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2 Chronicles 21:1-22:12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

Mattaniah…[began] the thanksgiving in prayer. Neh. 11:17
Mattaniah, which was over the thanksgiving. Nehemiah 12:8
God had made them rejoice with great joy…so that the joy of Jerusalem was heard even afar off. Nehemiah 12:43

Never have so many had so much. But has there ever been a time when so many seem dissatisfied and unhappy? Mattaniah means “gift of Jehovah”. He was a man of thanksgiving. When the people commemorated the completion of Jerusalem’s wall, he began the celebration with a prayer of thanksgiving. Later, he led psalms of thanksgiving. In our ungrateful age, people who have a thankful heart are gifts of God. They remind us that all we have we owe to
Him. Thanking Him will bring great joy. —S. McEachern

Praise to the Lord, above all things so wondrously reigning;
Sheltering you under His wings, and so gently sustaining! —J. Neander

2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. 1 John 2:17

It is a daily challenge to let go of our desires and conform our outlook to the will of God. Yet nothing is more important for us, as Christians, than to understand the aim and desire God has for us and then to fulfil it. Someone has wisely written, “To know God’s will is life’s greatest treasure, and to do God’s will is life’s greatest pleasure.” To see God’s will unfold in our lives gives fulfilment, delight and deep rejoicing. May we daily walk a life of commitment to the Lord and fulfil His will for us. —Paul Young

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;
Hold o’er my being absolute sway;
Fill with Thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me. —Adelaide Addison Pollard

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom…But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23-24, NKJV

The messaging is consistent throughout the Bible. Even the smallest amount of pride detected in my heart is an abomination to God. But He also discerns with delight every thought of Himself we cherish in our hearts—however small it may be. That’s encouraging! May we be ruthless in judging our pride and more diligent in knowing Him better. —P. Ramsay

He’s the great Shepherd, the Rock of all ages, Almighty God is He;
Bow down before Him, love and adore Him,
His name is wonderful, Jesus my Lord. —Audrey Mieir

2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

O how I love thy law! it is my meditation all the day.  Psalm 119:97

A mother trying to impress the visiting preacher said to her little girl, “Honey, get the book Mommy loves so much”. She quickly returned with the Sears catalogue! We smile, but really, how important is God’s Word to you? We have the Bible in our hands, but not in our hearts and therefore it is not lived out in our lives. Take time to read it, meditate on it, and obey it. Allow the Holy Spirit to apply it to your life. It diagnoses the problems, heals, and cleanses our sin, and it is daily manna to strengthen and nourish us day by day. May I encourage you to get a good devotional book that will help to build you up in your walk too? —Jim Comte

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

2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. Luke 1:46-47
But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. Luke 2:19

Magnifying and meditating. Praising and pondering. What great occupations the worshipper can engage in! God’s beloved Son was the focus of Mary’s occupation. The words “God my Saviour”, are unique to her. She humbly owns Him to be her Lord and Saviour. The angel’s message, the heavenly host and the visit of the shepherds, all left deep impressions upon her heart. May each aspect of our Lord’s life bring precious thoughts of Him to our hearts today,
and cause our worship to overflow! —Pete Smith

Thy name we love, Lord Jesus; and lowly bow before Thee;
And while we live, to Thee we give, all blessing, worship, glory.—W. Yerbury

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord’s. 1 Samuel 17:47

Sometimes we can be enjoying life: good health, home life, our relationships, and out of nowhere, something we didn’t anticipate comes in like a flood. What was once a blessed life, suddenly becomes something different. There is loss, pain, and sorrow. You didn’t ask for it. You have done nothing to provoke it, but now, you are forced to fight a battle. Are you in such a situation? The question to ask at times like this is, whose battle is it? “The battle is the Lord’s”! —Sid Halsband

The battle is the Lord’s! Not ours in strength or skill,
But His alone in sov’reign grace, to work His will.
Ours, counting not the cost, unflinching, to obey;
And in His time, His holy arm shall win the day. —Edith M. Clarkson

2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.  1 Peter 5:7, NKJV

The late Winston Churchill speaks in his memoirs of, “The story of the old man who said on his deathbed that he had a lot of trouble in his life, most of which had never happened. Certainly, this is true of my life in September, 1940. The Germans were beaten in the Air Battle of Britain. The overseas invasion of Britain was not attempted…thus September passed.” Facing an unknown future, we can often become anxious during troubling times, envisaging
things that might happen. Instead we must give our anxieties to Christ. He will look after our future for His glory. —George Ferrier

Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.  —Frances R. Havergal

2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God led thee. Deuteronomy 8:2

Many years ago, I was encouraged by a godly older woman to note the date in the margin of my Bible when that verse became “highlighted” to me by the Holy Spirit. The children of Israel were told to erect standing stones to remind them of the deliverances of the Lord in their past and as prompts to retell the stories to their curious children and grandchildren. Having a trail of illuminated truths before us as we read our Bibles reminds us of God’s faithfulness to answer our prayers for guidance and comfort in the past and assures us of His presence going forward. —M. MacMullen

For Christ is the first and the last; His Spirit will guide us safe home;
We’ll praise Him for all that is past and trust Him for all that’s to come.  —J. Hart

2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119:165
I…have always a conscience void of offense toward God, and toward men. Acts 24:16

We need to be careful in our relationships with other believers, neither giving offense nor being easily offended. Even small offenses can disrupt the unity of God’s people. Paul exhorted Euodia and Syntyche to “be of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil. 4:2). Someone has said that their names could be “Odious” and “Sin-touchy” because of their disharmony. Let us walk in newness of life, and “as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Rom. 12:18).
—E. C. B.

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

2 Chronicles 6:12-42; Ezekiel 30:20-31:18; John 11:28-54

Two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. Genesis 19:1, NKJV

Sitting is typically associated with taking a place where we are comfortable. Lot’s comfortable place was not an opportunity for hospitality, but one of pending danger and judgment. In choosing a place of comfort, contrary to the character of Christ, we often put ourselves in a position of needing God’s intervention to rescue us. Christ met with sinners to reach out and save them, not to take up residence with them. Take heed beloved. —David J. Reed

Channels only, blessed Master,
But with all Thy wondrous pow’r
Flowing through us, Thou canst use us—
Every day and every hour.  —Mary E. Maxwell