Category: Uncategorised

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind. Mark 5:15

This demon possessed man, who in his former state wore no clothes, was marvelously changed by Jesus from the inside out. The community came to see what was done and saw the man sitting at Jesus feet “clothed”. Where did the clothes come from? We are not specifically told, but surely it was another practical provision of Christ’s work. Rejoice saints, He has clothed us in robes of righteousness (Isa. 61:10). —Sam Thorpe, Jr.

Now in a song of grateful praise
To Christ, our Lord, our voice we’ll raise;
With all Thy saints we’ll join to tell:
Christ Jesus “hath done all things well!” —S. Medley

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

“Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God.” He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:9-10, NKJV

Christ-likeness is the necessary and noble aspiration of all who love our Lord Jesus. But, where can we find motivation to continue with that pursuit when everything seems to be going wrong? Believer, know that God purposed before time began that we would be sanctified. This is a promise tied to the work of Christ on the cross. In Christ, you have been sanctified, therefore, walk in sanctification and worship Him today. —J. D. Fraser

He cleansed my heart from sin, since I am sanctified,
And now I’ve constant victory, since I am sanctified.  —B. E. Warren

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. Luke 11:42

What are my priorities? So many choices in life are motivated by how I want people to think of me. Every believer at times can be tempted to be more concerned about their image before men than a clear conscience before God. The Lord Jesus pointed out about the Pharisees and their neglect of the fundamental duties of life. How often do I excel in what is noticed by man but reckless about what only God can see. —Sid Halsband

Unworthy our thanksgiving, our service stained with sin,
Except as Thou art living, our Priest, to bear it in. —Mary B. Peters

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

The men took of their [provisions], and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live. Joshua 9:14-15

Joshua was deceived by the Gibeonites because he did not go to God for counsel (Num. 27:21). His decision to spare them was based solely on human reasoning. The result? Problems with the Gibeonites were still occuring 450 years later (2 Sam. 21). The enemy is not called the Deceiver without reason! Decisions made without seeking the Lord’s counsel are at best precarious. Faith’s peace can only follow decisions which put the counsel of the Lord first in importance. —David J. Reed

When your knees knock, kneel! No matter how you feel;
Just slip away to heaven’s Rock and pray.  —R. E. Neighbour

2 Samuel 16:1-17:29; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Galatians 3:15-29

Be anxious for nothing. Philippians 4:6, NKJV
Let all bitterness…be put away from you. Ephesians 4:31

Worry and bitterness are two emotions virtually every person encounters in their lifetime. An unknown author offers a thought to combat each of these stresses. Worry is thinking God won’t get my situation right. He will! Bitterness is thinking God got my situation wrong. He didn’t! He cares for you! —Bob Cretney

Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath His wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.   —Civilla D. Martin

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

As for God, his way is perfect. Psalm 18:30

David could have said to the Lord, “Why do you have me running from cave to cave with 400 misfits of Israel? I would be more effective leading the armies of Israel into battle. I would be better used in the palace than the cave.” Maybe you feel this way today. Trust David’s final assessment, “[God’s] way is perfect”. David needed to learn lessons that only the wilderness could teach. The Lord knows this in our lives too. Perhaps today’s lesson for you is not in the palace, but in the wilderness. The Lord knows best and we can trust Him to work out His master plan for us. David did eventually go to the palace and those misfits of Israel eventually became mighty men of valour. Trust Him. —Paul Robertson

Our times are in Thy hands, O God we wish them there,
Our lives, our souls, our all we leave entirely to Thy care. —W. Lloyd

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

Every work that he (Hezekiah) began…he did it with all his heart, and prospered. 2 Chronicles 31:21

Spiritual lethargy and half-heartedness are features that can easily lurk within us. They are the product of the flesh and not of the Spirit of God. King Hezekiah achieved so much for Judah’s good and the Lord’s glory because he was wholehearted in his desires and actions. May we take a leaf out of his book and wholeheartedly, not half-heartedly, seek to live for the Lord. Is He not worthy of our full commitment? —Philip A. Kaye

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in endless praise.  —Frances R. Havergal

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee of God. Acts 10:33

These words of Cornelius reflect the attitude of heart needed to receive a message from the Lord. For Cornelius, it was to receive the message of salvation through Peter. For the believer, it is the ready and willing heart, waiting for direction, correction, or comfort from above, often coming through the timely words of a faithful servant. Peter provided those words as he was sent from the Lord. Maybe today it will be you that God sends to someone in need. —Mark Kolchin

Open my mouth and let me bear;
Tidings of mercy everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare;
Love with Thy children thus to share. —Clara Scott

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: And by him all that believe are justified from all things. Acts 13:38-39

It’s normal for the exciting novelty of a thing to wear off. Every earthly thing is affected by what economists call “marginal utility”. But the newness and freshness, the value and vastness of God’s salvation is never commonplace. Every moment spent meditating on what our God has accomplished in Christ, draws us nearer to Him in amazement and gratitude. O the scope of it! O the power of it! O the wonder of it! —Rick Morse

Oh, if there’s only one song I can sing,
When in His beauty I see the great King,
This shall my song in eternity be:
“Oh, what a wonder that Jesus loves me.” —Philip P. Bliss

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. Mark 12:42

The word “poor” used here, means “utterly destitute”. Wouldn’t one mite have been enough then? Surely the widow had legitimate expenses. Giving one was still a sacrifice. But she threw in both and the Lord stated that she gave all that she had. His comment indicates that He knows what we give but also what we withold. How sobering. Her sacrifice was noted because it was an utter act of faith. She gave all she had and was depending on God for what came next. This should challenge us as to how much we are willing to sacrifice. After all, He gave His all for us. —K. J. W.

O blessed Saviour! is Thy love, so great, so full, so free?
Fain would we give our hearts, our minds, our lives, our all, to Thee.   —Joseph Stennett