Month: January 2026

Genesis 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matthew 14:13-36

Bring the tribe of Levi near … they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel. Numbers 3:6, 8

Had we been asked to choose one of Jacob’s sons to undertake these sacred tasks, the last name on our list would surely have been that of Levi. His own father had said of him (and Simeon), “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations … in their anger they slew a man” (Gen. 49:5-6). But there was a day when Levi positively answered Moses’ call, “Who is on the Lord’s side” (Ex. 32:26), and divine grace wrought a great change in Levi’s character and
brought him great reward. —Phil Coulson

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin! —J. H. Johnston

Genesis 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matthew 13:44-14:12

Behold, thou art fair, my love … Thou art all fair, my love … How fair is thy love, … my spouse! Song of Solomon 4:1, 7, 10

Song of Solomon gives a wonderful picture of Christ and His bride. Sadly Christ’s church is often not what it should be. Our deeds are sinful, our words hurtful, our thoughts unedifying and our motives not always praiseworthy. In contrast, the Saviour’s unblemished life evokes worship and a recognition of our shortfall. How precious that God assures us that we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The above verses, applied to Christ’s bride are  astounding. What has grace accomplished by redemption! He sees us now as we will be eternally. —David W. Oliver

No longer far from Him, but now, by precious blood made nigh,
Accepted in the “Well-beloved”, near to God’s heart we lie. —R. Boswell

Genesis 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matthew 13:24-43

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. James 1:13 NKJV

We live in a world full of sin and temptation and the devil and our ungodly culture have made many tempting sins seem normal. James warns us that we need to guard against all these enticing things and he also affirms the fact that God does not tempt us. Instead, we know that from God, “Every good and perfect gift is from above”. Let us rest in the fact that God gives us all that we need to stand against temptation. The only way to overcome it is to look to Him. —Caleb Riordan

Gazing on His glory there,
I may reflect His image here. —Charles Wesley

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7

“Abounding” means overflowing. We cannot thank the Lord too much. A thankful heart will strengthen our faith as we thank Him for answered prayer. Reflecting upon the innumerable blessings He has showered upon us, our grateful remembrances apply a healing balm to life’s disappointments. In all circumstances, let our cup of thanksgiving fill and overflow to Him. He is worthy and will delight to hear our appreciation. —George T. Ferrier

With thankful hearts, O Lord, we come,
To praise Thy name in grateful song;
Accept the offering, Lord, we bring,
And help us loud Thy praises sing. —J. S. Mohler

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5 NKJV
The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Matthew 27:49 NKJV

The Old Testament ended with Malachi’s prophecy promising to avert a curse on the earth through Elijah’s return. Though John the Baptist exercised an Elijah-like ministry, most of Israel did not repent and instead delivered Him up for crucifixion. Neither Elijah nor legions of angels rescued Christ from the cross. He became a curse for mankind, so that those who believe in Him would be blessed with eternal life (Gal. 3:13-14). Trust Him today! —Keith R. Keyser

The curse is gone, through Thee we’re blest,
God rests in Thee – in Thee we rest. —J. G. Deck