November 12

“Each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it.” 1 Corinthians 3:13

If wood and hay are unsuitable building materials, how much more so is stubble. It seems to represent what is least reliable of all in the unsubstantial realm of man’s efforts. Whenever we build for God according to our feelings, according to the whim of the moment or the applause of the crowd, we are building with stubble. The day will declare it.

Labors that are governed, not by God’s program but by our own fickle emotions, may seem to make such progress at times, but may just as easily fade out. It is so possible to reflect the changing moods of the weather, depending on the wind of revival to arouse an emotional effort that is here today and gone tomorrow. God has made provision in Christ for better, more solid construction than that, as the day will ultimately declare.

November 11

“And behold, I am with thee; . . . I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Genesis 28:15

God is an acting God. We may think that hearing sound doctrine is the only means of grace; but his means are practical, the chastening of experience, the provision of a host of different circumstances in our lives for training and profit. We may, like Jacob, represent unpromising material for him, but he works on patiently with us. He is more tenacious than we are in the pursuit of his goal.

And here is further ground for encouragement. We do not have to know what work is needed or how it is to be realized in order that God may effect what he has set out to do with us. The most unpromising people of all are those who are wrong but who do not know it; yet even so God has his own way of bringing light into their darkness. In his own time and his own way he will finish the task he has set himself.

November 10

“Arise, get thee to Zarephath: . . . behold, I have commanded a widow there to sustain thee.” 1 Kings 17:9

Because of our proneness to look at the bucket and forget the fountain, God has frequently to change his means of supply to keep our eyes fixed on the source. So the heavens that before sent us welcome showers become as brass, the streams that refreshed us are allowed to dry up, and the ravens that brought our daily food visit us no longer. But then God surprises us by meeting our needs through a poor widow woman, and so we prove the marvelous resources of God.

We are the representatives of God in this world, and we are here to prove his faithfulness. Our attitudes, our words, and our actions must all declare that he alone is our source of supply, or he will be robbed of the glory that is his due. He who sees in secret will take note of our needs, and he will meet them, not in stinted measure, but “according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

November 9

“And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church.” Matthew 16:18

Remember that shortly after this the Lord had to say to Simon Peter, “Get behind me, Satan.” How could a man overcome by Satan be used to build up a Church against which the gates of Hades were to prove ineffective? We know he could not. Although Simon had received the name Petros, “a rock," his character did not correspond to his name; so as yet he was unable to use the keys of the kingdom.

No one who is of an irresolute temperament can exercise a ministry of opening the doors to welcome men into life. There must be a correspondence between the character of the minister and the confident, even defiant, truth he ministers; namely, that Jesus has died and risen again victorious over death. For Peter, that still lay ahead. But alas, death’s gates do prevail over much Christian work, because his servants lack that confidence! Praise God—the cross of Christ released resources enough to transform Peter and to deliver from death all who place their trust in Christ.

November 8

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13

We find in John chapters 14, 15, and 16 that the Lord constantly uses the phrase “in my name.” Not only does this indicate to us that he will receive from the Father a name above all names. It tells us also that his name is something which his disciples may use. The name of Jesus is what he has received from God: “in the name of Jesus” is what the children of God share. He has trusted us with something of tremendous value. Do we recognize it as the greatest trust which he could have committed to us? Sometimes we say to a friend, “Go and tell so and so to do this or that,” adding, “If he questions it, tell him I say so.” This is what is implied by “in my name.” It simply means using the name with the power behind it. You give your name with its authority to a certain person; and you are then responsible for whatever he does using your name. The name of the Lord Jesus is unique, a name above all names, nevertheless, he is willing to entrust his name to us, and himself to take responsibility for our use of it. Do we truly appreciate the honor he does

us?

November 7

“And David danced before Jehovah with all his might and David was girded with a linen ephod.” 2 Samuel 6:14

Michal, the daughter of Saul, saw her husband dancing before the ark of God and despised him in her heart. He ought, she believed, to maintain his dignity as king, just as her own father had tried to do. But David viewed things differently. In the presence of God he saw himself as base and contemptible, having no special standing whatever. Though on the throne he was Israel’s king, before the ark of God he was on the same level as his subjects.

Even after God had rejected him, King Saul had sought to save his face by asking Samuel the prophet to honor him before the nation. Now Michal was making the same mistake. Born in the palace herself, she considered that David merited the dignity of king in God's presence. Perhaps, like her father, she too had her own majesty to think of. That way lies fruitlessness. The one who wields true authority is otherwise. He will not be high-minded, grasping to serve his position, but meek and humble before God, a model to his people.