Grace Gems for DECEMBER, 2015

And WHY, dear Savior - tell me why,
You thus would suffer, bleed and die?
What mighty motive could Thee move,
The motive's plain - 'twas all for love!

For love of whom? Of sinners base,
A hardened herd, a rebel race!
That mocked and trampled on Thy blood,
And trifled with the wounds of God!

They nailed Him to the accursed tree;
They did, my brethren - and so did we!
The soldier pierced His side, 'tis true;
But we have pierced Him through and through!

(J. R. Miller, "Miller's Year Book - a Year's Daily Readings")

"He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5

There is a picture which represents the after-scenes on that day of the crucifixion.

It is all over. The crowds have gone away. The evening sun is shining out again on Calvary. The body of the Savior has been borne to the sepulcher. The cross has been taken down, and lies on the ground. A company of little children, bright with the glow of childhood's innocence, led to the place by accident or curiosity, are seen bending over the signs of the day's terrible work. One of the children holds in his hand a nail, which a little time before, had pierced a hand or a foot of the patient Sufferer, and stands spellbound with horror as he gazes at it. His gentle heart is shocked at sin's dreadful work! On all the children's faces, the same expression of horror is depicted.

No one with pure and gentle heart, can ever look at the death of Christ on the cross - with any but feelings of amazement and horror at sin's awfulness!

It was sin that nailed Jesus on the cross!

It was sin that wreathed the circlet of thorns for His brow!

We say the Jews crucified Christ; yes - but WE helped to do it!

Our sins drove the nails!

Would you see what sin is? Stand by the cross and ponder its terrible work, there in the death of the Redeemer. See what it cost the Lamb of God, to take away sin!

What is to be our resource in the hour of affliction and sorrow?

(George Everard, "Family Sorrows" 1882)

What is to be our resource in the hour of affliction and sorrow?

There is one passage of Scripture that has been to me an anchor of hope and strength in many a dark and sorrowful day, and I desire that it might be cherished in the memory of each reader, and its guidance followed when trouble comes: "Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully." 1 Peter 5:7 (Amplified version)

Go then to the mercy-seat in the Savior's name, and bring your whole care and sorrow, and leave it at your Father's footstool.

Consider His Fatherly HEART. "He cares for you." As a father pities his children, yes "as one whom his mother comforts" - so tenderly does the Lord deal with those who fear Him and trust in Him.

Consider His Fatherly HAND. It is the hand of love that smites. It is the hand that has bestowed our every mercy - which holds the cup of sorrow. It is the same hand that in due season will remove our trials, and lift us up from our depths of distress, and set us again on the rock of safety and peace.

Consider His Fatherly EYE. It is ever upon us for good, and not for evil. He knows our sorrow, and beholds every affliction and calamity that befalls us. "Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him, upon those who hope in His mercy."

Consider His Fatherly EAR. He hears every sigh, every moaning, every cry. He bows down and inclines His ear to every petition. "His ear is open to our prayer."

Consider His Fatherly PURPOSE. Read the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, and see how He wills only our good. He would make us "partakers of His holiness." He would purify us from the dross of our corruptions, and make us fit for His presence.

Consider His Fatherly PROMISE. He has promised that He will "never leave us nor forsake us." He has promised that He will make "all things work together for good to those who love Him." "He who spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?"

Ah, Christian, trust yourself wholly to your Father's care, and He will not disappoint your confidence!

The believer's lesson book!

(George Everard, "Beneath the Cross" 1877)

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world!" Galatians 6:14

The cross of Christ is the believer's lesson book. The sufferings He bore for our sake, should be the subject of our constant meditation.

Nowhere, as in the Cross and in the scenes connected with it - do we see such revelations of the heart of Christ.

Mercy shines forth in her beauty . . .
seeking pardon for His cruel murderers,
compassionating the daughters of Jerusalem,
and saving a sinner of the deepest dye!

Justice, too, stands forth in unsullied glory. In paying the debt of human guilt, in bearing the penalty of a broken law - Christ is seen to be a just God, as also a Savior.

In our Lord's suffering and death, there is precious instruction for the believer in almost every matter belonging to the Christian life . . .
what are the perils you are likely to meet with - and how best to overcome them;
what should be your life in secret before God - and what should be your path in the world;
what is your strength in the hour of temptation, and in the season of sorrow;
how to crucify the world - and how to glorify God in the position which you occupy
- all this may be learned in fellowship with our suffering Redeemer.

Beneath the Cross likewise, you may best learn to cultivate every Christian grace and virtue.
Meekness and courage,
zeal and love,
prayer and patience and forebearance,
and submission to the will of God -
are the fruits of a believing view of Christ's death.

You may learn, too, to conquer sin by the sight of that which it cost Christ to save you from it. The nail and the spear may be driven through the sins which have been most cherished. You may thus be enabled to crucify the flesh with the affections and lusts.

And beneath the Cross you may learn another lesson. You may learn how to die. Through death, Christ has destroyed the power of death - the sting is gone. To him who believes, death is life - for it is departing to be with Christ, which is far better.

Therefore let us often betake ourselves to Calvary. Let memory recall and ponder those hours on which our everlasting peace depends. Let our faith bridge over the centuries that have passed between. Let us go and stand in thought, beside the faithful women who were last at the cross, and first at the grave. Let us look again, and yet again, and discover new lessons of instruction and fresh grounds for the deepest contrition, as also for everlasting joy and thankfulness - beneath the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Search the Scriptures!

(George Everard, "A Talk about the Family Bible" 1878)

The word Bible signifies Book; and when we call it the Bible, we mean that it is the Book of books - the best Book, the wisest Book, the Book that will do us the most good of any in the world!

If all the other books in the world were destroyed, however great and irreparable the loss - if men still had the Bible, they would be far better off than if this were destroyed and all other books remained.

It is the Book that alone can tell . . .
how sin can be forgiven,
how temptation can be overcome,
how trouble and sorrow can be met,
how tears can be wiped away, and
how death can be the gate of everlasting life.

It is indeed the best companion . . .
for days of trial,
for the day of sickness, and
for the hour when we must part from all below!

Oh what a treasure is a well-read Bible! It is . . .
a mine of gold,
a hive full of honey,
a field covered with a rich harvest.
It is a tree of life, of which every twig bears precious fruit.
It is an ocean full of pearls.
It is a river full of the purest water of life.
It is a sun whose beams warm and cheer the heart.
It is a bright star that can guide the pilgrim through the darkest night.
It is a granary stored with the finest of the wheat.
It is a medicine-chest, from which we may find a remedy for every malady of the soul.
It is a Mount Pisgah, from which we can view the promised land of Canaan.
All this and much more, is the Bible to those who love to search it and explore the depths of heavenly wisdom which it contains.

Dear reader, whatever you forget, never, never forget to read something out of this precious Book day by day.

The Scriptures warn against . . .
the fear of man,
the allurements of worldly pleasures,
the snare of pride, and
the temptation of doubt and unbelief.

Search the Scriptures! Whatever you have done hitherto, begin now to search them daily as for hidden treasures!
Go deep into this precious mine.
Ponder what you read.
Compare one part with another.
Compare the commands and precepts with your own daily life.
Bring its promises to bear on your heart and temptations.

When we read the Scriptures, we should pay good heed to it. There are depths and heights in many of the simplest verses, that we can never reach. Therefore we ought to turn them over again and again in our minds. We must mark, learn, and inwardly digest them. A few verses or even a single verse well thought over, and still better, well prayed over - will bring more profit and help than many chapters listlessly or carelessly read!

If a man carried a bag of gunpowder with him!

(George Everard, "Heart-Work" 1871)

"Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life." Proverbs 4:23

Remember that the heart regulates the life. If the heart is right, then . . .
the hands will do right - they will not steal or be idle, but do their work faithfully;
the feet will move right, not going where they should not, standing in the way of sinners, or treading forbidden paths - but walking straight in the ways of godliness;
the eyes will look right, not coveting forbidden fruit, or reading debasing literature - but spying out work that ought to be done, and looking kindly and pleasantly on those around;
the ears will hearken aright, not eagerly drinking in false reports, or the advice of those who have not yet learned to teach themselves - but ever willing to listen to a faithful reproof, or to a word of wise counsel;
the lips will speak aright, not uttering words of slander, or falsehood, or folly - but words of truth and purity and love, words of earnest prayer and of grateful praise.

But HOW shall the heart be kept right?

1. First of all, remember that He who made the heart, can alone fashion and dispose it to that which is good. Whatever is amiss, He knows how to remedy it:
He gives it a new mainspring - He puts within it the love of Christ, instead of the love of the world;
He sends His Holy Spirit to control and order its unruly passions and affections;
He can cleanse it from all its defilements;
When the chain is off the wheel, He can replace it - I mean, when something has turned our desires from their right object, He can restore them.

Then ask earnestly for grace, "Create in me a clean heart, O God! Incline my heart to Your testimonies! Let my heart be sound in Your statutes that I may honor You!"

But then, He bids us to be workers together with Him in this matter. There is that which He alone can do - but there is that which is our part by His grace to do also.

2. You must take care not to run into scenes of temptation. If a man carried a bag of gunpowder with him, he would be very careful not to go where sparks were flying about - he would feel that in a moment a spark might be his destruction.

Now your heart is very like that gunpowder - a little thing may set it all alight with evil passions! Words may be spoken that may arouse unholy thoughts or desires - therefore be careful. Never go near places where the devil is accustomed to come. Keep far away from the theater, the dancing-room, and never enter the bar of a tavern if you can avoid it.

3. You must watch against any evil thoughts lodging in your mind. You may not be able to prevent them arising, but endeavor to drive them away as soon as you can. A flock of birds may fly over your head - but you would not let them build a nest in your hair! Little flies or insects in summer are very troublesome sometimes - but you take pains to keep them from getting into your eyes, or irritating your face and hands. In the same way, watch against every bad thought.

Remember that among the thousands of thoughts that pass through your mind in a day, there is not one hidden from God! He understands your thoughts afar off, and in His sight the thought of foolishness is sin. Therefore be watchful - do not dwell on anything that may pollute the mind. Cast away murmuring thoughts, angry thoughts, impure thoughts - and pray that God would preserve you from them. "Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart be always acceptable in Your sight, O Lord!"

4. But to keep away thoughts that do harm - nourish thoughts that will do you good. "Finally, brothers . . .
whatever is true,
whatever is noble,
whatever is right,
whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable,
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
- think about such things." Philippians 4:8

There is a good old proverb, "Fill the sack with wheat - and there will be no room for chaff!" Fill your heart with kind thoughts, grateful thoughts, holy thoughts - and you will be safe. Let God's thoughts which are given to us in the Bible - leaven all your thoughts. Hide in your heart the promises and precepts of His Word.

5. But above all, live in a spirit of prayer. Believe that God is always ready to hear you - and often go to Him for help. Draw near to God - and He will draw near to you. Nothing will keep your heart in a holy, happy frame, so much as prayer.

All seemed dark and mysterious!

(John MacDuff, "Loving Counsels" A New Years Address, 1868)

"On my bed I remember You; I think of You through the watches of the night." Psalm 63:6

Some of you can look back over this past year to a time of sickness, when you experienced divine help and consolation - when first you were summoned to retire from the busy throng, and from the scenes in which you delighted. All seemed dark and mysterious. The consciousness that health had departed - that disease was progressing - and that pain and weariness was confining you, as a prisoner, to the bed of suffering. All this pressed hard upon your spirit, and filled your soul with despondency and gloom. The trying dispensation, instead of appearing what it eventually proved - a precious blessing - seemed to be a dire and heavy calamity!

But He, who works His purposes of mercy and love towards His children, in a way often contrary to their expectations and plans - did not leave you to linger in darkness and despair. He came to you in the night watches - He made all your bed in your sickness - He brought promise upon promise to cheer your drooping spirit! He taught you that your sickness and suffering, were needed - to refine, elevate, and sanctify you! He taught you that He designed, thereby . . .
to draw you nearer to Himself,
to wean your affections from the world, and
to bring your will into sweeter and more perfect harmony with His own!

Oh! surely, you have good reason, this day, to bless God for that bed of suffering - that couch of weakness, and those wearisome days, and long sleepless nights, if, thereby, you have . . .
been enabled to realize more fully, that God is your all, your portion, your Father;
been brought into closer relation, and more endeared intimacy, and fellowship with Jesus - the sympathizing Brother - the tender loving Friend;
become more deeply sensible of the Holy Spirit's work within you - of His power to comfort, support, and sanctify you.

Looking back upon that eventful period, your feeling now is:
"Thank God for my trial-time of sickness - for calling me away from the busy throng, that I might be alone with Him! Thank God for teaching me . . .
my own weakness - and His strength;
my own emptiness - and His fullness;
my own sinfulness - and His pardoning love;
my own utter helplessness - and His upholding, comforting, and sustaining grace!

Thank God . . .
that the anguish of that season of pain, distress, and suffering - was so often solaced by His love;
that its loneliness was so often dispelled by His gracious presence;
that its gloom was so often brightened with His smile;
and that its calamity was so often sanctified by His grace!

Thank God that I can now sit loosely to the world, and feel, that I am only a stranger and a pilgrim in it, journeying to my heavenly home! Thank God that I can rest in the assurance of having One ever near, to whom I can reveal every doubt, and care, and perplexity - on whose arm I can confidingly lean in 'coming up from the wilderness;' from whose infinite fullness I can at all times obtain . . .
strength for duty,
patience for suffering,
support under weakness,
and comfort in the midst of sorrow!

His grace is 'sufficient' to bear me up amid all earthly trials and sorrows, temptations and infirmities - and His strength can guide and uphold me in duty, service, and suffering - until that blessed hour, when, the conflict ended, and the victory won - He shall conduct me safely to my eternal home!"

We have come now to the last day of the year! For a whole year in these daily readings, we have been walking with Christ. Is there any better word with which to close this book and close the year, than this last invitation of Jesus, "Follow Me!" This is the true outcome of all learning of Christ. Mere knowledge, though it be of spiritual things, avails nothing - except as it leads us to follow Christ.

We have seen Jesus in all the different phases of His life. We have heard many of His words. Now it remains only for us to follow Him. The outcome of seeing and knowing Jesus - should be holy living and doing. The last day of the year suggests also the same duty.

Who is satisfied with his life as it appears in retrospect? The past, however blotted, must go as it is; we cannot change it, and we need not waste time in regretting. But the new year is before us, and if we would make that better than the stained past, it must be by following Christ more closely.

To follow Christ is to go where He leads - without questioning or murmuring. It may be to a life of trial, suffering, or sacrifice - but it does not matter; we have nothing whatever to do with the kind of life to which our Lord calls us. Our only simple duty is to obey and follow. We know that Jesus will lead us only in right paths, and that the way He takes slopes upward and ends at the feet of God!

The new year on which we are about to enter is unopened, and we know not what shall befall us; but if we follow Christ we need have no fear. So let us leave the old year with gratitude to God for its mercies, and with penitence for its failures and sins; and let us enter the new year with earnest resolve in Christ's name to make it the holiest and most beautiful year we have ever lived.

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

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, how can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way" John 14:5-6

This is the first day of a new year. We are setting out on a journey of which we can have no knowledge in advance. The road is one on which we never have gone hitherto. We know not what any day will have for us . . .
what our duties will be,
what burdens shall be laid upon us,
what sorrows we shall have to endure,
what battles we shall have to fight.

"You have never traveled this way before." Joshua 3:4. We cannot see one step before us! How can we know the way?

As we sit in the quiet, this first evening, and ask the question, we hear an answer which is full of comfort. Jesus says to us, "I am the way!"

All we shall have to do, therefore, will be to follow Jesus. He has made a way through this dark world for us. He has gone over all the journey and opened a road for us at great cost. He went over the way Himself - we shall find His shoe-prints at every step.

He has a definite way for each one of us. Every mile of the journey He has chosen - and every place where I pitch my tent He has selected for me!

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