Author: Gospel Folio Press

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went. Genesis 35:3

Not only could Jacob testify that God answered his prayers, but that He continued to be with him throughout his journey. Isn’t this the reality for every believer in Christ? Not only has God saved us from the distress of sin, but He continues to rescue and provide for us and care for us along life’s way. What great consolation to know that the God who delivers us, is the God who continuously looks out for us as well. Let’s trust Him today for all that we need!
—Deborah Manera

We are secure, not because we hold tightly to Jesus,
but because He holds tightly to us. —R. C. Sproul

2 Kings 19:1-37; Jeremiah 52:1-34; 1 Timothy 3:1-16

So I prayed to the God of heaven. Nehemiah 2:4

Nehemiah was an inspiring leader. His prayers attested His confidence in God. God’s interests were His goals (1:8-9). He left his honoured position to honour God (2:5). Knowing the adversaries, He foresaw the needs and His plans met those needs (4:16, 21). He valued unity and exemplified the self-sacrifice he required of others (4:15, 23). He was considerate of his workers (4:22). He was willing to die to finish his work (6:11). He advanced others (Ezra) to bless God’s people (chapter 8). When his people sinned, he interceded for them (chapter 9). In short, he was like the Lord Jesus. May God help us to have the same qualities. —David W. Oliver

Give me a faithful heart, likeness to Thee.
That each departing day, henceforth may see,
Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done. —S. Phelps

2 Kings 18:1-37; Jeremiah 51:25-64; 1 Timothy 2:1-15

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

Believers should expect suffering (1 Peter 4:12). Though at times crushing, it has immeasurable value. The Lord allows suffering: to prevent sin (2 Cor. 12:7); to discipline (Heb. 12:5-11); to promote spiritual growth (Rom. 5:3-5); to increase intimacy with Christ (Phil. 3:10); to test our faith (1 Peter 1:6-7); to give assurance (1 Peter 4:14); and to bear testimony (Rom. 9:15-16). Of incalculable worth, suffering, but its benefits still pale in comparison to our future glory. Praise God for His goodness! —George Ferrier

Be still, my soul! The Lord is on thy side; bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide; in every change He faithful will remain.  —Katharina von Schlegel

2 Kings 17:1-14; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 NKJV

The omnipresence of God is a wonderful source of assurance for the believer. It is a constant reminder that our God is not an absentee Lord. Loneliness may cause us, at times to feel uncertain, distressed and fearful. The child, feeling separated from its mother, cries out, “Mom”, and the immediate response is, “I’m here”. An old man, crippled and alone in his cabin, when asked if he was lonely replied, “It’s true I am alone, but I am not lonely”, and picking up his worn-out Bible, said, “I read what God says to me and I tell Him my thoughts and concerns. Then I am not lonely”. His abiding presence is a wonderful comfort. —Jim Comte

Though the sky be dark and drear, fierce and strong the gale,
Just remember He is near, and He will not fail. —Arthur A. Luther

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8 NKJV

One of the characteristics of the rebellion in the early days after creation, was that of being unthankful (Rom. 1:21). Similarly, a sign of the last days is that men will be unthankful (2 Tim. 3:2). We are living in this kind of time. As believers we can seize the opportunity to have a testimony simply by saying, “thank you”, first to the Lord for His goodness and then to those around us to show our appreciation. On a dark night, even a dim light looks bright! May we shine brightly to our darkening world around us. —Rex Trogdon

To save me from bondage and judgment,
Thou gladly hast suffered for me;
A thousand, a thousand thanksgivings,
I bring, blessed Saviour to Thee! —Ernst Homburg

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances. Jeremiah 32:10

The details of this real estate transaction give us a wonderful description of our own redemption. Having purchased us with His blood, the Lord Jesus then sealed us with the Holy Spirit of promise. Further, we are now encompassed by a great cloud of witnesses who testify that God’s required price has been paid in full. We’ve been subscribed in the Lamb’s book of life, and nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Rick Morse

No blood, no altar now, the sacrifice is o’er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,
The Lamb is slain no more. —Horatius Bonar

2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

Bethany…there they made him a supper. John 12:1-2

We cannot be certain that this occasion was the same as in Mark 14:3-9, but it does seem likely. If so, a delightful picture unfolds. Mark records that the home belonged to “Simon the leper”, and he was sitting alongside Lazarus “which had been dead”. It is unthinkable that Simon was still a leper, so with the Lord was one living who was changed, and one who had been dead but was raised. After this sweet picture of the Church in Heaven, there is a foregleam of Israel’s restoration (John 12:12-15) and the Gentiles blessed (vv. 20-21). And all because “A corn of wheat [would] fall into the ground and die” (v. 24). —Phil Coulson

Ransomed now, accepted, free, safe from judgement, Lord, in Thee,
Praise the Father, through the Son, who so vast a work hath done.  —John Cennick

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

Jesus…saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:34

Our society is in severe moral decline. It is shocking and bewildering to witness. Understandably Christians draw attention to these things and feel righteous indignation. But we can be in danger of constantly verbalizing our indignant feelings—often among ourselves, the ultimate echo chamber—thus becoming indignant and angry people. Wouldn’t it be better to see society as Christ sees it, full of never dying souls He died for? Society’s decline should
not consume us, but motivate us to share the Gospel to so many who are addicted, deluded and angry yet in despair. May God give us courage and compassion, as Christ had. —S. McEachern

Sinners Jesus will receive; sound this word of grace to all
All who languish dead in sin, all who linger, all who fall. — E. Neumeister

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning, and the end, the first and the last. Revelation 22:13
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done. Isaiah 46:10

Here is the one who stands, not the test of time, but the test of eternity! He stands outside of time and views all things in the light of eternity. Let us then trust Him with our past, present, and future, realizing fresh His infinite  care for every detail of His creation. There is no room for “fretting” (Ps. 37:1-7) when we know the one who holds eternity in His hands! —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Lord of past ages, Lord of this morning,
Lord of the future, help us, we pray;
Teach us to trust You, love and obey You,
Crown You each moment, Lord of today. —Margaret Clarkson

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. John 8:3 NKJV

This was a set-up. These “scribes” were legal experts. They knew the man was to be stoned to death as well (see Lev. 20:10). But where was he? Justice was not the issue. This was yet another of their attempts to pit Jesus against the Law of Moses. So they brought before Jesus this woman caught in adultery which the law punished by death. Jesus’s
verdict? “Neither do I condemn you” (v. 11). Yes, “The law was given through Moses” and we all deserve death but “grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Just a little while later, Jesus would go to the cross and be condemned for her and our sin, allowing us to wash in the cleansing flood of God’s grace. —Brian Cretney

O precious is the flow that makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know; nothing but the blood of Jesus. —Robert Lowry