Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be
joyful in their King. Psalm 149:2

This psalm is part of the Songs of Ascent which pilgrims sang as they
journeyed up to Zion three times a year. There were many kinds of
people on those journeys, but they had one thing in common, they
were all going to Zion. Ponder the countless number of pilgrims
around the world today who are on the upward way, not to mention
all those generations who have already arrived. For those presently
on the journey, perhaps hard-pressed and tired, keep going, the heavenly
city is in sight. It was a journey of joy then, and with His presence
with us on the way it will be today too. —Drew Craig

I want to scale the utmost height, and catch a glimpse of glory bright,
But still I’ll pray til heaven I’ve found, Lord plant my feet on higher ground.
—J. O.

DAILY READINGS: Josh. 16-17; Isa. 11-12; 1 Thess. 2:13 to 3:13

And God came to Laban the Syrian in a dream by night and said
unto him, Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or
bad. Genesis 31:24

We often forget that God consistently works behind the scenes for
our good. Jacob had fl ed from Laban, and having discovered this,
Laban was determined to chase aft er him to take back Jacob’s wives
and possessions. However, God’s word to Laban prevented a calamity
and eventually Jacob moved on. Thank God for blessings, seen
and unseen. —Brian Russell

Trust ye in the Lord forever,
Trust by day and night.
He is near thee, and moreover,
He will give thee light. —H. M. Warner

DAILY READINGS: Josh. 14-15; Isa. 10:5-34; 1 Thess. 1 to 2:12

This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made thee a ruler and
a judge? The same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by
the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. Acts 7:35

The Magna Carta, a charter of liberties that guaranteed rights and
privileges of the king’s subjects, was issued June 15, 1215. It is one
of the most important legal documents in history. Did the King consider
God in this great charter? The opening text reads; “Know that
we, out of reverence for God and for the salvation of our soul and
those of all our ancestors and heirs, for the honour of God…” Pray
for those who govern over us and the liberties they institute, that
God may be reverenced and glorifi ed above all. —Jerry Proctor

Our fathers’ God, to Thee, Author of liberty, to Thee we sing;
Protect us by Thy might, great God, our King! —Samuel F Smith

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 13; Isaiah 9:8 to 10:4; Luke 24:36-53

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning
to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. Matthew 14:30

Have you got that sinking feeling? We may smile saying that in connection
with this story, but life can be very diffi cult sometimes. When
it is, here are some promises to hold on to. Don’t give up. The Lord
will sustain you by His grace (2 Cor.12:9). Don’t give in. Greater is He
who is in you than he who is in the world! (1 Jn. 4:4) Don’t give out.
The Lord is your strength (Isa. 41:10). Don’t give over to discouragement.
The Lord brings things into our lives to draw us closer to Him
and add endurance to our faith (Jas. 1:3). —Rex Trogdon

From sinking sand He lift ed me, with tender hand He lifted me;
From shades of night to plains of light, O praise His name, He lift ed me.
—Charles Gabriel

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 11-12; Isaiah 8:5 to 9:7; Luke 24:13-35

I trusted in Thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are
in Thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from
them that persecute me. Psalm 31:14-15

Our Lord desires us to experience His peace day by day. Surely we
desire to possess it too. So why do we worry and fret? We know that
He does all things for our good and for His glory, yet still we fi nd
ourselves beset with stress and worry. Life goes so fast, so perhaps
what we need to do is stop. Be still. Know that He is God. He cares
for you. He desires only good for you. Your times are safely in His
hand. Rest in His tender love for you and be at peace. —V. Gaynier

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing in your sight oh my God.—Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 10; Isaiah 7 to 8:4; Luke 23:47 to 24:12

This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be
glad in it. Psalms 118:24

Today many people fi nd free time a rare commodity. They are burdened
with work duties, household chores, and even spiritual responsibilities.
They have litt le time for rest. What the Lord said in
His day seems to be ever so true in our day, “Come aside into a
desert place, and rest awhile” (Mk. 6:31). The Lord’s day is a special
day that He has made for us to quiet our hearts, to remember Him,
and to rejoice in Him. What a joy to come aside into His presence
today and to be glad in our Saviour. —K. C. Ung

This is the day the Lord hath made; He calls the hours His own;
Let Heav’n rejoice, let earth be glad, and praise surround the throne.—Watts

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 9; Isaiah 6; Luke 23:13-46

The LORD said, I have surely seen the affl iction of My people
which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their
taskmasters; for I know their sorrows. I am come down to deliver
them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out
of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land fl owing with
milk and honey. Exodus 3:7, 8

Here we see the omniscience, omnipotence and omnipresence of the
Lord. He is always aware of our circumstances, always ready and
able to undertake for us. And just think of His promise to always
be with us! No matt er how isolated and overcome we feel, we are
never alone. Praise Him for His presence today! —A. Fiebig

No, never alone! No, never alone!
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone. —L. D. Pickett

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 8; Isaiah 5; Luke 22:54 to 23:12

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition
which I asked of him: Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD;
as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. 1 Sam. 1:27-28a

The birth of Samuel occurred aft er years of sorrow and mockery
due to Hannah’s barrenness. We could have understood it if she had
wished to keep Samuel for herself. But no! Her highest ambition was
that Samuel should be given to the Lord forever. What a challenge
to those of us raising families. Is it our highest ambition for them
that they should be given to the Lord’s service? Are we encouraging
them in this ambition? There can be no greater goal for parents, than
to raise their children for God and His service. —W. H. Burnett

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an off ering far too small,
Love so amazing so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all. —Isaac Watts

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 7; Isaiah 3-4; Luke 22:31-53

When he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours,
saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my
sheep which was lost. Luke 15:6

The wail of the siren alerted 200 people that a camper was lost. But
where was she, in the woods or the water? All went to their preassigned
locations and began the search. But listen to another alert!
Sinners we know are lost and on their way to a burning lake. Are we
concerned? Finally, an announcement was made, “Naomi has been
found, alert over.” Cheering sounded all over the camp. When a lost
sinner is saved, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over
a sinner repenting. Do we long for that same joy? —Arnot McIntee

And my heart is fi lled with joyful singing
Since the Saviour has made me whole —Albert S. Reitz

DAILY READINGS: Joshua 5:13 to 6:27; Isaiah 2; Luke 22:1-30

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the
ship, so that it was now full. Mark 4:37
And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be
still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

The Lord did what the disciples could not do when He rebuked the
wind and the raging water. Aft er that though, surely they bailed out
the water from the boat. In addition, the great calm that followed
would make any sail useless, so probably the disciples would have to
row. We are totally dependent on the Lord for our salvation, but there
remains work for us to do on our journey with Him to the other side.
Let us be diligent in our service for Him. —David M. McCulloch

Go, labour on; spend, and be spent—thy joy to do the Father’s will;
It is the way the Master went; should not the servant tread it still? —Bonar