Month: August 2020

1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. 1 Corinthians 16:9
I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it. Revelation 3:8

When I first stepped out in faith and left my job to go out as a missionary one of my close friends said to me, “David, you are throwing your life away!” When God opens a door I will invariably face opposition from someone—possibly family; friends or even fellow Christians. However if I am sure it is God who has opened that door, I must by faith look beyond any such discouragements and follow His leading for my life. —David Croudace

I dare not choose my lot; I would not if I might;
Choose Thou for me, O Lord my God; so shall I walk aright.—H.Bonar

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

You are God’s field. 1 Corinthians 3:9, NKJV

A field is an inhabited place. A field is a place where life happens. If we consider a literal field, anyone with that responsibility is aware of the efforts and energy that must be expended. There are the challenges of weather, weeds and work. It is a figurative reminder that we all must cope with the winds of change and discontent. There are also weeds in life, always dangerous, sucking the life out of the field. However you look at it, a field is a lot of work. But the joy of the overseer is when there is growth, bounty, and harvest time! Does He see growth in us? —N. C. Funston

Does the place you’re called to labour, seem so small and little known?
It is great if God is in it and He’ll not forget His own. —Kittie L. Suffield

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

He shall not fail. Isaiah 42:4

The Father sent the Son to take away the sin of the world. No one else in Heaven or earth could do it. Anticipating the struggle, the Son experienced deep anguish, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matt. 26:38), and “being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). He experienced weakness,“My heart is like wax; it is melted… my strength is dried up like a potsherd” (Ps. 22:14-15). Finally He died. Prevailing through anguish, weakness and death, He triumphed. He did not fail! —P. W.

His precious blood alone availed to wash our sins away;
Through weakness He o’er hell prevailed,
Through death He won the day. —Hannah K. Burlingham

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

And the king and Haman sat down to drink; but the city Shushan was perplexed. Esther 3:15

What a contrast! Two powerful men who had ordered the merciless killing of all Jews indulged their desire for alcohol. They were without conscience, while the people experienced confusion and fear at such impending genocide. Yet God was watching and would not allow injury upon His people. Instead His judgement came upon those evil men. Both died prematurely, Haman within months and the king some years later. God can certainly be trusted. —Paul Young

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

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

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

After WWII, my grandparents lived in dire want—many times without enough food to eat. One morning, they knelt in prayer thanking God for the day and asking Him to provide for their needs. They went to their church and when they returned—their cupboards had been filled with food. No one knew their need but God—and that was enough! He still is today! Come to Him with faith and thanksgiving—He will make a way! —Deborah Manera

I have found that there are three stages in every great work of God; first, it is impossible, then it is difficult, then it is done. —Hudson Taylor

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

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

The word “so” means “in this manner” or “in this way.” How did God love the world? This way: He gave His only begotten Son. We see the value of this gift in the numerous times Scripture says that the Father loves the Son. Yet He gave this One who was near and dear to Him to us. This is how God’s love manifests itself—by giving His all. In response do we give our all to Him?—George Ferrier

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure. —Stuart Townend

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

Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife. Genesis 22:6, NKJV

Isaac carried the wood. Jesus carried the cross. Abraham carried the fire and the knife, which would have been used in the sacrifice of his son, had God not provided a substitute. So too, God the Father brought the judgment of sin upon His Son and because of this we can be forgiven. Have you trusted Him for forgiveness? —Janet Fleming

Come with me to Calvary, to see my Saviour dying,
Come and gaze in wonder, upon His blessed face;
See the soldiers mock Him, while women watch with sadness,
Tell me, don’t you marvel, when viewing there God’s grace. —J. F.

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

God…holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. Psalm 66:8-9
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

How secure we are in the care and love of our Lord! He has “loved [us] with an everlasting love” (Jer. 31:3), “delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:10) and, not only that, but He is “able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). —E. C. B.

My name from the palms of His hands eternity will not erase;
Impressed on His heart, it remains in marks of indelible grace. —Augustus M. Toplady

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

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life…declare we unto you. 1 John 1:1, 3

The Lord Jesus told His followers that they would be His witnesses. They are on record declaring their ear-witness and eyewitness accounts. There is also the material evidence of that which they carefully examined and handled concerning the Word of life—the Lord Jesus. Our fellowship is based on the facts of His death, burial, and resurrection. Their testimony is true and has stood the tests of time. Do you believe it? —Rex Trogdon

I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me. —Eliza Hewitt

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

Come, for all things are now ready. Luke 14:17, NKJV

This verse is from the parable of the Great Banquet. Astonishingly, Jesus says that they all made excuses why they could not come. The invited guests were preoccupied with their property, their possessions and their relationships. That master became angry. We too have been invited to a feast, a sweet feast hosted by our dear Saviour. May we honour Him as He deserves with passionate worship as we feast on the rich lyrics of our hymns and embrace soul-satisfying truths from the Word. —M. MacMullen

God now brings thee to His dwelling
Spreads for thee His feast divine,
Bids thee welcome ever telling
What a portion there is thine. —J. D. Smith