide of weeping. Weeping may lodge for the night -- and what seems to you an unending and unbearable night. It may seem that the sunshine of joy will never again shine upon your pathway. But as a child of God -- if you are a child of God -- you have the promise of God in this verse (5): "In the morning -- shouts of joy." If there is weeping at eventide, there will assuredly be shouts of joy in the morning -- God's morning.
We have an illustration of this in the Gospels, in the account of the storm at sea. Matthew says that "the boat was by that time a good distance from shore and was tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary: (Matthew 14:24). But before this incident ever happened, Matthew reports of the disciples: "With approach of evening the disciples came to Him" (15). What better place to go with evening approaching? What better refuge in the time of storm? When we come to HIM, our Lord and Saviour, with the approach of eventide where the winds will be contrary we may have the confidence that He is not very far away, and neither is the morning light.
"In the fourth watch of the night (or, early morning) He approached them, walking on the sea" (25). When things seemed the worst Jesus appeared and evidently in perfect control of the situation. "The wind quieted" (32). His grateful disciples "knelt before Him, saying, Truly, Thou art the Son of God" (33). So with His weeping disciples today, the contrary winds will abate, the long, hard night will issue in a new morning of shouts of joy. And all that remains for us to do is to kneel before Him, acknowledging His sovereignty, worshipping and praising Him.
-- Editor
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"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD."
-- Jesus
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NOT AFRAID
"At what time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" -- Psalm 56:3.
It is well that we should trust and not be afraid. It is better to keep fear out than to put it out. If fear is in our hearts, perfect love will cast it out, and when perfect love gets in, there will be no room for fear. Trust is more than faith. Trust is committal. Faith may be merely intellectual, but trust is emotional. Fear and trust cannot live together, one or the other must go. Let us give fear notice to quit. Fear looks within; trust looks to Him. Trust is just love resting, and he who loves will rest. Are you fearing, or trusting? Let us say like David, "I will trust and not be afraid."
-- Dr. G. R. Paterson
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JESUS CHRIST is GOD
Throughout the Scriptures this is clearly taught.
Not only are names applied to Christ which can be applied only to One who is God, and divine attributes predicated of Him, and divine works done by Him, as well as His own claims to deity, and the worship that was rendered Him, but finally:
Christ's deity is verified by indirect testimony and in Christian history and experience.
Indirect testimony is borne to the deity of Christ by the sinful woman who bowed in utter abandonment at His feet. "And behold, a woman who was in the city, a sinner; and when she knew that he was sitting at meat in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster cruse of ointment, and standing behind at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment" (Luke 7:37-38).
What was the Lord's reaction to this emotional scene? If He is not God, then we might expect to hear Him protest and to rebuke the sin-laden woman. But what to we hear?
"Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much . . . And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven . . . Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace" (Luke 7:47-50). Rather than a rebuke she received a blessing; He accepted her devotion without the slightest protest.
Again, indirect testimony is borne to the deity of Christ by the Apostle Paul when he said of himself -- "I was before a blasphemer" (I Timothy 1:13).
To blaspheme is to speak injuriously against God. Certainly Paul never knowingly did this. He was before his conversion a Pharisee and worshipped God according to the strictness of the law and served God devotedly. And yet he claims he was formerly a blasphemer.
The One whom Paul spoke injuriously against was none other than Jesus Christ. He did all in his power to overthrow this "sect of the Nazarene." He continued right up to the moment he met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus. These activities and his injurious speech which he directed toward Christ, he now labels as blasphemy. Saying this, he testifies to the fact that Jesus Christ is God.
In Christian history also is our Lord's deity verified. Jesus said, "I will build my church" (Matthew 16:18). From the first century to the present, He has been doing just that. He promised His church: "I am with you always, even unto the consummation of the ages" (Matthew 28:20 margin). This is why the enemy has been unsuccessful in defeating the Church. And this again testifies to the deity of Him who promised.
Our Lord's deity is also verified in Christian experience. After Paul met the Lord and was forever transformed by His saving power, he testifies without hesitation -- "I know him whom I have believed" (II Timothy 1:12).
So say all who have had a personal and soul-stirring and life-changing meeting with the risen Christ. The greatest proof to me that Jesus Christ is God, is what He has done for me.
He lives today, glorified in the heavens, seated at the right hand of Majesty. He invites you to come to Him, to put your trust in Him, to believe in Him as your Saviour, to make Him your Lord. When you do, you will never again have any problem believing He is God. Then you can testify with the multiplied millions of believers around the world, "I know him whom I have believed."
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HIS WALK -- ROOTED IN DEITY
We behold the mighty God stepping out from the silence of the eternities, to pitch His tent of human fabric on the desert sands of this world's wilderness. He does not call from the mountain top in the foreboding thunderings of Sinai but tabernacles with us in the plains. "The Law came by Moses but grace and truth by Jesus Christ." In all His lowly steps across this very personal Gospel (of John), His walk is rooted in deity. He is always the stranger and the foreigner. He is "from above" walking amongst those who are "from beneath," speaking to those of this world as One who is "not of this world," living in the Spirit amongst a race who live after the flesh. He is the Light moving from God, manifesting God and going on to God. He is shining on in the darkness conquering as He goes, enlightening, saving and also exposing by His very presence. He is the unvaried Son of God, sustained in His brilliance, constant from source to goal. He is the only begotten of the Father, proceeding from the Father, declaring the Father and going to the Father; His only meat the Father's will.
-- Geoffrey T. Bull
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WHEN WE WONDER WHY
By JOHN WILDER
Why does the Lord do things as He does?
So often things happen to God's children that appear to have no purpose whatever and seem so far removed from any reason. It sometimes happens that sorrow comes to an honest heart that has long been yielded to the will of the Lord and has been making an earnest effort to serve Him and to please Him. Trouble comes. Hot tears flow down bewildered cheeks and Christian friends shake their heads and wonder why.
The history of God's people shows many such instances. There is the case of John the Baptist. Jesus loved this courageous man and paid him what is perhaps the highest compliment paid to any man in the Bible. Jesus said of John the Baptist that of those born of woman, there had not risen one greater than he. What happened? At the height of his ministry this mighty warrior was slain by the weak and evil Herod. After he had preached only six months, and at the age of a little past thirty, John died under the blade of a wicked king.
Why did God allow this to happen? Those were critical days. The powers of Hell had set themselves against the Son of God and everything He stood for; a baby church would need such men as John the Baptist in the important decades ahead. From every human point of view it would seem that John would be sorely needed. for there were few so brave and loyal to the Lord as he. But God allowed him to be killed. Why? The answer is hidden in the heart of God, and when we at last understand it, we shall marvel at the goodness of it.
From our own experiences arise questions that we are not able to answer except by faith. A splendid young minister in Texas, clean, loyal to God, and effective in his work, had proved himself a great blessing to his people. He was happily married and the father of little children. One day he was moving a piano to the church. It slipped from the truck and fell on the young minister, killing him instantly. Why?
With jails full of men whose lives, at least for a time, are twisted and out of time with the rest of mankind, with other young men following careers of crime and preying like beasts on innocent humanity, with others seemingly hopeless slaves of alcohol and narcotics, why should this valuable young minister be the one to die?
These questions, since the Lord has not considered it needful that we understand them now, must be tucked away on the shelves of faith for the time being. We must realize that we simply are not qualified to judge who is to be left in the world and who is to be taken away. Such decisions belong only to the Lord, and we must comfort ourselves in the knowledge that God never makes a mistake or commits a useless or ill-timed deed. If God were so small that all of His ideas could be packed into our feeble understandings, then we would all have to change our ideas about Him.
But there is comfort for the aching heart in the Holy Word of God. The Bible casts a great deal of light on the reasons behind God's actions, and if we will be willing to search the Scriptures, we can find peace for our souls. If we look at the scriptures, we can find answers to many of the questions that can never be answered if we only look at people and things in this present world. Often in the Bible we see that God deals with the very question that we face here -- Why does God do things as He does?
In the first place, all the ways and thoughts of God are noble and lofty. Listen to the words of the prophet in Isaiah 55:8-9.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
These verses tell us plainly that God does not always look at things as we do, nor is He obligated to do things as we think they ought to be done. God is where He can get a clear view of everything, and He always does things as He knows they ought to be done. What we think is best and what God knows is best often may be poles apart.
Now think a moment about this verse. "As the heavens are higher than the earth!" What a statement! How high are the heavens, anyway? Well we know that the nearest star is so high that its light, traveling at the rate of 186,000 miles a second, takes nearly four years to reach the earth. So it must be high up where the stars are. And God says that as the heavens -- the stars -- are high above the earth, so are His ways and thoughts higher than our ways and thoughts.
Then it is no wonder that God sometimes moves in mysterious ways, and we find it hard to understand why. God sees it all, and He knows what is best.
Some friends of mine are the parents of a lovely little boy. The child was born blind and crippled. One foot was drawn out of shape, and as he learned to walk, the foot gave him trouble. A physician told the parents that an operation would probably relieve some of the difficulty, and they assented to the surgery.
In preparing the child for the operation, food and water were kept from him for several hours prior to his being put to sleep. When I dropped into his room at the hospital a few hours before the operation, the little boy was sitting up in his bed, very much alive and active. He was feeling good except for hunger and thirst, and he kept asking every minute or two for something to eat and a drink of water. Probably for the first time in his life he had not had any breakfast, and he simply could not understand why. The experience was an ordeal for his parents. For all of his life they had quickly and lovingly responded to his every desire. But now he was calling for food and water and they could not help him. No wonder tears ran down their cheeks, and tears ran down mine. And there was no way of explaining to the little boy that it was better for him to be hungry and thirsty for a little while in order that he might be able to walk straighter and more comfortably a little later.
My heart tells me that there must be many times when God would like to take us into His confidence and explain to us why things turn out as they do. But like the precious little boy, we just couldn't understand. There is no way of getting across to us the real mercy that lies behind the tears of the moment. But if our minds were as wide as the mind of God, and if we were where He is, we would understand why He works as He does, and instead of being bitter about it, we would fall on our knees and thank an all-wise Father for His care of His children.
One of the most comforting statements in the Bible is that of the Apostle Paul in Romans 8:28.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them that are the called according to his purpose.
You may search the Bible from cover to cover, and you may search any other book from end to end, and you will find few statements anywhere that are as broad and deep and rich as this one. Read the verse again. Read it very, very carefully. What things work together for good to them that love God? All things! What a joyful announcement! It covers everything within the scope of human experience. All things! A loving Father has obligated Himself and guaranteed that everything that takes place in the lives of those who love Him is for good. That means that every tear, every sorrow, every misfortune, every catastrophe and every calamity, even hurricanes and tornadoes, famines and freezes, depressions and plagues, sickness, pain, disappointment, and even death -- all things -- work together, cooperate, move in a mighty teamwork for good to them that love God.
One day a boy names Joseph went to visit his brothers in the field (Genesis 27). These brothers, irritated by what they considered to be the young man's boasting, sold the lad into slavery. Carried by some traders into Egypt, Joseph fell the victim of an evil woman's lie and was cast into prison. But you know the Genesis story. God was working all the time, and in just a little while Joseph was next to the king himself in power and honor in that foreign land. In this position he saved a nation from starvation and brought about the rescue of his own people back in his homeland. Next to the salvation of his soul, the greatest thing that ever happened to Joseph was his being sold into slavery. But it must have been hard for him to see it during the first few years of his bondage.
In this case God made even the brothers' jealousy to work for good in the life of a young man who loved Him. The traders who carried Joseph into Egypt were working for him. The evil woman who lied about him was working for him. Pharoah was working for him. From beginning to end, from Canaan to Egypt, every particle of sand over which his camel walked, everything was working for good for Joseph and the Lord.
How comforting it is to know that beyond any doubt the man or the woman who loves God is not a creature of chance. Things do not just happen to such people. Everything has a meaning, every circumstance and condition a purpose. The man who loves God is a special object of God's kindness, and the powers of Heaven are pledged to make all things cooperate as a team for good in his life. Thus it is that a child of God, one who has opened his heart in tender faith to Jesus Christ, may look up toward the stars, even though in tears, and know that from the sorrow of the moment God Almighty will work out a blessing that will rise in beauty from the wreckage of cherished hopes and broken dreams. Somewhere, sometime, in this world or in the eternal world of God, good is being done. God has pledged Himself to make it so. Our suffering is not wasted. It will bring its ample blessing in due season.
(continued next month)
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SIGHT
Man sees a body struggling with pain,
God sees a spirit growing strong again,
Man sees but weakness; God sees new power,
A saint is learning patience with every trying hour.
Man sees but sickness, counts the healing slow,
God is rejoicing to see a loved one grow;
Man sees days wasted; God counts them gain,
For faith sweet as childhood is growing out of pain.
Man feels a sorrow rising in his breast,
God in His wisdom leadeth into rest;
Man sees the present; God sees the goal,
And by seeming bondage is setting free the soul.
-- Author unknown
Submitted by Ethel Prine
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HEAVEN
Let's look through the eyes of a Christian and catch a glimpse of heaven. To Christians, heaven is a house, a dwelling place, a resting place, a hiding place, their everlasting home, their Father's house where there are many mansions. It is a house in the heavens that as far excels all the palaces of this earth as the heavens are high above the earth. It is a city whose builder and maker is God, and it is eternal in the heavens. The most marvelous thing about it is that God has prepared it for those who love Him!
-- Matthew Henry
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THE BLESSINGS OF INFIRMITY
By ALICE CORNISH
After 10 years a victim of crippling multiple sclerosis, I can truly agree that "adversities can be blessings." In Psalm 119:71 we read, "It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes." Would I be serving the Lord by anywhere near the great ministry that I am now carrying on if I hadn't been afflicted? "Being thankful rather than resentful makes for soul development."
I speak from experience when I quote from Hebrews 12:1,2, "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." I frequently write this on cards for shut-ins.
I do everything I possibly can to help my wonderful family and others . . . wash all the dishes once a day when I am up, peel vegetables, fold clothes, put up lunches, write to many, telephone friends, and read when in bed. I also clean the outside of the stove and the refrigerator and the sink from my wheelchair.
Our two children, Carole, 16, and Glenn, 14, have developed the art of cooperation, too. They help in many ways. Our daughter does the washing and ironing and they take turns getting supper. I teach them Scriptures, too.
How often "we have to lie low to look up." My husband and I have been drawn closer because of my tribulation. It has greatly deepened important character traits: love, patience, understanding, humility, dependence upon God, and consideration. Our favorite hymn is, "Nearer, My God to Thee," especially because of the second line: "E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me." The quotation from one of Rosalind Rinker's books is so true: "Our greatest need can be our greatest asset, for need is the golden door through which He comes close to His loved ones." My debt of gratitude is endless -- constantly growing. "Giving thanks unto the Father who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son." (Colossians 1:12-13).
I am just partially paralyzed. It was meant to be that I should marry a man so tall and strong. Elmer holds me up, facing him. I grip his shoulders. He walks backward and I accompany him each step around the house or out to the car for rides.
The Red Cross has loaned us two wheel chairs. One is collapsible to take on trips, and the other is wooden and has a collapsible back, so Carole is able to give me shampoos at the kitchen sink.
The family brings necessary utensils to set the table, etc. . . . I make scrambled eggs, hamburg cakes, meat loaf, tossed salad, and even cookies occasionally. "He that hath a cheerful heart hath a continual feast" (Proverbs 15:15).
My family deeply appreciate all that God has done for me. "Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her" (Proverbs 31:28).
One of the blessings of infirmity is the wonderful blessing of visits from beloved minister friends. Rev. Levinson of our church serves me communion. Nor would I forget to speak of another faithful and very dear friend in His service. I refer to the deep fellowship, Bible reading and prayer with Dorothy Phinney very often. I have calls from many other friends, too, to say nothing of many happy "telephone visits." "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
My multiple sclerosis went into what doctors speak of as "remission," but those many prayers that went up in my behalf and my faith in the LORD were what caused my M.S. to go into remission.
"God keeps faith, and he will not allow us to be tested above our powers, but when the test comes he will at the same time provide a way out, by enabling us to sustain it" (Upper Room).
"He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy" (Psalm 148:10,11).
"These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14).
When people say that I am an inspiration to them, as many do, I echo the words of Paul found in I Corinthians 15:10: "By the grace of God I am what I am."
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