Saturday, December 16, 2023

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“And now I [Gamaliel] say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to naught [nothing]: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply [possibly] ye be found even to fight against God” (Acts 5:38-39).
It is a very serious thing to fight against God, yet men have tried to do this many times. Back in the beginning of man’s history in this world, Cain thought that he could argue with God, and even lie to Him. Later on, when Noah preached about coming judgment, people made fun of him and did not believe him. Then, when the flood came, they all perished. Many other times in the Bible men thought they could resist God, but it did not work.
In our verses today, the chief priests and leaders of the Jews were determined not to allow the apostles to preach in the name of the Lord Jesus. God did many miracles to show them that all this was His work. Many people were healed of diseases, and when Peter and John were arrested and put in a prison, the angel of the Lord came at night and opened the prison doors, to let them out. Yet still the leaders of the people wanted to kill them.
Finally a well-known leader named Gamaliel told them that they had better let Peter and John alone. He had seen the power of God, and although there is no evidence that he got saved, yet he could recognize divine power. He realized that God was working, and that man could not resist God. For the moment the other leaders agreed to this, as they did not know what to do. Yet they still beat the apostles and commanded them not to speak in the name of the Lord Jesus.
We do not see miracles of healing today in the same way, but the power of God is clearly shown out in the preaching of the gospel, in the way people’s lives are changed. Yet many still think they can fight against God by forbidding people to read the Bible, by persecuting Christians, and by trying to prevent the preaching of the gospel. But God will always win, and even though some Christians are still put in prison, and some are killed, yet the gospel is spreading more than ever before. Remember, if you are a true Christian, you are always on the winning side!
After the Lord comes and takes every true Christian home to be with Him, armies of various nations will actually come out and think that they can fight against the Lord Jesus. We will not give details here, but this shows how man will become so proud and overconfident that he will think he can defeat God in battle. It will be an awful judgment when God destroys them.
             
November 2023
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29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
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3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
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26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
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Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Friday, December 15, 2023

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“Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:17).
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve” (Joshua 24:15).
Choices! Every day we face them over and over. Most are not very important. But some are a matter of life and death. And our eternity.
Today’s verse in Matthew 27 is part of the story of our Lord’s crucifixion. It seems that each year at Passover time, it was the custom for the Roman governor to release to the people one of the prisoners from the jail in Jerusalem. I would imagine that then, as now, some of those being held were not guilty of the crimes of which they had been accused. Perhaps this would be a chance to give one of the better prisoners a chance at freedom.
Pilate (the governor) was making a choice that day, as were all the Jews of the city. Pilate knew in the depths of his heart that Jesus was not guilty of any crime, and that He was a good man. Of course, we know He was more than that! Verse 18 tells us that Pilate knew that Jesus was there because the crowd was full of envy. Envy is a terrible sin. Even Pilate’s wife had troubling dreams that night, telling her that Jesus was a “just” man.
So Pilate had a choice to make. Deep down inside I think he wanted the Lord Jesus to go free. So he found the worst criminal in the prison, a man named Barabbas, and gave the people the choice between him and Jesus. Quite likely he thought that at least Jesus now had a chance of being the One chosen. But “almost” to choose right is to choose wrong. The people all cried out, “not this Man, but Barabbas.” Their eternal destiny was in that cry. Naturally, our hearts are no better.
We know the touching and painful story of what our Lord suffered there on the cross. His blood was shed by the soldier’s spear. Later He was put into a tomb. But the wonder of the whole story is that he rose again! And now He can offer forgiveness to any and all who will repent and come to Him in faith. Yes, even those who were determined to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus could have repented and been met by His love and forgiveness. It is a choice.
Our second verse presents another choice. We can have accepted Him as our Savior, and yet not choose to serve Him. We will spend an eternity with the Lord Jesus in heaven. We pray that His wonderful love will draw each of us to want to spend our time on this earth close to Him, and serving Him.
             
November 2023
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29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
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26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Thursday, December 14, 2023

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“A good soldier of Jesus Christ … that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
We have talked a bit about the various parts of the armor we need to wear as Christians. All are very important. But what about the character and commitment of the soldier who is putting on this armor, and picking up that sword?
First of all, today’s verse tells us that the soldier has been “chosen” by the Lord Jesus Christ. What an honor and privilege this is for us! So, you are chosen and equipped with the tools. Now there is the training.
As young people we must walk with God, before we can fight for God. This takes purpose and daily reading of our Bibles, and talking with our “Captain” in prayer. Then we must follow His instructions. We do not draw up our own battle plans. And this war is an on-going one, every day of our lives. That takes spiritual food to keep us strong to fight. And commitment. And persistence. Spiritual exercise (not the 100 push-ups kind)!
Whom are we fighting? “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). A powerful and determined foe. As we have often mentioned in other meditations, Satan is always in attack mode, so we must always be on the defensive.
The battle? It is a fierce one and we are told to “endure hardness” (2 Timothy 2:3). It is not fought from a life of ease and fun. We are to put to one side anything that might hinder our ability to fight. How can we fight an enemy if we are dipping into his store of enticing things to enjoy ourselves?
Our goal? We have eternity before us. We have the remembrance of what our Savior endured to make us His children. He is worthy of our full allegiance! Here is a quotation I enjoyed: “When a young Christian hoists his flag, and lets his friends know that he is for Christ, half the battle is over.”
It is a daily affair. When the children of Israel marched around those high walls of Jericho, they did it every day for six days. Each day, they were just told to do it again. No reason given. No knowing the outcome. They obeyed orders and all that was heard was the marching of those many pairs of sandals. The enemy looking from high on the walls most likely made fun of that crowd below. But God had His purposes, and it ended in a great victory for those obedient people.
How will our warfare end? “With all boldness … Christ shall be magnified” (Philippians 1:20). And then that great verse in 1 Corinthians 15:57 — “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”
He is worthy of our best.
             
November 2023
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December 2023
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26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
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28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

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“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord. It is good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth” (Lamentations 3:26-27).
The book of Lamentations is a rather sad book, for the very name of the book tells us what it is all about. To lament about something is to be sad about it, and maybe to cry about it. It was written by the prophet Jeremiah, and in it he expresses all the unhappiness he felt at the condition of his people Israel, when they had been carried into captivity as the result of their sin. However, there is some encouragement in it, and some good advice. In verse 25 of our chapter, we are reminded that “the Lord is good unto them that wait for Him,” and later on, in verse 31, we read that “the Lord will not cast off forever.” In all His judgment the Lord remembers mercy.
In the verses we are reading today, we have good advice for those who have problems in their life. First of all, we must accept them from the Lord, and trust the Lord to bring us through them. Especially when we are young, we are sometimes in a hurry for things to happen, and are not willing to wait for the Lord. (I was often that way when I was young!) But the Lord does not always act on our time; we must wait for His time.
More than this, we read in our second verse for today that it is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth. What does this mean? A yoke was used to enable a team of oxen to pull a plow or other farm implement, and of course no young ox wanted to be introduced to working in a yoke. It meant that he had to stay connected to that plow, and to pull steadily. But if he were introduced to it when he was young, he would get used to it and be able to do it all his life.
It is like that for us too. Life is difficult in this world, for sin has imposed hard work on us, and brought trouble into the world that was not there in the Garden of Eden. However, if we become accustomed to work when we are young, we will be able to work well all our lives. Those who have never had to work when they are young are at a real disadvantage, for as they grow up, they resent authority, and tend to quit if they are asked to do some real work. I hope all of you learn to “bear the yoke” in your youth.
             
November 2023
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29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
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26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

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“And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 45:5).
These words were said by Jeremiah to a young man by the name of Baruch, who was a scribe that did some of the writing for Jeremiah. He was evidently very upset by the condition of things among the Jews at that time, and had talked about it.
We are not told just what “great things” Baruch had been thinking about, and what he might have wanted, but the Lord told Jeremiah to warn Baruch not to seek great things. Why would the Lord say this to a young man? When we are young and healthy, we are accustomed to looking ahead in life, and wanting to use our time and energy to make something of ourselves.
However, the Jews were about to be carried away into captivity by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. They had continually worshiped idols and dishonored the Lord, to the point where the Lord could not call them His people outwardly any longer. Jeremiah knew this, even though the king of Judah and many of his advisors did not believe it. But Jeremiah knew that the kingdom of Judah was at an end, and that it was not the time to seek great things.
So it is for you and me today. Ever since the Lord Jesus was crucified this world has been under judgment, and it is only a matter of time until the Lord carries it out. God has been gracious and has waited nearly 2,000 years while the gospel goes out. We can be thankful for this, but it is not a time to be seeking great things for ourselves in this world. It is a time to be serving the Lord and seeking His interests in this world. Yes, we need a house to live in, food to eat, and clothes to wear. We need a job to earn our living, and it is right for us to work and support ourselves. But to look for great things down here is to do so in a world that rejected the Lord Jesus, and that is now under judgment. How much better it is to use our time for the Lord, and to lay up treasure in heaven!
             
November 2023
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29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
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31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
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Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Monday, December 11, 2023

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“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts” (Jeremiah 15:16).
Sometimes, when someone has said something that turns out to be wrong, or when someone has predicted something that does not happen, we say in English that he was compelled to “eat his words.” This means that he had to take back what he said, because what he said did not happen, or was just plain wrong.
However, the meaning in our verse for today is quite different. Jeremiah appreciated the words of the Lord, and when he heard what the Lord said, he spoke of eating them. When we eat something, it is digested in our stomach and bowels, and becomes part of us. That food is used to nourish our bodies, and to give us strength. More than this, he very much enjoyed the word of the Lord, for it was the rejoicing of his heart. When we are hungry it is always nice to eat a good meal, and we enjoy it. It was the same with the word of the Lord to Jeremiah; it was to him like a good meal!
However, there was a condition that made him enjoy the Lord’s words. He could say, “I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah knew the Lord, and was on intimate terms with Him. He received the word of the Lord, and spoke it plainly to the people of Judah. They did not always appreciate it, but Jeremiah was faithful, even if it meant persecution for him.
If we belong to the Lord, we too will enjoy the Word of God, and it will be spiritual food to us, just as natural food nourishes our bodies. But we must know the Lord Jesus as our Savior to enjoy the food from the Word of God.
There is one more expression in this verse that is important. Jeremiah addresses the Lord as “Lord God of hosts.” This expression occurs hundreds of times in the Old Testament, and brings before us God’s power, whether for His people, or in judgment against evil. If we belong to the Lord, we belong to One who not only gives us enjoyment, but who is also all-powerful.
             
November 2023
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29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
S M T W T F S
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Sunday, December 10, 2023

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“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (Malachi 4:5-6).
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen” (Revelation 22:21).
About 100 years ago, a small boy (actually one of my uncles!) asked his Sunday school teacher why it said “Amen” at the end of the New Testament, but not at the end of the Old Testament. This sounds like a boy’s question, doesn’t it? His Sunday school teacher did not know the answer right away and said that she would answer it the next Lord’s day. But later, when she read the two verses that we have for today, she immediately knew the answer.
The word “amen” means “I agree with that,” or perhaps in some cases, “Let it be done.” In the Old Testament we have the history of what sinful man is, and the results of all the testing God gave man, to see if there was any good in him naturally. But man was a total failure, and the “day of the Lord” which is mentioned in Malachi 4:5 is a day of judgment which will come on this world. Man is guilty before God and will come under His judgment, unless he accepts Christ as His Savior.
But could God say “Amen” to that? Is God happy to carry out judgment? No! He is a loving God who “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). God could not say “Amen” to a curse that will come on the world.
But in the New Testament we have the history of the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, who came into this world to save sinners. “The grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared” (Titus 2:11 JND), and all who will come to Christ can be saved. At the end of the New Testament, God can say, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.” Can God say “Amen” to that? Yes, He can, for “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:26). God’s judgment on sinful man is necessary, but God takes no delight in it. He delights in displaying His grace and can say “Amen” to it.
             
November 2023
S M T W T F S
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
S M T W T F S
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Saturday, December 9, 2023

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“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24).
The word worship is used quite often among Christians today, yet many do not really understand what the word means. I have heard people who attend a so-called “church” talk about someone in that “church” that “leads the worship.” Usually this is someone who stands at the front and organizes the songs that are sung, and perhaps directs the music, whether singing by the choir or others playing instruments. I have heard others talk about having a Bible reading together, and sometimes they speak of having “a little worship.” But neither of these is really worship.
Properly speaking, worship is not thanking the Lord for what He has done for us, although true worship may include that. Nor is worship praising the Lord for who He is, in all His majesty and glory, although once again, true worship may include praise. Worship is not really thinking about myself, but rather about God Himself, and His beloved Son the Lord Jesus. We see God as our Father, and the Spirit of God leads us in adoration for the knowledge of this relationship. We see in our verses today that we worship the Father, but we know that the Lord Jesus Christ has revealed the Father.
We also see in our verses that we must worship “in spirit and in truth.” They could not properly do that in the Old Testament, for they were not indwelt by the Holy Spirit back then. The word “worship” is used a number of times in the Old Testament, but it was not “true worship,” for they also did not have the real assurance of their salvation back then. It is only since the Lord Jesus has come and completed His work on the cross that we can truly worship.
It is also important to notice that God is not seeking worship; rather, He is seeking worshipers. But if we are worshipers, then worship will be the result. However, we will not be thinking about our worship (How lovely this hymn sounds! etc.); we will be thinking about the Lord Himself.
We can worship the Lord as individuals, but worship is more properly connected with our coming together to remember the Lord, as He has asked us to do. His Spirit is then free to lead out our hearts in worship, as we realize our relationship with God as Father, and how the Lord Jesus has brought us into that relationship.
             
November 2023
S M T W T F S
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
S M T W T F S
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Friday, December 8, 2023

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“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).
I have not used much poetry in these meditations, but this poem is exceptionally good. For this reason I am using the same verse as yesterday, together with a little story. This poem was written to the Stevens family in St. Ives, England in 1934 by a Christian brother, Frederick W. Lavington. The Stevens brothers were fishermen, and one night while out in their boat a terrible storm came up. One of the brothers lost his life. Mr. Lavington was a much beloved brother in Christ who lived in London, England, and he wrote this poem to comfort the family.
The Lord is good. Yea, none is good as He,
Who called us from our darkness to His light,
Gave us to know His Son, and ever be
Conformed to His image in His sight.
He is our strong hold in earth’s darkest hour,
When seas run high and tempests shake the soul:
His way is perfect, and no adverse power
Can swerve His purpose from the eternal goal.
“He knoweth,” yes, He knoweth all the way
We take; each heavy trial is to mold
Our wills to His, that we can truly say,
“When He shall try me, I come forth as gold.”
“He knoweth them that trust Him,” and His love
Is worthy of our confidence entire;
His end will show in those bright realms above
The full accomplishment of all desire.
Yea! Thou art good, our Father, and our lines
Are fallen in pleasant places. Give us grace
To know that for Thy glory all combines
And for our good, until we see Thy face.
F. W. L.
             
November 2023
S M T W T F S
29 30 31 1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
             
December 2023
S M T W T F S
26 27 28 29 30 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
             
January 2024
S M T W T F S
31 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31 1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
       
Notes:
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers

Thursday, December 7, 2023

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“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).
This verse, tucked away in the book of Nahum, has been a great comfort to many. The first chapter of Nahum is full of judgment, and tells us what the Lord is going to do in a coming day, when the Lord Jesus comes back to this world to take His rightful place. However, the goodness of God is always there, for God is good. He may have to bring judgment down upon the wicked, for He is a holy God, and must judge sin. But in that coming day of trouble, the Lord will protect those who follow Him. He will recognize them that trust in Him, and will be a strong hold for them.
You and I can take this verse, and apply it to ourselves too. There are plenty of problems in our Christian pathway through this world, and perhaps some of them are small problems. The Lord wants us to feel free to come to Him even with small difficulties, for He is never too busy to listen to us, and to help us with a problem.
However, sometimes we have a really big problem in our life, and it is almost more than we can bear. I knew a family some years ago whose house burned down, and it was a real blow to them. They were able to rebuild the house because they had insurance, but they lost many things in the fire that they could not replace. I remember another situation where the father lost his job and could not immediately find another one. He had a good job, and it was very hard for his family when suddenly they had no income. In still another family one of their children was killed suddenly by being hit by a car. All these were Christian families, and these events in their lives were very hard on them.
In these situations particularly we must remember that the Lord is good, and that He wants to be our strong hold in the day of trouble. A strong hold is normally a place where we can hide from trouble, and the Lord is able to do that for us. This does not mean that the trouble suddenly goes away, but He is our strong hold in the trouble.
             
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Growing in Grace Blog by Bible Truth Publishers