Month: May 2024

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

Let us run with [endurance] the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

This was Amir’s moment of glory as he sprinted along the track.  Spectators cheered wildly; his success was obvious from their perspective. With the finish line a breath away, Amir could not resist a glance back at his competitors. He stumbled and fell. From the ground, Amir watched his victory vanish as others breezed past.  What distractions are luring you to look around? What disappointments are dragging your thoughts back? Your perspective today is
your choice. Pause and look by faith to Jesus who ensures spiritual victory, despite the distractions and discouragements of life.  —Caroline Webb

O may all who come behind us find us faithful;
May the fire of our devotion light their way. —Jon Mohr

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:11; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14; Luke 9:1-17

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Hebrews 11:20

Why is this event recorded as an example of faith? Is it not that Isaac had full confidence that God would fulfill the blessings that he pronounced upon his sons? Similar to when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:24), Isaac was casting himself in dependence on the Lord and trusting that He would bring to pass the future according to his (Isaac’s) word. You too can trust an uncertain future to a faithful God. —Warren Hagey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.  —John H. Sammis

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

Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. Ps. 73:25-26

What a rebuke this psalm is to us! How often we feel like this when we see the wealth and attainments that others possess. But in the light of eternity these things are as nothing. Wealth and possessions cannot take the place of loving family relationships and the fellowship of other believers. So often these wealthy people’s personal lives are in great turmoil as well. And their eternal future is without hope. How thankful we are that we have Him. —Gwenyth Frear

Lead me to the Rock so high;
You are my shelter and my tower,
I’ll trust beneath Your wings of power. —G. F.

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

And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. Luke 1:6

Zacharias and Elizabeth were righteous, obedient to the Lord and blameless. Yet their prayer (v. 13) seemed fruitless and now looked impossible (v. 7). But God did answer, and His timing was paramount. At just the right moment, an angel was sent to tell them that the answer was coming. What an encouragement to us, to never give up praying and waiting on God’s timing for the answer. —K. J. W.

Unanswered yet the prayer your lips have pleaded,
In agony of heart these many years?
Does faith begin to fail? Is hope departing?
And think you all in vain those falling tears?
Say not the Father hath not heard your prayer;
You shall have your desire sometime, somewhere. —Ophelia G. Browning

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

But remember me (Joseph) when it is well with you…I have done nothing here that they should put me into the [pit].
Genesis 40:14-15 NKJV 

It is often in the “pit” experiences of life that God works to mold our character and bend our will to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ. In the pit, we have nowhere to look but up, and we learn that God is enough. The pit wasn’t Joseph’s choice, but it was here that God worked in him, to prepare him for Kingdom service. If we let Him, God can use our “pit experiences” to do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

God is looking for people through whom He can do the impossible.
What a pity that we plan only things we can do by ourselves.  —A. W. Tozer

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

And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! Matthew 27:29

The Jews cried out at our Lord’s crucifixion that if He was a King, then He should have a crown. The crown that day was made from cruel thorns, a product of the cursed earth. These were cruelly pressed down onto that holy brow. Praise God that in the midst of it all, He is the Victor and not the victim. Today He is crowned with glory and honour and worthy of it all. Let us worship Him together. —John M. Clegg

The head that once was crowned with thorns,
Is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns,
The mighty Victor’s brow. —Thomas Kelly

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

I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations. Psalm 45:17

How amazing, that in spite of time’s passing and His critics attempts to erase it, the name of Jesus remains fully relevant today. Many breathe that name in prayer and speak it in tones of thanks and blessing. Sadly in other instances, His name is used as a curse. We know that whoever uses His name this way will give an answer for it. Today if you are in this category, repent and trust Him as your Saviour before it’s too late. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name (Jesus) under heaven given among [humanity], whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). —Jim Paul

Come to the Saviour now, He gently calls to you;
In true repentance bow, let Him your heart renew.
Christ came that you may know salvation, peace, and love,
True joy on earth below, a home in heaven above. —John M. Wigner

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

He went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him. And he opened his mouth and taught them. Matthew 5:1-2
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. John 8:2

Do we long to be taught by Him, to know more of His lovely person and glories? To learn of His ways and will for our lives and service? The “mountain” suggests a place, far above this godless world, while “early in the morning” is an ideal time to get maximum benefit from being in His presence. Have you come to Him today?  —Pete Smith

Speak Lord in the stillness, while I wait on Thee;
Hush my heart to listen in expectancy. —E. May Grimes

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

The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven. John 6:41

The Lord Jesus is both the bread of life and the bread from heaven: indicating that He is spiritual life’s source and ongoing sustenance. Believers need to prayerfully feed on His word, thus gaining inner vitality and communion with God. As Peter says: “Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:1-2). Replace this world’s mental junk food with Christ our spiritual bread. —Keith R. Keyser

Here perfect bliss can ne’er be found,
The honey’s mix’d with gall;
Midst changing scenes and dying friends,
Be Thou my all in all. —Benjamin Beddome

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

For all the city…doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.  Ruth 3:11

This was said by Boaz to Ruth. How I thank God for the example of kindness and encouragement shown to me and my wife and family by virtuous sisters in Christ. Some of them who were single we call “unclaimed treasures”. God acknowledges them and never be surprised if one day some will be given charge of cities as a reward in the Millenium. These sisters’ love and service make some of us brothers ashamed that we do so little for the Master.
—Brian Russell

Blest be the tie that binds,
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds,
Is like to that above. —John Fawcett