03.04. April
APRIL April 1. Make me Clean
"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him: Lord, if you are willing — you can make me clean." Luk 5:12 This prayer shows a beautiful faith. The leper had no doubt whatever of Christ’s ability to heal him. The only question in his mind, was whether He would be willing to do it. There might be some reason why the Lord would not wish to answer his request. It would be an unutterable blessing — to have this loathsome, terrible leprosy taken away. Jesus could do it — if He wanted to; and He would do it — if it were best that it should be removed. So we find in his brief prayer, acquiescence as well as humility. This was a prayer, not for spiritual blessing — but for physical blessing; and in such things, we never can know what really is best for us. A mother may bend over a dying child and plead with affectionate yearning for its life. God will never blame her for the agonizing persistence of her plea — yet she dare not pray willfully. She must end her most intense pleading with the submissive refrain, caught from Gethsemane, "Nevertheless, not my will — but may Your will be done." It may not be the best blessing to her, or to her home — to have her child spared. Or a man may be threatened with financial bankruptcy. He turns to Christ for help: "If You will — You can save me from this sore loss!" Yes, He can — there is no doubt about that. But will He?
He will — if it is best; for He never chastens — but for His people’s good. But will it be a blessing — to have this calamity averted? The man cannot tell. Perhaps it may be necessary for him to suffer this misfortune in his temporal estate — that he may not lose his inheritance in Heaven.
Paul’s "thorn in the flesh" is an illustration. He wanted it removed. But no — it was necessary to keep him from spiritual pride, from being exalted above measure.
Prayer should be submissive — as well as earnest. We do not know what we should pray for — nor if what we desire would really bless us.
April 2. The Master’s Touch!
"While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, ’Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ’I am willing,’ He said. ’Be clean!’ And immediately the leprosy left him. Luk 5:12-13
None of the Jewish religious leaders would have done this. They kept the leper far off — to touch him would defile them. But Jesus was not afraid of defilement. He could as easily have stood afar off and cured the leper by a word, for he sometimes cured from miles away. But the man needed a touch from a warm hand to assure him of love and sympathy. The touch left no taint of pollution on the Master — but it left the leprous body as pure as a babe’s.
There are some who want to help others, if at all — at a convenient distance. They work through committees or agents. It is a great deal better to come close to those to whom we would do good. There is a wondrous power in a human touch. A gift to the poor may do good in whatever way it comes; but if you bestow it yourself, and manifest personal interest and sympathy — its value will be largely increased. You put something of yourself into your gift. The gospel may save the fallen, though coming through the cold air from a lofty pulpit; but it will better touch the heart — if the sinner feels the touch of a hand of love, and catches the message warm from quivering lips.
There is no danger of receiving defilement even from touching the worst outcasts, if you go to them with the love of God in your heart, yearning to do them good. Do not stand far off and toss the ’bread of life’ to them, as men throw gifts into leper hospitals, or as they throw scraps to dogs. Do not slip your gospel tract under the door and hurry away — as if you were ashamed of what you had done. Go to the homes of the worst people. Give them your hand, it will not soil it — to clasp theirs; and you never can know what a thrill of new life it may start in hearts long unused to tenderness — yet yearning for sympathy. Put heart and inspiration into all that you do. You never can know what a thrill of inspiration and life, you may give to weary and disheartened ones!
April 3. He Could Not be Hid "The news spread quickly that He was in the house!" Mark 2:1
Whenever Jesus enters a home — it never can be kept quiet for long. He cannot be hidden. The neighbors will soon find out that He is there! The people cannot keep the secret. They will let it out in a great many ways. They will show it in their faces. Those who have Christ in their home — do not look like other people. There is a radiance or sunniness about them when they come out — which tells of an unworldly source of joy. There is something about their speech, too, that lets out the secret; they cannot help talking about their Guest! So, in spite of themselves, the family in whose house Jesus comes — will disclose the secret.
Fragrant flowers cannot be concealed — and there is a fragrance about Jesus that always reveals His presence. Light cannot be hidden — and there is so much light in Him, that it shines out at every window and through every chink and crevice of the house where He abides. Love itself is invisible — but wherever it dwells, it produces such effects that its presence soon becomes known. It makes people gentle, kindly, thoughtful, unselfish, and fills them with new desires to do good, and to serve and bless others. And wherever Christ is — love is, in all its pervasive, transforming influence!
Some people like to gather beautiful things into their homes — paintings, sculptures, rare things from foreign lands, objects of interest and attractiveness. Some pride themselves on the elegance of their furniture and the fineness of the decorations in their houses. But in no other way can the Christian bring into his home so much beauty, so much joy and comfort, so much true peace — as by making Christ his abiding guest. No matter how quietly Jesus enters — the neighbors will soon know it, and they will also get the benefit and blessing of it; for from a home where Christ abides — there always goes forth a fragrant influence and a loving, helpful ministry!
April 5. Bearing One Another’s Burdens
"Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God’s Word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat." Mark 2:2-3 That was a very touching sight, those four strong men carrying their helpless friend to the Healer. That is the kind of help we ought always to be willing to give to one another. There are on all sides of us — many people who need to be helped. There are lame people to be assisted over rough places, and blind people to be led along the way they cannot see themselves, and even paralytics who have to be carried in strong hands. The Christian law of love requires that we shall be ready always to lend a hand — to those who need the aid we can give. We never can tell how soon it may be our turn to require for ourselves just such friendly aid — as our neighbor requires from us today. If we expect to have people turn aside from their work to help us in our time of need — we must be willing to do as much for others who now require help.
There are many ways of doing the neighborly duty to others. These four men bore their friend to Jesus. They could not heal him themselves — but they could carry him to the One who could heal him. All around us are neighbors and friends who are spiritual paralytics. We cannot cure them — but perhaps we can take them to One who can do for them what we cannot do.
We should notice, too, that there were four of these men who carried their friend to Jesus. One of them could not have done it; two of them could not have carried him with ease; even for three, the trembling burden would have been hard to bear. But when all four of these brawny men united their strength, they bore the man along without difficulty. So it is in helping sinners to Christ. There is strength in the union of hearts and hands. When one alone cannot take his friend to the Savior — let him call others to his aid, and let them unite in their efforts on his behalf.
April 6. Faith Seen in Our Works "When He saw their faith." Luk 5:20 So far as we know, no one had spoken a word to Jesus about the sick man — but there really was no need for words. The pains at which the friends had been to get this poor sufferer into the presence of Christ, told of a very strong faith. The best evidence of faith — is the effort we make to obtain faith’s prize.
Abraham proved his faith first of all, when he promptly obeyed God’s call and left his own home and country to go out, he knew not where, simply following where God might lead. He proved his faith again when he was bidden to offer his only son as a burnt offering, and without a question or remonstrance obeyed. It was after this, that God said, "Now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me." There is no need of words or declarations of faith — when there are such acts of faith to attest it.
God can see faith. He can see it in the heart where it is exercised, even before there has been any expression of it in word or act; but here the emphasis lies on the fact that he sees it in act. He is pleased when we show our faith by our works. There are many prayers without words — and God sees them, when he does not hear them. There is in the Bible at least one instance of God forbidding spoken prayer, and commanding action instead. At the edge of the Red Sea he said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on!" Exo 14:15 So we should learn to put our faith into instant act. There are times when we should stop praying, get up from our knees — and hasten out to duty. Praying for a friend in trouble is well — but it is a cheap and selfish way of showing our love — if he has needs that we can supply. Praying for missions is right — but it is no acceptable substitute for giving — if we are holding the Lord’s money in our hands. God wants to see our faith.
April 7. Strength Bestowed
"Jesus said to the paralytic: Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home! He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all." Mark 2:10-12 That was surely a very strange command to give to a paralyzed man. He could not get up. He could not take up his mat. He could not walk a step. He was as helpless as a corpse! Why did Jesus require such an impossibility of him? But as we look on the helpless form — we see that it at once gets up. The limbs move, the man rises, takes up his bed, and walks away in the presence of all the people. As we watch him going his way — we learn that when Christ gives any command which seems impossible — He always gives strength to perform it. As the man began to obey Christ’s bidding — power came back into his long-paralyzed body, and he was able to rise up and walk.
It is the same in spiritual life. We have no power in ourselves to do Christ’s will — but as we begin to obey, the needed grace is given. Young people often say that they are afraid to enter upon a Christian life, because they cannot do what will be required. In their own strength, they cannot. It would be as easy for them to climb to the stars — unaided by God, as to live a noble and lovely Christian life. Human strength in itself, is inadequate to life’s sore needs. But the young Christian who sets out in obedience to Christ, depending upon Him to open the path of duty — will never fail of needed help at the moment of need.
Older Christians also often shrink from duties because they have not the ability to perform them. But for them, and for all who attempt any work or service in obedience to Christ, it is true that the effort to obey — will always bring with it the strength to obey.
We should notice too that the strength will not come — until we try to obey. If we will not attempt to do our duty — we shall forever remain poor paralytics! But as we put forth the exertion — God’s strength will flow into our souls, and we shall be strong.
April 8. Blessed by Sickness
"Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there — had been an invalid for thirty-eight years!" John 5:3-5 That was a long time to be sick! It is very hard to be an invalid year after year! This day’s lesson may come to some who have been thus afflicted, and we should stop a minute to think about their case. Christian invalids have many comforts, if they will but take them to heart. God makes no mistakes in dealing with His children! He knows in what school they will learn the best lessons — and in what experiences they will grow best.
Richard Baxter has a strange note on this passage: "How great a mercy it was to live thirty-eight years under God’s wholesome discipline! O my God, I thank You for the like discipline of fifty-eight years; how safe a life is this — in comparison with full prosperity and pleasure!" The furnace-fires of sickness burn off many a chain of sin and worldliness! Many who are now in Heaven, will thank God forever for their invalidism in this life — which kept them from sin. We may be sure that God never calls any of His children into sickness — without a purpose of blessing them. There is some lesson — which He wants to teach them; some new glimpse of His love — which He wants to show them; some spiritual beauty — which He wants to develop in them.
Sick-rooms should always be to us sacred places, as we remember that God has summoned us there for some special work upon our souls.
We need to be very careful lest we miss the good which He wants us to receive. It is only those who trust Christ and lie upon His bosom — who are blessed by sickness. Too many invalids grow discontented, unhappy, sour and fretful. Sickness ofttimes fails to do good to those who suffer. There are few experiences in which we so much need to be watchful over ourselves, and prayerful toward God. Be sure to keep the sickness out of your heart — and keep Christ there with His love and peace.
April 9. Even So Send I You "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred." John 5:7 Are there not many unsaved people in every community who might also say, "I have no man to bring me to Christ"? There are many lost souls, for whom no one is caring. Christians must not forget that the unsaved can receive grace, only through the saved; that those who are forgiven, must carry the news of mercy to the unforgiven. The redemption is divine, none but Jesus can save; but the priesthood is human. God’s ordinary way of finding sinners and bringing them to the Savior, is through the love and pleading of other saved ones. Christ’s commission ran: "As the Father has sent me, even so send I you." We are to do for the unsaved, just what Christ did when He was here, what He would do now if He were living just where we live, among them, go to them and ask them if they will be made whole. Are there not lost ones about us who can say at God’s judgment-bar, "The Christians about me would not lead me to the fountain — they never even asked me to come to it for cleansing!" This man waiting at the fountain’s edge, is a type of many about us — close to the healing waters, with hungry, unsatisfied hearts, needing but the help of a human hand to lead them to the Savior — yet never getting that help or that sympathy, and sitting there year after year unsaved. Surely we should not allow any unsaved ones about us to perish, without trying in every way to lead them to the cleansing, healing waters.
What evidence have we, that we are saved ourselves — if we are not interested in the salvation of other lost ones? Let us look about us and see if any of our neighbors could say what this poor man at Bethesda said. Then let us go quickly and invite them to the Savior.
April 10. Immediately made Whole
"Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there — had been an invalid for thirty-eight years!" John 5:3-5
"Then Jesus said to him, ’Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked." John 5:8-9 The man might have said, "Why, I cannot get up. That is the very thing which I have not been able for thirty-eight years. Pick up my bed! Why, I could not lift a feather; and as for walking — I could as easily fly! I cannot do these things — until I am cured."
We have all heard people talk thus about starting in the Christian life. They plead their helplessness as reason for their delay. There is a fine lesson for such in this man’s obedience. The moment he heard the command — he made the effort to rise, and as he made the effort — the strength was given. New life came with his simple obedience. Christ never commands an impossibility. When He bids us rise out of our sin and helplessness and begin the Christian walk — He means to give grace and strength to enable us to do it. The same is true of all that Christ requires of us in His service. People think it "humility" to be timid about duty and about accepting responsibility at Christ’s call; but it is not humility at all — it is unbelief and sin. We lie on our poor ’mats’ and say, "I have no strength for this, no wisdom for that," while if we simply arose to obey every call of Christ — He would use us for noble service. This man showed his faith — by immediately exerting himself to do what Christ had bidden him do. Had he not done this — he would not have been healed. There are many who lie spiritually paralyzed, year after year, just because they are waiting to be healed before they try to rise and walk. There are many who never do any worthy service for Christ, and lie in a condition of uselessness through years — because they think themselves unequal to the duties to which they are called. It is time we learned to step forward instantly, to do whatever Christ bids us do. When we begin to do this — we shall find ourselves strong.
April 11. The Sabbath "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath" Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was not made for man merely as an arbitrary law which he must observe. It is as much a law of his nature, or in harmony with his nature, as is the night which bids him cease his toil and seek rest and sleep. It was made for man’s physical nature. It has been proved many times that the body needs the Sabbath. Then it was made for man’s spiritual good, to give opportunity, not alone for physical rest — but for communion with God, when the noise of business and of toil has ceased. It was made for man to promote his welfare in every regard. All history proves that the Sabbath is a blessing wherever it is observed, and that its violation always brings loss and suffering. Our Lord clearly showed by His example and teaching that the Sabbath is never meant to be a burden or to work oppressively. Though secular work is forbidden on the Sabbath, it is not a violation of the sacredness of the day for us to prepare food sufficient to meet the hunger of our bodies, or to lift out of a pit a beast that has fallen into it, or to heal a man who is sick. There is no great need in these days to say much on this side of the question. Not many people are now disposed to make the Sabbath a burden or a cruel yoke. The tendency is the other way. At the same time, it is well to understand just what our Lord taught on this subject. He never sought to make the Sabbath oppressive or a burden. Works of necessity are allowed, even though they may seem to violate the letter of the law. So also are works of mercy, works of benevolence. It will be hard, however, to get out of this great saying of our Lord — any excuse for running railway trains, for keeping stores open, or for the hundredth part of the secular goings-on that men want to bring in under the shield of Christ’s teaching.
April 12. The Great Physician "For He had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch Him." Mark 3:10
Though the plots of His enemies drove Jesus out of the city — they did not stop His doing good. Though some rejected His love — His heart was not closed. Capernaum lost much when He went out of its gates — but on the throngs that followed Him, the gracious blessings fell. That is ofttimes the way. The gifts of love which Christ bears in His hands are rejected by those to whom they are first offered — but are then carried to others, who receive them with gladness. Persecution generally scatters the seed which it means to destroy. When the first Christians were driven from Jerusalem, it was only to carry the word into all countries round about into which they fled. They "went everywhere preaching." Opposition should never silence the lips that carry the words of life. If one rejects and scorns us, then we must bear our message to another. The picture of the people thronging here around Christ, pressing upon Him, each one eagerly struggling to touch Him — is very graphic and vivid. A touch was enough. All who touched Him were made whole. Life and health flowed into the diseased bodies — when the trembling fingers came in contact with the Healer, even with His garments. So a touch is always enough. Anyone who really touches Christ is healed. But we must be sure to touch Him. It is not enough to be in the crowd that gathers about Him. Only those are healed — whose faith truly brings them in contact with Him. It is not enough to be in the congregation that worships. One sitting or bowing next to us may receive a great blessing — while we receive none at all. It is because he reaches out his hand of faith and touches Christ — while we, as close to Christ as he is, do not put out our hand to touch Him, and therefore receive no blessing.
April 13. They Came to Him "Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to Him those He wanted — and they came to Him." Mark 3:13 That is the way Jesus is doing continually — standing and calling men to come to Him. And here we see the way everyone who hears His voice should answer — leave the world’s company, step boldly out, cross over the line — and take his place by the side of Jesus.
There are several things to be said about the way these men responded to Christ’s call. They did it freely. Although He had chosen them out of a whole nation, and called them — there was no compulsion laid upon them to go with Him. They could have refused if they had chosen. Christ never makes disciples by force. We must be willing, and must choose to come to Him.
Then they responded promptly. There was no hesitation. They said nothing about considering the matter for a while. They did not talk about being unfit or unworthy. They did not tell Jesus they were afraid they could not continue faithful. They did not say, "Tomorrow we will go." The moment they heard their names called — they answered.
Then their answer was given in a way that could be understood. Whenever they heard the call they stepped out with firm tread, and crossing over the space between the crowd and the Master — they joined themselves to Him. It was not done secretly. They did not wait until they were alone with Him, and then tell Him quietly that they had resolved to accept His invitation. They did not propose to become His disciples — and yet stay among their old friends, and keep on at their old business. They immediately separated themselves from the people about them and went over to Him — putting themselves absolutely into His hands, to be His and to do His bidding as long as they lived. This is the way these men started — and this is the way everyone should start whom Jesus calls to be His disciple.
April 14. Transforming Power "These are the twelve He appointed: Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter)" Mark 3:16 In an are gallery in Europe are shown, side by side — the first and the last works of a great artist. The first is very crude and most faulty; the last is a masterpiece. The contrast shows the results of long culture and practice.
These two names — are like those two pictures:
"Simon" shows us the crude fisherman of Galilee, with all his rashness, his ignorance, his imperfectness.
"Peter" shows us the apostle of the Acts and the Epistles; the firm and secure rock; the man of great power, before whose Spirit-filled eloquence, thousands of proud hearts bow, swayed like the trees of the forest before the tempest; the gentle, tender soul whose words fall like a benediction; the noble martyr witnessing to the death for his Lord.
Study the ’two pictures’ together — to see what grace can do for a man!
It is not hard to take roses, lilies, fuchsias, and all the rarest flowers — and with them make forms of exquisite beauty. But to take weeds, dead grasses, dried leaves, and trampled and torn and faded flowers — and make lovely things out of such materials — is the severest test of skill.
It would not be hard to take an angel — and train him into a glorious messenger. But to take such a man as Simon, or as Saul, or as John Newton, or as John Bunyan — and make him into a holy saint or a mighty apostle — that shows great power and ability!
Yet that is exactly what Christ did with Peter — and has been doing ever since. He takes the poorest stuff, despised, worthless and vile — ofttimes the outcast of men; and when He has finished His gracious transforming work — we behold a saint whiter than snow! The sculptor beheld an ’angel’ in the rough, blackened stone, which had been thrown away. And when he was finished — behold! men saw an angel cut from the rejected block!
Just so, Christ can take us, as rough, unpolished and vile as we are — and in His hands, our lives shall grow into purity and loveliness, until He presents us at last before the celestial throne, faultless and perfect! "For those God foreknew — He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son!" Rom 8:29 April 15. The Beatitudes "Blessed . . . Blessed . . . Blessed . . . Blessed . . . " Mat 5:3-10 The Blesseds of the Scriptures shine all over the inspired pages — like stars in the midnight sky! The Bible is a book of beatitudes and blessings. God’s mercy lies everywhere. Wherever we see Christ — He is imparting blessings, as the sun imparts light and warmth.
While He was here on earth — He was always reaching out His hand to give a benediction to some life which sorely needed it. Now it was on the children’s heads, now on the leper, now on the blind eyes, now on the sick, now on the dead — that He laid those gracious hands, and always He left some rich gift of blessing!
Then we remember one day, when those gentle hands were stretched out by brutal enemies — and with iron nails, were fastened on the cruel cross! Yet even then — it was in blessing, that they were extended — for it was for our sins they were thus transfixed on Calvary’s cross. As we see them thus stretched out as wide as they could reach — the posture suggests the wideness of the divine mercy. Thus the arms of Christ are open to the utmost — to receive all who will come to seek refuge. There is room for the worst of sinners within those blessed arms!
Finally, it is a striking fact that the last glimpse we have of the Savior in this world — shows Him in the attitude of blessing. He had been talking with His disciples as He led them out, and then He lifted up His hands and blessed them — and while He was blessing them, He was parted from them and received up into Heaven. Surely there could be no truer picture taken of Jesus at any point in His life — than as He appeared in that last view of Him which this world enjoyed. In Heaven now, He is still a blessing Savior — holding up His pierced hands before God in intercession, and reaching down gracious hands full of blessings for our sad, sinful earth.
If any life goes unblessed with such a Savior — it can be only because of sinful unbelief and rejection.
April 16. Humility "Blessed are the poor in spirit — for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." Mat 5:3 This beatitude is not pronounced upon the poor in earthly condition; for one may be very poor — and yet very proud; or one may be rich in worldly goods — and yet be very humble in spirit.
Neither is it on the poor in mind; for mental poverty is not necessarily a state of blessedness — and ignorance is certainly not bliss, nor is it desirable.
It is the poor in spirit, in disposition — on whom this beatitude is pronounced. That is, the lowly in heart, the humble, those who are conscious of unworthiness. Humility is not thinking lowly of one’s self, holding one’s gifts or abilities as of no account. We are under obligation to recognize our talents — and make the fullest possible use of them. We are also to recognize our place and our privileges as God’s redeemed children — no longer condemned sinners and servile slaves.
What, then, is humility? It is a spirit that bows reverently before God — and then holds its divinest gifts as not too good nor too fine to be used in Christ’s name in the service of the lowliest of God’s creatures. The Bible everywhere speaks its praises of humility. Christ refers only once in the gospels to His own heart — and then it is this picture that we see: "I am meek and lowly in heart." To be poor in spirit is to be rich toward God — while pride of heart is spiritual poverty.
Humility is ’the key’ which opens the gate of prayer; while to the loud knocking of pride — there comes no answer. The proud Pharisee in his prayer found no blessing — but the humble publican went away with heart and hand full of heaven’s divinest gifts!
Pride is the cold mountain peak — sterile and bleak.
Humility is the quiet valley — fertile and abounding in life, where peace dwells. The kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are humble. They may wear no earthly crown — but a crown of glory, unseen by men, rests even here upon their heads!
April 17. Comforted "Blessed are those who mourn — for they shall be comforted." Mat 5:4
We do not usually regard sorrowing people as blessed. Here, however, is a special beatitude for mourners. In particular, Jesus probably meant penitent mourners. In all this world there is nothing so precious before God as tears of contrition; no diamonds or pearls shine with such brilliance in His sight. It was Jesus Himself who said, "there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents". Truly blessed, therefore, are those who in true penitence grieve over their sins; a holy light shines from Heaven upon all such mourners. They are comforted with God’s pardon and peace. But no doubt the beatitude refers also, to those children of God who are in sorrow, from whatever cause. Blessing is never nearer to us — than when we are in affliction. If we do not get comfort — it is because we will not receive it. Some day we shall see that we have gotten our best things from God, not in the days of our earthly joy and gladness — but in the times of trial and affliction.
Tears are lenses through which our dim eyes see more deeply into Heaven, and look more fully upon God’s face — than in any other way. Sorrows cleanse our hearts of earthliness, and fertilize our lives. The days of pain really do far more for us — than the days of rejoicing. We grow best when clouds hang over us, because clouds bear rain, and rain refreshes. Then God’s comfort is such a rich experience that it is well worth while to endure trial — just to enjoy the sweet and precious comfort which God gives in it. But to receive from our sorrows their possibilities of blessing — we must accept the affliction as a messenger from God — and pray for true comfort, not the mere drying of our tears — but grace to profit by our affliction, and to get from it the peaceable fruit of righteousness.
April 18. Meekness "Blessed are the meek — for they shall inherit the earth." Mat 5:5
Meekness is not a popular quality. The world calls it a cowardly spirit — which leads a man . . .
to remain quiet under insult,
to endure a wrong without resentment,
to be treated unkindly —
and then to give kindness in return.
Men of the world say that this disposition is unmanly, that it shows weakness, cowardice, a lack of courage. So it might be, if we went to the world for our model of manliness. But we have a truer, a diviner example for our pattern of manliness, than any that this world has produced. Jesus Christ was the only perfect man that ever lived on the earth, and meekness was one of the noblest qualities of His character. He was . . .
gentle in disposition,
not easily provoked,
patient under wrong,
silent under reproach.
"When they hurled their insults at Him — He did not retaliate; when He suffered — He made no threats." Possessing all power — He never lifted a finger to avenge a personal injury. He answered all man’s wrath — with tender love. On his cross, when His blood was flowing — He prayed for His murderers!
Meekness is then no cowardly spirit, since in Jesus it shone so luminously. It is divine . . .
to forgive those who have wronged us,
to bear long with those who treat us ill,
to give the soft answer which turns away wrath,
to bathe the hand that smites — in the fragrance of love,
to always render blessing for cursing, good for evil. The lesson is hard to learn, for it is directly against proud human nature. We can learn it only as our lives are transformed into the divine image, only as Christ enters into our hearts and dwells there. "Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart" Mat 11:29 This beatitude shows, too, that meekness is not an impoverishing grace. The meek shall inherit the earth. Those who commit their lives to God, who judges righteously, and leave to him the adjustment of the inequalities of human treatment received by them — do not suffer in the end.
April 19. Spiritual Hunger "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness — for they shall be filled." Mat 5:6
It strikes us somewhat strangely at first, that there should be a beatitude for dissatisfaction. We know that peace is promised to the Christian, and peace is calm repose and satisfied restfulness. The words "hunger and thirst" appear to suggest experiences incompatible with rest and peace. But when we think a little more deeply, we see that spiritual hunger must form a part of all true Christian experience. Hunger is a mark of health. It is so in physical life; the loss of appetite indicates disease. Just so, a healthy mind is a hungry one; when one becomes satisfied with one’s attainments, one ceases to grow. The same is true in spiritual life. If we become satisfied with our faith and love and obedience, and our communion with God, and our consecration to Christ — we have ceased to grow.
Invalids often die amid plenty — die of starvation; not because they can get no food — but because they have no appetite. There are many professing Christians who are starving their souls in the midst of abundance of spiritual provision, because they have no hunger. There is nothing for which we should pray more earnestly and more importunately, than for spiritual longing and desire. It is indeed the very soul of all true prayer. It is the empty hand reached out — to receive new and richer gifts from Heaven. It is the heart’s cry which God hears with acceptance — and answers always with more and more of life. It is the ascending angel that climbs the radiant ladder to return on the same bright stairway with blessing from God’s very hand. It is the key that unlocks new storehouses of divine goodness and enrichment. It is indeed nothing less than the very life of God in the human soul, struggling to grow up in us into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Such spiritual hunger never fails of blessing.
April 20. The Golden Rule "Blessed are the merciful — for they shall obtain mercy." Mat 5:7
People get back in this world — just about what they give. If we think the world is hard with us — the probability is that the hardness is in ourselves, and that it is . . .
the echo of our own speeches, that we hear,
the rebound of our own smitings, that we feel,
the reflection of our own ugliness of disposition and temper, that we see,
the harvest of our own sowing, that we gather into our bosoms.
If we are untrue to anyone, it is quite likely that some day somebody will be untrue to us. If we are unjust to another, there is little doubt that some time someone will deal unjustly with us. On the other hand, if the world seems to us full of love, it is quite likely that we give the world little but love.
People generally treat us — just as we treat them. The generous man, finds people generous. The sympathetic man, finds sympathy. The merciful man, obtains mercy. The selfish man, always thinks this world very selfish.
Hence the Golden Rule rests on a deep principle in life. "So in everything, do unto others — what you would have them do unto you." Mat 7:12. What we do to others — they will do to us. That is the principle. If we want mercy — we must be merciful. If we expect sympathy and help — we must give both sympathy and help. As a rule, people do not give . . .
warmth — for coldness,
courtesy — for rudeness,
kindness — for unkindness. The principle applies even to the divine treatment of us. In God’s judgment — we receive according to our deeds. He who obtains forgiveness — is he who forgives others. He who finds mercy — is he who shows mercy to others. He whom Christ will confess before His Father — is he who here before men confesses Christ. So for eternity we shall reap — what we have sowed, and gather — what we have scattered.
April 21. Purity of Heart "Blessed are the pure in heart — for they shall see God." Mat 5:8
There is no beatitude in the Bible — for anything unclean. We are told also that there is no room in Heaven — for anything that defiles. Therefore if we hope to enter Heave — we must prepare for it here. To a child who expressed the wonder how he could ever get up to Heaven, it was so far away, a wise mother’s reply was, "Heaven must first come down to you; Heaven must first come in to your heart." The words were very true. Heaven must really be in us — or we can never enter Heaven. And just as we become pure in heart — is Heaven entering into us. But what is heart purity? It is not sinlessness, for none are sinless. A pure heart must be a penitent heart that has been forgiven by Christ and cleansed by His blood. We have a Bible promise that though our sins be as scarlet — they shall be as white as snow. The pure heart is one, then, that Christ has cleansed. It is one also that is kept pure by obedient living and close communion with God. We are taught in the Scriptures that an important part of true religion, is to keep one’s self unspotted from the world.
It is an evil world in which we live; but if we faithfully follow Christ, doing His will, keeping our hearts open to every influence of the divine Spirit — we shall be kept by divine power from the corruption that encircles us. As the lily remains pure and unstained amid the soiled waters of the bog in which it grows — so does the humble, loving, submissive heart of the Christian disciple remain pure in the midst of all this world’s corruption. Over such a heart, God’s face beams in perpetual benediction. The vision of God on earth of course is never full and clear — but it grows brighter and brighter as the believer walks ever toward the morning, and at last it will be unclouded and full in the perfect day of Heaven.
April 22. Peacemakers "Blessed are the peacemakers — for they shall be called the children of God." Mat 5:9 This seems to be a much overlooked beatitude. There are many people who are really strife-makers rather than peace-makers. They do not seek to heal estrangements between others, to prevent quarrels and contentions, and to bring together those who have begun to drift apart. Indeed, their whole influence goes toward widening breaches, intensifying bitterness, and exciting anger and hatred. When they find in anyone a germ of suspicion or dislike of another — they stimulate the evil growth! Is it not time that we should get our Lord’s beatitude down out of the skies — and begin to work it into our lives? Is it not time that we should become peacemakers in a world whose beauty is marred by so much strife? The peacemaking spirit is divine. No one in Heaven finds delight in separating friends. Just so far as we get the peacemaking spirit into our lives — do we bear the mark of God’s image. To be peacemakers, we must first of all strive to live peaceably with all men. "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you — live at peace with everyone." Rom 12:18
But, further, we are also to strive to make and promote peace between others. Our ministry is not to be confined to the settlement of great quarrels — but may find even its most fruitful work in the healing of the petty contentions which we discover all around us. Whenever we find one man angry with another, we should seek to remove the angry feeling. The little rifts in others’ friendships — we should strive to heal. The unkind thoughts of others which we find in people’s minds — we should seek to change into kindly thoughts. We can do no greater Christ-like service, than to seek always to promote peace between man and man, to keep people from drifting apart, and to get them to live together more lovingly.
April 23. Let Your Light Shine!
"You are the light of the world." Mat 5:14
Every true Christian is a candle shining in this dark world. The Bible speaks of the spirit of man as the candle of the Lord. Pro 20:26. In the natural state, before regeneration — we are unlighted candles. We are candles, however, capable of being lighted; for God made us in His own image, though sin has put out the flame — or left it only a smoking, smoldering spark. But a thousand unlighted candles in a dark room would not make the room light; so when we receive Christ into our hearts, the Holy Spirit touches these candles with the divine flame, and they begin to shine. Thus every believer becomes really a candle of the Lord.
We must remember that we never can shine of ourselves; that we are light — only as we are lighted by the life of Christ in us. We are to let our light shine — that is, we are to keep the wick trimmed, so that the flame shall be always bright; and we are to keep the windows of our life clean, so that the beams may pour out without hindrance. We are also to be sure always to have reserves of oil to replenish our lamps when they burn low; that is, we must live in constant communion with Christ, abiding in Him — that we may draw always from His fullness.
Then, each one in his own place, we must give light to other lives, and make the one little spot in this world that is close about us — brighter and happier with love and grace. The great lighthouse pours beams far out to sea — but it does not enlighten the space around its base. Some people send brightness far away, working for the heathen and doing deeds which benefit the world — while they fail to brighten their own homes and the lives close beside them. We ought not to be such lights as these: while we send out influence abroad as far as possible, we should live so that we shall be blessings to those who are nearest to us.
April 24. The Two Testaments
"Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." Mat 5:17
There are not two Bibles in the one. The Old Testament and the New Testament are not two distinct books — but two parts of the same book. The New Testament does not set aside the Old Testament — but is simply the rich ripe harvest of which the Old was the sowing and the early growing. The gospel which we have in the New Testament, is not a different religion from that which we have in the Old Testament — but the same more fully developed, more clearly taught. In the Old Testament, Christ was foretold sometimes in prophetic promise, sometimes in picture and type; in the New Testament, these promises are fulfilled, these pictures and types find their realization, and we see the Son of God walking among men in the beauty and glory of His incarnation. The blossoms are not destroyed when they fall off and the fruit comes in their place; the ripe fruit is but the fulfillment of the promise and prophecy of the blossom. The artist’s outline sketch is not destroyed when the splendid picture covers the canvas, hiding the first light tracings — the finished work of are is but the completion, the filling out of the original drawing, until in every feature, life glows.
Christ destroyed nothing of past divine revelation when He came. He was the warm summer, wooing the slumbering buds, and dry roots, and waiting prophecies of life — into full, luxuriant growth. He was the great Master Artist, taking the dim sketches and shadows of the Old Testament, and filling them out in His own blessed life and death. So we ought not to lay away our Old Testament as an antiquated book, of no value to us since we have the gospel. The Old Testament is full of precious things. One of the strongest proofs of Christianity is the wonderful fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies — in the life, sufferings, and death of Jesus Christ. Let us love the whole Bible; not one word of it is obsolete!
April 25. Promises and Prophecies
"I tell you the truth, until Heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Mat 5:18
Christ referred here primarily to the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament. There are thousands of blossoms on the trees in the spring-time that never become fruits; but there are no lost blossoms on the Old Testament tree. The exact fulfillment of prophecy is an irrefutable evidence of Christianity. But the assurance of these words refers also to every promise of the Scripture. Not the smallest of these shall ever fail anyone who trusts them. "No word He has spoken — shall ever be broken!" Every pledge God has made — He will surely keep. Whenever we find a divine promise — we may lay hold of it with perfect confidence, and know that we are clinging to a rock that never can be shaken. "Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed — says the LORD, who has compassion on you." Isa 54:10 This is true also of the divine threatenings against sin. Not one of these shall fail to be accomplished upon those who reject God’s words of grace and mercy. Christ said, "He who believes on the Son has everlasting life;" and that word will prove true to everyone who receives it. But He said also in the same sentence, "He who believes not the Son shall not see life — but the wrath of God abides on him;" and this word shall just as surely be fulfilled a the other. In these days, when so many people hold loose views of God’s Word, it is well that we fix it deeply in our minds, that whatever God says in the Holy Scriptures — He says with authority, that His promises and threatenings are sure as His own eternity, and that every sentence of His is absolutely irrepealable. "Only words," we sometimes say, as if words were unreal and unsubstantial; but the words of God are more real and substantial than even earth’s great mountains!
April 26. Little Sins
"Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same — will be called least in the kingdom of Heaven." Mat 5:19 A great many people are careful about breaking large commandments and committing heinous sins — while they commit ’little sins’ continually and without scruple.
They would not tell a direct lie for the world — but their speech is full of little falsehoods!
They would not steal money from the purse or drawer of another — and yet they continually commit small thefts! For example, by mistake the grocer gives them a penny too much change — and they do not think of returning it. Through the carelessness of a postal worker, the postage stamp on a letter is left uncancelled — and they take it off and use it a second time.
They would not purposely try to blacken a neighbor’s name or destroy his character — and yet they repeat to others the evil whispers about him which they have heard, and thus soil his reputation.
They would not swear or curse in the coarse way of the ungodly — but they are continually using such minced oaths such as, Gosh! Gees! Heck! and other mild, timid substitutes for overt swearing.
They would not do flagrant acts of wickedness to disgrace themselves — but their lives are honeycombed with all kinds of little meannesses, impurities, selfishnesses, and bad tempers.
We need to remember, that little disobediences — harm our witness for the kingdom of Heaven.
Little sins — mar the beauty of our character.
Then, little sins are sure to grow! The trickling leak in the dike — becomes a torrent deluging vast plains!
Ofttimes, too, little sins are infinite in their consequences.
We ought never to indulge even the smallest faults or evil habits — but should aim always at perfection of character, and perfection is made up of ’littles’.
Editor’s note: Minced oaths are used to avoid swearing, when expressing surprise or annoyance. Minced oaths are usually, although not exclusively, religious in nature, and date from the days when it irreverent and unacceptable to use the name of God, Jesus, or other sacred words in everyday speech. To mince your words, means to choose words so as not to offend anyone — except for God, who sees them as sacrilege (the sin of profaning sacred things). Here are a few examples:
Bejabbers — By Jesus By George — By God By golly — By God By gosh — By God Chrissakes — For Christ’s sake Christmas — Christ Criminy — Christ Cripes — Christ Dad gum — God damn Dagnabbit — God damn it Dagnammit — God damn it Dang — Damn Darn — Damn Darnation — Damnation Doggone — God damn Gee whizz — Jesus Good grief — Good God Goodness gracious — Good God Gosh — God Gosh darned — God damned Heck — Hell Jeepers Creepers — Jesus Christ Jeez — Jesus Jiminy Christmas — Jesus Christ My goodness — My God My gosh — My God Tarnation — Damnation April 27. True Righteousness
"For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law — you will certainly not enter the kingdom of Heaven!" Mat 5:20 In place of abolishing or destroying the law — Jesus put new meaning into it. As He expounded it, it went far more deeply into people’s lives, than by the religionists of His time had understood to go. They had taught that a rigid external obedience was required; but Jesus told them that if this were all they had, they could not enter the kingdom of Heaven.
Instead of lowering the requirements of the divine law — He elevated them and gave them a new meaning. He said the righteousness of His followers must be a great deal better than that of the average professors of religion in His day. They had a sound creed, and were punctilious in the observance of the ten thousand minute rules about ceremony, dress, and devout manners; but their lives were full of hardness, pride, selfishness, and hypocrisies!
Jesus said that unless His disciples had a better righteousness than these orthodox Jews had — they would never get into the family of God. The only righteousness that will be accepted by Christ — is that which has its origin in the heart, and then produces obedience and holiness in all the life.
We ought to apply this truth very closely. Uniting with the Church, does not make one a Christian. The careful observance of all the ordinances and rules of the Church, does not make one a Christian. There must be faith, love, dutiful obedience, submission. Christ demands in His followers a high standard of morality. We are not saved by Christ’s righteousness, in the sense that we need no imparted righteousness of our own. In place of mere external and formal obedience — the law is written on the heart of the true believer, and he obeys it from within. We should strive to make our obedience so deep and so loyal — that our lives will reflect in every feature the radiancy of Christ!
April 28. Angry Without Cause
"But I tell you — that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says, ’You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Hell!" Mat 5:22
We ought to learn to read the commandments, with the light of our Lord’s explanation upon them. So long as the sixth commandment is interpreted to mean only actual murder — most people get along pretty well with it; they are not troubled in their consciences about its violation. There are not many murderers loose in our Sunday schools and churches, or living in our homes! But when we hear our Lord’s interpretation of this commandment, and learn that this literal sense does not exhaust the meaning of the commandment — that we break it, too, when we are angry with a brother — we cannot be quite so sure about our innocence! True, we have never actually killed anyone — but have we never been angry with another? Elsewhere we read, "He who hates his brother is a murderer!" This does not mean that hatred is as great a crime as murder — but that it grows from the same root and is of the same nature. Murder is only anger full-grown! The Master’s words here should be carefully considered. They condemn all anger against another — all expressions of scorn or contempt. The obedience of this commandment which our Lord requires is, love which . . .
thinks no evil,
nourishes no resentment,
is patient, gentle, thoughtful, kind, unselfish.
Yet are we not all too apt to allow the passion of anger to take possession of our hearts? Do we not too frequently permit envyings and jealousies and unkind and uncharitable thoughts — to enter our hearts and nest there — like evil birds? If we but remembered that the spirit of murder is in all these evil emotions — we surely would not nourish them for an instant!
None of us want the "brand of murderer" upon us! The way to keep out such evil feelings, is to yield to every gentle and loving impulse of the Spirit — to "overcome evil with good."
April 29. Acceptable Worship
"Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you — leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift!" Mat 5:23-24
There is something to do — before we kneel down to pray in our closet, or begin our worship in the sanctuary, or come to the Lord’s table. We ought to look inward at our own hearts — before we look upward at the face of God. Are we ready to pray? Are the obstructions out of the way? Is our heart ready for worship? The worship that pleases God the best — is love in the heart. He has no pleasure in sacrifices and ceremonies and ordinances — while the heart is full of bitterness! He cares nothing for our professions of love to Him — so long as we hate our brother. "If a man says, ’I love God’ and hates his brother — he is a liar! For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen — how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
If therefore, we want our worship to be acceptable to God — we must be sure to come into His presence with hearts cleansed of all bitterness, anger, revenge, and malice. Thus every approach to God in prayer, requires self-examination. And if we can remember that we have wronged anyone, or that there is any estrangement or strife — we should seek reconciliation before we pray. At the least, we must see that our own spirits are thoroughly cleansed of all bitterness, before we come to God’s altar. This rule is fitted to keep our hearts always free from anger. Paul counsels that we should not let the sun go down upon our anger. No day should be allowed to close over us — with anger in our hearts. We may never see another day, and we should not lie down to sleep cherishing bitterness against any other person. The evening prayer should cleanse our spirits of all feelings of anger, as we pray, "Forgive us our sins — as we forgive those who sin against us!"
April 30. True Charity "But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing!" Mat 6:3
There are some people who want every good thing they do, to be well advertised. If they give money to some good cause — they want to have it noticed in the papers. If they are kind to the poor or relieve some case of distress — they are particular that the matter should be duly published. They take pains that their charities shall not fail to be credited to themselves. But this is not the kind of spirit our Lord enjoined on His disciples. He told them that seeking publicity marred the beauty of their charities; that instead of announcing to others what they had done — they should not even let their own left hand know that their right hand had been doing commendable things. Of course, Christ did not mean that we should never give to charities — except where the act would be absolutely secret. It is the heart-motive that Christ was enforcing. His disciples should never give for the sake of men’s praise. Our good works instantly lose all their value — when any motive but the honor of God and desire for His approval, is in our heart. We should not even think about our charities ourselves — but should forget them, as the tree forgets the fruits it drops.
We should train ourselves therefore to do our good deeds — without seeking the praise or recognition of men. We should not be so anxious to have our name posted on every gift we send. We ought to be willing to do good, and let Christ have all the glory — while we stay back unknown and unrecognized.
Florence Nightingale, having gone like an angel of mercy among the hospitals in the Crimea until her name was enshrined in every soldier’s heart — asked to be excused from having her picture taken — that she might be forgotten, and that Christ alone might be remembered as the author of all the blessings which her hand had distributed!