Category: Uncategorised

2 Kings 17:1-41; Jeremiah 51:1-24; 1 Timothy 1:1-20

Let them be blotted out of the book of the living. Ps. 69:28a
Yet now, if You will forgive their sin–but if not…blot me out of Your book. Exodus 32:32, NKJV

In the above psalm David asked that God blot the names of those who had treated him badly from the book of the living. Moses instead pleaded that God would forgive the sin of those who had wronged him. Jesus stated “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:27-28). What a different world this would be if each of us chose to follow the example of Jesus. —Janet Fleming

Today dear Lord on what I say, may You set Your seal;
That I may speak but words to bless, to comfort and to heal. —J. F

2 Kings 15:32-16:20; Jeremiah 50:21-46; Titus 2:9-3:15

Phinehas…has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them. Numbers 25:11, NKJV

Zimri had brought a pagan prostitute into Israel’s camp. This was intolerable for righteous Phinehas, who rose up in holy zeal and executed Zimri and the woman. God honoured Phinehas with a promise of an everlasting priesthood. Remaining silent when God’s name is being disgraced is sin. Carnality in the Church or unholy civil edicts should cause us to do more than to sorrow privately. Believers are to expose the unfruitful works of darkness and to beseech the Lord to act against such corruption (Eph. 5:11). —W. A. H.

And if I’m ever constrained to stay with men of lives profane,
I’ll set a double guard that day, nor let my talk be vain. —Isaac Watts

2 Kings 14:23-15:31; Jeremiah 50:1-20; Titus 1:1-2:8

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:7

This psalm starts off with a cry for help, moves to confidence in the Lord’s protection, and finishes with praise for His provision. We can always cry to the Lord in times of need. In those moments we learn the most about Him. These are the times when we experience His nearness and His presence, the times when all else is stripped away from us and there is nowhere else to turn. —G. Frear

Unto Thee I cry, O Lord my God,
Keep me safe with protecting rod;
Hear my voice, to You I cry,
Keep me from evil, for You are nigh. —G. F.

2 Kings 13:1-14:22; Jeremiah 49:1-39; Hebrews 13:7-25

He…gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. Acts 14:17

While the world celebrates thanksgiving festivals and holidays, the colourful bounty of the harvest reminds us afresh of how dependant we are on God’s rich provision for us on every hand. The psalmist put it this way, “The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Ps. 145:15-16, NKJV). May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving and praise to our God, and never take any one of His blessings for granted. —E. V.

We plow the fields and scatter, the good seed on the land,
But it is fed and watered by God’s almighty hand. —Matthias Claudius

2 Kings 11:1-12:21; Jeremiah 48:1-47; Hebrews 12:18-13:6

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. Psalm 22:6

What pathos filled, prophetic words. The image of a worm is particularly unsettling. He was low, unnoticed, a reproach. “He is despised and rejected of men” (Isa. 53:3). Our Saviour voluntarily came to this planet. He identified with His own creation; their guilt and shame, at Calvary. “The Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all” (Isa. 53:6). Your iniquity and mine were laid on Him there. All this came through grace. “The gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ” (Rom. 5:15). Let it move our hearts with gratitude and praise, today. —Vernon Markle

‘Twas on the cross He bled for me,
And purchased there my pardon free. —William McKendree Darwood

2 Kings 10:1-36; Jeremiah 45:1-47:7; Hebrews 12:1-17

Yea, he loved the people. Deuteronomy 33:3

In his final prayer of blessings to the twelve tribes, Moses reminded them of a remarkable fact: God loved His people. The word loved is a strong and intimate word indicating that He holds His own very close and cherishes their company. When you consider the waywardness of the children of Israel this is an amazing gesture. We fail so many times but never forget that God is love, and we are very precious to Him. He holds us tight! —Brian Russell

O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in Thee. —Grace Matheson

2 Kings 9:1-37; Jeremiah 44:1-30; Hebrews 11:17-40

Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach. Hebrews 13:13

During a time of heightened security soldiers were ordered to take off their uniforms while off duty. This saddened them because they proudly identified themselves with what the uniform stood for. As Christians do we gladly display our identification with Christ or do we choose to blend into the background. Throughout Church history believers have been subjected to ridicule, loss and death. With grace, courage, and dignity they have chosen to go where Christ is—outside the camp. Let us also recognize the privilege of being identified with Christ. He is worthy.—George Ferrier Am I a soldier of the Cross, a follower of the Lamb? And shall I fear to own His cause or blush to speak His name?—I. Watts

2 Kings 8:1-29; Jeremiah 42:7-43:13; Hebrews 11:1-16

Speak ye unto the rock. Numbers 20:8
Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice. Numbers 20:11

We can understand Moses’ frustration with the Israelites as they repeatedly challenged him and complained about their circumstances. In this rash moment, he himself disobeyed the Lord God, and this just after he had called them rebels (20:10). How careful we must be to not allow our deceitful hearts to govern our actions, and to refrain from acting in the heat of the moment. Calm reflection in our Lord’s presence will enable us to trust Him and serve properly. —Rick Morse

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —Kate Wilkinson

2 Kings 6:24-7:20; Jeremiah 41-42:6; Hebrews 10:19-39

Fret not thyself because of evildoers. Psalm 37:1

There is plenty in the nightly news to disturb the mind. Add to that the problems arising in daily living and we can easily become distraught. But the psalmist says, “Fret not.” Since believers are citizens of Heaven our focus should be on the promise of “better things” to come. God is in control of world affairs, evildoers included. Allowing ourselves to fret about society’s inconsistencies hinders our walk with the Lord. May we do what is right and, with the Lord’s help, be overcomers. —E. Dyck

Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage;
Your mighty Defender is always the same.
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending;
Vict’ry is sure when you call on His name. —Linda Lee Johnson

2 Kings 6:1-23; Jeremiah 39:1-40:16; Hebrews 10:1-18

Thou hast searched me, and known me…Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Ps. 139:1, 6
In [Christ] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:3

Consider Him who is our Creator and our Redeemer and knows us better than we know ourselves, from the number of hairs on our heads to the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Since He knows us so well, let us seek to know Him, even as we are known by Him (1 Cor. 13: 12), and “count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus [our] Lord” (Phil. 3:8). —E. C. B.

More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show; More of His saving fullness see, more of His love Who died for me. —Eliza E. Hewitt