Month: March 2022

Leviticus 7:11-38; Psalm 107:1-43; Acts 28:17-31

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him. Luke 2:45

Joseph and Mary were travelling home from Passover along with family and many others. No doubt they were tired and thinking about getting home and back to normal life. They had gone a day’s journey before they realized Jesus was not among them. After three days of searching they found Him back in Jerusalem, where they had left Him. How long is it since we last saw the Lord? Do we need to get back to where we left Him? —Ray Jones

How long has it been since you talked with the Lord?
How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
How long since your heart knew no burden?
Can you call Him your Friend?
How long has it been since you knew that He cared for you?—M. Lister

Leviticus 6:8-7:10; Psalm 106:1-48; Acts 28:1-16

Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? Esther 4:14

With the Jews seemingly facing destruction at the hands of wicked Haman, Mordecai saw the possibility of  deliverance coming through the intervention of Queen Esther. He recognized that she may have been strategically positioned by God as Queen so as to counteract this potential catastrophe. As the story unfolds we find that Mordecai’s spiritual perception was absolutely correct and that her interjection resulted in deliverance. The Lord may well have strategically positioned us to be used in His purposes for His glory. Are we alert to that possibility? —Philip A. Kaye

O use me Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where.  —Frances R. Havergal 

Leviticus 5:14-6:7; Psalm 105:1-45; Acts 27:27-44

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1, NKJV

Behold! Stop and consider! Some things we behold are discouraging but here is something wonderful to view. John joyfully interjects an exclamation of a transcendent reality to this verse—we are not only “called” the children of God as a title, but so we are right now! This unearthly love was graciously and extravagantly lavished upon us. When He appears, who we are now will become fully apparent then. —P. Ramsay

Love of Christ so freely given, grace of God beyond degree,
Mercy higher than the heaven, deeper than the deepest sea.
All that thrills my soul is Jesus. —Thoro Harris

Leviticus 4:27-5:13; Psalm 104:1-35; Acts 27:1-26

Go up and possess it (the land), as the Lord God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged. Deut. 1:21
We will send men…and they shall search us out the land. Deuteronomy 1:22
Send thou men, that they may search the land. Numbers 13:2

In spite of our doubt and unbelief, our God is ever gracious in dealing with His people. Israel had been assured of victory, yet they wanted further assurance and so determined to send the spies. God understood their human frailty and in His kindness told them to go ahead with their plans. He does the same for us in giving us daily assurances that He is all sufficient for every situation. —Wm. H. Gustafson

In times like these, you need a Saviour,
In times like these, you need an anchor. —Ruth Caye Jones

Leviticus 4:1-26; Psalm 103:1-22; Acts 26:19-32

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 1 Corinthians 11:26

How we rejoice in those three words “till he come”. It is good to remind ourselves that what we do today is not permanent but temporary. One day there will be no more need of the emblems. We shall see the One of whom they speak. It could be the last time we remember Him in such a way. What a thought! —John M. Clegg

Feast after feast thus comes and passes by;
Yet passing points to that glad feast above;
Giving sweet foretaste of the festal joy,
The Lamb’s great bridal feast of bliss and love. —Horatius Bonar

Leviticus 3:1-17; Psalm 102:1-28; Acts 26:1-18

And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:18-19

Mary’s memory, affections and intellect were all involved in her appreciation of the Lord Jesus. When Mary heard the message from the shepherds, her memory was involved, “Mary kept all these things”. Her affections were involved. “Mary kept all these things…in her heart”. Her intellect was involved. “Mary…pondered them”. When we bring a message to the Lord’s people will it be remembered? Will it stir up our affection for the Lord Jesus and does it challenge our intellect? —Sid Halsband

O Lord, it is Thyself to meet, to this sweet feast we come;
Like Mary, resting at Thy feet, we learn of Thee alone.  —B. Thompson

Leviticus 2:1-16; Psalms 99:1-101:8; Acts 25:13-27

The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice. Psalm 18:4-6

Many nights of sobbing in the Lord’s presence won’t reverse the tragedies of the past. “What ifs”, “maybes”, and “might have beens” haunt our helplessness. But He does hear, and is able to liberate us from the overwhelming grief that pins us down. Crying during life’s journey is inevitable, and effectual if those tears flow heavenward. —Rick Morse

In suffering, be Thy love my peace,
In weakness, be Thine arm my strength.  —John Wesley

Leviticus 1:1-17; Psalms 96:1-98:9; Acts 24:24-25:12

Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day. Exodus 14:13

So spake Moses to Israel when the Red Sea was before them, and the might of the Egyptian army behind them. We can well imagine that Israel found it was difficult to “stand still” under these circumstances, and to feel that they had to do something to deliver themselves. So it is with us. When we face insurmountable problems, it is so difficult to “stand still”, and allow God to bring peace to our troubled hearts. Israel found that when they left things to God, He
did not fail them, and so also will we who trust Him. —W. H. Burnett

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest,
Finding as He promised, perfect peace and rest. —J. Mountain

Exodus 40:1-38; Psalms 94:1-95:11; Acts 24:1-23

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. 1 Peter 3:18, NKJV 

We are living in the “un-generation”. Paul begins this list and calls them undiscerning, untrustworthy, and unmerciful (Rom. 1:31). They are ungodly (Rom. 5:6) and unrighteous (1 Cor. 6:9). He further warns of the last days when people will be unthankful, unholy, unloving, and unforgiving. The final summary statement comes from John. He says they are unbelieving (Rev. 21:8). We had our part in this un-generation. Like Isaiah, we were undone and
unclean and unable to do anything about it. That is, until we heard of the One who gave Himself for us—the Just for the unjust. —Rex Trogdon

Wounded and bleeding, for sinners pleading,
Blind and unheeding, dying for me! —Avis B. Christiansen

Exodus 39:1-43; Psalms 92:1-93:5; Acts 23:12-35

Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:3

Disobedience has identifiable symptoms. We must be watchful for them. Disobedience takes paths contrary to God’s known will (1:3); is desensitized to present danger (1:5); is easily discouraged (1:3); denies our part in negative circumstances (1:6); and in the end leads to disgrace (1:10). In contrast obedience gives boldness before our enemies (3:4); it leads to belief and blessing for those who have not yet heard the message (3:5, 10); and also reveals God’s grace, as He draws us back into the wonders of our relationship with Him (4:3-11). —David J. Reed

Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus, that is all.  —Edgar P. Stites