Month: January 2022

Genesis 38:1-30; Psalms 15:1-16:11; Matthew 21:33-22:14

Let us go up at once, and possess it (the land); for we are well able to overcome it. Numbers 13:30
We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we. Numbers 13:31

Knowing the promise of God, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5), we can confidently say “we are well able”, just as Joshua did. Our Lord is the Divine Enabler in dealing with every challenge or complexity of life. On the other hand, if we look first at the obstacle instead of the deliverer, we will be overwhelmed, defeated, and discouraged. —Wm. H. Gustafson

In Christ alone my hope is found,
He is my light, my strength, my song;
This cornerstone, this solid ground,
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm. —K. Getty, S. Townend

Genesis 37:1-36; Psalms 11:1-14:7; Matthew 21:1-32

He hath done all things well. Mark 7:37

Many do a few things well. A few do many things well. However there has only been One who has done all things well. When we consider the work of the Lord, whether it be His creatorial work, His sinless, flawless life, His perfect death, His triumphant resurrection or His glorious ascension—they all bear testimony to the fact that “He hath done all things well.” —John M. Clegg

And when to that bright world I rise,
And join the anthem in the skies,
Above the rest this note shall swell,
My Jesus has done all things well.  —Samuel Medley

Genesis 36:1-43; Psalms 9:1-10:18; Matthew 20:17-34

Pilate said…“Behold the Man!” John 19:5, NKJV

John said, “After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me” (John 1:30). The woman said, “Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” (John 4:29). The disciples said, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41). “The Jews answered him…thou, being a man, makest thyself God” (John 10:33). The crowd said, “Away with this man” (Luke 23:18). The Pharisees said, “This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them” (Luke 15:2). Your eternal destiny rests on what you do with this Man! —Jim Paul

What will you do with Jesus?
Neutral you cannot be;
Some day your heart will be asking,
“What will He do with me?”—Albert B. Simpson

Genesis 35:1-29; Psalms 7:1-8:9; Matthew 19:16-20:16

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Luke 24:26

The disciples were deeply distressed by the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. They had anticipated, as the prophets had promised, that the Lord would take His place as King. The reason for their distress was that they had been selective in their reading of Scripture. Old Testament Scriptures had also made it abundantly clear that His suffering would precede His glory. So often when times of suffering and grief come into our lives, like the disciples, we can become distressed, forgetting that such events are part of God’s plan for us in the present, but that the glory lies ahead.
—W. H. Burnett

Midst the darkness, storm and sorrow, one bright gleam I see,
Well I know the blessed morrow, Christ will come for me.—P. Gerhardt

Genesis 33:18-34:31; Psalms 4:1-6:10; Matthew 19:1-15

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” 1 Chronicles 4:9, NKJV

In the midst of a lengthy genealogy, we read of Jabez. What brought him honorable mention above his brothers? It was his prayer in the following verse. He prayed that God would bless him indeed—His provision; that God’s hand would be with him —His presence; that He would keep him from evil —His protection; and that he would not cause pain. God granted his request and proved His promise, “those who honor Me I will honor” (1 Sam. 2:30, NKJV). That promise is still true (John 12:26).—Rex Trogdon

O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer!  —Joseph Scriven

Genesis 32:1-33:17; Psalms 1:1-3:8; Matthew 18:15-35

Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. Numbers 35:31
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you. Acts 3:14

Imagine how Barabbas felt escaping crucifixion. Was it disbelief and then gratitude? Was it calloused indifference? He deserved to die because of his actions. We too deserve to die because of our sin against God. Jesus Christ died in our place. What is our attitude? Is it gratitude leading to confession or calloused indifference leading to rejection of God’s gracious gift? —K. J. W.

Children of men, attend to the word, so solemnly uttered by Jesus, the Lord,
And let not this message to you be in vain, “Ye must be born again.”  —William T. Sleeper

Genesis 31:1-55; Job 42:1-17; Matthew 17:14-18:14

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

Light dispels the confusion and fear that darkness produces. Light makes things clear and enables us to move with confidence. Jesus was the supreme example of light-shining and instructs His followers to let their light shine as a testimony to others. Unfortunately, like the moon, we have no innate light of our own. The moon reflects the sun’s light and so we reflect the light of Jesus and that is why every day we need to absorb His light by reading His Word
and praying. Then we can shine brightly for the Lord. —Paul Young

Jesus bids us shine, with a pure, clear light,
Like a little candle, burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, so let us shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine. —Susan Warner

Genesis 30:1-43; Job 40:1-41:34; Matthew 16:13-17:13

For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind. Psalm 107:25
Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. Psalm 107:28

Here we see, that at times, the Lord brings different experiences into a believer’s life. Why the valleys? So we can appreciate firstly the necessity of prayer, and secondly that there is a God that answers prayer. Sometimes I am concerned that some believers seem to have everything so easy. Are you in a valley? Remember it can often confirm that you are one of His and that following your petitions He will answer and deliver you. —Brian Russell

Down in the valley with my Saviour I will go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me, I will never fear;
Dangers will not fright me, if my Lord is near. —W. O. Cushing

Genesis 29:1-35; Job 38:1-39:30; Matthew 15:29-16:12

He has made His wonderful works to be remembered.  Ps. 111:4, NKJV

Throughout Scripture, God gives His people symbols to remember His wonderful works to them. Passover was instituted as a memorial reminding Israel how God delivered them out of Egypt (Ex. 12:14). Joshua was commanded to set up twelve stones taken out of the river Jordan to remind them how He brought them through on dry ground (Josh. 4:7). When we come to the New Testament, Jesus left His disciples, and us, symbols of bread and wine so we would never forget His wonderful work for us on the cross. “Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!” (Ps. 107:8). —E. V.

Here in the broken bread and wine,
We hear Thee say, “Remember Me!” —James G. Deck

Genesis 28:1-22; Job 36:1-37:24; Matthew 15:1-28

When the priests enter therein, then shall they not go out of the holy place… Ezekiel 42:14

A smart phone can give directions while we travel, and will say “You have reached your destination” when we arrive. When we put our faith in Christ we have reached our destination. Even as we live day by day, it is our joy to know that once we’re in Christ, we’re in Christ forever. He saves to the uttermost all that come by faith to Him. How much greater will be the joy of that coming day, when once with Christ, we’ll be with Him forever. —Rick Morse

Safe in the arms of Jesus, safe on His gentle breast;
There by His love o’ershadowed, sweetly my soul shall rest.  —Fanny J. Crosby