03.01. January
JANUARY January 1. In the Beginning "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God." John 1:1
"In the beginning." Life is full of beginnings. We are now at the beginning of a year. But here is a beginning which carries our thoughts back beyond all years, all dates of history, all imaginable periods of time, beyond the beginnings of creation!
"In the beginning was the Word." Then Christ was. What a sublime stretch of being these words give to Him who is our Savior! We cannot grasp the thought — but we can find security and comfort in it when we think of Christ, and when we rest in Him as our hope and salvation. We trust in human friends — and the comfort is very sweet; yet we can never forget that they are but creatures of a day, and that we cannot be sure of having them even for tomorrow! But we trust in Christ, and know that from eternity to eternity — He is the same, and therefore our confidence is forever strong and sure. Our trust is still more stable and firm when we read on, and find who this Person is, in whom we are confiding. "The Word was God." There is nothing doubtful in this language. No kind of exegesis can blot from this brief clause — the truth of Christ’s divinity. The Savior, into whose hands you have committed your life — is the eternal God! Earthly trusts are never secure, for everything human is mortal; but those who commit themselves to the keeping of Christ — are safe forever.
It is very sweet to think of Christ’s humanity. It brings Him near to us. He is like one of ourselves. He is our own brother, with tender sympathies and warm affections. We study the gospel and learn the graciousness of His character, as seen in His compassion, His tears, His love. Then, when we know that behind these qualities — are the divine attributes, that He is truly God — what glorious confidence it gives us! Let us set this glorious truth, at the gate of the New Year. It is a shining point from which to start!
January 2. A Plan for Each Life "There was a man sent from God." John 1:6
He had his commission from God. He came as God’s messenger on God’s business. But each one of us is likewise "sent from God" into this world. If we are sent from God — then it is on some definite errand. God has a plan, a purpose, for each life. No immortal soul ever came by accident into this world, and none ever came without a mission. We ought to think of this.
People sometimes suppose that such men as Moses and John the Baptist and Paul were exceptions. They had their own specific mission; God sent them on very definite errands. But surely we common people are not sent from God in the same sense. We never saw God in a burning bush, nor received our commission directly from His lips. No angel came before our birth, to announce what we were to be and to do in this world. Unlike Paul, we had no revelation of bright glory smiting us down in blindness.
Yet, nevertheless are we "sent from God," every one of us — and have as definite a work allotted to us, as had Moses or John or Paul. Are we living out God’s thought for us — what He had in view when He made us and sent us here? Are we doing in this world — what He wants us to do? These are important questions; and we should not stop short of honest answers to them, for we shall have to account to God at the end — for the way we have fulfilled our mission.
Any life is a failure, which does not accomplish that which God sent it into the world to do. We find our work and our mission, by simple obedience to God and submission to Him. He first prepares us for the place He is preparing for us — and then at the right time leads us into it. We can, indeed, miss our mission in this world — but only by taking our own way, rather than God’s.
January 3. Bearing Witness to Christ "He was not that Light — but was sent to bear witness to that Light." John 1:8 The mission of every Christian is likewise to bear witness to the Light. The Bible says that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord; but in our natural, unregenerate state — the candle is unlighted. It is capable of being lighted; but until the divine Spirit touches it with heavenly fire and sets it ablaze — it is dead and dark. When the candle is lighted, however, it shines within us and makes us light. Thus it is, that we bear witness to the Light — it is Christ in us which shines! Our light is but a little of His light, breaking through our dull souls. Everyone that sees us — sees in us a few gleams of the true Light.
There is another way also in which we may bear witness to the Light. We cannot alone, light anyone to Heaven; we cannot save any perishing one, nor give life to any dead soul. But we can point lost and dying ones to Christ, who is the great and true Light; we can tell others, in their experiences of need and sorrow, of the fullness there is in Christ.
We should bear this witness to Christ in many ways. We can do it by our words, telling what He has done for us. There certainly is great honor for Christ, and also great blessing for others, in simple testimony for Christ. If a physician heals us, we speak his praise among all our friends. Why should we not thus bear witness to Christ?
We can bear witness, too, by our lives, showing in ourselves, what Christ can do for others who will come to Him. We should always be good witnesses, true representatives, never giving any wrong impression of our Master, either by word or by deed. It would be sad indeed, if anyone looking at us — should get a wrong thought about Christ. We need to be most careful that we never in any way misrepresent Him.
January 4. Rejecting Christ "He came unto his own — but his own did not receive him." John 1:11 The picture represents Christ coming with infinite grace to those He loved, and to His own nation; only to be rejected by them and turned away from their doors. This was one of the saddest things about the Savior’s mission to this world. He was the God of glory and of life. He came to bring Heaven to earth — but when He stood at men’s doors and knocked, the doors were kept closed upon Him, and He had to turn and go away again, bearing back in His hands the precious gifts and blessings He had brought and wished to leave.
We say the Jews, "his own," were very ungrateful to treat their Messiah in this way; and also that their rejection was a terrible wrong to themselves for they thrust away in Christ, the most glorious things of Heaven and eternity! But how is it with ourselves? Christ comes to us. He is continually coming. His hands are full of blessings. He has eternal life to bestow. Do we receive Him? Is it not true of us — that He comes unto His own, and His own receive Him not? Do we really take from the hand of Christ — all that He offers to us? Do we not daily grieve Him and rob ourselves of blessings — by declining what He brings? Especially do we reject Christ often — when He comes to us in the garb of pain or sorrow. Many times the blessings He brings to us then — are the very richest and the most precious in all His treasury of grace! But how many of us receive Christ as gladly, and take the gifts from His hand as cheerfully and gratefully, when He comes in grief or suffering — as when He comes in the garb of joy or worldly prosperity? Why should we not do so? Can we not trust His love and wisdom? He never sends pain — unless pain is best for us. He never chastens us — unless there is a blessing in the chastening.
January 5. Receiving Christ
"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name — he gave the right to become children of God." John 1:12 The people who shut their doors on Christ — always shut out great blessings; those who open to Him — let all heaven’s love and joy into their lives. Some say it does not matter whether they receive Christ or not. They believe in God’s mercy and love, and do not see why they need to receive Christ. Here it is made very plain, that the only way to receive God’s love and mercy — is by receiving Christ. Only those who receive Him — become God’s children. Christ is the only way to God — the only door into the Father’s house. To refuse Christ — is to refuse adoption into the family of God.
Then we also learn another thing from this morning’s text. Some people are puzzled to know how to become Christians. Here the way is surely made — as plain as a pathway of light. Christ comes to us as the one Mediator, the Son of God, the divine Savior; and we have only to receive Him, to accept Him with our hearts, and commit ourselves to Him. "But there is that mystery of the new birth. I can’t understand that," says someone. You have nothing whatever to do with that; for does not this verse say that if we receive Christ — we become the children of God? The same sentence goes on to say that those who thus receive Christ, are born again; but it says expressly that this change is not their own act, not the act of any man — but is divinely wrought, they are born of God. All that belongs to us — is simply to receive Christ. We have nothing whatever to do with the mystery of the new birth. That is God’s work, and He is able to effect it. Our part is the acceptance of Christ; God will change our hearts. If we sincerely receive God’s Son as our Savior — the new life will at once flow into our heart, and we shall become children of God, not by any fiction of name — but by the communication of divine life.
January 6. The Incarnation "The Word was made flesh — and dwelt among us." John 1:14
We must notice that it is the same Person who was in the beginning, who was God, and who made all things — who is here said to have become flesh. The Jesus of the gospel story — is the God of eternity, the Jehovah of the Old Testament! The reason for the incarnation, was the salvation of man. The Good Shepherd came to seek and to save his sheep which were lost. He came in human form, that he might get nearer to the sinner. A Moravian missionary went to preach the gospel to the slaves in the West Indies. Failing as a free man to reach them — he became a slave himself, and went with them to their toils in the field and into all their hardships and sufferings, thus getting close to them. Then they listened to him. This illustrates Christ’s condescension to save the world. We could not understand God in his transcendent glory; and Immanuel came, and in human form lived out the divine life, showing us God’s thoughts and character and feelings, especially God’s grace and his love for sinners. This was one object of the incarnation — it revealed in a way which men could understand the nature of God.
Then Christ became man also, that he might learn life by actual experience, and thus be fitted to be our Savior, and to sympathize with us in all our experiences of temptation, struggle, sorrow. We are sure now, when we come to Christ in any need — that he understands our condition and knows how to help us. We now have a high priest in Heaven who can be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, because he was tried in all points as we are.
Christ became man also, that he might taste death for every man, thus abolishing death for his people. He remembers what he suffered, being tempted; and when he sees his people in their struggles, he remembers when He endured the same, and is ready to sympathize with and help them.
January 7. God Revealed in Christ
"No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side — He has revealed Him." John 1:18
We never can know God — except through His Son; there is no other possible revelation of Him. There is no ladder by which to ascend to God’s blessedness — but the ladder of Christ’s incarnation. Christ came in lowly form and appeared to His friends as a man — but when they learned to know Him, they found that He was God Himself! This is one of the most precious truths about the incarnation, and we understand its meaning only when we see in every act and word of Christ — a manifestation of the Divine heart and life. When we find Jesus at a wedding feast — we see God putting His sanction anew upon the sacred ordinance of marriage, and upon innocent human gladness and festivities. When we behold Jesus taking little children in His arms, laying His hands upon their heads and blessing them — we learn how God feels toward children, and that He wants every parent today to bring their children to Him. When we see Jesus moved with compassion in the presence of pain or sin — we have a glimpse of the Divine pity toward the suffering and the sinning. When we look at Jesus receiving the outcast and the fallen, treating them with kindness, forgiving them, and transforming their lives into beauty — we see how God feels toward sinners, and what He is ready to do for the worst and guiltiest. When we behold Jesus going at last to the cross in voluntary sacrifice, giving His life for the lost — we see God’s justice, and how He loves sinners.
Thus the whole of the incarnation — is a manifesting of the invisible transcendent God in acts and expressions which we can understand. Thus it is literally true, as Jesus said, "He who has seen Me — has seen the Father." If we would ever see God, and know Him, and enter His family — we must receive Christ. To reject Him is to shut ourselves forever away from the vision of God.
January 8. A True and Holy Life
"In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah . . . and his wife Elizabeth . . . Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly." Luk 1:5-6
It makes a great deal of difference in what times and amid what circumstances and influences, a man lives. In days when godliness pervades society — it is not remarkable that one should live righteously. But when the times are ungodly, and the prevailing spirit is wickedness — the life which is holy and devout shines with rare splendor, like a lamp in the darkness!
Such were the times and the spirit of "the days of King Herod," and such were the lives of the blameless elderly people, who are here mentioned. Amid the almost universal corruption of the society and the religious leaders — they lived in piety and godly simplicity! The lesson is — that it is not necessary for us to be and live like other people — if other people are not holy. The prevailing standard of living ought not to satisfy us — if the prevailing standard is below Scripture. No matter how corrupt the times — we should strive to live righteous and godly lives! Nor is this impossible. God is able and willing to give us all the grace we need, to enable us to live a true and holy life — in the most unfavorable circumstances! God makes no mistakes in planting His people in this world. He does not put any of us in a spiritual climate in which we cannot grow into spiritual beauty and strength; and wherever He plants us — He sends the streams of grace to refresh and nourish us.
So, whatever our circumstances may be — it is possible for us to live a godly life! The darker the night of sin about us — the clearer and steadier should the light which streams from our life and conduct be. Any Christian should be able to live godly — in the midst of friendly influences and favoring circumstances; but it is doubly important that we be loyal and true to Christ — when surrounded by an ungodly society!
January 9. The Test of Life
"In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah . . . and his wife Elizabeth . . . Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly." Luk 1:5-6 This is a beautiful thing which God said of them. Yet, after all, that is the test which every life must endure. It is not enough to have human commendation. The question is — How do we stand before God? How does our life appear to Him? It does not matter how men praise and commend us — if God sees that we are living wrong. The Pharisees were righteous before men; but if you would see how they stood in God’s eye — read Mat 23:1-39. "You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to Hell!" (Mat 23:33)
We are in reality — just what we are before God — nothing less, nothing more! The question we should always ask ourselves is, "What does God think of me?" If we would meet His approval, we must first have our hearts right — and then we must be blameless and uptight in every part of our life.
One of the old heathen artists was chiseling the back part of his marble statue with great pains. "Why do you carve the tresses on the head of your statue so carefully?" asked one; "it will stand high in its niche against the wall — and no one will ever see its back." "The gods will see it," was the reply.
We should learn a lesson from the old heathen artist! We should do our work just as honestly, where it will be covered up and never seen by human eyes — as where it is to be open to the scrutiny of the world. For God will see it! We should live just as purely and beautifully in secret — as in the glare of the world’s gaze!
There really is no such thing as secrecy in this world. We imagine that no eye is looking — when we are not in the presence of men. But really, we always have a spectator — we are living all our life in the presence God Himself! We should train ourselves, therefore, to live for the Divine eye in all that we do — that our life may stand the Divine inspection, and that we may have the approval and commendation of God Himself!
"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account!" Heb 4:13 January 10. God Looks on the Heart
"In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah . . . and his wife Elizabeth . . . Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly." Luk 1:5-6 Of course, this does not mean that they were absolutely faultless — but that their lives were so beautiful, so sincere and faithful — that God saw nothing in them to blame or rebuke. This is very beautifully illustrated in one of Mrs. Herrick Johnson’s tender little poems. A mother is sitting at her work; her mind perplexed as she thinks of her poor faulty life. She had longed to serve the Master, and had tried to do so; but it seemed to her that she had utterly failed. Just then she turned the garment she was mending, and her eye "caught an odd little bundle of mending and patchwork done by some other hand. Her heart grew tender as the truth flashed over her. Her little daughter had wanted to help her. To be sure, she had made a botch of it; but the mother knew it was the best she could do, and she felt a strange yearning for her child. Then a voice whispered, "Are you tenderer for the little child — than I am tender for you?" She understood it all in a flash, and her perplexed faith brightened into peace!
January 11. Messengers from God "And when Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him." Luk 1:12
Yet the angel had come on an errand of love — had come to announce to Zacharias tidings which would fill his heart with great joy. It is often so. All through the Bible, we find that people were afraid of God’s angels. Their very glory startled and terrified those to whom they appeared. It is ofttimes the same with us. When God’s messengers come to us on errands of grace and peace — we are terrified, as if they were the messengers of wrath!
Angels do not appear to us in these days, in their heavenly garb. Yet they come no less really and no less frequently than in the Bible days; but they wear other and various forms. Sometimes they appear in robes of gladness and light — but ofttimes they come in dark garments. Yet our faith in our Father’s love, should make us confident that every messenger that He sends to us, whatever the garb — brings something good to us. The things which we call trials and adversities — are really God’s angels, though they seem terrible to us; and if we will only quiet our hearts and wait, we shall find that they are messengers from Heaven, and that they have brought blessings to us from God. They have come to tell us of some new joy that is to be granted — some spiritual joy, perhaps, to be born of earthly sorrow, some strange and sweet surprise of love which is waiting for us. We need to learn to trust God so perfectly, that no messenger He ever sends shall alarm us!
January 12. Magnificat "And Mary said: My soul magnifies the Lord!" Luk 1:46 No wonder that Mary sang that day. At the shut gate of the garden of Eden, there was a promise given of a Savior; a Savior who would be "the seed of the woman." Ever after that, all along the line of the covenant, each woman hoped that she might be the mother of this Savior. Centuries passed, and generations of disappointed hearts saw their hopes fade. At length one day a heavenly messenger came to this lowly Nazarite maiden, and announced to her that she would be the mother of this long-expected Messiah! What a glorious honor! No wonder she rejoiced. One strain of her song was, "My soul magnifies the Lord!"
We cannot make God any greater; He needs nothing from us. Can the candle and to the glory of the sun’s noon-time splendor? Yet we can so tell others of God, that He will seem greater to them. It was said in praise of a distinguished preacher, that in his sermons he made God appear very great. We can declare God’s goodness and grace. Then we can so live ourselves as to honor Him, and thus magnify His name.
Retzsch, a German sculptor, made a wonderful statue of the Redeemer. For eight years it was his dream by night, his thought by day. He first made a clay model, and set it before a child five or six years old. There were none of the usual emblematic marks about the figure, no cross, no crown, nothing by which to identify it. Yet, when the child saw it he said, "The Redeemer! the Redeemer!" This was a wonderful triumph of are. Just so, we should exhibit in our life and character such a reproduction of the nobleness and beauty of Christ, that everyone who looks upon us may instinctively recognize the features, and say, "Behold the image of our Redeemer!" There is no other way of magnifying the Lord, which so impresses the world.
January 13. The Christian’s Joy "My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior!" Luk 1:47 This is another strain of Mary’s song, and it has for us the secret of all deep Christian joy. We have no real and lasting joy — until we are in God’s family, and in God as the refuge of our souls. One of the old prophets says, "Let the inhabitants of the rock sing!" None can sing with lasting gladness, but the inhabitants of the Rock — those who are in the shelter of the Rock of Ages. The world’s songs soon change to cries of terror.
During the battle of Gettysburg there was a little bird on a tree that would sing a few notes every time there was a lull in the awful roar of battle; but when the crash began again, its song would cease. That is the way with this world’s joy. It sings a few strains now and then in the pauses of life’s struggle and discontent. When the waves of sorrow break — its voice is drowned; it cannot sing in loss, in bereavement, in the hour of dying. But one who rejoices in God — has a joy that sings on through all the roar of battle, through all the darkness of night.
Troubles come to the Christian — but they do not rob him of his joy. He may be in deep sorrow — but all the while there is a fountain of joy welling up in his heart.
Sometimes there is a freshwater spring by the seashore. Twice every day the salt tides roll over it — but the spring never ceases to flow; and when the brackish waves have rolled back, the waters of the spring are still as sweet as ever. That is the way with the Christian’s joy. It is a living well in his heart. Even in his sorrow, he has a deep peace in his soul. Then when the sorrow is past, the joy springs as fresh as ever. The permanence of all joy depends upon the source from which it comes. If it is in God that we rejoice, then the troubles of this world have no power to take from us the gladness.
January 14. Christ is Mine!
"My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior!" Luk 1:47
It is a great thing when any one can say, "My Savior!" Many people can talk about Christ very beautifully and eloquently. They can linger upon the story of His life, and speak with tender accents of His sufferings and death. They can paint the beauties of His character, and tell of the salvation which He has provided. Yet they cannot say, "He is my Savior!" And what good does all this knowledge of Christ do for them — if they are not saved by him?
I saw a picture of two little beggar children standing on the pavement before a beautiful house, looking in at the windows, where they beheld a happy family gathered around the table at their evening meal. There were many evidences of luxury and great comfort within the house. It was winter and the night without was bleak, and the snow was falling. The poor children outside saw all the brightness and beauty which was within; they could describe it — but could not call it their own. And while they looked in upon the happy scene — the storm swept about them and they shivered in their thin rags, and felt the gnawings of unsatisfied hunger. So it is with those who know of Christ and His salvation by the hearing of the ear — but who cannot say, "He is my Savior." They see the deep joy of others in time of trouble — but around them the storm still breaks. They look at others feeding upon Christ, and witness their satisfaction — but they themselves stand shivering in the winter of sorrow, and their hungry hearts find no bread to eat.
All our study about Christ will do us no good — if we do not receive Him as our own personal Savior, and learn to call Him "My Jesus." But when we can say of Him, "He is my Savior!" then all life is bright and full of joy for us. He is ready to be ours, to give Himself to us with all His blessed life, and all the privileges of heirship in the Father’s family, the moment we receive Him as offered in His Word.
January 15. Lowly Service "For he has regarded the humble estate of his handmaiden" Luk 1:48
What a beautiful name by which to call one’s self! A handmaid is one who devotes herself to the service of another. A young girl is the handmaid of the Lord — when she gives herself to Him, and then lives all her life just to please Him and serve Him. This does not always mean that she must give up her home and the comforts of life in her own country, and go away as a missionary to a heathen land. Sometimes it may mean that. It has meant that for hundreds of other young Christian women along the years. But for most young girls — it means to serve Christ and live for Him, just in the ordinary life of every day.
There are a great many ways of serving Jesus.
1. One is by always obeying Him. We are serving Him whenever we are listening for His voice and promptly following Him. He says, "if you love me, keep my commandments."
2. Another way is by doing everything we can to make friends for Him, by getting other people to love and serve Him. A little girl is a handmaid of Christ — when she is trying to get other little girls to come to the Sunday school.
3. Yet another way is by doing every kindness we can do to others, in His name. When Jesus was on the earth as a man, some women left their homes and went with Him, ministering to Him. It is probable that they made garments for Him, prepared food for His meals, and did every little personal kindness they could. That was a very sweet privilege. No doubt if He were here now — many noble young girls and women would do the same. He is not here in human form; but He has told us that if we do these same kindnesses even to the least and lowliest of His friends who are in need — it is the same as if we did them to Himself. So it is not hard to be a handmaid of Christ.
January 16. He Cares for You "The Mighty One has done great things for me!" Luk 1:49
It is astonishing that the mighty God, so great, so holy — should ever think of a poor, lowly sinner on this earth! But does He really? It scarcely seems possible! Only consider how many millions of people there are in this world. Can it be, that the glorious God ever gives a personal, special thought — to any one person, among so many? He may give personal thought to a few great people — to kings and rulers, and to certain very good men and women; but surely He does not think of anyone so small and obscure as I am. Ah yes! He does!
You remember that a child (Ishmael) was once dying of thirst in a desert — and God heard its cries amid all the noise of the world, and sent an angel to point out a spring of water, and thus save its life.
You remember, too, that story of the little baby (Moses) — that the mother could no longer herself shelter, and which she put into a little basket and laid among the reeds beside the river; and you remember how God cared for that helpless infant and provided for it in a wonderful way.
Then you remember that Jesus said our heavenly Father cares even for each small sparrow and feeds it, and that He even clothes each little flower in the field.
If there is not a bird or a flower that He does not think of and care for — then surely He gives thought and care to us, His people! We are better than a sparrow, better than a flower. We have immortal souls. We are God’s own children; and was there ever a true father who did not think of, and love and care for his children? He calls each one of us by name. He hears our prayers. He knows when anything is going wrong with us, or when we are in any trouble. He watches over us, and sends blessings to us every day. What a wonderful thought — that the awesome and almighty God thinks of each one of us, and does great things for us!
"I am poor and needy — yet the Lord thinks upon me!" Psa 40:17 "Casting all your care on Him — because He cares about you!" 1Pe 5:7 January 17. Spiritual Hunger "He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he has sent away empty." Luk 1:53 A great many people attend church and Sunday school, where the blessings of grace abound — and yet are "sent away empty." They are not fed. They do not carry anything with them from all the fullness before them. They are no better, no stronger, no happier — for all the privileges they have enjoyed. Is it the minister’s or the teacher’s fault? No; the fault must be their own. They were not really hungry — or they would have been filled. A lady was ill with tuberculosis. She was advised to go to Florida to spend the winter. She wrote home glowing letters about the healthy climate, the wonderful foliage, the luscious fruits. While it was midwinter at her old home in the North — it was like summer where she was. She spoke of the table — how it was covered with all manner of tempting fruits. But in every letter she wrote there was one sad lament: "I have no appetite. If I only had an appetite, I am sure I would soon grow well amid such luxuries." Then in a little while word came that she was dead — dead in the midst of abounding plenty, not for lack of food — but for lack of appetite. So it is with many souls. They live amidst abundance of spiritual provision. God spreads full tables before them continually. They sit down besides them — and then are sent away empty; not because there is nothing there for them — but because they have no hunger for such things. Others sit close by them, at the same tables, with the same provisions before them — and are richly fed, and go away rejoicing in strength and hope, and refreshed in all their nature; but these came with spiritual appetite. Our constant prayer should be that God would make us hungry for Himself. The beatitude is, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness — for they shall be filled."
January 18. The Divine Visitor "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people." Luk 1:68
What a beautiful thought it is, that God pays visits to His people in this world! We remember a number of visits He made in the olden times — to Adam and Eve, to Abraham, to Jacob, to Moses, to Joshua, and to others. But the most wonderful visit He ever made, was when Christ came and stayed so long, and did so much to bless the world. After a while He went away; yet we must not think that He went away to stay, and that He never pays visits to this world any more.
Every time any of His children are in trouble — He comes to help them. They do not always know it; for He comes unseen, and often so softly and silently that they do not know they have such a glorious visitor within their doors! When we are in great danger — He visits us to deliver us. When we are sick or suffering — He visits us to give us grace to bear our suffering. Then ofttimes He will come and "stand at our door and knock," and wants to visit with us and give us some rich blessing — and we will not open the door!
There was an old Scotch woman who could not pay her rent, and the landlord said he would seize her goods. A good friend heard of it, and went to her house to give her money to save her property. He knocked — but could not get in. Next day he met her and told her of his visit. "Was that you?" she said with amazement; "I thought it was the officer coming to take my goods, and I had all the doors and windows barred, and would not let him in."
Just so, Christ comes and knocks. He knows of our need, and wants to bless or help us; and we bar our doors and keep Him out, not knowing who He is, nor why He comes! We must remember that when Christ comes — it is always to do us good, and that we shall rob ourselves if we ever keep Him out, or refuse His visit.
January 19. The Door of Mercy "The tender mercy of our God." Luk 1:78
What would we ever have done — if God had not been merciful? There could never have been a soul saved in this world.
There is a story of a man who dreams that he is out in an open field in a fierce driving storm. He is wildly seeking a refuge. He sees one gate, over which "Holiness" is written. There seems to be shelter inside, and he knocks. The door is opened by one in white garments; but none but the holy can be admitted, and he is not holy. So he hurries on to seek shelter elsewhere. He sees another gate, and tries that; but "Truth" is inscribed above it, and he is not fit to enter. He hastens to a third, which is the palace of "Justice" — but armed sentinels keep the door, and only the righteous can be received. At last, when he is almost in despair, he sees a light shining some distance away and hastens toward it. The door stands wide open, and beautiful angels meet him with welcomes of joy. It is the house of "Mercy" — and he is taken in and finds refuge from the storm, and is hospitably entertained. Not one of us can ever find a refuge at any door, but the door of Mercy. But here the vilest sinner can find eternal shelter; and not mere cold shelter only, for God’s mercy is "tender." We flee for refuge, and find it. Strong walls shut out all pursuing enemies, and cover us from all storms. Then, as we begin to rejoice in our security, we learn that we are inside a sweet home — and not merely a secure shelter. Our refuge is in the very heart of God; and no mother’s bosom was ever so warm a nest for her own child, as is the divine mercy for all who find refuge in it.
"He who dwells in the secret place of the most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
He shall cover you with his pinions,
And under his wings shall you take refuge." Psa 91:1; Psa 91:4 January 20. The Light of the World "To give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death" Luk 1:79
Suppose the sun were never to rise again, and the light of every star were put out — what a gloomy world this would be! This is the picture of the world, in a moral and spiritual sense, without Christ, as it is painted in these words, "darkness and the shadow of death!" — no light to guide, to cheer, to produce joy and beauty. A world without Christ would be utter blackness — unilluminated by a singe ray of sun, or even by a single far-away star. Christ is light. Only think what light does for us! It makes our days very bright; it shows us all the beautiful things that are around us. But it does far more. It produces all the life of the earth — and then nourishes it. There would not be a bud or a root or a leaf — were it not for the sun. Nor would there be any beauty, for every lovely thing in nature — the sun paints. Think of Christ, then, as light. His love brooding over us causes us to live, and nourishes in us every spiritual grace. Every beam of hope is a ray of light. What the coming of light is to a prisoner in a darkened dungeon — that is the bursting of mercy over the guilty soul. Light gives cheer; and oh what cheer the gospel gives to the mourner, to the poor, to the troubled! Is it not strange — that any will refuse to receive this light? If one would persist in living in a dark cave, far away from the light of the sun, with only dim candles of his own making, to pour a few feeble, flickering beams upon the gloom — we would consider him insane. What shall we say of those who persist in living in the darkness of sin — with no light but the candles of earth’s false hopes to shine upon their soul? There are many such, too. They turn anywhere, rather than to Christ. It is like preferring a dim candle — to the glorious sun!
January 21. Paths of Peace "To guide our feet into the way of peace." Luk 1:79
First, Jesus made the way of peace for us. Sin had destroyed the road to Heaven, leaving only a rough and thorny way for human feet to go upon. There never would have been a path of peace — had not Jesus Himself made it. All ways in life — except that one which He has opened for us — are full of pain and trouble, and lead only to sorrow, despair, and destruction! But Christ prepared a highway that is beautiful and blessed, and which leads to eternal joy and glory.
It was not easy work, building this road. In the construction of some of this world’s great thoroughfares, thousands of human lives were sacrificed. We forget sometimes, as we move on in the highway of redemption, amid peaceful scenes, with soft music in our ears, and rich comforts in our hearts, and heavenly hopes to woo us forward — what it cost our blessed Lord, what toil and tears and blood — to prepare the way for us, to bridge over the chasms, and level down the mountains. But now the way is open, and from beginning to end — it is a way of peace. A great many people think that the Christian life is hard and unpleasant — that it is a rough and steep road; but truly, it is a way of pleasantness and peace. The only really happy people in this world, are those who are following Christ along the way of redemption. They have their share of troubles, disappointments, sorrows; but all the time in the midst of these — they have a secret peace, of which the world knows nothing. There are paths in the low valleys, among the great mountains — which are sweet pictures of the Christian’s way of peace. High up among the peaks and crags — the storms sweep in wild fury — but on these valley-paths, no breath of tempest ever blows. Flowers bloom and springs of water gurgle along the wayside, and trees cast their grateful shadow, and bird-songs fill the air. Such is Christ’s "way of peace" in this world.
January 22. Blessed Night-Watch
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them!" Luk 2:8-9
We should notice that it was while these shepherds were at their common, humble work — that they had this wonderful vision. The best place to have the angels come to us — is always at our post of duty, no matter how lowly it is. They never show themselves to one who is ashamed of his calling, or too indolent to be faithful at his proper work.
It did not seem a very pleasant way to live — to be poor, and to have to stay out all night in the field, and keep awake and watch the sheep. No doubt the people who lived in the great houses thought the poor shepherds had a hard time of it, and perhaps they even despised them for their lowly work and their poverty. It may be that the shepherds themselves sometimes envied the people who had fine houses and lived in luxury, and never needed to work hard or to stay up nights. At least, a good many people, in these modern days, who have to work hard are disposed to be envious of the rich. But it is quite certain that these shepherds were never sorry after that night — that they were poor shepherds, and that they were at their post at that time. If they had thought themselves too good or too fine to do such work, and had given up their position for something more elegant or more respectable, they would have missed the angelic visit that night, and would have lost the honor of being the first to hear the announcement of the Savior’s birth.
We never know what we lose — by being out of our place of duty. Celestial visions do not come to those who despise God’s allotments in life. The angel honored poverty and faithfulness when He came to the shepherds — rather than to the door of some lordly palace, to proclaim His glorious tidings. The best place to be in — is always the place of duty.
January 23. Good News "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy." Luk 2:10
Every work of the gospel is a joy-bell. In Eastern poetry, they tell of a wondrous tree on which grew golden apples and silver bells. Every time the breeze went by and tossed the fragrant branches, a shower of the golden apples fell, and the bells chimed and tinkled forth their sweet and airy music. Like this fabled tree — is the gospel-tree, ever dropping rich and mellow fruits, and ringing joy-bells whose music thrills our hearts with its celestial sweetness. The gospel is always good news. Who was ever made sad by it? It brings good news to the guilty sinner when it comes to tell him of forgiveness. It brings good news to the struggling soul in the strife of temptation, when it comes to offer him help to overcome. It brings good news to the man or the woman who has failed, and is in despair over a ruined life and hopes dashed to the dust, when it says, "You may rise yet to a glorious life!" It brings good news to the mourner when it breathes comfort, the assurance of divine sympathy and love; and a promise that good shall come out of sorrow. So wherever the gospel goes — it tells good news, never bad.
Think what joys it has started in this world, what sadness it has chased away, what ruin it has restored to beauty. Think of the hymns of joy that have been sung along these Christian centuries — and are yet echoing in countless human hearts. Think of the heavenly songs in which millions will unite eternally. Then remember that all this song and gladness will be but the prolonged echo of that joy which the angel proclaimed. "Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy!" We must be sure that we let this good news into our hearts, else we can never share this great gladness. Then we should in turn become joy-bearers, by ourselves repeating the good news, and likewise by letting all about us see in us — what deep victorious joy the gospel of Christ can give.
January 24. The Christ Child "Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luk 1:11
How wonderful this was! We must remember who it was, that was thus born. The birth of another child in this world was nothing strange, for thousands of children are born every day. But this was the Lord of glory! This was not the beginning of His life. He had lived from all eternity in Heaven. His hands made the universe. All glory was His. All the crowns of power flashed upon His brow. All mighty angels called Him Lord. We must remember this, if we would understand how great was His condescension.
Every schoolboy has read that Peter the Great left his throne, and in lowly disguise apprenticed himself as a carpenter. Among the common laborers he wrought, dressed in their working-garb, living in a hut, preparing his own food, making his own bed. Yet in doing so, he never for a moment ceased to be the emperor of Russia. His royal splendor was laid aside for a time; his regal power and majesty were temporarily veiled beneath the disguise he wore; but there was never an hour when he was not an emperor.
Just so, Christ’s glory was folded away under robes of human flesh. He never ceased to be the Son of God; and yet He assumed all the conditions of humanity. He veiled His power, and became a helpless infant, unable to walk, to speak, to think, lying feeble and dependent in His mother’s bosom. He veiled His knowledge, and learned as other children do. He laid aside His sovereignty and His majesty. What condescension! And it was all for our sake, that He might lift us up to glory.
It was as a Savior that He came into this world. He became Son of man — that He might make us sons of God. He came down to earth and lived among men, entering into their experiences of humiliation — that He might lift them up to glory to share His exaltation!
January 25. Strange Insignia "This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Luk 2:12
What a strange sign this by which to recognize the King of glory! The shepherds would not find Him robed in purple garments, like the child of a prince — but wrapped in swaddling clothes. They would not find Him in a palace — but in a stable, with a feeding trough for His cradle. Is it not strange that the very marks and authentications of Messiah’s character and mission, by which these shepherds recognized Him when they found Him — were these tokens of poverty and humiliation? This tells us what empty things are the world’s marks of greatness. No one would expect ever to recognize earthly royalty by any such insignia as these. When Christ came, He despised all the badges of rank by which men indicate greatness — and wore the insignia of earthly poverty and humiliation. Yet was He less great — because He did not bear the world’s stamp of honor?
True greatness is in the character — never in the circumstances. It does not matter if you do not wear a crown — make sure that you have a head worthy of wearing a crown. It does not matter if you do not wear purple garments — make sure that you have a heart worthy of the purple. It does not matter if you do not have a throne to sit on — make sure that your life is regal in its own intrinsic character, that men will recognize the king in you, though your toil in the field or mine, or service in the lowliest place.
These strange tokens tell us also, of Christ’s sympathy with the lowliest phases of life, with the plainest and poorest of the people. None can say that Christ never came to them. If He had been born in a palace amid splendors — then the common people would never have felt that He was their Savior — as they feel now that He is. Christ went down and touched life at its lowest point — that there might be none to whom His mission of love and grace should not reach.
January 26. God is Love "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luk 2:14
Yes! Love is the meaning of it all. It tells of the good will of God toward all men. There is a strange medieval legend which illustrates this truth. An infidel knight, in the wildness of his mad, heaven-defying infidelity, determined to test, by the method to which as a knight he was accustomed — the reality and power of the God whose existence he denied.
So, going out into the field, armed as if for combat, he cast his glove down upon the ground, after the manner of the ancient challengers, and cried out to the heavens: "God! if there is a God, I defy you here and now to mortal combat! If you indeed are, put forth your might, of which your pretended priests make such boasts." As he spoke, his eye was caught by a piece of parchment fluttering in the air just above his head. It fell at his feet. He stooped and picked it up, and found inscribed upon it these words, "God is love!" Overcome by this unexpected response, he broke his sword in token of his surrender, and kneeling upon the fragments, consecrated his life henceforth to the service of that God whom he had just before defied.
Thus to all men’s defiance, to the rebellion of a world, to the godlessness of nations, to the blasphemy of individuals, the answer that Heaven has always let fall has been, "God is love!" This was the message which came wafting down that night on the silent air, in this sweet note of the angels song. This was the meaning of the coming of Christ. Cold was the world; shut were men’s hearts against God; defiant was the attitude of nations. Yet to this coldness, this defiance, this revolt — the answer was not swift judgment — but the gift of the Son of God as the Savior, "On earth peace, good will toward men." Wherever the gospel goes today, it breathes the same loving message. God does not hate us; He loves us with a tender and everlasting love!
January 27. Daily Duty "The shepherds went back to their flocks" Luk 2:20
They might have been so enraptured with the sight of the Christ-child, that they would not have cared to go away again to their own dull work in the fields. Some people in their spiritual ecstasies, feel disinclined to devote themselves longer to the commonplace things of this tedious work-day life. Peter wanted to stay on the Transfiguration Mount; earthly life, with its toils and struggles, would be too tame, he thought, after such ecstatic visions. And surely no human eyes ever gazed on a more glorious vision than that these shepherds beheld that night. Yet they went back to their lowly toil, and no doubt they were just as faithful shepherds after that, as they had been before.
We need to learn a lesson here. All our spiritual enjoyments — ought to make us only the more diligent and faithful in the duties of our ordinary callings. It is not a true devotional experience — which draws us away from our daily duty. The nearer we get to Christ — the better should we do all our work! Our love for communion with God and with His people — should never make us negligent in the doing of the tasks that the common days bring to us. After our most heavenly experiences on the Sunday or in the closet of prayer — we should return to our work ever with fresh earnestness and zest.
God gives us our spiritual raptures, our glimpses of His face and His glory, our foretastes of celestial joy, our fragments of heavenly vision — for the very purpose of making us stronger and braver for commonplace duty. It will be sad indeed, then, if they make us less fit for life here with its burdens and cares. We should seek to bring the heavenly visions down, and give them reality in our lives, that others may see the beauty too, and be cheered by it. Our hours of communion with Christ — should leave some gleams of brightness on our faces, as we come to walk again in life’s dusty ways!
January 28. Upright Devotion "Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was just and devout" Luk 2:25
He was just in all his dealings with men — and devout in his dealings toward God. It takes both of these elements to make true religion.
Some people are just — and not devout. They are scrupulously honest in all their dealings — and yet they never think of God, or of their duties to Him. They do not bow to Him in prayer; they never lift their hearts to Him in praise. They do not love Him. They confess no obligations to Him. Their whole religion simply is honesty toward their fellow-men — while they utterly ignore God, their Creator and Redeemer, in Whom they live, from Whose grace every blessing in their lives flows, and upon Whom they are dependent every moment for breath and existence. It is readily seen, that such religion is no religion at all.
While we are just and honest in our transactions with men — it is to God that we owe the first and highest duties. We are His creatures; we are saved, if at all, by His grace; we owe to Him obedience, faith, love, honor, service. So we must be devout as well as just. On the other hand, there are some people who profess to be devout — who are not just! They attend upon ordinances, they sing and pray; and then they go out into the week-day world, and are hard, unjust, greedy, and oppressive! It is very evident that this kind of religion does not please God. He wants our praise and honor — but He wants us to honor Him by our lives and actions, as well as by our lips.
There are two tables of commandments; and the second table commandments are as binding as the first. We are to love God with all our heart (the first table) — but we are also to love our neighbor as ourselves (the second table). While we are devout toward God — we are to be honest, true, unselfish toward men. The two things must go together, and must never be torn asunder!
January 29. Are We Ready
"And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ." Luk 2:26
It is a fearful thing for anyone to see death — before seeing Christ. Death is terrible. It is a valley of shadows. It ushers us into the presence of God to be judged! What if we have never seen Christ? It does not matter how many great men we have seen during our life. It does not matter what we may have done in the way of good or great deeds. We may have seen the wonders of every land; we may have achieved honor and fame. But if we have not seen Christ — we are not prepared to die! Even wicked men want to see Him before death, although all through their life they have rejected Him. They can live without Him — but without Him they dare not die.
There is a story of an infidel, whose wife was a lovely Christian. Their beautiful young daughter was dying. Her father had always ridiculed Christ in her presence. When she was near death, she asked him whether he wanted her to die in his — or in her mother’s belief; as an infidel — or as a Christian. With great emotion he said, "Mary, I would rather you would die in your mother’s faith — die as a Christian!" He was not content for his child to meet death as an unbeliever; all his scepticism vanished in the presence of the dread mystery of eternity.
Death tests all creeds. A belief which is not good to die in, which a man wants to give up and throw away as he enters the portals of eternity, surely cannot be worthy of acceptance by an immortal being. No one, as he entered the valley of shadows, was ever heard regretting that he had entrusted his soul into Christ’s hands. "Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!" Num 23:10 When we have truly seen Christ — then we are ready for death any moment. We have already passed from death unto life, and have nothing to dread in the experience of dying. Death will only be a translation from darkness into light.
January 30. Asleep in Jesus "Lord, now let you your servant depart in peace, according to your Word." Luk 2:29 No one is ready to die in peace — until he has seen Christ; but when he has seen Him, he needs no further preparation for dying. He may never have looked upon any of the wonders of this world; but it is not necessary that he should have done so, if he has beheld the Lamb of God. He may not have carried out one of his own ambitious plans in life, nor have achieved anything great or beautiful; but that does not matter, as the one essential achievement in life — is to see Jesus. When we have truly seen Him — then dying has no more terrors, for Christ has robbed death of its sting, and the grave of its victory. The Christian has a soft pillow of peace to rest upon — when he comes to die. Christ has lifted the curse from his soul, and made death but the way to glory. He Himself tasted death for His people — and now there is no death for any of them. He said to Martha, by her brother’s grave, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever lives and believes in me shall never die." That means, that those who are saved by Christ find no terror, no darkness, nothing to harm them, in dying — but pass through death, as through a beautiful gate into everlasting life! The word ’let’ in today’s scripture, means ’set free’, "Set your servant free to depart;" implying that what we call life is like the imprisoning of the eagle; and what we call death, after one has seen Christ, is blessed and glorious emancipation. What a beautiful thought of dying! All we need, then, is truly to see Christ before we die. When He has lifted away the curse of sin, and put His own holy life into our souls — then we are already in the portal of Heaven while in this world; dying will be but being set free to enter in, and to behold Christ face to face forever!