Month: July 2024

1 Samuel 3:1-21; Isaiah 46; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22

A literal rendering of the middle of this verse is that Joseph “remembered the Exodus of the children of Israel”. But how could Joseph remember an event that hadn’t even happened yet? Because God had told Abraham that it would (Gen. 15:13-16), and Joseph counted God’s word as certain. What promise from God do you need to take hold of today? —Warren Hagey

Yes, I to the end shall endure,
As sure as the earnest is giv’n;
More happy, but not more secure,
The souls of the blessed in heaven.  —Augustus Toplady

1 Samuel 2:1-36; Isaiah 44:24-45:25; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10

Rest in the Lord. Psalm 37:7

Over one hundred years ago Alexander Steward penned, “Shut in with Thee far, far above the restless world that wars below”. How much more true is that statement in the 21st century? In this world of conflict and turmoil the Savior’s invitation still stands: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest…learn of me…and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29). —Wm. H. Gustafson

I heard the voice of Jesus say,
Come unto me and rest;
Lay down, O weary one,
Lay down thy head upon my breast.  —Horatius Bonar

1 Samuel 1:1-28; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me. Psalm 3:3
Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy…great reward. Gen. 15:1

One of the many Biblical word pictures revealing our Lord is that of a shield. A definition given for shield is, “A person or thing that protects”. God assured Abram as he traveled with his small extended family into a new land that He was his shield. The psalmist claimed God as his shield and protector from those who relentlessly pursued him. How comforting to know that whatever threatens us, we can find safety in the Lord our shield and protector! —E. V.

You crush the enemy underneath my feet,
You are my sword and shield,
Though troubles linger still,
Whom shall I fear? —Chris Tomlin

Ruth 3:1-4:22; Isaiah 43:1-44:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Jonathan loved [David]…Israel and Judah loved David…Michal Saul’s daughter loved David. 1 Samuel 18:1, 16, 20

Jonathan had good cause to love David because of his conquest in the valley. Had the Philistine giant not been slain, Jonathan would have lost his life. All Israel and Judah came to love David because of his wise conduct. Michal loved David because of his comeliness. Our love for the Saviour surely began when we learned how He had fought the battle on our behalf, and through His victory brought salvation within our reach. Later, our love deepens as we
view His earthly walk, but love finds its all in the beauty of His Person. —Phil Coulson

Lord Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine,
For Thee all the pleasures of sin I resign.  —William Featherston

Ruth 2:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-25; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had understanding of the times. I Chronicles 12:32

In this verse, God makes special note of these men who had an understanding of the times. Certainly our Lord would desire for all of us to have a similar understanding. Our time is short, and it may well be, we need to make the most of the time remaining. And the time for those around us to come to Christ for salvation is also short so we need to be faithful witnesses. In addition to understanding the times, we must act accordingly. As our Lord said, “The night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). —Ken Gross

Work till the last beam fadeth,
Fadeth to shine no more;
Work, while the night is darkening,
When man’s work is o’er. —Anna L. Coghill

Ruth 1:1-22; Isaiah 41:1-29; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. Judges 2:10

Recently we were looking at a record of the offerings and expenditures from the earliest days (1891-1908) of the local church I attend. As I thought of the above verses, I was very thankful for the godly individuals who taught us about the Lord and the great salvation He has provided for us. We need to carry on that work especially with our children and grandchildren. He is a faithful God, and has lavishly provided for all our needs, but are we being faithful to Him? —Mary Robins

We face a task unfinished, that drives us to our knees,
A need, that undiminished, rebukes our slothful ease,
We who rejoice to know Thee, renew before Thy throne,
The solemn pledge we owe Thee, to go and make Thee known.—F. Houghton

Judges 21:1-25; Isaiah 40:1-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 NKJV

Elijah didn’t panic when the brook dried up, because God was his source, not the brook. So many times we look to people, prosperity, possessions or pleasure as our source for preservation, instead of God. Elijah didn’t try to replace the source himself, but waited on God. When the time came, God sent him to a widow’s home, and used Elijah to sustain her family, even raising her son from the dead! When we let God be our source, miracles will happen. Trust
Him for what you need today! —Deborah Manera

The greatest challenge in receiving great things from God
is holding on for the last half hour. ?L. B. E. Cowman

Judges 20:1-48; Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Christ Jesus…took upon him the form of a servant.  Philippians 2:5, 7

The “form of a servant” lies in a manger: a dependent human, displaying mankind’s essence, although holy. He could not cease to be God by descending into humanity. He will not cease to be man, although ascended to heaven (John 17:5). Taking “the form of a servant”, He served God, delighting to do His will (Ps. 40:8; Heb. 10:7). He is all that God intended man to be—to resemble God and serve as His representative, bringing creation into subjection (Gen.
1:26-28). This Man will accomplish that and much more (1 Cor. 15:28). May God by His grace transform us to become more like Him, servants of God. — David W. Oliver

Verily God, yet become truly human,
Lower than angels to die in our stead.  —Henry Champney

Judges 19:1-30; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. John 11:1

It is not a sin to be sick, nor does it mean that the sick one is outside the will of God. Epaphroditus was “sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him” (Phil. 2:27). Trophimus was “left at Miletum sick” (2 Tim. 4:20). Indeed Timothy, the man of God, was marked by stomach problems and “often infirmities” (1 Tim. 5:23). Sickness is part of a creation that is groaning. God’s dealings with us are for His glory and are often a part of His training program for His people (Heb. 12:11). —L. Cain

My times are in Thy hand;
Whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright,
As best may seem to Thee. —W. F. Lloyd

Judges 17:1-18:31; Isaiah 36:1-37:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Whatever He says to you, do it. John 2:5 NKJV

The wine had run out at the wedding reception! Mary’s last recorded words were wisely heeded by the servants. However, think of how easily those servants could have rationalized their way out of obeying Jesus’s command. “Fill them with…water? They ran out of wine, not water!” “Wine takes time. And we don’t have time to waste!” “You want us to carry enough water to fill those six waterpots—about 120 gallons?” On and on those servants could have argued that Jesus’s way of doing things made no sense. But instead, they simply obeyed. And as they did, the miracle happened. And so it will be for us. What command is Jesus directing your heart to obey today? “Whatever He
says, do it”, and He will bless. —Brian Cretney

Trust and obey, for there’s no other way,
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey. —John H. Sammis