Author: Gospel Folio Press

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 21; Proverbs 18; James 2

Like as a father pitieth his children, So the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:13

The word “pity” in this verse could also be rendered “shows compassion” (ESV). God is merciful towards His children. He knows what we experience and empathizes. Moreover, His compassion reaches out to strengthen the saints in their weakness and infirmity. He also comforts the grieving and ministers to the persecuted. God is rich in mercy (Eph. 2:4) and lavishes His wealth of consolation on His children as they suffer in this world. If you are enduring some pain today, believer, you need not do so alone. Ask the Lord to remind you of His mercy and to show you His solace in your hardships. His fatherly love reaches out to you in your extremity. —K. R. Keyser

Thou gavest all that love could give, the goodly pearl to gain;
Thou gav’st Thy life that we might live and Thou Thy bride obtain. —J. P.

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 20; Proverbs 17; James 1

So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

If one has limited resources it is wise to use them carefully. Moses writes after years of experience and exhorts us to consider the brevity of life and to use our time wisely. Youth considers life endless but wakes up in middle age to realize it is half gone. What are wise ways to spend our days? Reading God’s Word and praying daily are vital to our spiritual health. Meeting regularly with the Lord’s assembly is essential for spiritual growth and the development of our spiritual gifts. Certainly witnessing and leading sinners to the Lord are a wise way to use your time. Our years pass so swiftly. Use them wisely. —Donald L. Norbie

How I praise Thee, precious Saviour, that Thy love laid hold of me;
Thou hast saved and cleansed and filled me that I might Thy channel be.
—Mary E. Maxwell

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 19; Proverbs 16; 2 Peter 3

And the Lord said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:7
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

The Devil is a master at half truth. When asked by the Lord where he had been, his reply was only partially true. The unspoken part was that he had been promoting his nefarious schemes, which he always attempts to keep hidden. His aim is to devour and we are urged to be sober and vigilant, to immerse ourselves in the study of God’s Word so that we are not duped by his devices. —Mark Kolchin

And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us.
—Martin Luther

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 18; Proverbs 15; 2 Peter 2

Abraham said, Son, remember. Luke 16:25

Visiting Brussels I was struck by a poster of a directional road sign bearing the word “Remember” in large letters. If one did not remember in time, the road would take you to the wrong destination. It reminded me of the pitiful existence of the beggar compared to the luxury of the rich man in the above passage, and of what Abraham said to the rich man when he found himself in eternity and doomed—“Son, remember”. Many in a lost eternity will remember invitations to accept God’s way of salvation but left it too late and thus found themselves at a horrible destination. —Brian Powlesland

Memory like an adder stingeth, all the wasted past upbringeth;
Could I but that viper strangle, half my miseries would be o’er,
But around my heart it coileth, every frantic effort foileth,
Will it quit me nevermore? Echo answers, nevermore. —Horatius Bonar

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:41 to 17:13; Proverbs 14; 2 Peter 1

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 1 Kings 11:7

Solomon built a spectacular temple for the Lord, was greatly blessed with wisdom, and yet erected pagan altars in the high places surrounding Jerusalem. How is this possible? If we let our heart wander from the Lord it can happen easily. Let us be careful that we do not erect competing high places in our local churches—the Lord’s dwelling place in and with His people. There is nothing in humanism that can please the Lord, so let us ensure that Christ always has the pre-eminence among us. —W. A. H.

Since from His bounty I receive such proofs of love divine,
Had I a thousand hearts to give, Lord, they would all be Thine.
—Alfred Mace

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13; 1 Peter 5

The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9
He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

Joshua and Israel were about to tread a difficult and dangerous path. They were to cross Jordan and engage formidable enemies in Canaan. Battles and strife lay ahead. It was then that God gave them this promise, to be with them “whithersoever they went”. What a precious promise for the child of God today. God has guaranteed that whatever the circumstances of life—sunshine or shadow, pain or pleasure, success or failure, weeping or rejoicing, mountain or valley, that we will never ever be alone. May we step out into the unknown future with confidence and courage, knowing He is ever near. —W. H. Burnett

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake,
I will guard, and save, and keep thee, for My name and mercies sake.
—Author Unknown

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 15; Proverbs 12; 1 Peter 4

He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion. Psalms 111:4

The Psalmist exhorts us to remember the Lord and His grace and compassion. The best place we can go to do this is Calvary. Of all His wondrous works there is none greater than the cross work of Christ. There He died to put away all our sin (Heb. 9:26). The Lord’s Supper is that gathering where we particularly are called to express our remembrance. And so today we meditate on Him and show forth His works. We worship and adore. In spirit we travel to Calvary and find there His grace and compassionate love. Let us draw near and worship Him. —Harold G. Smith

Rise my soul! Behold ‘tis Jesus, Jesus fills thy wondering eyes;
See Him now in glory seated, where thy sins no more can rise.
—J. Denham Smith

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 14; Proverbs 11; 1 Peter 3

The heavens declare the glory of God. Psalm 19:1
For I reckon the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

One night, after finishing a series of Gospel meetings, I was driving home very tired—a three hour trip before me. The night sky was lit up with millions of stars! Then for about an hour I was blanketed by the most amazing display of the northern lights! It made me feel like I was surrounded by the glory of God! It is just a memory now, but what will it be like, when in eternity, His Glory will be revealed not just to us but in us! —Jim Paul

Where no shade or stain can enter, nor the gold be dim;
In that holiness unsullied I shall walk with Him,
Meet companion then for Jesus, from Him for Him made;
Glory of God’s grace forever, there in me displayed. —Frances R. Havergal

 

DAILY?READINGS: Numbers 12-13; Proverbs 10; 1 Peter 2

Incline thine ear unto me, and save me. Psalm 71:2

To most people, the ear of God is associated with prayer. An open ear means God is listening as we pray to Him (Ps. 39:12; 55:1). However, He’s also listening when we’re not talking to Him in prayer—something we should be mindful of, especially when our language or its content isn’t what it should be. How different would our conversations be if we were conscious of the all-hearing God! And beyond that, He is aware of the thoughts and intents of our heart, without a word being spoken. Perhaps we should treat every conversation, every whispered accusation, and every opinion, as a prayer to God—or at least as if He is hearing. We should, because He is already! —Norman Craig Funston

O how the world to evil allures me! O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me, over the world the vict’ry to win.
—Elisha A. Hoffman