TH E K I N G ’ S B U S I N E S S
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For us on this day, there are the words “till ye shall say.” May we recognize whatever comes to us as from His hand so that we shall say, “Blessed is he [or anything] that cometh in the name of the Lord.” April 24 “See that ye be not troubled” (Matt. 24:6). To the troubled unbeliever, this is the witness that the Ch i l d of God knows the Father’s care and keeping. If we obey this command and show the needy ones that God gives rest of mind and peace of heart, they may be constrained to seek Him for them selves. “Rest, a n x i o u s heart! take no thought for the morrow; Thou needst not wake, for He His watch doth keep: Oh, rest in Him, Who giveth His beloved After the day is over, blessed sleep.” —Annie Johnson Flint. Used by permission of Evangelical . Publishers, Toronto. April 25 “The righteous i n t o life eternal” (Matt. 25:46b). Does the term “righteous” include me? The Word says, “Follow . . . holi ness, without which no man shall see the Lord.” How does one obtain such righteousness, or holiness? I h a v e none to offer before God than that which is imputed to those who accept what God has given to them through Calvary. Praise God for Jesus Christ, my Lord, “In whom we have redemp tion through his blood, even the for giveness of sins.” It is only my Sav iour’s righteousness, imparted by Him to me, of which I can boast. April 26 “Thy will be done” (Matt. 26:42). How often we say, “Thy will be done” with an air of facing the inevi table, little aware that our attitude is resignation to an unhappy acceptance of God’s perfect, holy will. God’s way is- best because His will is perfect in holiness. What though some darkness come upon us and it seems His face we cannot see! What happens? Tragedy! We know His will is tender, His will is righteous, and so in patient, joyous recognition we should say, “Thy will be done.” April 27 “They watched him there” (Matt. 27:36). What a flood of gratitude wells in my heart for the gracious love of God! He spoke, He led, until I, too, sat down and “watched him there.” There, for me, that I might Jiave surcease from fear of death. There, for me, that I might know His peace sublime. There, for me, that I might stand before my God in conscious fellowship divine and free.
of Life. Thou hast given abundantly —above all my need. Lord, give me wisdom and grace for this day that I may share with any who cross my path that same satisfying good. Open my eyes to see the hungry ones; open my heart and enable me to give them the Word that satisfies. April 22 “And the wedding was furnished with guests” (Matt. 22:10c). Those who will be present at the marriage supper of the Lamb will not point to themselves with any pride of achievement. The wedding will be "furnished with guests.” Will there be any souls present because of our testimony today? Are we out on the “highways” gathering them in? We
it comes. So, when God speaks, we should do as the disciples did on the mountain. We should lift up our eyes. L o o k up, see Jesus Christ. Listen, hear His voice. Go forth in the joy of salvation and the power of the Holy Spirit to serve today in place and ca pacity according to His choosing. April 18 “And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the m i d s t of them” (Matt. 18:2). Always a child is a center of inter est and m a n y a lesson is learned through observing him. A child’s faith asks no questions; it rests com pletely in the object of its confidence. A child is not self-conscious; his at tention is outward. The Lord Jesus speaks to us saying, “Like the child, trust Me; look away from yourself; see the white harvest field; rejoice in My care; rest in My love; obey My commands; and ye shall know the peace that passeth understanding,” The child in the midst is your chal lenge to faith, communion and service. April 19 “And he laid his hands on them” (Matt. 19:15a). “ ’Twas the nail-scarred hand of Jesus Sought me out and set me free, And that hand oustretched in mercy Seems to speak of Calvary. “His guiding touch, the touch that points the way before me; His guiding touch shall lead me till I reach the goal; I need but trust Him when my weary steps would falter; His guiding t o u c h shall be the anchor of my soul.” —Marjorie Lewis Lloyd. April 20 “And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house” (Matt. 20:11). “When they had received . . . they murmured.” Is this not a human char acteristic? We have received from God our Father all that we need. His supply is according to His riches. By faith, we have received all that His hand has provided. How precious to our hearts are His understanding ten derness and His gracious forgiveness! Lord Jesus, g i v e us grateful hearts and clear-seeing eyes as we receive all from Thee. April 21 "Now in the morning as he returned into the city, he hungered” (Matt. 21:18). Lord, because Thou didst hunger, I know that Thou dost understand and so Thou hast promised that all who hunger and thirst after righteousness shall be satisfied. As I go into the “city” today, I shall find many who hunger. I hunger not, for Thou hast fed me with the Bread
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THE FIRST PSALM Blessed is the man who hath not walked astray In counsel of the wicked, and in the way Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat Of scorners hath not sat. But in the great Jehovah’s law is ever his de light, And in His law he studies day and night. He shall be as a tree which planted grows By watery streams, and in his season knows To yield his fruit, and his leaf 6hall not fall, And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fanned The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand In judgment, or abide their trial then, Nor sinners in the assembly of just men. •For the Lord knows the upright way of the Just, And the way of bad men to ruin must. ‘—John Milton 1653
shall be there rejoicing because of the Son of God; the Lamb slain made pos sible our entrance there. May we be faithful this day in giving forth the royal invitation, “Come unto me,” and in that glad day “ the wedding will be furnished with guests.” April 23 “Ye shall not see me . . . till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord” (Matt. 23:39). “Bless God for that little word ‘till’ which points to the bright beacon light of hope just ahead . . . Let us thank God for His promise to the. Lord Jesus when He said, ‘Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power.’ It is to that day that this word ‘till’ points forward.” —William L. Pettingill.
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