February
1
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye
in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah
30:21
IF we have come
to the forks of the road--to some crisis in our experience--and know not
whether to turn to the right or to the left, we should stop at once and listen
to the voice. Or, in other words, we should turn at once to the Word of the
Lord, and by pondering its precepts and principles, and its illustrations bearing
on the perplexing subject, seek to learn the will of the Lord, asking also the
leading of His Spirit, and endeavoring to bring the mind into a loving,
submissive and trustful attitude. Z.'95-6
February 2
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die. Romans 8:13
WHAT is it to live after the flesh? We answer, It is to live after, in
conformity to, and in gratification of, the inclinations and cravings of the
fallen human nature. And it is the easiest thing possible to do this. All we
have to do is just listlessly to abandon ourselves to the current of our old
nature, and cease to strive against it. As soon as we do this, we begin to float
down the stream, and by and by we find the current more and more rapid and
resistance more and more difficult. Z.'95-8
February 3
My son, attend to My words; incline thine ear unto My sayings. For they are
life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20,22
FEW recognize the influence of the mind over the body. God has so organized
our beings that pure, noble, holy thoughts in general have not only an
elevating and ennobling effect upon the mental and moral constitution, but an
invigorating influence upon the physical system. And, on the contrary, every
unclean, ignoble, unchaste, unholy thought (as well as act) has a direct effect
not only toward debasement of mind and morals, but toward the germination of seeds
of disease already in the constitution of the fallen race. Z.'96-180
February 4
Come out of her, My people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
receive not of her plagues. Revelation 18:4
WHOEVER are worthy the name, "My people," will hear and obey the
Lord's voice and come out of Babylon and "receive not of her
plagues"; because their obedience in fleeing out as soon as they see Babylon's real condition will prove that they were never in real accord with her sins.
Those who remain after seeing Babylon and her blasphemous doctrines in
the light now shining are reckoned as endorsing the blasphemies and deserving
the "plagues" most thoroughly--as much or more than the
"tare" class of Babylonians, because they have greater light. Z.'00-3
February 5
This is the will of God [concerning you], even your sanctification. 1
Thessalonians 4:3
COMING to the Scriptures to ascertain God's will, we find that the
great work which God asks of us is not work for others, but work in
ourselves, subduing, conquering, ruling self. Everything else, therefore-- our
service for the household of faith, and our doing good unto all men, by home
and foreign missions, etc. --is subservient to this most important work within.
For, as the apostle by inspiration declares, though we should preach the gospel
eloquently to others, and though we should give all our goods to feed the poor,
or become martyrs for a good cause, without love, the Spirit of Christ
and the Father, developed in us as the ruling principle of life, we would be nothing,
from the divine standpoint. Z.'99-4
February 6
Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.
But God is the judge: He putteth down one, and setteth up another. Psalm 75:6,7
WE may have desires and aspirations for usefulness which will never be
gratified. The Lord may see that we could not bear the exaltation and honor which
we seek. He knows far better than we do what is for our good, and so He would
have us rest contented in His providence, not idle, but diligent; not careless,
but watchful; not indifferent, but full of intense, earnest longing to do the
will of God; yet patient under restraint, and content to be neglected and
forgotten, remembering that "they also serve who only stand and
wait," and that the Lord in His own well-chosen hour can lead us forth to
fulfil His purposes of grace. Z.'95-11
February 7
Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the
law. Romans 13:10
HE who finds his heart not in harmony with this law of the New Covenant,
love--mercy, kindness, gentleness, goodness--lacks the evidence or proof that
he is in any sense of the word accepted as a son of God, and a joint-heir with
Christ. If we have not love in our hearts for the brethren, and love of
gentleness and benevolence toward all men, and even toward the brute creation,
we have not the spirit which will carry us through in making the sacrifices
necessary under present conditions. It will only be a question of time with
such when the power of pride or vain-glory, holding them in the way of
sacrifice, will snap asunder, and selfishness take full control. Z.'98-201
February 8
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Matthew 14:31
WHAT must be done to overcome this lack of faith, and to have an increase
of faith? We answer that, like the apostles of old, we should pray, "Lord,
increase our faith." And then, acting in harmony with this prayer, each
should cultivate faith in his own heart: (a) By refreshing his memory
continually with the divine promises, becoming very familiar with these in the
Father's Word, (b) He should seek more and more to remember that, having made
his covenant with the Lord, these promises are his, and in his heart and with
his lips he should claim them as his before the Lord in prayer with
thanksgiving. He should claim them in his own thoughts, and in his conferences
on holy things with the brethren. Z.'00-170
February 9
Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee.
Psalm 116:7
THE Christian's habit of thought has much indeed to do with his
spiritual progress or retrogression, as it is also an index of his spiritual
state; and good habits of thought need to be carefully cultivated. By "habit
of thought" we mean that normal condition to which the mind habitually
returns in the moments of mental leisure. While engaged in the active duties of
life we must of necessity bend our mental energies to the work in hand, for if
we do anything merely mechanically and without concentrating thought upon it we
cannot do it well; yet even here Christian principle, well established in the
character, will unconsciously guide. But when the strain of labor and care are
lifted for a time, the established habit of thought, like the needle to the
pole, should quickly return to its rest in God. Z.'95-250
February 10
Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in
spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12
EVERY Christian should strive to be a pattern worthy of imitation--a
pattern of earnest, faithful endeavor to copy Christ in his daily life, and of
active zeal in His service. Patterns of perfection, of the ultimate moral glory
and beauty of holiness, we cannot expect to be in the present life. Such a
pattern we have only in Christ our Lord. In no such sense did Paul ever say,
Follow me, or Follow us; but he did say, "Be ye followers of me, even as I
also am of Christ." (1 Corinthians 11:1) The apostle was a grand
example of earnest endeavor to attain perfection, but not of the ultimate
perfection which was in Christ only; and it is his zeal and intense earnestness
in striving to copy Christ and to accomplish His will that we should imitate. Z.'95-251
February 11
Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all
manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you. Matthew 5:11,12
OPPOSITION and persecution are the inevitable concomitants of activity in
the service of God, and they should be met with reason and candor; and when
these fail of their purpose, then, with solemn warnings of the dangers of such
a course, the wilful opposer should be left to pursue his own course while we
turn to others with the message of salvation. In the opposition which our Lord
incurred and the manner in which He met it, there are valuable lessons for all
who are similarly tried. Z.'94-368
February 12
Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting
nothing. James 1:4
NOT a step of progress can be gained without the exercise of this grace of
patience; and not one of the graces more beautifully adorns the Christian character,
or wins the approval of the world's conscience, or glorifies the God of all
grace whose truth inspires it. It is long-suffering meekness earnestly striving
to stem the tide of human imperfection and weakness, and endeavoring with
painstaking care to regain the divine likeness; it is slow to wrath and plenteous
in mercy; it is quick to perceive the paths of truth and righteousness, and
prompt to walk in them; it is mindful of its own imperfections and sympathetic with
the imperfections and shortcomings of others. Z.'93-295
February 13
Love thinketh no evil. 1 Corinthians 13:5
WHOEVER neglects the Lord's commands along this line of "evil
surmisings" weaves a web for his own ensnarement, however
"circumspectly" he may walk as respects other matters; for a heart
impregnated with doubt and suspicion toward fellow creatures is more than half
prepared to doubt God: the spirit of sourness and bitterness is at war with the
spirit of the Lord, the spirit of love. Either the one or the other will
conquer. The wrong spirit must be gotten rid of, or it will defile the new
creature and make of him a "castaway." On the contrary, if the new
nature conquer, as an "overcomer," it will be along this line: if
evil surmisings are overcome, half the battle against present difficulties and
besetments is won. Z.'98-84
February 14
By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
Matthew 12:37
ALL our words are taken by the Lord as an index of our hearts. If our words
are rebellious, or disloyal, or frivolous, or flippant, or unkind, unthankful, unholy
or impure, the heart is judged accordingly, on the principle that, "Out of
the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."... That as imperfect
beings we may always be perfect in word and deed is not possible. Despite our
best endeavors we will sometimes err in word as well as in deed, yet the
perfect mastery of our words and ways is the thing to be sought by vigilant and
faithful effort. Z.'96-32
February 15
Whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected. 1 John 2:5
THE test is obedience. In proportion as we keep the Lord's Word, in
like proportion the love of God is perfected in us; for if we have received the
mind of Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God, the effect will be to cause
us to both will and do His good pleasure--to the extent of our ability. And
this ability should be continually on the increase year by year. And altho we
may not hope to be perfected until we shall be "changed" and be
granted our new resurrection bodies, nevertheless all the while we may keep so
closely in touch with the Lord in the spirit of our minds that we may have
continual fellowship with Him. Z.'97-312
February 16
Through honor and dishonor, through evil report and good report: as deceivers,
and yet true; ...giving no offence in anything, that the ministry be not
blamed. 2 Corinthians 6:8,3
WHILE in the discharge of duty to the best of our ability and when
apparently we have the Lord's blessing and favor upon us and our affairs in a
most marked degree, suddenly trouble may arise, adversity come, the powers of
darkness seem to triumph, and for a moment we may be apparently culprits in the
judgment of our fellowmen, and apparently forsaken by divine providence. Such
experiences, doubtless, are needful to us; for though we may sing:-- "I
would rather walk in the dark with God, Than go alone in the light," yet
this might be but an empty boast unless we were put through the trying
experiences which would develop such faith, such trust, as would hold to the Lord's
hand, and trust divine providence in the darkest hour. Z.'01-314
February 17
Take My yoke upon you,...for My yoke is easy, and My burden is light. Matthew
11:29,30
THOSE who wear this yoke have the assurances of the divine Word that all
things are working together for good to them; that the heavier the burden that may
be attached, the greater will be the blessing and the reward by and by; the
more severe the experiences during the present time, the brighter shall be the
glory, and the brighter shall be their character, and the more sure shall they
be of being fitted and polished for the heavenly Kingdom. From this standpoint every
burden is light, because our yoke is appreciated, and is so easy, so
reasonable: and additionally it is so light because the Lord is with us in this
yoke. Z.'00-137
February 18
The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with
all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 13:3
THE Kingdom is only intended for those who by God's grace shall at heart
become like to the Lord Jesus, in that they will love the Lord with all their hearts,
with all their souls, and be able to say, "Not my will, but Thy will, O
Lord, be done." No other condition than this of full submission to the
Lord can make us acceptable for the Kingdom; for no other condition represents
full self-submission and full love to God. And let us not forget that all the
heavenly things which "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have
entered into the heart of man," God hath reserved for them that love Him
supremely. Z.'98-40
February 19
Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and
unfaithful nothing is pure; but both their mind and conscience are defiled:
they profess to have known God, but by their works they renounce Him, being
abominable and disobedient, and as to every good work worthless. Titus 1:15,16 (Diaglott)
WHAT a terrible condition this is, and how careful all the Lord's people should
be, not only to have pure hearts, pure minds, but also to keep their
consciences very tender, in close accord with the Word of the Lord. This
condition can only be maintained by judging ourselves, and that strictly and
frequently, by the standard which God has given us, His law of love. "I
want the first approach to feel Of pride or fond desire; To catch the wandering
of my will, And quench the kindling fire." Z.'99-214
February 20
If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue,...this
man's religion is vain. James 1:26
BECAUSE the tongue is the index of the heart, because "out of the
fullness of the heart the mouth speaketh," therefore the unbridled tongue,
speaking selfishly, enviously, bitterly, boastfully, slanderously, proves that
the heart from whose fullness these overflow is unsanctified, unholy, grievously
lacking of the spirit of Christ--hence, whatever religion it may have attained
is thus far vain, as that heart is not saved, nor in a salvable
condition....The Good Physician has pointed out antidotes for
soul-poisoning--medicines which, if properly taken according to directions, will
sweeten the bitter heart. Z.'99-215
February 21
Thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for Thy name's sake, lead me, and
guide me. Psalm 31:3
AFTER the Lord has given us certain lessons and experiences, some of which
come to us under quiet and restful conditions, the order of procedure may be changed,
and the indication of the Lord's providences may lead to some breaking up of
conditions which had been both favorable and unfavorable in some respects --leading
into new circumstances and conditions. It is not for the true spiritual
Israelite to murmur or complain, or even to express a choice; but to look to
the Lord for guidance. If he can discern the leadings of divine providence,
even though it be in a wilderness condition more arid and undesirable than that
in which he has previously been, he is to follow the Lord's leadings
unquestioningly, and with songs of faith and confidence. Z.'02-249
February 22
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things
as ye have. Hebrews 13:5
SELFISH prayers are too expensive. Some have gained wealth and lost the
truth and its service; some have gained health, only to find that with it they gained
other trials no less severe: some have had their dear ones restored to them
from the very jaws of death, only to wish afterward that God had not answered their
prayers--or, more correctly, to wish that they had accepted the Lord's wisdom
and providences trustfully, contentedly, uncomplainingly....Spiritual Israel should use wisely such things as are within their reach--accepting all as God's
gifts with thanksgiving; but their petitions should be for spiritual gifts --including
patient endurance and heart contentment. Z.'02-250
February 23
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will
guide thee with Mine eye. Psalm 32:8
ONE of the most important lessons for the spiritual Israelite to learn is
to look to the Lord for leading in all of life's affairs--never to attempt any
undertaking either temporal or spiritual, without seeking to note the will of
the Lord concerning the same.... We are marching toward Canaan and know that
other experiences are due us and must be undergone ere we can inherit the
promises. The lesson for us is prompt and thorough obedience to the Lord's
leadings without murmurings--with joyfulness; and this can only be expected on
the part of those who have learned the lessons previously given them, and above
all the lessons of faith,--confidence in the Lord's power and goodness and
faithfulness. Z.'02-251,249 R3062:1;
February 24
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God,
sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin
in the flesh: that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:3,4
WHAT comfort and consolation are in these assurances! These are wonderful
words of life, indeed! They inspire us with hope. If God will accept perfect heart-intentions,
as instead of the absolute perfection of the flesh--then indeed we have hope of
attaining to the standard which He has marked for us--the standard of
perfection....We can walk after the Spirit, though, so far as our mortal bodies
are concerned, we cannot walk up to the Spirit's requirements. Our minds can
walk up to the Spirit, our intentions can be perfect; and this is what our
Heavenly Father seeks in us, perfection of intention. Z.'02-248
February 25
Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God. Matthew 4:4
WE are to learn the lesson that a man's life consists not in the abundance
of things which he possesseth-- food and raiment--but that his life, in the
fullest, grandest, highest sense, is dependent upon his complete submission to
the divine will--his careful attention to every word that proceedeth out of the
mouth of God...--every admonition, every encouragement, every promise, is
necessary to the development of those whom God is now calling to eternal life
as joint-heirs with His Son in the Kingdom. Let us then, more and more, as the
disciples, pupils, of the Lord Jesus, keep in memory and act upon the
suggestion of the words of this text. Z.'02-246,248 ;
February 26
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
WE cannot have too many rejoicing Christians, nor can they rejoice too
much, if they rejoice in the Lord. This rejoicing is not necessarily
boisterous, nor of necessity the reverse. It implies serenity, happiness, peace,
pleasure of soul, however, and does not mean that noisy demonstration is
essential, as some seem mistakenly to think....The only ones who can rejoice alway
are those who are living very near to the Lord, and who can feel always
their oneness with Him, and that His protection and care are over them, and
that His promise is sure, that all things shall work together for their highest
welfare, as New Creatures. Z.'03-7
February 27
Let your moderation be known unto all men. Philippians 4:5
THE Greek word here rendered "moderation" seems to carry with it
the thought of reasonableness, and of not exacting our rights too rigorously.
Mercy and leniency are certainly qualities required of all who would be members
of the body of the Anointed. Faithfulness in the performance, as far as
possible, of all that justice would require of us, and mercifulness in respect
to all our requirements of justice from others should be our rule: so shall we
be the children of our Father which is in heaven, for He is kind and merciful to
the unthankful. Z.'03-7
February 28
Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6
THE question may arise, Why will not God give us the things which He sees
us to need without our making petition to Him and claiming His promises?
Undoubtedly because we need previously to come into the proper attitude of
heart to receive His favors and to be advantaged by them. Even as it is, we may
be sure that we do not sufficiently appreciate the divine care bestowed upon us
hitherto and now. Even in the attitude of prayer and thanksgiving we probably do
not discern one-half of our causes for gratitude, as we shall see them by and
by, when we shall know even as we are known. Z.'03-8
February 29
God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 1
John 4:16
JUSTICE fills the measure full, but love shakes it, presses it down, heaps
it up and overflows justice. It is therefore something not to be demanded, nor
its lack to be complained of, but to be gratefully appreciated as a favor and
to be generously reciprocated. Every one who craves it at all should crave it
in its highest sense--the sense of admiration and reverence. But this sort of
love is the most costly, and the only way to secure it is to manifest that
nobility of character which calls it forth from others who are truly noble. Z.'02-266