The Medical Missionary, vol. 13

July 1904

“Daily Bread for Christian Workers” The Medical Missionary 13, 7.

EJW

E. J. Waggoner

Friday, July 1. I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. Psalm 30:1.

It should be remembered that we do not have to wait until the end before we can use these words. David’s enemies were not all dead, by any means; but, trusting in the Lord, he was as sure of the final outcome as if all conflicts were over. Remember this, that even though our enemies do rejoice over us, and taunt us with our seeming defeat and their victory, it is not the Lord who has caused them to do so; and nothing can stand except that which the Lord does. Only the word of the Lord endures forever, and he has spoken peace to us. MEDM July 1904, page 212.1

Sabbath, July 2. O Lord, my God, I cried a unto thee, and thou hast healed me. Psalm 30:2. MEDM July 1904, page 212.2

You say, “But I have cried unto the Lord for healing, and he hasn’t healed me.” The reason for it is plainly to be seen in the doubt implied in your complaint. We are too apt to forget that true prayer consists of cries of joy and thanksgiving, as well as of desire. The thanksgiving must be expressed before the desired end is in sight, for nothing else is compatible with faith. The free gift of life-healing life-has been bestowed upon all; the faith that profits by the gift thanks God for it before the senses perceive it. The ten lepers were not healed until, in obedience to Christ’s instructions, they were on their way to the high priest to get his certificate to their healing. MEDM July 1904, page 212.3

Sunday, July 3. O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Psalm 30:3. MEDM July 1904, page 212.4

This is true of every person on earth, even of those who have never suffered from any severe illness. Our very existence is evidence of God’s power manifested in raising the dead. The apostle Paul, speaking of Christ’s death and resurrection, says, “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” (Ephesians 4:9) and the psalmist, speaking of his own birth, says, “My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.” (Psalm 139:15.) All who die go back to the earth from which they were taken. Everybody who is alive may, therefore, with all his heart give expression to the words of our text for to-day. MEDM July 1904, page 212.5

Monday, July 4. Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness; for his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life. Psalm 30:3, 4. MEDM July 1904, page 212.6

We are to give thanks at the remembrance or memorial of God’s holiness; and the evidence of his holiness is the fact that his grace far exceeds his wrath. Where sin abounds, grace superabounds. Almost, if not quite, all other versions than the English render verse 5 as in the margin of the Revision: “His anger endureth but a moment; but his favor a life-time.” God visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children in whom the same iniquities are manifested, but only to the third and fourth generations; while he shows mercy to thousands of generations of those that keep his commandments. MEDM July 1904, page 212.7

Tuesday, July 5. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Isaiah 30:5. MEDM July 1904, page 212.8

Endure is too strong a word to apply to weeping, and the Hebrew text does not warrant it in this place. The Norwegian version has it, “In the evening weeping comes as a guest;” and this agrees with the margin of our Revised Version, which gives the following literal rendering of the Hebrew: “Weeping may come in to lodge at even.” Why does it come at evening?-Because in the dark, and especially when we are weary, we are likely to be cast down by that which, in the freshness of the morning light, is seen to be of no consequence. Weeping does not come to stay; and if we would only Iook at evening and see things in the light of day, as becomes children of the day, we should not even give it a night’s lodging. We need not, for we are told to “rejoice in the Lord alway.” MEDM July 1904, page 212.9

Wednesday, July 6. In my prosperity, I said, I shall never be moved. Psalm 30:6. MEDM July 1904, page 213.1

That is better than many do; for it is not uncommon for people to mar all their manifest prosperity by fears of future ill. Still there isn’t much virtue in feeling confident when there is no adversity in sight. Far better is it to have our eyes open to see God always before us, and to know that because he is at our right hand in trouble, “a very present help,” we shall not be moved even by the storm and cloud of affliction. MEDM July 1904, page 213.2

Thursday, July 7. Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountains to stand strong. Psalm 30:7. MEDM July 1904, page 213.3

That is why we can say with confidence, not only in prosperity, but in adversity as well, “I shall never be moved. “They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever.” (Psalm 125:1, 2.) It is better to have the Lord round about us than to be surrounded with mountain fortifications; for he sets the mountains fast by his power, and “the strength of the hills is his also.” MEDM July 1904, page 213.4

Friday, July 8. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. Psalm 30:11. MEDM July 1904, page 213.5

Many sincere people have clothed themselves with sackcloth, or worn hair shirts, supposing that they would thereby please God, and win his favor. Others who do not actually put on the sackcloth, go about with as drawn and pitiful expressions as if they had it on, because they think that a smiling face is displeasing to heaven. All such should learn that God never clothes people with sackcloth. None need think to gain his favor by torturing themselves. If all would but submit to him, and allow him to have his own way with them, he would speedily give them “beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” MEDM July 1904, page 213.6

Sabbath, July 9. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities. Psalm 31:7. MEDM July 1904, page 213.7

There are many “fair-weather friends” in this world; but the Lord is not one of them. He is not one who is friendly in our prosperity, but who does not know us in adversity. Yet many people regard him as such, thinking and saying when trouble comes that God has forgotten them. He cannot forget us in affliction, because he himself suffers it. It is not merely that he shares our affliction; the case is just the reverse; all trouble comes primarily on the Lord, and when we suffer we but share a portion of his suffering. Assured that God knows us in adversity, we may be unmoved though supposed friends know us not. MEDM July 1904, page 213.8

Sunday, July 10. Thou hast not shut me up into the hands of the enemy; thou hast set my feet in a large room. Psalm 31:8. MEDM July 1904, page 213.9

The Lord delights in liberty, and never deprives anybody of it. It is Satan that keeps a prison; the Lord has none. Moreover, it is absolutely impossible for the enemy to shut up anybody against his will; for nothing can succeed except what the Lord does, and he, instead of shutting people up, opens the prison doors. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17); and his Spirit is everywhere (Psalm 139:7-10). God fills all things (Jeremiah 23:24); therefore the soul that dwells in God, has unlimited room. MEDM July 1904, page 213.10

Monday, July 11. Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am in trouble. Psalm 31:9. MEDM July 1904, page 213.11

This is our recommendation to the mercy of the Lord. It is our rags, our filth, our hunger, our sickness, and our forsaken condition that plead for us with him; and no such plea is ever made in vain. “The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy” (James 5:11), and where he sees affliction, he is always “moved with compassion.” If we are in trouble and distress, then we may be sure that the Lord is more attentive to us, if possible, than at any other time. He “comforteth us in all our tribulation.” MEDM July 1904, page 213.12

Tuesday, July 12. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6. MEDM July 1904, page 213.13

“And this is the word which by the Gospel is preached unto you.” The last announcement of the Gospel message, the fulness of it, to prepare people for the coming of the Lord, calls upon them to worship God especially as the one who made heaven and earth and sea. The reason for this is that the Gospel is the application of the power of creation to human lives. He who can create can do anything: and those who always recognize God’s eternal power and divinity, and who continually worship him as Creator, can never depart from him, nor be overcome by the enemy. MEDM July 1904, page 213.14

Wednesday, July 13. Let all the earth fear Me Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him; for he spoke and it was, he commanded and it stood fast. Psalm 33:8, 9. MEDM July 1904, page 213.15

No one can see the great mountains, or view the sea when the storm has lashed it to fury, without a feeling of awe; but the power that inspires this awe is that of God. “Fear ye not me? saith the Lord: will ye not tremble at my presence, which have placed the sand for the bound of the sea by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass it: and though the waves thereof toss themselves, yet can they not prevail; though they roar, yet can they not pass over it?” (Jeremiah 5:22.) He who can make the shifting sand a bound for the mighty waves of the sea, can make feeble humanity a bulwark against the rage of Satan. MEDM July 1904, page 214.1

Thursday, July 14. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Psalm 33:11. MEDM July 1904, page 214.2

The Lord can never be taken by surprise or thrown into confusion. That which he has promised, he is fully able to perform. Every purpose of his will be carried out to the minutest detail, no matter who or how many set themselves against it. Read the text for to-day, and then remember that “we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11, R.V.), and that his thoughts toward us are “thoughts of peace and not of evil,” to give us an expected end. MEDM July 1904, page 214.3

Friday, July 15. Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Psalm 35:1. MEDM July 1904, page 214.4

The reader should know that the word rendered “plead’ in this verse is in the Hebrew text identical with the one rendered “strive;” thus the literal rendering is given in the Revision: “Strive thou, O Lord, with them that strive with me.” The sum of the matter is that God makes himself responsible for our case, and proposes to do all our fighting for us. Whoever attacks us has God to contend with; his victory is our victory; and we may be confident in the assurance that in order to overcome us while we are trusting in God, the devil would have to overcome God himself. MEDM July 1904, page 214.5

Sabbath, July 16. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Psalm 35:2. MEDM July 1904, page 214.6

No prayer for help can ever be offered to the Lord in vain. We may make foolish requests-requests for things that would be harmful for us; but no cry of need, no plea for help in trouble, no matter from whom, was ever unheeded by the Lord. Whoever asks for help, asks according to God’s will, and may be sure of receiving that for which he asks. What a comfort to know that whenever any foes assail us, God himself takes his weapons and stands up for our defense. MEDM July 1904, page 214.7

Sunday, July 17. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me. Psalm 35:3. MEDM July 1904, page 214.8

How often, when we are in trouble, if our eyes could be opened to discern spiritual realities, we should see a column of armed warriors standing between us and the enemy, guarding us from danger. The province of faith is to enable us to see them, even when they are invisible, and to give us the same sense of security as if with our natural eyes we saw God with a spear in his hand, stopping the way of our pursuers. The devil knows that he has no power against the Lord, and will not attempt to make any stand against him; but he endeavors by roaring to frighten us so that we will flee from our place of shelter, and allow him to seize us when we are defenseless. MEDM July 1904, page 214.9

Monday, July 18. Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Psalm 35:3. MEDM July 1904, page 214.10

We must not think that by this prayer we induce God to speak words of encouragement to us that he has not before thought of. It is he who teaches us to pray. The need of which we are conscious, and which moves us to ask for help, is known to us only by God’s offer of the help which will supply it. This prayer is only for the purpose of making us realize that the great God himself is indeed our salvation. It is not enough to say that he saves us: he is the salvation, saving by his own life. MEDM July 1904, page 214.11

Tuesday, July 19. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul, let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Psalm 35:4. MEDM July 1904, page 214.12

Although David wrote this psalm, the Spirit of Christ in him (compare 2 Samuel 22:1, 2 and 1 Peter 1:10, 11) prompted the words. This, therefore, is Christ’s own prayer, not a prayer for himself alone, but one which he utters in and for afflicted humanity. When the mob came out against Jesus, they went backward and fell to the ground as soon as he spoke (John 18:6); our text teaches us that it may be even the same with those who come out against us. We must not wait until we see such things ourselves, before we trust; but the words of the Lord must beget such confidence in us that we shall see them. MEDM July 1904, page 214.13

Wednesday, July 20. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the Lord chase them. Psalm 35:5. MEDM July 1904, page 214.14

Our faith in God’s protecting care is assured by the completeness with which we commit the keeping of ourselves to him. To worry about the future, about support and protection, is the characteristic of heathenism. (See Matthew 6:31, 32.) Our confidence in God as our defense is shown by our refraining from tempting to defend ourselves. Whenever we undertake to defend ourselves from any kind of attack, we show that we do not believe that God will put our persecutors to flight, and save us. MEDM July 1904, page 214.15

Thursday, July 21. And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord: it shall rejoice in his salvation. Psalm 35:9. MEDM July 1904, page 214.16

When will the soul be joyful in God, and rejoice in his salvation? At the very time when God is fighting for it; that is, even while the battle is raging. We shall not withhold our praises until we see the outcome, but, even before the battle begins, we shall be so sure that the victory will be ours that we shall sing for joy. It is with the praise of the helpless that God stills the enemy and the avenger. Compare Psalm 8:2 and Matthew 21:16. MEDM July 1904, page 214.17

Friday, July 22. All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him? Psalm 35:10. MEDM July 1904, page 214.18

Note that the deliverance spoken of in this psalm is from physical as well as from spiritual ills. “All my bones” shall rejoice in salvation. Note also that God delivers the poor and needy from those who are spoiling him. We are not to lose heart, and think that God has failed us, even if we are being plundered; for it is as easy for God to turn defeat into victory as it is to repulse the destroyer before he has attacked us. MEDM July 1904, page 214.19

Sabbath, July 23. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servants. Psalm 35:27. MEDM July 1904, page 214.20

Remember that God takes no pleasure in our adversity; it pleases him to see us prosperous. The first psalm assures us that those who wholly trust the Lord, not in any way interposing their way against his, shall have prosperity in all things. That is, the Lord brings only prosperity; even adversity in his hands works good. It is important, also, to remember that blessings come not only to the one in trouble, but also to those who favor his cause. This should teach us always to sympathize with the afflicted, and to take the part of the oppressed. MEDM July 1904, page 214.21

Sunday, July 24. Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. Psalm 37:1. MEDM July 1904, page 214.22

It is very foolish to be envious at the prosperity of others. We should rejoice at the prosperity of the righteous, whatever our own circumstances; and if the wicked seem to prosper, we should remember that it cannot last. If we envy them, we are in reality desiring to share in their downfall; for “when the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish, it is that they shall be destroyed for ever.” (Psalm 92:7.) The only wise course is to be content with what we have. MEDM July 1904, page 214.23

Monday, July 25. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and feed securely. Psalm 37:3. R.V., margin. MEDM July 1904, page 214.24

Do not think that our dwelling in the land is pay for our good deeds; we do good only as the result of trusting in the Lord; and this trust is what causes us to dwell safely in the land, with sufficient for our needs. The land that God has promised for our inheritance is the new earth; but this is no bar to a present application of the promise; for the greater includes the less, and it is a light thing for God, who gives eternal riches and salvation; to keep us in safety and supply our wants for the little time we have here. MEDM July 1904, page 214.25

Tuesday, July 26. Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4. MEDM July 1904, page 214.26

This is self-evident. Whosoever can say from the heart, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee,” is sure to have every want satisfied; for God is the portion of his people. What a blessed condition, to have no want that is not supplied! Such a person is richer than any millionaire. MEDM July 1904, page 214.27

Wednesday, July 27. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. Psalm 37:5. MEDM July 1904, page 214.28

“It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps;” but “it is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.” If we commit our way to the Lord, it may not, and most likely will not, come out as we would have made it if we could; but it wiIl be the right way, and we shall say that it is just as we would have it. If we commit our way unto the Lord, we must leave it wholly with him, and not prescribe to him how he shall order it. MEDM July 1904, page 214.29

Thursday, July 28. He shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Psalm 35:6. MEDM July 1904, page 216.1

It makes no difference if the blackness of sin has blotted out all our righteousness; even then if we trust in God he will make our righteousness appear, even covering us with it, because it is God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that shines in our hearts. Nothing hinders the Lord; out of the most faulty material he can produce a perfect structure. MEDM July 1904, page 216.2

Friday, July 29. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8. MEDM July 1904, page 216.3

This is how we usually read it; but we shall understand it better if we read it thus, as in the Revision: “Fret not thyself; it tendeth only to evil.” If we fret and worry, it is only to do evil. Fretting is to take our cause out of God’s hands, and the end can only be evil. “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” MEDM July 1904, page 216.4

Sabbath, July 30. The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Psalm 37:11. MEDM July 1904, page 216.5

This is the same as Matthew 5:5; but we miss much of the blessedness of the promise by not grasping fully the force of the word “meek.” By comparing Isaiah 61:1, “He hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek,” with Christ’s quotation of it, in Luke 4:16, “He hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor,” we shall see that promise of the earth is to those who have nothing. God hath chosen “the poor of this world, rich in faith,” to be heirs of the kingdom. (James 2:5.) Such persons are only seemingly poor. MEDM July 1904, page 216.6

Sunday, July 31. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. Psalm 37:12, 13. MEDM July 1904, page 216.7

This text furnishes the clearest proof that whoever plots against any of God’s people is plotting against God himself. God laughs at the plotter, and at his rage not because he is indifferent, but because he knows that it is all senseless. The wicked think that they have only defenseless mortals to fight against, when the attack is on the everlasting God. It is a vain thing that they imagine; for even while they take counsel together against the just, the Lord declares the decree, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” That “whosoever will may apply to himself all the promises of Psalm 2:6-9, is evident from Revelation 21:26, 27. MEDM July 1904, page 216.8