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Exodus 8:1-32; Psalms 38:1-39:13; Acts 3:1-26

Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:1

This chapter begins with ten verses of a song sung by Hannah after she brought her young son, her only son at that time, to serve in the Temple. Hannah is amazing for many reasons including that she is the first to call God, the Lord of hosts (1:11). But what impresses me today is that Hannah is singing here— not because she received a son, nor because she was able to keep her son. She was singing because she could give her son. Paul tells us that God loves a cheerful giver. Hannah must have delighted His heart that day. —M. MacMullen

Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all.  —Isaac Watts

Exodus 6:14-7:25; Psalm 37:1-40; Acts 2:22-47

Jonah…cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. So the people of Nineveh believed God. Jonah 3:4-5

Jonah delivered the message, but our text says that the people believed God. From a natural perspective, we might think that the people would have reacted by asking, “Who is this foolish foreigner who is saying this in our streets?”. But God worked in their hearts and they recognized that the message was from God. May we never deliver a message to the lost that is our message, not God’s. The Holy Spirit convicts of sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8). We are privileged to deliver His message. —Ken Gross

May His beauty rest upon me, as I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, seeing only Him.  —Kate B. Wilkinson

Exodus 5:1-6:13; Psalms 35:1-36:12; Acts 2:1-21

All our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the (Red) sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud. 1 Corinthians 10:1-2, NKJV

One of the great symbols God used to indicate His presence to the Israelites during their exodus from Egypt was the cloud. When the people looked out their tent doors they knew God was with them. Going through the Red Sea they were under the cloud and the presence of God was over them. They were baptized in the cloud, literally immersed in the presence of God. When the cloud moved they were led by the presence of God at their front. At other times the cloud went behind indicating the presence of God providing protection behind them. —Jim Paul

The strength of His arm and His presence beside,
Are a glorious refuge in which I can hide. —Margaret McDonald

Exodus 4:1-31; Psalm 34:1-22; Acts 1:1-26

Let all that you do be done with love. 1 Corinthians 16:14, NKJV

At first glance this seems such a simple little statement. But when one considers first the word “all”, and then again the key word “love”, it becomes far more challenging! Will all my motives, thoughts, words and deeds be marked with love today? Will they be borne out by a heart that truly loves God and my neighbour? Our perfect example of course is the Lord Jesus. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 today, and insert His name instead of love (charity, KJV). —Pete Smith

Beloved, let us love: love is of God;
In God alone hath love its true abode.
Beloved, let us love: for they who love,
They only, are His sons, born from above.  —Horatius Bonar

Exodus 2:23-3:22; Psalms 32:1-33:22; Matthew 28:1-20

And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. Genesis 22:8

Abraham’s obedient willingness to offer his son to the Lord is a moving illustration of Calvary. Yet there are major differences. Abraham and Isaac went together to Moriah. Conversely, the Father sent His Son, and Christ went alone to Calvary. God stopped Abraham from slaying his son and provided a ram. Yet there was none to take our Lord’s place. Our Lord Jesus had to suffer. Alone. For our sins. Believing on Christ, our Substitute, we are saved from suffering the loneliness of hell. —George Ferrier

Alone upon the cross He hung that others He might save;
Forsaken then by God and man. Alone, His life He gave.  —Benjamin H. Price

Exodus 1:1-2:22; Psalm 31:1-24; Matthew 27:45-66

Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. Hebrews 12:2

For us the Lord “endured” the cross. He deliberately and consciously persevered through the anguish of Golgotha. For us He “despised” the shame. He thought little of all the cruel beatings, and mockery and judgment that He would bear for our redemption. What have we endured for Him? What shame have we received for the name of Christ? The joy that motivated the Lord was the knowledge that one day we would be with Him, and this made the cross worth bearing. What is it that will motivate us today? —Saju Mathew

They who would live the life of Christ below,
Must often up the hill to Calvary go.  —S. E. Reitz

Genesis 50:1-26; Psalm 30:1-12; Matthew 27:27-44

Give attendance to reading. 1 Timothy 4:13

Ben Rhydding Hydro near Skipton in Yorkshire was a hydropathic Victorian establishment. The natural spring waters were known to have health benefits. The hotel was characterised by a strict disciplined regime which included the reading of the Scriptures in the drawing room every morning after breakfast. Thus it was recognised that not only was it important to improve one’s body to keep fit, it was equally important to improve one’s mind. May we make time to read the Scriptures, to think about what we read and to apply appropriate portions to our own lives that we
may be spiritually fit. —Brian Powlesland

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

Genesis 49:1-33; Psalms 28:1-29:11; Matthew 27:1-26

So he answered and said to me: “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6, NKJV

Scripture is filled with this simple message: Salvation is of the Lord; trust in Him. Corporately, it is easy to put our confidence in the number of people in our congregation, the effectiveness of the preacher, or in the amount of money tithed to the Lord. Personally, it is tempting to put our confidence in being a “better” Christian or spending more time reading or praying. Rather, we should look to God who, “would count you worthy” (2 Thess. 1:11). Boast in
the Lord and trust in Him! —J. D. Fraser

On Christ, salvation rests secure, the Rock of Ages must endure,
Nor can that faith be overthrown, which rests upon the “Living Stone”.  —S. Medley

Genesis 47:28-48:22; Psalms 26:1-27:14; Matthew 26:57-75

[Pilate]…was the more afraid. John 19:8

When did Pilate’s fear start? Was it after the question, “Are You a King” (18:37, NKJV)? Did it increase when the crowd asked for Barabbas? Pilate referred to Jesus as “this man” (18:29), “the man” (19:5), and finally “Behold your King” (19:14). Sadly his pride prevented him from realizing with whom he was talking when he said, “Do You not know that I have power?” (19:10, NKJV). Maybe God has been dealing with you through fear, but your pride has
gotten in the way. Don’t be like Pilate. “Then he delivered Him to them to be crucified” (19:16, NKJV). Come to Jesus today and acknowledge your sin and claim “this man” as your King. —K. J. W.

King of my life I crown Thee now, Thine shall the glory be;
Lest I forget Thy thorn-crowned brow, lead me to Calvary.  —Jennie Hussey

Genesis 46:1-47:27; Psalm 25:1-22; Matthew 26:31-56

Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold…Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18, NKJV

Perspective can make all the difference during difficult times. The prophet Habakkuk knew this. He didn’t deny reality, but instead he chose to focus on God. He took the long view—an eternal perspective—instead of a temporal or earth-bound perspective. He decided to focus on what can only be seen through the eyes of faith. His focus was on God. Let us choose the same! —Deborah Manera

The remarkable thing is, we have a choice everyday regarding the
attitude we will embrace for that day. —Chuck Swindoll