Author: Gospel Folio Press

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 22; Jeremiah 6; Ephesians 1:1-14

But lift up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.  Exodus 14:17

The Lord, through Moses, made a passage for His people through the Red Sea. It is a lovely picture of our salvation, a passage from death to life. Some day the Lord will make a passage through the air for His people (1 Thess. 4:17), and it will result in our glorification. From beginning to end it is all His blessed work. Are you living in the expectation of that great meeting in the air? —W. Ross Rainey

Soon the “trump of God” will call us,
Soon we’ll meet Him in the air,
He, the altogether lovely,
And the fairest of the fair. —J. Booth

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 21; Jeremiah 5; Galatians 6

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  1 Peter 1:25

The wreck of Flight 93 on September 11, 2001, left little behind. The burning jet fuel incinerated virtually everything. However, one of the items discovered was a fully intact copy of a well used Bible, complete with a prayer list—the possession of a dedicated Christian aboard the doomed aircraft. Almost everything else from that flight was destroyed or burned—nearly everything that is, except the Word of God! Heaven and earth will pass away, but not God’s Word. It will last forever. Let’s read it today, so that we can enjoy its truth throughout eternity. —Mark Kolchin

The Bible stands though the hills may tumble,
It will firmly stand when the earth shall crumble;
I will plant my feet on its firm foundation,
For the Bible stands. —Haldor Lillenas

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 20; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

He (Nabal) hath [repaid] me evil for good.  1 Samuel 25:21
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.  Romans 12:19

David was tempted to “get even” and had it not been for the gracious intervention of Abigail he would have carried out his plan. The believer is often tempted to try to rectify the injustices done to him by the unconverted, yet our God asks us to leave that responsibility with Him. He may not balance the record as quickly as we would, but He will act. Only then will justice be properly served. —Wm. H. Gustafson

When your heart was filled with anger,
Did you think to pray?
Did you plead for grace, my brother,
That you might forgive another,
Who had crossed your way? —M. A. Kidder

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Sam. 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6 to 4:2; Gal. 4:21 to 5:9

For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them.   Isaiah 59:12

This will be the language of all who stand before the Great White Throne of God’s judgment. The books will be opened and the dead will be judged by what is written in them, according to their works. Unsaved friend, then you will weep as you see your multiplied transgressions. Then your sins will testify against you. You did not trust in the Lamb of God as your sin-bearer, therefore your sins will still be with you and on you. On that terrible day you will fully know them and you will know God’s wrath when you could have known His love. Delay no longer. Trust Him now! —Carl Knott

What will you do without Him, when He hath shut the door,
And you are left outside because you would not come before?—F. R. Havergal

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Sam. 18 to 19:8; Jeremiah 2 to 3:5; Gal. 4:1-20

Salmon begat Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the king.  Matthew 1:5-6a

To have women listed in a genealogy was highly unusual, much less scandalous women like these two! Rahab is introduced as a harlot before her name is even made known (Josh. 2:1). Ruth was a despised foreigner, frequently referred to as “Ruth the Moabitess”. It is encouraging to look back and see how these women excelled. But during their own days, probably very few would have had confidence that either of them would flourish for God. But God’s plan isn’t always what we expect. His ways are far better (Isa. 55:8)! God used these women to bring David to the throne, and eventually the King of kings to the world.  —Danielle E.

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: 2 Samuel 16-17; Jeremiah 1; Galatians 3:15-29

Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together, for to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. Acts 4:27-28

The early believers strongly believed in God’s sovereign power to bring about His plan of salvation. God’s decrees are from eternity! What was done to Christ by Herod or Pontius Pilate, by the Jews or Gentiles was according to the predetermined counsel of God. Yet the freedom of their wills was never infringed upon. Truly amazing! How can the finite comprehend the infinite? —Sid Halsband

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries,
To sound the depths of love divine. —Charles Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 15; Zephaniah 3; Galatians 3:1-14

By his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.   Hebrews 9:12
How much more shall the blood of Christ…purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?  Hebrews 9:14

Hebrews records that the high priest of old went alone once a year, with blood, into the Holiest of all. There was no other man alive, who could do this, but him. The Lord Jesus cried from the cross, “My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). He, who was ever with the Father, went alone to where no other person could go. He offered what no other person could offer—Himself.  —S. B.

The sinner’s refuge here alone, under the blood, under the blood;
Here Jesus makes salvation known, under the precious blood. —E. Hewitt

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 14; Zephaniah 2; Galatians 2

For we know that 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

Two contrasting dwellings are mentioned here. One is earthly and temporary, easily taken down; one is heavenly, a spiritual and permanent structure. The tent is a picture of our earthly body, slowly in the process of fading. But the apostle asserts that a blessed state of existence awaits us when our earthly body fully fails. The dissolution of the body will not deprive the soul and spirit of an existence and a home. And at His return, with resurrected and living bodies, we will all share His likeness eternally.  —Drew Craig

Throughout the vast eternal ages, in that place beyond compare,
We’ll see Him, serve Him, praise Him ever and His endless glories share.
—Alfred P. Gibbs

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 13; Zephaniah 1; Galatians 1

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.  Isaiah 41:10

This is a precious promise for whatever we face. First, God tells us where He is, “I am with you.” Then, who He is, “I am your God.” Lastly, He says what He will do. His promise is threefold, “I will strengthen you, I will help you, and I will uphold you.” His presence and His power give us peace in our trials so that we need not fear nor be dismayed. Trust His promise today. —Rex Trogdon

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee, and Thy beauty fills my soul,
For by Thy transforming power, Thou hast made me whole. —J. S. Pigott