***** "The stone which the builders refused is become the head of the corner. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:22-24)
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FEAR NOT!
The one sentence which I have pitched upon is full, and rich, and simple, and we will try to enjoy it. It is God’s word to His servant Abraham: "After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision saying, fear not, Abram, I AM thy Shield, and thy exceeding great Reward" (Genesis 15:1). "Fear not, Abram." Fear is a complaint common among the Lord’s people; we might be sure that it was so when we learned that Abram suffered from it, for he was the most vigorous of believers. Does Abram need a "fear not?" Then we may be pretty sure that we require it too. I am afraid that wherever there is faith there will also be a measure of fear; though the less of it there is, the better will it be. How tenderly the Lord quiets the fears of His children! "Fear not, Abram." As much as if He had said, "You are all alone; but fear not, for I am with you. You are in much labor; but fear not, I will help you. You have no portion in this strange land, but fear not, for I am your God. Do not fear the present; do not fear the future. Fear neither the failure of friends, nor the fury of foes. Be brave, calm, hopeful, trustful, joyful." "Fear not, Abram." This blessed "fear not" was a quietus to every form of alarm which might come near the man of God.
Now, you who are the children of God, receive this blessed text as being a promise from the Lord. Go your way and let the flavor of it fill your mouths all through the week. Fear not, Mary; fear not, William; fear not, Sarah; fear not, John. The Lord saith to thee, even as to Abram, "I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great Reward." No Scripture is of private interpretation; you may take out the name of Abram, and put your own name into the promise if you are of Abraham’s spiritual seed, and do not stagger at the promise through unbelief. "If children, then heirs" applies to all the spiritual family. The Lord is thy Defender and Rewarder, and by the double title He shuts out all fear, making thy rest to be doubly sure. Wherefore, cease thou from all anxiety. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. This day He bids thee dwell at ease, and delight thyself in Him! –copied
***** THE OBSTINATE WILL OF MAN
"And ye will not come to me that ye might have life" (John 5:40).
Fallen man is a disgraceful thing. As far as his will is concerned, he is as iron toward God, unbending and obstinate; yet he is as wax toward Satan, easily shaped and molded by the evil one. O for the intervention of Almighty God Whose will is infinitely greater than either Satan’s or man’s. "Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power" (Psalm 110:3). –Pastor Jim Byrd *****
GOD AND MAN
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). The eternal God joined Himself to human flesh, and He remains to this day, and forevermore, inseparably God and Man. Let us rejoice with joy unspeakable and give unceasing thanks to God for this wonderful truth. When Christ came to earth to give His life a ransom for His people, He did not cease to be God. When He finished the work of redemption, ascended back to the Father and took His seat upon the throne of universal dominion, He did not cease to be Man. Our Mediator and Great High Priest always shall be, "the man Christ Jesus" (1　Timothy 2:5). –Pastor Jim Byrd *****
"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
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