PSALMS 34
7 The angel of the Yahweh encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
The ways of God are not confined to the age of miracle. They extend throughout all generations. They are extant today in the sphere both of politics and private life. It is a great help in the battle of life to be able to discern them aright...
Much that is talked of in a common way as providence is no providence. Providence consists of the divine regulation of natural circumstances; and the principles upon which this regulation takes place, can only be learnt from the scriptures of truth.
These principles we have endeavoured to exhibit, with the result of enabling us to realise that all who commit their way to God in a scriptural manner, are included in the operations of the only providence that exists in the universe - that is, the control of natural circumstances by angelic agency; in an unseen manner, however, and without any apparent interference with natural ways.
Ways of Providence Ch 27
10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek Yahweh shall not want any good thing.
We are not to seek God for selfish ends, but in the self-effacing power of divine love. But the glorious paradox is that the more we selflessly seek God's pleasure and glory, and the less we seek our own, the more inevitably and inexorably will pleasure and glory pursue us, and force themselves upon us.
Bro Growcott - Search Me O God
12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?
The only hope of salvation is complete dedication of the life to God. This consists of three things:
1) Resolute determination to learn as much as possible about God and His desires, from His Word;
2) Resolute determination to eliminate from the life everything out of harmony with God's holiness and perfection;
3) Resolute determination to do everything God desires.
There will be many mistakes, and failings, and self-disappointments: but faithfully and prayerfully adhered to, this is Life.
Bro Growcott -Search Me O God
14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
"Peace with God": three lovely conceptions, even alone, but superlative when conjoined -- tranquility, togetherness, divinity. What higher joy? What nobler goal? Serenity, fellowship, spirituality -- man's divine heritage, his proper destiny.
How sadly is the model marred, the image distorted, the likeness hideously deformed. What unclean beasts in human form are natural men. But the ideal remains, and can and will be attained by a divine few: peace with God, perfect peace, the peace of God that passeth all understanding.
May we have the wisdom to lay hold upon it.
Bro Growcott -Search Me O God
20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.
A "dissolution of being in the grave" is the ultimate result of the sentence of death being carried out, as exemplified in the words "unto dust shalt thou return." The sentence itself is death, as saith Paul, "The wages of sin is death."-(Rom. 6:23.) This proximately is the deprivation of life, which though leading to dissolution, is not dissolution instanter. Life being removed, corruption ensues. Now "Christ died; " in this he endured the sentence. Sin was condemned in the flesh.-(Rom. 8:3.)
But it was not the Father's pleasure that his body should decompose or that even a bone should be broken. He suffered only so much of death's indignity as was needful for the vindication of the law. The Father loved His "Holy One" and preserved his body from violence on the cross when the thieves had their legs broken; and mantled him in the tomb with the preservative energy of His power till the third day, when he came forth in the joy of restored life, as the morning star from the womb of night, heralding the approach of day.
The Christadelphian, Apr 1872