December (part 2 of 2)
It is only as we thank our Lord with all our hearts for dying for our sake, for dying upon the cross for our sins and giving His whole body to be broken for us, that we begin to experience this wonderful power of resurrection. That is why our worship gathering on Sunday morning around the Lord's Table is so precious and helpful. We have seen that wherever believers have learned to gather Sunday by Sunday around the Lord's Table to remember His death in the manner He taught and to spend sufficient time in pure heartfelt worship and then take part in the Lord's Table after searching their hearts and putting things right, there has been spiritual growth and enlargement. Unfortunately the Lord's Table has become a ritual and ceremony for many believers. They do not realize the value of pure worship before taking part in the Lord's Table. That is why lives remain barren and comparatively dry. It is very importance for believers to learn to worship the Lord around His Table. Then there will be very rapid growth in them spiritually and they will grow in the grace and knowledge of God.
December 19
"...joy unspeakable and full of glory" (1 Pet. 1:8).
In 1 Pet. 1:8, the apostle Peter speaks of joy which is unspeakable and full of gory. This joy cannot be expressed suitably by word or song. No earthly language can express this joy. Though we may not speak much, yet in our hearts there is a peculiar joy which make us feel that we are in heaven. The God of grace gives us this joy as gift. It is wonderful and unspeakable and it never leaves us.
This joy does not depend upon earthly factors like eating and drinking. It is a spiritual joy which comes into us through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 14:17). For some people their joy depends upon good food. Their joy is occasional and temporary. But the joy of the Lord can be enjoyed even during drought or famine or hunger. I can say by experience that, though I had to starve for many days, I found no murmuring or discontentment in my heart. I had a peculiar joy within me, with which earthly factors cannot interfere.
We should exercise our inner life to see whether we have really received that heavenly joy. We should not deceive ourselves. When any one goes for shopping usually he thoroughly examines the things he intends to purchase, and in spite of it, many such people are deceived. In 2 Cor. 11:13 we read how the devil can deceive us. He can make us feel that we have the joy of the Lord even when we actually do not have it. The devil can make an imitation appear as very real.
It is good and safe to examine ourselves in the light of God's Word, and make sure that the joy we have, is really the joy of the Lord.
December 20
"...When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye anything? And they said, Nothing" (Luke 22:35).
In Gen. 22:3 without consulting Sarah, Abraham wawas ready to take Isaac as God had commanded. Some may say that the customs in India and America are different. You may say that American wives are different from Indian wives. They demand everything! - and to keep the peace men have to tell everything to their wives! It may be an American wife, or an English wife or an Indian wife or a graduate wife or illiterate wife. But the divine law is the same for every country. In the work of God, and the things of God, is the same divine law that is operative. If you make any alteration in any divine law, you will bring great weakness into your testimony and loss into your ministry. Divine laws are not to be trifled with, and Abraham had learned that lesson - that when God speaks, He must be obeyed. So without consulting any person, he obeyed God immediately. We must never try to change divine laws by human wisdom.
By God's command Abraham went. We do not find the least anxiety in the heart of Abraham. When Isaac questioned him about the offering he said: "God will provide." He is not avoiding Isaac's question. When he said that God would provide, he actually believed that the Lord would provide. Literally the meaning of Moriah is: "God will provide." Here we see the kind of faith that had been created and developed in the heart of Abraham. The true friendship that God demands is a strong, living and simple faith and alas! for most of us, we have no faith. Even though we talk about faith, and preach and sing about faith, when the test is actually given, we know how the devil again and again brings some doubt into our hearts. Even though we have proved God on many occasions and He has given victory over the enemy's devices, we have seen how many times doubt still comes into our hearts till the Lord reassures us with His promise that He will surely provide.
In the same way we often find that when we are asked to give a message we feel so dry, empty and weak; the throat may be dry and the brain tired but even then, He provides His message if we seek it and you will find the same way in every test; I know it in my own experience. He is faithful. Whenever God blesses, He provides, and whatsoever burden we as men may have to bear, He gives abundant and extra grace for that burden.
December 21
"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together" (Heb. 10:24,25).
After crossing the river Jordan the children of Israel had to conquer the high-walled city of Jericho. The Lord told them that if only they would follow Him as He went before them and do whatever He commanded them, they would be able to see the enemy defeated. God informed the Israelites so clearly that they had not passed that way before and that they could not depend upon the wisdom they had acquired in Egypt or any other past experience of theirs. Only the Lord knew the way and He alone could lead them. They simply had to follow Him. He revealed His plans to Joshua step by step and the children of Israel could be sure of victory when they implicitly followed the revealed plan. The reason why the Lord had asked them to keep a space between them and the Ark of the covenant (Josh. 3:4), was that they could keep their eyes on it and follow on. The people were asked to sanctify themselves before they could cross the river (v.5). Sanctification means bringing ourselves into the full possession of the living God. Instead of depending upon ourselves, our wealth, our numbers, or any other human advantages, we should give full charge of our lives to the Lord. He will then fight for us in every situation and make us more than conquerors.
The Ark of the covenant had to be borne by the priests and all the rest of the people had to follow them. We too have to identify ourselves with the whole church and thus become successful in overcoming all the obstacles. We must be in fellowship with other believers and take our full share in building the Church. Many believers do not meet with other believers for fellowship. They are just satisfied by hearing good music and good messages. But they do not know the value of the fellowship which we have as we meet together either for worship or for prayer or for the study of His Word. Do not keep away from fellowship, thinking that through messages on the radio or through good books and magazines, your will receive full blessings. That way you will only remain weak and powerless. Our strength and growth depend upon our fellowship with one another. The early believers began to grow spiritually, because they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayers (Acts 2:42).
December 22
"For he that is dead is freed from sin" (Rom. 6:7).
Learn to look at the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Greeks said, "We would see Jesus". Our Lord was saying, "My dear friends, do you want to see Me? Then first of all, be partakers of my death, like the grain of wheat dying in the ground." No man can save himself. He can try many means, he can fast, weep, say long prayers or suffer hardship; yet he cannot save himself. It is by faith we become partakers in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, some may have the tobacco habit for many years. They may promise "From tomorrow I will not smoke," but after one week they begin to smoke secretly. They have become salves to that habit. They struggle and get no relief. But when we understand the cross, every sin and vice vanish away in a second. By the power and the working of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are given victory over sin.
As we continue to behold the cross we become like our Lord Jesus. For example, take those who are married. Before their marriage, they were carried away by outward appearances. But after their marriage they are more concerned with inward virtues. They go on seeing some new virtue in each other. After many years they look like brother and sister, whereas before marriage there was a great difference between them. It is the same when the life of the Lord Jesus comes into you. As the work of the cross goes on, you become more and more like Him.
You may see miracles and dream dreams; but you will not see the Lord till you come to the cross and know by faith and revelation what He did for you. Then you can see Him always, you can see Him every day and everywhere; you can see His heavenly glory. O what a joy! When you learn to see the cross you will become more and more like Him. If you do not have that experience yet, come and have it now.
December 23
"...They need not depart; give ye them to eat" (Matt. 14:16).
If we can truthfully and honestly say that the Lord Jesus Christ has become our personal Saviour, then we should be able to give spiritual bread to the hungry people around us. Wherever we may live, whether in village or city, we will find in our neighbourhood or locality many hungry people doing deeds of shame and living in darkness, a life of defeat. The Lord's command to all of us is: "Give ye them to eat". If we have received the bread of life from the Lord Jesus Christ, then we should be able to offer that bread to those who are hungry and thirsty. They may not accept our offer, but we have the privilege to offer what we have. The disciples confessed their poverty as they saw the multitude, and said, "...We have here but five loaves, and two fishes" (v. 17). It is only when we know our true inward spiritual condition and confess our poverty, that the hunger of others can be satisfied. If we think we have plenty to give, we cannot satisfy the hungry and helpless and cannot be of use to the Lord. When the disciples confessed their poverty the Lord said, "Bring them hither to me" (v.18). We have got to learn that lesson. Whatever we have and however little it may be, it must be brought to the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ with simple faith. Say to Him: "Lord, even though I am weak and empty, I bring everything to Thee. I do not know what to say, or how to say it. Lord, use me entirely for Thyself." In the same way do not hesitate to give your money, time and strength unto the Lord. That is God's way of using us. But whenever we try to use what we have for ourselves, we find it does not matter how much we get, it will not satisfy us, and because we try to use our own wisdom and knowledge we fail. We must bring to the Lord all we have.
Here were a few barley loaves and a few fishes. But the Lord blessed them and multiplied them and doubtless made them more tasty. In the same way whenever we claim God's blessing on our labours, we find it works. Sometimes we do not know what to say. We feel frightened to talk to people saying. "They will not believe me. I cannot speak because I have no understanding or knowledge. I don't know anything properly". Remember He will bless broken words which you may utter. Broken words have power behind them. I have had that experience. "How can these broken words convince so and so? But I found that every word was a blessing to somebody. If the Lord can bless the loaves, surely He can bless the words we speak. This is true in every case. If we want our neighbours and co-workers to be blessed through us, let us not be afraid to say to the Lord: "Touch my tongue and bless the word I speak in Thy name", for we know that men are in misery and sorrow and they want a message. God can use you if you are a willing co-worker.
December 24
"... we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" (Romans 8:37).
The Lord Jesus Christ died to bear the punishment of our sins and also to bury them for ever. He also died to enable us to identify ourselves with Him in His resurrection. Just as we believe that we died to our old nature when He died on the cross, so also we have to believe that we have risen with Him to a new life - His resurrection life (Rom. 6:5). We are baptised not only into His death but also into His resurrection. The same glorious power which raised our Lord from the grave, comes into us and goes on working in us. This power of resurrection is the highest power which God had made available, in Christ, to every believer. No wonder the apostle Paul could exclaim, "Oh! how I long to know Him, and the power of His resurrection!" The power of resurrection is the final proof that we have victory over our old sinful nature. It strengthens us in the inward man - the new creation and helps us to overcome our trials and temptations. Therefore claim, by faith, the power of resurrection every day, for every need. But take warning. Do not deliberately enter into temptations, and then ask the Lord to help you. Also do not wait to ask the Lord for help till you are actually tempted.
Do not wait till you have slipped half way down into sin. Be ready even before the temptations come. Begin the day, as early as you can, in worshipping the Lord and praising Him. Continue to wait on Him with His Word. Then pray, "Lord, I am weak. I know my experience that I say and do foolish things. I do not want to fall into sin. I acknowledge my emptiness and helplessness. Wilt Thou not pour into me Thy power of resurrection?" Then you will hear the Lord's voice assuring you. "Yes, My child, 'without me ye can do nothing". (John 15:5). So depend upon Him for the least as well as the greatest need. Then, in Christ, you will become stronger and wiser day by day.
Do not use any worldly wisdom or weapons of the flesh in order to live a victorious life. Use only God's wisdom, and God's weapons: our oneness with the Lord Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Cor. 1:18, Gal. 6:14; Gal. 2:20). These verses give us the secret of a triumphant life. But we need faith to get hold of this secret. Remember that the Lord is willing to give us this faith. Pray for Him, "Lord, give me the faith that will make me more than a conqueror. Cause me to triumph in Christ. Lord, do manifest the savour of Thy knowledge in and through me in every place; I will not let Thee go till Thou hast made me a conqueror".
December 25
"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:4).
The joy of the Lord is a very great joy and is given to us in a very great measure. "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" (Luke 2:10). This message was brought to the world at the time of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the angels. The Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to give us His great joy. This joy is directly from heaven, and is heavenly.
Secondly, this joy is also sent from heaven under divine authority to the entire human race. This joy is meant for "all people". It is not meant to be confined to any one section of people. What God says in the Bible is infallibly true. It cannot be altered. The term "all people" means, people of all countries, of all languages, of all ages, of all walks of life, rich and poor, educated and uneducated, civilized and uncivilized, high and low, white and black. This joy can be received and enjoyed by all.
In the last part of Neh. 8:10, we read as follows, "...the joy of the LORD is your strength". When a sinner receives the forgiveness of his sins by being washed in the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, he receives a peculiar heavenly joy. This joy multiplies when one lives his life for the glory and satisfaction of the Lord Jesus Christ. When once we receive this joy it can be increasingly experienced by us day by day. In the same Scripture portion given above, it is written, "...send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared". In other words the heavenly joy which a saved person experience can be passed on to people who are in sorrow and are deprived of this heavenly joy. This means that the heavenly joy received by one can be shared with other people also, that is, people who are in sorrow and who are without such a joy. This joy of the Lord also gives victory over every sin and temptation.
December 26
"...and his eyes were as a flame of fire" (Rev. 1:14).
John the apostle saw that the eyes of the Lord Jesus Christ were as a flame of fire. John was thinking that the Lord was not seeing what was happening to the believers, but the Lord could see everything. His eyes will be upon us provided our heart is perfect toward Him, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and from throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chro. 16:9). Love the Lord with a perfect heart and sincerely. Then He will work on your behalf. He knows your heart's thought and need and He goes on moving that way. His eyes are like a flame of fire. You have to look into His eyes.
Sometimes when guests come into your house, you want to give them tea or coffee, and tell your wife, "Bring coffee for So and So". But there is nothing in the house, and your wife cannot say openly: "We have nothing in the house!" so she stands in the door and talks with her eyes. Our Lord says, "I want to speak with you. Look at My eyes. I will tell you what is in My heart." As you turn around, you find eyes like a burning flame, and the fire must burn out sin. If there is any defilement or sin, we dare not look at Him. We will look the other way. But if you keep your heart pure, you can look at Him. You will find love is in His eyes, when your eyes meet His eyes, and what words cannot say, the eyes can say.
The Lord is saying, "My children, look at My eyes. Then you will know how much I love you". Do not look at the situation or trouble around you. Look at His eyes constantly. Then you will know how great and powerful His love is for you. For a purpose He has to chastise you, punish you and rebuke you (Heb. 12:6). "...whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth". In the midst of trouble, look at His eyes; you will never doubt His love. Ask Him: "Lord, give me eyes to see Thy beauty and Thy glory!" and you will find that a new glimpse of the Lord Jesus Christ will solve all your problems.
December 27
"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance" (Eph. 6:18).
The enemy uses weapons of mockery and ridicule as we notice in Neh. 4:1. These are very common weapons which the enemy uses, to hinder the work of God. The devil often used the leading men for this purpose, hoping the mockery and ridicule from the leading men will prove more effective to harm God's work. Sanballat and Tobiah did not only hold important positions in Jerusalem, but they also had plenty of money. They were so proud of their position, land, authority and money that they did not fear ridiculing those who wanted to obey and serve God. We have seen the same type of things happening during the past years. Those who were incharge of schools, hospitals and other institutions and were having much money, were intoxicated with power in their high position. They began to ridicule those who wanted to testify in the waters of baptism, saying, "Who will bury you? Who will marry you? Who will give you jobs? Who will feed you?" and so on. The devil has used the same weapon through the ages against God's servants who wanted to obey and serve Him. But we thank and praise God for our strong and effective weapon of prayer which is all powerful to defeat the enemy. If we want to obey God fully we must also be prepared for facing all kinds of mockery and persecution. When Nehemiah and his helpers were attacked by the enemy they began to pray. The more they were attacked by the enemy, the more did they pray. Similarly we were not discouraged by all the attacks of the enemy but we went on praying and seeking God's help. We have found by experience that the people who mocked us in the beginning are now begging us to come and help them, pray for them, or have Gospel campaigns in their places. If we patiently bear all the mocking, in due time the Lord will help us and make us channels of blessing to those who earlier mocked us. Our duty is just to remain true to the heavenly vision and go on praying. In some cases, we find the enemy bringing contention and strife among the believers to hinder the work of God. In order to maintain oneness in the spirit among ourselves we should pray much. The enemy can raise bitter opposition against God's people and God's servants. It is only by travailing and persevering prayer that we can very certainly defeat the attack of the enemy.
December 28
"...Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" (Acts 9:6).
There are conditions to be fulfilled in order to find God's will. "Teach me to do thy will". Teach me, is the first condition. God will not force you nor compel you. He has given every man free will. It is only when we go to Him and say to Him: "Teach me", that He will teach us to find His will.
Secondly, we must die to our own will. You have got to say again by faith, "Not my will, but Thy will. I am willing for all my plans to be broken". We must say this from our hearts everyday and not as a matter of formality.
Thirdly, be willing to obey God joyfully. Can you say honestly, "O God! whatever You say, I will do joyfully and not half-heartedly; Thy Law is within my heart?"
Fourthly, you must be free from worldly friends and worldly relations. Say in the beginning of the day. "Lord, is there anything in my heart which is grieving Thee?" Only then you can prove what is that good and perfect and acceptable will of God. You must long for God's best. For many believers money comes first. They do not care whether the girl is black, fat or short, if the parents offer Rs. 20,000/-, she is the best girl for their son. Consequently, there are many girls with mental breakdowns, because the parents are governed by worldly advantages, and not by God's will.
The fifth condition is in Proverbs 3:5. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart." Then your request will be fulfilled. Without faith you cannot find God's will. Be not wise in your own understanding.
Sixthly, "In all thy ways acknowledge him" Proverbs 3:6. You must go to God every day for every matter and for every problem. Not only occasionally, but daily. Even for small things, you must pray.
The seventh condition is found in Is. 30:21. "This is the way, walk ye in it". Take heed to the timely warning which our Lord gives you. If you are about to take a wrong turn, there will come the voice of God, "Do not go that way, be careful. This is the way, walk ye in it."
Many believers, like Eli, become deaf spiritually. God was speaking to Samuel. Eli could not hear, even though he was a high priest, because he was negligent and because of his defilement, he had become deaf spiritually. Oh, keep your ears sensitive to the voice of God.
December 29
"...LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw" (2 Kings 6:20).
A blind man was brought to the Lord Jesus, Mark 8:22 to 25. Usually the Lord healed the sick and infirm with just one touch. But in this case it was different.
Firstly, the Lord Jesus took the blind man by his hand. We also have to learn how to be held by Lord, and to hold on to His hand. Many of us know the Bible, but we have failed to understand how to hold on to the hand of the Lord. Instead, we often hold on to some man's hand. As long as you allow Him to hold you by His hand you will be safe in any kind of circumstance.
Secondly, the Lord Jesus led the blind man out of the town. Through this He is teaching us a spiritual lesson. He wants us to see that if we are to be healed of our spiritual blindness we must allow Him to lead us away from all our worldly associations and friendships. How many believers fail to attend worship with the Lord's people because of worldly friends and relations! If you allow the Lord to lead you, He will liberate you from all associations which bring loss and blindness.
Thirdly, we see that the Lord Jesus spat upon the eyes of the blind man. This meant that the man had to be prepared to bear reproach for His Name's sake. If we want to grow spiritually we must be ready to bear His reproach (Matt. 10:24, 25 and 1 Pet. 4:14). There are many believers who are not willing to bear reproach and so do not testify about the Lord. As a result they become blind spiritually and lose their joy.
When our Lord touched this man new life came into him. But even after he had received new life, we see that the Lord had not finished dealing with him. The Lord asked him if he saw aught, Mk. 8:23. He could have said, "Yes Lord, it is wonderful; I can see!" Of course, the Lord knew what the condition of his sight was before he asked the question, but He wanted that man to make an honest confession of his own accord. We see how the man made full and honest confession to the Lord, "I see men as tree, walking".
This man confessed his weakness to the Lord. So the Lord touched him and gave him clear vision. How glad he must have been then, that he had not tried to cover up his real condition from the Lord! May be you too are being troubled by temper, or pride, or greed, or some other defiling habit, practice or friendship. May be you tell lies. Because of these weaknesses your spiritual eyes are dim. Do not be reluctant to confess your weakness and defeat to the Lord Jesus. That is what He is waiting for you to do now; then He will touch you. He is so loving and gracious and merciful. He will give you one more touch and "restore" perfect spiritual sight to you.
December 30
"God ...comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble" (2 Cor. 1:3,4).
Reuben means "Jehovah seeth" or "the LORD hath looked upon my affliction" (Gen. 29:32). Whatever your trouble may be, believe from your heart that the Lord has seen all your affliction, sufferings, poverty and trials. Do not seek human sympathy. The Lord alone knows how to comfort you in your sorrow and help you in your difficulties. All you have to do is to let God see your afflictions.
Paul suffered extreme sufferings (2 Cor. 1:3-10). He had none to comfort him. He was pressed beyond measure. In fact he had no hope of remaining alive. Then God came to his rescue and delivered him. For this reason Paul said that he himself was now able to comfort others. God allowed such afflictions in his life so that he might know how to help others in distress. Perhaps, troubles have come upon you and you have murmured against God and said, "Lord, I have done nothing wrong against You! Why have You allowed such afflictions in my life?" The Lord has not sent these afflictions to you as a punishment for your sins but only to train you that you may be a source of comfort to many others who are in similar need.
Through all our sufferings, sorrows and difficulties, God is preparing us for a heavenly vocation. We know that through all these we are strengthened spiritually. For example, on high mountains strong and tall tree grow because of the strong wind. In the same way every storm of life, whether persecution, or poverty, or trial, or sickness, or loneliness, or family strife, is not intended to punish us but is allowed to make us strong spiritually.
I thank God with all my heart for my sufferings after my salvation. From the year 1927 to 1935, God permitted every kind of suffering in my life. I thank God for them. He gave me grace. I do not know of anytime when I murmured. I believe that it was God's plan for me. In those days He taught me many spiritual lessons and He became real and precious to me. We will never learn these things by reading books or going to any college. Remember that the Lord has seen your affliction, you will be comforted and brought very near to the heart of God, so much so that you will be able to serve others by comforting them.
December 31
"I... will do better unto you than at your beginnings" (Ezekiel 36:11).
We see in 2 Kings 6:5 how a young man, son of a prophet borrowed an axe, and because he was careless he did not make sure that the axe-head was firm in the handle. In the same way, some of us borrow money and are very careless in returning. It is because of dissatisfaction. Some people earn much money, but spend it carelessly, and then they begin to borrow. Because of carelessness, we cut short our prayer time, our time of devotion and reading the Bible. We use our tithes for other purposes and thus we become unhappy. We can recover all that we have lost, for God is saying to you and me, "I will do better unto you than at your beginnings."
In Eze. 36:9-11, we see God's desire that every kind of barrenness should be put away and mountains be made to yield all things in abundance every where. Some of the mountains at that time, were barren for more than 1500 years and according to the prophecy, that place which was barren has become fertile. The Lord is saying to us, "Oh my people, though you have become barren, I want you to bring forth fruit, more fruit and still more fruit! But let Me first of all possess you again and use you more and more". That is God's longing. We want to forget the past. We want to thank God for the mercies He has already showered upon us, and want to go forward with stronger faith and larger vision and see Him working more mightily. He is a wonder-working God and a covenant-keeping God: a mighty God and a prayeranswering God. He will do marvels as we read in Exo 34:10. That should be the longing of our hearts. Let us call upon Him to possess us completely. We need to fully follow Him for He is a faithful God.
Let us forget the past and press forward with the high calling of God expecting great things from Him. He is a great God and He never fails. The God of might and the God of power is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think. Whatever might have been our failures in the past, they will be forgotten.