Author: Gospel Folio Press

Genesis 31:1-55; Job 42:1-17; Matthew 17:14-18:14

Jesus wept. John 11:35

On three occasions the Saviour wept, all occurring in the vicinity of the Mount of Olives. At the grave of Lazarus of Bethany, He wept because of the physical separation that death always brings. When He wept over the city of Jerusalem, He was aware of the spiritual separation that must befall those who refused His offer of mercy and salvation (Luke 19:41). Finally, in the Garden of Gethsemane in great anguish of soul, He anticipated not only His
physical death but also the separation that He would undergo when bearing the judgment that was due to our sins (Heb. 5:7). Thank God, He did not turn back. —Clark Logan

When we see Thee in the garden, in Thine agony of blood,
At Thy grace we are confounded, holy, spotless, Lamb of God! —J. G. Deck

Genesis 30:1-43; Job 40:1-41:34; Matthew 16:13-17:13

Jesus therefore … groaned in the spirit, and was troubled … Jesus wept … Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. John 11:33, 35, 38
In all their affliction he was afflicted, … in his love and in his pity he redeemed them. Isaiah 63:9

The Lord fully entered into the anguish of Mary and Martha when Lazarus was sick and died. He didn’t rebuke them for lacking faith when they blamed Him for not coming to their aid sooner, but gently reminded them: “I am the resurrection, and the life…” (v 25), and then proved what He said by raising Lazarus. What a gentle and compassionate Saviour and friend! —E. C. Bishop

Let me like Mary, thru the gloom, come with a gift to Thee,
Show to me now the empty tomb; lead me to Calvary. —J. E. Hussey

Genesis 29:1-35; Job 38:1-39:30; Matthew 15:29-16:12

We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed. 2 Peter 1:19

In days of uncertainty, what a blessing to have absolute certainty! We, who trust the Lord, have a prophecy that is made more sure! The OT prophecies were confirmed in the life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Over 300 prophecies from the OT were fulfilled! If those things that were foretold have come true, how much greater confidence should we have in those things the Lord promises are yet to come? —Ray Jones

Standing on the promises I now can see,
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God. —Russell Kelso Carter

Genesis 28:1-22; Job 36:1-37:24; Matthew 15:1-28

Now to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb. 9:24 NKJV
He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. Hebrews 9:26 NKJV
He will appear a second time … for salvation. Heb. 9:28 NKJV

All three appearings of the Lord Jesus Christ are precious to us. He appears now in the presence of God as our Advocate. He has appeared in the past as the Lamb of God to take away our sin. He will appear in the future when He comes again. Wonder of wonders, “When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:4). —Rex Trogdon

I can almost hear His footfall, on the threshold of the door,
And my heart, my heart is longing, to be with Him evermore. —S. Trevor Francis

Genesis 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matthew 14:13-36

Bring the tribe of Levi near … they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel. Numbers 3:6, 8

Had we been asked to choose one of Jacob’s sons to undertake these sacred tasks, the last name on our list would surely have been that of Levi. His own father had said of him (and Simeon), “Instruments of cruelty are in their habitations … in their anger they slew a man” (Gen. 49:5-6). But there was a day when Levi positively answered Moses’ call, “Who is on the Lord’s side” (Ex. 32:26), and divine grace wrought a great change in Levi’s character and
brought him great reward. —Phil Coulson

Grace, grace, God’s grace,
Grace that is greater than all our sin! —J. H. Johnston

Genesis 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matthew 13:44-14:12

Behold, thou art fair, my love … Thou art all fair, my love … How fair is thy love, … my spouse! Song of Solomon 4:1, 7, 10

Song of Solomon gives a wonderful picture of Christ and His bride. Sadly Christ’s church is often not what it should be. Our deeds are sinful, our words hurtful, our thoughts unedifying and our motives not always praiseworthy. In contrast, the Saviour’s unblemished life evokes worship and a recognition of our shortfall. How precious that God assures us that we are “accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:6). The above verses, applied to Christ’s bride are  astounding. What has grace accomplished by redemption! He sees us now as we will be eternally. —David W. Oliver

No longer far from Him, but now, by precious blood made nigh,
Accepted in the “Well-beloved”, near to God’s heart we lie. —R. Boswell

Genesis 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matthew 13:24-43

Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. James 1:13 NKJV

We live in a world full of sin and temptation and the devil and our ungodly culture have made many tempting sins seem normal. James warns us that we need to guard against all these enticing things and he also affirms the fact that God does not tempt us. Instead, we know that from God, “Every good and perfect gift is from above”. Let us rest in the fact that God gives us all that we need to stand against temptation. The only way to overcome it is to look to Him. —Caleb Riordan

Gazing on His glory there,
I may reflect His image here. —Charles Wesley

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:7

“Abounding” means overflowing. We cannot thank the Lord too much. A thankful heart will strengthen our faith as we thank Him for answered prayer. Reflecting upon the innumerable blessings He has showered upon us, our grateful remembrances apply a healing balm to life’s disappointments. In all circumstances, let our cup of thanksgiving fill and overflow to Him. He is worthy and will delight to hear our appreciation. —George T. Ferrier

With thankful hearts, O Lord, we come,
To praise Thy name in grateful song;
Accept the offering, Lord, we bring,
And help us loud Thy praises sing. —J. S. Mohler

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Malachi 4:5 NKJV
The rest said, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him.” Matthew 27:49 NKJV

The Old Testament ended with Malachi’s prophecy promising to avert a curse on the earth through Elijah’s return. Though John the Baptist exercised an Elijah-like ministry, most of Israel did not repent and instead delivered Him up for crucifixion. Neither Elijah nor legions of angels rescued Christ from the cross. He became a curse for mankind, so that those who believe in Him would be blessed with eternal life (Gal. 3:13-14). Trust Him today! —Keith R. Keyser

The curse is gone, through Thee we’re blest,
God rests in Thee – in Thee we rest. —J. G. Deck

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

That I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. Isaiah 50:4 NKJV

The goal of the Holy Spirit’s ministry of sanctification is to conform us to the image of God’s Son (Rom. 8:29). But James warns us that our tongues are a particular challenge and an unruly evil, full of deadly poison (3:8). The Lord Jesus reminds us that “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matt. 12:34). May we imitate His example by responding to the Father as He awakens us “morning by morning…to hear as the learned” (Isa. 50:4), that we might speak words of grace and comfort to the weary. God grant that we may not be rebellious or turn away from His Word (v 5). —David Wilson

Open my ears, illumine me, Spirit divine! —Clara H. Scott