Choice Gleanings

Deuteronomy 28:38-68; Amos 5:1-6:14; Luke 14:25-15:10

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

The 1960s saw the rise of a cult named “I am”, which flourished in the Chicago area. The woman who founded the movement said that all who followed her teaching would not experience death. A good number of people believed her. Today her religious organisation has ceased, because in February 1971 she died. She attempted to violate the edict of Scripture that as humans we are mortal and have an appointment with death to be followed by judgment. She did not appreciate that Christ alone gives us hope beyond the grave! —Paul Young

We give eternal praise, to God the Father’s love,
For all our blessings here, and better hopes above. —Isaac Watts

Deuteronomy 28:1-37; Amos 3:1-4:13; Luke 14:1-24

He put forth his hand, and touched him … Luke 5:13

A famous British children’s author and poet became ill with Covid–19, spending 48 days in intensive care. During his recovery, he watched many different people provide medical care and in appreciation wrote a poem to praise their work called “These Are The Hands”. The Lord frequently reached out to bless people, to comfort and heal, like He did to this leper and also to give reassurance to people like Thomas who was invited to “reach hither thy hand … and be not faithless, but believing” (John 20:27). If we ask for help, He will reach out to us. —Brian Powlesland

He touched me, Oh, He touched me: and oh the joy that floods my soul!
Something happened and now I know, He touched me and made me whole.

Deuteronomy 26:16-27:26; Amos 1:1-2:16; Luke 13:22-35

Whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:27 NKJV
I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near. Numbers 24:17 NKJV

Balaam and Job were given indications of the coming Saviour. But they lived long before He came. Balaam was told that the coming one would be a Star from Jacob and a Sceptre from Israel. Job’s heart longed to see his Redeemer. How blessed we are to live in the days of the full revelation of God and to have His Word in our own language so we can read it, study it, and know our great God and Saviour, our Lord Jesus Christ! Be daily in His Word beloved. —Annette Baal

Precious holy Bible, treasure rich and rare,
Word of God eternal, balm for every care. —A. P. Gibbs

Deuteronomy 25:1-15; Jonah 3:1-4:11; Luke 13:1-21

Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith … Hebrews 12:1-2

Something was off with the star athlete: he seemed unsure of himself and distracted. It didn’t make sense until I noticed him looking up into the stands to a former mentor. He was attempting to listen to both his current and former coaches and consequently was not having a very good game. Dear friend, do we ever do this? Perhaps there is something or someone in our life that is distracting us from the Lord. It may be a temptation to sin, or merely a well- intentioned hindrance. Regardless, let us make sure we heed the voice of only one guide: the Lord Jesus. —Lynn Shatford

Look away to Jesus, look away from all,
Then we need not stumble, then we shall not fall. —F. R. Havergal

Deuteronomy 23:9-24:22; Jonah 1:1-2:10; Luke 12:41-59

Then the Angel of the Lord … said: “I led you up from Egypt and brought you to the land of which I swore to your fathers; and I said, ‘I will never break My covenant with you.”’ Judges 2:1 NKJV

Now living in Canaan, Israel was supposed to depend on God. But often they took their eyes off Him and wandered into sinful ways. Believers must daily seek divine guidance in order to glorify the Almighty and fulfill His will (Prov. 3:5-6). —Keith R. Keyser

Choose the path – the way whatever,
Seems to Thee, O Lord, the best:
Be our Guide in every peril,
Watch and keep us night and day,
Else our foolish hearts will wander
From the straight and narrow way. —William Williams

Deuteronomy 22:1-23:8; Joel 3:1-21; Luke 12:22-40

Take for yourselves twelve stones from here, out of the midst of the Jordan. Joshua 4:3 NKJV

The Lord did not say, take stones from where you came through, or from where I told you to walk, but from here, where He was! After Egypt’s bondage, He drew Israel into the wilderness and guided them through it. Then He restrained Jordan’s turbulent rush, making firm the riverbed path for them. He remained in the river with them until all His people crossed over into the promised land with Him. Our journey from sin’s bondage is accompanied by the same unchangeable Lord who says, “I will be with you and will be a very present help in trouble”. —David J. Reed

No, never alone, no, never alone;
He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone. —Anonymous

Deuteronomy 20:1-21:23; Joel 2:1-32; Luke 12:1-21

Whose feet they hurt with fetters. Psalm 105:18
They pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16

Psalm 105 is historical, looking back to Joseph and the cruel imprisonment he endured. Psalm 22 is prophetic, looking forward to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus when He was nailed to the tree. In many ways the story of Joseph foreshadows that of the coming Messiah, but a great contrast remains. Joseph lived but Christ had to die. We thank God for all that the Saviour willingly suffered when He died for us. We bow in worship today. —Clark Logan

Wounded for me, wounded for me,
There on the cross, He was wounded for me;
Gone my transgressions, and now I am free,
All because Jesus was wounded for me. —W. G. Ovens, G. Toberts

Deuteronomy 18:9-19:21; Joel 1:1-20; Luke 11:37-54

And the Lord said to Moses: “Take sweet spices … You shall make of these an incense, a compound according to the art of the perfumer, salted, pure, and holy.” Exodus 30:34-35 NKJV

The preparation of the holy incense for the tabernacle would have taken time and effort. As I thought of the work involved, I was reminded that we, too, should take time to prepare ourselves for worship. Through the week, as we are meditating on the Word, we can gather sweet thoughts of the Lord to share at the remembrance meeting, whether audibly or silently. May our worship of Him be a prepared, fragrant offering! —Marsha Blair

Grateful incense this, ascending, ever to the Father’s throne;
Every knee to Jesus bending, all the mind in heaven is one.  —John Nelson Darby

Deuteronomy 17:1-18:8; Obadiah 1:1-21; Luke 11:14-36

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John 15:7

To abide, we must rest. To rest, we must trust. To trust, we must exchange our wants, our ways, and our will for God’s alone. As we rest, trust, and abide in Him, we will want what He wants and we will pray accordingly. Much frustration in prayer could be avoided if we simply asked according to His will. Surrender brings peace and an assurance that all is better in His hands than in our own. Know this peace today. Surrender all to Him. —Deborah Manera

All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live. —Judson Van Deventer

Deuteronomy 16:1-22; Song of Solomon 6:10-8:14; Luke 11:1-13

Since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. 2 Peter 3:11 NKJV

This chapter is the tale of three worlds: the past, prior to the flood; the present age, and the prospect of a new heaven and earth. In light of the ultimate “dissolving” of this world, Peter introduces two practical applications with the word “therefore”. If we really believe what Peter is saying, it will impact our perspective and priorities. This will affect our conduct, our character, and our continuing growth and steadfastness. —Gary McBride

I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold;
I’d rather be His than have riches untold;
I’d rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I’d rather be led by His nail-pierced hand. —R. Miller