Cast Our Burden upon The Lord

The lot is cast into the lap,
but its every decision is from the Lord.
- Proverbs 16:33 -

The disposal of the lot is the Lord's; God makes the arrangement of our whole life. Even the very hairs of our head are all numbered.

If we always remember this, it would bring a holy calm over our mind. It would relieve our mind from anxiety. We would be better able to walk in patience, quiet, and cheerfulness.

When we are anxious, we cannot pray with faith, When we are troubled about the world, we cannot serve our Master. Our thoughts are serving ourselves.

If we would seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all things would then be added unto us.

Let us come and survey our Father's storehouse. Let us look at His heart of mercy. Let us look at His inscrutable wisdom. Above all, let us look up to Jesus Christ our Intercessor.

If God remembers even the sparrows, He will not forget one of the least of His poor children.

Let us cast our burden upon the Lord, and He will sustain us.

Abide in Christ

At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her. - Ruth 1:14 -

Both of them had an affection for Naomi.

They set out with Naomi on her return to the land of Judah.

But Naomi unselfishly set before each of them the trials which awaited them.

She bade them to return to their Moabitish friends so that they could enjoy ease and comfort.

At first both of them declared that they would be with the Lord's people.

But upon further consideration, Orpah with much grief and a respectful kiss left her mother in law, and her people, and her God, and went back to her idolatrous friends.

Ruth, with all her heart gave herself up to the God of her mother in law.

It is one thing to love the ways of the Lord when all is fair.

It is quite another to cleave to them under all discouragements and difficulties.

The kiss of outward profession is very cheap and easy.

The practical cleaving to the Lord, which must show itself in holy decision for truth and holiness, is not a small matter.

How about us?

Is our heart fixed upon Jesus?

Are we ready to suffer all worldly loss for the Master's sake?

Orpah is heard of no more.

In ease and pleasure her life melts into the gloom of death.

But Ruth lives in history and in heaven.

Grace has placed her in the noble line.

Blessed among women shall those be who for Christ's sake can renounce all.

May the Holy Spirit work in us and cleave our whole heart to our Lord Jesus.

Communion With Jesus

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
- 1 Thessalonians 4:17 -

How sweet it is when we shall see the Lord face to face. 

 

How sweet it is when the Lord shall eternally enfold us in the bosom of His glory.

In Heaven, there shall be no interruptions from care or sin.

No weeping shall dim our eyes.

No earthly business shall distract our happy thoughts.

Nothing shall hinder us from gazing forever upon the Son of Righteousness.

Oh, if it is so sweet to see Him now, how sweet it is to gaze on that blessed face forever.

If to die is to enter into uninterrupted communion with Jesus, then death is indeed gain.

Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is your sting?

O grave, where is your victory?

Ever Ready For Service

And in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band.
- Revelation 1:13 -

"One like the Son of Man" appeared to John in Patmos. The beloved disciple marked that He wore a girdle of gold.
 

(1) The Lord Jesus wore a girdle.
 

The Lord Jesus was never ungirded while on earth. He was always ready for service.
 

Now before the eternal throne, He has not ceased to fulfill His offices of love for us. He makes intercession for us. He diligently carries on the cause of His people.
 

(2) The Lord Jesus wore a golden girdle.
 

This is to manifest the superiority of His service, the royalty of His person, the dignity of His state, the glory of His reward.
 

The Lord Jesus pleads with authority, both as a King and as a Priest.
 

(3) The Lord Jesus presents us with an example.
 

We must never unbind our girdles. This is not the time to lie down at ease. It is the season of service and warfare.
 

We need to bind the girdle of truth more and more tightly around our waists.
 

If in heaven Jesus does not unbind the girdle, we must not do so on earth.
 

Let us hold on to the truth and be ready for service.

Nothing Satisfies

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind. (Ecclesiastes 1:14)

Nothing can satisfy a man except the Lord and His love.
 

Solomon, the wisest of men, had made the experiments.
 

He was a great king, and increased more than all that were before him in Jerusalem.
 

His wisdom remained with him when he indulged in every possible desire.
 

Then he looked back on all the things he had done.
 

He cried "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity."
 

This was his verdict after he had trodden the whole round of pleasure.
 

Nothing really satisfies a man except the Lord and His love.
 

To embrace our Lord Jesus, to dwell in His love, and be fully assured of union with Him is our all in all.
 

We need not try other forms of life or go anywhere.  Nothing is better than to know the Lord and His love.
 

If we have all the comforts of life, but we lost our Savior, we would be wretched. 

But if we win Christ, we would find it a paradise.
 

Let us choose to be satisfied with the favor and the goodness of the Lord.

Nothing satisfies a man except the Lord and His love.

The Anointing Oil

Oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense (Exodus 35:8).

The Holy Spirit, who anoints us for all holy service, is indispensable to us if we would serve the Lord acceptably.

When our ministry is without the unction of the Holy Spirit, our prayers, praises, meditations, and efforts are miserable attempts.

Choice spices were used to form the anointing oil.

 

This showing us how rich are the influences of the Holy Spirit.

All good things are found in our divine Comforter.

Matchless consolation, infallible instruction, spiritual energy, divine sanctification and other excellencies are all found in the heavenly anointing oil of the Holy Spirit.

The anointing oil will impart a delightful fragrance to the character and person of the man upon whom it is poured.

The anointing oil cannot be imitated. It comes only from God.

The anointing oil is freely given, through Jesus Christ, to every waiting soul.

Let us seek the anointing oil.

 

Let us seek it now.

O Lord, anoint your servants.

The Plumb Line Is In Good Hands

For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.
(Zechariah 4:10)

Small things marked the beginning of the work in the hand of Zerubbabel. But none might despise it, for the Lord had raised up one who would persevere until the headstone should be brought forth with shoutings. The plumb line was in good hands.

Here is comfort of Christians. 

Though the work of grace may be small at first, the plumb line is in good hands. God will build up His Church.

If the plumb line were in human's hand, we might fear for the building. But it is in Jesus' hand.

The works did not proceed irregularly, and without care, for the Master's hand carried a good instrument.

Jesus is always watching the building of His spiritual temple. It will be built securely and well.

We are not to judge the Lord's Church. Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye. He can use the plumb line well.

The plumb line was always in active use. It was always in the builder's hand. Jesus will push on His work to completion.

Let us rejoice at Jesus' great work.

Climb The Hill Of The Lord

O Zion,
You who bring good tidings,
Get up into the high mountain;
O Jerusalem,
You who bring good tidings,
Lift up your voice with strength,
Lift it up, be not afraid;
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold your God!”
(Isaiah 40:9)

Every believer should be thirsting for the living God. They should climb the hill of the Lord, and see Him face to face.

We should not rest content in our present situation. Our soul should thirst more to drink deep the cup which is reserved for us.

Let us rise from our spiritual slumber. Let us cast away our sloth, our lethargy, our coldness, or whatever interferes with our love to Christ.

Let us make Christ the source, the center, and the circumference of all our soul's delight.

Let us aspire to live a higher, a nobler, and a fuller life in Christ.