Choice Gleanings

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:13; Luke 23:13-46

It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. Acts 13:46

Even in the patience of God, there is a limit as to how far someone’s refusal of the Gospel will be accommodated. He is not willing that any should perish, but He likewise will not force His way into anyone’s life who wants nothing to do with Him. Surely this must grieve Him and it should also grieve us. May our souls be moved to speak with some lost person today. —Rick Morse

There’s a call comes ringing, o’er the restless wave;
There are souls to rescue; there are souls to save,
Send the light! —Charles H. Gabriel

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

How many loaves do you have? Mark 6:38 NKJV

The disciples faced an impossible challenge. The Lord then asked them to examine what material resources were available. Those resources were entirely inappropriate to meet the needs of the hungry crowd. However, in the hands of Christ, they were blessed and multiplied so as to satisfy both the crowd and the disciples. The Lord did not ask them for the bread they did not have, only the bread they did have. As we serve, let us not be discouraged by listing all we don’t have, but remember the Lord simply asks us for what we do have. Those small resources surrendered to Christ will be enough for the task ahead. —Michael McKillen

When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun. —A. J. Flint

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

It may be that the Lord will work for us: for there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few. 1 Samuel 14:6

Humanly speaking, Jonathan’s plan to take on the Philistine army was nothing short of suicidal. The enemy occupied the high ground, and they were greatly superior in number. Jonathan’s courage alone could never win the day, but when that courage was combined with unshakeable faith in the covenant–keeping God of Israel, the Philistines could not prevail. He said, “The Lord will work for us”, understanding, as David did later, that “the battle is the Lord’s” (1 Sam. 17:47). Later, the people declared, “he hath wrought with God this day” (1 Sam. 14:45). —Phil Coulson

Fight the good fight with all thy might;
Christ is thy strength, and Christ thy right. —John Monsell

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

The Lord God prepared a gourd … God prepared a worm … God prepared a vehement east wind. Jonah 4:6-8

God gave comfort to the prophet Jonah through the growth of a plant and Jonah was very glad. However, when God sent a worm to destroy the plant and a hot wind blew and the sun beat down on his head, Jonah wanted to die. What is our reaction to the joys and sorrows that God allows in our lives? Are we glad when things go right but ungrateful when God allows difficulties to come along? God’s plan is always best, and we must learn to trust Him. —Virginia Strout

In sorrow He’s my comfort,
In trouble He’s my stay,
He tells me every care on Him to roll. —Charles Fry

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us we also ought to love one another. 1 Jn. 4:10-11 NKJV

A proper assessment of my own self will heal many troublesome and irritating things in a local church. If I keep my own unlovableness fresh in my mind, and remember that God loved me in spite of it, then who am I not to love other un-lovables for whom Christ also died? If I struggle with loving another believer, I’ve lost sight of who I was before I experienced God’s unmerited love. I need to confess my sin of pride. —Peter Ramsay

How deep the Father’s love for us, how vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son, to make a wretch His treasure. —Stuart Townend

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. Philippians 1:3

A “thank You” to our heavenly Father for His grace brings great delight to Him. So too, does thanking Him for His faithful servants, as in a similar way, an earthly father rejoices when his children are praised. It is also encouraging to believers when we thank them for their love, interest, and faithfulness to God and us. Following those in distant places serving the Lord and sending our written expressions of thanksgiving and support allows us to share their
labour and be intercessors for them. —Gaius C. Goff

Have you had a kindness shown?Pass it on, pass it on!
‘Twas not giv’n for thee alone, pass it on, pass it on!
Let it travel down the years, let it wipe another’s tears;
Till in heav’n the deed appears, pass it on, pass it on! —Henry Burton

Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

There was a man … and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1 NKJV

We need fathers like Job! As to others, he was blameless in his character and upright in all his dealings. As to God, he stood in awe and shunned evil. He was well respected in his community, honoured in his home, but above all he was a worshipper of God, even after he suffered tremendous loss (vv 20–22). Are we men who are honoured by our families, respected by our fellow workers, and true worshippers of God? —Jim Comte

I am a man appointed by my Saviour,
to show His love in all I do and say.
His Holy Spirit is my source of power,
to live and point to Christ the way. —Jack W. Hayford

Joshua 1:1-18; Hosea 8:1-9:17; Luke 19:29-48

Who is my neighbour? Luke 10:29

Justifying himself, a lawyer posed this question to the Lord. In Christ’s illustrative response, a man made a downward journey, away from God’s presence, toward the cursed city (Josh. 6:26) of Jericho. An act of violence left him near death. Callously a priest and a Levite passed by. Then came a Samaritan, rejected by the Jews, (John 4:9; 8:48) and radiated love for the dying stranger. The rejected one “had compassion”, (Luke 10:33) treated his wounds,
lifted him to sit in his place, fully paid for his care, and promised to return to complete the recovery. Don’t you love this “Samaritan” and long for His return? —David W. Oliver

He saw me ruined by the fall,
Yet loved me, not withstanding all. —Samuel Medley

Deuteronomy 34:1-12; Hosea 6:4-7:16; Luke 19:1-28

But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; My steps had nearly slipped. Psalm 73:2 NKJV

Asaph was confident of the goodness of the Lord to those who are pure in heart. But the prosperity of the wicked caused his faith to waver. He was tempted to tell others there is no point in living a godly life, but then he entered the sanctuary of God (v 17) and his theological stability was restored. Brothers and sisters, amid life’s perplexities and storms, head for the heavenly sanctuary and remind yourself of the character and promises of God. You will
discover for yourself that “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (v 26). —David Wilson

How often when trials like sea billows roll,
Have I hidden in Thee, O Thou Rock of my soul. —W. O. Cushing

Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Hosea 4:1-6:3; Luke 18:15-43

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 2:1

Here is God’s perfect standard for His people and His gracious provision in the event of failure. So what should sinning saints do? First confess, acknowledging the specific thing you have done against the Lord. Then appeal to our Advocate. The Lord sympathizes with our weaknesses because He was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Heb. 4:15). Then trust His promise, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). —Sid Halsband

Just as I am, Thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
Because Thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come! —C. Elliott