HE HATH SAID- CHARLES SPURGEON

"He hath said"--Hebrews 13:5

If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering
weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged
sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound
before this arrow from the bow of God’s covenant? Will not the distresses
of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the
snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from
beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath
the bulwark of “He hath said”? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or
for strength in our conflict, “He hath said” must be our daily resort. And
this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There
may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you
may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like
prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which
would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for
it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There
may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may
yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover
what “He hath said.” Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories
richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men;
you treasure up the verses of renowned poets;ought you not to be profound
in your knowledge of the words of God, sothat you may be able to quote them
readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since “He
hath said” is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it
dwell in you richly, as “A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life.” So
shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.

(From Morning and Evening for February 21st; morning)

GOD'S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGNTY- BY W.F. BELL

SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS

Exodus 15:18; Psalm 66:7; Acts 17:29

Many today flippantly talk about "God" like they do their fellow-workers or their neighbors. Sadly, this is taking the holy "Name" of our Creator "in vain" (Exodus 20:7). "God" is invisible to the natural eye, so men suppose they can flick "him" around like a cigarette butt, or kick "him" around like a football. To our modern world the concept of an "absolute, sovereign, holy" Creator-Judge-Redeemer is so out of place, very few even want to think about it. May we not be guilty of this, but may we truly meditate on His greatness and glory, being given eyes to see by faith "Him who is invisible" (Hebrews 11:27).

The Bible is either God's infallible revelation of Himself to us or it is not. Scripture has proven its trustworthiness through the centuries, and we have personally found it true and worthy of our study. So let us all be reminded of these powerful verses: "The Lord shall reign forever and ever" (Exodus 15:18). "He rules by His power forever; His eyes observe the nations; do not let the rebellious exalt themselves" (Psalm 66:7). "Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising" (Acts 17:29).

These three verses alone tell us much about the God of the Bible. "He SHALL reign forever." He does not "try" to reign if only we "let Him." "He RULES by His power." He has no problem ruling, and He "observes the nations." He sees all, knows all, upholds all, and holds all accountable, but is accountable to no one! God is not "like gold or silver or stone," which men's gods are made of. He moves and talks, but dead idols cannot. He made us, but no one made Him. He is totally and absolutely sovereign, meaning He does as He pleases, and acts totally independent of all creatures and His creation (Psalm 135:6). God's "Divine Nature" is His Godhead, which means He cannot be fully understood or explained, so there is no need to try.

The infinite God of heaven and earth fills all space and time. In other words, He is "omnipresent" (Psalm 139:7). God cannot be frustrated in any sense (Isaiah 46:9-10). He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). You cannot say that about any creature of time. God's purpose is to make a people like Himself, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, He has an "eternal purpose" whether men believe it or not, whether they understand it or not (Ephesians 3:11). "Purpose" or "decree" is not what mortal men love to think about, for it puts us in the dust. But when it comes to the true and living God, that is what we have. And God is jealous for His own Name and cause, and some day all men shall acknowledge Him to be the one and only Absolute Sovereign of the universe, for "The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). How long, beloved? "Forever and ever."

QUOTE FOR THE DAY

"God governs the world, and we have only to do our duty wisely, and leave the issue to Him." John Jay