Month: December 2011

An old church in York, England has a typical ornate stone entrance and a heavy wooden door, about 7 feet high, at one end. At the other end is a doorway of similar appearance, except it is only about 3 feet in height. Tradition has it that this small door was intended as a means of escape for demons who were uncomfortable as worshippers engaged in their activities. James reassures us that Satan will not menace our lives if we resist his overtures and submit ourselves to the Lord. Each day we all face satanic attacks. Be strong in the Lord today.—Brian Powlesland

Willingly and completely! Nothing held back, heaven’s best gave Himself for wretched sinners! What love and grace! How do we respond? With humble, joyful and thankful worship; to give any less, is to fail to appreciate the greatness of the Gift and the Giver.—Pete Smith

“His mercy endureth for ever” is the refrain of every verse in this psalm. It really speaks of God’s loving kindness. His people of old had passed through many trials, disappointments, doubts, and the bitter experience of wilderness years. Yet, there was in their varying experiences one constant theme, “The Lord is good…and His mercy endureth for ever.” So it is for us today. Whatever our experience may be, we know that the Lord is good: that cannot and will not change. Whatever befalls us is in the end for our good. To help us through we have the knowledge that His loving kindness is always present, and so we give thanks. —Roy Hill

The fragility of life is expressed in these verses. Teeth don’t have much skin, and if we take one false step, we, like a rising vapour could leave this scene. What will it be like to hear Him say my name, just as He called the apostle John to “Come up here,” (Rev. 4:1)? How thankful we should be for our hope in Christ. No fear to those in Him, just anticipation! —Tom Steere

The birthright should have been Esau's through birth—a double portion of property, priest of the family, to be an ancestor of the Messiah. But he sold it cheaply! Others have sold their souls also—Pilate for popularity; the rich young ruler for money; Felix for past sins. Esau wept for lost blessing but not for the lost birthright, so will men when they grieve of the evil that sin brings, but not the sin that brings evil!—Jim Pizzulli