Category: Uncategorised

2 Samuel 21:1-22; Jeremiah 5:1-31; Galatians 6:1-18

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father. Matthew 11:27

“No man knoweth the Son, but the Father.” The incarnation of the Son of God is a divine, impenetrable mystery. Deity and humanity united in one person is impossible for the human mind to comprehend. We know that God cannot die but the man that died was God. Though we have the privilege of knowing and fellowshipping with His Son, our faculties fall short. Only the Father can truly understand Him. —Sid Halsband

But the high myst’ries of Thy name, the creature’s grasp transcend;
The Father only (glorious claim!), the Son can comprehend.
Worthy, O Lamb of God, art Thou, that every knee to Thee should bow! —Josiah Conder

2 Samuel 20:1-26; Jeremiah 4:3-31; Galatians 5:10-26

So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. Nehemiah 8:8, NKJV

Old Testament examples often parallel New Testament practice. In Nehemiah’s day they read the Word of God clearly so that all could hear. When we read the Scriptures publicly, we should stand up and speak up and give attention to reading. They gave the sense of what they read. We should also give an exhortation to heed what we read. They helped them to understand the reading. So too, clear teaching is greatly needed today. —Rex Trogdon

More about Jesus let me learn, more of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be, showing the things of Christ to me. —Eliza E. Hewitt

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

But first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Corinthians 8:5

A missionary couple asked a ship’s captain to take them to an island where God had called them to preach the Gospel. The captain warned that the natives were fierce, and would surely kill them. To this they replied “We died before we came.” What a powerful sentiment. To be effective in serving God means we die to ourselves and are fully surrendered to His will. We are not concerned about the outcome—whether we reap success or plow in obscurity—we are committed to Him. What an effective formula for Christian living. What a challenge to our hearts. —Deborah Manera

When the will of God crosses the will of man, somebody has to die. —Elisabeth Elliot

2 Samuel 18:1-19:8; Jeremiah 2:1-3:5; Galatians 4:1-20

For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col. 3:3

An image on the news after Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 forever etched this verse on my mind. There, in front of a big pile of debris and clutter, stood a huge chipboard sign which was spray painted with these words: “This is not our life, our life is hid with Christ in God.” Whoever put up that sign, knew their Saviour well. Whatever tragedy or wreckage you are facing in your life right now can be used as a backdrop for this verse as well. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. —Shane Johnson

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. —Fanny Crosby

2 Samuel 16:1-17:29; Jeremiah 1:1-19; Galatians 3:15-29

Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! Luke 6:26

This is a convicting verse for all who desire to be well thought of. That probably means most of us. Christians are to live by God’s standard and not use the excuse that in relation to others we are not nearly as bad. The truth is we are at war with ourselves. We know what is right but the old nature hears the tempter’s subtle call. At such times, we must stop and determine to follow the Lord’s instruction to Joshua, “Be strong and of a good courage” (Josh 1:9). Then do what is right in the Lord’s sight. —E. Dyck

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my life,
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. —Trans. by Mary E. Byrne

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jn. 9:5
[The church] which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:23
Among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15

Jesus is no longer physically in the world. We are now His body. In His wisdom He has turned the work of illuminating the world over to us, through His Spirit. May God enable us to consciously and competently hold forth the Word of life, letting the Light of the world shine in that dark corner where we live. —D. Pickup

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light a-far,
To the many duties ever near you, now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are! —Ina Duley Ogdon

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. Luke 6:27-29, NKJV

The Lord taught us how to live and He showed us how to love. He healed many who would ultimately reject Him. Unlike His disciples, He harboured no resentment to those who refused Him (Luke 9:56). After the brutal nails, He prayed: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He did not hide His face from shame and spitting (Isa 50:6). May we live as He lived. —Peter Ramsay

Behold the Man upon the cross, my sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers. —Stuart Townend

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt. 11:29

When training a new ox to plow, farmers in ancient days would often yoke it to an older, stronger, more seasoned animal who would bear the burden and guide the young ox through his learning. The more the young ox fought the yoke the more tired it would become. Only when he learned to surrender to the yoke and leaned into the senior ox would he find rest. Dear believer, it’s His yoke. Lean on Him. Find rest for your soul! —Sid Halsband

O patient, spotless One! Our hearts in meekness train,
To bear Thy yoke and learn of Thee, that we may rest obtain. —Christian Andreas Bernstein

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Teaching them to observe all things…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

Centuries had passed since Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14). But the glorious incarnation fulfilled the promise that Emmanuel came to be “with us.” But before Emmanuel ascended, God once again left us His promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.” What assurance on our journey home! —Jim Comte

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake;
I will guide, and save, and keep thee, for My Name and mercy’s sake;
Fear no evil, fear no evil, only all My counsel take.—Author Unknown

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

You would think that the death of a wicked one, one who had rebelled against Him, would satisfy a holy God. But no. He takes no pleasure in it. On the other hand, what a delight to know how He reacts to the death of one of His own. If we see it from His perspective, we will rejoice with Him and with them! The sacrifice of His Son has taken away the sting and victory of death. “Absent from the body…present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). —Ken Gross

Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.—Breck