Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 12; Habakkuk 3; Romans 16

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  James 3:8

Today I drove alongside a river. It was calm and still, meandering on towards the harbour. And yet, in a different season that same river can become a torrent, bursting its banks, causing destruction, dragging trees and animals with it. How like our tongue. We can speak words that soothe and bring comfort and then destroy someone with our next breath. It ought not to be so but it is a sad reality. May the Lord help us to think before we speak.  —Janet Fleming

Words they are powerful, words can cause pain,
Words can bring comfort to someone today;
So may I show kindness to those that I meet
With words that I write and words that I say. —J. F.

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 10-11; Habakkuk 2; Romans 15:14-33

Thus speaketh the Lord of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built. Then came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet, saying, Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lies waste? Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. Haggai 1:2-5

Too busy for God but not too busy for themselves. Not particularly immoral or evil. Distracted and dismissive. Worldly. But even worse—half-hearted. Immediate and shallow. And so their own treasures abounded. But their spiritual wealth abated. These words were written 2,500 years ago. Consider your ways.  —S. McEachern

Sweet Saviour, bless us ere we go; Thy Word into our minds instill,
And make our lukewarm hearts to glow, with lowly love and fervent will.
—Frederick W. Faber

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 8-9; Habakkuk 1; Romans 14:19 to 15:13

He that doeth righteousness is righteous even as he is righteous.   1 John 3:7

God requires the utter righteousness of any who come before Him (Matt. 5:20). Righteousness is the complete perfection of the character of God. How then can we sinners ever hope to attain to such heights? It is possible! Two Old Testament characters show us the way. Abel (1 John 3:11-12) and Abraham (Gen. 15:6) were declared righteous because they believed the promise of God. So too, we can become righteous through faith in God’s promise of salvation in Christ. Having acted in faith, God has imputed His righteousness to us. “This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless” (2 Sam. 22:33, ESV).  —J. D. Fraser

No righteousness of mine, can stand before the throne,
But Christ’s own perfect works are now my very own! —N. Barham