FAHAMUDROID

From the Heart — Day 273 of 365 Peter's Restoration, September 30 Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these? John 21:15 . Peter never forgot the painful scene of his humiliation. He did not forget his denial of Christ and think that, after all, it was not a very great sin.... No restoration can be complete unless it reaches to the very depth of the soul by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Under the Holy Spirit's influence, Peter stood before a congregation of thousands and in holy boldness charged the wicked priests and rulers with the very sin of which he himself had been guilty.... Three times after His resurrection, Christ tested Peter. “Simon, son of Jonas,” He said, “lovest ...

From the Heart — Day 272 of 365 Learning From Peter's Experience, September 29 If I have to die with You, I will not deny You! Mark 14:31 . The reason so many of Christ's professed disciples fall into grievous temptation is that they have not a correct knowledge of themselves. Here is where Peter was so thoroughly sifted by the enemy. If we could understand our own weakness, we should see so much to do for ourselves that we would humble our hearts under the mighty hand of God. Hanging our helpless souls upon Christ, we would supplement our ignorance with His wisdom, our weakness with His strength, our frailty with His enduring might.... Mark the course pursued by Peter. His fall was not instantaneous, but gradual. Step...

From the Heart — Day 271 of 365 Mary's Offering, September 28 Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. Mark 14:6 . The feast at Simon's house brought together many of the Jews, for they knew that Christ was there. They came not only to see Jesus, but many were curious to see one who had been raised from the dead. They thought that Lazarus would have some wonderful experience to relate, and were surprised that he told them nothing.... Lazarus had a wonderful testimony to bear, however, in regard to the work of Christ. He had been raised from the dead for this purpose. He was a living testimony to the divine power. With assurance and power he declared that Jesus was the Son of God.... At the feast the Sav...

From the Heart — Day 270 of 365 Judas and John Contrasted, September 27 Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me. John 13:21 . The opportunities and advantages offered to John were given to Judas also. The same principles of truth were set before his understanding; the same example in the character of Christ was his to contemplate and imitate. But Judas failed to become a doer of the words of Christ. Evil temper, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts, were cherished until Satan had full control of the man. John walked in the light and improved the opportunities given him to overcome; but Judas chose his defects and refused to be transformed into the image of Christ, and therefore became a representative of t...

From the Heart — Day 269 of 365 Miraculous Transformation, September 26 The Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them. Luke 9:56 . John was the disciple whom Jesus loved, because he was believing and trustful and loved his Master with devotion. His love for Christ was characterized by simplicity and ardor. There are many who think that this love for Christ was something natural to the character of John, and the disciple is frequently represented by the artist as of a soft, languid, feminine appearance, but such representations are incorrect. John and his brother were called the “sons of thunder.” John was a man of decided character, but he had learned lessons from the great Teacher. He had de...

From the Heart — Day 268 of 365 An Example of Trust and Prayer, September 25 But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Daniel 6:16 . On account of his praying to God, Daniel was cast into the lions' den.... But Daniel continued to pray, even among the lions. Did God forget His faithful servant and suffer him to be destroyed? Oh, no; Jesus, the mighty Commander of the hosts of heaven, sent His angels to close the mouths of those hungry lions, that they should not hurt the praying man of God; and all was peace in that terrible den. The king witnessed the miraculous preservation of Daniel and brought him out with honors, while those who had plotted his destruct...

From the Heart — Day 267 of 365 Daniel's Commitment to God, September 24 He was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:4 . When Darius set over the provinces of his kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, and over these, three presidents to whom the princes were to give account, we read that “Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” But evil angels, fearing the influence of this good man over the king and in the affairs of the kingdom, stirred up the presidents and princes to envy. These wicked men watched Daniel closely, that they might find some fault in him which they could repor...

From the Heart — Day 266 of 365 Simple Faith Rewarded, September 23 All this assembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands. 1 Samuel 17:47 . What an inspiration of courage and lofty faith was displayed by the simple shepherd before the armies of the Israelites and the Philistines. There was a ring of fearlessness in his tone, a look of triumph and rejoicing upon his fair countenance.... As David's rich voice uttered the words of trust and triumph, the anger of Goliath was roused to the very highest heat. In his rage, he pushed up the helmet that protected his forehead and rushed with determined hatred to wreak vengeance upon his o...

From the Heart — Day 265 of 365 Acting on Faith, September 22 You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 1 Samuel 17:45 . He [David] laid off the king's armor and in its stead took only his staff in his hand, with his shepherd's pouch, and a simple sling. Choosing five smooth stones out of the brook, he put them in his bag, and with his sling in his hand he drew near to the Philistine. The champion strode boldly and proudly forward, expecting to meet with the mightiest of the warriors of Israel. His armor-bearer walked before him, and he looked as if nothing could stand before him. As he came nea...

From the Heart — Day 264 of 365 Simple Faith, September 21 And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.” 1 Samuel 17:10 . For forty days the host of Israel had trembled before the haughty challenge of Goliath, the Philistine giant. Their hearts failed within them as they looked upon his massive form, measuring six cubits and a span, or ten and a half feet [nearly 3.2 meters] in height. Upon his head was a helmet of brass; he was clothed with a coat of mail that weighed five thousand shekels, or about a hundred and fifty-seven pounds [more than 70 kilograms]; and he had greaves of brass upon his legs. The coat was made of plates of brass that overlaid one ano...

From the Heart — Day 263 of 365 God Provides, September 20 Nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net. Luke 5:5 . John was one of the first to acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah. He had listened to the preaching of John the Baptist and knew that he was sent as the forerunner of Him who was the Hope of Israel. To John and Andrew the Baptist pointed out Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” ... Jesus saw them following Him and welcomed them to His humble abode. They remained with Him that night, and when they left His presence, it was with their faith in His divine character and mission fully confirmed. Andrew went in search of his own brother, Simon, and brought him to Jesus with the welcome announcement, “We have fo...

From the Heart — Day 262 of 365 God's Victory, September 19 Then the Lord said to Gideon, “By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you.” Judges 7:7 . After the overthrow of the Midianites, the tidings spread swiftly far and wide that Israel's God had again fought for His people. No words can describe the terror of the surrounding nations when they learned what simple means had prevailed against all the power and skill of a bold, warlike race. Wherever the news spread, all felt that the victory must be ascribed to God alone. Thus the Lord's name was glorified, the faith of Israel strengthened, and their enemies were brought to shame and confusion. It is not safe for God's people to adopt ...

From the Heart — Day 261 of 365 God's Overarching Love, September 18 The sword of the Lord and of Gideon! Judges 7:18 . The Lord Himself directed Gideon's mind in the adoption of a plan.... [Gideon] divided his three hundred men into three companies. To every man was given a trumpet, and a pitcher containing a lighted lamp. He then stationed his men in such a manner that they surrounded the entire camp of Midian. They had been previously instructed how to proceed, and at midnight, at a signal from Gideon, all the three companies blew their trumpets, uncovered their lamps, and broke the pitchers, at the same time shouting, “The sword of the Lord, and of Gideon!” The light of three hundred lamps piercing the mi...

From the Heart — Day 260 of 365 Eavesdropping, September 17 Go down to the camp with Purah your servant, and you shall hear what they say. Judges 7:10, 11 . When Gideon stood at the head of thirty thousand men to make war against the Midianites, he felt that unless God should work for Israel, their cause would be hopeless. At the divine command the Hebrew force had been reduced by successive tests until there remained with him only three hundred men to oppose that countless multitude. What wonder that his heart sank within him as he thought of the conflict of the morrow. But the Lord did not leave His faithful servant to despair. He spoke to Gideon in the night season, and bade him, with Phurah, his trusty attendant, go down to ...

From the Heart — Day 259 of 365 Qualifications of the Chosen, September 16 The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, “My own hand has saved me.” Judges 7:2 . Gideon's courage was greatly strengthened by the tokens of divine favor vouchsafed to him. Without delay he went out with his forces to give battle to the Midianites. But now another severe trial of faith awaited him. With the immense host of invaders spread out before him—the thirty-two thousand of the Hebrews seeming, in contrast, like a mere handful—the word of the Lord came to him, “The people that are with thee are too many for me to gi...

From the Heart — Day 258 of 365 The Need for More Trust, September 15 It was dry on the fleece only, but there was dew on all the ground. Judges 6:40 . Gideon deeply felt his own insufficiency for the great work before him. He dared not place himself at the head of the army without positive evidence that God had called him to this work and that He would be with him. He prayed, “If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said.” The Lord granted the prayer of His servant. In the morning the fleece was wet w...

From the Heart — Day 257 of 365 Righteousness Gains the Victory, September 14 The Lord said to him, “... tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it.” Judges 6:25 . The deliverer of Israel must declare war upon idolatry before he went to battle with the enemies of his people. He must esteem the honor of God above the credit of his father and regard the divine commands as more obligatory than parental authority. The offering of sacrifice unto the Lord had been committed to the priests and Levites and had been restricted to the altar at Shiloh, but He who had established the Jewish economy, and to whom all its services pointed, had power to change its requirements. ...