Milo

November 2

“But prayer…” (Acts 12:5.)

BUT prayer is the link that connects us with God. This is the bridge that spans every gulf and bears us over every abyss of danger or of need.
How significant the picture of the Apostolic Church: Peter in prison, the Jews triumphant, Herod supreme the arena of martyrdom awaiting the dawning of the morning to drink up the apostle’s blood, and everything else against it. “But prayer was made unto God without ceasing.” And what was the sequel? The prison open, the apostle free, the Jews baffled, the wicked king eaten of worms, a spectacle of hidden retribution, and the Word of God rolling on in greater victory.
Do we know the power of our supernatural weapon? Do we dare to use it with the authority of a faith that commands as well as asks? God baptize us with holy audacity and Divine confidence! He is not wanting great men, but He is wanting men who will dare to prove the greatness of their God. But God! But prayer!—A. B. Simpson.
Beware in your prayer, above everything, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time you intercede, be quiet first and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, of how He delights to hear Christ, of your place in Christ; and expect great things.
—Andrew Murray.
Our prayers are God’s opportunities.
Are you in sorrow? Prayer can make your affliction sweet and strengthening. Are you in gladness? Prayer can add to your joy a celestial perfume. Are you in extreme danger from outward or inward enemies? Prayer can set at your right hand an angel whose touch could shatter a millstone into smaller dust than the flour it grinds, and whose glance could lay an army low. What will prayer do for you? I answer: All that God can do for you. “Ask what I shall give thee.”—Farrar.

“Wrestling prayer can wonders do,
  Bring relief in deepest straits;
Prayer can force a passage through
  Iron bars and brazen gates.”

2 NOVEMBER

Gospel doctrine

‘The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Galatians 2:15–21

Let us briefly speak of gospel doctrine. Its chief points are:
(i) to show that all mankind are by nature under the curse of the law.
(ii) that there is no deliverance from this curse but by Jesus.
(iii) that no work of man contributes in the least to their acceptance with God.
(iv) that true religion supposes an entire change in the soul and all its faculties and that without this change of the heart the most costly or painful services are of no value or acceptance before God.
This is what we mean by the gospel doctrine. The sum and substance of it is Jesus Christ and him crucified. This awakens the opposition and scorn of men, even as the appearance and preaching of Christ in the flesh did. But we are bold to say that by this doctrine as the means, such mighty works are wrought as necessarily declare the power of God does accompany it—such works as no other sort of preaching can effect, such works as in the spiritual sense are answerable to the miracles which our Lord wrought in the view of the Jews, and are equally sufficient to condemn those of obstinacy, who refuse to acknowledge the doctrine to be of God.

FOR MEDITATION: With regard to the work—I hope I am in some measure aware of its weight and importance and am willing to enter upon it accordingly, so as to make it the sole business of my life: to devote all my time, strength, talents and interest to the carrying it on; to allow myself in no engagement, converse, correspondence or study, which I cannot conscientiously pursue as subservient to this main point. Having a view of the pearl of great price, I am willing to part with all to receive it, and to take the apostle’s resolution to know nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified, that I may declare his unsearchable riches to sinners.
Miscellaneous Thoughts, Monday 26 June 1758

SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 2 [3/6]

November 1st

Ye are not your own

Know ye not that … ye are not your own? 1 Cor. 6:19.

There is no such thing as a private life—‘a world within the world’—for a man or woman who is brought into fellowship with Jesus Christ’s sufferings. God breaks up the private life of His saints, and makes it a thoroughfare for the world on the one hand and for Himself on the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves, we are called into the fellowship of the Gospel, and things happen which have nothing to do with us, God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have his way, if you do not, instead of being of the slightest use to God in His Redemptive work in the world, you will be a hindrance and a clog.
The first thing God does with us is to get us based on rugged Reality until we do not care what becomes of us individually as long as He gets His way for the purpose of His Redemption. Why shouldn’t we go through heartbreaks? Through these doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us fall and collapse at the first grip of pain; we sit down on the threshold of God’s purpose and die away of self-pity, and all so-called Christian sympathy will aid us to our death-bed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, and says—‘Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine.’ If through a broken heart God can bring His purposes to pass in the world, then thank Him for breaking your heart.

November 1

“When the cloud tarried … then the children of Israel … journeyed not.” (Num. 9:19.)

THIS was the supreme test of obedience. It was comparatively easy to strike tents, when the fleecy folds of the cloud were slowly gathering from off the Tabernacle, and it floated majestically before the host. Change is always delightful; and there was excitement and interest in the route, the scenery, and the locality of the next halting-place. But, ah, the tarrying.
Then, however uninviting and sultry the location, however trying to flesh and blood, however irksome to the impatient disposition, however perilously exposed to danger—there was no option but to remain encamped.
The Psalmist says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” And what He did for the Old Testament saints He will do for believers throughout all ages.
Still God often keeps us waiting. Face to face with threatening foes, in the midst of alarms, encircled by perils, beneath the impending rock. May we not go? Is it not time to strike our tents? Have we not suffered to the point of utter collapse? May we not exchange the glare and heat for green pastures and still waters?”
There is no answer. The cloud tarries, and we must remain, though sure of manna, rock-water, shelter, and defense. God never keeps us at post without assuring us of His presence, and sending us daily supplies.
Wait, young man, do not be in a hurry to make a change! Minister, remain at your post! Until the cloud clearly moves, you must tarry. Wait, then, thy Lord’s good pleasure! He will be in plenty of time!—Daily Devotional Commentary.

  An hour of waiting!
Yet there seems such need
  To reach that spot sublime!
I long to reach them—but I long far more
  To trust HIS time!

  “Sit still, my daughter”—
Yet the heathen die,
  They perish while I stay!
I long to reach them—but I long far more
  To trust HIS way!

  ’Tis good to get,
’Tis good indeed, to give!
  Yet is it better still—
O’er breadth, thro’ length, down length, up height,
  To trust HIS will!

—F. M. N.

1 NOVEMBER

The reproach of the gospel

‘… Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.’ John 3:2
SUGGESTED FURTHER READING: Acts 5:12–33

Our Lord foretold that his gospel, after his ascension, would meet with the same reception as his person, that those who preached in his name should do the same works which he did, or even greater, that they should be chiefly owned (as he was) by the poor and ignorant, and generally rejected by those who were in most esteem with the world for their seeming goodness, or their rank in life. We find his words fulfilled. As the scribes and the Pharisees, who professed great regard to the Scriptures, taught the people falsehood from truth, and opposed Christ, so in many countries called Christian there is a sort of doctrine generally taught which cannot be from God because it is attended with no mighty works, nor does it glorify Jesus, which is the great object of the Christian ministry. But here and there another sort of preaching prevails which tends to lay low the haughty looks of man, that the Lord alone may be exalted. It proclaims a feast of good things for the hungry, but sends those who are rich and wise in their own conceits empty away. But wherever this is heard the world is presently in an uproar. It is charged with licentiousness, folly and madness. The preachers and believers of it are loaded with reproach, and all who are disposed to hear it are either pitied as out of their wits, or opposed as if they had been guilty of some great crime. However there are such mighty effects attending it as lead some before they hear it to reason as Nicodemus—Surely it must be of God, or else how can these things be?

FOR MEDITATION: I conceive therefore, that an upright, conscientious man cannot, by the most circumspect and prudent behaviour, wholly avoid the censure and dislike of the world, so far as his religious principles are concerned, and he is determined to square his life according to the precepts and spirit of the gospel. He must expect to be misunderstood by some, and misinterpreted by others. For in a degree, and upon some occasions at least, all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.
John Newton to William Wilberforce, 1 November 1787

[in reply to advice sought as the MP set out to abolish the slave trade]

SERMON SERIES: JOHN 3:1–2, NO. 2 [2/6]