Month: May 2025

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

But Samuel ministered before the Lord, even as a child, wearing a linen ephod. Moreover his mother used to make him a little robe, and bring it to him year by year when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice. 1 Samuel 2:18-19 NKJV

Hannah longed for a son and God answered her prayers. She named him Samuel, which means “asked of the Lord.” In turn, she gave him to the Lord and said, “As long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” (1 Sam. 1:28). Each year she lovingly made a garment and took it to the temple for her growing boy. Samuel eventually became a godly leader! Give your children to the Lord, teach them the Word, and lead by example. O how we need a generation of godly young leaders to be raised up! —Jim Comte

Of all the earthly things God gives, there’s one above all others:
It is the precious, priceless gift, of loving Christian mothers. –Anon.

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

Prepare to meet thy God. Amos 4:12

Leaflets in a hotel foyer described places guests could spend a day. I came across one entitled “The Journey of Life.” I thought it was a Gospel tract but in fact, it was a brochure produced by a firm of funeral undertakers describing the services they could provide at the end of life’s journey. It expressed the desirability of preparing for death to reduce the burden on loved ones in terms of funeral arrangements. It made no mention of preparing for eternity and of meeting our Creator. On a personal level, we must prepare for our life’s end by making peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for your sins. Believe that and you will meet Him in heaven. —Brian Powlesland

Out of Christ, without a Saviour, Oh! Can it, can it be?
Like a ship without a rudder, on a wild and stormy sea. —Frank Davis

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side?…The Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. Job 1:10, 12

There is a hedge of protection around each believer beyond which Satan can never go. He may destroy my possessions, my family, and even my health, as he did with Job. But I, as a bloodbought child of His, am precious to Him and I shall never perish. “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them…and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish” (John 10:27-28). —David Croudace

My sheep know My voice, and the valley of death,
Through which I shall lead them someday;
But no danger nor harm can touch one of them,
For I will be with them alway. —Herbert Buffum

Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

[Abraham was] as good as dead. Hebrews 11:12

Abraham was 100 when the son of promise, Isaac, was born. God could have given him a son much earlier, but He waited until there was no human possibility, no human hope, no human intervention that could have succeeded in doing what God did for Abraham. God delights to fulfill His promises when all human hope is gone. In this way, the glory goes to Him! This is how we learn that He is all we need. Abraham learned many vital lessons while waiting on
God for His promise to be a reality. So can we! Trust Him today. —Deborah Manera

When God is going to do something wonderful,
He begins with a difficulty.
If it is going to be something very wonderful,
He begins with an impossibility. —Charles Inwood

Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

And, behold, the babe wept. And, she (Pharoh’s daughter) had compassion on him. Exodus 2:6

So began the story that ended in the redemption of Israel from the bondage of Egypt—the tears of a child and a woman’s tender heart. This seemingly insignificant encounter resulted in Moses, the future deliverer of Israel, being brought up in the household of the oppressor, Pharaoh, to be cared for by his own mother, and, under God, to become the deliverer of Israel from bondage. How different are God’s ways from the ways of the world. So also in
our day, we must be quick to recognize the hand of God in the day-to-day events in our lives. —Willie H. Burnett

God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea, and rides upon the storm.  —William Cowper

Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21 NKJV

Joseph endured a number of harsh experiences. Even more painful for him, just when it seemed that things were improving, another setback would occur. It is an experience that many of us have lived through. In this chapter, Joseph had been made overseer of Potiphar’s house. However, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and he found himself cast into prison. But through it all, the Lord was with him. It is a reminder to all of us today, that no matter our sorrow, the Lord is with us and He will bring deliverance in His time. —Caleb Riordan

He will keep His own secure.
Happy, tho’ despised and poor.—Thomas Kelly

Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord…He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh…Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath. Psalm 2:2, 4-5

These words of the psalmist could describe the way governments and their leaders are functioning today. They would do well to remember that God is on His throne and has everything in control. The efforts of “rulers” do not worry God. In fact He laughs (v. 4). God will deal with them in His wrath. Our responsibility is to pray “for kings, and for all that are in authority” (1 Tim. 2:2). —Bob Cretney

Our God is an awesome God,
He reigns from heaven above,
With wisdom, power, and love;
our God is an awesome God.—Rich Mullens

Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

It is finished. John 19:30

This triumphant cry is just one word in its original language. After crying it out in a loud voice, the Saviour, in full control, bowed His head and yielded up His spirit. Why did He die? Though He had suffered greatly, He did not die because of pain, dehydration, or loss of blood. He died because He had fully accomplished His Father’s will and completed the work God had given Him to do. The sacrifice was accepted, and God was satisfied. The price of
redemption was paid in full. Yes, He did it all! Just as He finally rested, we too can rest at Calvary. The work is finished, our sins are gone, and our future is secure. —Clark Logan

Done is the work that saves! Once and for ever done.
Finished the righteousness, that clothes the unrighteous one.  —Horatius Bonar

Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

“Jesus is God” is the theme of John’s Gospel. It is impossible for anyone to fully explain how God was manifest in the flesh but putting this verse together with verse 14 of this chapter is helpful. “In the beginning was the Word” (v. 1). “And the Word was made flesh” (v. 14). “And the Word was with God” (v. 1), and the Word “dwelt among us” (v. 14). “And the Word was God” (v. 1), and the Word was “full of grace and truth” (v. 14). —Gaius C. Goff

Fairer than the fairest among the sons of men,
Moral glories proved Him great, beyond our ken,
In His perfect pathway, as on earth He trod,
Giving perfect pleasure unto Thee, His God.  —William Irwin

Numbers 12:14-13:33; Proverbs 10:1-32; 1 Peter 2:1-25

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV

My friends, let God fill you with His joy and peace! Even in these dark times we remain confident in our God. He has been faithful to previous generations and will be faithful to us and to the generations to come. Even when our world is shaken, He is the God of hope. Filled with His joy and peace may our hope in Him abound and bless others through His Spirit. —Bronwyn Hagey

Hallelujah, praise the One who set me free!
Hallelujah, death has lost its grip on me!
You have broken every chain.
There’s salvation in your name.
Jesus Christ, my living hope. —Phil Wickham