Thoughts for the Quiet Hour Part 28

=December 3rd.=

_Holy men of G.o.d spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. 2 Pet. i. 21._

The Bible is the writing of the living G.o.d. Each letter was penned with an almighty finger. Each word in it dropped from the everlasting lips.

Each sentence was dictated by the Holy Spirit. Albeit that Moses was employed to write his histories with his fiery pen, G.o.d guided that pen.

It may be that David touched his harp, and let sweet psalms of melody drop from his fingers; but G.o.d moved his hands over the living strings of his golden harp. Solomon sang canticles of love and gave forth words of consummate wisdom; but G.o.d directed his lips, and made the preacher eloquent. If I follow the thundering Nahum, when his horses plough the waters; or Habakkuk, when he sees the tents of Cushan in affliction; if I read Malachi, when the earth is burning like an oven; if I turn to the smooth page of John, who tells of love; or the rugged chapters of Peter, who speaks of fire devouring G.o.d's enemies; if I turn aside to Jude, who launches forth anathemas upon the foes of G.o.d--everywhere I find G.o.d speaking; it is G.o.d's voice, not man's; the words are G.o.d's words; the words of the Eternal, the Invisible, the Almighty, the Jehovah of ages.

This Bible is G.o.d's Bible; and when I see it, I seem to hear a voice springing up from it, saying, "I am the Book of G.o.d. Man, read me. I am G.o.d's writing. Study my page, for I was penned by G.o.d. Love me, for He is my Author, and you will see Him visible and manifest everywhere."--_Spurgeon._

=December 4th.=

_They all forsook Him, and fled. Mark xiv. 50._

Separation never comes from His side.--_J. Hudson Taylor._

=December 5th.=

_Belshazzar the king made a great feast. Dan. v. 1._

There was one Guest not invited, but He came, and the work of His finger glowed upon the wall.--_Selected._

=December 6th.=

_He that watereth shall be watered also himself. Prov.

xi. 25._

The effective life and the receptive life are one. No sweep of arm that does some work for G.o.d but harvests also some more of the truth of G.o.d, and sweeps it into the treasury of life.--_Phillips Brooks._

=December 7th.=

_And they came unto Him, bringing one sick of the palsy. Mark ii. 3._

Had it not been for the palsy, this man might never have seen Christ!--_Selected._

=December 8th.=

_Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits . . . who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies. Ps. ciii. 2, 4._

We talk about the telescope of faith, but I think we want even more the microscope of watchful and grateful love. Apply this to the little bits of our daily lives, in the light of the Spirit, and how wonderfully they come out!--_Frances Ridley Havergal._

=December 9th.=

_When thou pa.s.sest through the waters I will be with thee. Is. xliii. 2._

G.o.d's presence in the trial is much better than exemption from the trial. The sympathy of His heart with us is sweeter far than the power of His hand for us.--_Selected._

=December 10th.=

_Then shall ye discern between the righteous and the wicked. Mal. iii. 18._

Said Anne of Austria to Cardinal Richelieu: "G.o.d does not pay at the end of every week, but He pays at last!"--_Selected._

=December 11th.=

_What is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeared for a little time, and then vanisheth away. James iv.

14._

"Only one life; 'twill soon be past-- And only what's done for Christ will last."--_Selected._

=December 12th.=

_He (Jesus) . . . looked up to heaven. Mark vi. 41._

In working for G.o.d, first look to heaven. It is a grand plan. Over and over again our Lord Jesus Christ looked to heaven and said, "Father."

Let us imitate Him; although standing on the earth, let us have our conversation in heaven. Before you go out, if you would feed the world, if you would be a blessing in the midst of spiritual dearth and famine, lift up your head to heaven. Then your very face will shine, your very garments will smell of myrrh and aloes and ca.s.sia out of the ivory palaces where you have been with your G.o.d and Savior. There will be stamped upon you the dignity and power of the service of the Most High G.o.d.--_McNeil._

=December 13th.=

_The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. Acts xi. 26._

This name suggests that the clear impression made by our character, as well as by our words, should be that we belong to Jesus Christ. He should manifestly be the center and the guide, the impulse and the pattern, the strength and reward, of our lives. We are Christians. That should be plain for all folks to see, whether we speak or be silent.

Is it so with you?--_Alex. McLaren._

=December 14th.=

_Having therefore these promises. 2 Cor. vii. 1._

The forests in summer days are full of birds' nests. They are hidden among the leaves. The little birds know where they are; and when a storm arises, or when night draws on, they fly, each to his own nest. So the promises of G.o.d are hidden in the Bible, like nests in the great forests; and thither we should fly in any danger or alarm, hiding there in our soul's nest until the storm be overpast. There are no castles in this world so impregnable as the words of Christ.--_J. R. Miller._

=December 15th.=

_Now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor. xiii. 13. (R. V.)_

Love is the greatest thing that G.o.d can give us: for Himself is Love; and it is the greatest thing we can give to G.o.d: for it will give ourselves, and carry with it all that is ours.--_Jeremy Taylor._

=December 16th.=