Whither The Tribes Go Up (Psalm 122:4a)

Beloved congregation, what a privilege it is to go up to the house of the Lord.  This was in the days of the Old Testament, exclusive for only the tribes of Israel.  Going up tells us that the temple at Jerusalem was situated on the higher part of the holy city.  There were the thrones of judgment, where they prayed for peace within the walls.  They also prayed for peace with God.  Manifold were their enemies around them.  Once at the beginning of the New Testament, shepherds heard a heavenly singing regarding peace upon earth.  We can read in the newspaper that until today the country of Israel is under attack.  Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for their conversion.  How many times was the preaching for the hungry and thirsty inhabitants of the city relief for their burdened souls.  How many came from all over to Jerusalem to attend their holy feasts and left the city again with a spiritual blessing.  May it please the Lord to dwell among us today for the same end, by converting the unconverted ones, encouraging the discouraged ones, and thereby giving us and our children a place among those tribes.  May the Sabbath day be blessed.

                                                                                                                             Rev. de Leeuw

The women followed Him...

And there followed him a great company of people, and of women which also bewailed and lamented him.  Luke 23:27

These loving and bold women, which openly lamented Him, put the disciples to shame.  They all had fled away.  Where was Peter now, who had promised Jesus to enter into death with Him?  Where was Thomas, who had said, Let us also go, that we may die with him?  No, the disciples had all fled away.  Should we then not praise these women, and rebuke the fearful disciples?  They should be ashamed, since before they thought so highly of themselves, and now they were so ashamed and fearful.

Whether these women were good housekeepers or not, I do not know, but it appears that they feared God and loved Jesus.  Upon the journey to eternity this is all that counts.

Solomon says:  A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

On this occasion I may, for once, ask the women how is it between God and your soul?  Are you busy in your household?  Perhaps you are very competent and all is going well; but what comfort shall that give you on your deathbed?   How will it help you when you are dying, even if they praise you highly at the day of your funeral?  But if you have learned to Him to be your King, then He shall support you upon your deathbed and into the everlasting eternity!

Wulfert Floor
Watch and Pray

April 7 meditation

 His Name is Wonderful, Counselor, Prince of Peace

Do you need wonders to be worked in you?  His name is Wonderful; look to Him to do this for His name's sale.  Do you need counsel and direction?  His name is the Counselor; cast yourself on Him for this.  Do you need peace external, internal, or eternal?  His name is Prince of Peace; seek for His name's sake, that He may create peace in you.  Do you need healing?  His name His name is JEHOVAH-ROPHI, the healer and Physician; seek, for His name's sake, that He may heal all your diseases. Do you need pardon?  His name is JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU, the Lord our Righteousness; seek that He may be merciful to your unrighteousness.  Do you need protection?  His name is JEHOVAH-NISSI, the Lord our banner; seek for His name's sake to have His banner of love spread over you.  Are you in extreme want?  His name is JEHOVAH-JIREH, the Lord will provide. Do you need his presence?  Hs name is JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH, the Lord is there.  Look to Him to be with you as IMMANUEL, God with us, for His name's sake.  Have you nothing and need all?  His name is All in all.  For your supply, He has wisdom to guide you; power to keep you; truth to shield you; and glory to crown you for His name's sake.

                                                                                                             Rev. Ralph Erskine

The mystery of Godliness

Great is the mystery of Godliness.  Jesus was the Son of God, equal with the Father, yet He took our flesh and blood.  However, in two respects He was different.  He was not a mere man.  He was also God.  We are mere men; we have no other nature and never will have; but He was Jehovah.  He did not lay aside His Godhead; He only veiled it.  Also, He was without sin:  a holy Being, separate from sinners, yet without sin.  He had not taint thereof. Spotless Pearl, a holy Lamb He was, in this world of wolves.  He had our flesh and blood; His bones were such as ours.  Therefore He was weary, thirsty, and hungry; He slept.  In Gethsemane He was exceeding sorrowful.  He was grieved, He wept, He groaned, and He died.  His heart was melted, broken; He was distracted; His throat dried through crying, His eyes failed, and so forth.  It was love that moved Him to this, to become united to human nature, so as to bear its agonies, distresses, weaknesses, and curse, and to be so united as forever and ever having our flesh and blood and bones even on the throne of heaven.  Therein is love.

                                                                                            Rev. R. M. McCheyne

Attend upon the means

When the power of God first draws us out of our natural state to Christ, it finds us not only impotent, but obstinate; not only unable, but unwilling to come; and yet this power of God prevails against all opposition.  Let this engage you to a constant attendance upon the ordinances of God, in which this drawing power of God is sometimes put forth upon the hearts of men.  He many times comes in an hour when we think not of Him.  It is good therefore to be found in the way of the Spirit.  Had that poor man who lay so long at the pool of Bethesda reasoned thus with himself:  "So long have I lain here in vain expecting a cure, it is of no purpose to wait longer," and so had been absent at that very time when the angel came down, he had, in all likelihood, carried his disease to the grave with hm.  How does thou know but this very Sabbath, this sermon, this prayer, which thou had no heart to attend, may be the sermon and the instrument by which the Lord may do that for thy soul which was never done before.

Conversion

Some may feel they doubt if they are regenerate, because they know not the precise time of their conversion and cannot trace the steps of the way in which it was brought to pass.  Though it is very desirable to be able to give an account of the beginning, and the gradual advances of the Lord's work upon our souls, as some saints can distinctly do, yet the manner of the Spirit's working is still a mystery, and this is not necessary to prove the truth of grace.  Happy is he that can say, as the blind man in the Gospel, "One thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now I see."  As when we see flame, we know there is fire, though we know not how or when it began; so the truth of grace may be discerned in us, though we know not how or when it was dropped into our heart.  If you perceive the happy change which is wrought on your soul; if you find your mind is enlightened, your will inclined to comply with the will of God in all things, especially to fall in with the divine plan of salvation through a crucified Redeemer; in vain do you trouble yourself and refuse comfort, because you know not how and in what way it was brought about.
                                                                                                                       Thomas Boston

A True Christmas

"Does the world make itself ready to celebrate a Christmas in its way?  May the Lord rouse you, so that you might receive Him in the appropriation of faith of which the angel spoke to the shepherds, not only proclaiming that the Savior was born, but 'Unto you is born this day in the city of David, the Savior.'  A greater Christmas cannot be prepared for you."
                                                                                                         Rev. G. H. Kersten