Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:32 to 18:5; Isaiah 58; Romans 4:1-22

And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.  1 Samuel 23:16

Saul had been searching daily for David, but could not find him, for God was protecting him (1 Sam. 23:14). Yet, Jonathan easily located David when he journeyed into the forest of Ziph. What was the difference? Jonathan loved David and desired to encourage him to do the will of God, while Saul hated David and sought to kill him. God oversees such things. He blesses selfless love and despises selfish hatred. The wrath of man does not work the righteousness of God and hatred is murder committed in the heart. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God” (Matt. 5:8).  —W. A. H.

And from my smitten heart, with tears, two wonders I confess:
The wonders of His glorious love, and my own worthlessness.
—Elizabeth C. Clephane

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9 to 57:21; Romans 3

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.  1 Corinthians 11:28

This verse is generally thought to mean that a person should examine their morals at the Lord’s Supper. That is undoubtedly true but there is more here. Besides our morals, our motives are also in view. Why are we there? We are not to be occupied with ourselves, but with Him who loved us and washed us from our sins. It is His supper, He is the host and we are the guests. He prepared this for us at Calvary, through His body given and His blood shed. We are there to remember and adore Him.  —Harold G. Smith

Amidst us our Beloved stands, and bids us view His pierced hands.
Points to His wounded feet and side, blest emblems of the crucified.
—Charles Spurgeon

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 16; Isaiah 55 to 56:8; Romans 2

But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.  Galatians 4:4-5

There are many passages in the New Testament that describe in varying degrees the basis and blessings of our salvation. And none more so than this short but profound extract from Paul’s letter to the Galatian churches. It presents the following profound truths: a prophecy fulfilled; deity taking on humanity; the purpose of Christ’s coming explained and our reception into the family of God assured. —Drew Craig

Complete in Thee! No work of mine may take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me, and I am now complete in Thee.
—R. Wolfe

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 15; Isaiah 54; Romans 1:18-32

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:2

Questions spring to mind when we read this verse. How are we transformed? By daily immersing ourselves in the Word of God. As we do this, we become more like Christ (2 Cor. 3:18). Our actions will be those described in the rest of this chapter: joyous, faithful and generous. And what is that good and perfect will of God? It is that we be not conformed to this world, that we overcome evil with good. In another verse, God’s will is succinctly stated. It is our sanctification—being set apart to Him (1 Thess. 4:3). May we be an acceptable living sacrifice to our God.  —D. Pickup

Transformed by the Spirit, our anthems we bring,
And adoring our Saviour, united we sing. —M. W. Knapp

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 14; Isaiah 52:13 to 53:12; Romans 1:1-17

Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.  John 11:16

This is commitment! The Jews had tried to stone Jesus to death, making the disciples afraid to return to Judea (v. 8). Thomas, however, would never go back on his commitment to his Lord, even if it meant rocks being hurled at him, crushing him to an excruciating death. Paul was also committed to Christ. He was stoned and left for dead at Lystra, but God raised him up and later on he fearlessly returned to the very place they had stoned him. The Greek word to have faith is pisteuo which includes the meaning “to commit to”. True faith in Christ involves being utterly committed to Him whatever opposition we may face.  —David Croudace

Pressing onward, ever onward, never looking back;
With my way to Him committed, nothing shall I lack. —L. N. Morris

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 13; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Cor. 12:14 to 13:14

God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day.  Psalm 7:11

Most do not like to think of God as ever being angry with sinners. They like to think of Him as an indulgent grandfather. They feel God will overlook their sin and the doors of heaven will welcome them when they die. But God is holy and just; sin must be punished. And this is why Christ came, to bear the anger and punishment for sin on the cross that we all deserved. Have you received Christ as your Lord and Saviour? If you are a believer remember, God still hates sin. Do not think lightly of it. —Donald L. Norbie

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;
Holy, holy, holy! Merciful and mighty! 
God in three persons, blessed Trinity! —R. Heber

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 11-12; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Cor. 12:1-13

But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.  Hebrews 6:9

True life in Christ will always bear fruit, sooner or later (John 15). The Lord Jesus proclaimed “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:16). Ananias was assured that Saul of Tarsus was a true believer by the words: “Behold, he prayeth” (Acts 9:11). His new-found faith was further confirmed when he was baptized soon afterwards, sought fellowship with believers and preached Christ in the synagogues (Acts 9:18-20). The writer to the Hebrews was persuaded that his audience manifested the “better things” that accompany salvation. It was a testimony to the genuineness of their faith and should be for us as well.  —Mark Kolchin

He that in Me abideth ever, so ran the Master’s word;
Shall bring forth fruit unto the harvest, and great is his reward.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 9:15 to 10:27; Isaiah 50 to 51:8; 2 Cor. 11

And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me?  Genesis 16:13

Seeing Hagar discouraged and distressed, the Lord appeared to her. Acknowledging her difficult condition He provided comfort. Exhorting her, He gave direction for what she should do next. Prophesying to her, He instilled hope for the future. Beloved, God is present and knows our trials. Draw near to Him for solace, look to Him for guidance, and rest in Him who is our hope. His Word foretells our bright future. In His wisdom He may not change our current state but He wants to change our perspective.  —George Ferrier

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come;
Be Thou our guide while life shall last and our eternal home.
—Isaac Watts

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 8 to 9:14; Isaiah 49; 2 Cor. 10

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.  Hebrews 10:25
Come, and let us go up to…the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths.  Micah 4:2

Micah foretells a day when the nations of the earth will gather at Jerusalem. As our verse indicates, the result will be great blessings for those who gather. As New Testament believers our desire should be to gather to His name now for times of worship and fellowship. As we do, just as in a coming day, we will be taught His ways so that we may walk in those paths on a daily basis. Little wonder then that we’re admonished not to forsake gathering together.  —Wm. H. Gustafson

Gathered in Thy name, Lord Jesus, losing sight of all but Thee,
Oh, what joy Thy presence gives us, calling up our hearts to Thee.
—C. A. Wellesley

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 6-7; Isaiah 48; 2 Corinthians 9

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  Matt. 14:26

At first the disciples did not recognize the Lord in the storm. It was not that their vision was dimmed, but that their minds were dulled. May we not fail to recognize His presence in life’s storms. Nor may we fail to expect Him when He at last shall come again to take us out of the darknesses and distresses of this sin-sick world. Remember, He could return today!  —W. Ross Rainey

O child of God, there is for thee,
A hope that shines amid the gloom,
A gladsome hope that thou shalt see,
Thy Lord, for He will surely come.
—T. D. W. Muir