Monday, January 27, 2014

Ebenezer!

John MacDuff, "Ripples in the Twilight" 1885

"Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it 'Ebenezer' saying: Thus far has the LORD helped us!" 1 Samuel 7:12

What a retrospect will that be at the end of life's journey! The rough paths, the jagged precipices, the valleys of humiliation--all will be seen to have been bathed in the luminous light of God's love. There will be nothing more but to erect earth's farewell monument, and to carve upon it, "Ebenezer!"

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose!" Romans 8:28

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Wonders!

"If studiously investigated the word of God tells us wondrous things concerning the world to come."

Beloved, we shall, in the better land, wonder more than we do here, for we shall there understand far more than we do now, and shall have clearer views and wider prospects. Our present capacities are narrow, there is scant room within our mind for great things; but in yon bright world the veil shall be taken off, and we shall know even as we are known, seeing no more in part and through a glass darkly: in the heavenly mansions our growing knowledge will excite in us increasing wonder, and we shall sing there the praise of him who hath dealt wondrously with us.

I believe the poet was right when he said:

“And sing with wonder and surprise
Thy lovingkindness in the skies.”

In the abodes of endless bliss we shall see what we escaped; we shall look down from Abraham’s bosom and see the sinner afar off in torment! It will be a dreadful sight, but O, with what hearts of gratitude shall we bless redeeming love, knowing each one of us that were it not for grace divine that fate so desperate had been ours.

In the heaven of perfect holiness we shall know the true character of sin. When we shall see the brightness of God’s glory, and the splendour of his holiness, sin will appear in all its hideousness, and we shall adore that matchless mercy which pardoned us, and bless the precious blood which cleansed us though we had been defiled with such pollution.

We think we praise God for forgiving our iniquities, and no doubt we do in some measure, but, compared with the blessing that saints in heaven render to God for deliverance from sin, our praise is as nothing. We do not know sin as they know it: we do not understand its blackness as they perceive it.

Up in heaven, too, we shall see our life as a whole, and we shall see God’s dealings with us on earth as a whole. A great many matters which now appear mysterious and complex, concerning which we can only walk by faith, for our reason is baffled, will be so clear to us as to excite our joyous songs in heaven.

“Now I see why I was laid aside when I wanted to be busy in God’s work: now I see why that dear child, whom I hoped to have had spared to me as a stay for my old age, was taken away; now I
understand why my business was suffered to fail; now I comprehend why that foul mouth was allowed to be opened against me; now I comprehend why I was assailed with inward fears, and was suffered to go tremblingly all my days.”

Such will be our confessions when the day dawns and the shadows flee away. Then we shall say and sing: “He hath dealt wondrously with us.” We shall feel that the best was done for us that even Eternal Wisdom could devise, and we shall bless the name of the Lord.

Posted: 19 Jan 2014 12:01 AM PST
Your weekly dose of Spurgeon
The PyroManiacs devote some space each weekend to highlights from the lifetime of works from the Prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  The following excerpt is from The Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, volume 19, sermon number 1098, "Wonders."

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

We would not be so perplexed by the mysteries of our lives!


(J.R. Miller, "Evening Thoughts" 1907)

"God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:10-11 

We are not in this world merely to have a pleasant time--but to be fashioned into beauty of Christly character. If we would always remember this, we would not be so perplexed by the mysteries of our lives

If joy is ours--it is to make us a greater blessing to others. 

If sorrow is ours--it is to bring out Christ's image in us more clearly. 

If our hopes are disappointed--it is because God has some better thing for us, than that which we so earnestly desire. 

If we are called to endure pain--it is because godly character can only be matured by affliction. 

If bereavement comes and we are left without the human arm we have always leaned upon--it is because there are elements of character in our life which never could be developed unless the human support were removed. 

If our burdens are heavy--it is because we grow best under burdens. 

If we suffer wrong--it is to teach us better the great lessons of meekness, patience and sweet temper. 

Always the Master is making us into the beauty of the holy pattern He has set for us, and preparing us for greater usefulness and better service!

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Living in the will of God

Do it as Jesus would do it!

(J.R. Miller, "Evening Thoughts" 1907)

"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed--do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus." Colossians 3:17 

To do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, is to do it as Jesus would do it, if He were in your place. One may do the lowliest things in a heavenly way--and another may do heavenly things in a worldly way. One may work in the humblest calling--and live a saintly life; while another may be engaged in what is called a sacred calling--and yet may do his work in an undevout manner. A street-sweeper may be more saintly, may live nearer to God, and may be a better follower of Jesus--than a minister who is busy in incessant religious duties. 

Browning represents the angel Gabriel taking a boy's tasks in this world, doing the work well, and praising God meanwhile. 

We have something finer even than that, however, not in a mere poet's imagination--but in the gospel narrative. Jesus, the son of God, came to earth, lived a human life, and worked at a common trade!

"Yes, yes, a carpenter--same trade as mine, 
 It warms my heart as I read that line.
 I can stand the hard work, I can stand the poor pay,
 For I'll see that Carpenter at no distant day!"

"I have set you an example that you should do as I have done." John 13:15 

"Leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps!" 1 Peter 2:21

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Would we grumble as we now do?



(J.R. Miller, "Evening Thoughts" 1907)

"The Lord hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him!" Exodus 16:8

The fact that God hears all that we say, ought to make us guard our words. But does God really hear every fretful word we say? Does He hear when we grumble about the weather, about the hard winter, about the late spring, about the dry summer, about the wet harvest, and about the grub-worm? Does He hear when we grumble about the drought, about the high winds, about the storms? 

Does He hear when we complain about the hardness of our lot? 

If we could get into our hearts and keep there continually, the consciousness that every word we speak is heard in Heaven, and falls upon God's ears before it falls upon any other ear--would we grumble as we now do? 

We are always on our guard when we think that anyone is within hearing. Are we as careful concerning what we say in the hearing of our heavenly Father? 

We are careful, too, never to speak words which would give pain to the hearts of those we love dearly. Are we as careful not to say anything that will give pain to the heart of Christ?

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

May the Lord bless you this New Year.

"May the Lord bless you
  and protect you.
May the Lord smile on you
  and be gracious to you.
May the Lord show you His favor
  and give you His peace."
Numbers 6:24-26