September (part 1 of 2)
September 1
"Let brotherly love continue" (Hebrews 13:1)
Many believers do not understand how to take their share in building God's House. They think it is enough if they go to some place of worship on Sunday and listen to a sermon. We must learn by experience and by waiting upon the Lord, what our share is in building the House of God. It may take many years for us to learn this lesson but it must be learnt.
When the Lord builds the House and we are His co-workers and partners. He will give us many spiritual children because of our love, testimony and sacrifice (Psalm 127:4). We will be filled with joy and strength, and our joy will multiply when our spiritual children also learn to grow and walk with the Lord. The apostle Paul writes to the believers at Thessalonica, "Ye are my glory". He forgot how much affliction he had undergone when he was in their midst. "When you take your share in building God's House by winning souls, i.e. "lively stones," and bring them up in the nurture of the Lord Jesus Christ, verses 4 and 5 of Psalm 127 will be true of you also. Souls are not always saved through sermons. Sometimes they are saved through a few words of testimony or an act of kindness.
One of my college-mates was living with me in Toronto. His name was Mr. Greenway. I used to pray, "Lord, I want Mr. Greenway to be saved". One morning I asked Mr. Greenway, "Are you born again?" He replied, "Yes, I was born again two weeks ago." With joy in my heart I asked him how this had come about. In simple words he replied, "I was saved on the day you gave me the shaving cream and soap." I had noticed how he had cut his chin because he had shaved without soap. So I gave him those things. The Lord used that act of kindness to save the soul of Mr. Greenway. It was a small thing. When I gave the cream he realized that whatever I had told him about the wonderful Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, was true. When we comfort someone in distress or visit the sick the Lord builds His House through us.
September 2
"Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16).
The Bible is the Word of God, and it has words of life for our blessing. It gives knowledge and understanding. We have the Holy Spirit to explain the Bible to us. But there are very few people who enjoy reading the Word of God.
There are three ways of reading the Bible. One way is to read it like a scholar, another like a butterfly and the third like a honey-bee. When a scholar reads the Bible, he sits on an easy chair, with a cushion at the back, a cup of coffee on a side table, with a book, pencil and dictionary. While sipping the coffee and feeling very comfortable he reads the Bible. Such people get much information but everything remains in the mind only and there is no change in their lives. They think, "If I am asked to give a message in Hebron, I can give a very good one, and my wife will appreciate it". Now the second group of people read the Bible like a butterfly, which flies from flower to flower and garden to garden. May read the Bible like that, some love to read their favourite books and chapters like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 23. They read from Matthew 5 and then jump on so something else. But some others read the Bible like a honey-bee and the Bible should be read like that. The honey-bee goes from flower to flower, with a purpose to suck honey. It sits on the flower till the honey comes out and it goes on sucking and gathering honey. It must be gathered in order to be brought to the beehive. Then they all get together after they have gathered the honey from all the flowers and it becomes nice and ripe. Then the queen bee gives order and they eat together and enjoy together. They work together diligently and faithfully and this is the real way of enjoying God's Word. Just as the bee sucks honey from flower to flower, so we should read our Bible through, systematically with much prayer. We can also enjoy the honey by coming together, in fellowship with fellow-believers. God's Word is enjoyed together as honeybees. Eat the honey together. That is why we gather together for fellowship with fellow-believers. And the more you appreciate and enjoy Christian fellowship the more you will enjoy God's Word. If you have not got the taste of Christian fellowship you have no taste for God's Word. They go together.
September 3
"... Avenge me of mine adversary" (Luke 18:3).
In God's Word in Luke 18:1-8 we are made to see the secret of effective prayer life. The Lord compares us to a widow and Himself to an unjust judge. From this portion we learn how our prayers can be fully answered by the living God. Though it takes a long time to receive answers to our prayers, surely they will be answered if we ask persistently. The secret we see here is, the poor widow is sure of her right. It was not a false case but a just one. That constrained her to go to the judge again and again. We do not know what the case was. May be she had some property which was taken away by force by some relatives or her neighbours had occupied her land unlawfully. But she had no doubt about her claim to the property and so she took her case to the judge. When we pray, we should be right in our prayers, and also we must be sure about what we pray. Then we cry to the Lord, and surely He will answer even though He may delay to do so. Those who are not born again have no claim over God. Whatever they receive, they receive because of God's mercy. They have no right. But those who are born again have a right. We, as God's redeemed children, have a strong claim over Him. We must know how to claim our right over Him and call upon Him effectively.
We as God's people have to believe that we are very precious to Him. We are God's peculiar treasure. "For the LORD hath chosen Jacob unto himself, and Israel for his peculiar treasure" (Psalm 135:4). We are chosen by God Himself for a great purpose. Our lives and our claims are very precious in His sight. The value of God's treasure can never be estimated by human wisdom. It is very precious because the Lord Jesus Christ purchased us to be His own by shedding His own blood. We may be weak and foolish in the eyes of people, but before God we are a peculiar treasure. With that assurance we can call upon God for all our needs and all our problems. But many of us go to Him as beggars without any assurance. God wants us to claim our rights as His peculiar treasure. Not only are we His peculiar treasure but also His hidden treasure (Matt. 13:44). As His hidden treasure we give great joy to our Lord. We ought to believe that we have the great privilege of bringing joy to our Lord, because of the great price He paid for us. We have to pray that our lives may be so lived to bring pleasure and joy to God. We are more precious to Him than all the things upon the earth and all things under the earth. Believing in the fact that we are so precious to God, we can go to Him in boldness and tell Him our problems.
September 4
"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:6).
From the very beginning of their married life the couple must bring themselves under the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ in every matter. He is the living Head of the Church and He should be acknowledged as such in every aspect of married life. For a happy home, those who are brought together by the Lord must accept the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ. They must say by faith, "Lord Jesus Christ, You are our Creator, You have all power. You became Man for us, died in our stead and rose again to live in us. We give complete charge of our hearts, lives and plans. We will not do anything without your permission". That is how they should begin their married life. The husband should say, "Lord Jesus Christ, this is Your home. We are Your children. I do not want my will or my wife's will to be done in this home, but only Your will". In the same way the wife also should acknowledge the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ and say, "Yes Lord, this is not my home. It is Your home, You have given us this home. Let not my will or my husband's will be done in this home, but only Your will". Otherwise the husband will say to the wife, "You are my wife, you must listen to me. If you do not obey me I will make you to obey. See what I will do". Then the wife will say, "I know more than you, I will not listen to you". That is how the quarrel starts. In the beginning they quarrel with doors and windows closed, after sometime they quarrel openly, even in the streets. For a happy home they must acknowledge the Headship of the Lord Jesus Christ, before going anywhere and doing anything. This should be their daily practice, throughout their married life. His will is the best for us He loves us much more than we can think or imagine.
September 5
"...I saw..one like unto the Son of man..." (Rev. 1:12,13).
The voice of the Lord is as the sound of many waters (Rev. 1:15). "...like the noise of great waters, as the voice of the Almighty" (Ezek. 1:24). The Lord was saying to John the apostle as he heard His voice like the sound of many waters, "Oh John, I have all power". He said the same thing before His ascension (Matt. 28:18). The enemy will come in like a flood (Isa. 59:19) but He is the Almighty God and has all power over all the power of darkness. By faith we can claim that power for those who are in need, and not depend upon the worldly power or police to protect us in times of trouble.
In Pakistan there is a place called Martinpur. In 1947 the Christians were being killed in large numbers by the Mohammedans, as they did in East Pakistan. When they attacked Martinpur the Christians hid themselves in the fields. After three days, they received a message from the Mohammedans, saying, "Please do not hid any more in the fields. We have tried to attack the village for the past three nights. Every time we came near we found Someone on a white horse with a drawn sword. We know your God is with you". This is a true story. I have been there several times. There are times when the Lord sent His angels to protect His people in a seen or an unseen way. He says, "I hold My angels in My hand. They will obey Me. When I know it is best I will send My angels".
Then John saw that out of his mouth, went a sharp twoedged sword (Rev. 1:16b). "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword"(Heb.4:12). In Matt. 4:4 we see how the Lord defeated Satan by His Word. Satan was trying to tempt the Lord Jesus Christ by misusing God's Word. But the Lord by the right use of God's Word, defeated Satan. The sharp twoedged sword coming out of His mouth is the Word of God. By using the Word of God rightly we can defeat Satan. He will come to us many times bringing fear and doubt but we should say again and again, "Get thee behind me, Satan. The Lord has defeated you. He is with me. He has forgiven my sins. I know He will help me". Then claim God's promise rightly for yourself and others in need.
In Rev. 1:16 we read, "...and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength". In Mal. 4:2 we read about the Sun of righteousness. That is one of the names given to the Lord Jesus Christ. His face is like that midday sun. The sunshine has a certain quality to heal some diseases. The Lord Jesus Christ is our heavenly sunshine. By looking at His face, living in His presence and by speaking to Him, all the germs of doubt and fear will be removed, and we are strengthened and thus enjoy His favour. That is how we cannot only pray for ourselves but also intercede for others. We should pray, "Lord, bring sunshine upon me, and upon So and So. Heal me of my doubts and fears, and do the same to others also".
Thus we can have an effective, intercessory ministry. We have to intercede for those who are fallen, those who are going through temptations, those who are in danger and in lonely places. Thus you can become a co-worker with the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time you can conquer temptations.
September 6
"I am he that liveth, ...and, behold, I am alive for evermore" (Rev. 1:18).
The Second Coming of the Lord is a very important subject in the Bible. There are 250 chapters in the New Testament, in which there are 360 references to this subject; and twenty-eight chapters are devoted wholly and solely to the subject; in fact, it is the only subject which is treated exhaustively in the Word of God. God has a purpose in bringing up this subject again and again. How many times this matter is referred to in the first chapter of Revelation: Chap. 1:3, last part, "The time is at hand;" v.4; "which is, and which was, and which is to come;" "Behold, he cometh with clouds ...Even so, Amen" v.7; "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending ...the Almighty," v.8.
The main purpose of the Book of Revelation is to prepare us for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we keep ourselves ready for His Coming, we can be kept free from many dangers, defilement and deception. Many people think of this subject just as a collection of all kinds of theories, and teachings and hence they have no real enjoyment of the truth. It is not a subject in which you pass an examination in order to win a prize! It is a matter which should give you abundant joy, and is the secret of a triumphant life. When the matter was brought in vision to John the apostle, it was at the time when he was somewhat discouraged. All of us sometimes feel discouraged. There are always things happening in and around, which are bound to discourage us.
The man of God, John the apostle, was the most beloved disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is repeated six times in John's Gospel: "the disciple whom Jesus loved". The very same disciple was bound in prison, on the isle of Patmos, for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ, because at that time, things were happening among believers, which were beyond understanding. The same things will happen in the end days also. The enemy will become active and attack God's people as we see in Rev. 12. Only by the strength of the knowledge of His soon coming, can we be victorious. When our Lord appeared to John the apostle, He found him discouraged, so He reminded him that He is the same Who will come back again. What he could not understand then, he would understand on that day.
There is no need for us to be impatient. Wait patiently, the Lord will answer all your questions, one by one, when He appears in glory. The work of salvation also will only be perfected on that day, and we shall know the meaning of the great salvation, and the greatness of our blessed Saviour. There is a peculiar joy in keeping ourselves ready for that day.
September 7
"... feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood" (Act 20:28).
In order to protect the believers, the apostle Paul gave solemn warnings to the elders. He told them, "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them" (Acts 20:28- 30). He told them that the Devil would be busy: God's people would be attacked by false teachers whom the apostle likens unto "wolves", and they would be deceived by perverse men: that is why the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. The apostle Paul remained in Ephesus and taught the people himself three years, and that with great earnestness and tears, to make sure that these elders were God's chosen workers.
We who are living in the last days, know from God's Word that this is the time the enemy will be more active than ever before. Believers will be attacked with all kinds of weapons devised by the enemy, such as wrong doctrine, false teaching and deceitful workers, persecution, suffering, poverty, and internal strife. So if we do not protect God's people by giving them proper teaching, we are actually failing God in a great responsibility which He has given to us.
Paul was not only an apostle, but also a prophet, evangelist and pastor. In spite of this, he needed the help of many other servants of God. But there are some preachers nowadays who seem to think that they possess all the necessary gifts and can also look after their flock single-handed. As a result they fail to protect the people of God. It is better for them to realize their limitations and pray that God may send to them many other gifted servants of God through whose ministry the believers can be strengthened and protected.
If you do not understand God's plan for building up His people then take care you do not hinder God's work. If God has not called you for the ministry then it is better for you to stand aside and not interfere in the work of God. God will not accept any work which is against His heavenly plan.
September 8
"...these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:4).
If you go to Denmark, you will not find any poor man there, everybody is prosperous. Nobody is unemployed. Everybody has a good job. They have a sanatorium but no patients. whereas in India, you have a waiting list for the sick for many, many months. Yet in Denmark with all their knowledge and skillfulness and prosperity, they have a large number of suicides. Every day you find young people and old people committing suicide. Those who depend upon their possessions for their happiness are disappointed. But the man of God says in Hab. 3:17-18 that even though he may lose everything which he possesses, yet he will rejoice in the Lord. For the believer there is a joy which is not dependent upon land or buildings, or prosperity, or any kind of wealth or possession. Have you found that joy? It is for such a purpose the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, and now, so lovingly, He is offering that joy to all people in any part of the world. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Phil. 4:4). "Rejoice evermore" (1 Thess 5:16). That joy will not go away, whether you have good health or ill heath, whether you have many friends or enemies, whether you are in your own home or away from home. There are many people who get home-sick. They think that their joy depends upon their home. This joy is not like that. Wherever you may be the joy is there. "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy..." (Rom. 15:13). Our Lord was saying these words to the disciples, because they were feeling so sad and discouraged. Our Lord was saying, "The time has come. I must suffer, be reviled, mocked and killed for your sake". They could not understand why our Lord with so much power and authority must suffer like that. "These things (about His suffering and dying) have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you and that your joy might be full", He suffered for your need and mine; He did not suffer to get sympathy; but He suffered and died to make your joy full, that wherever you are, you may have that joy.
Not only so, but this joy will increase day by day. "...the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 13:52). They were going through extreme suffering, (verse 50), they were persecuted, hated, falsely accused, and expelled from their coasts. Yet, they were filled with joy. None of these sufferings and trials lessened their joy. But in our case, perhaps even a small trouble will take away our joy, and it will take you many many days to recover it. If somebody tries to accuse you falsely in a small matter, you will be feeling very very hurt and wounded for many months. That is human nature. But, the Lord Jesus Christ came into the world to make our joy full.
September 9
"...hath he said, and shall he not do it?" (Numbers 23:19)
If we want to face our enemies in the world it does not matter how strong or how many they are, we cannot fight against them with our own knowledge, argument or other strength. Many people can defeat us by their arguments and cleverness. They can twist and twist our words in many ways. By our arguments and wisdom we cannot overcome them and prove who we are. If our lives are like a rod yielding blossoms, buds and almonds, then we shall put a stop to all murmurings, hatred, jealousy and rebellion of our enemies.
We know beforehand that there is going to be much murmurings against us because of the new birth or our obedience in baptism; because of our desire to follow the Bible, and the determination to refuse to follow the world; because of the refusal to put on gold ornaments, jewels or other things or to take part in heathen customs. Surely, there will be murmurings against us, but we must not fight against them by arguments. We must learn to pray by faith and say everyday, "Oh Lord, make me like Aaron's rod. Lord, I want to blossom and yield fruit".
In Jer. 1:11,12 God Himself gave His servant the meaning of the almond rod. "I will hasten my word to perform it". In other words it means that whosoever receives God's Word by faith, even though he may find it hard to understand the meaning of the Word or message, will find one day that, that Word will bring forth fruit. God says He will do it, and God's words are eternal. No power on earth can change the Word of God (Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33; Matt 5:18). Whatsoever God has said must come to pass; it must be fulfilled. If we believe God's Word and receive it by faith, one day the same Word will be literally fulfilled. Pray by faith, "O God, fulfil Thy promise in my life, verify and fulfil Thy Word and give me faith for my healing, for my strength, for my wisdom." Claim the promises you receive from God's Word, and you will find that God will fulfil them. Some promises may be hard to believe, but still you must claim their fulfilment.
September 10
"... your sorrow shall be turned into joy" (John 16:20).
Benjamin means, "son of my right hand" (Gen. 35:18). When Rachel was in great pain and was dying, she called her newborn son, "Benoni" - "son of my sorrow". But Jacob changed his name from Benoni to Benjamin, "son of my right hand", meaning that Benjamin was going to receive power and strength rather than sorrow. It is the right hand that is most useful for every job. Only a few use their left hand. So when Jacob said "Son of my right hand" or "Son of my strength", he meant that this son would finally have more strength and more joy because of the sorrow in which he was born. Benjamin's mother died in childbirth and so he did not know mother's love. But it was through Benjamin that his brothers were brought into favour with Joseph later on. Although Joseph was hated by his brothers, his heart melted when he saw Benjamin and he not only forgave them but even rewarded them.
Thus we find that Benjamin speaks of those sorrows which bring us to God's right hand. Sorrow is a precious and costly experience which brings us close to God and makes us enjoy His strength. The Lord may take us through experience of extreme sorrow. He may take away our parents at an early age. He may take away our children, our husband or wife, or someone whom we love. We may not understand why this should happen to us. But through the sorrow caused to us, we will be brought into divine favour.
Through very painful experiences we learn how to bear other peoples burdens and this in turn, qualifies us to come to the right hand of God and into divine favour. Your sorrowful experiences may not all be caused by the death of loved ones. They may be caused through misunderstandings with friends and relations from whom you expected love and comfort, and who on the contrary, have disappointed you and even betrayed you. All these experiences are allowed by God to bring us to His right hand: from the experience of Benoni, "son of my sorrow", to the experience of Benjamin, "son of my right hand".
September 11
"Give us help ... for vain is the help of man" (Psa 108:12).
The Psalmist writes, "My help cometh from the LORD" (Psalm 121:2). In Psalm 120 we see how David could not get help from any human source. Instead of finding help he had found trouble and strife. "Woe is me...My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace. I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war" (Psalm 120:5-7). Then we find how in his desperation he called upon God, and God confirmed him.
"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills" (Psalm 121:1). In other words David stopped looking unto men for help and focused his gaze on the mighty and loving God Who has all power in heaven and on earth. Then he found by experience that "...he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep" (Psalms 121:4). We have to learn to call again and again upon God Himself for help in every situation for our lives. In the world we shall have many tribulations, trials and temptations. Therefore we must learn, by prayer and waiting upon God, to seek His help for every step we take. When He helps us we shall be kept from stumbling.
I know some clever doctors who pray before they perform any operation. Some years ago I met a famous eye specialist in North India. He performed many operations a day and yet he never depended upon his own skill or past experience. Before each operation he would pray, "O God, help me, guide my hands and give me skill." Then he would perform the operation with full confidence that the Lord would certainly help him. God honoured his faith. As a result he became not only a successful surgeon but also an earnest soul winner. Patients watched the specialist praying for operations as well as for other needs and saw that God answered his prayers. The doctor's testimony helped many patients to find the living God and accept Him as their Saviour.
September 12
"The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing" (Psalm 34:10)
In Neh. 5:14-15, Nehemiah says that he did not accept any gift from the people for 12 years. He accepted not food or money even though he was a governor. From a worldly point of view it would have been perfectly alright for him to accept gifts, as others in his place prior to his coming depended much upon the people for their supply of food and wine. They worked for the sake of money, name and fame while Nehemiah worked in the fear of God.
God's servants also should not be governed by money and desires for comforts. If we do not learn to trust God for our needs we remain spiritually barren. If we serve God faithfully and depend upon Him for all our needs, without the least murmur or questioning, our ministry will be abundantly fruitful. Many servants of God say that they are living on faith. But actually they live on the faith of others. So God's servants must receive a warning that they abstain from serving God for the sake of food, money and comfort. They should do everything only as unto Him. If we learn to depend upon Him, in course of time we will find Him supplying all our needs. God never fails to look after us in a wonderful way, but He has His methods of instruction and increasing our faith. If God's servants cannot live and demonstrate a life of faith, they cannot be examples to other believers. When God's servants become beggars, God's work suffers much. If they cannot live a life of faith, it is far better for them to quit, for they are doing more harm than good to God's work. Such people do not deserve to be God's servants, because they only bring reproach to His Name. Our God is a loving and faithful God. Through our ministry and life of faith we should be in a position to bring joy and satisfaction to His heart.
September 13
"... his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength" (Rev. 1:16).
Many names are given to the Lord Jesus Christ in the Word of God. He is called the "Sun of righteousness" in Mal. 4:2. In Matt. 17:2 we read "...his face did shine as the sun". How many blessings we receive from the sun! As a matter of fact, all that we receive from the earth depends upon the sun.
Without the sun there will be no rain. In the same way, the growth of the trees depends upon the sunshine. The leaves are so green, because a substance called chlorophyll absorbs the sunshine and the trees grow and the fruit ripens. In this country there is plenty of sunshine, but we do not know its value. There are countries where they do not see the sunshine for many, many weeks. And if they happen to have a sunny day, it is a day for happiness. Even those who are miserable look happy on that day and you find crowds going here and there, because of the sunshine.
The doctors say that every germ of every disease can by killed by sunshine. There are hospitals in Switzerland where many diseases are cured by sunshine. No pill, no injection, no medicine. The sun is allowed to shine upon the patient at different angles at different times. God's word says that "the Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in his wings". Let that Sunshine upon you and you will find all diseases being cured automatically; your spiritual diseases can be cured by the Lord Jesus Christ, by spending sufficient time upon your knees every morning, mid-day and night in His presence. Very few believers spend enough time in God's presence. Their quiet time is a formality or habit. They do not spend the time with real joy in His presence. Many people are too full of fear to spend long hours in prayer.
Many years ago, two of us went out for open air preaching. We walked miles that day, to give the gospel from house to house and from street to street. In the evening both of us knelt down to pray before sleeping. I was on one side and other man on other side. It so happened that I was very tired that evening. I finished my prayer in a few minutes. I turned round and looked at the man on the other side. He was still on his knees. I said to myself, "What will that man think if I lie down?" So, again I began to pray. But I was very tired and sleepy and again I turned round after some time. He was still praying. The third time I looked and he got up. Then I felt happy. I could sleep now. That was compulsory prayer! There must be a longing and a joy to be in God's presence. Psalm 16:11 says, "in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore". You will not get such joy anywhere else, not even in the company of your most beloved friends or relations. Have you learned the secret of enjoying yourself in the presence of God, and of feeling the sunshine of His face entering into your being, refreshing you and healing you and giving you peace? Just as the sunshine makes the trees to grow, and bring forth fruit, in the same way, you will find the sunshine of His face will make your joy multiply and bring forth fruit.
September 14
"For the Son of man .. gave ... to every man his work" (Mark 13:34).
God wanted Moses to be His partner and co-worker for two great purposes. He wanted to deliver His people from the bondage of the Egyptians and to bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey. God saw that His people were in great affliction and bondage under cruel taskmasters. They were working hard the whole day and received no pay. The Lord saw the affliction of His people, heard their cry and wanted to deliver them from the bondage. He wanted Moses to be His co-worker for that great deliverance to be wrought through him. Secondly, God wanted Moses to bring His people into Canaan. "I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey" (Exo. 3:8).
Even though God may not call us like Moses for a very big task like that, yet He does call everyone of us for some task. Whatever work He gives us, it is equally precious in His sight. To everyone of us our job looks very big like a huge mountain. Zerubbabel felt the same way. If you want to grow spiritually, you must be willing to hear God's call and obey Him. You can pray, "O Lord, please show me which way I can serve Thee, obey Thee and be of some use to Thee". Then He will guide you and help you day by day. But you must be conscious of the call of God that He wants to use you for His glory, for the deliverance of those who are in bondage and lead them to their inheritance. Those who are in bondage should be delivered though us, and after being delivered they must come into the possession to enjoy their salvation. We find that more than seventy-five percent of believers do not enjoy their salvation. They live just an ordinary life, coming for the meetings and going way. They do not have any understanding of the deeper truths of salvation. If we understand God's purposes, then through love and fellowship we can help such believers.
When God was calling Moses to be the great deliverer of His people, he was saying, "Lord, who am I? I am nothing. I know my weaknesses, and my failures, my shortcomings and my limitations. How can such a man be useful unto Thee?" By knowing our nothingness and by understanding God's purpose in saving us, we become unto God more useful.
Now in Exo. 3:6 and 14, God gave His four names to Moses to prepare him for his great task. "... I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob... And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you". God called Himself the God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and I AM that I AM. Through these four great names God was preparing Moses for a very effective service.
September 15
"I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exo. 3:6).
The Name, God of Abraham has a double meaning. First of all, Abraham began to see the true meaning of righteousness. Here you have the true meaning of the Name, the God of Abraham. God appeared to Abraham twice in Genesis 12 and then chapter 13. In chapter 14 He appeared to him, in the form of Melchisedec. Then He appeared to him in chapter 15 and then in chapter 17 by which time he was 99 years old. Only at that age, he began to believe in God's wonder-working power to give him a child. Before that he was hoping to have a child in his own strength, but when he became very old, that is, when he was a hundred years old, when both he and Sarah passed the age of child-bearing, when they had the least hope of having a child, then God opened his eyes. God provided a new power, a deathconquering power, to be poured into him to make him righteous and that is the power of resurrection. Only with that power he became righteous and it was imputed to him for righteousness (Rom. 4:20- 22). He could not glory in his own self or energy. We do not become righteous before God by our bible knowledge, rituals and activities. By receiving into us by faith the power of resurrection, we become righteous for ever. And that is the meaning of new birth, which is a great experience. It is by that new life and death-conquering power that day by day we have to serve God, by becoming righteous in His sight. "... Jesus our Lord ... was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom 4:24,25).
The second thing we learn through the Name, the God of Abraham, is how Abraham became the friend of God. "...Abraham...was called the Friend of God" (James 2:23). We read in Gen. 18:17, "And the LORD said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do...?" God could share with Abraham all the secrets from that time onwards. By sharing our personal secrets, problems, shortcomings and failures freely, we also become God's friends. Talk to Him like a Friend. There is no fearing in telling Him our personal secrets, temptations and failures. Share everything with Him as your best Friend. Then wait patiently for His answer. Similarly, ask God to show you His own secrets, His heavenly mysteries. Friendship becomes thicker when we share secrets. And that is how God could speak to Moses also and He could carry out His task. As we talk with God like a friend we have the privilege of serving Him more fruitfully.
September 16
"... the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exo. 3:6).
In Isaac we have the symbol of resurrection. The power of resurrection is for all those who obey the Lord. That power works in a threefold way. First of all, we become righteous by the power of resurrection (Rom. 4:25). Secondly by the power of resurrection we conquer all our earthly trials and temptations (Phil. 3:10-14). Whatever may be our trials and temptations, weaknesses and shortcomings, we can say by faith, "O Lord, in myself I am weak and helpless, having so many failures. Will you kindly pour in me Your power of resurrection and make me an overcomer? I depend upon You". That is the second way in which the power of resurrection works in us. Thirdly, by that power one day we will be given immortal bodies (Rom.8:11). When the Lord Jesus Christ will come back again, by the efficacy of the precious blood and by the power of resurrection we will be given immortal, glorified, heavenly bodies.
The third name is the God of Jacob. When God first met Jacob he was full of fear. He was fully transformed after going through many years of severe trials. Then he became Israel. i.e. God's prince (Gen. 32:26-29). Then the God of Jacob became the God of Israel. God has given us a high heavenly calling in the Lord Jesus Christ to be kings, but very few believers enjoy it in experience. Many believers live as beggars rather than living as kings. Instead of having faith they are full of fear, doubts and anxiety. Now upon the earth we are being prepared for our kingship. Those who are washed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ will sing the same song in heaven as we read in Rev. 5:9,10. One day we are going to be with the Lord Jesus Christ as heavenly kings, as His co-workers for ever and ever. Thus if we believe from the heart that my Lord, my Saviour and my Reedemer, has redeemed me by His precious blood to be His king to reign with Him, first upon the earth and then the new creation for ever, then we can thank Him for every trial in our lives. Our trials give us the training for our position in heaven as heavenly kings. Thus we can overcome every trial, every difficulty and every hardship in our lives.
In Exo.3:12,14 the Lord called Himself by any another Name, I AM THAT I AM. The meaning of that Name is, the Lord will never change. What He said, He will do. What He has desired and declared, He will fulfil (Num. 23:19). In the case of Moses, God proved His faithfulness and fulfilled His promises. In the same way, we too need not depend upon our own courage or qualification, but claim God's promises day by day and prove His faithfulness.
God prepared Moses for the very hard task of bringing God's people out of bondage, by revealing His four Names to him. We are also being prepared in the same way for an effective ministry. Believe in Him as the God of Abraham and be His friend, sharing all problems with Him. Know Him as the God of Isaac, and claim from Him the power of resurrection for all your needs. As the God of Jacob let Him prepare you for the high position of becoming His kings by your earthly trials. Finally, know that the "I AM THAT I AM", the living God, the faithful God, will always keep His promises. Whatever He has said in His Word, He must, He must fulfil it. By experiencing all that, you will become unto Him more useful and fruitful.
September 17
"...the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi...budded" (Num. 17:8).
God has made the power of resurrection available for every believer. This is a very wonderful thought, but many of us do not understand the full meaning of such a great truth. The stories in the Bible are recorded in order to help us to understand deep eternal truths. From the beginning God has shown His people the truth about this same wonderful power. In Numbers 17:1-13, we have an illustration of this. By the budded rod of Aaron God is showing how His servants are chosen by Him, and are able to serve Him only by the power He gives them. If we believe in this power we must believe also that even barren and unfruitful lives can at the touch of God, be like the rod that budded and blossomed and brought forth almonds. God wants each child of His to be such a rod. First, only a dry rod, but having been chosen by the Lord for a purpose, a rod that began to yield buds, blossoms, and almonds. In other words, the branch of an almond tree.
Today you may be like a dry stick or a dry rod, but when you come into God's hand (i.e. God's sanctuary), when you are brought to the place where God reveals to His people His Word, then you will see how the power of God works deeply, fully, abundantly and freely and wherever you go, people will see the same dry rod budding, blossoming and bringing forth almonds. If God had so desired the very same rod could have yielded only almonds. but first it budded, then it blossomed and finally brought forth fruit. That is the common course of nature, and in the same manner the Lord will make His Word bring forth fruit in your life, the fruit of your faith and obedience and through your faith the very same rod will go on yielding almonds in many villages, towns and cities.
We can pray to God saying, "O Lord, Oh God, make me such a rod, which can yield much fruit. Even though my life has been barren, and dry, and unfruitful, or even though it may have brought some fruit it is not good fruit, but now Lord, from today onwards I believe Thy Word can make my life fruitful for Thee".
September 18
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, ... then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
When Nehemiah heard that the city of Jerusalem and its gates were burnt and the walls were broken down, he started to pray with tears and fasting. He began to remind God of His promise made to the children of Israel (Lev. 26:40-45). To begin with he confessed his own sins, the sins of his father's house and the sins of the people of God.
The condition of many believers these days is very similar to that of the children of Israel in the days of Nehemiah. There is a sad barrenness among them because they have not given the proper place to God, His Word and His House in their lives (1 Cor. 3:1-6). Only when we humble ourselves and turn to God, with true repentance, and honour Him whole heartedly can we obtain His rich blessings. When we tremble before God and confess our sins, God hears our prayers and forgives us of our sins and blesses us. Believing in God's promise in 2 Chro. 7:14, Nehemiah started to pray with mourning and fasting for certain days. When we humble ourselves, and pray to God, we can recover our first love for Him. Then God also starts working in us by pouring out upon us the spirit of prayer and intercession. Then our lives become fully fruitful. Once more we obtain God's blessings which we had enjoyed initially.
When Nehemiah went to Jerusalem and saw the condition of the city in a very sorrowful state he informed others also (Neh. 2:17). Many came forward to help when the work began. He also told them that God's hand was upon him (v.18). Even these days we need men like Nehemiah about whom people should be able to say, "Truly God's hand is upon this man." When people saw that God's hand was upon Nehemiah they also joined in the work of God. But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite and Geshem the Arabian heard about it, they laughed, and scorned and despised them. Thus we find that when we want to take any share in the work of God, we are bound to be ridiculed and opposed by the enemies of God. That is the first weapon which the devil uses to discourage and frighten us. During Nehemiah's time these three were the most influential men of the city. We come across men like Sanballat and Tobiah in every country who powerfully oppose the work of God. Such people very successfully hinder us from following the Lord if we do not pray sufficiently for God's strength. Nehemiah overcame all these obstacles through prayer. He did not take notice of their railing, but kept his mind fixed on God. That is why he was able to say with great confidence, "The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build" (v. 20). Those who are not born again and are worldly minded, appear to be very clever but they have no part in the work of God because they have not been called by Him. Many people obey God, but when difficulties come they place more trust in seeking the favour of rich people rather than trusting in God. God's people should not depend on ungodly and worldly people under any circumstance. By the help of prayer and complete obedience to God we can very definitely defeat the enemy, who tries to obstruct and frighten us when we take a bold stand for the work of God. Thus by depending on God through prayer Nehemiah not only withstood the opposition of the enemy but defeated him also.
September 19
"Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people (Psa. 96:3)".
You will find that when you try to be true and faithful and loyal to God, people who do not know God will hate you and ridicule you. Just because you do not want to tell lies and take bribes as they do, they will become your enemies. Because you do not want to take part in their worldly pleasures they will make fun of you. If you remain faithful to the Lord and trust Him alone, the very same persons who contended with you, reviling and injuring you, will come bowing at your feet and will apologise to you and say that God is with you (Isaiah 51:1,2,7,8; 49:25,26).