Month: July 2008

DAILY READINGS: Judges 16; Isaiah 35; 1 Corinthians 13

Be Thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: Thou hast given commandment to save me; for Thou art my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3
Thou art my hope, O Lord God: Thou art my trust from my youth.
 Psalm 71:5
Thou art my strong refuge.  Psalm 71:7a 

The psalmist was well fortified. His fortress, hope, trust, and refuge were all in the Lord. No wonder he begins this psalm saying, “In Thee, O Lord, do I put my trust.” The psalmist’s God is our God. You can find in Him daily the same resources that sustained the psalmist long ago; for He changeth not. —Doug Kazen

Simply trusting Thee, Lord Jesus, I behold Thee as Thou art,
And Thy love, so pure, so changeless, satisfies my heart. —Jean Pigott

DAILY READINGS: Judges 14-15; Isaiah 34; 1 Corinthians 12 

In one house shall it be eaten; thou shalt not carry forth ought of the flesh abroad out of the house; neither shall ye break a bone thereof.  Exodus 12:46
He keepeth all His bones: not one of them is broken.  Psalm 34:20
When they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs.  John 19:33

The human body contains 206 bones. Though man did their worst to our Lord at Calvary, in perfect fulfillment of Old Testament writings, not one of those bones was broken. He is the true Lamb of God and the One whom the psalmist could praise. May we worship Him today. —John M. Clegg

No bone of Thee was broken, Thou spotless, paschal Lamb!
Of life and peace a token, to us who know Thy Name. —Robert C Chapman

DAILY READINGS: Judges 13; Isaiah 33; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

As I look at creation around me I am amazed at its beauty and splendor—the might of the crashing oceans, the changing canvas of each sunset, the miracle of every birth and the vibrant hues of trees and flowers. Yet to create the universe God spoke and it was done, but to save this world it cost Him His Son.  —J. Fleming

Out of nothing came Creation,
Just a word and it was done;
But Calvary’s a greater wonder,
For our salvation cost His Son. —J. Fleming

DAILY READINGS: Judges 11:29 to 12:15; Isaiah 32; 1 Cor. 10:14 to 11:1

One said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.  2 Kings 6:3

The sons of the prophets needed to expand their territory, but there was no thought of leaving Elisha behind. How lovely when younger men are so attached to their spiritual mentors that they do not want to leave them. Conversely its says much for the winsomeness and wisdom of Elisha. Lets make sure we older men are fathers not ogres. —Brian Russell

Go, labour on; spend and be spent,
Thy joy to do the Father's will,
It is the way the Master went;
Should not the servant tread it still?
                      —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: Judges 10:6 to 11:28; Isaiah 31; 1 Cor. 9:24 to 10:13 

Thou hast set our iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy countenance. Psalm 90:8

A large flock of blackbirds swooshed across my backyard one morning and settled in two nearby trees. Amazingly, no one could have guessed how many birds were hidden amongst the foliage. Only here and there a black speck was visible. It was a reminder of the human heart. To the public eye we may appear saintly and display commendable deeds, but no one sees the black spots lurking there. Amy Carmichael, missionary to India was troubled by such a fault and prayed, “Lord, make me what I seem to be.” May we pray this too. —E. Dyck

See if there be some wicked way in me,
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

DAILY READINGS: Judges 9 to 10:5; Isaiah 30; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

Thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount, or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death. Exodus 19:12
Ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem.  Hebrews 12:22a

The Israelites dared not touch Mount Sinai, lest they be slain for infringing upon the manifested glory and holiness of God. Under the Old Covenant there was distance between the Lord and His people. On this side of Calvary the believer is instructed to boldly draw near through our Great High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ. —Keith Keyser

He’s gone within the veil, for us that place He’s won;
In Him we stand, where He Himself has gone. —J. N. Darby

DAILY READINGS: Judges 8; Isaiah 29; 1 Corinthians 8 

I will hasten My word to peform it. Jeremiah 1:12

The reporter stated, “A winter storm is coming out of the American Mid-West—it will be on your doorstep in 20 minutes”. We value those who look out for our safety when danger approaches. In these days of trouble, anxiety and foreboding, is our God silent? Absolutely not! He delights to warn us and help us when the storms of life come to our “doorstep”. Jeremiah was strengthened with these words, “I watch over My word to perform it.” The Lord is ever watchful and never slumbers. We need to enter into His secret place today. He will meet us there to re-assure and renew our souls.   —M. MacMullen

Whate’er may change, in Him no change is seen,
Above the storms and clouds, He walks serene. —J. Quarles

DAILY READINGS: Judges 7; Isaiah 28; 1 Corinthians 7

It came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.  Genesis 15:17

Sometimes we are called to pass through a smoking furnace. It is difficult to bear the heat of the furnace and the all-pervading smoke that blinds spiritual vision. But if you look carefully you will see the burning lamp of the Lord’s presence with you. You need to remember today that where there is a smoking furnace, there is also inevitably a burning lamp of hope and blessing.  —Roy Hill

Just when I am disheartened, just when with cares oppressed,
Just when my way is darkest, just when I am distressed:
Then is my Saviour near to me, He knows my every care;
Jesus will never leave me, He helps my burdens bear. —J. Bruce Evans

DAILY READINGS: Judges 6; Isaiah 27; 1 Corinthians 6 

I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.  Isaiah 6:1
She brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7

From the highest throne of the universe to an animal’s feeding trough in a small village, from robes of glory to swaddling clothes, and from a lofty temple, to a lowly stable, our Lord made Himself poor so that we could be made rich. He made himself of no reputation to save His people from their sins. Praise God that He took notice of our need and sent His Son to die in our place! —J. Jacob

Out of the ivory palaces, into a world of woe,
Only His great eternal love, made my Saviour go. —H. Barraclough

DAILY READINGS: Judges 5; Isaiah 26; 1 Corinthians 5 

Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  John 11:24

Martha believed that her beloved brother had seen his last day on earth, but she did anticipate that he would rise again at the “last day.” That day lies ahead for all of us. How will it be for you when it arrives? The rich fool thought he had a long day ahead to enjoy his accomplishments. He was wrong. That night was his “last day” (Lk. 12:20). Paul was ever ready for his last day—because for him to live was Christ, and to die was gain (Phil. 1:21). Are you ready for your last day? Are you prepared to meet your God?  —K. C. Ung

There’s a great day coming by and by,
When the saints and the sinners shall be parted right and left,
Are you ready for that day to come?       —Will L. Thompson