Author: Gospel Folio Press

Exodus 1-2:22; Psalm 31; Matthew 27:45-66

The kings of the earth set themselves…against the Lord, and against his anointed…He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Psalm 2:2, 4

The Lord wept over Jerusalem because of their unbelief. Today He weeps over an unbelieving world again. However, His weeping will one day turn to laughter, as in derision He will judge those who are vainly trying to rule this world without Him. But as an individual, you don’t need to wait for that day. Turn from your sin and trust the One who loved you enough to die for you. Invite Him into your heart to be your Saviour and Lord. —David Croudace

Behold, He weeps o’er Jerusalem!
His soul with pity doth thrill;
He would have saved them, but “they would not,”
Thus He died on Calv’ry’s hill. —C. B. Widmeyer

Genesis 50; Psalm 30; Matthew 27:27-44

If ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me…and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. Exodus 19:5-6

God’s plans are given in terms that are understandable to us if we are willing to be taught. Lessons in the ancient book of Exodus teach us how to live on our pilgrim journey now. We are going to a better land, guided and kept by God. Our practices, conduct, attitudes, and anticipation, we are learning now. If we apply these lessons, they will
challenge us to live holy, righteously, and godly lives in this present world. —Gaius C. Goff

As sons of God, redeemed by blood,
We hasten from Egypt away;
We cross the sand to the pleasant land,
And the joys of an endless day.—A. B. MacKay

Genesis 49; Psalms 28-29; Matthew 27:1-26

Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23

Buying the truth is costly and requires determination, discipline, and dedication. Often people trade their most valued things in life for the glitter of temporary pleasures and empty promises. In stark contrast, Solomon reminds us of the immense value of truth, wisdom, instruction, and understanding. In an age filled with deception and confusion, we are urged to embrace these virtues as priceless treasures never to be sold or traded. Selling the truth can mean compromise, concession, and cooperation with the world. Let’s be diligent to buy the truth and sell it not! —Sid Halsband

Thine, Lord, is wisdom, Thine alone; justice and truth before Thee stand;
Yet, nearer to Thy sacred throne, mercy withholds Thy lifted hand. —John Wesley

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26 – 27; Matthew 26:57-75

I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. John 17:4 NKJV

Many people finish their lives regretful of things left undone. But God’s eternal Son approached Golgotha knowing that His public ministry was finished, and that He would fully and perfectly fulfill His Father’s will at Calvary. He had revealed the Father and demonstrated the divine kingdom’s character through His miraculous ministry (Acts 10:38). “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8). Christ died, arose, and ascended, knowing that His first coming was complete. —Keith R. Keyser

His glory—not only God’s Son, in manhood He had His full part;
And the union of both joined in one, forms the fountain of love in His heart.  —Robert Hawker

Genesis 46 to 47:27; Psalm 25; Matthew 26:31-56

Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat… 1 Corinthians 6:7b, 8 NKJV
Leaving us an example…when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously. 1 Peter 2:21, 23

We live in a world where rights are demanded, courtrooms are busy and injustice is everywhere. But citizens of Christ’s heavenly kingdom must rise above and live with a higher ethos than this world. Never was One as unjustly treated as our Lord. Never did One suffer as wrongfully as He did. Legions of angels would have delivered Him, yet He suffered willingly. —Kevin Shantz

Unsullied meekness, truth, and love, through all Thy conduct shine;
O may my whole deportment prove, a copy, Lord, of Thine!—B. Beddome

Genesis 45; Psalms 23 to 24; Matthew 26:1-30

Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:11 NKJV

Jesus Christ, He who did no sin, took upon Himself all the sin of the world, dealt with it and was done with it once and for all! He was, in effect, “dead to sin.” Paul, in his letter to the believers in Rome, tells us to ”Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin.” But Jesus Christ is God! How can we humans who daily battle sin, reckon ourselves to be ”dead” to it? Christ identified us with Him on Calvary, created all things new, and removed us from the “old Adam” into Himself, the new Adam. Now, “alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” we too can have victory over sin!—Ray Jones

Our blest Redeemer, ere He breathed His tender last farewell,
A Guide, a Comforter bequeathed, with us to dwell.  —Harriet Auber

Genesis 44; Psalm 22; Matthew 25:31-46

In all the scriptures the things concerning himself. Luke 24:27

Every day, every child of God should spend time alone with God, reading His Word and speaking to Him in prayer. All of the Scriptures reveal Christ to us. The Old Testament is full of pictures of Christ in the offerings and feasts, in the tabernacle and temple, and in the offices of prophet, priest, and king. The New Testament brings before us the Saviour’s life and His wonderful words and works. Always look for Christ, wherever you read. May you catch a glimpse or, even better, a fuller and more satisfying view of Him today. —Clark Logan

Make the Book live to me,
O Lord, show me Thyself within Thy Word,
Show me myself and show me my Saviour,
And make the Book live to me.—R. Hudson Pope

Genesis 43; Psalms 20 to 21; Matthew 25:1-30

A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. Jeremiah 17:12

One can sense the awe, power, and majesty that is in view in this verse—God’s eternal throne and the One who sits upon it. But note the lovely link with earth. It is “the place of our sanctuary.” We are privileged, even encouraged, to “come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16). This place of authority and honour is our place of refuge and solace. Let us draw near today! —Pete Smith

Behold the throne of grace!
The promise calls me near;
There Jesus shows a smiling face,
And waits to answer prayer. —J. Newton

Genesis 41:50-42:38; Psalm 19; Matthew 24:29-51

This day is holy unto the Lord your God; mourn not, nor weep …neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:9-10

There is a time to weep and sorrow over sin and failure, but there is, too, a time for rejoicing that God has opened our eyes to see what we had not recognized previously. He shows us our sin so that we might agree with Him about it, turn from it, and allow Him to replace it with His own good character. Has the Holy Spirit revealed some shortcomings in your life? Give thanks, confess it, and go on joyfully in His power. —Eunice Free

We will not change, what we cannot see,
So reveal, O Lord, my blind spots to me.  —E. Free

Genesis 41:1-49; Psalm 18:30-50; Matthew 24:1-28

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11 NKJV

The man or woman of God is marked by what they flee from, and what they follow after. We are to flee from contention and covetousness. These issues are “these things” Paul addresses in verses 3 to 10. We should pursue virtues that are contrary to what the world values. These have to do with godly character and Christ-likeness. They affect how we relate to others and result in putting others first, allowing us to lay hold of eternal life.  —Gary McBride

O to be like Thee! Blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer.
Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures,
Jesus Thy perfect likeness to bear.—T. Chisholm