Category: Uncategorised

Genesis 29:1-35; Job 38:1-39:30; Matthew 15:29-16:12

Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfil. Matthew 5:17 NKJV

We sometimes may think that the God of the Old Testament is different from that of the New. Jesus reminds us, “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father” (John 14:7). Many miss this. Why? Because they miss the heart of God in the Old Testament. Rather than crush them, God clothed Adam and Eve and promised a Rescuer. He provided escape in the flood. Despite their constant rebellion, God continued to pursue Israel at every turn. God is and always has been a God of love, grace and mercy in the same manner as He has always been a God of justice. —J. D. Fraser

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean, in its fullness over me. —Mark Ladd

Genesis 28:1-22; Job 36:1-37:24; Matthew 15:1-28

In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 1:22

In one of his commentaries, the late Warren Wiersbe said “of itself, suffering doesn’t make people better. Sometimes it makes them bitter. But when suffering is mixed with faith and God’s grace then it becomes a wonderful tool for building character.” Many of the Lord’s people have proved this sentiment.  —Brian Russell

Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.  —Adelaide A. Pollard

Genesis 27:1-46; Job 34:1-35:16; Matthew 14:13-36

Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees; But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; it touches you, and you are troubled. Job 4:3-5 NKJV 

Eliphaz’s words must have cut to the heart as he described Job’s predicament. Having instructed and strengthened others, Job was now going through his own trial and greatly troubled. We too, may have been a blessing to others only to find our own advice lacking in a similar situation. Some, like Eliphaz don’t help. But the Lord, and those sent by Him, can and will. —M. Kolchin

His oath, His covenant, His blood, support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way, He then is all my hope and stay.  —Edward Mote

Genesis 26:1-35; Job 32:1-33:33; Matthew 13:44-14:12

And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:5 

My son saw I was struggling to examine something small in a poorly lit basement room. As he reached for a flashlight, I explained that it would not help me see the object more clearly. He just smiled, as he turned off all the lights, waited for a moment and then shone only the flashlight. It seemed as bright as the noonday sun! Are you discouraged at how dark the world is getting? Take comfort in this: the darker this world grows, the brighter the Light glows!  —Lynn Shatford

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

Genesis 25:1-34; Job 31:1-40; Matthew 13:24-43

Look up…for your redemption draweth nigh. Luke 21:28
Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. John 4:35
Look to yourselves…that we receive a full reward. 2 John 1:8

Three important “looks” for the day! Look up, look on the fields and look to yourselves. It’s important to remember that the Lord could come at any time. While we wait for the Him we are to look at the plight of the lost and seek to bring them in. Finally, it’s important to look at ourselves. Self-examination in the light of His return causes us to prioritize our lives. —Sid Halsband

Jesus is coming! The promise is true;
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few
Waiting and watching, prepared for review?
Jesus is coming again! —Edwin Hutch & Daniel Webster Whittles

Genesis 24:1-67; Job 29:1-30:31; Matthew 13:1-23

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee. Psalm 55:22
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7

At times we are beset by anxieties and cares that destroy our peace and joy. This is not God’s intention for us. God’s Word instructs us to cast all our care upon the Lord. We are given assurance that He will take care of us. We read, “he shall sustain thee,” and also that “he careth for you.” Let’s determine, that in future, we
will be content to leave things in His loving hands and enjoy the peace and rest that God so desires for His own. —W. H. Burnett

Why should I ever careful be, since such a God is mine?
He watches o’er me, night and day, and tells me “Mine is thine.”  —Catesby Paget

Genesis 23:1-20; Job 27:1-28:28; Matthew 12:22-50

Then He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?”…Jesus answered, “I have told you that I am He. Therefore, if you seek Me, let these go their way.” John 18:7-8 NKJV

Judas headed a band of men—the servants of the Jewish council, the Sanhedrin, to arrest Jesus. In John 18:4-8, twice the Lord declares that He is the One they were seeking. After the second time, the Lord, concerned for the safety of His disciples, requests that they go free. Even in His darkest hours, the Lord cared for His own. Let us remember in our darkest hours, “He cares for me.” —Bob Cretney

Through days of toil when heart does fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. —Civilla Martin

Genesis 22:1-24; Job 25:1-26:14; Matthew 12:1-21

The Lord’s throne is in heaven. Psalm 11:4

A throne is the symbol of authority and power. The Lord who sits on this throne is greater than any monarch! “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Heb. 1:8). This verse speaks of the duration of His
throne. When earthly kingdoms finish, God upon His throne will reign for all eternity. The Lord is coming back and then “shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations”
(Matt. 25:31-32). He will resolve the world’s problems! “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). —Jim Paul

But this I know all flesh shall see His glory,
And He will reap the harvest He has sown,
And some glad day His sun shall shine in splendour;
When He the Saviour, Saviour of the world is known. —W. Fullerton

Genesis 20:1-21:34; Job 23:1-24:25; Matthew 11:2-30

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return. Luke 12:36

Luke 12 is mainly about how people view material possessions. Our assessment, attitude, and affection for the things of this world, are compared with our anticipation of our Lord’s return. “Then whose shall those things be?” (Luke 12:20) is the searching question for our hearts. A wise Christian once attended the funeral of a wealthy individual, and was quietly asked “I wonder how much he left behind?” The brother answered “All of it.” Our hearts and energies will be where our treasure is, as we wait for Him. —Rick Morse

He and I in that bright glory, one deep joy shall share;
Mine to be forever with Him, His that I am there.  —Gerhard Tersteegen

Genesis 19:1-38; Job 22:1-30; Matthew 10:24-11:1

You brought us into the net; You laid affliction on our backs. You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You brought us out to rich fulfillment. Psalm 66:11-12 NKJV

Are you presently going through a serious trial? Has it occurred to you, that your loving heavenly Father has brought you into it for His divine purpose and to enrich your soul? What an outcome! Dear child of God, the present burden may seem unbearable, but He is with you, He loves you and He will not forget you! You’ll be able to say as the psalmist—“Blessed be God” (v. 20). —Pete Smith

I need Thy heart, Lord Jesus! To feel each anxious care,
To bear my ev’ry burden, and all my sorrows share.    —F. Whitfield