Month: May 2024

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Romans 10:14

In this verse, Paul argues the need for believers to preach the Gospel to the lost in a series of three “hows”. Are we burdened for lost souls like Paul was? If we were without Christ, how far would you want a believer to go to reach you? What a privilege to share what the Lord has done for us and what He can do for others!  —Luke Urban

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the Mighty to save.  —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 1 Kings 19:4

Elijah was a great man of God who virtually single-handedly faced the forces of idol worship in Israel. Yet he reached a very low point, what we would probably call today a breakdown. He was so distraught that he wanted to die. In the midst of his anguish, he was reassured by God who gave him rest and food. He was given a divine purpose, to anoint kings and a prophet successor. He was reminded that he was not alone, as 7,000 in Israel had not bowed the knee to Baal. When we are desperate, let us come to the Lord and seek out the same things: physical necessities, a renewal of God’s purpose for our lives and Christian fellowship. —Paul Young

O troubled heart, be thou not afraid,
In the Lord thy God, let thy hope be stayed. —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him. Isaiah 42:1 NKJV

“Behold! My Servant”, introduces us to a beautiful portrait of the Lord Jesus. He is described in detail as the compassionate Servant and as such, a “bruised reed” He would not break, nor would He snuff out the dimly “burning flax” (v. 3). We see this compassion illustrated in the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8). She was a “dimly burning flax”, whom He tenderly forgave. We too are bruised by sin and the hurts of life and He has
forgiven and redeemed us. On this Lord’s day it is our holy privilege to remember, worship and adore our  compassionate Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. —Jim Comte

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suffering on the tree: Saviour, we adore Thee! —S. T. Francis

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV

This wasn’t a call for political engagement. Paul’s admonition was an urgent call for activism in prayer. Despite the “real” persecution the Christians were suffering, Paul didn’t so much as even hint at endorsing displays of contempt towards Nero’s government. Rather than resorting to common ways to protest evil, he urged the uncommon. Show the love of Christ to all and pray for all regardless of their politics, policies or practices—ultimately for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. —Peter Ramsay

Here ’mid earth’s sin and sorrow and care;
O give me power, power in prayer. —A. S. Reitz

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans 1:15

Paul had previously been a Pharisee who separated himself from the Gentiles. Now he was ready (willing, eager) to preach the Gospel in the capital of Gentile power. Burdened to preach Christ (Acts 9:15), he was willing to give up his own rights and desires for Christ’s sake (1 Cor. 9:19-22). We are not all gifted evangelists but every believer should have a burden to share the Gospel to those the Lord brings to us, and in the places He sends us.  —George Ferrier

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be. —Mary Brown

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7 NKJV

There are many things that bring sadness into our lives. This is only natural. Scripture reminds us that there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh (Eccl. 3:4). The Psalmist was no stranger to these fluctuating seasons of emotion. Yet as he chose to focus on the many things he had to be thankful for, his perspective dramatically changed, from sad, to glad! It has been truly said that, “Thanksgiving is the key to knowing the joy of the Lord”. You too will discover this truth as you count your blessings. —E. V.

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made;
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.  —Leona Von Brethorst

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. Josh. 2:21 NKJV

From this point forward, every time Rahab looked out her window, her view of the world was shaped by the scarlet cord. Instead of impending judgment she saw impending deliverance. Instead of despair there was peace. This word “cord” is translated in other passages as “hope”. How suggestive and lovely for us to meditate on. Our hope in Christ should change our worldview. The turmoil and evil we see all around, one day will be set right by His righteous
return. And the sorrows we may be personally struggling with this very day, somehow are lightened and even tempered with joy, as we view them through a window bound with the scarlet cord of our hope in Him. —S. McEachern

When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me. —C. Gabriel

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10
My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
When I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

On multiple occasions Moses reminded Joshua to “Be strong and of good courage”. Obviously Joshua had a huge task ahead of him and a remarkable leader to replace. Divine strength and courage would be needed. What task or challenge are you facing? The apostle has the answer for it: His strength for our weakness—the infinite resource of the power of His might. We are not to face life’s challenges on our own. Turn it over to Him. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Be strong and heed the promise!
Fear not, but go forth undismayed;
Be strong, and of good courage;
Have faith! Be not afraid. —Ren Olsen

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Whoever drinks of this water…but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give… John 4:13-14 NKJV

What a beautiful truth we discover in the two different tenses of the verb Jesus used for “drink” when speaking to the Samaritan woman: “Whoever [continues to drink] of this water will thirst again, but whoever [takes one drink] of the water that I shall give him will never thirst”. The point Jesus was making? At best, physical water—any physical satisfaction provided by this world only quenches our thirst temporarily, requiring a never-ending quest for contentment. But the water Jesus offers, spiritual water, quenches our spiritual longings once and for all! Christian, take this Water to some thirsty soul today. —Brian Cretney

I heard the voice of Jesus say, behold I freely give,
The living water, thirsty one, stoop down and drink and live.  —Horatius Bonar

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

Here we see the wonderful cycle of faith in Timothy’s life. It was the faith which dwelt in his grandmother and mother. The expression, “which dwelt”, is to say they were right at home with their faith. While faith cannot be passed down, it can be passed on. May God inspire us all to follow the good example of these two mothers in the Bible. Timothy did! —Rex Trogdon

O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;
Where ev’ry child is taught His love and favour,
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified.   —Barbara Hart