Choice Gleanings

Exodus 39:1-43; Psalms 92:1-93:5; Acts 23:12-35

Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. Luke 10:39
[Mary] fell down at his feet, saying … Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. John 11:32
Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus. John 12:3

A humble seeker savours a moment at the feet of omniscience. A heartbroken servant finds solace at the feet of omnipotence. A hushed sinner bows at the feet of the omnipresent One. We contemplate, cultivate and culminate our worship at His nail pierced feet. Whether for a moment or hours, such visits are a must. —David J. Reed

’Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story! ’Tis the Lord, the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall, crown Him, crown Him, Lord of all! —B. Hanby

Exodus 38:1-31; Psalms 90:1-91:16; Acts 22:22-23:11

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. John 1:3 NKJV

One way the New Testament attests to the deity of the Lord Jesus is by attributing to Him deeds that are uniquely God’s. Today’s verse is a simple, but full claim, that the Lord Jesus is the Creator of all things. In the Old Testament, Yahweh insists that He makes all things and stretches out the heavens “all alone” and spreads abroad the earth “by Myself” (Isa. 44:24). Job agrees that “He alone spreads out the heavens” (Job 9:8). If God does these things all by
Himself, the Lord Jesus is God. —David Wilson

Thou Son of God, eternal Word, who heav’n and earth’s foundations laid,
Upholding by Thy word and power, the universe Thy hands have made.  —Inglis Fleming

Exodus 37:1-29; Psalm 89:19-52; Acts 22:1-21

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17
This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. Matthew 17:5

After Christ’s baptism, the Father testified to His Son’s moral glory after thirty quiet years in Nazareth. Then at His transfiguration, the Father attested to His Son’s three years of righteous, obedient service in public ministry. May we also please the Lord in both our private lives and public ministry for Him. Moreover, as we meditate upon Christ, may we tell the Father how much we appreciate His Son, as well as praise Him before others. —George T. Ferrier

Exalted on His throne, in loftiest songs of sweetest praise,
I would to everlasting days, make all His glories known. —S. Medley

Exodus 36:1-38; Psalm 89:1-18; Acts 21:17-40

Purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8 NKJV

To be double-minded is to be vacillating, indecisive, wavering between two opinions. But even stronger, it means to be “twospirited” and this, we know, cannot be! In any given moment, we are either in the flesh or in the Spirit (Rom. 8:5). We are for God, or we oppose Him. Moses asked, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (Ex. 32:26). Joshua incited his generation to “Choose … this day whom you will serve” (Josh. 24:15). Choose once for all, choose daily, and choose moment by moment. —Eunice Free

Who is on the Lord’s side? Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers, other lives to bring?
By Thy call of mercy, by Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side; Saviour, we are Thine! —F. Havergal

Exodus 35:1-35; Psalms 87:1-88:18; Acts 21:1-16

Aquila and Priscilla. Acts 18:26; 1 Corinthians 16:19

This delightful married couple were united in love. They were both believers who loved their Lord and Saviour. In this they were equally yoked together. They loved one another as shown in all six mentions of their names — they are never apart. They loved the Word of God and were able to use it helpfully in instructing Apollos. They loved the people of God and were prepared to lay down their “neck” for the Apostle Paul’s sake (Rom. 16:4). Finally, they loved
the work of God and used their home for the local gathering of Christians. Their marriage beautifully reflected the love between Christ and His church. – Clark Logan

Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. —John Fawcett

Exodus 34:4-35; Psalms 85:1-86:17; Acts 20:17-38

Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently. Deut. 4:9

The context here is Moses’ public reiteration of God’s goodness in relation to the history of Israel. Twice he exults, “What nation is there so great?”. But his practical concern is that Israel may depart from the Lord and fail to teach their children of His goodness. We, too, have been mightily blessed, far beyond Israel’s experience. We have received “all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). We also need Moses’ reminder, to take heed to ourselves and keep our soul diligently [watch our inner life closely]. Then pass it on to the next generation. —David W. Oliver

Bride of the Lamb, there is for thee, one only safe retreat;
Where Jesus is, thy heart should be, Thy home at His dear feet.  —Boethia Thompson

Exodus 33:1-34:3; Psalms 83:1-84:12; Acts 20:1-16

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24 NKJV

Paul expected hardship, imprisonment, and possible death but he did not count his life dear to himself. With joy, he spent his remaining days telling people the Gospel of the grace of God, which had saved a reprobate like himself. We, who have the Lord’s promise that He is coming to snatch us away at any moment, should also be using every opportunity to tell as many as possible about the Lord Jesus and His saving grace. —David Croudace

But if by death to living, they can Thy glory see,
I’ll take my cross and follow close to Thee. —Ira Stamphil

Exodus 32:1-35; Psalms 81:1-82:8; Acts 19:21-41

When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, [Timothy] which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 2 Tim. 1:5

Dear mothers and grandmothers, be encouraged as you undertake the daily task of raising your children. Amid all the tiring “behind the scenes” routines, bear in mind that you have been given the honour of having an influence upon their minds and hearts to lead them to Christ as Saviour, and prepare them for future service in the things of God. —Willie H. Burnett

When mothers of Salem their children brought to Jesus,
The stern disciples drove them back and bade them depart;
But Jesus saw them e’er they fled, and sweetly smiled, and kindly said,
“Suffer the little children to come unto me.” —W. M. Hutchings

Exodus 31:1-18; Psalms 79:1-80:19; Acts 18:24-19:20

If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will come and help thee. 2 Samuel 10:11

Joab spoke these words to his brother Abishai as they were about to engage the enemies of Israel. Here is one who is willing to come alongside another one in need. Is this not what an encourager does? Is there someone you know today who is struggling, maybe feeling overwhelmed, who needs a helping hand? Taking the time to pay them a visit and to be with them could be a real encouragement. Don’t let the opportunity pass. —Pete Smith

Some work of love begun, some deed of kindness done,
Some wanderer sought and won, something for Thee. —S. Dryden Phelps

Exodus 30:11-38; Psalm 78:32-72; Acts 18:1-23

For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” … “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear”… Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:5-8 NKJV

Don’t let your familiarity with these words rob you of appreciating their relevance to you today. Those we love move out of our lives, leaving us only with memories and lessons they taught us. The shifting sands of life can make us feel vulnerable and faint-hearted about the future. Allow these verses to saturate your soul just now. In the past, He gave Himself for you; today, He intercedes for you. Forever, He will be the unchanging constant in your life. Fix your
eyes on Him. — Peter Ramsay

Trust in Him, ye saints forever; He is faithful, changing never.
Neither force, nor guile can sever, those He loves from Him.  —T. Kelly