Month: October 2024

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David. Matthew 15:22

This woman sought relief for her daughter yet asked mercy for herself. Could it be that her daughter was oblivious to the pain her condition was causing her mother, that the mother felt the pain of her daughter’s demon possession more fully than her daughter? How like our situation! As we read our precious Scriptures, as we thrill to meet with saints, to worship at His table, to welcome His grace amidst the concerns of daily life, to walk in the intimacy of His presence, we grieve deeply for those we love who neglect this life in favour of the broken cisterns and polluted water that will never satisfy. So with this woman, we kneeling beg, “Lord, help me”, even as we present our request for the healing that brings eternal life. —Marilyn MacMullen

God, be merciful to me, on Your grace I rest my plea;
Your compassions overflow, blot out my transgressions now. —Unknown

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up. John 3:14

Why was the serpent compared to the Son of Man? The serpent was cursed for tempting Eve to sin, “God said unto the serpent, because thou hast done this, thou art cursed” (Gen. 3:14). To be lifted up to hang was also a curse. “Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree” (Gal. 3:13). To redeem us, Jesus was lifted up and made a curse for
us. We are now free when we look up to Him! —K. C. Ung

There is life for a look at the crucified One,
There is life at this moment for thee;
Then look, sinner, look unto Him, and be saved,
Unto Him who was nailed to the tree.  —Amelia M. Hull

1 Chronicles 8:1-9:44; Ezekiel 11:1-25; John 3:22-36

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:7

Prior to lowering the oak casket containing the mortal remains of Queen Elizabeth II, into the royal vault in St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, officials removed from its lid her crown, orb and sceptre—symbols of her royal power. Royal commentators explained that this was to make clear she would descend to her grave as “a simple Christian soul”. Thankfully the Queen was only too aware that the trappings of a life of privilege counted for nothing in God’s eyes and she valued her Christian life above material things. We should share that sentiment. —Brian Powlesland

Nothing in my hands I bring; simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked, come to Thee for dress, helpless, look to Thee for grace;
Foul, I to the fountain fly; wash me, Saviour, or I die. —A. Toplady

1 Chronicles 7:1-40; Ezekiel 10:1-22; John 2:23-3:21

Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Matthew 8:26

The disciples, seasoned fishermen, were facing a storm that filled them with terror, and the Lord was asleep, seemingly uncaring about their plight. They then wakened Him, and He intervened, calming the storm, and gently chiding them for their fear and lack of faith. We learn here that faith is tested and strengthened when facing adversity, rather than when circumstances are congenial. We also learn, that the Lord is always aware of our trials, and He is always ready to hear our cries, and deliver. Paul writes “God… will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape“ (1 Cor. 10:13). —W. H. Burnett

When doubts and fears arise, teach me Thy way!
When storms o’er spread the skies, teach me Thy way!  —B. Mansell Ramsey

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified. Matthew 27:26 NKJV

The divine Creator responsible for the marvels of the human spine gave His own back to the smiters (Isa. 50:6). As a young man travelling with the pilgrims to Jerusalem, did He join in singing: “The plowers plowed upon my back: they made long their furrows” (Ps. 129:3). Yet He accepted, without resistance, the excruciatingly painful scourging of His back. He died that we might be free. —Peter Ramsay

His love my heart has captive made,
His captive would I be,
For He was bound, and scourged and died,
My captive soul to free.  —Charles Wesley

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 NKJV

This verse tells us two things that the Lord is not. He is not slack concerning His promise to come again, and He is not willing that any should perish. As we consider these truths we look upward expectantly, knowing that “He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:37). Also, we look outward compassionately, to men in their great spiritual need, knowing that it delights His heart to save precious souls. He is a returning and redeeming Lord! As
we wait for Him may we faithfully serve Him. —Philip A. Kaye

Jesus is coming! O sing the glad word!
Coming for those He redeemed by His blood.  —Daniel W. Whittle

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

For if thou…holdest thy peace at this time, then shall…deliverance arise to the Jews from another place…And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

The Jews were under the sentence of death and Esther was chosen to intervene on their behalf. This world is under the sentence of eternal death (Rom. 6:23), and God has given you and me the incredible privilege of being “workers together with him” (2 Cor. 6:1), to take the Gospel of eternal life in Christ to them. If we fail to do this, He will send someone else, for His work must and will be done. —David Croudace

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun,
Does its successive journeys run,
His Kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more. —Isaac Watts

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

For I say…to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. Romans 12:3 NKJV
The Pharisee…prayed thus…“God, I thank You that I am not like other men…even as this tax collector.” Luke 18:11 NKJV

Thinking highly of ourselves is a dangerous but easy trap to fall into. The Pharisee of our verse is a classic example. He was so full of pride that it blinded him to the fact that the prayer of the publican was accepted over his. “For every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:14). How much better to follow our Saviour’s example of humility, bringing glory to His Name. —E. V.

Not I, but Christ, be honoured, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen, be known, be heard.
—A. Simpson & A. Whiddington

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare. Psalm 75:1-2

Within this small psalm, we read one of the great facts of all time: God’s works reveal who He is! Paul affirmed this (Rom. 1:20-22), and as we look at the plants and trees, we can see the hand of the great Creator all around. May we use our eyes to see these things and give Him the praise that is due to His Name! —Gwenyth Frear

To You, O Lord, do we give thanks,
Your wondrous works stand there in ranks,
Men cannot stand up in his pride,
Before You Lord they cannot hide,
But we Your own, can sing Your praise,
For ever and for all our days. —G.F.

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

The believer has “hope…as an anchor of the soul” (Heb. 6:19). Even though we are living in uncertain times, our hope stands fast. As the Psalmist reminds us three times in Psalms 42 and 43—our hope is in the Lord. So there is no reason to be cast down or disquieted. He is our help and health! —Wm. H. Gustafson

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  —Edward Mote