Month: November 2023

2 Chronicles 30:1-27; Ezekiel 46:1-24; John 21:1-25

By faith Abraham… Hebrews 11:17

Biblically, “believed” is first mentioned in relation to Abram (Gen. 15:6). Here we learn that biblical faith has three components. First, it is based on a report given. God issued a report to Abram: “Count the stars…so shall your descendants be” (v. 5). Second, the reliability of the One giving the report is assessed. Abram was convinced of God’s trustworthiness: “When God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (Heb. 6:13). Finally, there is a measured response: “And [Abram] believed in the Lord” (Gen. 15:6). This is true of us. We have “the report of God’s Word” (Rom. 10:17, Dby). We have God’s reliable character, “for He who promised is faithful” (Heb. 10:23). What will your response be? —Brian Cretney

‘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”. —L. Stead

2 Chronicles 29:1-36; Ezekiel 45:1-25; John 20:19-31

Oh that I knew where I might find him!… Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him. Job 23:3, 8-9

Poor suffering Job! His friends were “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2), and now he couldn’t find God. Never had the Lord seemed so distant! But Job comforted his own heart by remembering that “He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). We would also do well to remember that, in times of severe trial, “He knoweth…”. —E. C. Bishop

Help me then, in every tribulation,
So to trust Your promises, O Lord;
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation,
Offered me within Thy holy Word. —Carolina Sandell Berg

2 Chronicles 27:1-28:27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; John 20:1-18

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people. Neh. 8:5

Ezra’s faithful ministry had brought about a spiritual recovery so real that the people requested the book to be read, and they stood for hours as Ezra and other priestly men “read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). Reverence for the Book has waned in our time, and while there is convenience and benefit in having the Scriptures available on an electronic device, there is a particular dignity, befitting the Word of God, when it is “opened… in the sight of all the people” and read with care. —Phil Coulson

O thou holy Book divine,
Precious treasure, thou art mine!
Mine to chide me when I rove;
Mine to show a Saviour’s love. —John Burton

2 Chronicles 26:1-23; Ezekiel 43:1-27; John 19:17-42

Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. Matt. 9:2b

Five times, the Lord uses the phrase “Be of good cheer” or “Be encouraged”. The first two relate to salvation, this man forgiven and later in this chapter, a woman made whole (Matt. 9:22). Twice He used them while speaking to His disciples; once while they strained in a stormy sea (Mark 6:50) and once in the upper room as He encouraged them concerning the challenges of this world (John 16:33). Finally, Paul, in prison hears these wonderful words from the Lord in heaven (Acts 23:11). We can be encouraged to know our sins are forgiven; that the Lord is with us in the storms of life; that He has overcome the world; and that our future is in His hands. —Gary McBride

No one understands like Jesus, when the foes of life assail; 
You should never be discouraged, Jesus cares and will not fail.  —J. W. Peterson 

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

One of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water. John 19:34

This is the first mention of blood being shed at the cross. There was more, of course, as Jesus was beaten severely, His head pierced with thorns, and His hands and feet nailed to the cross. But it is mentioned here for the first time, in connection with water. Is this connection to affirm its wondrous cleansing power? We do know for a certainty that, “without shedding of blood is no remission [of sin]” (Heb. 9:22) and “In [Him] we have redemption through his
blood, the forgiveness of sins” (Eph. 1:7). What a comfort to know that precious blood was shed and we can claim it for the forgiveness and cleansing of our sin. —Mary Robins

Precious, precious blood of Jesus, shed on Calvary,
Shed for rebels, and for sinners, shed for me! —Frances R. Havergal

2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Jer. 13:23

“I’ve tried a thousand times to change”, cried the broken prostitute, to my wife. Sadly, it is true: however hard you  try, you cannot change your character, just as you can never change a leopard’s spots. We were born in sin and our lives will always show the fruits of that sinful origin. But Christ not only died to forgive our sin, He also rose again so that He could live in the heart of each repentant sinner; change their character and make them over anew. Yes, you
were “born in sin” but you can be “born again” by the power of the resurrected Saviour and have a new life, if only you will trust Him to save you. —David Croudace

Just lay the broken pieces at the Saviour’s feet;
He will put them back together; make your life complete. —R. Kitchen & J. Martin

2 Chronicles 21:1-22:12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts… James 4:8
Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean… Isaiah 1:16a NKJV

Our oyster farms have strict criteria for us to be able to harvest oysters. Should heavy rain fall, we are unable to sell oysters as they may be contaminated from what they are feeding on, and they will need to depurate in clean water before they are cleared for sale. In like manner, it is so important, as Christians, that we are careful what we feed our minds, because it will impact the way we live. What are we watching, reading and listening to today? —Janet Fleming

What words am I hearing and what do I watch?
What am I filling my mind with today?
What do I read, will it bless those I meet?
These things will impact, what I do and I say. —Janet Fleming

2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me? Psalm 116:12
I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Psalm 116:17

This is the only time this beautiful Hebrew word, translated “benefits”, is used in the Scriptures. It literally means “acts of grace”. Each day God showers us with acts of grace, things we do not deserve—from the physical blessings we too often take for granted, to all the spiritual blessings found in Christ. He gives us everything. Let us give to Him the sacrifice of our thanksgiving. —S. McEachern

Thou suffered the cross and the torment, that I might forever go free;
A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings, I bring, blessed Saviour, to Thee! —Ernst C. Homburg

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith… Ephesians 3:17
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock Revelation 3:20

What a loss! Instead of Christ being “at home” in Laodicean hearts, He was outside, patiently knocking. He wants nearness, and first place in my affections. This nearness will enable my being to be filled with all the fulness of God: enjoying every spiritual blessing (Eph. 3:19). If I hear His voice and open the door, He will be “at home” with me. There are no shortcuts. By daily meditating in His Word (Psalm 1:2), we “sup together”. Anything less endangers us and also a lampstand’s testimony. —David W. Oliver

But in Bethlehem’s home was there found no room,
For Thy holy nativity,
O come to my heart, Lord Jesus;
There is room in my heart for Thee. —Aubrey Suwito

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

For I long to see you…that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. Rom. 1:11-12

Having breakfast before my flight to speak at a weekend family retreat, an elderly stranger asked me what I was eating. I soon learned that he was a believer from a restricted country where they must secretly gather. I told him it was a privilege to meet him. He put his hand over his heart and said it was a privilege to meet me. Our mutual faith and oneness in Christ knit our hearts like Paul’s to the Romans. The Lord blessed and encouraged both of us with this divinely appointed meeting. He ever watches over us. Thankful! —George Ferrier

There shall be showers of blessing: this is the promise of love;
There shall be seasons refreshing, sent from the Saviour above.  —Daniel W. Whittle