Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18
This verse gives a warning that we have all heard since we were young. “Pride goes before destruction!” There is an antidote to this in the next verse. It is better to have a humble spirit with ordinary people than to try to climb the social ladder of popularity and fame. There is an even better reason for being humble. A proud spirit is an abomination to the Lord. May the Lord enable us to live humbly before Him. —G. Frear
Years I spent in vanity and pride, Caring not my Lord was crucified, Knowing not it was for me He died, On Calvary. —W. R. Newell
The first two words of this psalm are the bedrock for every other belief and practice. As atheistic teachings multiply, we must regularly consolidate our belief in the reality of one true God whose wisdom, power and greatness are unchanging. This God is “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (v. 1). Through obeying His Word and yielding our lives to Him, we advance spiritually in day-by-day commitment to Him. He invites each of His children to “Be still, and know that I am God” (v. 10). —George Hall
O God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come, Be Thou our guard while life shall last, And our eternal home. —Isaac Watts
O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1
The poet urges those who had experienced God’s salvation to “sing unto the Lord”. Not by singing songs of dead rote, but new songs which reflect the soul’s joy over receiving fresh mercies from the Lord. In Exodus 15 we find the first mention of singing. Euphoria swept through the Israelites as they marched further into the wilderness under the shadow of Jehovah’s cloud. It is a great privilege for the redeemed to sing praises to the Lord, day after day. —W. A. H.
With harps and with viols, there stand a great throng; In the presence of Jesus, and sing this new song: Unto Him who hath loved us and washed us from sin, Unto Him be the glory forever, Amen. —A. T. Pierson
And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart. Deuteronomy 6:6
This year I am trying to memorize one Bible verse a week. It’s not for some exemplary reason. It’s just for me. When my day is long and sad, 1 Peter 5:7, is there for encouragement. “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you”. When my day is kind and glad, Psalm 103:1, is there to remind me of God’s goodness. “Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.” Every day I thank God for His written Word, the Holy Bible. —Deborah Douglas
Cling to the Bible! This jewel and treasure; Surely its value no mortal can measure. —M. J. Smith
…Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son… Luke 1:13
The Bible doesn’t record any of the specific prayers this couple prayed. It doesn’t tell us their exact age or how much they had longed for a child. It does tell us they were “upright and blameless” in their devotion to God—and that He had heard their prayer. God keeps track of our petitions—He doesn’t forget. He sees our faithfulness—and often delights to bless that faithfulness through extraordinary intervention. An ordinary day, turned into a miracle for Zacharias and Elisabeth. And so it can be today for us. —Deborah Manera
O Father God, how faithful You are through eternity; For Your eternal purpose, You are faithful now in me. —Author Unknown
“Mountains & Valleys in Christian Living is a delightful, easy reading and encouraging volume which contains a number of devotional and challenging meditations from the pen of Donald Norbie. As suggested within the preface, although there is no common theme to these meditations they are set forth to encourage the reader to put the Lord first in their lives and stimulate them to love and good works, Heb. 10. 24.
The seventeen meditations in all cover a variety of themes such as: The Security of the Believer (To cut the Covenant); Spiritual Growth (The truth about the Spirit and the washing of regeneration); Christian Acceptance (must we always agree?); A Pattern Life (mimics, Joseph, a pattern of faith and love); and Fruitful in Old Age (fear or faith, the sunset years) to name just a few. Each meditation is short and easily read within a few minutes whilst being interspersed with some of Norbie’s own poetry.
I found this book to be an enjoyable companion to pick up and read at opportune moments. Many of the meditations contain a precious jewel of practical truth which Norbie is able to present with clarity and challenge. Although not every meditation will be relevant to every believer who reads this book (for example those on old age), there is much in the book which is. I did not personally find the poetry to be so helpful, much of it having a theme of awe and wonder about creation rather than Christ.
Much of what Norbie writes is based upon a wealth of practical experience in Christian living and is, as a result, worthy of note and consideration. There is much too to draw the attention to the Lord Jesus and challenge us with regard to practical Christian living in Him. This book is recommended, but perhaps more appropriate for an older audience.”
…The Lord will roar from Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem. Amos 1:2
People like to talk about the still, small voice of God (1 Kgs. 19:12), but God often has to raise His voice before we will listen. The prophet Amos announced “The Lord will roar”, because He had spoken repeatedly over the centuries but few paid any attention. God can make Himself heard, but it can be frightening and painful. How much better to live attuned each day to His voice, “This is the way, walk ye in it” (Isa. 30:21). That comes not through feelings or majority opinion, but through His Word. Listen! —Carl Knott
When we hear the voice of God, speaking to our hearts, Do we obey and follow Him, or are we slow to start? —M. S. Lowndes
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6
Salvation is not of good works! The holy, sinless Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for the sins of the world. Only by accepting Him as Jehovah Tsidkenu (The Lord our Righteousness) will we be eternally saved. Receive God’s gift of mercy today! —Edith MacLelland
My terrors all vanished before the sweet Name; My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came, To drink at the fountain, life giving and free; Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me. —R. Murray McCheyne
Unto me…is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8
Have you opened your treasure today? In it are riches we should heed and enjoy daily. When we meditate on the Scriptures we enjoy “the exceeding riches of his grace” (Eph. 2:7) and “his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19). We learn of Him who is “rich in mercy” (Eph. 2:4) and we reflect on “the riches of his goodness” (Rom. 2:4). Thank You, Lord Jesus for all the riches contained in You!
—A. Baal
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always. —Byrne and Hull
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
If there is ever a day when believers need each other, it is now. When did you last encourage a believer? I can assure you that a word of support and encouragement can really lift a brother or a sister spiritually to heights you would never imagine. It is so easy to knock down, but so hard to build up. Encourage someone today.
—Brian Russell
We share our mutual woes, our mutual burdens bear, And often for each other falls, a sympathising tear. —J. Fawcett
Mountains & Valleys in Christian Living