Month: August 2017

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3

The word “endeavouring” contains the thought of being eager and striving earnestly with due diligence. We have constantly to be on our guard to prevent disunity amongst the saints. The first port of call is oneself. We must always be careful to ensure that we do not create problems. This sometimes means being prepared to take second place, especially if it is for the benefit of the local church and the furtherance of the Lord’s people and His work. —Brian Russell

Here everyone who loves Thy name,
Our willing hearts embrace;
Our life our hope our joy the same.
The same Thy love and grace. —Mary Peters

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

I have spoken unto you, rising early and speaking; but ye have not hearkened. Jeremiah 25:3 

Jeremiah had the task of telling the people of Judah about forthcoming judgment if they continued in sin. He was not responsible for their response to his warning. We have the same burden today, and again, the response is up to the individual listener. We simply sow, water, cultivate, but God gives the increase. Thankfully we are not called upon to generate a response. We’re simply to be found faithful in proclaiming the Word. Are we? —W. H. G.

Sowing the precious seed, while the day is fast declining,
Sowing the precious seed, in the twilight dim;
Sowing the precious seed, neither doubting nor repining,
Leaving it all to God, trusting all to Him. —W. Ogden

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. John 7:37

The final day of the annual Feast of Tabernacles had come. For the crowds, the long trek home lay ahead. But the Lord Jesus was concerned about their ongoing spiritual needs. So, with upraised voice and earnest tones, He urged them to accept Him as the answer to their pressing need. “Come unto me,” He cried, “and drink.” What about you, dear reader? Remember, one day the last opportunity for each of us will come! —George Hall

I came to Jesus and I drank, of that life-giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul was saved, and now I live in Him. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31:16
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. Psalm 126:6

What assurance for servants of the Lord. There may be times when we become discouraged because we are not seeing results, despite our earnest endeavours. It is not for us to be concerned about success. Ours is simply to obey the Master’s call and leave the results with Him. There may be times of weeping, but the Lord promises that we will “doubtless” come rejoicing in the day of reward. —W. H. Burnett

Labour on, labour on, keep the bright reward in view,
For the Master has said, He will strength renew. —Dr. C. R. Blackall

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. Colossians 4:17

Nothing more is known of Archippus than what is recorded here. It has been thought by some Bible scholars that he may have been the son of Philemon (see Phmn. 2). Most writers feel that this admonition implies some laxity of duty on his part. In any case, it was an exhortation to watchfulness and fulfillment of the ministry committed to him. It is good for each of us to ask ourselves if we are fulfilling the particular ministry committed to us. —W. Ross Rainey

Oh, that Christ may see,
The gift He’s given, fulfilled in me.
That I, dear Lord, might faithful be;
My heart, my life conformed to Thee. —W. R. R.

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Cor. 12:14-13:14

And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. Revelation 8:1

It has been suggested that during this silence God is listening to the prayers of all the saints which are ascending before Him with the smoke of the incense. Our God not only speaks, He listens. How amazing! Someone who truly listens to us; to how we feel; to what we are saying, though often so imperfectly; to our groans—such a One is a rare find. Jeremiah agrees, and says, “Call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you” (29:12). Today let’s come before Him with thanksgiving, while ensuring that every idle word is also acceptable to Him who is listening. —M. MacMullen

Though high, yet He accepts the praise, His people offer here,
The faintest, feeblest lay they raise, will reach the Saviour’s ear. —T. Kelly

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Cor. 12:1-13

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16

My duties at our dairy require me to be up very early in the morning. I look for the moon every day. What a fascinating creation! It changes in appearance, colour, position, and brightness as the month goes by. Each day is a little different than the day before. Man has tried to explain the moon’s origin, composition, and orbit for centuries. It’s all very simple, God made it and set it in the sky. —Debbie Douglas

Creation shows the power of God, there’s glory all around.
And those who see must stand in awe for miracles abound. —John W. Peterson

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Cor. 11:1-33

For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. Psalm 116:8

We are so blessed. Not only have we been saved from perishing in hell, but we have also been spared a myriad of tears and a multitude of missteps. Imagine your life without Him—the misery you might have endured, the heartaches you may have had, the bad decisions you doubtless would have made. He may not spare us from all tears but praise God, we have been spared from useless ones. Our feet may have fallen but praise God, He has picked us up again and taught us the way we should go. We are so blessed! —Shane Johnson

Be still, let every heart be still, and all our sorrow quell,
We’ll bow submissive to His will, who doeth all things well. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:14; Isaiah 49:1-26; 2 Cor. 10:1-18

And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 1 Kings 19:7

Here we find Elijah—God’s strong man—in a condition of depression and despair. But heaven recognized that his journey had been “too great,” and an angel was sent to minster to him. We learn here that even the strongest can fall into despair and discouragement. But it is good to know that heaven takes note, and in tenderness, resources will be brought alongside to restore and strengthen, and to make us useful in His service yet again. —W. H. Burnett

Though thy way be long and weary, eagle strength He’ll still renew;
Garments fresh and foot unweary, tell how God hath brought thee through. —J. N. Darby

DAILY READINGS: 1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; Isaiah 48:1-22; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. Galatians 2:12

Paul was referring to Peter who hesitated to eat with those who were Gentiles. God had to teach him that in Christ, there was cleansing and salvation for them as well. Gentile believers were no different to Jewish believers—all were chosen and precious to God. Later Peter was able to write “Unto you therefore which believe” (1 Pet. 2:7), regardless of race. —G. Frear

To God be the glory, great things He hath done,
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in. —Fanny J. Crosby