Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 35:9 to 36:13; Proverbs 31; Luke 5:17-39

 

…When he made mention of the ark of God… 1 Samuel 4:18

Eli was, by all accounts, a failure. Whether we see him as a priest or a father, he struggled in carrying out his duty. His poor response to Hannah’s prayer and his ineptitude towards his immoral sons, are two examples of failure, both in the temple and the home. That’s why our text stands out. Eli had just heard of Israel’s defeat, as well as his sons’ deaths (4:17); but his greatest alarm was at the loss of the ark. We don’t know his thoughts about the first two issues, but it was the news of the ark—a symbol of God’s presence and power—that moved him. Did this reveal his true priorities? Amid all his weaknesses and failings, his heart was still soft towards the things of God. —N. C. Funston

God, renew us by your Spirit! Come in gladness, hearts console!
Grant us joy so we may share it! Oh, restore us; make us whole!
—J. Dalles

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 34 to 35:8; Proverbs 30; Luke 5:1-16

 

…When I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  Acts 24:25

An article in a Scottish newspaper reported that the average Briton spends more than 3 years of their lives putting off essential tasks by delaying tactics and avoiding important decisions and actions. Perhaps there is something that is calling for your action—some deed of kindness to show, somebody to visit, some communication to make, some apology to offer, some word of encouragement. Don’t delay! Do it today. —Brian Powlesland

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love, 
Tell of His power to forgive; 
Others will trust Him if only you prove true, 
Every moment you live. 
—Ira B. Wilson

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 33; Proverbs 29; Luke 4:16-44

 

The child Samuel ministered unto the Lord before Eli…the Lord called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I. And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.  1 Samuel 3:1, 4-5

God was calling young Samuel to serve Him but sadly Eli had little ability to help him. Work among young people and children is very precious! It needs Spirit filled teachers who are well prepared and who know how to lead a young one to Christ. If I get involved in such work I will need to spend hours on my knees before an open Bible, seeking God’s face and His message, before I spend one hour in front of my Sunday School or young people’s class. —David Croudace

Teach me O Lord that I may teach, the precious things Thou dost impart;
Wing my words, that they may reach, the hidden depths of many a heart.
— Frances Ridley Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 32; Proverbs 28; Luke 4:1-15

 

He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole, go in peace.  Luke 8:48  
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

After 12 years of suffering, a desperate act was her only hope. She must touch the hem of His garment. When her fingers made that vital contact, Jesus knew He had been touched by a person of faith. He healed her and encouraged her to go on her way in peace. Should a harsh trial be in your way, the same peace she received is available for you today, as you supplicate at His throne. The peace of God will keep your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. —Arnot P. McIntee

A mind at perfect peace with God. Oh! What a word is this!
A sinner reconciled through blood; this, this indeed is peace!
—H. Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 30-31; Proverbs 26:13 to 27:27; Luke 3

 

…Return unto Me and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts… Malachi 3:7

Dear friend, don’t ever think that you are beyond God’s help. He restored Abraham who lapsed in his faith (Gen. 20); Isaac who did the same (Gen. 26) and Jacob, who failed miserably before he came back to Bethel (Gen. 35). He restored Jehoshaphat who allied himself with wicked King Ahab (2 Chron. 18) and Peter, who denied the Lord (John 18:25). He even restored David who committed adultery and murder (Ps. 51). If He can restore these people, He can restore you. All it takes is one step in God’s direction. Come back to Him today. —Mark Kolchin

The Lord beheld me sore distressed, He bid my pains remove;
Return, my soul, to God thy rest, for thou hast known His love.
—I. Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 29; Proverbs 25 to 26:12; Luke 2:22-52

 

I am the man that hath seen affliction by the rod of his wrath. Lamentations 3:1

Lamentations is a book that describes the suffering of the city of Jerusalem as if it were a person. It describes the suffering of Jeremiah as he witnessed divine judgment fall on his people. But the language of some passages is also a prophetic view of Christ suffering for us. For example, in Lamentations 3:1-20, we can recognize Jesus as “the man” who was afflicted by the rod of God’s wrath, as He suffered there at Calvary for our sins. We love the Lord Jesus because He bore all that wrath for us, and for this we will worship Him forever. —Carl Knott

Jehovah lifted up His rod; Oh Christ, it fell on Thee! 
Thou wast sore stricken of Thy God; There’s not one stroke for me. 
Thy tears, thy blood beneath it flowed: Thy bruising healeth me.
—Cousins

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 28; Proverbs 24; Luke 2:1-21

 

…We beheld His glory…full of grace and truth. John 1:14

John viewed our Lord on the mount of transfiguration, but this isn’t the glory he speaks of here. While our Lord’s eternal glory was for the most part veiled from human eyes, there was no hiding His moral glory. Every word, every deed, and every motive behind them illuminated God’s unique Son in stark contrast to a sin-diseased world. Humanity needs grace and truth and horribly lacks both outside of a full revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Rick Morse

Great God of wonders! All Thy ways,
Display Thine attributes divine;
But the bright glories of Thy grace,
Above Thine other wonders shine.
—Samuel Davies

 

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 26:52 to 27:23; Prov. 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

 

…Thou hast kept the good wine until now.  John 2:10
When they were filled… John 6:12

Are these two “signs” not meant to be seen together? Sufficient bread and choicest wine. Our Lord, His joy, and the new life He offers are a heavenly vintage, rich and ceaseless, eclipsing the world’s best offerings in both endless quantity and surpassing quality. As for the bread, He is our staff of life in a desert place, strength for today and sufficiency for all our tomorrows. Take all you wish. Eat ’til you’re full. Yet there is more. —S. McEachern

Jesus! All perfections rise and end in Thee;
Brightness of God’s glory Thou, eternally,
Favored beyond measure they Thy face who see;
May we gracious Saviour, share this ecstasy.
—D. MacGregor

 

DAILY?READINGS: Num. 25 to 26:51; Prov. 22:17 to 23:11; Luke 1:26-56

 

Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.  Psalm 119:67

God uses people that have failed. The reason He uses failures is that it’s all He has to work with. If we have not failed in deed, we have in word, and if not in word, in thought. The question is not, have we failed, but rather, have we learned the lessons taught by the best of teachers—experience? If not, we’ll have to repeat the course! The answer is what the psalmist learned, ”but now have I kept thy word.” —Rex Trogdon

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Saviour, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.
—J. Edwin Orr