Author: Andrea Mathew

2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also
in me. John 14:1

Are you troubled today? The Lord understands. At Lazarus’s
burial, He “groaned in the spirit, and was troubled” (John 11:33). With
the burden of the cross before Him, the Lord declared, “Now is my
soul troubled” (John 12:27). And as a close friend was about to lift
up his heel in betrayal (Ps. 41:9), Jesus “was troubled in spirit” (John
13:21). Perhaps you are troubled for similar reasons: bereaved,
burdened, betrayed. How beautiful that, as troubled as He was
in those last moments before Calvary, He turned to His own and
said, “Let not your heart be troubled”. — Brian Cretney

O yes, He cares, I know He cares, His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary, the long night dreary, I know my Savior cares.
—Frank Graeff

2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

What shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

There are many different types of exchanges these days, all dealing
with one commodity or another. But the most valuable commodity
that one can exchange is the soul. People exchange it for
so many reasons: drugs, alcohol, money, entertainment, but never
consider the consequences. Judas exchanged his soul for thirty
pieces of silver. Tragically many today exchange theirs for much
less. The only worthwhile exchange is to give your dying soul to
the Lord Jesus Christ that He might make it alive. —Ken Gunnell

Come weary soul, and here find rest;
Accept redemption, and be blessed:
The Christ who died, by God is crowned,
To pardon on redemption ground.
— D. W. Whittle

2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

The word of the Lord came to Jeremiah…while he was still shut
up in the court of the prison, saying…“Call to Me, and I will
answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you
do not know.” Jeremiah 33:1, 3, NKJV

“Prison experiences” are often the means God uses to reveal
Himself. He delights in using the imposed shackles of our
circumstances to communicate to us. So regardless of what
scenario your so called “prison” represents, God invites you to call
on Him. He will answer you in surprising ways you could never
have experienced travelling a road of ease and freedom. —E. V.

My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
— Charles Wesley

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-:15

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

As an Englishman I have always admired the North American
practice of holding a day of thanksgiving in the autumn. We have
so much to be grateful for and it all stems from the one source—
our beloved Lord Jesus who gave His all. Never ask the Father for
anything until you have given thanks for past blessings.
—Brian Russell

Now thank we all our God,
With hearts and hands and voices,
Who wondrous things has done,
In Whom the world rejoices.
— Martin Rinkart

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He
will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His
love, He will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17, NKJV

When God eventually delivers Israel He will enthusiastically
sing to express His delight in them. What will it be like when the
Creator of all things conveys His tender affections to His redeemed
in song? The prophet indicates that those experiencing this peaceful
melody will be unable to respond to it in words—they will
simply choose to rest in their Beloved. What a gracious God we
have! One that lavishes redeemed sinners with songs of tender affection
despite all the heartbreak we have caused Him. —W. A. H.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the earth hear His voice;
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, let the people rejoice.
—Fanny J. Crosby

2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

The Lord hath appeared…saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an
everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn
thee. Jeremiah 31:3

How thrilling to think of God loving us for eternity. Our finite
minds comprehend now and an eternity to come. But God tells us
of eternity past and the fact that His love for us existed in that eternity
also—I have loved thee with an everlasting love. He further
tells us that His eternal love is characterized by “lovingkindness”.
Our minds cannot understand it now, but we’ll have eternity to
learn and comprehend it all. —Ken Gross

Oh, love of God, how rich and pure! How measure-less and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—the saints’ and angels’ song.
— F. M. Lehman

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

“Follow Me”. But he said, “Lord, let me first…” Luke 9:59, NKJV
“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Acts 9:6

How many would-be disciples have said, “Lord, let me first do
this or that” and because they have been in control of their own
lives have failed to fit into God’s wonderful plan for them. If Jesus
Christ is Lord He must always have first place! To say “Lord, me
first” is a contradiction in terms. When I realise who the Lord Jesus
really is, my only reasonable response will be to fall at His feet in
brokenness and humility and cry out with Paul, “Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do?”. —David Croudace

Jesus, all for Jesus, all I am and have and ever hope to be,
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans;
I surrender these into Your hands. Jesus, all for Jesus.
—Robin Mark

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Timothy 3:16

The skirmishes in the defense and confirmation of the gospel
are many. Since Eden the enemy attacks the trustworthiness of
God’s Word. “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen. 3:1). Is the Bible authoritative?
Is it divinely inspired? Is it infallible? Is it inerrant? Each
time the challenges are answered, the enemy regroups, retools and
rewords the attack. We stand on an old battlefield. God help us to
grip tightly the sword of the Spirit. —J. A. Bjorlie

O may I love Thy precious Word, may I explore the mine,
May I its fragrant flowers glean, may light upon me shine.
O may I find my armour there, Thy Word my trusty sword;
I’ll learn to fight with every foe the battles of the Lord.
—Edwin Hodder

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them
which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue
in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Romans 11:22

We must draw near to God rightly. It is not without reason that
God compares Himself to a consuming fire. Approached correctly,
a fire can bring warmth, light and comfort. Approached incorrectly,
a fire can bring damage, destruction and death. The nature of God
and fire are the same. They are to be respected and feared, not treated
irreverently or taken advantage of. The opportunity we have in
this life to serve God is a privilege not to be taken lightly. May we
serve with reverence and sincerity today. —Shane Johnson

O God of burning altar fire, O God of love’s consuming flame, Make pure
the flame of our desire; to win the lost, to seek Thy Name.—A. Carmichael

2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

For we know if our earthly house of this tabernacle (tent) were
dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

We have a glorious prospect that is certain and sure. In this verse
Paul likens our bodies to a tent. While a tent is good at times, it is
only used for a short time. Many older saints are passing through
difficult times. Their “tents” are giving them all kinds of problems
and need lots of care. Dear friend, remember, your body is only
temporal. A new house is waiting which will remain in perfect
condition forever. What a day that will be! —Jim Paul

Oh to pass through the gateway to glory,
To escape from this prison of clay,
To exchange the dark night for the dawning,
And the light of the glorious day. —Margaret L. McDonald