DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 25:1-55; Psalm 139:1-24; Mark 10:1-31
Thus saith the Lord…this thing is from me. 1 Kings 12:24
Rehoboam faced a crisis in the nation of Israel and he was tempted to put things right by armed force. God showed him that these events were part of His sovereign purposes—”from me,”—and that his well-intended intervention was misplaced. So it is in our lives. There are times when crises arise that seem contradictory to our understanding of the will of God. In such cases we must be careful to seek God’s face, lest we find ourselves, unconsciously, in conflict with the unfolding purposes of God. Let’s ever remember that God is still on the throne. —W. H. Burnett
Deep in unfathomable mines, of never-failing skill, He treasures up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will. —William Cowper
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 24:1-23; Psalms 137:1-138:8; Mark 9:33-50
As for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. Genesis 50:20
We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Joseph faced calamity, rejection, suffering, loneliness, and imprisonment. He was forgotten by the world and even by his own family, yet he was still able to say, “God meant it unto good.” When we meet opposition as every God-honouring Christian will do, we must lay hold of promises such as Romans 8:28 and remember that God will indeed bring good out of it. In faith we leave the timing with Him. —David Croudace
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain. In every change, He faithful will remain. —K. von Schlegel
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 23:23-44; Psalms 135:1-136:26; Mark 9:14 -32
I am He that liveth, and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen. Revelation 1:18
The original St. Paul’s Cathedral in London was destroyed by the great fire of 1666. When rummaging through the rubble, a stone the architect Christopher Wren picked up had written on it in Latin, “I shall rise again.” On this day of resurrection, we worship a risen, triumphant Saviour. On “Good Friday,” we think of the terrible cost of our salvation. Today we reflect on that indescribable moment when He burst from the tomb crying, “I am He that liveth and was dead; and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen.” His resurrection is the glorious assurance of our eternal salvation. —Jim Comte
Death cannot keep his prey, Jesus my Saviour! He tore the bars away; Jesus, my Lord! —Robert Lowry
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 23:1-22; Psalms 132:1-134:3; Mark 8:27-9:13
Moreover the Hebrews that were with the Philistines before that time…even they also turned to be with the Israelites that were with Saul and Jonathan. 1 Samuel 14:21
Jonathan and his armour bearer took the offensive against the Philistines, saying “There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few” (1 Sam. 14:6). Soon they were joined by others. When a Christian
stands boldly against the world and sin, other Christians (often backslidden) are encouraged and emboldened, likewise those who have just “hidden” themselves. “So the Lord saved Israel that day” (1 Sam. 14:23)—the day that encouraged believers did battle. “Be strong and of a good courage” (Josh. 1:9). —D. Pickup
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus going on before. —Sabine Baring-Gould
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 22:1-33; Psalm 128:1-131:3; Mark 8:11-26
And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15
Not “the” passover but “this” passover—the last passover before the cross. The Lord fully knew what awaited Him after that supper; “before I suffer”. He knew all about the arrest, the unrighteous trial, the mockery, scourging, thorns, cross and death that loomed before Him. Yet there would be resurrection and joy too. But before all of that He earnestly desired this last supper with His own. What about us? Our Lord is alive and today may we say to Him, “Lord, with desire have I desired to eat this supper, to remember you, thank you, and worship you. —Carl Knott
Break ye the bread and pour the wine, as ye have seen your Master do; This body and this blood of Mine, is broken thus and shed for you. —John Pierpont
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 21:1-24; Psalms 124:1-127:5; Mark 7:24-8:10
I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. Song of Solomon 2:3
Scientists say that the brain has a myriad of connections, surpassing the number of the stars. It is said the most therapeutic activity for this marvelous complexity is memorization. It was inspiring to read of Frances Havergal, the English writer, who stored the entire New Testament and several Old Testament books in her memory. I’ve found that with determination, my 95-year-old mind can learn and retain short passages. Thinking on their meaning is like honey from the honeycomb. In all of life’s circumstances, accessible scripture is nourishment for the soul and helpful to combat the enemy. —E. Dyck
Our Lord, our Life, our Rest, our Shield, our Rock, our Food, our Light; Each thought of Thee doth constant yield, unchanging, full delight. —Bernard of Clairvaux
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 19:1-20:27; Psalms 120:1-123:4; Mark 7:1-23
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him. John 10:4
And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left. Isaiah 30:21
When we are in a situation where life-changing decisions have to be taken, the Lord is ready to direct us when we humbly look to Him. Like a caring shepherd He goes before us, ever urging us to follow Him. In addition, Isaiah portrays Him as behind us, assuring us that He is directing our way. —George Hall
He leadeth me! He leadeth me! By His own hand He leadeth me; His faithful follower I would be, for by His hand He leadeth me. —Joseph Gilmore
A more marvelous unfolding of the power of Christ’s resurrection, both in Him and in us, could not be found than that in the first chapter of Ephesians. That declaration of the exceeding greatness of God’s power will be seen in heaven forever. It was far more stupendous than the work of creation.
There are references to the resurrection of Christ in the epistles to the Colossians and to the Philippians that might well exercise our hearts. To the Colossians, Paul wrote: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-2).
In his letter to the Philippians, Paul writes his own ambition in these stirring words: “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death” (Phil. 3:10).
Everything that Saul of Tarsus as a zealous Jew would have died for, he counted but refuse for Christ. The soul of Saul had once burned with a zeal for the traditions of his fathers. When he considered that Jesus of Nazareth and His disciples were contrary to these traditions, he was “exceedingly mad against them.” Before he was saved, he would not allow himself to consider for one moment any testimony to the resurrection of Christ. No witness of men or of miracle had the slightest weight with him. It seemed that after Stephen’s death, nothing whatever could penetrate the armor of blinded bigotry with which he was encompassed. Saul of Tarsus was as great an enemy to Christ as ever breathed. When God by His miracles and signs, with the testimony of His servants, goaded Saul, as a master would a stubborn ox, then Saul kicked against the pricks. Nothing reached his perverted conscience until the Lord Himself appeared to Saul and spoke to him with a voice that could not be mistaken. He answered, “Who art Thou, Lord?” What a question for a praying Pharisee! What a confession for a “Hebrew of the Hebrews!”
That sight of Christ in resurrection, that revelation of Jesus of Nazareth in the excellent glory, that declaration that Jesus was Jehovah, turned the world of Saul of Tarsus completely upside down. Such a perfect reversal of all that made up a bigot’s life had seldom been seen. Inside and out, Saul of Tarsus was now the very opposite of all that he had been before. The resurrection of Christ that he had rejected with all the bitter hatred of his passionate soul, now he accepted with a repentance and devotion that was as deep as his flaming opposition had been before.
Who could account for this radical and complete change in a man like Saul of Tarsus apart from the confession that what Saul said of himself was true? Who could find a reason to explain the fact of the adherence of Paul to his confession of Christ’s resurrection, in the face of a whole life of loss, and shame, and suffering, and isolation, and death, for that testimony, without the acknowledgement that the astute and honest Paul knew that Christ’s resurrection was a reality?
Paul’s inspired testimony and undaunted life are proofs of the fact of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Men like Lord Lyttleton and Gilbert West with giant intellects but honest hearts have faced the problem of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus and, losing their infidelity as Saul did his blind religion at the feet of Christ, have risen to proclaim that Jesus who was crucified rose again the third day and is Lord. Millions have done what Paul by the Spirit says every man should do. I stop with Paul’s imperishable testimony: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 17:1-18:30; Psalm 119:145-176; Mark 6:30-56
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? Genesis 50:19
Joseph’s brothers had just asked for forgiveness, anticipating retribution following their father’s death. Joseph’s forgiveness was unconditional. In that way he was acting as God would act. Sadly we as Christians find it difficult to forgive others faults even when they confess. Let us be Christ like and exhibit compassion and restoration and not be pharisaical and heartless in our attitude and response. —Brian Russell
A debtor to mercy alone, Of covenant mercy I sing; Nor fear with God’s righteousness on, My person and offering to bring. —Augustus Toplady
DAILY READINGS: Leviticus 16:1-34; Psalm 119:113-144; Mark 6:1-29
This is my anguish. Psalm 77:10 (NKJV)
We are told in the preface who wrote this psalm, but one wonders who else could have written it. When we read about the experiences of many of God’s servants, could these be their words? Think of Moses’
exasperation, Naomi’s sorrow, Elijah’s loneliness, Jeremiah’s despair and Jonah’s frustration. These believers were great people, yet with feet of clay like us. Like these servants of God, we may express our
“grief” (NASB) through outbursts, depression, tears, or pettiness. What is the solution? Focus on the goodness of God (77:10). Nothing is so helpful as meditating on the Man of Sorrows and remembering
what great things He has done for us. —N. C. Funston
I must tell Jesus all of my trials; I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress He kindly will help me; He ever loves and cares for His own. —Elisha A. Hamilton
