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1 Samuel 17:32-18:5; Isaiah 58:1-14; Romans 4:1-22

And there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord. Judges 2:10

They were brought up in God-fearing homes yet forsook the Lord. How could this have happened? They did not know the Lord! Young man; young woman before you leave home and go out to face a world of wickedness I implore you to examine your heart and ask, “Do I really know the Lord in a personal way?” If not then how will you withstand the temptations of the world? If you do know Him, determine to spend time with Him in His Word every day, getting to know Him better and He will carry you through to a life of victory. —David Croudace

E’re you left your room this morning did you think to pray?
In the name of Christ our Savior,
Did you sue for loving favor as a shield today? —M. A. Kidder

1 Samuel 17:1-31; Isaiah 56:9-57:21; Romans 3:1-31

For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend. Isaiah 14:13
Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 1 Peter 3:15

Who is sitting on the throne of my heart? There’s only enough room for one. It was in his heart that Lucifer rose up in defiance against God. What followed was his fall, the fall of one-third of heaven’s angels (cf. Rev. 12:4), and, ultimately, the fall of humanity. When a heart lifts itself up to take the place that God alone is entitled to, there can be no peace or order in our lives. Instead, here is Peter’s instruction, “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts” (1 Peter 3:15). In other words, make your heart a sanctuary where the Lord feels at home. As we allow Christ to reign and rule in all the “rooms” of our heart, inner peace prevails. —Brian Cretney

Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart,
When the King is in residence there. —Unknown

1 Samuel 16:1-23; Isaiah 55:1-56:8; Romans 2:1-29

So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. John 11:6 NKJV

Mary and Martha’s hearts were broken. Their brother was sick, so they hurriedly sent word to Jesus to come quickly. When Jesus heard it, He delayed His coming by two days (v. 6). A strange delay! Sometimes we are entrusted with these strange delays or silence from heaven. Oswald Chambers wrote, “Has God trusted you with silence…a silence that is big with meaning?” His delay was not denial, for Jesus had something better than healing, He had a restored life for Lazarus! His will is always bound in His love! It’s never easy in times like these, but trust Him. —Jim Comte

Simply trusting every day, trusting thro’ a stormy way;
Even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus—that is all.  —Edgar P. Stites

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

Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. Psalm 30:4
The desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. Isaiah 26:8

How delightful that the Lord has given us something to do to remember Him! He has done all to procure our salvation through His life, death and resurrection. Now He has given to us a wonderful thing to do for Him: “For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” (1 Cor. 11:26).  —E. C. B.

The Host art Thou, O blessed Lord, Thy honored guests are we;
With grateful and adoring hearts we would remember Thee!   —A. P. Gibbs

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

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV

Rejoicing in God and giving Him thanks during trials exhibits our confidence in His character and promises. The meaning of “anxious” is to be pulled in different directions at the same time and “worry” means to strangle. Anxiety and worry are the principle thieves of our joy. Yet, we cannot be robbed of God’s peace if we choose to rejoice in Him instead of seeking happiness in favourable circumstances. —W. A. H.

Why worry when you can pray? Trust Jesus, He’ll be your stay;
Rest fully in His promise, why worry when you can pray? —A. Smith

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

Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? Galatians 4:15

Is this not one of the saddest questions that Paul ever asked? He had preached Christ to the lost in Galatia and had seen them enjoy freedom from bondage, legalism, idolatry and fear. Now they were in danger of being led back into following traditions and the keeping of laws. Remember when you were first saved? When you read the Word, prayed, witnessed to all in sight and attended every meeting? Do you long for the blessedness of those days? —Ray Jones

Oh for a closer walk with God, a calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road that leads me to the Lamb!
Where is the blessedness I knew when first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul-refreshing view of Jesus and His Word?   —William Cowper

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

Let us go on. Hebrews 6:1
And this will we do, if God permit. Hebrews 6:3

The Christian life is not meant to be marked by regression but progression. Every believer should have a desire to really make progress for the Lord and be marked by increasing spirituality. This is not achieved through natural abilities but by divine enabling through the work of the indwelling Spirit. May we be found
“going on” today as God enables us. —Philip A. Kaye

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,
By faith, on Heaven’s table land;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.  —Johnson Oatman Jr.

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

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  Matthew 6:33 NKJV 

Our Lord speaks here of what is of first importance in life.  Notice what He doesn’t say. He doesn’t speak of good works or  religious ceremonies. People today may feel these are important, but Jesus teaches about the kingdom of God and His righteousness. Many believe that they are righteous by what they are doing but our Lord says it comes through faith in His finished work on Calvary. Where is your righteousness resting? Are you trusting your works or the righteousness that comes by faith?—J. D. Fraser

Poor, feeble, wretched, as I am,
I now can glory in Thy name;
Now cleansed in Thy most precious blood,
And made the righteousness of God. —James G. Deck

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

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:18 

The heading in my Bible says this chapter is about daily living. “I the Lord thy God” (Isa. 41:13) or the expression “I am the Lord” is repeated sixteen times through the chapter. Does this not emphasize who we should focus our lives on each day? The Lord Jesus Christ should have the preeminence in all aspects of our daily lives and we should desire to glorify Him constantly, for He is Lord. —M. Robins

To glorify Thee, this is my plea;
Work out Thy purpose, Thy plan for me,
A yielded vessel, Thine own to be,
Thy praise and glory, to live for Thee.  —Astrid H. Nelson

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

Ruth the Moabitess. Ruth 2:2
Ruth the Moabitess. Ruth 4:10
So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife. Ruth 4:13

Throughout the book of Ruth, she is named, Ruth the Moabitess not only by Naomi, but by Boaz and by all his workers. Not until chapter four do we read: “So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife.” Her past no longer mattered now that she was his wife. How wonderful! We who were sinners of the Gentiles, now have a new name too. We are no longer called sinner, but we are now called… His bride, His body and His temple. Our past is put away, and we are new creations in Christ Jesus (Gal. 6:15). —Eleanor Isaacson

More love to Thee O Christ, more love to Thee,
This is my earnest plea: more love, O Lord, to Thee. —E. Prentiss