Month: August 2019

1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 5:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a
stranger, and not thine own lips. Proverbs 27:2

Humans love praise, applause and recognition. It is easy then to
begin to praise ourselves. But God warns against it. Receiving the
genuine praise of others is the best affirmation. Calvary was God’s
greatest work. He deserves all our honour and praise for the goodness
of that glorious work. “Where is boasting then? It is excluded”
(Rom. 3:27). “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness” (Ps.
107:8, 15, 21, 31). —Vernon Markle

Son of God, with joy we praise Thee,
On the Father’s throne above
All Thy wondrous work displays Thee,
Full of grace and full of love. —I. Burgmiller

1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me
by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and
afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:23-24

The word, nevertheless, indicates a change in one’s perspective.
It could be defined as, all-the-more. The psalmist, Asaph, had his
outlook adjusted and through his experience gives us all-the-more
reasons to walk with the Lord. We have: His presence—continually;
His protection—holding us by our right hand; and His guidance—
by His counsel through His Word. Though we may falter
and fail, nevertheless, each step brings us closer to the wonderful
conclusion that when life is over, He will receive us to glory.
That’s all-the-more reason to praise Him! —Rex Trogdon

Then, Lord, shall I fully know—
Not till then—how much I owe. —R. Murray McCheyne

1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the
congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high
priest that shall be in those days. Joshua 20:6a

This describes the benefit for the innocent manslayer—to run to
an appointed city of refuge. Thank God that our high priest will
never die, whatever prevails. We are eternally secure because He
always lives to make intercession for us (Heb. 7:4). —Brian Russell

Before the throne of God above,
I have a strong, a perfect plea,
A great High Priest whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
— Charitie L. Bancroft

1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

“Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with
the child?” And she answered, “It is well.”…The man of God
said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress.”
2 Kings 4:26-27,NKJV

When reading the above account of the Shunammite woman, we
might ask, was she putting on false pretenses or did her complete
confidence in Elisha’s God allow her to answer so positively?
When passing through intense, difficult circumstances, we too
may attempt to put on a brave front, when in reality our souls are
in deep distress. Only in complete surrender to, and confidence in
our God’s faithfulness, can we also exclaim, it is well! —E. V.

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
“It is well, it is well with my soul!” —Horatio G. Spafford

1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him. Psalm 34:6
I cried out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep
thy statutes. Psalm 119:145

The Evangelical Revival in Great Britain and the Great
Awakening in the American colonies were preceded by intense
prayer meetings. In the months before the revival broke John
Wesley tells how he began “to pray with all my might”. Prayer
meetings would conclude at three in the morning. George
Whitefield wrote, “We parted with full conviction that God was
going to do great things among us”. And God did. —J. A. Bjorlie

May Thy rich grace impart strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire;
As Thou hast died for me, Oh may my love to Thee,
Pure, warm and changeless be—a living fire. —Ray Palmer

1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

From childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are
able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in
Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15, NKJV

We can never underestimate the importance of children learning
the Bible from the earliest days of their lives. The Word of
God is being abandoned at every level of our society. May couples
who are raising children in these challenging days not neglect this
invaluable part of family life! To every believer involved in Sunday
Schools, kids clubs, children’s meetings, daily vacation Bible
schools, summer camp programs and other children’s ministries
keep up the good work! Many will be in heaven because of what
you have sown into young and tender hearts! —Jim Paul

Precious Holy Bible, treasure rich and rare,
Word of God eternal, balm for every care. —Alfred Gibbs

1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Corinthians 12:1-13

His mother saith…Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. John 2:5

Often when the Lord speaks to us, we push it aside and follow
our own path. But if we will go and do as He tells us to do, we will
reap the goodness of His commands. He knows what we need and
when we need it. If we pursue His will, we will find that His plan
for us is the best and only way. —Ken Gunnell

Oh give me Samuel’s ear—
The open ear, O Lord!
Alive and quick to hear,
Each whisper of Thy word;
Like him to answer at Thy call,
And to obey Thee first of all.
— J. D. Burns

1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Mount Carmel 1 Kings 18
Mount Calvary Luke 23

Mount Carmel. Elijah prepares an altar and a sacrifice, drenching
it with 12 barrels of water. Fire comes down from heaven, consumes
the sacrifice, the altar, the wood and the wet ground around it.
Elijah’s name, “God is Jehovah”, becomes his sermon that day.
Almost 900 years later, the scene is Mount Calvary. The crowd cries,
“We will not have this man to reign over us!” (Luke 19:15). So God sends
the fire of His wrath from heaven. Again it lands on the altar, a cross
holding God’s own Son. But wait! That Sacrifice is not consumed!
Instead, the Sacrifice consumes the fire and Christ preaches the most
eloquent sermon ever. “God is love”. —Brian Cretney

Jehovah bade His sword awake;
O Christ, it woke ‘gainst Thee!
Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;
Thine heart its sheath must be.—A. R. Cousin

1 Samuel 8:1-9:14; Isaiah 49:1-26; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways. Job 26:14, NKJV
Great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. Job 37:5b

We will never fully understand our infinite, amazing God until
we are in heaven with Him. He does great things for us and although
sometimes we cannot comprehend what He is doing, we
trust in His plans and purposes for our lives (Rom. 8:28). What is
the greatest thing He has done for us? Sending His only begotten
Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have
everlasting life. —Annette Baal

Who can understand Your ways?
And yet You lovingly guide us all our days.
The greatest thing? You sent Your Son,
And in Him, the victory is won.
—Annette Baal

1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; Isaiah 48:1-22; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

They came down from the mountain. Matthew 17:9

It’s great to be on the mountain top, but we cannot remain there.
The valley is filled with trouble and needs the help and power
of God. Life is made up of mountain and valley experiences, the
former preparing us for the latter. Glory and gloom are never far
apart. Some day there will be no gloom, but until that day let us
be faithful in bringing something of the glory of the mount to the
gloom of the valley. —W. Ross Rainey

Some golden daybreak Jesus will come;
Some golden daybreak, battles all won,
He’ll shout the victory, break through the blue,
Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.
—C. A. Blackmore