DAILY BIBle thoughts for the month. 67 Rain has properties in it which make it "more fertilizing than pumpwater." God's people are likened to cedars (Ps. xcii. 12.), and all trees of that tribe have an especial power of attracting the moisture of the clouds, which they then pass on into the soil, and thus many a river and stream is formed. When clouds of trial come to us, do we receive and pass on the blessing which there is in them? (Ex. xix. 9; 2 Cor. i. 34). Where these pine forests have been cut down, the land around has become dry and barren. The grand glaciers, or mountain seas of ice, and the humble moss, have also this power of receiving and passing on at the right time, "gently and continuously," the blessings of the clouds. Notice how God sends us the rain in drops and not in one overwhelming flood. He will never give His children more than they are able to bear (1 Cor. x. 13; Is. xlii. 3; Jo. xvi. 12; Deut. xxxii. 2). Rain purifies the air by scattering all that is bad and unwholesome in it. Rain also washes the earth, and sets into motion water which has by standing still become stagnant and impure (Heb. vi. 1; 2 Cor. vii. 1). One who loves to see God's meaning in all His works, has written on "The beauty of rain," and he shows that rain is not only useful and blessed, but beautiful. He quotes the lovely and loving description of it in Psa. lxv. Let us trace out this suggestion for ourselves. Let us be on the look out for "the beauty of the Lord," when He comes to us "as the rain.” DAILY BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH ON THE UNION OLD TESTAMENT READINGS. BY B. A. ROWAN. "Search the Scriptures. for they are they which testify of Me." 2 CHRONICLES XVIII. TO NEHEMIAH II. 66 ARCH 1.-2 Chronicles xviii. 33. In order to shoot the arrows of the Lord's deliverance," the bow must be drawn in "simplicity" (marg.). It must "abide in strength" (Gen. xlix. 24). It must be "renewed" by the "Dew" of the Holy Ghost (Job xxix. 19, 20). Then they shall " forth as lightning" (Zech. ix. 14). go March 2.-Ch. xix. 2 (see ch. xx. 37 also). May not this be the secret of lack of blessing in our own case. "Woollen and linen" were not to be worn together (Lev. xix. 19). There must be no ungodly friendships, no wicked habits. Among the blessings of serving God with a single beart are Light (Matt. vi. 22-25), the Presence of the Lord (Is. lii. 11, 12), the Portion of Sons (2 Cor. vi. 17, 18). A single heart is a broken, subject will. March 3.-Ch. xx. 17. So it may be in every battle, whether great or small. First, concentration of heart towards God, still 68 DAILY BIBble thouGHTS FOR THE MONTH. ness, the eyes of faith watching for His salvation; then, "tomorrow go, for the Lord will be with you." March 4. Ch. xxi.; Gal. vi. 7. So in life Jehoram lost everything, and "he departed without being desired." For him were laid up only "the days of darkness" (Eccles. xi. 8, 3). March 5.-Ch. xxii. 3, 4, 5. Our one unfailing guide is the Word of God, given by the inspiration (inbreathing) of God (See 2 Tim. iii. 15-17; Ps. xix. 7, 8; Ps. cxix. 9, 11). Shall we not pray verse 18? Then the result will be Jer. xv. 16. March 6.—Ch. xxiii. 7. "Be ye with the King when He cometh in, and when He goeth out." First coming in for communion, and then following Him in service "when He goeth out." March 7.-Ch. xxiv. 13. "The healing went up upon the work" (marg.). Many "weak and sickly" Christians would find restoration and growth if, instead of only mourning over their weakness and inability, they definitely applied themselves to work for the Lord (Jno. ix. 4). March 8.-Ch. xxv. 9. Therefore, let us stop short directly we see we are in a wrong or doubtful path, and leave the consequences in God's hands (1 Sam. xv. 22). March 9.-Ch. xxvi. 16. A record of marvellous successes, ending in banishment, for "pride goeth before a fall." "Beware lest. . thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the Lord thy God" (Deut. viii. 11, 12, 14; Phil ii. 3). March 10.-Ch. xxvii. 7. "His ways, lo, they are written in the book.' First, is our name written in "the Lamb's Book of Life"? (Rev. xxi. 27; xx. 12, 13, 15). If so, what further record is daily accruing as to our words and ways? (2 Cor. v. 10; 1 Cor. iii. 13, 14, 15). March 11.-Ch, xxviii. How sad are the disputes which arise among Christian brethren! "Judgment cometh from the Lord " (Prov. xxix. 26), and it cannot please Him when we usurp His prerogative (Matt. vii. 1-5; 1 Cor. iv. 5; Jno. v. 22; Rom. xiv. 4, 10, 13; Phil. ii. 3; 1 Jno. iv. 7-11). March 12.--Ch. xxix. 16-19. The work of cleansing was commenced in the inner part of the house till they came to the porch. Then the vessels were prepared and sanctified. Unless the heart is right first, the members cannot be yielded to God. Let us say with David Ps. li. 10 (Deut. vii. 20). Then we may lay our members "before the Altar of the Lord," that He may use them. March 13.-Ch. xxx. 11. As the result of the humbling of a few (see verses 13-15), and the work at last spread to all (v. 25). Ten righteous would have saved Sodom (see also Eccles. ix. 14, 15; Rom. v. 12-19). DAILY BIBLE THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH. 69 March 14.-Ch. xxxi. Let us take to ourselves the lesson taught by these free will offerings, and so "lay up treasure in the Heavens." "God loveth a cheerful giver." March 15.-Ch. xxxii. 8. "The Pillow of the Promises," are we leaning upon it? If so, we shall be "without carefulness." March 16.-Ch. xxxiii. 10. "To-day if ye will hear His voice " (Heb. iii. 15). Do we daily hear and recognise the voice of the Lord individually? If not, it is because we are not still enough, and we do not wait long enough to hear it. He asks to hear our Voice (Cant. ii. 14; viii. 13). Listen, and you will hear an answer to every cry (Deut. v. 31; Jno. x. 3, 4). March 17.-Ch. xxxiv. Can we say with the Apostle, "This one thing I do"? or with David, “This one thing have I desired "? (Ps. v. 8). March 18.-Ch. xxxv. 1. This was the prominent event in Josiah's wonderfully beautiful life. Read 1 Cor. v. 7, 8; 2 Cor. iv. 10; Gal. ii. 20. Is this practically true of us? March 19.-Ch. xxxvi. 15, 16. What a wonderful summary of God's past gracious dealings! See Luke xx. 10-16. These are days of "grace" now, but the judgment of verse 16 is fast approaching; then there will be "no remedy" (Rev. vi. 15-17; Luke xiii. 25; 1 Thess. v. 3; Heb. ii. 3). March 20.-Ezra i. 3-6. All are equally responsible. Those who go raised up by God, and those who remain. Let us ask ourselves "How have I strengthened the hands of God's labourers "? March 21.-Ch. ii. 62. 66 Ye must be born again" (Jno. iii. 7). Can we trace our genealogy through the Spirit back to "the Second Man-the Lord from heaven"? For, Acts iv. 12. (1 Jno. v. 13; Rom. viii. 15, 16). March 22.-Ch. iii. 8. "Began Zerubbabel" (an ancestor of Christ). Refer to Zech. iv. 7,9; Matt. xvi. 16, 17, 18; Eph. ii. 20, 21; Phil. i. 6; Heb. xii. 2. March 23.-Ch. iv. 1-5. Christian work cannot be acceptably undertaken by unconverted persons. It is a solemn thing to see the laxity on this point, especially in Sunday School teaching, and district visiting (Is. lii. 11). March 24.-Ch. v. A record of quiet confidence in God under whose eye the Jews were building. Refer to 1 Jno. iv. 4; Job. xxxiii. 12; Ps. xxix. 10. March 25.-Ch. vi. 22. "Joy" is only second to "Love" in the fruits of the Spirit. They are fruits "unto God." We are upt to view them only as outward testimony (Cant. vii. 13). March 26.-Ch. vii. 6. This expression occurs six times in 70 SCRIPTURE READING UNION. chapters vii. and viii. Does it not remind us of the words of St. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians, iv. 19? Ponder the measure and the channel through which this supply comes. March 27.-Ch. viii. 21, 22, 23. Notice Ezra's godly zeal for the glory and honour of God. His self-abasement, dependence, and simple faith. Read 1 Pet. v. 6; 1 Sam. ii. 30; Rom. i. 17. March 28.-Ch. ix. Obedience on the subject of separation is of vital importance. God had said, "Neither shalt thou make marriages with them" (Deut. vii. 3). This "shalt" is quite as binding as any in the ten commandments (Deut. xxxiii. 28; 1 Cor. vi. 14-20; Jno. xiii. 17; 2 Pet. iii. 17; Luke xii. 47). March 29.-Ch. x. 2, 3, 4. This was indeed "Repentance unto Life." Let us be faithful at any cost to the light God has given us (Matt. vi. 22, 23; 2 Cor. vii. 10, 11; Matt. x. 37, and xviii. 8, 9). March 30.-Nehemiah i. How little national sins and sorrows weigh upon us individually! And how little we are in sympathy with Christ about them. There is only one place of unfailing Refuge and Remedy. See verse 4; also Dan. ix.; Ezra ix. and x. 1. March 31.-Ch. ii. 4 and 8 (last clause). God was "in all his thoughts," and he acknowledged Him in all his ways (Prov. iii. 6). Nehemiah "walked with God." "CHRISTIAN PROGRESS" SCRIPTURE READING UNION. 1. Every MEMBER reads daily the same Chapter of the Old Testament and a short Evening Portion of the New. ASSOCIATES read only the New Testament Portion, any time during the day. 2. Persons of all ages and all denominations may join. All Beaders of LIVING WATERS are invited to join this Union, either as Members or Associates, and to ask their friends to do so. They should send their full names and addresses (stating whether Rev., Esq., Mr., Mrs., or Miss) to the Rev. ERNEST BOYS, Beverley, Sidcup, Kent. One stamp must be enclosed, and a card of Membership will be forwarded. Our increase during the month has been as follows: Members, 1089.; and Associates, 851. This makes our registered total on February 10th to be 49,924 members, and 20,232 associates. REQUEST FOR PRAYER FOR MARCH. That all our Members may know the Lord Jesus Christ as the One who baptizeth with the Holy Ghost, and not only as the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world. |