Category: Uncategorised

1 Samuel 15:1-35; Isaiah 54:1-17; Romans 1:18-32

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 NKJV

God, the Father of all creation, longs to have intimate fellowship with us. Sharing a meal with someone has long been a symbol of friendship and the Lord promises this level of communion to those who hear His voice and accept His presence. He tenderly invites us to take time out of our full schedules each day to dine at His table. —Olive Wilson

Gathered in Thy name, Lord Jesus,
Losing sight of all but Thee,
O what joy Thy presence gives us,
Calling up our hearts to Thee! —C. A. W.

1 Samuel 14:1-52; Isaiah 52:13-53:12; Romans 1:1-17

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?… thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57

The prospect of death deeply frightens many people. Some do their best to not think about it and certainly do not discuss it. Others are made of sterner stuff and seem fearless in the face of death. Thankfully through the resurrection of Jesus from the grave, death has been conquered and for the Christian, there is a sense of positive anticipation and even the feeling of triumph as death approaches. The Christian has, with the power of the Holy
Spirit, the ability to finish well by looking forward to our heavenly home. —Paul Young

Lives again our glorious King, where, Oh death, is now thy sting?
He died our souls to save, where’s thy victory, boasting grave?—C. Wesley

1 Samuel 13:1-23; Isaiah 52:1-12; 2 Corinthians 12:14-13:14

I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it. Psalm 52:9

“Thou hast done it.” How’s that for an established fact! Done what? Everything He said He would do—even that which has not yet been revealed as an accomplished fact. Look at 2 Cor. 6:2, “In the day of salvation [yet future when spoken] have I succoured thee.” This promise was first made to Israel, then here to believers, and is yet to have its complete fulfillment. Yet we read that He has done it. God uses verb tenses we could never use; God speaks uniquely in the “present-future-past.” It’s all “already done” to Him!—Eunice Free

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? —Unknown

1 Samuel 11:1-12:25; Isaiah 51:9-23; 2 Corinthians 12:1-13

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure. 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 NKJV

Growing faith and abounding love thrive in persecution and tribulation. For this, Paul gives thanks and extols as exemplary for all believers. A life without trial is a life without growth. James says to count them as “all joy” (James 1:2). —Brian Gunning

These inward trials I employ,
From self, and pride, to set thee free;
And break thy schemes of earthly joy,
That thou may’st find thy all in Me. —John Newton

1 Samuel 9:15-10:27; Isaiah 50:1-51:8; 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Heb. 13:8

How wonderful it is that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. We serve a God that does not change. This should give all believers comfort. Comfort in knowing we can put our trust in Him and His promises. Comfort in the abundant life, freedom, and forgiveness of sins He gives. Comfort that He has promised that He is working out all things for the good of those who love Him. Comfort that He will come again and take us to be with Him. God keeps His promises! He never changes! Let us take comfort in Him today. —Caleb Riordan

Jesus is coming! O sing the glad word!
Coming for those He redeemed by His blood,
Coming to reign as the glorified Lord!
Jesus is coming again! —D. W. Whittle

1 Samuel 8:1-9:14; Isaiah 49:1-26; 2 Corinthians 10:1-18

To know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Great minds spend years examining the riches of science, literature, history, and art. Life can be consumed exploring the creation, while one neglects the Creator. Happily, believers study these subjects to appreciate our Maker’s wisdom. The brilliant astronomer Kepler described his research as “thinking God’s thoughts after Him.” The
Almighty’s love displayed in the gift of His Son dwarfs every other subject. It passes all human comprehension and brings together believers of all intellectual levels to plumb the depths of His infinite love displayed at the cross. —Keith Keyser

Love so vast that nought can bound, love too deep for thought to sound,
Love which brought the Lord of all, to the wormwood and the gall.  —Albert Midlane

1 Samuel 6:1-7:17; Isaiah 48:1-22; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me. Isaiah 61:1

There are three references in Isaiah to the anointing of the Lord Jesus. It is the Father who says, “I have put my spirit upon him” (Is. 42:1). The Spirit moves Isaiah to write, “The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him” (Is. 11:2). And in our verse today, it is the Lord Jesus speaking. Three different speakers and three distinct implications. In Isaiah 11 it is about the future reign of Christ, in Isaiah 42 the context is the pastoral ministry of Christ, and Isaiah 61 is about the public ministry of Christ. In the OT, kings, priests, and prophets were anointed and the Spirit anointed the Lord Jesus at His baptism. What a wonderful Saviour we serve! —Gary McBride

Heavenly portals loud with hosannas ring,
Crown Him, crown Him! Prophet, and Priest, and King! —F. Crosby

1 Samuel 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 47:1-15; 2 Corinthians 8:1-24

Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:14 NKJV

This verse commands us to awake and arise. Waking up is generally associated with the beginning of a new day and all its possibiities. As we consider all the potential that lies before us in service for our Saviour, what are we doing with our lives? Are we committed to serving Him? His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). He enables us to do mighty and wondrous things. May we awake from our sleep and open our eyes to all the possibilities we have in Christ. —Bronwyn Hagey

Awake my soul, my voice I raise,
And sing my great Redeemer’s praise;
He justly claims a song from me:
His loving kindness, oh, how free! —Samuel Medley

1 Samuel 3:1-21; Isaiah 46:1-13; 2 Corinthians 6:11-7:16

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. Psalm 142:3
The righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me. Psalm 142:7

The title of this psalm says it is a prayer of David, when he was seeking refuge in the cave. We see that on one hand, he felt overwhelmed with the difficulties of life’s pathway, yet he also had the assurance that the Lord knew of his situation and would bring him through into blessing. We often feel overwhelmed by life’s circumstances, but have the assurance that the Lord knows, and supports us in our situation. Ultimately He will bring us through to the greatest blessings of all, in eternity.—Philip A. Kaye

When the days are weary, the long nights dreary,
I know my Saviour cares. —Frank E. Graeff

1 Samuel 2:1-36; Isaiah 44:24-45:25; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10

Lord, thou has been favourable unto thy land: thou hast brought back the captivity of Jacob. Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Psalm 85:1-2

What vast thoughts are brought before us in these two verses! When confession is made, God’s forgiveness is freely given. Despite the many times that Israel wandered away from God, He was always there to reinstate them when they cried out in sincerity and truth to Him. God looks for true repentance, not just mere remorse! God is still the same today, and will still forgive those who call out to Him. —Gwenyth Frear

O Lord, You are favourable to Your own,
You’ve forgiven them, You alone;
Your wrath and anger, at Calvary did cease,
You’ve given Your own, a wonderful peace. —G. F