Milo

March 5
THY WORD IS LIKE A GARDEN, LORD
Edwin Hodder, 1837–1904
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path. (Psalm 119:103, 104)
For the child of God, the daily reading of the Scriptures is the nourishment of the soul. The Bible’s value has been described in many ways as the traveler’s map, the pilgrim’s staff, the pilot’s compass, the soldier’s sword, and the Christian’s charter. Someone has offered this sage advice regarding the use of the Bible: “Read it to be wise, believe it to be safe, and practice it to be holy. Read it slowly, frequently, and prayerfully. It is a mine of wealth, a paradise of glory, and a river of pleasure.”
Read this book for whatever you can accept and take the rest on faith. You will live and die a better man.
—Abraham Lincoln
Although just a lay amateur writer in England, Edwin Hodder was also impressed with the miraculous quality of the Bible. So in this hymn, first published in 1863, Hodder paints comparative pictures that both young and old can understand easily. Verse one begins with the thought that even casual seekers can find something from God’s written landscape that will beautify their lives merely by “plucking a lovely cluster.” Stanza one continues to say, however, that it is not enough to be casual in this garden of beauty. Rather, we must earnestly search and dig into its mighty depths for “jewels rich and rare.”
Verse two extends the thought further that God’s Word, like the starry host, is fathomless in giving guidance for life’s journey. Finally, the hymn reminds us that there is an earnestness confronting each believer in the form of a warfare against sin and unrighteousness. For this battle we require the aid of God’s Holy Word.
Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair; and ev’ryone who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there. Thy Word is like a deep, deep, mine, and jewels rich and rare are hidden in its mighty depths for ev’ry searcher there.
Thy Word is like a starry host—A thousand rays of light are seen to guide the traveler and make his pathway bright. Thy Word is like an armory where soldiers may repair and find, for life’s long battle-day, all needful weapons there.
O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine; may I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine. O may I find my armor there, Thy Word my trusty sword! I’ll learn to fight with ev’ry foe the battle of the Lord!

For Today: Psalm 119:105; 130; John 5:39; 6:63; 2 Timothy 3:16

Allow the Bible’s relevance, beauty, and simplicity to thrill your soul. Reflect on this musical reminder to help—

March 4
WONDERFUL WORDS OF LIFE
Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876
The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life. (John 6:63)
One of the basic precepts of the Sunday school movement has always been that God’s Word must be carefully and systematically studied by believers of all ages.
Study it carefully, think of it prayerfully,
Till in your heart its precepts dwell;
Slight not its history, ponder its mystery,
None can e’er prize it too fondly or well.
—Unknown
One of the earnest concerns of many present leaders is the biblical ignorance of so many church people. Often precious Sunday school time is spent in teaching everything but the Bible itself. Yet the churches that do teach the Scriptures diligently and apply their teachings to modern living are the churches that are experiencing the greatest growth. We never outgrow our need for the Bible; it becomes more helpful to us with the years.
We must also realize that God’s truth revealed to us is never contrary or apart from the Bible. Often there have been those who have claimed to have extra revelations through visions which supersede the Scriptures. God’s Word clearly warns against this false assertion (Jeremiah 23:16).
Philip P. Bliss was one of the most important names in the development of early gospel music. Before his tragic death at age 38, he wrote many favorites still enjoyed by congregations. “Wonderful Words of Life” was written by Bliss in 1874, for the first issue of a Sunday school paper, Words of Life. These words still speak to both young and old of the importance of God’s Word in our daily lives:
Sing them over again to me—wonderful words of life; let me more of their beauty see—wonderful words of life. Words of life and beauty, teach me faith and duty:
Christ, the blessed one, gives to all wonderful words of life; sinner, list to the loving call—wonderful words of life. All so freely given, wooing us to heaven:
Sweetly echo the gospel call—wonderful words of life; offer pardon and peace to all—wonderful words of life. Jesus, only Savior, sanctify forever:
Refrain: Beautiful words, wonderful words of life.

For Today: Psalm 119:103, 172; Jeremiah 15:16; Matthew 4:4

Reflect on whether God’s Word has the place of importance in your life that it should have. Consider ways that this could be improved. Sing this musical reminder—

March 3
O HOW I LOVE JESUS
Frederick Whitfield, 1829–1904
We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
This simply stated, lilting musical testimony has been another of the Sunday school favorites since it was first published in leaflet form in 1855. It has since been translated into various languages and has been included in numerous evangelical hymnals.
The words express so well the response of believers of any age as we reflect on all that Christ has done and continues to do for us daily. Indirectly, the hymn also exalts the written Word, for it is only through the study of the revealed written Word that we gain a true knowledge of the Living Word.
The text originally included eight stanzas. Several interesting verses not found in present hymnals include these words:
It tells me of a Father’s smile that beams upon His child.
It cheers me through this little while, through deserts waste and wild.
It bids my trembling soul rejoice, and dries each rising tear.
It tells me in a still small voice, to trust and not to fear.
The author, Frederick Whitfield, was an Anglican church clergyman. He is credited with more than 30 books of religious verse. The anonymous tune is a typical 19th century American folk song used in the campground meetings of that time.
Even a century after they were written, these ageless words are still appropriate for expressing our love and devotion for Christ:
There is a name I love to hear; I love to sing its worth; it sounds like music in mine ear, the sweetest name on earth.
It tells me of a Savior’s love, who died to set me free; it tells me of His precious blood, the sinner’s perfect plea.
It tells me what my Father hath in store for ev’ry day, and, tho I tread a darksome path, yields sunshine all the way.
It tells of One whose loving heart can feel my deepest woe, who in each sorrow bears a part that none can bear below.
Chorus: O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus, O how I love Jesus—because He first loved me!

For Today: John 14:23; Philippians 2:9–11; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 4:7–21; Jude 21

Breathe a prayer expressing your love to Christ for all that He means to you. Thank Him for initiating His love on your behalf. Thank Him also for the daily sunshine He gives. Carry this little musical nugget with you throughout the day—

March 2
JESUS LOVES ME
Anna B. Warner, 1820–1915
I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:17)
The story is told of a brilliant professor at Princeton Seminary who always left his graduation class with these words: “Gentlemen, there is still much in this world and in the Bible that I do not understand, but of one thing I am certain—‘Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so’—and gentlemen, that is sufficient!”
Without doubt the song that has been sung more by children than any other hymn is this simply stated one by Anna Warner. Written in 1860, it is still one of the first hymns taught to new converts in other lands.
Miss Warner wrote this text in collaboration with her sister Susan. It was part of their novel Say and Seal, one of the best selling books of that day. Today few individuals would know or remember the plot of that story, which once stirred the hearts of many readers. But the simple poem spoken by one of the characters, Mr. Linden, as he comforts Johnny Fax, a dying child, still remains the favorite hymn of countless children around the world.
Jesus loves me! this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong; they are weak but He is strong.
Jesus loves me! loves me still, tho I’m very weak and ill, that I might from sin be free, bled and died upon the tree.
Jesus loves me! He who died heaven’s gate to open wide; He will wash away my sin, let His little child come in.
Jesus loves me! He will stay close beside me all the way. Thou hast bled and died for me; I will henceforth live for Thee.
Chorus: Yes, Jesus loves me! The Bible tells me so.
William Bradbury, the composer of the music, was one of the leading contributors to the development of early gospel music in America. He became recognized as one of the pioneers in children’s music both for the church and in the public schools. In 1861 Bradbury composed the music for Anna Warner’s text and personally added the chorus to her four stanzas. The hymn appeared the following year in Bradbury’s hymnal collection, The Golden Sower. It had an immediate response.

For Today: Genesis 33:5; Psalm 127:3; Matthew 11:25; Mark 10:16

“If there is anything that will endure the eye of God, because it still is pure, it is the spirit of a little child, fresh from His hand, and therefore undefiled.” Ask God to give you this kind of spirit.

MARCH 28

Reading 87

DAVID’S PREPARATIONS 1 Chronicles 22–29

“My son Solomon is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord should be of great magnificence and fame and splendor in the sight of all the nations. Therefore I will make preparations for it” (1 Chron. 22:5).Trusting the promise that his son would construct the temple he had yearned to build, David dedicated his last years to making preparations for a structure he would never see. We too are wise to prepare for a future beyond the span of our years here on earth.

Definition of Key Terms

Levites.

The descendants of Levi were set aside during the Exodus to serve God. In that age their primary duty was to assist the priests and to take down, set up, and transport the tabernacle and its sacred objects. With a permanent temple about to be built, the Levites’ duties had to be rethought. David gave much time to planning the duties of the Levites and organizing the tribe for temple service.

Overview

David made preparations for the temple Solomon was to build (22:1–13). He assembled materials (vv. 14–19), organized tasks for the Levites (23:1–32; 24:20–31) and serving priests (vv. 1–19), trained musicians (25:1–31), assigned guards (“gatekeepers”) (26:1–19), and created other offices (vv. 20–32). David also reorganized the army (27:1–34). Near the end David charged Israel’s officials to accept Solomon as king, and presented Solomon with detailed plans for the temple (28:1–21). David and others gave generously to the temple project, and David dedicated the gifts (29:1–20). David placed Solomon on his throne (vv. 21–25) and died (vv. 26–30).

Understanding the Text

“Devote your heart and your soul to seeking the Lord your God” 1 Chron. 22:1–19. David reminded Solomon of the promises God made to him, and exhorted his son to build the temple. But David was most concerned about Solomon’s personal rather than public commitment to God. Solomon had to be devoted to the Lord and obedient, or his accomplishments would be meaningless. The splendor of the temple Solomon was to construct, the activity of the Levites and priests carrying out their duties there, would all be empty if not motivated by love for the Lord. “David separated them into divisions” 1 Chron. 24:1–19. Each division of priests served for two weeks at the temple, then returned to their home cities. This plan was in use in Jesus’ time (see Luke 1:8). “David . . . set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals” 1 Chron. 25:1–31. One of David’s important contributions was to formally establish the role of music in worship. The “prophesying, accompanied” most probably indicates psalms set to music for public worship. Many of the psalms have musical notations in their superscriptions. “The divisions of the gatekeepers” 1 Chron. 26:1–19. The “gatekeepers” were armed Levites who occupied guard posts on the temple grounds. They not only were to keep order but also to protect the vast wealth to be assembled in temple treasure rooms. A variety of musical instruments were used in David’s time. These were played at feasts and celebrations. They also made a vital contribution to public worship, which in Israel often was infused with a vibrant sense of joyous excitment. Harps, lyres, cymbals, and different kinds of horns provided accompaniment for recitation of many of the Bible’s psalms. “The army divisions” 1 Chron. 27:1–24. Israel, like other states, relied on citizen armies. Farmers and artisans became soldiers in time of national emergency, and then returned to their homes. David’s innovation was to divide the citizen army into a dozen divisions of 24,000 men, each of which was on duty 1 month and off duty 11. The training provided during the duty month would keep Israel militarily strong and ready. David’s innovation was effective, and illustrates the modern doctrine of “peace through strength.” Not once during Solomon’s 40-year reign did Israel have to go to war. The military was ready—and unused. “He has chosen” 1 Chron. 28:1–21. For a third time, the writer of Chronicles refers to the Davidic Covenant (cf. also 17:1–15; 22:1–19). God had chosen David and lifted him up to be king. God also chose Solomon to succeed David and to build His temple. All that had happened was rooted in God’s sovereign choice. But God’s sovereign will does not rule out the exercise of man’s free will. It is the responsibility of those God has chosen to acknowledge the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. David’s words to Solomon might well be addressed to you and me. God has chosen us in Christ, and through Christ granted us forgiveness and new life. So we are to acknowledge God “and serve Him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts” (v. 9). As David promised, if we seek God we will find Him. But if we reject God, we will never experience His blessing.

DEVOTIONAL

Our Personal Treasures (1 Chron. 28–29)

David’s vision saw well beyond his time. David devoted his last years to planning a temple he knew he would not live to see. Then David took yet another step. He reported to an assembly of government officials, “I now give my personal treasures of gold and silver for the temple of my God” (29:3). David’s example moved others to give as freely and wholeheartedly. He offered a prayer of dedication (vv. 10–13), and then explained his philosophy of giving. That explanation, taken to heart, can make our own giving joyous and spontaneous. What, then, did David understand about giving? David realized that “everything comes from You, and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.” God is the greatest Giver of all. We take no risk in giving His own back to Him. David realized that “our days on earth are like a shadow.” The person who piles up treasures on earth is foolish. The only way to keep our personal treasures forever is to give them away, for then we will have reward in heaven. David knew that God tests the heart and is pleased with integrity. God does not value the amount we give, but our intention. David gave “willingly and with honest intent.” His giving was an expression of the reality of his love for the Lord. If you and I adopt David’s viewpoint on material wealth, it will make a difference in our giving. But most important of all, trust in God’s ability to provide for us, and a perspective that values eternity more than time, will free us to experience giving as a joy and a true expression of our love for the Lord.

Personal Application

Giving is not a duty but a privilege.

Quotable

“The accumulation of vast wealth while so many are languishing in misery is a grave transgression of God’s law, with the consequence that the greedy avaricious man is never at ease in his mind: he is in fact a most unhappy creature.”—Pope John XXIII