Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Psalm 84:3
What a picture of the welcoming heart of God. The sparrow doesn’t sing and is not beautiful. In Jesus’ time two sparrows were sold for a farthing. The sparrow had little worth but found significance in God’s presence. The swallow is a restless bird, yet the swallow too found tranquility in the temple. Like these common birds, all believers were once spiritually worthless and restless, but now we have found spiritual significance and peace with God in the refuge of Christ. —W. A. H.
With broken heart and contrite sigh, a trembling sinner, Lord, I cry; Thy pardoning grace is rich and free: O God be merciful to me. —C. Elven
To another faith by the same Spirit… 1 Corinthians 12:9
Faith is a spiritual gift. Not saving faith, but the kind of visionary faith that George Müller demonstrated. If that kind of faith is a spiritual gift, and not everyone has been given it, then God doesn’t expect us all to have that type of faith. It is easy to feel that we are somehow failing God by not attaining to a certain level of spiritual ability. But God doesn’t expect us to excel at everything and He has equipped the church so that it complements itself. Everyone has a critical role to play. We need to live out who we are in Christ, as God has made and equipped us. Not despairing in our inadequacies but rejoicing in our unique opportunities. —J. L.
All is in Christ; your whole self present to Him. For God’s Son, th’ Immortal King, freely give Him everything. —Claire Lise de Benoit
…neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 2 Samuel 24:24
He was a child from a middle class family, while his friend was from a poor family. When he had eaten his lunch, his poor friend would take his crusts, his apple cores and if he was lucky, the occasional dropped raisin and eat them. The boy who had eaten his lunch felt he was doing his friend a favour. Are we guilty of the same thing? Do we give our Lord the scraps, or do we, like the widow lady, give Him our all? —Janet Fleming
Today, in love His words I hear, “I died to set you free, I gave My life, My all for you; will you give less for Me?” —Janet Fleming
But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. 2 Chronicles 15:4
Troubles can come in small or large doses, but we must make sure that when they arrive we turn to the Lord first. Other believers may help, but with the Lord there is an absolute guarantee that He will answer and give us exactly what we require to manage and overcome.
—Brian Russell
Beyond our utmost wants, His love and power can bless. To praying souls He always grants, More than they can express. —John Newton
Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 1 Samuel 12:24
Every day, and certainly every Lord’s day, we should consider what great things He has done for us. The Lord’s Supper places two graphic reminders before us: the bread and the wine. What has He done for us? He gave His body to be broken for us. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree. He shed His precious blood in remission of our sins. That’s the greatest thing He has done for us all, but certainly not the only thing, for in Him we have all spiritual blessings in heavenly places. Let us consider it all and worship Him today. —Carl Knott
Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son. —Fanny J. Crosby
When we purchase things we owe money. When the total amount is paid, our debt is settled. But, the debt of sin, we owe to God! And no matter how hard and how many times we try; we can never settle our debt in full. It is only by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and His shed blood, that our debt can be settled. He alone has the power to wipe our slates clean; if only we would confess our sins to Him. Have you had your debt paid? —Ken Gunnell
To Him I owe my life and breath, And all the joys I have; He takes away the sting of death, Gives victory o’er the grave! —S. Stennett
…have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me…? John 14:9
Philip was a disciple. He knew Jesus. But the Lord was probing for a more intimate relationship. Our Saviour is not content with just a casual acquaintance. Jesus said of His disciples, “I have called you friends” (John 15:15). We receive His blessings and know His Word, but do we appreciate Him as our Friend? Fruit bearing is always good evidence of an intimate union with Him (John 15:4). Such communion inspires our hearts to worship. —Milton Haack
What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear! What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer. Oh what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer. —Joseph Scriven
“The book of Proverbs does not lend itself to analysis, and apart from a six page introduction, Wisdom for Fools does not attempt this. This is just as well, as the introduction is the least successful part of the book. In the remaining 200 pages the author paints 101 miniatures, setting the golden apples of God’s wisdom in word pictures of silver. These are brief sketches, each study is typically about a page long, but they are skilfully drawn. Without cliché or pomposity, the author re-examines each chosen verse, and brings out their enduring relevance to anyone who wants to walk wisely through this wilderness world. The short chapters are best taken in small doses; a couple to be taken morning and evening, a suitable word doing good, like a medicine. The rendering of each chosen text in the KJV and the NKJV echoes the parallelism of the poetry, and the commentary is fresh and thought-provoking even to those familiar with the verses.
Whatever the situation, there is a proverb for it, well expressed, apposite, straight from the Holy Spirit’s treasury of wisdom, and when He is the guide, the wayfarers, though fools, will not mistake their road. It certainly feels as if the author could have easily found another 264 proverbs to complete a day-by-day style diary of Proverbial wisdom. I’ll certainly buy it if it is ever published!
Anyone wishing to follow the Lord in the way of integrity, spiritual good sense, and manner of life, will attain to the wise counsels of the book of Proverbs, the words of the wise and their dark sayings, and this little book illuminates and applies them readably and helpfully.”
Daniel, whose name means, “God is my judge”, was taken captive to heathen Babylon at an early age. Through his long life he honoured God even though it caused him to be cast into a den of lions. Other heroes we read of in Hebrews 11, were martyred for the sake of their faith. They will receive their reward in a coming day. And so will we. If we honour the Lord. —Edith MacLelland
God still is recording in heaven above, He knows all our thoughts and ways, So then, if faith honours God, and God honours faith, Let us trust Him for all our days. —E. M.
Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved? Song of Solomon 8:5
Here the bride is nearing the end of the weary wilderness journey and she comes leaning on her beloved. This scene is reminiscent of the time when Rebecca met Isaac on the final stage of the wilderness journey and was united with him as his bride. Today we find ourselves nearing the end of the weary, wilderness journey, leaning heavily on our Beloved. With joy we anticipate being united with Him as His bride, for all of eternity. —W. H. Burnett
O the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past, O the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last. He and I together entering, those bright courts above, He and I together sharing, all the Father’s love. —Paul Gerhardt
Wisdom for Fools: 101 Proverbs to Live By