Month: April 2023

Numbers 10:11-11:3; Proverbs 8:1-36; Jude

I wisdom… Proverbs 8:12

It is easy to see the Lord Jesus here. He is the personification of wisdom (1 Cor. 1:24). We cannot say that this is a direct reference to Him, because there is no New Testament corroboration. Yet we can rightly enjoy any verse which reminds us of our Lord. One glorious statement in this passage is “my delights were with the sons of men” (8:31). Moments of silent wonder become rarer as we get older and figure things out, but the wonders of Christ’s Person are limitless, and draw our minds and hearts to worship as we meditate on Him. —Rick Morse

Now none but Christ can satisfy,
None other name for me;
There’s love, and life, and lasting joy,
Lord Jesus, found in Thee. —Emma F. Bevan

Numbers 9:1-10:10; Proverbs 6:20-7:27; Mark 16:1-20

Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came…I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. 1 Kings 10:1, 7 NKJV

Solomon’s reign, his wisdom, wealth and world-wide honour seem to foreshadow the glorious millennial reign of Christ. The queen was overwhelmed as she beheld his glory. The rays of his radiance seemed to reach every corner of his kingdom. Reluctantly, the reader turns the page and there it is! His tragic trajectory of sin. Not so, as we study the life of Christ and look forward to Him reigning from “the river to the ends of the earth”. There’s no reluctance to
read the next chapter. —Peter Ramsay

To Christ, the Lord, let every tongue, its noblest tribute bring.
When He’s the subject of the song, who can refuse to sing? —S. Stennett

Numbers 8:1-26; Proverbs 5:1-6:19; Mark 15:24-47

But a certain Samaritan…came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him. Luke 10:33

The story of the good Samaritan impacted me afresh as I was returning home from my morning walk. There, on a park bench, lay a homeless man fast asleep. Instinctively I steered safely around him. But as I went on, I was  convicted that my actions resembled those of the Priest and Levite who avoided the wounded man robbed by thieves. My heart was challenged. “What would Jesus have done?” He showed compassion to all those in need. Who can I show compassion to today? —E. V.

Make me a vessel of mercy,
Father make me a vessel that’s true,
Fill me with love and compassion, and fashion,
My heart, to be a vessel worthy of you. —Legacy Five

Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 NKJV

Satan is a formable adversary, a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The believer’s defense is the Word of God in us. The key to victory is not only knowing the Word, but applying it and obeying what it says. Two men in the Old Testament were killed by a lion and specifically it says they disobeyed the word of the Lord (1 Kgs. 13:26; 20:36). There are acts or attitudes that believers allow in their lives that give Satan an advantage. Disobedience exhibited
through a lack of forgiveness, prolonged anger, pride, and bitterness. Obeying God’s Word will protect us from Satan’s attacks and perfect His Son in us. —Gary McBride

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way! —J. Sammis

Numbers 6:1-27; Proverbs 3:1-35; Mark 14:53-72

Make a joyful shout to God, all the earth! Sing out the honor of His name; Make His praise glorious. Psalm 66:1-2 NKJV
Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Psalm 100:2 NKJV

Lately, where I live, there has been a lot of wind and rain. But no matter what the weather is like there is a little bird that sings in the trees by our house. Just now I can hear it singing again while rain continues to fall. Difficult events in our world are causing many to be fearful today. May we as Christians choose to sing and praise our wonderful Lord who is coming soon. —Janet Fleming

Tell of His wonderful love, offer Him praise.
Sing of His majesty, all of my days.
Jesus has died for me on Calvary,
May I now honour Him, eternally. —Janet Fleming

Numbers 5:1-31; Proverbs 2:1-22; Mark 14:27-52

To the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Ephesians 3:10 NKJV

All believers face difficulties, trials, sickness and periods of inactivity. At times like this Satan can attack and may cause us to experience a sense of worthlessness resulting in a loss of joy and purpose. But God is working a work completely outside of our realm and He is using us, His church, to do it! Through all we endure He is displaying to the powers and authorities in the heavenly realms the innumerable aspects of His wisdom. We can rest in this wonderful truth knowing that “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Rom. 8:28 NKJV). —Ray Jones

Our times are in Thy hand, Father we wish them there!
Our life, our souls, our all we leave, entirely to Thy care. —W.F. Lloyd

Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. Is. 40:31

In this chapter’s closing paragraph, a future remnant faints while waiting for God to avenge Israel. Though they’ve waited centuries, God, as promised, will act, though He bears long with them. We may fret about long times of delay, but faith that waits for the Lord to fulfill His Word has great reward (Gen. 15:1). Like Israel mounting up with two eagle wings (Rev. 12:14), this waiting enables us to surmount trials. It enables faithful service without wearying. Greatest of all, it fosters daily walking with God, like Enoch, staying in fellowship, without fainting. Waiting on God, trusting His Word, gives us the strength we need. —David W. Oliver

Thou my everlasting Portion, more than friend or life to me,
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.  —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10

The Lord was outfitted for His pioneering work of leading believers to glory through sufferings. His first-century enemies thought that the cross discredited Him as accursed. Actually, it displayed His superlative holiness and love. To be our Saviour He must suffer redemptively, as well as become our sympathizing High Priest. Rather than disqualify Him, Christ’s painful death indispensably prepared Him to save and intercede for us. The Man of sorrows knows our grief, and effectively ministers comfort to us. —Keith R. Keyser

Thus my sorrow turns to music, and my cry to sweetest song;
Weeping to eternal gladness, night is short – the day is long.  —Richard Rolle

Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44

But we will give ourselves continually to prayer. Acts 6:4

One day when I was reading this calendar, it occurred to me that, even as each author had been a blessing and help to me, very likely they had some challenge or difficulty going on in their life. We all do. That day, I decided to include that person in my prayers for the day. Maybe it is stress or health, or family. Maybe it is something good and a thank you is needed. Whatever our issue, each of us needs the prayers of another believer, whether we know them or not.
—Debbie Douglas

Can I pray for you?
Can I mention your name to the Lord?
When I seek His face,
Can I plead your case?
That’s what praying is for. —Mark Bishop

Numbers 1:1-54; Psalms 144:1-145:21; Mark 11:27-12:17

I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:11

The sovereign will and divine purposes of God are assured in His Word. No matter what humans may do or think, what laws they may pass in the governments of our day, God is overall. We can rest fully upon His promises and trust in Him, come what may! So don’t be alarmed by current events, the Lord is on His throne and is in full control, and we can rest in that! —Pete Smith

Our souls are in God’s mighty hand,
We’re precious in His sight;
And you and I shall surely stand
With Him in glory bright.  —J.H. Tenney