Month: October 2021

1 Chronicles 12:1-40; Ezekiel 13:1-23; John 4:31-54

Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20

Psalm 69 is quoted seven times in the New Testament and gives a messianic shadow of the Lord Jesus as the trespass offering for us. Under the Levitical system the sin offering was needed for the offense of sin, but the trespass offering was required for the damages of sin. The Lord Jesus, as this psalm affirms, is beautifully pictured in the trespass offering as the One who compensates for the destruction caused by our sin. He willingly suffered reproach to remove all of our reproaches. Praise His name! —W. A. H.

’Twas for Thy sake, eternal God, Thy Son sustained that heavy load
Of base reproach and sore disgrace, and shame defiled His sacred face. —Isaac Watts

1 Chronicles 10:1-11:47; Ezekiel 12:1-28; John 4:1-30

Behold the Lamb of God! John 1:36

In Revelation 6:12-17 we are presented with a scene on earth and in 7:9-17 we find another scene in heaven. In one group, we find frightened sinners hiding from the wrath of the Lamb. In the other group we find saints ascribing their salvation to the Lamb. On earth they ask, who shall be able to stand before the Lamb (6:16)? While in heaven the other multitude is standing (7:9) and enjoying His blessings (7:17). What is your relationship to the Lamb? —Jim Pizzulli

Fear not when shadows on your pathway fall,
Look to the Lamb of God;
In joy or sorrow Christ is all in all,
Look to the Lamb of God. —H. G. Jackson

1 Chronicles 8:1-9:44; Ezekiel 11:1-25; John 3:22-36

The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage. Psalm 16:6

If you have the privilege of looking back over several generations of believers in your family, thank God for it and don’t take it for granted. On the other hand if that is not your heritage, determine with the Lord’s help to establish a new pattern in your family. Seek to bring your children and grandchildren up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord so that some day they can make the same statement David made about his heritage. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Remember thy Creator in the days of thy youth,
Jesus calls thee in life’s morning thro’ His own Word of truth. —Alfred P. Gibbs

1 Chronicles 7:1-40; Ezekiel 10:1-22; John 2:23-3:21

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Luke 5:24 NKJV

The Lord Jesus had power to forgive sins, but the Pharisees wanted proof. The Lord answered with a question, “For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” (Matt. 9:5), and provided that proof. The man rose up, forgiven, and went on his way, glorifying God. The world is still looking for proof—in our lives. —Rex Trogdon

You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day
By deeds that you do, by words that you say.
Men read what you write, words faithful or true;
Say, what is the Gospel according to you? —Paul Gilbert

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Lo, the people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Numbers 23:9

We with heavenly citizenship will not be accepted in this world, and neither should we expect to be. We represent a Governor who is holy, a Lord who is just, and a Master who is morally perfect. Why would those bent on self-gratification without consequences want us around? Once we are called upward, the celebrations will be global in scope and unanimous in purpose. Yet after three and a half years, their rejoicing will turn to regret, with the lament of despair: “What have we done to ourselves?” —Rick Morse

‘Tis conflict here below,
‘Tis triumph there, and peace;
On earth we wrestle with the foe,
In Heaven our conflicts cease. —Thomas Kelly

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things. Deuteronomy 28:47

Nothing speaks to me more than when I see suffering saints in the Middle East and other deprived countries serving the Lord with joy and gladness. Father forgive me for every moan, groan and complaint, and may I pray for those dear Christians more fervently. —Brian Russell

Count your blessings,
Name them one by one;
And it will surprise you,
What the Lord has done. —Johnson Oatman

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

I die daily. 1 Corinthians 15:31

Asked the secret of his service, George Müller said, “There was a day when I died, utterly died—died to George Muller, his opinions, preferences, tastes, and will; died to the world, its approval or censure; died even to the approval or blame of my brethren and friends—and since then I have only to show myself
approved unto God.” This man of faith and faithfulness learned living for God is dying to all else. May you and I also learn this secret of successful service. —Arnot P. McIntee

Breathe on me, breath of God
Till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me, 
Glows with Thy fire divine. —Robert Jackson

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

She hath done what she could. Mark 14:8

With hearts full of hatred “the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death” (Mark 14:1). At the same time, there was a dear woman with a heart full of love who sought opportunity to honour Christ. Mary’s act of devotion was clearly sacrificial—the ointment was very precious—and her appreciation of what lay before Him made her oblivious to the scorn of others. Powerful public testimony for Christ has its roots in holy private communion with Him, and Scripture testifies that
Mary “sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word” (Luke 10:39). Her Saviour’s commendation should be our challenge. —Phil Coulson

Oh that I may forever sit, like Mary, at the Master’s feet—
Be this my happy choice! My only care, delight, and bliss,
My joy, my rest on earth be this, to hear the Bridegroom’s voice.—C. Wesley

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.” Luke 15:18 NKJV

What a beautiful picture of a sinner’s reconciliation to God. The son’s rebellious attitude towards his father led him to take his portion and leave home. His fellowship with the father was severed though his father longed for his return. Once his resources failed, his friends left and he hit bottom. Is this where you are? The way back was through the confession of his sin and the mercy of his father. Great rejoicing ensued as the father received him back into his household. The same can be true for you today. —Jim Paul

Why should we tarry when Jesus is pleading,
Pleading for you and for me.
Why should we linger and heed not His mercies,
Mercies for you and for me. —Will Lamartine Thompson

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. Psalm 80:1
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them. John 10:27
I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. Ezekiel 34:16

What lovely portrayals of God as the Gentle Shepherd! His ear hears the faintest bleating. His voice is known; “he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out” (John 10:3). His eye is seeking, watching, noting each and every need. Aren’t you glad today that you can say—“The Lord is my shepherd” (Ps. 23:1)? —Pete Smith

The King of love my Shepherd is, whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine for ever. —H. W. Baker