Daily Bible Notes: June, 17th
The following daily bible notes for every day of the year, are taken from six public domain sources:
- "Morning and Evening" by Charles H.Spurgeon
- "My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year" by John H.Jowett
- "Yet Another Day - A Prayer for Every Day of the Year" by John H.Jowett
- "The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith" by Charles H.Spurgeon
- "The Morning Message" by G.Campbell Morgan
- An Evening Meditation from "Searchlights from the Word" by G. Campbell Morgan
1. "Morning and Evening" by C.H.Spurgeon
Morning
Help, Lord.
Psalm 12:1
The prayer itself is remarkable, for it is short, but seasonable, sententious, and suggestive. David mourned the fewness of faithful men, and therefore lifted up his heart in supplication - when the creature failed, he flew to the Creator. He evidently felt his own weakness, or he would not have cried for help; but at the same time he intended honestly to exert himself for the cause of truth, for the word "help" is inapplicable where we ourselves do nothing. There is much of directness, clearness of perception, and distinctness of utterance in this petition of two words; much more, indeed, than in the long rambling outpourings of certain professors. The Psalmist runs straight-forward to his God, with a well-considered prayer; he knows what he is seeking, and where to seek it. Lord, teach us to pray in the same blessed manner. The occasions for the use of this prayer are frequent. In providential afflictions how suitable it is for tried believers who find all helpers failing them. Students, in doctrinal difficulties, may often obtain aid by lifting up this cry of "Help, Lord," to the Holy Spirit, the great Teacher. Spiritual warriors in inward conflicts may send to the throne for reinforcements, and this will be a model for their request. Workers in heavenly labour may thus obtain grace in time of need. Seeking sinners, in doubts and alarms, may offer up the same weighty supplication; in fact, in all these cases, times, and places, this will serve the turn of needy souls. "Help, Lord," will suit us living and dying, suffering or labouring, rejoicing or sorrowing. In Him our help is found, let us not beslack to cry to Him. The answer to the prayer is certain, if it be sincerely offered through Jesus.
The Lord’s character assures us that He will not leave His people; His relationship as Father and Husband guarantee us His aid; His gift of Jesus is a pledge of every good thing; and His sure promise stands, "Fear not, I WILL HELP THEE."
Evening
Then Israel sang this song, Spring up, O well; sing ye unto it.
Numbers 21:17
Famous was the well of Beer in the wilderness, because it was the subject of a promise: "That is the well whereof the Lord spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water." The people needed water, and it was promised by their gracious God. We need fresh supplies of heavenly grace, and in the covenant the Lord has pledged Himself to give all we require. The well next became the cause of a song.
Before the water gushed forth, cheerful faith prompted the people to sing; and as they saw the crystal fount bubbling up, the music grew yet more joyous. In like manner, we who believe the promise of God should rejoice in the prospect of divine revivals in our souls, and as we experience them our holy joy should overflow. Are we thirsting? Let us not murmur, but sing. Spiritual thirst is bitter to bear, but we need not bear it - the promise indicates a well; let us be of good heart, and look for it. Moreover, the well was the centre of prayer. "Spring up, O well." What God has engaged to give, we must enquire after, or we manifest that we have neither desire nor faith. This evening let us ask that the Scripture we have read, and our devotional exercises, may not be an empty formality, but a channel of grace to our souls. O that God the Holy Spirit would work in us with all His mighty power, filling us with all the fulness of God. Lastly, the well was the object of effort. "The nobles of the people digged it with their staves." The Lord would have us active in obtaining grace. Our staves are ill adapted for digging in the sand, but we must use them to the utmost of our ability. Prayer must not be neglected; the assembling of ourselves together must not be forsaken; ordinances must not be slighted. The Lord will give us His peace most plenteously, but not in a way of idleness. Let us, then, bestir ourselves to seek Him in whom are all our fresh springs.
2. "My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year" by J.H.Jowett
Exodus 33:12-23
12 Moses said to the LORD, "Behold, you tell me, 'Bring up this people;' and you haven't let me know whom you will send with me. Yet you have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found favour in my sight.'
13 Now therefore, if I have found favour in your sight, please show me your way, now, that I may know you, so that I may find favour in your sight; and consider that this nation is your people."
14 He said, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."
15 Moses said to him, "If your presence doesn't go with me, don't carry us up from here.
16 For how would people know that I have found favour in your sight, I and your people? Isn't it that you go with us, so that we are separated, I and your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?"
17 The LORD said to Moses, "I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favour in my sight, and I know you by name."
18 Moses said, "Please show me your glory."
19 He said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the LORD's name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy."
20 He said, "You cannot see my face, for man may not see me and live."
21 The LORD also said, "Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock.
22 It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with my hand until I have passed by;
23 then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back; but my face shall not be seen."
THE INVISIBLE PRESENCE
"Show me Thy glory."
Moses wist not what he asked. His speech was beyond his knowledge. The answer to his request would have consumed him. He asked for the blazing noon when as yet he could only bear the quiet shining of the dawn. The good Lord lets in the light as our eyes are able to bear it. The revelation is tempered to our growth. The pilgrim could bear a brightness in Beulah land that he could not have borne at the wicket-gate; and the brilliance of the entry into the celebrated city throws the splendours of Beulah into the shade. Yes, the gracious Lord will unveil His glory as our "senses are exercised to receive it."
"My Presence shall go with thee." That is all the glory we need upon the immediate road. His companionship means everything. The real glory is to possess God; let Him show us His inheritance as it shall please Him. Life's glory is to "feel Him near." When the loving wife feels that the husband is in the house, and when the loving husband feels that the wife is in the house, that is everything! The joy of each other's presence is the crown of married bliss. And so it is with the soul that is married to the Lord: His presence is the soul's delight. "Thou, O Christ, art all I want." "O Master, let me walk with Thee."
3. "Yet Another Day - A Prayer for Every Day of the Year" by John H.Jowett
June 17th.
Gracious Lord, may I learn the meaning of Thy meekness! Teach me that it is the secret of power. May I discover my
strength in aiding the weakness of others! May I find my throne by bearing the yoke of my fellows!
4. "The Cheque Book of the Bank of Faith" by C.H.Spurgeon.
For the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.
Deuteronomy 20:4
We have no enemies but the enemies of God. Our fights are not against men, but against spiritual wickednesses. We war with the devil, and the blasphemy, and error, and despair, which he brings into the field of battle. We fight with all the armies of sin - impurity, drunkenness, oppression, infidelity, and ungodliness. With these we contend earnestly, but not with sword or spear; the weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
Jehovah, our God, abhors everything which is evil, and, therefore, he goeth with us to fight for us in this crusade. He will save us, and he will give us grace to war a good warfare, and win the victory. We may depend upon it that if we are on God's side God is on our side. With such an august ally the conflict is never in the least degree doubtful. It is not that truth is mighty and must prevail, but that might lies with the Father who is Almighty, with Jesus who has all power in heaven and in earth, and with the Holy Spirit who worketh his will among men.
Soldiers of Christ, gird on your armour. Strike home in the name of the God of holiness, and by faith grasp his salvation. Let not this day pass without striking a blow for Jesus and holiness.
5. "The Morning Message" by G.Campbell Morgan.
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty.
Job 5:17
This we know, that what He wills is best, so to His chastisements we render ourselves that we may find His great reward.
6. "An Evening Meditation" taken from "Searchlights from the Word" by G.Campbell Morgan.
Verily, there is a God that judgeth in the earth.
Psalms 58:11
The theme of this Psalm is that of judgment, not as punishment merely, but in the broadest and truest sense of true government. Its first movement is that of an invective condemnation of those who are governing wrongly, whose methods are those of wickedness and violence, and who are deaf to the appeal for justice. The second movement is a passionate appeal to God, the final Judge, to sweep away these false judges, so that they may no more misgovern men. The last movement is a confident affirmation that this is the very thing which God will do, and a statement of the result, that by such action men will be brought to know that there is a God that judgeth the earth. The sorrows of humanity multiply under false systems of government, whether they are autocratic or democratic. There is only one hope for man, namely, that they are brought to the hour when they shall say: "Verily, there is a God that judgeth in the earth." How slow men are to discover this fact and to yield themselves to it! And how persistently God moves towards the compelling of that conviction! How have we seen Him breaking the teeth of the oppressor, and weakening all the strength of the evil governors! Nevertheless, man sees slowly, and even yet is in dire peril of setting up other false methods of government. Every method is false which fails to reckon with God. Our confidence is in Him, and in the assurance that He will never abandon man to his folly, but will bring him at last to right relationship with Himself.
Note: To the best of our knowledge we are of the understanding that the above material, all published before 1926 and freely available elsewhere on the internet in various formats, is in the public domain.