Month: September 2017

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 2:1-46; Jeremiah 10:1-25; Ephesians 4:1-16

Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury…The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he have done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart. Jeremiah 30:23-24

This is a vivid description of the storm of God’s wrath falling on the wicked. We who are saved will never know such a storm of divine wrath. In the darkness on Calvary’s hill, the terrible storm of God’s righteous and holy wrath against sin broke on our Lord Jesus. This was the intent of the heart of the Father, His thoughts and purpose, to judge our sins in the Lamb of God. As we remember Him and what He endured for us, may worship flow readily from our hearts and lips. —Carl Knott

Jehovah lifted up His rod; O Christ, it fell on Thee!
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God; there’s not one stroke for me.—Cousin

DAILY READINGS: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

He made the altar hollow with boards. Exodus 38:7

If the brazen altar was built of solid metal, based on its dimensions, it would have been an extremely heavy burden to carry. It was made hollow so the Levites had a manageable load to bear. The tabernacle
reveals God’s design for function, beauty and care for His servants. He calls us to bear with Him His yoke—it’s easy (or kind) and His burden is light. The Lord’s work, done by His design, will show His wisdom and glory, and care for His servants. —Sam Thorpe Jr.

His yoke is easy, His burden is light,
I’ve found it so, I’ve found it so;
He leadeth me by day and by night,
Where living waters flow. —Ralph E. Hudson

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

My people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the Lord. Jeremiah 31:14
They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness (abundance) of thy house. Psalm 36:8
My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness (abundance). Psalm 63:5

Our Saviour has promised to give us all that is necessary for life and godliness. He said, “all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). Why then should we look to this miserable world for joy and satisfaction only to find “broken cisterns” (Jer. 2:13)? Enjoy your salvation today! —W. H. G.

All that I want is in Jesus, He satisfies, joy He supplies,
Life would be worthless without Him, all things in Jesus, I find. —H. Loes

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Here we learn that it is important that we should discern the “times” in our lives, that we might act appropriately. We see this demonstrated in the life of the Lord Jesus. In John’s gospel, time after time, we hear
the Lord Jesus say “Mine hour is not yet come” (John 2:4). His life and service was guided by His knowledge of the Father’s timing and He acted accordingly. So also, our lives are not a series of random events,
but the unfolding of God’s purposes. May we be sensitive to the “hours” in our lives and act accordingly. —W. H. Burnett

Our times are in Thy hand, whatever they may be;
Pleasing or painful, dark or bright, as best may seem to Thee. —William F. Lloyd

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth…but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. John 6:37

Present-day English has a counterpart for the Bible’s “in no wise.” We say, “no way” to express a strong refusal or a firm denial. Our first verse is telling us emphatically that there is “no way” we can enter heaven if our sins are not forgiven. If, however, we come to the Lord Jesus, in sincere trust, there is “no way” He will turn us away! —George Hall

Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out. —Lidie H. Edmunds

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

Nevertheless in the time of his (Asa) old age he was diseased in his feet. 1 Kings 15:23 

King Asa was one of those rare kings of whom it was said, “Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days” (1 Kgs. 15:14). Sadly however his end days were painful. Some of God’s servants who have been greatly used of the Lord suffer physically and/or mentally in the last days of their lives. We tend to judge faithful men by their last performances and forget all the years of devotion and study they  have given to the Lord and His people. It has been rightly said, do not judge a day by the lack of a good sunset. —Brian Russell

Thine forever Lord of Life, shield us through our earthly strife,
Thou the life, the truth, the way, guide us to the realms of day. —M. F. Maude

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

It was night time as I walked home, shining my light ahead of my steps. The narrow sliver of the silvery moon in its first quarter shone from the sky above. Hesitantly I turned out my torch and discovered that with the light the moon was reflecting from the sun, I was able to find my way home. What sort of “reflection” of the Son are you and I bringing to those who are searching to find the way home? —Janet Fleming

Be a light for Jesus, shine now for Him;
Others will see it too.
You can serve the Saviour and reach the world,
As your light shines bright and true. —Janet Fleming

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Gal. 4:21-5:9

So will we render the calves of our lips. Hosea 14:2

In Hebrews 13:15 believers are exhorted to offer the sacrifice of praise to God—the fruit of our lips. This is the New Testament equivalent to rendering “the calves of our lips,” referring to the young bullocks accompanying sacrifices offered to God in worship. When we praise God with our lips, we bring a sacrifice pleasing to Him. May we do so today. —K. C. Ung

Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: 2 Sam. 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Gal. 4:1-20

And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times? Matthew 16:3

We like to watch the weather forecasts and plan our days accordingly. But how many of us plan for the dark spiritual days that lie ahead? We see the storm clouds gathering, and our Lord points out that it is time to think and prepare for that future, faithfully sharing our faith, rather than to worry about temporal things. Let’s make sure that we put first things first! —G. Frear

The Lord of all has shown His plan,
Unto each faithful one,
Who leaves behind worldly things,
As soldiers for His Son. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 2 Samuel 16:1-17:29; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Galatians 3:15-29

And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him. Daniel 7:27

The future prospect for God’s people is magnificent! Having been presented holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight (Col. 1:22), we are then promoted to rule in accordance with the faithfulness shown in this life. Isn’t that worth every measure of consecration we can strive for? Will any good and faithful servant have regrets for temporal ambitions set aside? Do we even need to ask? —Rick Morse

Firstfruits of Thy new creation; faithful, holy may we be;
Joyful in Thy great salvation, daily more conformed to Thee. —C. Wesley