Month: November 2025

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For…this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12

With an invading army approaching, King Jehoshaphat led the nation in prayer. Jehovah answered through a Levite called Jahaziel, “Be not afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15). The next day the king spoke to the people. What we read in verse 20 is a play on words in the Hebrew, that could be translated, “Have firm faith and you will stand firm.” If you are facing problems and you don’t know what to do, follow the king’s good advice and have firm faith in Him alone. —Pete Smith

The Lord our refuge is, and ever will remain;
Since He hath made us His, He will our cause maintain.  —Samuel Barnard

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-4:14

Saul arose from the earth…they led him by the hand. Acts 9:8

Saul had his own ideas as he started toward Damascus; however, God had other plans for this persecutor of the new Christians. The confident Saul suddenly had to lean on others to lead him along in his blindness. Are we, like Saul, wanting to be independent? God is looking for those who will depend on Him. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord…and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Do we make decisions on our own or are we willing to allow God
to “take us by His hand” and lead us in His perfect will for our lives? As we learn to lean on Him, He will guide us. —V. Strout

He helps me with each task, if only I’ll ask;
Every day now I’m learning to lean.  —John Stallings

2 Chronicles 10:1-11; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you…help these women who labored with me in the gospel. Philippians 4:2-3 NKJV

Are you embroiled in a relational situation of escalating tension? Do these sisters remind you of the turn your Christian life has taken? Your joy is fading. Your eager desire to partner in the Gospel is evaporating. Your energy, once happily used to advance the Lord’s purposes, has now been diverted to nursing your peeve. Bitterness is gaining a foothold. Consider this a warning message. For the next week, read Philippians 2 with a repentant, reflective heart. May God help us all to be of the same mind. —P. Ramsay

May the mind of Christ, my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling all I do and say. —Kate Wilkinson

2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Is. 61:10 NKJV

They say that clothes “make the man” and we can be judged by what we wear. But whether we choose an outfit for comfort or glamour, professional power, or practical protection, believers rejoice in their true attire: the garment of salvation. Hand-me-down rags and designer fashions are irrelevant when we stand in God’s presence, covered with the robe of righteousness, purchased by the blood of Christ. What spiritual beauty and dignity He bestows. Rejoice! —Caroline Webb

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine.  —Charles Wesley

2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed. Revelation 5:5
And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us… from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:16

The Lion and the Lamb—contrasting images of our Lord. It is surprising which image is emphasized in these verses. The figure of a lamb naturally portrays the qualities of gentleness, vulnerability, and weakness. Yet the whole earth trembled at the presence of the Lamb. By way of contrast, the lion is naturally the king of the jungle; bravery, nobility, and strength are his. Yet on the cross, our Lord withheld employing His strength and gave His life in humility. —Sid Halsband

And now the mighty deed is done, on the cross!
The battle fought, the vict’ry won, on the cross! —J. Hoskins

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 NKJV

No individual can elude death’s grasp, but for the believer, our loss is wrapped in peace, and the emptiness left behind is filled with hope. Take heart in this time of loss. God will hold you near. In the meantime, Jesus holds your loved one in His nail-scarred hands in glory, where they will sing His praises until the day we are all reunited and all sorrows cease. —Alyssa Gee

The only scars in Heaven, they won’t belong to me and you,
There’ll be no such thing as broken, and all the old will be made new;
And the thought that makes me smile now, even as the tears fall down,
Is that the only scars in heaven, are on the hands that hold you now.  —Mark Hall & M. J. West

2 Chronicles 5:1-6:11; Ezekiel 29:1-30:19; John 11:1-27

It displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry. Jonah 4:1
Then said the Lord, Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah 4:4

Jonah’s anger was rooted in God’s unwillingness to bring judgment upon the Ninevites. Even though they had turned
from their wicked ways, Jonah was frustrated with God as he would have preferred judgment to have fallen. When we become dissatisfied with God’s ways and workings in and through us, we need to be challenged about our attitude in the same way God challenged Jonah, learning afresh this truth “As for God, his way is perfect” (Psalm 18:30). —Philip A. Kaye

Thy will, O Lord, not mine, teach me to say:
Not my will, Lord, but Thine, I would obey;
Then shall I know the joy and Thy name glorify.
When I, on earth, shall try to follow Thee. —Elizabeth Frazer

2 Chronicles 3:1-4:22; Ezekiel 28:1-26; John 10:19-42

God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 50:20 NKJV

As a teenager, Joseph had revelations from God in the form of dreams. Yet he did not know exactly how God’s plan would unfold. Undoubtedly, He never envisioned separation from his family, becoming a slave, and years in prison. This is often true in our lives. God is working but often in unexpected and sometimes painful ways. But we rest in this, “that all things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28). May we accept that God will fulfill His perfect purposes in us regardless of circumstances. —Gary McBride

Deep in unfathomable mines,
Of never-failing skill;
He treasures up His bright designs,
And works His sovereign will. —W. Cowper

2 Chronicles 1:1-2:18; Ezekiel 27:1-36; John 10:1-18

Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:67 NKJV
It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes (word). Psalm 119:71 NKJV

The psalmist is here assured that God’s hand of discipline was never vindictive, but always with a caring and loving purpose. We all have times of distress and wonder why. The Father loves and cares for us, reminding us that “No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). —Jim Comte

Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up, don’t worry, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by. —W. B. Stevens

1 Chronicles 29:1-30; Ezekiel 26:1-21; John 9:18-41

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures. 1 Cor. 15:3

Between July and November, 2014, a visual art project, entitled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red, was open for public viewing at the Tower of London. 888,246 red ceramic poppies were installed in the moat of the tower. Each poppy represented a British or Commonwealth life lost in the First World War. The effect was stunning. A staggering display of suffering and loss! Millions passed by and paid their respects. Today we remember those who died for our freedom. We are grateful for them and honour their memory. But we also think of another place of suffering, Calvary.
There the precious blood of our Saviour was shed. There He won for us forgiveness, peace with God and a glorious hope. – S. M.

A thankful heart, a simple faith, a life of love in You each day;
Til we are one and face to face, and all is joy and endless praise! —K. Bible