Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 4; Isaiah 25; 1 Corinthians 4

And we know that all things work together for good to those who… are the called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

In the midst of the turmoil and problems of life we may feel that nothing is going right. How can a catastrophic illness or the death of a loved one result in any good for the suffering believers? Perhaps for you, life at the moment seems dark, tragic, and hopeless. This is when we must rise above the present distresses and cling to the loving hand of our heavenly Father. We must believe that God will work these present trials into our ultimate blessing. Faith will do this and God will honour it.  —Donald L. Norbie

Will not the End explain?
The crossed endeavour; earnest purpose foiled,
The clinging weariness, the inward strain;
Will not the End explain? —Amy Carmichael

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 3:5-31; Isaiah 24; 1 Corinthians 3

He said, Bring them hither to me.  Matthew 14:18

Sometimes service seems impossible—the need is too great, the resources too few. So it seemed to the disciples as they gazed on the hungry crowds and counted their meager provisions: five loaves and two fish—not enough to give even a crumb to each of the more than five thousand assembled listeners. Yet the Lord took their paltry stores and miraculously multiplied them to satisfy the multitudes and leave leftovers to spare (twelve baskets to remind each apostle of their omnipotent Lord’s capabilities). Today you may face a daunting task. Take your small supplies and weakened self to the Lord. He will multiply your life and labour for eternal benefit to those that you serve as well as to you. —K. R. Keyser

He everywhere hath sway, and all things serve His might;
His every act pure blessing is, His path unsullied light. —P. Gerhardt

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 2:6 to 3:4; Isaiah 22:15 to 23:18; 1 Cor. 2

And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand.  Esther 5:2

Haman had the ear of King Xerxes, getting his approval for the annihilation of the Jews. Queen Esther bravely sought audience with Xerxes and it was granted by the touch of his golden sceptre. In contrast, when faced with Israel’s extermination Moses “besought the Lord his God” (Ex. 32:11). I have read that the literal translation is, “He stroked the face of God.” We do not plead with a capricious, selfish king. We enter the presence of a Father who has already given His best for us. We too may reverently plead, “stroking His face.” “How shall he not… freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). —Marilyn MacMullen

So near, so very near to God, I cannot nearer be;
For in the person of His Son I am as near as He.—Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Judges 1 to 2:5; Isaiah 21 to 22:14; 1 Corinthians 1

I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, like a cloud thy sins; return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.  Isaiah 44:22

There is a sign in a local shop which lists, in black, the names of those who owe money to the shop owner. The amount of the debt is also recorded. If the debt is paid the person’s name and debt are blotted out in black ink and can no longer be read. Jesus Christ has done far greater than this. He paid the debt that I could not pay and blotted the record out with His precious blood. He can and will do the same for you if you will only come and trust in His finished work.  —Janet Fleming

I’ll thank Him today that He came to earth
To suffer and die for me;
For He paid the price for my sin that day
When He died on Calvary.
—J. F.

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 24; Isaiah 19-20; 2 Thessalonians 3

As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the Lord alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him.  Deuteronomy 32:11-12

What lovely imagery! Just as an eagle pushes out an eaglet from the nest, so that they may learn to fly, so God deals with His people. When they get weary the mother swoops down underneath and catches them on her outstretched wings. In the same way, God’s children are trained by God’s discipline and life’s trials. This is not evidence of our Father’s indifference or displeasure. It shows His love! He wants us to grow. And He is always there to catch us when we cannot go on. —Jim Pizzulli

Lord we are Thine: in Thee we live, supported by Thy tender care;
Guarded by Thine all-seeing eye, we own that we are only Thine.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 23; Isaiah 17-18; 2 Thessalonians 2

They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.  Psalm 69:12

A local lad, Kalenga, the son of a believer, rejected Christ and his grieving parents’ teaching. He then became a notorious thief, was imprisoned many times and had a leg shot off when trying to escape. One day, 100 miles from home, his father was mortified to hear some drunkards singing songs mocking him for the sins of his son. Our blessed Lord endured the “song of the drunkards” as He, the Holy One, hung upon the cross bearing our sin. The foolishness, reproach, shame, weeping, dishonour and loneliness, (Ps. 69:5, 7, 10, 19, 20), which should be ours were all borne by Him. Let us remember Him and adore Him. —David Croudace

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone. —C. Gabriel

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 22; Isaiah 15-16; 2 Thessalonians 1

And took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross.  Colossians 2:14b
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Matthew 6:13a

We are often thankful for the bountiful provisions God brings into our lives. Are we just as thankful for the things he takes out of our lives? He has taken away the penalty of our sin, oh glorious thought. He will also take away the stones and obstacles in our path that would trip us. He will remove the snares that would bring us into bondage. Yes, thank Him for the blessings, but don’t forget to thank Him for the many things He has taken away. —Sam Thorpe

Walk in the light! So shalt thou know,
That fellowship of love,
His Spirit only can bestow,
Who reigns in light above.
—Bernard Barton

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 20-21; Isaiah 14; 1 Thessalonians 5

And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.  Numbers 20:12

Moses was denied the privilege of leading Israel into their inheritance because of disobedience, unbelief and a failure to give God the glory. Yet three times in Deuteronomy we read that he blamed the children of Israel for his denied entrance into Canaan (Deut. 1:37; 3:26; 4:21). How sobering to see that the meekest of men would not fully admit his sin, but like Adam before him, placed the blame on others. May God help us to confess our own sins and not blame others for our transgressions. —D. Pickup

Lord, melt these icy hearts of stone, make us Your counsel seek,
And sacrifice to You alone, with humble hearts and meek.
—Richard W. Adams

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 18-19; Isaiah 13; 1 Thessalonians 4

And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. Genesis 28:15

How glorious are these promises to the pariah who would later become a patriarch. Like Jacob, we too perhaps had an inauspicious start in the life of faith—on the run from some foolish personal choices, all the time trying to work a deal with the Almighty. But despite similar selfish inclinations, the Lord gave clear assurances to Jacob of His unchanging promises and unwavering presence. He would see him through his journey of faith. It was his heritage and it is ours. Let’s claim it today. —Mark Kolchin

My knowledge of my life is small, the eye of faith is dim;
But ’tis enough that Christ knows all, and I shall be with Him. —R. Baxter

 

DAILY?READINGS: Joshua 16-17; Isaiah 11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13 to 3:13

Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort.  Ezra 4:8

When Rehum sent this letter and accused the Jews, Artaxerxes ordered the Jews to stop rebuilding Jerusalem. In order to accomplish his underhanded scheme, Rehum had gathered a coalition of people who lied about the situation. Although it took time, eventually God intervened and the work was completed. Generally speaking, the guilty will gather others to accuse, while the innocent will leave the matter with the Lord to judge (1 Pet. 2:19-21). William MacDonald said, “To be silent under insult and wrong is a very noble imitation of our Lord.” Perhaps you have been falsely accused. Trust in the Lord. In due time He will vindicate. —W. A. H.

Then melt my heart, O Saviour, bend me, yea, break me down,
Until I own Thee Conqueror, and Lord and Sovereign crown. —A. Kelly