Month: August 2024

2 Samuel 2:1-32; Micah 4:9-5:15; Romans 11:1-12

And thou hast removed my soul far off from peace: I forgat prosperity. Lamentations 3:17
He shutteth out my prayer. Lamentations 3:8
Great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:23

Have you ever felt like this? Godly Jeremiah did, and I must admit I have also and I am no Jeremiah. This is when we must remind ourselves that “the Lord is at hand” (Phil. 4:5). Do not rely on feelings. Remember the Lord will bring you through. “Great is thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:23). —Brian Russell

Then feels my deepest smart,
The soul-reviving power,
And gently rests my troubled heart,
Beneath the crimson shower. —Gerhard Tersteegen

2 Samuel 1:1-27; Micah 3:1-4:8; Romans 9:30-10:21

And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Psalm 39:7

As we look at our broken world, plagued by injustice, hatred and war, it’s hard not to feel overwhelmed and helpless. But the psalmist reminds us that our hope is not in this world, but in the Lord. We don’t trust man’s ability to solve issues and restore peace—we don’t even trust ourselves. Only in God, can we find true hope and restoration. Has life become wearisome, full of anxiety and cares? Look to the Lord. There is no one else who can see us through today, tomorrow, and into eternity. Lord, my hope is in you! —Deborah Manera

Nothing else is needed to quiet all your fears,
but just this, that God Is. –Hannah Whitall Smith

1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; Micah 1:1-2:13; Romans 9:1-29

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 2 Timothy 3:5

The Lord Jesus was eternally in “the form of God”, and in the incarnation took on “the form of a servant” (Phil. 2:6-7). By contrast, many in these last days have the form of godliness, but it is merely a façade. God desires truth in the inward parts, rather than hypocrisy. Christ was fully God and fully became a servant on earth— there was no pretense about his “form”. We must imitate Him by growing in His grace and having the same attitude of dependent
humility. May we be what we seem to be. —Keith R. Keyser

Oh, may that mind be form’d in us,
Which shone so bright in Thee;
May we be humble, lowly, meek,
From pride and envy free. —Thomas Cotterill

1 Samuel 28:1-29:11; Isaiah 66:1-24; Romans 8:18-39

For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house. Hebrews 3:3

Guests invited to a banquet to honour a particular individual are excited to be there. And while they enjoy meeting and talking with other attendees, their primary focus is seeing the guest of honour. Likewise, each Lord’s Day we delight to fellowship together, but our greatest joy is remembering and thanking the One we gather around, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the pre-eminent One, the focus of all our worship and praise. —George Ferrier

O happy home, where Thou art loved the dearest,
Thou loving Friend, and Saviour of our race,
And where among the guests, there never cometh,
One who can hold such high and honoured place! —K. Spitta

1 Samuel 26:1-27:12; Isaiah 65:1-25; Romans 8:1-17

And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day  approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NKJV

We, who are in the body of Christ, are to encourage one another unto love and service to our Lord. To do this we need to spend time together in fellowship and truly become part of each other’s lives. As our Lord’s coming draws near, we need to get together even more often. His coming is drawing near. The time to start is now! —Rex Trogdon

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms;
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Elisha Hoffman

1 Samuel 25:1-44; Isaiah 63:15-64:12; Romans 7:7-25

Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart. Psalm 27:14
Wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee. Proverbs 20:22

Samuel told Saul to go down to Gilgal and tarry seven days “‘til I come to thee”. When Samuel had not come after the seven days Saul presumed to function as a priest by offering the burnt offering. At the very end of the seventh day, upon Samuel’s arrival, he challenged Saul’s disobedience: “Thou hast done foolishly”. The end result was disastrous. What a lesson for us. May we take seriously the Scripture’s injunction, “You have need of patience” (Heb. 10:36).
—Wm. H. Gustafson

Wait on the Lord, children, wait on the Lord.
You can trust your Father; He is with you still.
He will work His purpose, and you know He will. —K. Bible

1 Samuel 23:1-24:22; Isaiah 62:1-63:14; Romans 6:15-7:6

He that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

The late King George V of England once wrote in the flyleaf of a friend’s Bible the following words, “The secret of happiness is not to do what you like to do, but to learn to like what you have to do”. God has called us to do our particular work and we must not look enviously at others and wish we had their gifts and calling. If we find things hard and difficult, we need to call upon the Lord to help us to enjoy and be fulfilled in the work He has given us,
remembering that the One who calls us also equips us. Let us serve Him with a cheerful and enthusiastic spirit. —Paul Young

Happy, still in God confiding,
Fruitful if in Christ abiding,
Holy, through the Spirit’s guiding,
All must be well. —Mary Bowley Peters

1 Samuel 21:1-22:23; Isaiah 61:1-13; Romans 6:1-14

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16

You may have noticed that society is not becoming more virtuous. How will we respond? Dread? Disgust? Dismay? No! This is the moment for Christians to truly make a difference in our world, carefully depending on the Lord to show us how to make the best use of our time. Redeeming the time probably will not involve cramming more activities into our hectic schedules or increasing our online browsing. It might be, however, setting aside more moments to be still in His presence and in His Word before “walk[ing] in wisdom toward them that are without” (Col. 4:5). Holy Spirit, make us alert to the chances You give to do good. —Caroline Webb

Each moment is a treasure, a present to employ,
Not chasing fleeting pleasures, but finding lasting joy.  —Ken Puls

1 Samuel 19:8-20:42; Isaiah 60:1-22; Romans 5:12-21

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NKJV

We may wish some things in Scripture were outlined more clearly to avoid differences and variations in practices. But the New Testament pattern could not be clearer when it comes to Christian behaviour—for all believers of all ages, in all places and under all circumstances. No retaliation towards anyone, regardless of the offence experienced. No exceptions ever about our attitude and actions towards anyone in Christ or out of Christ. Always pursue what is good for every person. —Peter Ramsay

Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. —T.O. Chisholm

1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-21; Romans 4:23-5:11

Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV

I remember Boyd Nicholson saying of the coal miners of Scotland, “They mined coal by day and diamonds by night”! Although they may have been “unlearned” men, they were giants in the Word of God! This Book is a priceless treasure and precious truths are revealed as we take time to mine His Word. In this day, there is a real lack of knowledge of God’s Word. Sadly, many Christians are floundering and seeking advice from worldly “experts”, rather
than the truths of the Bible. In times of past persecution, ignorance of the Scriptures was forced. Today, it is a choice! —Jim Comte

Precious Holy Bible, treasure rich and rare.
Word of God eternal, balm for every care. —A.P. Gibbs