SONGS IN THE NIGHT
OCTOBER
 |
OCTOBER 1
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galatians 6:7
WHILE each act and word and thought has its bearing upon the
ultimate results in every Christian's life, nevertheless no one
thought, no one word, and no one deed carries the deciding
weight, either for good or for evil. The more loyal we are, the
more faithful we are, the fewer slips we make, the more like our
Redeemer we shall be, and the brighter will be our reward, for
as the apostle declares, “For one star differeth from star in
glory, so also is the resurrection of the dead.” Those, then,
who are of the world may know that every good and every evil act
of theirs will have a weight and influence in respect to their
trial for life or death under the messianic kingdom
arrangements. And every Christian who has entered into a
covenant to become dead with Christ that he may also live with
him, to suffer with Christ that he may also reign with him—all
such should know that every word, every thought, every act, has
a bearing upon the great results. Hence, as the apostle says,
all such should walk through life circumspectly, wisely, seeking
to know and to do the things pleasing to God, and to attain the
highest reward. Z'13-126 (Hymn App. O) |
 |
OCTOBER 2
Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32
EACH and every one of the new creatures, sons of God, accepted
through the merit of Jesus, is held responsible for his own
weaknesses; but divine power has provided for the cancellation
of these freely for Christ's sake, upon their acknowledgment and
request for forgiveness. But the forgiving of these trespasses
of God's children is made dependent upon their having a spirit
of forgiveness toward the brethren, for “if ye do not from the
heart forgive one another's trespasses, neither will your
Heavenly Father forgive you.” “With what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure” of benevolence ye mete
out to others, the same shall be meted out to you. How wonderful
are the divine arrangements! How blessed, how profitable to us,
how helpful to us in our preparation for the kingdom! Z'12-359
(Hymn 198) |
 |
OCTOBER 3
If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I
have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John
15:10
LET us, dearly beloved, be more than ever careful respecting the
Word of the Lord; let us not by negligence give evidence of a
decay of love. Our Lord points out that his continuance in the
Father's love, as the well beloved Son, with all which this
implies, was because of his obedience to the Father's will; and
that following the same line, he must require that we should be
obedient to him if we would abide in his love and share his
throne and glory. Our Lord's instruction and commandments are
not intended to terrify us, nor to deprive us of happiness. On
the contrary, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy
might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” ( John
15:11 ) Those who give surest evidence of living nearest the
Lord well know that obedience to the Lord's words, together with
the privilege thus obtained of abiding in him and his love, is
the greatest joy, a joy which wholly outweighs all the trifling
pleasures which the world has to offer. It is the joy and peace
which “passeth all understanding,” which rules in the heart, and
which brings with it the promise, the assurance, “not only of
the life which now is, but also of that which is to come.”
Z'12-259 (Hymn 172) |
 |
OCTOBER 4
Work...while it is still day: the night cometh, when no man can
work. John 9:4
ASK yourself, What am I doing? Then lay aside weights and
hindrances, and multiply your efforts. Be assured that if you
are not a servant of the truth in some of the many ways now
open, you are unworthy of it, and will lose your hold on it,
because now is the harvest, the sifting and separating time.
Various things will tend to draw you away from the truth;
fathers, mothers, sons and daughters, brothers and sisters will
oppose and seek to separate you from the truth and its service.
You must remember the Lord's words that the “harvest” is not a
time for peace, but on the contrary it will surely produce
separation and alienations between true wheat and all else. See,
and treasure up his words on this subject. (Matt. 10:30-39 and
Luke 18:28-30) Z'87-Sept., p.2 (Hymn 309) |
 |
OCTOBER 5
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13
WHETHER born with too much or with too little self-esteem, those
who come into God's family are put into the school of Christ to
be taught, corrected —made right, in harmony with divine
standards. Those naturally self-conceited must learn meekness
—by instructions if they will —otherwise by experiences. And
they should learn to rejoice even in humiliating experiences.
They are evidences that God's providence is supervising their
affairs and preparing them for the kingdom; for without meekness
and humility none will be fit for it. As the self-conceited must
learn humbly to trust God and not rely on themselves and thus
secure balance, so the naturally self-depreciative must learn a
lesson of confidence. Not self-confidence, not self-reliance is
the most desirable, but rather, confidence in God and reliance
upon his promised “grace to help in every time of need.” This
maintains the desirable humility and meekness, yet gives the
courage and force suggested by the apostle's words: “I can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” As Paul again
declares, “Our sufficiency is of God”! Z'12-319 (Hymn 93) |
 |
OCTOBER 6
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in
honor preferring one another. Romans 12:10
THE truth seems to take hold on the stronger characters rather
than on the weaker ones. The former have in their flesh more of
the firmness, grittiness, and combativeness than have many
others, who are too pliable and “wishy-washy” to be acceptable
to the Lord as members of the “little flock” of overcomers. Thus
we see that the very quality which makes us acceptable to the
Lord and which is one qualification of the overcoming position,
is a serious disadvantage in some respects, when a number of
these come together as a church. Even a diamond surrounded by
mud would cut nothing, would scratch nothing; but place a dozen
diamonds together, and the more you get rid of the mud element
the more gritting, scouring, and cutting there is likely to be.
So it is with the Lord's jewels —the more they come together,
the more they get wakened up, the more opportunities there will
be for friction, and the greater necessity there will be that
all be thoroughly imbedded in and covered with the Holy Spirit,
which, like oil, is smooth and unctuous and tends to prevent
friction. Z'12-99 (Hymn 23) |
 |
OCTOBER 7
Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as
lights in the world. Philippians 2:14, 15
IN FOLLOWING in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus, running the
race for the great prize set before us in the Gospel, we are not
to murmur by the way, finding fault with its difficulties and
narrowness; nor are we to dispute respecting it, nor seek to
have any other way than that which divine providence marks out
for us, realizing that the Lord knows exactly what experiences
are necessary to our development in the school of Christ; and
realizing also that, if obedience were possible, while our
mouths are full of complaints and dissatisfaction with the Lord
and our lot which he has permitted, it would indicate that we
are at least out of sympathy with the spirit of his arrangement;
and such an obedience, if it were possible (but it could not be
possible), would not meet the divine approval, nor gain us the
prize. Z'11-441 (Hymn 197) |
 |
OCTOBER 8
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your hearts:
for consider how great things he hath done for you. I Samuel
12:24
AS A help to our flagging zeal, we should continually remind
ourselves of the Lord's great blessings to us. As we learn to
appreciate the goodness of the Lord, if rightly disposed at all,
the influence will be to strengthen us and to make us more and
more loyal to him. Failing to seek with our whole heart the
Lord's service after we have become his people and entered into
covenant relationship with him, receiving of his favors and
blessings in this life, and also, by promise, in the life to
come, would mean wickedness which, persevered in, will surely
bring destruction. Faithfulness to God should be the keynote of
all our desires. Z'03-218 (Hymn 243) |
|
|
OCTOBER 9
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: who
forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.
Psalm 103:2, 3
THE Prophet David may have appropriated these words to himself
as a Jew, and may have thought of his own physical healing and
blessing as evidences of the Lord's favor under the Law
Covenant. But the prophetic application of this Psalm to
spiritual Israel is still more interesting. The spiritual
Israelites are new creatures, and have this treasure in earthen
vessels. With these it is the new mind that recognizes his
healing, his forgiveness, his reconciliation to God; and
according to God's promise, all things are working together for
good to him because he loves God and has been called according
to the divine purpose. Continually the new creature has cause to
exclaim the words of our text. The Apostle Paul, carrying out
this same thought, declared that the great Redeemer will
ultimately present his church before the Father faultless and
perfect in love —Sown in weakness, raised in power; sown in
dishonor, raised in glory; sown an animal body, raised a spirit
body. We shall be like him and see him as he is and share his
glory. Z'12-71 (Hymn 327) |
 |
OCTOBER 10
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
NO CHRISTIAN should be satisfied with a long delay in reaching
the mark. The milk of the Word should be received, its strength
should be appropriated, spiritual sight and spiritual energy
should quickly follow, and strong meat of divine truth should
speedily bring to full maturity the Christian character. And
once attained, it should be held at any cost through all the
trials and difficulties which the Adversary, and the world, and
the flesh, might be permitted to bring against us. The severest
temptations come after we have reached the mark —temptations to
slackness in service of God; temptations to withhold parts of
our sacrifice; temptations to deal unkindly, uncharitably,
unlovingly with the brethren, or unjustly with our neighbor, or
ungenerously with our enemies. All of these must be resisted as
we prize our eternal life, as we prize the promise of joint-heirship
and fellowship with our Redeemer in his kingdom. Whoever sees
this subject clearly must realize that as a Christian he has to
do with a great proposition which will thoroughly test his
loyalty, his courage, his zeal, his love. He will need to
remember the Lord's comforting assurances of grace to help in
every time of need if he would come off a victor and not be
dismayed, nor have his courage beaten down by the Adversary's
attacks. Z'09-270 (Hymn 4) |
 |
OCTOBER 11
Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the
most High, thy habitation; there shall no evil befall thee.
Psalm 91:9, 10
GOD has so arranged that only the truly consecrated will be kept
from stumbling into error in this evil day. Every day we learn
to appreciate more and more the divine favor which has anointed
the eyes of our understanding, and permitted us to see the
internal strength and beauty of the divine Word and plan. If,
then, we are thus by divine favor made strong in the Lord, and
enabled to “stand fast” while thousands are falling from their
faith and stedfastness, let us “rejoice with fear” (reverence).
Let him who feels strong and well supported “be not
high-minded,” but “take heed lest he fall.” Humility and zeal
for the Lord are the terms upon which we received the great
blessing, and are also the terms upon which we may retain it to
the end —until our “change” comes and establishes in glory what
grace began in our weakness. Z'11-438 (Hymn 120) |
 |
OCTOBER 12
The wise shall understand. Daniel 12:10
DEARLY beloved, we are permitted to enjoy wonderful things! By
the grace of God we are privileged to see the meaning of things
that were once mysterious, not only to us, but to our parents.
While some in Babylon are going into infidelity, some out of
Babylon are becoming stronger spiritually, entering by hope
“into that which is within the veil.” If Christ is our
Forerunner, we shall enter there with him. To do so will mean to
become partakers of The Messiah, as symbolically represented.
The true church is to become associated with Christ in his
kingdom. Then will come the promised blessings to “all the
families of the earth.” As we perceive the consistency of the
divine plan of the ages, our hearts are full of thanksgiving to
God. We see that the new dispensation will be ushered in with “a
time of trouble such as never was”; and that this time of
trouble is located, among other ways, by that prophecy which
tells that “many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be
increased”; that there will be a time of trouble; but that “the
wise shall understand.” From what source do the wise receive
their instruction? They will understand according to the wisdom
from on high —in humility accepting the divine Word and being
blessed in so doing. Z'12-278 (Hymn 333) |
 |
OCTOBER 13
Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live. Amos 5:14
THE greatest privilege of the present time is to get into the
elect company of God's saints. In order to enter this company
faith and obedience are necessary requisites. That faith must
recognize Jesus as the Lamb of God, the Sin-bearer. It must
recognize him also as the Pattern and Examplar. The reward will
be to those who have his Spirit, his disposition, and who will
walk through the present life in his footsteps. Such will
eventually gain with him glory, honor, immortality — the
kingdom. In the present time they will to the world seem to have
the unfavorable side, a battle against the world, the flesh, and
the Adversary. The world cannot understand what pleasure and
blessing these really enjoy because of the surrender of their
wills to God's will, and because of the Spirit of the Lord,
which they consequently receive. But these alone have the peace
and joy and blessing which the world can neither give nor take
away. What other men are seeking and failing to find, God's
saints enjoy. Z'13-156 (Hymn 123) |
 |
OCTOBER 14
I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection. I
Corinthians 9:27
OUR text is a great lesson of itself. It brings to our attention
the fact that, like the apostle, we should recognize ourselves
as new creatures in Christ Jesus, for whom “old things have
passed away, and all things have become new,” and acting from
this standpoint the new creature should keep a continual
supervision of the old nature, its desires and affections, and
should keep these continually under or subject to the new
nature, and the higher law should bring it gradually into full
subjection, yet hoping, yet praying for the glorious
consummation of the first resurrection, when the new creature,
the new mind or will, shall be clothed upon with the spiritual
body. Such a keeping under of the body will include wisdom and
control in respect to what we eat, as well as what we drink and
what we wear, and our every act, word, and thought. Z'08-361
(Hymn 150) |
 |
OCTOBER 15
Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you. I Peter 3:15
FOLLOWING this course—of preaching the Gospel of hope—we are
following the Master and the apostles. They had so much of this
spirit of hope, trust, confidence, love, joy, and peace that
they could rejoice in tribulation; and they did so. The apostles
even sang praises to God that they were accounted worthy to
share in the sufferings of Christ, that they might also share in
his coming glories. Let us, then, dear brethren, realize that
the world has tears and sorrows enough, and fears aplenty. Let
us more and more use our time, strength, talents, joys, etc., in
relieving the poor world of its mental distress. Hearken to the
words of Jesus: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
“Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.” As it will be God's great work in the future, through
Christ and the church, to wipe away earth's tears, let us chase
away some of those tears at the present time. Thus we shall help
to prepare the way for the world to come back into fellowship
with God by and by, for the faithful of the present time to walk
more carefully in the footsteps of Jesus and to encourage one
another in the good way. Z'13-107 (Hymn 280) |
 |
OCTOBER 16
Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 13:14
OUR hearts are already consecrated to the Lord. We are already
adopted into his family by the begetting of his Holy Spirit. But
our flesh is not perfect, and it continues to love many of the
garments of the old nature, which we are to put off. Gradually
we are to substitute the new clothing, the livery of heaven, by
which all may know us outwardly as well as know us by profession
to be children of God, brethren of Christ, “heirs of God and
joint-heirs with Jesus Christ our Lord.” Putting on the Lord
Jesus is not the work of a moment, nor of an hour, nor of a
month, nor of a year; it is the work of a lifetime. But unless
it be begun it will never be completed. And indeed we may be
sure that we can never fully put on Christ's characteristics.
However, the Lord will see our endeavor, our strenuous fighting
to put off the old nature, to put off the works of the flesh and
to be clothed with the garments of righteousness, suitable to
our relationship to him —the livery, the clothing, that will
make us separate from the world sanctified to God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Z'09-151 (Hymn 82) |
 |
OCTOBER 17
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of Me. John 5:39
AS OUR text points out, the Lord is revealed in the Holy
Scriptures, and those who would know him should seek their
information from that quarter. Under divine providence,
apostles, prophets, and teachers are necessary, indispensable.
But no words of man are to be taken instead of the Word of God.
On the contrary, their presentations are to find acceptance only
in proportion as they are found to be in harmony with the
Scriptures, and to discern this harmony the Holy Spirit is
necessary. The Scriptures must be searched, but only by coming
into a condition of heart harmony and teachableness, and then by
a full consecration receiving the Holy Spirit, can we hope to
understand the divine message and to obtain therewith the
eternal life which it promises to those guided and taught of the
Lord. Z'09-54 (Hymn 296) |
 |
OCTOBER 18
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in
Spirit and in truth. John 4:24
WE DO well to keep continually in mind the thought that God,
with whom we have to do, is a Spirit being of unlimited power;
that he can read the very thoughts and intents of our hearts and
that any worship or service that we could render, that he could
accept, must be honest-hearted—rendered in Spirit and in truth.
He seeketh only such to worship him, and of this class there are
but a few at the present time. After the Covenant of Grace shall
have gathered out all the household of faith, the royal
priesthood, and the great company of antitypical Levites, then,
as a means of extending God's favor, the New Covenant will
witness the thousands of the world coerced to righteousness—that
all may be enabled to see, to experience the love of God and the
blessings of righteousness, to the intent that all who will may
come into heart harmony with him and proportionately experience
restitution, the rewriting of the divine law in the very
character, the very being. Yet in the end, even with the world,
only such as worship God in Spirit and in truth will be finally
approved and be granted life eternal beyond the Millennial Age.
Z'09-173 (Hymn 65) |
 |
OCTOBER 19
There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that
withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The
liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be
watered also himself. Proverbs 11:24, 25
THE evident lesson here is that the Lord is pleased to see his
people cultivate breadth of heart as well as of mind—generosity
in proportion to their knowledge of him and of his generosity.
The Scriptures nowhere declare that cases of absolute privation
among the Lord's people are proofs that at some time in their
past life when possessed of means, they failed to use a portion
of it in charity, in the Lord's service. But the inspired words
above quoted come very close to giving this lesson. At all
events it is profitable that we lay this testimony to heart and
that every child of God henceforth shall be earnestly careful
that out of the blessings of the Lord coming to us day by day
some measure be carefully, prayerfully, lovingly laid aside as
seed to be sown in the Lord's service according to the best
wisdom and judgment which he will give us. Z'16-219 (Hymn 226) |
 |
OCTOBER 20
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake:
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10
OUR text applies the general principle enunciated by our Lord,
“Through much tribulation shall ye enter the kingdom.” This is
not because divine power is not able to shield us from the
tribulations, nor because our Lord is not interested in our
welfare, but quite the contrary, because, according to divine
tests placed upon the church, the new nature can be developed,
educated, crystallized, only through the tests and trials it
will endure through its earthly members in the flesh, through
loyalty to the Lord. These testings will come along various
lines—faith, obedience, endurance, love, etc. And it is only to
the overcomers that the reward is promised. But thank God, grace
to help in time of need is promised us. If our hearts are loyal
and we do our best, the Lord will see to the remainder. Z'09-39
(Hymn 222) |
 |
OCTOBER 21
The Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and
glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk
uprightly. Psalm 84:11
OUR text is a great encouragement to the David class, the
beloved class, the anointed ones, the members of Christ. To
these the Lord God is both a sun and shield; he not only
enlightens these, but he will not suffer them to be injured by
the blessings which he bestows upon them. He will shield them
from all enemies and everything that would tend to injure them
in any manner; all things shall work together for good to those
that love him, to the called ones according to his purpose. With
such blessed assurances, then, we may look forward into the
future with rejoicing and with confidence, trusting to have a
share in the glorious rewards God has promised to the faithful.
Z'08-237 (Hymn 273) |
 |
OCTOBER 22
But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he
loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us
together with Christ. Ephesians 2:4, 5
HOW wonderful is this love of God and love of Christ! How
impossible it seems for us to measure its lengths and breadths
and heights and depths! Those who have accepted the Lord as
their Redeemer and have entered into covenant relationship with
him, giving him their little all and accepting from him a
participation in all these blessings of his provisions, if ever
cast down because of weakness or opposition or what not, should
call to mind this great love which the Father has for us and
which the Son shares, the love which not only redeemed us while
we were yet sinners, but which since then has called us to such
wonderful blessings and privileges, making us joint-heirs with
Christ our Lord, if so be we suffer with him. Z'05-139 (Hymn
296) |
 |
OCTOBER 23
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith,
praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20
TO SOME, prayer at any time is irksome, tedious, but to the true
Christian prayer constitutes one of the greatest of God's
blessings. His privilege of approaching the throne of heavenly
grace to obtain mercy and also to find grace to help in every
time of need is a privilege the value of which cannot be too
highly esteemed.... These blessed privileges of prayer belong to
the Lord's family because they are his and have access to him
continually through their great Advocate, their Redeemer.
Z'09-188 (Hymn 241) |
 |
OCTOBER 24
I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me
should not abide in darkness. John 12:46
THE Holy Spirit is the light of the church, by which we are
being specially guided into the truth. The Apostle Peter tells
us that we have a more sure Word of prophecy, whereunto we do
well that we take heed as unto a light that shineth in a dark
place. ( II Pet. 1:19 ) The light on the path of the just
“shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” We are still in
the dark place, and shall be until the darkness gives way and
the day is here. And so, as Peter says, we have need of the Word
of prophecy “until the day dawn.” Thus we find that one
scripture helps to elucidate another. Z'13-324 (Hymn 260) |
 |
OCTOBER 25
If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities [imputing them to us],
O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee,
that thou mayest be feared [reverenced]. Psalm 130:3, 4
HOW precious are such assurances when the soul is painfully
conscious of its infirmities, of its utter inability to fully
measure up to the perfect law of righteousness! How blessed it
is to know that when our hearts are loyal and true, our God does
not mark against us the unavoidable blemishes of our earthen
vessel! If we come daily to him for cleansing, through the
merits of our Redeemer, our failures are not imputed to us, but
freely forgiven and washed away. The perfect righteousness of
our Savior is our glorious dress, arrayed in which we may come
to God with humble boldness, courage —even into the presence of
the great Jehovah, the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Z'15-344 (Hymn 213) |
 |
OCTOBER 26
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is
kept. Isaiah 30:29
IT IS a fact that those who have tasted that the Lord is
gracious, those who have received the joy which no man can take
from them, those who have tasted of the grace of God in Christ,
will not only rejoice and literally sing musical songs with
their lips, but they will also rejoice to have their entire
lives a song of praise and thanksgiving unto God. The song will
bubble over on every occasion, wherever hearing ears are found:
so fully will the cleansed, justified, and consecrated heart
appreciate God's goodness. Z'97-306 (Hymn 179) |
 |
OCTOBER 27
The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that
seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly
wait for the salvation of the Lord. Lamentations 3:25, 26
LET us make no mistake. It is a question of inheritance or no
inheritance, among them which are sanctified. He who is faithful
in that which is least, acknowledges the Lord and his provisions
in connection with all of his blessings, temporal and spiritual,
will be prepared to look forward with continued zeal and will
receive the Shepherd's care accordingly. On the other hand,
those who do not appreciate the “meat in due season” and the
special provisions of this harvest time —these will not be
prepared; these will quite likely be deceived by those who
endeavor to deceive them and draw them aside to themselves.
Z'09-254 (Hymn 257) |
 |
OCTOBER 28
Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the
lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Psalm 141:2
AT THE close of each day let us square our day's account with
the Lord at his throne of grace, recounting so far as we are
able its opportunities used and neglected, its victories won or
its defeats, its self- sacrifices and its selfishness —thanking
God for the grace that helped in time of need and apologizing
for all errors and defeats, craving forgiveness in the name and
merit of our Savior, and promising greater faithfulness and zeal
by the Lord's grace the next day. Z'98-4 (Hymn 161) |
 |
OCTOBER 29
And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken
anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him
fourfold. Luke 19:8
WE BELIEVE that many today make a mistake in that they do not
more fully follow the course of Zaccheus—in that they continue
to hold on to something which really, rightfully, belongs to
another; and secondly, that they do not consecrate more of their
wealth of money or property or time or talent to the Lord.
Zaccheus was a Jew, and under the requirements of the Law
one-tenth of his yearly increase would be his obligation to
religious matters. But he far exceeded this, giving not merely a
half of his annual income, but a half of all the principal, of
all the money and property and goods which he possessed. Some
have inquired of us, What is the reasonable obligation of a
Christian? We answer that our reasonable service should surely
be more than the one-tenth of the Jews. To our understanding
Zaccheus did not even go the full length of a complete
sacrifice. Z'06-280 (Hymn 8) |
 |
OCTOBER 30
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went everywhere
preaching the Word. Acts 8:4
DEAR brethren, he who was with and guided the Early Church is
with us with equal power. He who guided in that harvest time is
guiding now, and will continue to guide his work to the end. We
may have experience with similar characters to that of Judas,
Alexander the Coppersmith, Jannes and Jambres. But the Lord is
able to make all these work together for good to us and through
them all to fulfil his gracious promises. He may permit
persecutions, imprisonments, or things corresponding on a
different plane, but let us never doubt the presence and power
of our Lord. The glorious results will more than compensate for
the trials and difficulties. “Faith can firmly trust him come
what may.” Z'09-58 (Hymn 200) |
 |
OCTOBER 31
Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord.
Malachi 3:7
THE thought everywhere held out in the Scriptures is that God's
mercy endureth forever —that is, “olam,” or to a completion. A
small portion of the world of mankind at the present time has
received God's favor to the extent of being justified and made
partakers in the divine favor and mercies of this present time.
As in his dealings with these the Lord is very gracious, so is
he to those who return from the ways of sin, and he is even
patient with those who lack the spirit of love and forgiveness,
and comes to them entreating them to join in his gracious plans
and arrangements. This loving-kindness bestowed upon the
believers of the present time illustrates the Spirit of the
Lord. It becomes an assurance to us of the fulfilment of his
promise that in due time all the families of the earth shall be
brought to a knowledge of his goodness, to an opportunity for
knowing him whom to rightly know and appreciate will mean to
them everlasting life. Z'06-254 (Hymn 226) |
|
