Young People’s Blog

Expectant

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).

The story is told of a young man who was staying in his friends’ house and looking after the grounds for them while they were away. He wasn’t expecting them to return for some time and one day decided to leave the work that wasn’t urgent until another day. To his surprise and chagrin they came that very evening.

I read of another person who gardens for people who live overseas. He always tries to have their gardens immaculate just in case they come today. He never knows when they will return, so he is always ready, always expectant.

The Lord Jesus is coming again, and it could be today. He has said, “Behold, I come quickly” (Revelation 22:12). And also, “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when He cometh shall find watching” (Luke 12:37). Are we expecting Him today? Are we living like those who are anticipating and looking forward to leaving planet earth at a moment’s notice?

Christ

“And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words” (Hebrews 13:22).

Samuel Rutherford was born in the year 1600 and died March 30, 1661. He was a sincere and earnest Christian, who in his pathway for Christ experienced many trials and much grief. Sometime during his life he wrote a letter to a friend and brother in Christ. The advice given in the letter is still relevant 400 years later and I will quote part of it here:

“I know that you are looking to Christ, and I beseech you to follow your look … 

“The sweetest and safest course is, for this short time, to stand for Jesus … to gain Christ. All other things are shadows, dreams, fancies and nothing.”

Yes, to follow Christ is the best course indeed! It may not be easy, but it will be happy. Paul said, “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21), and, “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8).

Bible Algebra

(T+L)-(LU)+A=D

Trusting in the Lord and not Leaning on our own Understanding, as well as A cknowledging His rights will guarantee D irection for our path of faith and service.

Solomon said, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). So often we think that we are wiser than God — that we know better what to do and where to go. But how could this be true? Solomon again stated, “For who knoweth what is good for man in this life” (Ecclesiastes 6:12).

Similarly Jeremiah said, “O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps” (Jeremiah 10:23).

David writes, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23).

The First & The Last

“Fear not; I am the First and the Last”
(Revelation 1:17).

Why should I fear? He is the Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher, the First and the Last. Before there was any fear, He was, and when all fear is gone, He still will be.

He saw everything from the beginning, before there was a universe. If I could stand for five minutes at His vantage point and view the entire scheme of things as He sees it, how absurd would be my dreads, how ridiculous my fears and how foolish my tears! I would simply trust Him, and there would be no room for doubt, no time for fear.

Why should I fear anyway? He has told me that there is nothing to fear and He knows. Can’t I take His word for it? He sees it all, and if I could see it all I would not fear. Not only so, but He, as a man, has overcome pain and sorrow, fear and death. He will outlast them all.

Why do I fear tomorrow? Why do I fear the future? He has said, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid” (Matthew 14:27).

Dear Young Christian:

I recently attended another wedding, and it was one of the happiest I had ever been to. It was simple, yet elegant, beautiful but not opulent, and most important of all the Lord Jesus Christ was honored. It reminded me of the words of Scripture: “And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee … and both Jesus was called, and His disciples, to the marriage” (John 2:1-2).

This is a day when the marriage tie is being given up and thought of very lightly. But the Word of God states, “Marriage is honorable” (Hebrews 13:4). It is part of God’s plan for the blessing of man on the earth. Peter puts it this way: “Heirs together of the grace of life” (1 Peter 3:7).

Perhaps there is a reader who is praying about a life-partner or considering getting married soon. Follow God’s plan, and it will be for your happiness and blessing. Remember too, we are never justified in marrying an unsaved person. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14).

Your Christian Friend,

Jim Hyland

We would love to hear from you. Send your comments or questions to [email protected]

Atonement

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul” (Leviticus 17:11).

The word atonement in the Hebrew language literally means to cover. It refers to the removal of our guilt out of God’s sight. This took place at the cross where full payment was made for sin. The holiness of God’s nature demanded the judgment of sin, and the love of God provided a sacrifice for sin.

As a result of the work of Calvary and the shed blood of Christ, all the claims of God, as a God of light and holiness, have been met and satisfied forever. God is now free to bless man in the fullness of His grace and make known all the present blessings of everyone who has heard and believed the gospel.

The enjoyment of this wonderful truth will fill our hearts with the precious love of Christ. Meditating on it will thrill our souls with the fruit of His atoning work, which has glorified God in the putting away of our sins.

The Wanderer — Part 3

“Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1).

Robert Robinson was born on September 27, 1735 in very poor circumstances and lost his father at age eight. At 17 an incident happened that changed his life. On May 24, 1752, he and his friends joined together to make fun of an old fortune-teller and laugh at her predictions. The old lady told Robinson that he would live to be very old and see many generations of descendants. This so impressed him that he reasoned, “I will, during my youth, endeavor to store my mind with all kinds of knowledge. I will see, hear and note down everything that is rare and wonderful that I may, when incapable of other employments, sit and entertain my descendants. Then shall my company be rendered pleasant and I shall be respected, rather than neglected in old age. However, that same night he went to hear the gospel preacher, George Whitefield, and was convicted of his need of a Saviour. He was saved three years later at age 23.

Maybe there is a 23-year-old reading this who has never found peace with God through the Lord Jesus. This could be that wonderful life-changing day for you!

The Wanderer — Part 2

“Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” is Robinson’s best know hymn, written early in his Christian experience, around 1758. At the time he had been, in heart, away from the Lord. Then the words of Psalm 116:7 were used by the Spirit of God. “Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.” An inner struggle was followed by restoration and the writing of the above mentioned hymn.

On June 9, 1790, at age 55, he was found dead in his bed. Earlier he had expressed the wish that he might die “softly, suddenly and alone.” His wish was granted.

We are all “prone to wander,” “prone to leave” the God we love. The tendency of the human heart is ever to stray from the pathway of fellowship with God. But there is always sufficient restoring grace. Of that Divine grace we all, like Robert Robinson, stand in daily need. And to that grace, we are daily debtors. If we need more grace, “He giveth more grace” (James 4:6). David said, “He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:3).

The Wanderer — Part 1

“O let me not wander from thy commandments”
(Psalm 119:10).

One day towards the close of the 18^th century, a gentleman and lady sat side by side in a stagecoach as it rumbled its way through the English countryside. The lady appeared occupied with the content of a book in her hand, at times reading from its open page, and at other times meditating on what she had read with evident delight. As she was enjoying the words of a hymn, she turned to the man beside her, a stranger, and tred to interest him as well. When she asked him if he knew the hymn he seemed embarrassed and agitated. Finally he burst into tears, as said, “I am the poor, unhappy man who composed that hymn years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds if I could enjoy it the way I did back then.”

The gentleman was Robert Robinson. The hymn the lady was reading was, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” He had written it some 30 years previous to the above incident. One verse of the hymn reads:

“Prone to wander, Lord I feel it;

“Prone to leave the God I love.”

Quickly

“Go quickly .… And they departed quickly”
(Matthew 28:7-8).

In the first verse of this chapter we have two women mentioned by name who came early to the tomb where the body of the Lord Jesus had been laid. “As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre” (Matthew 28:1). There they see an angel who gives them a wonderful message, the message of resurrection, and instructs them to “Go quickly” and tell the disciples the wonderful news. With all due speed, and in obedience to the heavenly messenger, “they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word” (Matthew 28:8).

We too have a wonderful message to present to this world. The message that, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). How much do we feel the urgency of carrying the gospel message to those around us who have perhaps never heard?