Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 33 to 34:3; Psalms 83-84; Acts 20:1-16

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Mark 1:35

The day had been extremely busy for Jesus. He had taught in the synagogue. He had healed Simon’s mother-in-law and then, as the sun began to sink and darkness descended, all sorts of people turned up at the door. Jesus then spent time healing the sick and casting out demons. It was utterly demanding work but before the sun rose the next day He had left the house and found a solitary place so that he could commune with His Father in prayer. Do we find that solitary place each day where we can pray and find spiritual renewal for the day’s activities? It is vital that we do! —Paul Young

O for a closer walk with God, in a calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb! —W. Cowper

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 32; Psalms 81-82; Acts 19:21-41

Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. Psalm 3:2-3

David’s foes were saying there was no hope for him, but he confronted this notion by declaring that God was his “shield” and the “lifter” of his head. It is our natural tendency to hang our heads in discouragement during difficult trials. But David chose to peer heavenward and to wait for deliverance. The Lord uses pain so that believers may better identify with Him in His sorrow. Exercising deliberate confidence in the character of God when it seems unreasonable to do so, delivers our minds from the grip of depression. —W. A. H.

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. —John Wade

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 31; Psalms 79-80; Acts 18:24 to 19:20

Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land…their defence is departed from them, and the Lord is with us: fear them not. Numbers 14:9

Confidence in the Lord is never misplaced. The wilderness-era Israelites were overly concerned with their enemies, especially the giants. Rather than look at their foes’ height, Caleb and Joshua remembered the size of their God. The highest heaven cannot contain Him (1 Kgs. 8:27); He is immense in His power, wisdom, and glory. Best of all, He is “with us”. —K. R. Keyser

The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake. —J. Rippon

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said…For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Luke 2:28, 30

[Joseph of Arimathaea] went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen. Luke 23:52-53

At both the beginning and end of the Lord’s life we see His body being handled by “just” men. One lifted Him up, while another took Him down. Simeon rejoiced in the provision of God’s salvation through His Son. Joseph of Arimathaea tenderly removed Christ’s body from the cross and laid Him in his own tomb. May we reverently lift Him up and bless God in our worship today! —Pete Smith

Praise the Saviour, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him, all we are and have. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 29:38 to 30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. Exodus 33:18

Moses desired to see God’s glory. What an interesting request! Moses had already seen the power and glory of God at work: the burning bush; the plagues of Egypt; the deliverance from Egypt; the crossing of the Red Sea; the provision of manna and water from the flinty rock. However, apart from all that, he longed to see God’s own personal glory. Day by day, the Lord reveals Himself to us by His Holy Spirit, but one day when we see Him, all His glory will be fully manifested. —Jim Paul

Face to face with Christ, my Saviour,
Face to face—what will it be,
When with rapture I behold Him,
Jesus Christ who died for me? —Carrie E. Breck

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76-77; Acts 17:1-15

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18

The life of faith is a pilgrimage—often challenging and full of obstacles. But by God’s grace we know where we are going. Those who challenge us and seek to veer our paths away from God have no idea where they are heading. The Lord Himself speaks to our conscience through the Word. And He is beside us as we trek this final part of our homeward voyage, to be with the One we love. The One who first loved us. —Mark Fenn

It is not with uncertain step,
We tread our desert way;
A well-known voice has called us up,
To everlasting day. —John Nelson Darby

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74-75; Acts 16:16-40

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Lasting joy is found only in God’s presence. The Son knew this eternally in heaven and again on earth, spending time often with His Father in prayer. Before His death He expressed His faith in His future resurrection, His return to heaven and the joy of His Father’s presence. Possessing eternal life, believers find that continuing joy is found only in daily spending time with Christ, sharing in His life. As citizens of heaven (Phil. 3:20), seated in the heavenly places (Eph. 2:6), are we doing this? The joy of the Lord is our strength. May it be so today. —George Ferrier

Taken up with Thee, Lord Jesus, I would be;
Finding joy and satisfaction, all in Thee. —Henry Bennett

DAILY?READINGS: Exodus 27:20 to 28:14; Psalm 73; Acts 15:36 to 16:15

And you hath he quickened [made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1

Various types of firefighting equipment formed part of a huge parade in New York City. On several rode men, women, boys and girls. Large banners announced: “These were rescued from burning buildings by New York Firemen”. In a coming day, an innumerable company of sinners, saved from the everlasting burning, will sing the praise of their beloved Rescuer, the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray you will be one of that company. —Arnot P. McIntee

From death unto life He has brought us,
And made us by grace sons of God;
A fountain is opened for sinners,
Oh, wash and be cleansed in His blood! —S. M. Sayford