Milo

February 19
WHY SHOULD HE LOVE ME SO?
Words and Music by Robert Harkness, 1880–1961
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
In the deepest sense, love is a prerequisite of the whole Christian faith. It begins with God since His basic attribute is love (1 John 4:8). The Father then supplied a model of sacrificial love by providing salvation for man through the atoning work of Christ. Also He gave us the indwelling Holy Spirit so we could respond to Him and seek to imitate His love in service to others. How our society languishes for a living demonstration of God’s love by Christians in every relationship of life!
Reflecting seriously on God’s redemptive love in sending His only Son to suffer and die for each of us personally should create within us a deep sense of unworthiness and devotion. Why should the Creator of the universe do all this for me? I was rebellious, a sinner, an enemy of God … yet He pursued and loved me. The amazing thrill of the gospel is that we do not have to become good first in order to be loved by God. We are already loved just as we are. It is impossible to define and describe divine love and the transformation it produces in the life that receives it by faith. But this love can be experienced by anyone who desires it.
Author and composer Robert Harkness was an Australian gospel musician who traveled extensively in round-the-world tours as a pianist with some of the leading evangelists of his day. Harkness wrote several hundred gospel songs, which were first featured in these campaigns. He also prepared a correspondence course, “Evangelistic Piano Playing,” that has been widely used through the years.
Love sent my Savior to die in my stead; why should He love me so? Meekly to Calvary’s cross He was led; why should He love me so?
Nails pierced His hands and His feet for my sin; why should He love me so? He suffered sore my salvation to win; why should He love me so?
O how He agonized there in my place; why should He love me so? Nothing withholding my sin to efface; why should He love me so?
Chorus: Why should He love me so? Why should He love me so? Why should my Savior to Calvary go? Why should He love me so?

For Today: Romans 5:8; 8:35-39; Galatians 5:6; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:1

Reflect seriously on all that Christ did to provide us with personal salvation and a restored fellowship with Almighty God. In the light of this, consider your own unworthiness. With a grateful response, carry this musical question with you as you go thinking of “why should He love me so?”

February 18
HE LIFTED ME
Words and Music by Charles H. Gabriel, 1856–1932
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. (Psalm 40:2, 3)
O the love that sought me! O the blood that bought me!
O the grace that brought me to the fold!
Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!
—W. Spencer Walton
Occasionally it is good for each of us as Christians to reflect seriously on a question such as this: “Where would I be today if God had not transformed my life, established my ways, and given me a life of joy and praise?” With all of the allurements of sin so rampant in today’s society, we must readily confess that except for the love and grace of God, we too could find ourselves with broken and shameful lives. But we have been accepted into the beloved and made children of the heavenly kingdom. Through the redemptive work of Christ, we have been given a new and higher “plane” on which to live. With the author and composer Charles Gabriel we can only exclaim, “O praise His name, He lifted me!” Such divine love on our behalf calls forth a response of thankful gratitude and a sincere desire to see other needy individuals share this redemptive experience.
Charles H. Gabriel was one of the best known and most prolific gospel songwriters of the late 19th and early 20th century eras. His fame as a successful composer became widely known, especially with the use of his songs by Homer Rodeheaver in the large Billy Sunday evangelistic campaigns. “He Lifted Me” first appeared in the collection Revival Hymns, published in 1905.
In loving kindness Jesus came my soul in mercy to reclaim, and from the depths of sin and shame thru grace He lifted me.
He called me long before I heard, before my sinful heart was stirred, but when I took him at His word, forgiv’n He lifted me.
His brow was pierced with many a thorn; His hands by cruel nails were torn when from my guilt and grief, forlorn, in love He lifted me.
Now on a higher plain I dwell, and with my soul I know ’tis well; yet how or why, I cannot tell, He should have lifted me.
Chorus: From sinking sand He lifted me; with tender hand He lifted me; from shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lifted me!

For Today: Psalm 40; Isaiah 61:10; Philippians 3:8; Revelation 1:5

Express gratitude and praise to God for His transforming power and love in your life. Determine to share your testimony with another. Use this musical testimony as a reminder—

February 17
JESUS LOVES EVEN ME
Words and Music by Philip P. Bliss, 1838–1876
As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (John 15:9)
The wonder of Jesus’ deep love for each of us has been expressed in this text in beautiful but childlike language by the noted musician of early gospel music, Philip P. Bliss. After attending a service where the hymn “O How I Love Jesus” was sung repeatedly, Bliss thought, “Have I not been singing enough about my poor love for Jesus and shall I not rather sing of His great love for me?” Soon he completed both the words and music of one of the all-time favorite children’s hymn, which is widely sung and enjoyed by adults as well.
Philip Bliss was the dynamic and very talented song writer and associate of evangelists D. L. Moody and Major Daniel W. Whittle. Bliss’ commanding height and impressive personality made his singing and song leading outstanding features in any evangelistic service. His gift for writing gospel hymns was also exceptional. Still widely used today are such other Bliss favorites as: “Wonderful Words of Life,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” “Hold the Fort,” “Hallelujah, What a Savior,” and “Almost Persuaded.” One of his music colleagues, George C. Stebbins, stated:
There has been no writer of verse since his time who has shown such a grasp of the fundamental truths of the gospel, or such a gift for putting them into a poetic and singable form.
The third stanza of this simple but very appealing hymn is especially meaningful when we realize that Philip Bliss died suddenly at the age of 38 in a tragic train accident. His many stirring hymns, however, have lived on. They all focus clearly on important biblical truths, but none is more moving than the reminder in this text that Jesus loves even me.
I am go glad that our Father in heav’n tells of His love in the Book He has giv’n; wonderful things in the Bible I see—this is the dearest that Jesus loves me.
Tho I forget Him and wander away, still He doth love me wherever I stray; back to His dear loving arms would I flee when I remember that Jesus loves me.
O if there’s only one song I can sing when in His beauty I see the great King, this shall my song in eternity be: “O what a wonder that Jesus loves me!”
Chorus: I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me; I am so glad that Jesus loves me, Jesus loves even me.

For Today: Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 John 4:9–12

Take time to thank your Lord once more for His great love for you personally, a love that cannot be comprehended but can only be gratefully accepted by faith. Sing as you go—

February 16
MORE LOVE TO THEE
Elizabeth Prentiss, 1818–1878
And this is my prayer: That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9–11)
To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul … out in the woods, and on my bed, and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!
These were the words of Elizabeth Prentiss, wife of a Presbyterian minister and author of this hymn text. She was often described by her many friends as “a very bright-eyed little woman with a keen sense of humor, who cared more to shine in her own happy household than in a wide circle of society.” Although Elizabeth was strong in spirit, she was frail in body. Throughout her life she was almost an invalid, scarcely knowing a moment free of pain.
“More Love to Thee” was written by Mrs. Prentiss during a time of great personal sorrow, following the loss of two children in a short period of time. For weeks Elizabeth was inconsolable. In her diary she wrote, “empty hands, a worn-out, exhausted body, and unutterable longings to flee from a world that has so many sharp experiences.”
During this period of grief, Mrs. Prentiss began meditating upon the story of Jacob in the Old Testament. She noted how God met him in a very special way during his moments of sorrow and need. Elizabeth prayed earnestly that she too might have a similar experience. While she was meditating and praying one evening, these four stanzas were born—words that have since become a universal prayer for devout believers everywhere:
More love to Thee, O Christ, more love to Thee! Hear Thou the prayer I make on bended knee; this is my earnest plea: More love, O Christ, to Thee…
Once earthly joy I craved, sought peace and rest; now Thee alone I seek—give what is best; this all my prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee…
Let sorrow do its work, send grief and pain; sweet are Thy messengers, sweet their refrain, when they can sing with me, more love, O Christ, to Thee…
Then shall my latest breath whisper Thy praise; this be the parting cry my heart shall raise; this still its prayer shall be: More love, O Christ, to Thee.

For Today: 2 Thessalonians 3:5; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:8; 1 John 4:19; Jude 21

Try to look beyond your problems. Resolve that regardless of life’s circumstances, your love for Christ will continue to grow and be strong. Carry this musical prayer with you—

MARCH 6

Reading 65

THE FUGITIVE YEARS END 1 Samuel 26–31

“One of these days I will be destroyed by the hand of Saul” (1 Sam. 27:1).Sometimes the pressure becomes so great that we try to run away. David finally became discouraged and fled to Philistia. As is often the case, the deepening darkness was a harbinger of a new dawn.

Background

Mercenaries. In ancient times bands of unemployed soldiers often hired out their services to foreign rulers. Later David himself had a guard of 600 men from Gath, who remained faithful to him when his own people rebelled (cf. 2 Sam. 15:16–22). When David fled from Saul into Philistine territory, the ruler of Gath treated him and his men as a mercenary force, and expected David to be loyal to the mercenary code of that day.

Overview

David and his followers settled in Philistine territory (27:1–12). As war approached, Saul desperately sought guidance, finally turning to a medium who consulted the dead (28:1–25). Meanwhile, David was saved from fighting against Israel when the Philistine rulers expelled his men from their army (29:1–11). David returned home to find his city burned and the wives and children of his men captured (30:1–6). They overtook the raiders and saved their families (vv. 7–31). Saul was killed in the Philistine war, and David’s adventurous fugitive years ended at last (31:1–13).

Understanding the Text

“The Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed” 1 Sam. 26:1–25. Once again David had an opportunity to kill Saul, this time while he slept surrounded by his army. Instead David took the king’s spear and water jug, and used these items to prove he had again spared his enemy. Saul promised to stop pursuing David, and admitted that David would “do great things and surely triumph.” The king might well have been sincere—for the moment. But sincere words are not sufficient evidence of reform. David knew by now that Saul was not worthy of trust. Despondent and afraid that “one of these days I will be destroyed,” David decided to leave Israel. We can give Saul the benefit of the doubt, and say that he was sincere when he made this promise. Sometimes you and I are sincere when we make commitments. But sincerity is not enough. Sincerity moves us to make commitments. But it takes integrity to keep them. We must guard against thinking that our own sincerity is enough when we make promises to others. We must be men and women of integrity. “David . . . went over to Achish . . . king of Gath” 1 Sam. 27:1–12. The Philistine ruler treated David as a mercenary leader, and gladly gave him a country town to live in. Achish expected David to live up to the mercenary code. David, however, raided Israel’s enemies, telling Achish that his raids were against Hebrew settlements. This deception was not to David’s credit. But David’s decision to leave Israel almost forced him to act deceptively. David intended to be king of Israel one day, and would never raid his own people. Yet David was in a position where he had to act as a subject of one of Israel’s most bitter enemies. David’s experience teaches us an important lesson. One way to avoid deceit is to stay out of situations where lies will seem necessary. “Find me a woman who is a medium” 1 Sam. 28:1–25. Saul was terrified by the size of the Philistine army that was drawn up against him. He received no answer when he went to God for guidance. So he ordered his retainers to locate a medium. The Old Testament called for the death of those who used sorcery, divination, or other occult practices (Lev. 19:31; Deut. 18:10–11). Saul himself had tried to rid the land of occult practitioners. In his fear, he now turned to dark forces for aid. The familiar story tells how stunned this “witch of Endor” was when the shadowy form of Samuel actually appeared. She may have been a channel for demonic expression, but she had no access to the spirits of the dead. Samuel told Saul clearly that it was too late for him. Israel would be defeated in the next battle with the Philistines, and Saul himself would be killed. It is possible for a person to wander so far from God that there is no way back to the place of blessing. Yet to the king who lived in paranoid terror, seeing conspiracy everywhere, death would be a gift. There are worse things than dying. One of them is living on after losing all sense of God’s presence. “I would be pleased to have you serve with me” 1 Sam. 29:1–11. As a vassal of Achish, David was obligated to have his fighting men join the Philistine army. What a dilemma this posed! The decision David had made when discouraged by Saul’s constant harassment placed him in an impossible situation. There is no record of David asking the Lord if he should move to Philistia. It’s important for us to learn not to make hasty decisions when we are emotionally drained and that it is never wise to make significant choices without carefully seeking God’s guidance. In this case, God rescued David again. The other Philistine rulers refused to let David serve with Achish, and so Achish apologetically sent David back home. Did David learn his lesson? Apparently. The next chapter tells us that he paused under the most intense pressure to consult the Lord before acting (cf. 30:7–8). It is bad enough when you or I make serious mistakes. It is worse if we fail to learn from them. “They had attacked Ziglag and burned it” 1 Sam. 30:1–31. Returning home, David found his village burned and the wives and children of his men captured. This was a devastating low point for David, as his own men were bitter enough to talk of stoning him. Now David consulted the Lord and was guided by the Urim and Thummim to follow and attack the raiders. The families were rescued, and David even had extra spoil taken from the raiders to give as gifts to various communities in Judah. His generosity served David well. It helped the people of Judah forget his flight to Philistia, and later Judah was the first tribe to recognize David as king. “Saul and three of his sons . . . died” 1 Sam. 31:1–13. Israel was defeated by the Philistines and Saul was killed. The text adds a touching note. The bodies of Saul and his sons were taken by night from the walls of a Philistine city where they had been nailed for display. This was done by the men of Jabesh Gilead. In his first act as king, Saul had saved that city from the Ammonites. Its citizens now repaid his kindness. During his long reign Saul had proved to be an effective military leader. And he was rightly honored by his people. If not for his one great flaw, the inability to trust and obey the Lord, Saul could have been a great king, and his godly son Jonathan a worthy successor. With Saul’s death, David’s fugitive years were over.

DEVOTIONAL

Moving to Philistia? (1 Sam. 27)

My 31-year-old son is a “starving artist.” No. Not one of the artists who contributes to the sales sponsored under that name. Paul is a very talented painter, totally committed to his art. And living on the wrong side of poverty. Paul can understand the pressure that David felt after months and years of narrow escapes from Saul. He can understand why David, deeply discouraged, finally decided to move to Philistia. Often my son has wondered if he shouldn’t just give up his art and take a job that promises more than a bare living. To him that would be as great a surrender as David’s decision to move into Philistine territory. It would be a denial of who he is, and who he is called by God to be. I can’t judge what my son should do. It hurts me deeply to see his struggles and not be able to help. Sometimes I think it would be easier for him just to give up. To let his exceptional talent go, and try to make a better living in this world. Then I remember David. He gave up. But among the Philistines David found himself forced to deny who he was-the future king of Israel. David lived a double life there, and was again forced to lie just to survive. There may be no guidance for my son in this period in David’s life. But there are principles that you and I need to live by. When life is hard, let’s guard against seeking the easy way out. All too often the “easy way” takes us into a situation in which we’re forced to compromise who we are just to survive.

Personal Application

Circumstances are seldom the best guide to God’s will.

Quotable

This stubborn, adolescent will of mine Is making me a spiritual delinquent! It drives me recklessly about on life’s freeways, At times endangering both myself and others along the way. If I bring it daily unto God in prayer, Surely He can curb these tendencies With His understanding love And gently bend it to His will and way During this difficult period of growing up Toward spiritual maturity.-Carolyn N. Rhea