Month: February 2023

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26:1-27:14; Matthew 26:57-75

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter . . . he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. Acts 10:5-6

The angel of God directed Cornelius to send for the messenger who would preach Christ’s Gospel to him.  Simultaneously, the Lord was preparing Peter to carry this good news to the Gentiles. This is an instance of R. A. Torrey’s adage: “It will not take a seeking Saviour and a seeking sinner long to find each other.” Dear believer, ask God to prepare you to witness to someone specific; and pray that He prepares their heart to hear the Word. — Keith R. Keyser

Tell the guilty of their danger,
While they wander far from God;
While they live to Christ a stranger,
And reject His precious Word. —E.P. Hammond

Genesis 46:1-47:27; Psalm 25:1-22; Matthew 26:31-56

For this cause have I raised thee up, for to show in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. Exodus 9:16

God often allows evil men to rule, so that in some way His power may finally be seen, and His name glorified. All around us biblical principles are being undermined, but in faith we must rest on His promises. Ps. 76:10 says “Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee.”  That is what happened when Pharaoh and his army were about to destroy the Israelites. Instead the Egyptians were drowned in the sea causing all the people to fear God (Ex. 14:27). —David Croudace

We rest on Thee our shield and our defender,
We go not forth alone against the foe.
Strong in Thy might; safe in Thy keeping tender,
We rest on Thee and in Thy name we go. —E. G. Cherry

Genesis 45:1-28; Psalms 23:1-24:10; Matthew 26:1-30

All thy males (shall) appear before the Lord…and they shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which he hath given thee. Deuteronomy 16:16-17

This command is serious because those who appear, will appear before the Lord. Equally solemn is the command not to come empty handed. Their giving may vary according to their ability, but all shall give. This passage is about giving earthly blessings, but we can learn a spiritual lesson. “[He] hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings” (Eph. 1:3). Our best offerings will be spiritual, those of thanksgiving and worship. May we never be guilty of coming
empty handed. —Ken Gross

Must I go and empty handed, thus my dear Redeemer meet?
Not one day of service give Him, lay no trophy at His feet? —C. Luther

Genesis 44:1-34; Psalm 22:1-31; Matthew 25:31-46

Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, Because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, Just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:20-22 NKJV

Is your soul cast down today and disquieted? Take heart dear one! The Lord knows all about it. Wait quietly for Him to respond to the situation knowing He is our help and shield. We can depend upon Him. He hears our prayers and will answer according to His plans and purposes. Trust Him. —Annette Baal

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word,
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”  —Louisa M.R. Stead

Genesis 43:1-34; Psalms 20:1-21:13; Matthew 25:1-30

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

Ponder the blows that stung His face; the spittle that ran down His cheeks; the thorns that pierced His brow; His back like a plowed field; the mockery and taunting. When wounded and abused by man, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34). But, when forsaken by His Father, He cries that piercing cry, Why? Martin Luther meditating on this text cried out, “God forsaken by God. Who can understand it?”—Jim Comte

Behold! Behold the Lamb of God, on the cross! On the cross!
For us He shed His precious blood, on the cross! On the cross!
O hear His all-important cry, “Eli, lama sabachthani?”
Draw near and see the Saviour die, on the cross! On the cross! —J. Hoskins

Genesis 41:50-42:38; Psalm 19:1-14; Matthew 24:29-51

What manner of man is this? Matthew 8:27

Field Marshall Lord Montgomery once exalted the prowess of British paratroopers by asking “What manner of men are these?”. He was referring to their exceptional qualities of courage and bravery. Our Lord faced a stormy sea and calmed it; met demented persons and put them in their right minds; touched the diseased and disabled and effected their cures. Our Lord is unique in that it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint any particular exceptional quality about Him, because every quality is exceptional.  —Brian Powlesland

No one, no one like my precious Saviour:
No one, no one such a friend can be.
No one, no one like my precious Saviour,
Glory, glory, Jesus cares for me. —Eliza E Hewitt

Genesis 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matthew 24:1-28

(The Lord) who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains. Psalm 147:8

Our God is full of surprises for His own. No one plants seed on the barren, rugged mountain, but God is a God of miracles, and accomplishes results that are not anticipated. Never despair from bleak conditions or a disheartening outlook on life. God can produce blessings which far outweigh the negative experiences we suffer. “Hope thou in God” (Ps. 42:11). —Brian Russell

God is still on His throne,
And He will remember His own;
Though trials may press us,
And burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone;
God is still on the throne. —Kitty Suffield

Genesis 40:1-23; Psalm 18:1-29; Matthew 23:1-39

When Joshua…lifted up his eyes and looked…behold, there stood a man over against him …and he said, …As captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship. Joshua 5:13-14

When Joshua “lifted up his eyes” he saw one prepared and ready to deliver God’s people. Lift up your eyes, dear fellow-believer. He is available to meet your particular need today. When He has, you, like Joshua, will bow low to worship your Deliverer.  —Arnot P. McIntee

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
—Helen Howarth Lemmel

Genesis 39:1-23; Psalm 17:1-15; Matthew 22:15-46

And Aaron…made a molded calf. Exodus 32:2, 4 NKJV

When did the golden calf appear? When God’s people stopped looking for Moses’s return from the mountain (32:1). If there are idols in our lives, things that have taken the place of God—it is likely for a similar reason: we’ve stopped looking for the return of our Lord. “When He is revealed, we shall be like Him…And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1 John 3:2-3 NKJV). Looking for Christ will result in living for Christ.
—Brian Cretney

A solemn thought to think: In just a “moment,” He will come.
“Ashamed at His appearing” will describe that Day for some—
Those Christians who lost sight of all that Christ did on the cross,
And gave themselves to things resulting in eternal loss.
O may we daily look for Him, His coming from above.
For then we’ll live in such a way, His coming we will love. —Brian Cretney