Choice Gleanings

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

Exodus 29:38-30:10; Psalm 78:1-31; Acts 17:16-34

Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. Psalm 34:19

This verse can be challenging, particularly if we are in the midst of navigating difficult circumstances. Yet, just as afflictions or trials come in many different shapes and sizes, so too do deliverances. The Lord may use a card of encouragement, a phone call, a visit, or even a meal delivered to our door. These kind gestures in and of themselves may not remove our trial, but will help to remind us that we are loved and prayed for. This will encourage our heart,
giving us strength to go on. How might we bless someone today? —E. V.

Make me a blessing, make me a blessing;
Out of my life, may Jesus shine. —Ira B. Wilson

Exodus 29:1-37; Psalms 76:1-77:20; Acts 17:1-15

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct [make smooth or straight] your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV

These verses are beloved by many and rightly so. They lay out the best path for us to travel and the richest blessings to pursue along the way. Trust is the key word and has two significant meanings: “to take refuge” as when a sudden storm unleashes its power; and “to cling to”, when another’s help is needed, using both arms and not letting go! Our God can be trusted! So commit yourself to Him, “with all your heart”. Find your refuge in Him and continue to cling
with both arms. —Jim Comte

For the favour He shows, and the joy He bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey. —John H. Sammis

Exodus 28:15-43; Psalms 74:1-75:10; Acts 16:16-40

Knowing the time … Romans 13:11

A church in Littledean in Gloucestershire has a quirky clock on its 14th-century tower. It never strikes 11 due to a design fault. Instead of the clock face showing the last four Roman numerals as IX, X, XI, and XII [9, 10, 11, 12], the numbers on the face are shown as IX, X, IX, and XII [i.e 9, 10, 9, 12]. It would be easy for somebody to read the 9
and think there are 3 hours left before 12, when in fact there might just be 1 hour left. We should take care to consider the time we have left. Now it is time to seek the Lord, time to right a wrong, time to visit a friend, time to forgive, time to serve the Lord, time to read the Scriptures, time to pray. —Brian Powlesland

Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. —William D. Longstaff

Exodus 27:20-28:14; Psalm 73:1-28; Acts 15:36-16:15

And they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” John 6:19-20 NKJV

Are you fearing something today? We all have fears about an uncertain future. But Scripture repeatedly tells us not to be afraid. We are called to exercise faith in the Lord’s promise to care for us in every circumstance of life. Nothing is beyond His ability. Nothing is too complex for Him. Nothing is greater than God. We are to bring the Lord into every situation and learn to rest in the One who is greater than the most threatening of events. —Brian Gunning

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread,
Are big with mercy, and shall break,
In blessings on your head. – William Cowper

Exodus 26:31-27:19; Psalm 72:1-20; Acts 15:22-35

For in the hand of the Lord there is a cup … surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth drain and drink down. Ps. 75:8

The imagery of a cup occurs several times in Scripture. Jeremiah refers to the “wine cup of fury” as an indication of God’s judgment on a number of nations. John speaks of the “wine of the wrath of God” and “the cup of His indignation” (Rev. 14:10). We can be so thankful that the Lord Jesus submitted to the will of the Father will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). —Gary McBride

Death and the curse were in our cup,
O Christ, ‘twas full for Thee!
But Thou hast drained the last dark drop;
‘Tis empty now for me. —A. R. Cousin

Exodus 26:1-30; Psalms 70:1-71:24; Acts 15:1-21

Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. Mark 6:50

This is the second stormy sea story in Mark’s Gospel. This time, Jesus was not with the disciples but came to them walking on the sea. In Mark 4, the Lord spoke to the sea. Here, He spoke to His disciples, calming them with these words. In Mark 4, Christ calmed the storm in the midst of the disciples. Here, Christ calmed the disciples in the midst of the storm. So often, we want the Lord to do the former, but in His wisdom, the latter may be an even more impressive and needful act of His power. —David Petterson

When my heart is filled with fear like a stormy sky,
Jesus says, “Be not afraid,” He is at my side.
When my thoughts are tossed and turned like a raging sea,
I will listen to His voice, He will comfort me. —K. & K. Getty, S. McCracken

Exodus 25:1-40; Psalm 69:1-36; Acts 14:1-28

Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus … Hebrews 6:19-20

We live in a world where hope is fast disappearing. By contrast, the believer’s hope for time and eternity is sure and certain. Our Saviour conquered death, hell, sin, and the grave, and ascended to heaven, where He has secured a place for us. Jesus said, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:3). —Willie H. Burnett

We have an anchor that keeps the soul,
Steadfast and sure whilst the billows roll;
Fastened to the rock which cannot move,
Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour’s love! —Priscilla J. Owens

Exodus 24:1-18; Psalm 68:1-35; Acts 13:26-52

There they made Him a supper; and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with Him. John 12:2 NKJV

At this supper for the Lord Jesus we learn spiritual lessons parallel to our position in Christ. He was dead and so were we — in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1). He was raised from the dead and so were we — in Christ (Eph. 2:5). Lazarus was seated with the Lord, and we are seated together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:6). Lazarus was called out of the darkened tomb into the light of day, and we have been called out of darkness into His
marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). —Rex Trogdon

O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found, and found in Thee alone,
The peace, the joy I sought so long, the bliss till now unknown.  —Frances Bevan