It is not high enough to look to mountains. They are deeply rooted and permanent in their sockets. They rise like the pillars of heaven. Rivulets gush from their sides, vineyards drape their terraced slopes, eternal snows cap them with crowns of unsullied purity. The ancients thought that the gods had chosen them for their home, as on Parnassus or Olympus. To their towering steeps the eyes of their votaries were frequently directed to catch the first symptoms of descending help.
    But the psalmist forbears to look to soaring mountains for his help. He lifts his eyes above and beyond, to the Lord which made heaven and earth. Thence shall his help come.
    We are all tempted to look at the mountains, to the creature rather than the Creator; to wealth, talent, or influence; to things and people beneath the heavens, instead of to Him who dwells above the heavens, in his infinite majesty, and to whom all power is given in

    This heading is the title of a book recently published by Bro. Edward Byrd, pastor of the Kailua Missionary Baptist Church of Kailua Hawaii. "The title of the book is designed to suggest that it is now that men must become prepared for the next age. God receives special glory from a people separated to Himself in covenant relationship. That people, in turn, shall be exalted in glory by virtue of that relationship" - a relationship that begins in, and is sustained by, FAITH.
    Rejecting all self-effort toward the attaining of a righteousness in which one may feel a sense of accomplishment; and urging the total repudiation, and crucifixion, of the flesh; this work suggests that God has always had but one basic requirement whereby men may find acceptance in His sight - a personal faith that trusts Him for everything and entrusts everything to Him. Jesus Christ is set forth - not merely as the supreme exemplar and object of faith, but as the One through whose faithfulness the believing one is saved, kept

and brought to the state of spiritual completeness that was originally purposed by the Father.
    The role of a special, peculiar people, graciously brought into a relationship of covenant fellowship with God, is seen - not as a basis for high-mindedness, but of such reverence and awe as should humble the hearts of believers to such faith-obedience as will redound to His eternal glory and praise.
    While the book is not easy reading, anyone sincerely desiring a better understanding of God's purpose, and clearer perception of His will - so as to "walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing" - will find his effort amply rewarded.
    A copy of this book may be obtained, for $5.00, directly from the author:

    In Romans 5:6-10 Paul sets forth the marvelous foundation on which the whole structure of Christian experience rests. The provision of salvation was wholly unmerited and unsought by mankind; it was undertaken on God's own initiative, (vs. 6-7; comp. Isa. 53:5-6; Rom. 3:25; 8:32; Gal. 1:14; Heb. 9:28; I Pet. 3:18). This provision was made while man was "weak" - utterly incapable of liberating himself, or of meriting God's mercy. He was still ungodly and undeserving. This demonstrates the graciousness of God. It is with much hesitancy that one will lay down his life - even for a righteous man. The very zenity of human generosity is seen when one is willing to lay down his life for a "good" man, or a friend, (Jn. 15:13). How indescribably superior is the love of God!
    His provision for sinners was also made at the most appropriate moment in human history - "in due season", (comp. Gal. 4:4; 2 Cor. 6:2; Eph. 1:10; I Tim. 2:6; 6:13-15; Titus 1:3; 3:26). The Roman empire was a fertile field for evangelization and offered greater freedom than had ever before been known. The Greek language was a common channel of communication throughout the empire. The Jews had been widely dispersed; their teaching of the Old Testament was a necessary preparation for the spread of the "good news" - the proclamation of Christ's death for the sins of the "ungodly".
    The total provision of human salvation was rooted in God's love

for mankind, (vs. 8; I Pet. 3:18; John 3:16; I Jn. 3:16; 4:9-10). He confirmed His love toward us in the giving of His Son to die in our place, and that "while we were yet sinners"! The depths of God's love can never be known until one knows how dearly He loved His Son. (The love of Abraham for Isaac fades in comparison.) The more blessed we recognize that relationship as being, the fuller will our hearts and minds recognize the greatness of God's love for sinners in the giving of His Son to bear our sins on the cross of Calvary.
    The idea that Christ died for men in order to make God love them is not only a corruption of God's Word; it is also a perversion of His character. He has always loathed sin; but, He has always loved the sinner! It is true that the relationship between God and man was changed by the death of Christ; but this, in no way, involved a change in the reality of God's love for sinners.
    Since God declares the believer righteous, on the basis of Christ's sacrifice, how much more may we be assured of deliverance, through Him, from the coming wrath, (8:32; I Thes. 5:9). The blood of Jesus is vital to, and adequate for, our total redemption, (Rom. 3:24-25; 8:1; Eph. 1:7; 2:13; Heb. 9:14, 22; I Pet. 1:18-19; I Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5). And God views the work of redemption as already completed through His Son, (I Thes. 1:10).
    If "enemies" could be reconciled to God through the death of Christ, how much more may one expect the reconciled to be "saved by His

life!" The believer has already been reconciled through Jesus" death, (2 Cor. 5:18-19; Eph. 2:16; Col. 1:20-23). By His risen life (capable now of indwelling His people, through the Holy Spirit) we will be delivered from the power of sin and made "more than conquerors" through his great love, (John 14:19; 2 Cor. 4:10-l1).


    If asked to describe the kind of God they claim to worship, most people would mutter a few confused words and admit that God is not very real to them. They have no clear concept of God.
    Jesus Christ has brought God into focus - coming as the "express image" of the Father. In Him one may see God clearly and distinctly. God has spoken clearly through His Son. If one would know what God is like, let Him look to Jesus.
    If God is not real to you, why not begin now to investigate the claims, life and works of Jesus - following wherever an honest inquiry leads. You will begin to see that He brings God into focus! You will discover that Jesus and God are one! In Him God has made adequate provision for your salvation. To neglect Him is inexcusable folly, because it will seal your eternal condemnation, (Jn. 3:18). Failure to trust Him now will necessitate your bowing to Him in judgment - only to hear Him pronounce your eternal doom!
    Commit your life to him RIGHT NOW! It will be the wisest move you ever made.

heaven and earth.
    0 slumbering Keeper! 0 sleepless Watcher! Shade from heat, shelter from cold, protector from assault, transformer of ill into good, escort when we go out, home when we return! Thou art the complement of our need. We are content to suffer the loss of all things, to find them all in Thee. And, therefore, we betake ourselves to thy shadow till life's calamities be overpast.

Once it was the blessing; now it
    is the Lord.
Once it was the feeling; now it is
    His Word.
Once His gifts I wanted; now the
    Giver own.
Once I sought for healing, now Him-
    self alone.
Once 'twas painful trying; now 'tis
    perfect trust.
Once a half salvation; now the
    uttermost.
Once 'twas ceaseless holding; now
    He holds me fast.
Once 'twas constant drifting; now
    my anchor's cast.
Once 'twas busy planning; now 'tis
    trustful prayer.
Once 'twas anxious caring; now He
    has the care.
Once 'twas what I wanted; now what
    Jesus says.
Once 'twas constant asking; now
    'tis ceaseless praise.
Once I tried to use Him; now He
    uses me.
Once it was my working; His it
    hence shall be.
Once the power I wanted, now the
    Mighty One.
Once for self I labored; now for
    Him alone.
Once I hoped in Jesus; now I know
    He's mine.
Once my lamps were dying; now they
    brightly shine.
Once for death I waited; now His
    coming hail.
Any my hopes are anchored safe
    within the veil.