Author: Gospel Folio Press

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

He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run along the hills. Psalm 104:10

We naturally value “mountain top” experiences in our spiritual lives, and we often consider “the valleys” as low points. However, many of God’s children will testify to the fact that the valley experiences make us look to the Lord in our difficulties. These God-given experiences also remind us that it is in the fertile valleys that we grow. —Brian Russell

Down in the valley with my Saviour I would go,
Where the storms are sweeping and the dark waters flow;
With His hand to lead me I will never, never fear;
Dangers cannot fright me if my Lord is near.  —William Cushing

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

Trust in the Lord, and do good (then do good). Psalm 37:3

At least ten times the Psalmist admonishes us to put our trust in the Lord. He states that it is far better than putting our trust in men (Ps. 118:8) or government (Ps. 118:9). Trustworthiness is a lost commodity in these tumultuous times. How good to know there is One who is absolutely trustworthy and that He will never disappoint us. Our response is to do good. May He help us to do so today. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Simply trusting every day,
Trusting through a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small,
Trusting Jesus, that is all.  —Edgar Stites

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

For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Hebrews 6:10
Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17

In His grace, God promises not to remember any of our sins and not to forget any act of loving service done for Him. How thankful we are that our sins have been dealt with effectively and eternally through the work of the Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary! How amazed we are that He deigns to remember, and in a coming day reward acts of kindness that have benefited our fellow believers. In ministering to other saints we are ministering to God Himself! —Philip A. Kaye

Go, labour on: spend and be spent,
Your joy to do the Father’s will. —Horatius Bonar

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

Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Luke 18:35-38

When the long queue of people wending their way to witness the lying in state of Queen Elizabeth II entered Westminster Hall, they were struck by its grandeur, the sight of precious jewels, and the symbols of authority and power associated with the monarch. Observation showed the queue included a number of blind people. A  commentator remarked that despite their inability to see the grandeur they could still sense greatness. This  happened to Bartimaeus, for while he could not see, he sensed the greatness of the divine passerby as he cried for mercy. Will you today bow the knee and wonder afresh at the majesty of the Lord Jesus Christ? —Brian Powlesland

I know that Thou art nearer still than any earthly throng,
And sweeter is the thought of Thee, than any lovely song.  —Frances R. Havergal

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

And [Pilate] set up over his head his accusation written, This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews. Matthew 27:37
Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us…He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Colossians 2:14 NKJV

Two writings were put on the cross when Jesus was crucified. Pilate put the first. God put the second, which listed all of our sins and indebtedness—the real reason Christ was there. God nailed it to the cross of Christ as a powerful testimony to the full and finished work of His Son in paying for them all. Christ’s crucifixion wiped out our condemnation. Praise God! —K. J. W.

My sin, not in part, but the whole;
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, oh my soul! —Horatio Spafford

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

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Romans 1:17-18

In his classic hymn, Amazing Grace, John Newton wrote that God’s grace taught him to fear the wrath of God. Yet the same grace taught him that through faith in Christ his sins would be permanently removed. In Christ he found peace. One must first known they are lost before they can be found. It is God’s grace that reveals our sinful condition as well as the remedy. Has Christ found you? —George Ferrier

Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed!  —John Newton

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

He whom You love is sick. John 11:3 NKJV

Three times Jesus’s love for Lazarus is affirmed. Twice, the word phile?, “brotherly love” is used (vv. 3, 36) and once, agapa? is used, God’s “unconditional, sacrificial love” (v. 5). How would such perfect love respond to Lazarus’ sickness? He stayed two more days where He was and allowed His friend to die. Why? The text provides at least two reasons: That His Father would be glorified (v. 4) and His disciples edified (v. 15). Christian, you may be seriously doubting the Lord’s love for you today. Don’t despair. He is working to accomplish these realities in your life—to glorify your Father and to grow your faith. Rest in His perfect love today.  —Brian Cretney

O Love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee. —G. Matheson

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

I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. Psalm 34:1

We might think David was in very pleasant circumstances when he wrote these words. But the subtitle of this Psalm tells us otherwise. This was one of the lowest points of David’s life. His circumstances were beyond human help. Yet  during it all he boldly proclaims by faith his continual praise of the Lord. David knew the character of God and therefore he knew God could be trusted. He did not read God through the circumstances, he read the circumstances through God. Psalm 34 is an antidote to discouragement, fear, and doubt. —Brian Gunning

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, but trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence, He hides a smiling face.  —William Cowper

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

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

This profound statement focuses us upon the supreme nature of God who alone is able to create what is, out of what is not. Evolution fails to answer even basic questions about life, while the Bible gives full responses. It deals with the origin of matter, the origin of life and the origin of humans as religious beings. Humankind started by knowing God. We have been going the other way ever since. It is a desperate attempt to avoid God, especially in the light of the coming day of accountability. Let us look forward to that day without fear, by knowing Jesus in our hearts by faith. —Paul Young

Jesus is Lord! Creation’s voice proclaims it,
For by His power each tree and flower was planned and made.
Jesus is Lord! The universe declares it;
Sun, moon and stars in heaven cry: Jesus is Lord! —David J. Mansell

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

Asa heard these words…and put away the abominable idols out of all the land. 2 Chronicles 15:8
But the high places were not taken away. 2 Chronicles 15:17
…in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but [went] to the physicians. 2 Chronicles 16:12

In public Asa appeared to put God first but quietly kept the high places of idol worship. When he was personally afflicted with a disease his true heart was revealed. He did not fully trust the Lord! Oh that both in public and in private my life may transparently and genuinely be committed to Him. May there be no “buts” as I live for the Lord. —David Croudace

My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.  —Edward Mote