Milo

May 10
LOOK, YE SAINTS! THE SIGHT IS GLORIOUS
Thomas Kelly, 1769–1854
… Great and marvelous are Your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Your ways, King of the ages. All nations will come and worship before You, for Your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:3, 4)
Ascension Day, when we commemorate the translation of our Lord to heaven, is often a neglected observance in the lives of many Christians. It occurs 40 days after Easter, and though it never falls on a Sunday, the Lord’s Day following Ascension Day is designated as Ascension Sunday. It is certainly one of the important events in the life of Christ, and it should be celebrated along with His birth, death, resurrection, sending of the Holy Spirit, and the promised second coming.
It is always thrilling to relive with our imagination the ascension scene on Mount Olivet described in Acts 1. There was the parting blessing from the Lord to His disciples and His final instructions regarding their mission to be worldwide witnesses after being empowered by the Holy Spirit. Then the One who had been nailed to a Roman cross just a short time before was dramatically taken up before their very eyes. And the two men dressed in white who suddenly appeared reminded the disciples that Christ’s ascension must always be related to His return—“this same Jesus … will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:10).
“Look, Ye Saints! The Sight Is Glorious” is generally regarded as one of the finest ascension hymns in the English language, one that is worthy of much greater use than it normally receives. Its author, Thomas Kelly, is recognized as one of Ireland’s finest evangelical preachers, as well as one of its most distinguished spiritual poets of the 19th century.
Look, ye saints! the sight is glorious: See the Man of Sorrows now; from the fight returned victorious, ev’ry knee to Him shall bow: Crown Him! crown Him! Crowns become the Victor’s brow.
Crown the Savior! angels, crown Him! rich the trophies Jesus brings; in the seat of pow’r enthrone Him, while the vault of heaven rings: Crown Him! crown Him! Crown the Savior King of kings.
Hark! those bursts of acclamation! Hark! those loud triumphant chords! Jesus takes the highest station—O what joy the sight affords! Crown Him! crown Him! King of kings and Lord of lords!

For Today: Luke 24:50, 51; Acts 1:1–10; Philippians 2:6–11; Hebrews 2:9

Rejoice in the truth that your Lord not only rose triumphantly but ascended into heaven victoriously to be your personal representative before the Father. Learn and sing this hymn—

May 9
DAY IS DYING IN THE WEST
Mary A. Lathbury, 1841–1913
Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the mighty One of Israel. (Isaiah 30:29 KJV)
Those evening clouds, that setting ray, and beauteous tints, sure to display their great Creator’s praise;
Then let the short-lived thing called man, whose life’s comprised within a span, to Him his homage raise.
—Sir Walter Scott
It is so easy to lose oneself in the majestic spectacles of the setting sun as it slowly fades over the horizon—yet forget to praise God, the source of all beauty. Mary Lathbury reminds us to “wait and worship” the “Lord most high” as we stand in awe at the passing of each day.
With a desire to encourage religious and cultural activities, Miss Lathbury worked with others to establish the Chautauqua Movement on the shores of beautiful Lake Chautauqua near Jamestown, New York. She became affectionately known as the “Poet Laureate and Saint of Chautauqua.” In 1877, Mary was asked to write a hymn that would be suitable for the evening vesper services of Chautauqua. As she stood on the shore of the lake watching the magnificent setting sun one evening, Mary received the inspiration for the first two stanzas of her hymn. The final two stanzas were added 2 years later. After the music director of Chautauqua, Professor William Fisk Sherwin, composed a suitable melody for the text, “Day Is Dying in the West” was used that same summer. It has been used as the vesper hymn for all evening services of Chautauqua at its lovely New York site ever since.
Day is dying in the west, heav’n is touching earth with rest; wait and worship while the night sets her evening lamps alight thru all the sky.
Lord of life, beneath the dome of the universe, Thy home, gather us who seek Thy face to the fold of Thy embrace, for Thou art nigh.
While the deep’ning shadows fall, heart of Love, enfolding all, thru the glory and the grace of the stars that veil Thy face, our hearts ascend.
When forever from our sight pass the stars, the day, the night, Lord of angels, on our eyes let eternal morning rise, and shadows end.
Chorus: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts! Heav’n and earth are full of Thee! Heav’n and earth are praising Thee, O Lord most high!

For Today: Psalm 4:7, 8; 19:1, 2; 69:34; Isaiah 6:3

As you observe the setting sun or any of the wonders of God’s creation, offer worship and praise to Him for the beauties He has provided for us.

May 8
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Civilla D. Martin, 1869–1948
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father in heaven. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than sparrows. (Matthew 10:29–31)
Mrs. Civilla Martin, author of this gospel hymn text, tells of a visit in 1904 to a bedridden Christian friend. Mrs. Martin asked the woman if she ever got discouraged because of her physical condition. Her friend responded quickly: “Mrs. Martin, how can I be discouraged when my heavenly Father watches over each little sparrow and I know He loves and cares for me.” Within just a few minutes Mrs. Martin completed the writing of her new text, which has since been a source of much encouragement to many of God’s people.
It is interesting that our Lord chose the most common of all birds, sparrows of little value, to teach a profound truth: In God’s eyes, no one is insignificant! He is vitally concerned with even the details of our lives. Notice also that the Bible uses another bird to teach this inspiring truth: “Those who hope in the Lord will soar on wings like eagles … ” (Isaiah 40:31). With an awareness of God’s concern for our lives and the promise of His enabling power to live victoriously, why should we be afraid?
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:17, 18)
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come, why should my heart be lonely and long for Heav’n and home, when Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
“Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear, and resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears; tho’ by the path He leadeth but one step I may see: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know we watches me.
Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, when songs give place to sighing, when hope within me dies, I draw the closer to Him; from care He sets me free; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
Refrain: I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free, for His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

For Today: Psalm 40:17; Matthew 6:28; Luke 12:6, 7, 22–31; James 1:1–11.

Rest and rejoice in the assurance of God’s love. Seek to bring a word of cheerful encouragement to some sick or invalid individual. Remind him or her of God’s concern and the truth of this song

May 7
UNTO THE HILLS AROUND DO I LIFT UP
John D. S. Campbell, 1845–1914
I will lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (Psalm 121:1, 2)
The more we pursue God’s majesty and greatness, the greater becomes our strength to live victoriously. Each day we need to take time to look away from ourselves and our petty complaints and focus our attention on our Creator God. Someone has observed that it is usually not so much the greatness of our troubles as the littleness of our spirit that makes us disgruntled complainers. A worthy starting point is to find inspiration from some part of God’s creation. For the psalmist, it was looking at the hills all around him, reminders of God’s power and authority. In another portion the psalmist reminds us that in time of need we should flee like a bird to our mountain and there find rest and security (Psalm 11:1). Yet the instruction is clear that though we receive inspiration from observing the majesty of creation, our real source of help must ultimately come from a personal relationship with God Himself, “the Lord, who heav’n and earth hath made.”
The author of this text, John Douglas S. Campbell, was a well-known English personality of his day. He was a member of Parliament and the Governor General of Canada. Campbell was also a noted writer and a devoted Christian. The hymn first appeared in 1877. These inspiring words can still be a source of much comfort for any believer today:
Unto the hills around do I lift up my longing eyes; O whence for me shall my salvation come, from whence arise? From God, the Lord, doth come my certain aid, from God, the Lord, who heav’n and earth hath made.
He will not suffer that thy foot be moved: Safe shalt thou be. No careless slumber shall His eyelids close, who keepeth thee. Behold, our God, the Lord, He slumbereth ne’er, who keepeth Israel in His holy care.
Jehovah is Himself thy keeper true, thy changeless shade; Jehovah thy defense on thy right hand Himself hath made. And thee no sun by day shall ever smite; no moon shall harm thee in the silent night.
From ev’ry evil shall He keep thy soul, from ev’ry sin; Jehovah shall preserve thy going out, thy coming in. Above thee watching, He whom we adore shall keep thee henceforth, yea, forevermore.

For Today: Psalm 11; 24; 121; Isaiah 40:9, 26; 41:10

Enjoy the majesty of some particular part of God’s creation—a mountain, sunrise, sunset. Breathe a prayer of gratitude to the One who has made this possible. Determine to rely on Him more fully throughout this day. Carry this musical truth with you—

SEPTEMBER 29

Reading 272

ON TO ROME Acts 27–28

“When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him” (Acts 28:16).Even a prisoner who knows God can influence others.

Overview

Paul joined a group of prisoners being transported under guard to Rome (27:1–8). He warned futilely against sailing from Crete (vv. 9–12), and their ship was caught in a severe storm (vv. 13–25). Though the ship was wrecked, all aboard survived (vv. 26–44). Paul healed the chief official on Malta, where they wintered (28:1–10). Arriving in Rome, Paul was allowed to live in a rented house (vv. 11–16), and to preach Christ to the Jewish community and his visitors (vv. 17–31).

Background

Beyond Acts.

The Book of Acts closes with Paul in Rome awaiting trial. While there he wrote several of the letters found in the New Testament, including Colossians, Philippians, Ephesians, Philemon, and the first Letter to Timothy. Scholars believe that Paul was set free after his trial, and spent several more years as a missionary, probably in Spain. But the political climate was changing. Nero, whose first years were marked by excellent rule, gradually became more and more erratic. When a great fire struck Rome, Nero blamed the Christians in order to divert criticism from himself. As official hostility developed, Paul was arrested again and faced another trial. During this second imprisonment he wrote his second Letter to Timothy. As that letter implies, Paul did not survive his second trial, but was executed in Rome. One of the purposes that Luke had in writing Acts was to demonstrate through his story of Paul’s ministry that the Christian faith was no threat to the Empire. Paul had friends among the Asiarchs in Ephesus. When he was examined by Felix he was cleared of any criminal activity. King Agrippa, a close friend of the Emperor Claudius, agreed that Paul had done nothing to merit arrest or trial. Whenever the facts were examined by an impartial Roman administrator, Paul and the Christians he represented were cleared. While the evidence Luke presented was compelling, it was not enough. Hostility to Christianity was not rooted in a knowledge of the facts of our faith, but in the prejudices and moral turpitude of its enemies. Despite the fact that some today who claim to be Christians have given the faith a bad name, it remains true that any hostility to our faith is not rooted in what Christ taught or what Christians believe. It is rooted in the fact that Christianity functions as a light shining in a dark world. The darker the society, the brighter that light must shine. And the more those who cower back into the darkness will hate and resent it.

Understanding the Text

“We boarded a ship” Acts 27:1–9. This is one of four “we” sections in Acts. Most scholars believe that Luke was with Paul, and described the events of these sections from eyewitness knowledge. Those who have studied Luke’s account of the voyage find it a totally accurate portrayal of first-century ships, ports, and trade routes. Even more important from Paul’s point of view, the use of “we” here indicates that Paul was not alone. Friends went with him on the journey to Rome. Any time we face an uncertain future, having friends with us for support is vitally important. Are there people you know who would like you to serve as their Luke? First-century cargo ships carried grain from the East to Rome. Some were large enough to also carry several hundred passengers. However, the passengers slept on deck and provided their own food for the journey. Thousands of tourists frequented such ships, though travel on the Mediterranean was dangerous. “So Paul warned them” Acts 27:9–14. Paul had not yet had time to establish that “personal power” needed to influence the centurion who guarded them and the ship’s captain. Now he would win their sudden respect. The two ignored his advice and set out to sea. Before they were out of sight of the island they were struck by winds of “hurricane force.” Perhaps as a prisoner Paul had no right to speak up. But he did express his convictions. His confidence, plus the fact that his advice was quickly shown to have been right, established a personal power he was able to use later to influence the centurion and save lives. Don’t hesitate to speak out for what is right. Ultimately your influence depends on you, not on your position. “God whose I am and whom I serve” Acts 27:15–25. Paul spoke confidently out of the assurance rooted in his relationship with God. If we trust God, as Paul did, and are committed to Him, we too can speak out with confidence and be heard! “Unless these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved” Acts 27:27–44. People in panic are nearly uncontrollable. Yet by this time Paul’s personal power and influence were so great that he was able to get the soldiers to cut away the ship’s lifeboats and what seemed their best chance of escape. Even more, he was able to quiet the terror of the sailors and passengers enough so that they actually took a little food. Paul’s own confidence in God’s commitment to save the ship and crew were communicated by his voice and demeanor. If we have that God-based confidence, we will be able to influence others for their own good too. “They changed their minds and said he was a god” Acts 28:1–10. People have a tendency to jump to extreme conclusions. Seeing Paul bitten by a poisonous snake, the people of Malta assumed he was a murderer. When he didn’t die, they assumed he was a god. Paul was neither. He was just a human being committed to the Lord. You and I can be comfortable being “just folks” too. God can and does take ordinary people and through them do extraordinary things. “With a soldier to guard him” Acts 28:11–16. Soon after this Paul mentioned believers in Caesar’s own household in his letter to the Philippians. The chances are that these believers were soldiers in the Praetorian Guard, the regiment assigned as the Emperor’s. And most likely the soldiers detailed to guard Paul in his house! How Paul must have looked forward to the changing of the guard, and another soldier to speak to about Jesus Christ. “He explained and declared . . . and tried to convince them” Acts 28:17–29. As always Paul showed special concern for his brothers, the Jews. An intense effort to evangelize the local Jewish community saw some respond to the Gospel message, but the majority rejected it. There are limits to what I’ve been calling “personal power.” Those with personal power can influence others up to a point. But when we speak about Jesus, there is a point at which the other person will commit to Christ or reject Him. We have to respect the right of others to make that decision. We should speak with confidence. But we must not manipulate others into a decision they are not ready to make. “For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house” Acts 28:30–31. Paul’s life and ministry falls into periods of one or two years, but seldom more. He was probably in Corinth longer than two years. But he spent two years at Ephesus, two in Caesarea, and now two more years in Rome. Didn’t all that moving around bother Paul? Paul realized something that is true for each of us. We are soldiers, God is our Commander. We never know when we put down our tent how long we’ll stay. Let’s be good soldiers, ready to move or stay at God’s command. And always ready to speak up for our Lord.

DEVOTIONAL

Personal Power (Acts 27)

My wife has it in her classroom. She has no problems maintaining order among her 11th-graders. She doesn’t even raise her voice. But when she uses it, her quiet “power” voice creates dead silence. I’m not planning to market a psychological seminar guaranteed to give those who pay some astronomical sum an edge in negotiating. Or a fast trip up the corporate ladder. I’m simply noting a reality that at least one critic of Acts overlooked. The critic, a scholar named Haenchen, pooh-poohed the notion that a person who was a prisoner, being conveyed to Rome under guard, could possibly have been given special favors or listened to with respect by his captors. The details Luke gives of the voyage are undoubtedly accurate. But the idea that Paul played the role described is, to Haenchen, beyond belief. I suspect this scholar, based on his reasoning, would also argue that Lech Walesa must be something of a fictional character too. After all, what pipe fitter from a Polish shipyard could form a union, be outlawed, and then silenced for years, and play a critical role in the fall of Poland’s Communist government? What Haenchen failed to realize was that the personal power of a human being is not related to his or her social position. People with position can be utterly ineffective. And others with no position at all can change the course of history. Paul had an advantage—the confidence and the assurance that come with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul knew Jesus and lived in close fellowship with the Lord. When Paul spoke, that personal power rooted in his relationship with God shone through. Others sensed his personal power. And responded to him. What excites me is that Paul’s source of personal power is available to every Christian. If we know Jesus, and live close to Him, we too will have that calm assurance that translates into personal power.

Personal Application

Live close to Jesus, and when you speak, everybody will listen.

Quotable

“If you are a Christian in small things, you are not a small Christian.”— Walter B. Knight