Blog Archives - WELCOME TO THE JOY OF TROY

July 1, 2019

7/4/2019

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Got thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: and I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Gen. 12:1-3).

    Abraham is one of the most renowned personages that the world has ever known. Not only does he hold a conspicuous place in the Holy Bible, but he is introduced by Muhammad into the Koran. He is regarded by the Arabs as the father of their nation, and by the Jews as the father of theirs. He is acknowledged also in India, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Damascus.

    Think of the blessings he received from God. His believing posterity has actually been multiplied as the stars of heaven; his venerable name has been invested with immortal honor in the history of the church; his natural descendants possessed Canaan for more than 14 centuries; and, above all, as his direct descendant according to the flesh, the divine Savior appeared, who by His sufferings, death, resurrection, and glory has brought redemption to a multitude that no man can number (Rev. 7:9).

    But notice, Abraham had to leave his own land, his friends and relatives, to go into a land he had never seen, and be a wanderer all the days of his life. But he counted God's promises and blessing greater than anything else on earth. That is why the promise to Abraham included the greatest blessing of all, the coming Redeemer.

    Not only were the Jews, Abraham's natural descendants, to be blessed in him, but all the families of the earth. This blessing is for all of God's children, for "if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" (Gal. 3:29).

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children" (Ps. 90:16).

June 30, 2019

7/4/2019

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountains: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea (Isa. 11:9).

    The twentieth century saw the greatest wars of all history. There has been unheard-of destruction, yet here is this promise, and it will certainly be fulfilled in God's own time and manner. But it will be only when all shall know of the Lord. However, we have the promise "They shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest" (Jer. 31:34).

    "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32). And that kingdom shall fill the whole earth and shall have no end (Luke 1:33). "The greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High" (Dan. 7:27). In the prophetic dream of the four-part image that pictured the world kingdoms, the fifth kingdom, which destroyed the image, was but a stone at first, cut our without hands, without any human intervention, but it became a great mountain and filled the whole earth (Dan. 2:34, 35) While the kingdom of God will sometime rule the world, it is already ruling the hearts of thousands. Jesus said, "The kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21).

    A Russian youth, having read the New Testament, became an objector to slaughter. Brought before a magistrate, he told him of the life that loves its enemies and does good to those who despitefully use it. "Yes," said the judge, "I understand; but you must be realistic. Those laws are the laws of the kingdom of God, and it has not come yet." The young man straightened and said, "Sir, I know that it has not come for you, nor for my country, nor for the world; but the kingdom of God has come for me, and I cannot go on living as if it had not." If we have been born into this kingdom of God, let us live as we were born to live.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations" (Ps. 67:2).

June 29, 2019

7/4/2019

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man (John 1:51).

    This promise to Nathanael is a promise to all believers. Here we see the true meaning of Jacob's dream, when he saw vast shadowy stairs that seemed to lead from earth to the very gates of heaven. The Lord stood at the top of this ladder, and the angels passed up and down.

    The mystic ladder of this dream represents Jesus, the only true mediator and medium of communion between earth and heaven, between God and humanity. He is the "new and living way" (Heb. 10:20). He says, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).

    "Through Christ, earth is again linked with heaven. With His own merits, Christ has bridged the gulf which sin had made, so that the ministering angels can hold communion with man. Christ connects fallen man in his weakness and helplessness with the Source of infinite power" (Steps to Christ, p. 20).

    Think of it--prayers ascending, answers coming down by way of Jesus, the Mediator. Think of this ladder coming right down into your house and mine, right by you as you read these lines. Heaven and earth will never be far apart again, for "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself" (2 Cor. 5:19).

    The phrase "Son of man" occurs 79 times in the Gospels and identifies our Savior with us, for He "was made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:7).

                                Around our pillows golden ladders rise,
                                And up and down the skies,
                                With winged sandals shod,
                                The angels come and go, the messengers of God!
                                                                                    __R. H. Stoddard

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds" (Ps. 36:5).

June 28, 2019

7/4/2019

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem (Micah 4:8).

    The first dominion, the dominion of this earth given to our father Adam, will be restored to a redeemed race. The time will come at last for "the redemption of the purchased possession" (Eph. 1:14). The earth, originally given to humans as their kingdom, betrayed by them into the hands of Satan, and long held by the mighty foe, will be brought back by the great plan of redemption in Christ. All that was lost in the first Adam will be restored in the Second Adam. All that was lost by sin will be restored through grace. "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited" (Isa. 45:18). "The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever" (Ps. 37:29). Zion, the daughter of Jerusalem, received the first dominion. The church inherits the kingdom in Christ, the Tower of the flock. Have you found your refuge in Him? In the Scripture it is written, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe" (Prov. 18:10).

    There is a plant called samphire that grows only on cliffs near the sea, but always above the reach of the tide. Some shipwrecked sailors thrown ashore were struggling up a precipitous cliff. They were afraid that the advancing tide would overtake them, when one of them saw a luxuriant samphire plant. Instantly he raised a shout of joy: "We're safe, men; we're safe! Here is the samphire." True, the sea might come near and perhaps cast its spray upon them, but it would never reach them with its thunderous waves. They were safe.

    And so are we, if we are hidden in Christ. We may be in full sight of the world's storm, we may hear its roar and see its mighty dashings, but we have a safe refuge.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living" (Ps. 142:5).

June 27, 2019

7/4/2019

  Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil (Prov. 1:33).

    There is a form of deafness known to the Greeks in which the sufferer is able to hear everything except words. And there is a spiritual disease in which disobedience can hear everything except God's Word.

    If we wish to be safe, we must listen to God. How wonderful it is to be free from the tensions of life, conflict of mind, and confusion of heart! Fear is prevalent on every side today, but we can have peace of heart and quietude of mind if we will listen to God's voice and obey Him. Anyone who does obey God really listens, and one who does not obey does not listen.

    "Sir," said the duke of Wellington to an officer of engineers who urged the impossibility of executing the direction he had just received, "I did not ask your opinion. I gave you my orders, and I expect them to be obeyed."

    To some who believed on Him, Jesus said, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32).

    When God spoke great and mighty things to Daniel, He strengthened him. God's Word is food to the soul. "Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart," declared the prophet Jeremiah (Jer. 15:16). It is our privilege to be like the boy Samuel, who said, "Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth" (1 Sam. 3:9).

                                Hear the words our Savior hath spoken,
                                        Words of life, unfailing and true;
                                Careless one, prayerless one, hear and remember,
                                        Jesus says, "Blessed are they that do."
                                                                                    __P. P. Bliss

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments" (Ps. 119:10).

June 26, 2019

7/4/2019

I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work (Eccl. 3:17).

    Anyone who reads the Holy Scriptures will see this is a moral universe and that all human beings are accountable to God. The Scripture says, "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ" (Rom. 14:10), and, "Every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (verse 12). God "hath appointed a day, in which he will judge the world" (Acts 17:31). The day is appointed. There is a time in God's plan for every purpose and for every work.

    A young minister, after his first service in a new church, was confronted with an able young skeptic, Burt Olney. Onley said to him, "You did well, but I don't believe in the infallibility of the Bible."

    " 'It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment' " (Heb. 9:27) was the young preacher's answer.

    "I can prove that there is no such thing as judgment after death."

    "But men do die," the pastor declared, "for 'it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.' "

    "That's no argument. Let's get down to facts and discuss the matter."

    The pastor shook his head. "I am here to preach the Word of God."

    Onley, annoyed, turned away with the remark "I don't believe you know enough of the Bible to argue about it."

    "Perhaps you are right" was the calm rejoinder. "But please remember, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.' "

    Those words rang in Onley's mind far into the night--"Judgment, judgment, judgment!" The next morning he called on the preacher. "I have spent a terrible night," he said. "The words of that scripture are burning their way into me; I can't get rid of them. What must I do to be saved?" When he left, he was a child of God.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face" (Ps. 89:14).

June 25, 2019

7/4/2019

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved (Ps. 16:8).

    This is the way to live--with God always before us we shall have the noblest companionship, the holiest example, the sweetest consolation, and the mightiest influence.

    Directly across the street from Bunhill Fields, one of London's most ancient cemeteries, is John Wesley's chapel, the house in which he lived and died, and his own tomb and monument. Just before his death, Wesley opened his eyes and exclaimed in a clear, strong voice to the young preachers who were standing around his bed, "The best of all is God is with us." Yes, my friend, that is the best of all. God is at our right hand; and as the poet said: "Nearer than hand and feet."

    We all need daily to practice the presence of God, and to remember those important and ever-true words. "Thou God seest me" (Gen. 16:13). And notice, this must all be by resolute act of will--"I have set the Lord always before me." It must be maintained as a settled, permanent thing. We do what we do, and we live as we live, in the presence of God. He is at our right hand, leading us, protecting us, guiding us.

    In Burma may be seen the famous Sleeping Buddha, a gigantic image lying on its side with a calm face, closed eyes, head resting on one hand, a gilded figure 30 feet long. There is no help here in trial, no tender bosom against which to lean in the hour of weakness or fear, no ear open to the cry of need. Buddha is asleep. Contrast this with Him who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Ps. 121:4), whose ear is always oen to our cry. He is our heavenly Father, who says, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God" (Isa. 41:10). To His Israel of old He said: "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is he that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Deut. 31:6). And He says the same to us today.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "My soul trsuteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge" (Ps. 57:1).

June 24, 2019

7/4/2019

  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matt. 7:2).

    This promise of just judgment is really the complement of the golden rule: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Matt. 7:12). Our text for today shows that we shall have done to us exactly what we have done to others.

    False judgments have brought untold sorrow to the world. The Dakota Indians used to make the following prayer: "Great Spirit, help me never to judge another until I have walked two weeks in his moccasins."

    Dwight Morrow put it in different words when, in giving a reason for his success in dealing with the people of the great republic of Mexico, he said, "I never judge a person until I discover what he would like to be as well as what he really is."

    God understands our hearts; He knows what we would like to be; He knows what we re trying to do. He also knows our background and heredity, and takes all these things into consideration.

    Our judgment of others may be unfair, because of our own twisted outlook, our inability to see things as they really are. A woman complained to a visiting friend that her next-door neighbor was a poor house-keeper. "Just look," she said, "at those clothes she has hung out on the line. See the black streaks on those sheets and pillowcases!" The friend stepped to the window and looked out. Then she raised the window and looked again. "It appears, my dear," she said. "that the clothes are perfectly clean, but that the streaks you see are on your own windowpane."

    In our judgments let us be sure that the trouble is not in ourselves. In fact, we should be safer if we judged not, lest we be judged (Matt. 7:1). It is best to leave things in the hands of God.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "Judge me, O God, and plead my cause...: O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man" (Ps. 43:1).

June 23, 2019

7/4/2019

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life (Rom. 5:10).

    It is reported that when Cecil Rhodes, the empire builder of South Africa, lay dying, he said, "So much to do; so little done." He could not say, as did our Savior at the climax of His career as He hung upon the cross, "It is finished."

    Reading the preceding verse with our promise text today, we see the whole mediatorial work of Christ divided into two great stages--the one already completed on the earth, the other in course of completion in heaven. Justification by His blood, reconciliation to God by the death of His Son--this is the first phase. The second is salvation "from wrath through him" (Rom. 5:9), salvation by His life. God preformed the first while we were yet enemies; much more will He perform the second for His friends, the children of faith.

    Our reconciliation was the reconciliation of enemies by the death of Jesus. This is completed. Our salvation "from wrath through him," Christ's atoning work as our high priest in heaven, His work for us through the Holy Spirit, shedding abroad His own life in our hearts, is going on now. We read in Hebrews 7:25 that "he ever liveth to make intercession for" us. Because of this, God's children on earth are spared and blessed, and the image of God is being restored in them. They have not only His example, which leads to salvation, but His personal presence through the Holy Spirit--"Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Col. 1:27). So when we follow Him, we "shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life" (John 8:12).

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light" (Ps. 36:9).

June 22, 2019

7/4/2019

Delight thy self also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart (Ps. 37:4).

    It is natural for us to set up our desires and then go about to secure them, forgetting that we should first seek the Lord and His righteousness, expecting that all these things will be added unto us (Matt. 6:33). God's way is just the opposite. He would have us seek Him first and delight ourselves in Him. Then that will have a transforming power upon us. When we delight ourselves in the Lord, He can give us the desires of our hearts, because they will be the right desires.

    God often overrules in strange ways to bring these right desires to pass. For instance, Columbus, disheartened and discouraged, on his way back to France stopped at a convent near Huelva. A monk heard his story, and he was the man who intervened in his behalf with Queen Isabella.

    On his way to Strasbourg John Calvin found the regular road closed because of war, was forced to pass through Geneva. There Farel with fiery eloquence demanded that he stay and lead the work of God.

    Abraham Lincoln, in sorting over a barrel of rubbish, came upon a copy of Blackstone's Commentaries. That chance discovery awakened desires in his heart that changed the history of the world.

    George Whitefield, unable to get along with his brother's wife, gave up his employment as bartender in the Bell Inn. Step by step he went to Oxford, where he came in contact with the Holy Club and became one of he world's greatest preachers. He said that the disagreement he had had with his sister-in-law was God's way of forcing him out of the business of drawing wine for drunkards, and into that of drawing water from the well of salvation for His spiritual Israel.

MEDITATION PRAYER:  "He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them" (Ps. 145:19).