But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6
How poignant these prophetic words concerning the Lord Jesus. A worm is nothing, worthless. Stepped on. “He is despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3). Our Saviour voluntarily became the lowest of the lowest. He identified with His own creation, their guilt and shame, at Calvary. There “the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). And then through His grace, the value of what He completed there on the cross has come to us all. Let it move our hearts with gratitude and praise, today. —Vernon Markle
On Calv’ry’s brow my Saviour died, ‘Twas there my Lord was crucified; ‘Twas on the cross He bled for me, and purchased there my pardon free. —William M. Darwood
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ… 2 Peter 3:18
Andrew Bonar (1810-1892), writer and minister in the Free Church of Scotland, once said that he could tell when a Christian was growing. In proportion to his growth in grace he would elevate his Master, talk less of what he himself was doing and become smaller in his own esteem, until, like the morning star, he faded away before the rising sun. In light of Bonar’s words, we do well to ask ourselves if we are truly growing in the grace and knowledge of Christ.
—W. Ross Rainey
Still on Thy holy Word, we’d live, and feed, and grow; Go on to know the Lord, and practice what we know. —Robert S. Hawker
The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
This verse reveals to us the painful truth about ourselves. We’re corrupt to the core (Prov. 23:7). But thankfully, God has much more grace than we have sin (Rom. 5:20). Why is it so hard to admit this? I find myself most naturally confessing it when reading it directly from the ancient pages of God’s Word (Rom. 10:17). Doubts come when I am foolish enough to focus on self rather than the only wise God and His Word. The foolish things seem to grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. —N. J. H.
Marvelous grace of our loving Lord, Yonder on Calvary’s mount outpoured. —J. H. Johnston
“It was the psalmist who wrote, ‘He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings’, Ps. 40. 2. Reading this traumatic and troubling story, it would seem a most apt text to write over the life described.
Robert Hicks was born in Birmingham, spending much of his early life in ‘different overcrowded houses and lengthy stays in care homes’. He grew up without memory of his mother ‘ever hugging or kissing me unless it was to impress visiting social workers. Birthdays and Christmas went unmarked . . . there was just silence born out of sheer disinterest’. His memories of his father, who returned from military service in the Second World War in 1947, were worse, describing him as violent and pitiless, one who ‘took a perverse pleasure in beating, ridiculing and ignoring’ his children.
For a boy tongue-tied, dyslexic, rejected by his parents and poorly educated the future looked grim until Robert discovered a book unknown to him called the Holy Bible. The advice of the surgeon who had performed the simple operation to cut the membrane holding Robert’s tongue was ‘read a book out loud while writing the words’. The only book that Robert could find in his house was the Bible that had been pushed behind the gas meter. Starting at Genesis chapter 1 he began the task that was to transform his life.
From such seemingly hopeless conditions Robert Hicks was saved, baptized and received into the fellowship of Christians meeting in the Gospel Hall, Jiggins Lane, Birmingham. As well as growing physically and spiritually, Robert also developed a talent in retailing, rising quickly from grocer’s boy to relief provisions manager before becoming the manager of his own shop as part of the Mason group.
It is remarkable that out of a home characterized by moral depravity and child abuse there should grow a man who has contributed so much to the work of the Lord in a variety of ways. It is a testimony to the grace and sustaining power of God that saved and has kept Robert Hicks. This is an honest, if initially harrowing, account of how God can, and does, change lives!”
He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. Psalm 112:7
Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). We have all found this to be true. But amidst the calamities of this world we have a wonderful refuge “under the shadow of [His] wings” (Ps. 17:8), and an abiding assurance in God’s Word. So let us fix our heart, and determine to trust, sing, and give praise even during trials. —D. Pickup
When the road is rough and steep, fix your eyes upon Jesus, He alone has pow’r to keep, fix your eyes upon Him; Jesus is a gracious Friend, one on whom you can depend, He is faithful to the end, fix your eyes upon Him. —Norman J. Clayton
There are those that work to be saved instead of trusting Christ. Salvation is not by works, but by faith alone. But the verse above says faith works. How do we explain this seeming contradiction? Salvation comes first by faith alone but after salvation that new faith gets to work—serving the Saviour. Too many have a salvation that does not work. Thankfully God keeps working in us and through us. “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). Is He working in you? If not, why not? —Harold G. Smith
Once far away from God and dead in sin, no light my heart could see; But in God’s Word the light I found, now Christ liveth in me. —Daniel W. Whittle
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Colossians 4:6
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29
The analogy of salt in this verse, suggests to us one of its true purposes, to enhance flavours. Is our speech seasoned with salt, or hot pepper? A liberal dose of grace goes a long way to enhancing our speech and edifying others. May we follow Jesus’ example, of whom it was said, “And all…marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth” (Luke 4:22, ESV). —E. V.
May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day, By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —Kate B. Wilkinson
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26
Asaph’s personal crisis had nearly caused him to slip from his faith. Why did God permit the wicked to prosper? What value was there in salvation, if the righteous suffer and the wicked remain unpunished? These are age old questions and still relevant today. Ignorance concerning God’s sovereignty had vexed Asaph’s soul, but now he realized that the fate of the wicked was sealed, but in God’s timing. Material prosperity is temporary and only what is spiritual has lasting value. Thus, Asaph, was able to rejoice in his salvation again—the Lord was his portion and ours too! —W. A. H.
Thou art my portion, Lord; Thy words I ever heed; With all my heart, Thy grace I seek, Thy promises I plead. —Author Unknown
And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, [the angels] said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? Luke 24:5
In the early dawn these women arrived at the empty tomb. Their hope was dim. Who would roll the stone away? Still they came, not only out of love for their Lord, but to anoint His body with spices and ointments. They arrived to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty! They were mystified and afraid until the angels said, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He isn’t here, He’s risen!” As we worship the risen Christ today, may we come out of love and with something prepared in our hearts to offer Him. —Jim Comte
Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Saviour, He tore the bars away, Jesus my Lord. —Robert Lowry
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will…[to] gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth. Ephesians 1:9-10
This reference to the earth in the singular marks it out as unique among the multitude of heavenly bodies. It was on this tiny planet that the Creator placed mankind and unfolded the greatest event of all time—the birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Soon He will be manifested again when He returns to the earth in glory and power. Our precious Saviour, the Man of Calvary will be the centrepiece of God’s final purpose and plan. —Drew Craig
O blessed hope! O bliss full promise. Filling our hearts with rapture divine, O day of days! Thy appearing! Thy transcendent glory for ever will shine. —Author Unknown
