Month: May 2023

Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32; Song of Solomon 1:1-2:7; Luke 9:18-36

Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer nor save him out of his trouble. Isaiah 46:7b NKJV
Call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee. Ps. 50:15

Isaiah 46 contrasts the powerlessness of Israel’s idols, with the incomparable power of God. Crying out to these gods who could not answer them was an exercise in futility! Why would they resort to such empty measures, when one cry to almighty God would result in the deliverance they so desperately needed? We too often turn to alternative and ineffective solutions to our problems rather than our all powerful, problem solving God. —E.V.

Where could I go, Oh where could I go,
Seeking a refuge for my soul;
Needing a friend to save me in the end,
Where could I go but to the Lord? —James B. Coats

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-:14; Luke 9:1-17

Should ye not hear the words which the Lord hath cried by the former prophets, when Jerusalem was inhabited and in prosperity, and the cities thereof round about her, when men inhabited the south and the plain? Zechariah 7:7

Prosperity often makes people complacent in their abundance, setting the things of God aside. Heartfelt devotion becomes mere lip service. May our Lord deliver us from being bound to petty, material things, so that we can “trade up” for those eternal riches which are already ours. —Rick Morse

Let none of you idly say,
“There is nothing I can do”.
While the souls of men are dying,
And the Master calls for you.  —Daniel March

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:20; Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:20; Luke 8:40-56

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel. Ps. 16:7 NKJV
Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. Psalm 119:24 NKJV
Without counsel, plans go awry, but in the multitude of counselors they are established. Proverbs 15:22 NKJV

Where do we turn to for advice or guidance? In these days of complexity and challenge, that is an important question. We should seek the Lord’s mind and ask for His direction. We should turn to His holy Word, for it has been given to help us with all the decisions of life. We should also seek godly counsel from older believers, who may have walked this particular way before. —Pete Smith

I’ve found a Friend, O such a Friend! So kind, and true, and tender;
So wise a counsellor and guide, so mighty a defender. —J.G. Small

Deuteronomy 6:1-7:11; Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:10; Luke 8:22-39

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way…through the veil, that is to say, his flesh… Hebrews 10:19-20

In contrast to Israel, we now can enter into the presence of God via the new and living way which our Lord has consecrated for us by the sacrifice of Himself and the shedding of His precious blood. The temple veil has rent in two (Matt. 27:51) signifying the way into the holiest is open (cf. Heb. 9:8). Let us now therefore draw near with full assurance of faith unto God to seek help in time of need (Heb. 10:22; 4:16). —K.C. Ung

Draw me nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessèd Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side. —Fanny Crosby

Deuteronomy 5:1-33; Ecclesiastes 7:1-29; Luke 8:1-21

The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty…he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

While we often delight in the thought of the Church being the Bride of Christ, we must not overlook the joy of Jehovah when His wife, Israel, is cleansed and restored in a future day (Hos. 2:14-23). Divine love in its tenderness is seen in the expression “He will rest [be silent] in his love”, and divine love in its triumph will be evident when “He will joy over thee with singing”. Proud, rebellious, unbelieving Israel has a glorious future! —Phil Coulson

For the Father’s sakes beloved,
Israel, in Thy grace restored,
Shall on earth, their guilt removed,
Be the people of the Lord.  —S.P. Tregelles

Deuteronomy 4:1-49; Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12; Luke 7:30-50

Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always confident… 2 Corinthians 5:5-6 NKJV

Consumer confidence is an economic indicator measuring the degree of optimism about the economy and our financial situation. Paul’s thoughts rose higher. He wrote about Christian confidence, the optimism we enjoy as we look ahead. Burdened hearts and decaying bodies are temporary. Included in God’s guarantee is a glorified body “at home with the Lord”. Ours is not an ill-founded optimism. —Peter Ramsay

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be,
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. —Fanny Crosby

Deuteronomy 3:1-29; Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16; Luke 7:1-29

Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. Genesis 49:2

It is never too late to change. The sons of Jacob, which means “one who supplants”, were asked to gather to him. They were to listen to Israel, which means “one who prevails”, the one whom God had changed to be a genuine spiritual father. Struggles and difficulties draw us near to God. It is then we can speak for God. We have the ability to change and God will honour that desire. —Gaius C. Goff

Renew my will from day to day,
Blend it with Thine, and take away,
All that now makes it hard to say,
“Thy will be done.” —Charlotte Elliot

Deuteronomy 2:1-37; Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:15; Luke 6:20-49

And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28

With the media daily reminding us of the pandemic, floods, droughts, famines, earthquakes, wars and general chaos, I ask myself “How much longer before the Lord comes?”. As we wait for that wonderful day, we will be discouraged if we look around at what is happening. Rather we must look up in joyful expectancy, for “our redemption draws near”, when He will snatch us away to be forever with Himself. Meantime we must continue serving Him to the best of our ability. —David Croudace

Let us labour for the Master from the dawn till setting sun,
Let us talk of all His wondrous love and care;
Then when all of life is over, and our work on earth is done,
And the roll is called up yonder, I’ll be there. —J.M. Black

Deuteronomy 1:1-46; Ecclesiastes 1:1-2:11; Luke 6:1-19

And he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. Mark 9:2-3

Transfiguration is a visible outward expression of inner character. In this scene, the revelation of the Lord’s inner character was such that the Gospel writers had difficulties in describing even how His garment looked. It was white like light. Shining. But not just shining; shining exceeding white like snow. It shone in a way that no earthly cleanser could make it shine. Luke says it was glistering, dazzling and gleaming, like a flash of lightning. Praise the Lord for
the resplendent shine of His perfect character. —K.J.W.

Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight,
And all the twinkling starry hosts; Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heav’n can boast. —R.S. Willis

Numbers 35:9-36:13; Proverbs 31:1-31; Luke 5:17-39

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Phil. 2:5

The verses prior to this one reveal the mind of Christ toward others. The next few verses display this mind with  regard to our view of self. The rest of the chapter presents three examples of men with this same mind of Christ—those willing to take the lowest place. Paul considered the service of others of greater value, Timothy cared for the needs of others, and Epaphroditus was concerned for the feelings of others. Paul in humility esteemed others better
than he considered himself. Timothy looked out for the interest of others. Epaphroditus did nothing through selfish ambition or conceit. — Gary McBride

May the mind of Christ my Saviour live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling all I do and say.  —K.B. Wilkinson