Month: January 2026

Genesis 15:1-16:16; Job 18:1-19:29; Matthew 8:28-9:17

And Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a garment of fine linen and purple. Esther 8:15

Earlier in the story, all seemed lost. Mordecai was sitting outside the palace clothed in sackcloth and ashes. His enemy, Haman, was plotting to put him to death on the gallows. But in the sovereign power of God, Haman was defeated and hung on his own gallows and Mordecai took his power and position. What a wonderful picture of the work of the Lord Jesus! The cross meant defeat for Satan (Heb. 2:14), and the Lord Jesus has been exalted and given
honour and glory. —Gary McBride

Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious: see the Man of Sorrows now;
From the fight returned victorious, every knee to Him shall bow.  —T. Kelly

Genesis 13:1-14:24; Job 16:1-17:16; Matthew 8:1-27

Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. 2 Kgs. 19:6

The Assyrian army was poised to overrun Jerusalem. The commander had mocked the nation, derided King Hezekiah and blasphemed God. Humanly speaking it looked as if the Israelites would be defeated by the invading army. Hezekiah cried out to God in prayer and through Isaiah the prophet, was told there was nothing to fear. God had it all under control and relief from the siege was assured. Soon the Assyrian army was destroyed and peace and prosperity came to Judah. It is always true that our extremity is God’s opportunity. —Paul Young

God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own;
Tho’ trials may press us and burdens distress us,
He never will leave us alone. —Kittie L. Suffield

Genesis 11:27-12:20; Job 15:1-35; Matthew 7:7-29

Their soul melts because of trouble…and are at their wits’ end. Psalm 107:26-27 NKJV

Does this describe you today, dear child of God? Are you reeling under the weight of your present circumstances with no end in sight? At such a time it’s good to remember that yours is the same God who parted the Red Sea, brought water from the rock, made the blind to see, the lame to walk, and raised Christ Jesus from the dead! Nothing is too hard for Him. He is able to calm your storm and bring rest to your soul. —E. V.

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.  —Kathrina von Schlegel

Genesis 10:1-11:26; Job 13:1-14:22; Matthew 6:19-7:6

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. Acts 9:11

It had been three days since Saul of Tarsus had encountered the Christ of God. What mighty changes had been enacted in his life! Now he is found on Straight Street. There is no longer the peril of being on the broad road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13). No longer was there perversity in his walk and he manifested his new spiritual life by praying. He who had been running in all his ways counter to Christ, now walked in His will and desired  communion with Him—as should we. —Lloyd Cain

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer!  —Joseph M. Scriven

Genesis 8:20-9:29; Job 11:1-12:25; Matthew 6:1-18

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Paul tells us to forget the things that are behind and reach for the things that are ahead (v 13). For those who are getting older it’s so easy to look back on the good old days thinking that they were better than now. In some ways perhaps they were, but in others not as much. What the past held, good or bad, cannot be compared to what is ahead! Are you running for the prize? Your race may be a short sprint or a marathon, long and grueling! Persevere that you
may obtain the prize! – Jim Paul

Onward to the prize before us! Soon His beauty we’ll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open – We shall tread the streets of gold. —E. E.