Author: Gospel Folio Press

1 Samuel 2:1-36; Isaiah 44:24-45:25; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10

A man of God…said, Thus saith the Lord, Because the Syrians have said, The Lord is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the Lord. 1 Kings 20:28

Israel had been successful in battle in the hill country and the enemy concluded they could be defeated in the valley. The armies of Israel may have also come to the same conclusion. God sent a prophet to assure them they would be successful in the valley too because God would help them. Their victory would be because the Lord was in control. Do we expect defeat because we are “in the valley?” Let God prove Himself to you. —Ken Gross

A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing.
Our Helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.  —Martin Luther

1 Samuel 1:1-28; Isaiah 44:6-23; 2 Corinthians 4:7-5:10

And David was afraid of God that day, saying, How shall I bring the ark of God home to me? 1 Chronicles 13:12 

After rising to Israel’s throne, David wanted to bring the Ark (signifying God’s presence) to Zion and assemble Israel before the Lord. This goal had God’s approval. Yet, David moved the Ark on a cart, not carried by Levites, as the Law required. As a result, Uzzah was struck dead when he touched it. We should glean a valuable lesson from David’s fearful response. What we do and how we do it is important when serving the Lord. What is done must be in obedience to Him, and how it is done must reflect His
character. The end does not justify the means in God’s work. May we honour God by what we do and how we do it. —W. A. H.

While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

Ruth 3:1-4:22; Isaiah 43:1-44:5; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4:6

Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear!” Isaiah 35:3-4 NKJV

On the farm where we live are many old cypress trees. As they age they can blow over during storms. Some years ago part of one fell to the ground while the balance came to rest against another tree. Today that tree continues to live on supported by the other tree. Perhaps you know of a fellow Christian who is struggling.
Could you support them in their hour of crisis? Your kindness may encourage them to keep following Christ. —Janet Fleming

Have you ever shed a tear when your sister’s heart is breaking?
Have you tried to feel his pain when a brother’s hurt and aching?
Have you helped to lift a friend who today is feeling troubled?
Loads are half the weight to bear when the strength to lift is doubled.—J. F.

Ruth 2:1-23; Isaiah 42:1-25; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Ecclessiastes 3:1

Are you passing through a season in your life to which there seems no end? Just as the seasons of nature regularly change according to their appointed time, the seasons of our lives are regulated by our all wise Creator. They too will change when His divine purposes have been fulfilled. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).  Meanwhile, weary child of God, never lose hope. As sure as winter turns to spring—this too shall pass! —E. V.

I may not know the reason for the season I am in;
But I do know He is faithful and I will trust in Him!  —E. V

Ruth 1:1-22; Isaiah 41:1-29; 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God.  Psalm 40:3

Johann Sebastian Bach, the “Master of Masters,” was born in 1685 and at an early age showed outstanding musical ability. As a boy he copied, memorized and played lengthy musical scores. In his early teens young Bach realized he was a sinner, and trusted Christ. Later he wrote, “The object of all music should be to glorify God.” The Lord still puts a new song in the mouth of each one who accepts Him as Saviour. The songs of the world are so discordant and distasteful in comparison. —Arnot P. McIntee

I have a song I love to sing,
Since I have been redeemed,
Of my Redeemer, Savior, King,
Since I have been redeemed. —Edwin O. Excell

Judges 21:1-25; Isaiah 40:1-31; 1 Corinthians 16:1-24

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31

Was Christ’s death at Calvary an accomplishment? Yes! He willingly laid down His life only after He finished bearing all our sin. Decease in the original means “exodus.” Seeing His transfiguration Moses and Elijah were looking beyond His death to His resurrection, exodus to heaven and glorification there. They partially saw the glorified Christ who would accomplish His Father’s will. Someday we will fully see Him face to face. —George Ferrier

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia! —Charles Wesley

Judges 20:1-48; Isaiah 38:1-39:8; 1 Corinthians 15:35-58

To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 NKJV

This marvelous phrase, to the praise of His glory, appears three times in Ephesians 1:3-14. I am told that in the original text this passage is one sentence containing about 250 words. The theme in this sentence spans from eternity past to eternity future. No wonder it’s so long! Today’s average sentence is 14 words and they say, if a sentence is more than 40 words, reading comprehension drops to about 10%. So, pause as you read each phrase and let it invoke praise from your heart—to the glory of His grace. —Rex Trogdon

Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life;
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life. —Philip P. Bliss

Judges 19:1-30; Isaiah 37:8-38; 1 Corinthians 15:1-34

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. Psalm 5:3

Because of the words of this verse, Psalm 5 is often known as a morning psalm. It reminds us of the importance of seeking God in prayer at the beginning of the day. Jesus sets us an example by rising up before daylight and finding a solitary place to engage in prayer. How often have we felt unfilled, failed and discouraged at the end of the day because we did not commence in the best way, namely communion with the Living God? —Paul Young

O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry,
Everything to God in prayer. —Joseph Scriven

Judges 17:1-18:31; Isaiah 36:1-37:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1-40

Lord, if thou hadst been here. John 11:21
Lord, come and see. John 11:34

The Saviour’s depth of compassion and comfort in this narrative is stunning. In a few moments, He was going to raise Lazarus. Why weep? It reveals a precious truth about our Lord. He is and always will be the God of right now! His promise from Hebrews 13:5 stands firm: “I will never leave thee.” This promise is found multiple times in the Scripture: to different people; in different circumstances, good and bad. It does not matter. We can say, “thou art with me” (Ps. 23:4). —Vernon Markle

Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus,
He is a friend that’s well known.
You have no other such friend or brother,
Tell it to Jesus alone. —E. S. Lorenz

Judges 16:1-31; Isaiah 35:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! 2 Samuel 18:33

There is no gut-wrenching grief like that of parents who have lost a child. My dear wife and I sadly went through this in May 2019. Some may have said of Absalom that he had it coming to him, that he received his just deserts, or that it served him right. David may have even entertained those thoughts. In the moments of deepest pain, all we can do is collapse in the presence of our Lord, where He embraces us with loving empathy, because He watched His Son die on that dark day at Calvary. —Rick Morse

Peace, perfect peace, with loved ones far away?
In Jesus keeping we are safe—and they.   —Edward Bickersteth