Evening, May 25
<< Evening, May 25 >>
For I know the vast number of your sins
        and the depth of your rebellions.
You oppress good people by taking bribes
        and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.
Insight
Why does God put so much emphasis on the way we treat the poor and needy? How we treat the rich, or those of equal standing, often reflects what we hope to get from them. But because the poor can give us nothing, how we treat them reflects our true character.
Challenge
Do we, like Christ, give without thought of gain? We should treat the poor as we would like God to treat us.
Luke 24:33,35  And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem ... and they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them.

When the two disciples had reached Emmaus, and were refreshing themselves at the evening meal, the mysterious stranger who had so enchanted them upon the road, took bread and brake it, made himself known to them, and then vanished out of their sight. They had constrained him to abide with them, because the day was far spent; but now, although it was much later, their love was a lamp to their feet, yea, wings also; they forgot the darkness, their weariness was all gone, and forthwith they journeyed back the threescore furlongs to tell the gladsome news of a risen Lord, who had appeared to them by the way. They reached the Christians in Jerusalem, and were received by a burst of joyful news before they could tell their own tale. These early Christians were all on fire to speak of Christ's resurrection, and to proclaim what they knew of the Lord; they made common property of their experiences. This evening let their example impress us deeply. We too must bear our witness concerning Jesus. John's account of the sepulchre needed to be supplemented by Peter; and Mary could speak of something further still; combined, we have a full testimony from which nothing can be spared. We have each of us peculiar gifts and special manifestations; but the one object God has in view is the perfecting of the whole body of Christ. We must, therefore, bring our spiritual possessions and lay them at the apostle's feet, and make distribution unto all of what God has given to us. Keep back no part of the precious truth, but speak what you know, and testify what you have seen. Let not the toil or darkness, or possible unbelief of your friends, weigh one moment in the scale. Up, and be marching to the place of duty, and there tell what great things God has shown to your soul.


Revelation 2:18  "And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this:

Jeremiah 17:9,10  "The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? • "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds.

Psalm 90:8  You have placed our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

Luke 22:61,62  The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, "Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times." • And he went out and wept bitterly.

John 2:24,25  But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, • and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man.

Psalm 103:14  For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.

Isaiah 42:3  "A bruised reed He will not break And a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice.

2 Timothy 2:19  Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness."

John 10:14,27,28  "I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, • "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; • and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ? 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

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