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1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9
That ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

The literal meaning of our second verse is: “That you may stand fully mature and fully assured in all the will of God”. The Greek word for perfect, teleios, signifies maturity. How important for each of us to be growing in Christ, going on to meat instead of just milk (Heb. 5:12-14), and coming to a full maturity in our Christian faith. The Lord shows Himself strong on the behalf of those who are maturing in their relationship with Him daily. —E. C. B.

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way,
Thou art the Potter; I am the clay. —Adelaide A. Pollard

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments (just decrees) are a great deep (beyond our understanding). Psalm 36:5-6

This psalm opens with David writing, “An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked” (Ps. 36:1, NKJV). Our world is wicked. Continual focus on it will wither the heart. But here David lifts his heart heavenwards. His struggles end as he views the greatness of God. David rested on four of Jehovah’s delightful attributes—His mercy, His faithfulness, His righteousness, His judgements (His ways of dealing with us). No matter your day rest on these four attributes and rejoice in your God. —Jim Comte

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be. —Thomas Chisholm

1 Kings 6:1-38; Jeremiah 13:1-27; Ephesians 5:22-6:9

Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. Psalm 25:5

“Did you see that beautiful lake?” “Did you stop to explore that historic landmark?”, the host asked. To their chagrin, his visitors realized they had forgotten to enjoy the journey on their way to their destination. Similarly, God desires that as we look ahead to heaven we also enjoy what He has planned today. Let us learn to listen and look for the truths the Lord wants to teach us, enjoying His fellowship along our pilgrim journey. —George Ferrier

O how sweet to walk in this pilgrim way,
Leaning on the everlasting arms!
O how bright the path grows from day to day,
Leaning on the everlasting arms!   —E. A. Hoffman

1 Kings 4:1-5:18; Jeremiah 12:1-17; Ephesians 5:1-21

While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Navigating the circumstances of life can often make us feel like we are blind. Sometimes we cannot see what lies ahead. Other times we are unsure of which direction to take. That is when we need to trust in our heavenly Father’s love and faithfulness. He sees what we cannot see. His unseen hand is always active behind the scenes of our lives, skillfully working out His purposes for our good. So today dear child of God, choose to walk by faith, and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). —E. V.

There is an unseen hand to me,
That leads through ways I cannot see;
While going through this world of woe,
This hand still leads me as I go. —Marty Stuart

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

“He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9), said Christ, who is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15) and “the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:3). Every word and deed during His earthly ministry revealed the Father (John 1:14, 18). If one desires to know God’s beauty, he has only to consider the Lord Jesus’ altogether lovely face. The Scriptures manifest His glorious visage. —K. R. Keyser

God, in Thee His love unfolding,
Shows how vast, how rich His grace;
Blest our lot, with joy beholding,
All His glory in Thy face. —S. P. Tregelles

1 Kings 2; Jeremiah 10:1-46; Ephesians 4:1-16

[They] said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. Revelation 6:16

This verse presents a dreadful scene and Lamb is probably the last word we would expect to find at the end of it. Those who have received Christ as Saviour think of the Lamb in terms of love, not wrath. He was the innocent sacrifice, the humble One who bore the wrath of God that He might take away the sin of the world. But there is another aspect to the Lamb. The Father has given all judgment to the Son and this future scene is certain. May we realize the awful truth of it and warn all souls of its reality. —Ken Gross

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save. —Fanny J. Crosby

1 Kings 1:1-53; Jeremiah 9:1-26; Ephesians 3:1-21

Carest thou not that we perish? Mark 4:38 
Do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Luke 10:40, NKJV

Does Jesus care? Yes, He cares very much about my daily worries, problems and even my chores. As He did with Martha, He will direct me to a higher plane if only I bring them to Him. But He also cares about the huge storms which may suddenly come crashing down on my life: the passing of a loved one, a lost job or a wayward child! When I bring them to Him, He calms the storm and enables me to continue on in peace. —David Croudace

Do the tears flow down your cheeks unbidden?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus.
Are you anxious what shall be tomorrow?
Tell it to Jesus alone. —Edmund S. Lorenz

2 Samuel 24:1-25; Jeremiah 8:1-22; Ephesians 2:11-22

The Lord said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward. Ex. 14:15

The Lord told Moses to lead His people forward even though it led to the seemingly impassable barrier of the Red Sea. God would be responsible for overcoming this obstacle. Moses was responsible for doing what God told him. There was no point crying. So too today, we need to simply have faith in God and go forward! As each new day dawns, no matter the challenge or seemingly impassable obstacle, we go forward with God. Have faith in Him
to lead you on. —K. C. Ung

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. —John Rippon

2 Samuel 23:1-39; Jeremiah 7:1-34; Ephesians 1:15-2:10

Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth. Psalm 78:1

Our claims of commitment to God, must be consistent with our actions. We learn how to live from the Scriptures. It is in them that we listen to His voice and then put His directives into practice. His faithfulness never changes, so when we learn from Him, we won’t have to relive past failures. Trust Him, respond to Him, be obedient to Him, and pass on to following generations what we have learned of His grace and fullness. —G. C. G.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you, who for refuge to Jesus have fled?  —John Rippon

2 Samuel 22:1-51; Jeremiah 6:1-30; Ephesians 1:1-14

Take ye away the stone. John 11:39
Lazarus, come forth. John 11:43
Loose him, and let him go. John 11:44

Before we can receive anything from God, the obstacle of disbelief must be removed. We must heed His call to come forth—to rise up in faith from circumstances that would have us think all is lost, all is gone. We must put aside our dead works, our self efforts and cling to the freedom that Christ offers us. Friend, is your past or present or future troubling you today? Ask God to replace your fear with faith, your powerlessness with hope and let your dependence be only on Him. Let His resurrection power renew your life today! —Deborah Manera

His love and grace adore, Who all our sorrows bore.
Sing aloud evermore: worthy the Lamb! —J. Allan