Young People’s Blog

My Beloved

Let’s listen in as the bride in the Song of Solomon describes her Bridegroom, relating it to our heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ.

• “Behold, Thou art fair, my BELOVED, yea, pleasant” (1:16).

• “The voice of my BELOVED! behold, He cometh” (2:8).

• “My BELOVED is mine” (2:16).

• “My BELOVED put in His hand by the hole of the door, and my bowels were moved for Him” (5:4).

• “I am my BELOVED’S, and my BELOVED is mine” (6:3).

• “I am my BELOVED’S, and His desire is toward me” (7:10).

• “Make haste, my BELOVED, and be Thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices” (8:14).

Her summary of the whole matter is contained in the following conclusion…

“HE IS ALTOGETHER LOVELY. THIS IS MY BELOVED” (5:16).

Can you say the same?

Death

“And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died….And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years: and he died” (Genesis 5:5, 27).

Nobody living today would ever expect to approach anything like the age of Adam or Methuselah. However, one thing is certain, we must all die! The Bible clearly states, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment…For the wages of sin is death” (Hebrews 9:27; Romans 6:23).

Thankfully, neither of these verses conclude with this condemnation. Hebrews 9 goes on to say, “So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many” (verse 28), and Romans 6:23 tells us, “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Now the searching question remains, “Are you one of the many, and have you accepted God’s gift of eternal life by receiving Christ as your Savior?” If you refuse this wonderful salvation, you will be among those who are eternally banished to the Lake of Fire, “which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8).

Sleep

“He giveth His beloved sleep” (Psalm 127:2).

The story is told of two young brothers, who, living with their parents on the edge of a dense forest, wandered too far one evening and were soon lost. Family, friends, and neighbors searched through the long, cold autumn night, but it wasn’t until the following day that they were found.

Upon being asked what they had done once they realized they were lost, the older boy replied, “When it got dark, I kneeled down and asked God to take care of us. Then, on a soft bed of leaves, we went to sleep.”

What a wonderful example of complete trust and confidence this is. Sometimes we may lay awake at night wondering and worrying about tomorrow. But to learn the respite and peace contained in the following verse will give rest through the night and fresh courage and stamina to face tomorrow. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). I am not saying it’s easy, but it is a formula for a good night’s sleep, as Solomon reminds us,

“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet”
(Proverbs 3:24).

Books

Solomon, tells us, “Be admonished: of making many books there is no end” (Ecclesiastes 12:12). History has proven this to be true, and certainly today in many forms and venues there are books abounding on every hand. However there is a day when these books will be burned up and gone.

Yet there is one book that will remain for eternity. It is the “Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23). We also read, “For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). I take it from this verse that we will continue to have fresh enjoyment of the living Scriptures as we dwell with Christ throughout those blissful ages of eternity.

There are other books that will remain intact for eternity as well. One is the “Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27), in which are written only those who have been saved and redeemed by the work of Calvary and the blood of Christ. Another is God’s “book of remembrance” (Malachi 3:16), which is a record of reward for faithfulness and service in this life.

God’s books are vital and eternal, man’s books at best pass quickly away with time.

Victory

A recent phone text encouraged me greatly, especially the last sentence:

“Certain victory lies ahead of the believer!”

Yes, whether in the day-to-day living of the Christian life, or whether we are called to pass through death, there is victory in Jesus. As we avail ourselves of the many resources that we have in Him, we can with triumph and certainty say,

“Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

And in the end it is a win-win situation. Here is how the Apostle Paul expressed it in the preceding verses:

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (verses 54-57).

In the meantime we are given a further exhortation,

 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (verse 58).

Hope

“Hope in Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:19).

Hope in Christ, oh precious concept,
Truth secure that never fails:
Hope in Christ, gives joy and triumph,
Fortitude that thus prevails.

Hope divine, oh what a comfort,
Bringing grace to bear each day;
Confident that Christ is with us,
Every step along life’s way.

Hope secure, the Lord is coming,
No way can this hope be stilled:
And we’re looking, hourly watching,
For this hope to be fulfilled.

“Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Hebrews 6:19).

Dear Young Christian,

For many of our readers here in Canada where I live, the beginning of August marks the midpoint of summer. This is a good time to look back and consider how things are going, not just in a practical way, but more importantly, spiritually.

Here are seven questions we might ask ourselves:

1. Have I kept up on my daily Bible reading?

2. Has my prayer life been neglected?

3. Have I been a witness for the Lord in what I say?

4. Have I been a witness for the Lord by my actions?

5. Have I consistently judged the sins I have allowed?

6. Has there been purpose of heart to follow the Lord?

7. Am I keeping as close to the Lord as I should?

Even if we live in some other country besides Canada, this is still a good check list, and certainly not an exhaustive one. If you are truly walking with the Lord this summer, the promise is, “Thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

Your Christian friend,

Jim Hyland

The Lamb of God

“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

The theme concerning the Lord Jesus as the Lamb of God is one that runs through the whole Bible, and one that I trust is precious to each of my readers. It begins in type with the sacrifice of Abel. “And Abel was a keeper of sheep…And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering” (Genesis 4:2, 4).

This wonderful story continues through the sacrifices and offerings that we have throughout the Old Testament, and then the Lord Jesus Himself, as John the Baptist declared a second time, “Behold the Lamb of God!” (John 1:36). The story does not end until the last page of the Bible, where we read, “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it” (Revelation 22:3).

When we arrive in heaven, we will be eternally occupied with a “Lamb as it had been slain” (Revelation 5:6). This will draw our hearts out in worship and praise. May it do the same today as we consider this precious aspect of His person and work!

Christ Died

On the busy highway about a mile outside of my hometown, there is a large billboard with the Bible verse,

“Christ died for our sins” (1 Corinthians 15:3).

It has been there, in my uncle’s field, for all to see for as long as I can remember. As I drove by there earlier today I wondered what impact it has had on the lives of those who have read it, especially those who drive by from the area time and time again. I am sure, when we get to heaven and all is reviewed, we will see that there have been many who have been saved and blessed through this silent messenger. God has declared,

“So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

But, What about you? Are you saved? Most, if not all, of you have had gospel verses spoken to you in more ways than one. But can you say, along with our opening verse,

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20)?

Do you know Christ as your Savior?

Monthly Question Page

Q. Before I got saved I occupied my mind with some really bad stuff. How do I clean up my thoughts and clear my mind?

A. Clearing our minds of wicked thoughts and things we have been exposed to that are corrupt is not easy. However, it will be helpful to consider several verses.

First, we need our minds renewed. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). This comes from focusing on Christ and His thoughts. “Have your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth” (Colossians 3:2 J.N.D.).

Secondly, continue to occupy your mind with that which is pure and holy. Instead of fighting with bad thoughts, fill your mind with thoughts of Christ. Ask yourselves, What do I think about in my spare or quiet moments? Here is the key:

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).