Category: Uncategorised

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off. Hebrews 11:13 

What motivated the heroes of faith whose stories are found in this chapter? We, perhaps, might have expected that they were spurred on by the rewards God gave them in their lifetime. But how wrong we would be. We are told here that they died having been largely unrewarded. Their rewards were eternal. They did not live to hear our Lord say, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth” (Matt. 6:19), but they lived by that truth. So should we. —Ken Gross

O Master, let me walk with Thee,
In lowly paths of service free;
Tell me Thy secret; help me bear;
The strain of toil, the fret of care.  —Washington Gladden

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness. Psalm 48:1

We may not have ever visited the physical city of Jerusalem, but those who know the Lord are part of the spiritual Jerusalem that He is building. One of the characteristics of that city is the spirit of joy that each of us should exhibit. Jesus Christ Himself promised a fullness of joy to His people, and there is so much that we can be joyful about, even in the midst of sorrow. To start with, we can praise Him that we belong to Him! —G. Frear

Oh the joy, the bliss divine, thus to know and call Thee mine;
Once my path was dark as night, now Thy presence makes it bright;
Thou didst give Thy life for me, now I give my all to Thee,
Make me stronger day by day, still to run the heavn’ly way.  —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight…the Lord anointed thee king. 1 Samuel 15:17

Saul’s demise was the result of his self-exalted will. In contrast, Solomon, just a little child, was blessed with wealth and wisdom; a widow’s handful of meal and a little oil supplied her family’s need; a maid led leprous Naaman to the healing in the Jordan; an obedient lad’s five loaves and two fish satisfied a multitude’s hunger; a little manna gathered left no lack. Surely we can trust what little we have to the One who says behold, I will proceed to do a
marvelous work and a wonder. —David J. Reed

Put thou thy trust in God,
In duty’s path go on;
Walk in His strength with faith and hope,
So shall thy work be done. —Paul Gerhardt

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

A woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured it on His head as He sat at the table. Matthew 26:7, NKJV

Then…Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. Matthew 26:14-15, NKJV

Here are two very different responses to Christ. Judas only wanted what he could get for betraying Jesus. The woman came to give her gift and love to Jesus. As a result, the world would hear of what she had done. What will I bring Him today? —Janet Fleming

This day I come, my heart filled with praise,
Jesus, thank you for dying for me,
I bring You my life, to give You today,
For both now and eternity. —Janet Fleming

Numbers 25:1- 26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. Psalm 143:1

The Lord always hears us and faithfully responds to our prayers. He understands us with an infinite wisdom and righteously answers our petitions, lovingly bestowing what is best. Sometimes what we long for, always what we need. Sometimes what we desire, always according to His will. He prefers to give us lasting joy over temporary happiness, molding us into His Son and bringing glory to Himself. What a comforting truth for the believer.  —George Ferrier

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 A. Pollard

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

She…knew not that it was Jesus. John 20:14

A British radio station frequently broadcasts this sound bite, “Let your ears open your eyes”. Sometimes we can be looking for something and not see it when actually it is staring us in the face. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb looking for the Lord and wept because she thought His body had been stolen. She spoke to a man she thought was the gardener, and “she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus” (John 20:14). It was only when He spoke and she heard Him use her name that her ears opened her eyes. We too must listen for God’s voice as we read His Word. —Brian Powlesland

Though I my Saviour may not see, yet every hour He speaks to me;
And since of Him I made my choice, oh, praise the Lord, I know His voice!  —Johnson Oatman

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right  is he. Deuteronomy 32:4
As for God, his way is perfect…It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. Psalm 18:30, 32

Moses reminded Israel that “their rock is not as our Rock” (Deut. 32:31). The confidence of the unbeliever is based on shifting sand, not the solid Rock. How blessed to know that whether we can sense it or not, our God is doing a perfect work in each of His dear people. —Wm. H. Gustafson

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm. —Vernon J. Charlesworth

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. Isaiah 32:17
In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength. Isaiah 30:15
Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother. Psalm 131:2

It is difficult to find a place of peace and quiet these days, when so many things demand our attention and there is so much noise and distraction in our daily lives. But how necessary it is to quiet our hearts before our Maker, and allow Him to speak to us in His still, small voice. Let us remember to “sanctify the Lord God in [our] hearts” (1 Peter 3:15) on a regular basis. —E. C. B.

There is a place of quiet rest, near to the heart of God.
A place where sin cannot molest, near to the heart of God. —C. McAfee

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. John 3:34, NKJV
And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. John 1:16, NKJV

How reassuring it is to know that God gives fully of His limitless resources to help us in our Christian walk. We have the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide and encourage us. And He has given spiritual gifts that we might help each other in our walk, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the…fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). Are you exercising your spiritual gift? —Annette Baal

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. —Frances R. Havergal

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Isaiah 9:2
The dayspring from on high hath visited us, To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death.  Luke 1:78b-79a

In speaking about the Lord Jesus, John the Baptist’s father Zechariah refers to Isaiah’s prophecy. But, wonder of wonders, not only has the light shone upon them, but the sunrise (dayspring) Himself, has come and visited from heaven! —Warren Hagey

The whole world was lost in the darkness of sin,
The Light of the world is Jesus!
Like sunshine at noonday, His glory shone in;
The Light of the world is Jesus! —Philip P. Bliss