Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 23:1-24:27; Ezekiel 41:1-26; John 18:1-27

And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the Lord. 1 Kings 7:51

David and Solomon picture two aspects of Christ’s work. The former was a soldier who vanquished God’s enemies, sometimes becoming a weak instrument confounding the mighty; the latter, reigned in glory and brought the temple to completion. David’s conflicts made him “a man of blood”; likewise, Christ shed His blood to make new creatures who would one day adorn the temple as living stones. The Lord’s true temple is comprised of believers fashioned by the glorified Saviour who once suffered. —Keith Keyser

The Church’s pilgrim-lot; her lot until her absent Lord shall come,
And the long homeless here, shall find a home. —Horatius Bonar

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 21:1-22:1-12; Ezekiel 40:1-49; John 17:1-26

And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come. But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. Luke 19:13-14

The master was gone establishing a kingdom and he left his servants to manage his affairs while he was away. He gave them the necessary provisions, but the environment was hostile. Would they be diligent about the master’s business in spite of opposition, in spite of not knowing the date of his return? Would they faithfully uphold the master’s honour, or would they seek their own? Will we occupy until He returns? Yes, even so, come Lord Jesus. —D. Pickup

Have we been true to the trust He left us? Do we seek to do our best?
If in our hearts there is naught condemns us, we shall have a glorious rest. —Fanny J. Crosby

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 20:1-37; Ezekiel 39:1-29; John 16:16-33

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Matthew 5:4

This verse should not be restricted to a funeral where grief is expressed over the death of a loved one. This has much more to do with sorrow over the needs of a fallen world as we see the devastation caused by sin. Also it is sorrowing over the condition of our own lives as we develop a sensitive awareness of our own sinfulness. The result is comfort, just as Lazarus in the story of the rich man was “comforted” (Luke 16), so do we find comfort in Christ. —Paul Young

Death brought the saint release from want, disease and scorn;
And to the land of peace, his soul, by angels borne,
In Abraham’s bosom safely placed, enjoys an everlasting feast. —J. Newton

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 18:1-19:34; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. Philippians 1:12

Paul is again in prison—this time in Rome—chained between two soldiers, yet the verses following this one tell us that as a result, all the palace soldiers were hearing the gospel; many timid believers were becoming bold witnesses for Christ and even those who were jealous of Paul began to preach the gospel. As believers living in an increasingly godless society, if we are called upon to suffer for proclaiming God’s truth we can be sure that He will use it in some way to further His work and encourage our souls. —David Croudace

Cast thou thy care upon the Lord, the care that loads thy heart;
Take Him this moment at His word and let Him do His part. —H. Moule

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 16:1-17:19; Ezekiel 37:1-28; John 15:1-16

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jeremiah 33:3

These words of the Lord were spoken to Jeremiah while He was in prison. Are you facing a difficult trial at present? If so take these words to heart. First we note that prayer is commanded. God desires that all His children communicate with Him. Share with Him your deep concerns. Next we notice that His answer is promised. It may be immediate, or He may require us to wait, but He will answer. Finally we see that, through it all, our faith will be encouraged. He is able to do anything and delights to do the unexpected! —Pete Smith

The need is deep, the care is great, the burden hard to bear;
Roll it on Him with all its weight, and leave it resting there. —H. M. Moule

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 14:1-15:19; Ezekiel 36:16-38; John 14:15-31

Yea, the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God. Psalm 84:3

A sparrow and a swallow are used in this psalm to represent us in our restlessness. In a beautiful image, their restlessness finds a house, a nest, a family and a rest in the Lord’s house. Jesus said, “Come unto me…and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). We find rest for our souls when we rest in Him. —Rex Trogdon

My faith has found a resting place, not in device nor creed;
I trust the ever-living One, His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument, I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died, and that He died for me. —Lidie H. Edmunds

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chron. 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-14:14

And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17

God emphatically does not remember the sins of the one who trusts in Christ. Omniscience has chosen to exclude them. Never again will they be mentioned (Ezek. 18:22). Therefore, we who are saved will always remember Him who took our sins away! We remember His great work every day, and especially every Lord’s day in the breaking of bread. We do it in remembrance of Him. But this is only the beginning. In heaven we will sing with the multitude of the redeemed, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain” (Rev. 5:12). Blessed eternal memory! —Carl Knott

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suff’ring on the tree: Saviour, we adore Thee. —Samuel T. Francis

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 10:1-11:23; Ezekiel 34:1-31; John 13:1-30

He will judge the world in righteousness. Acts 17:31

The prisoner had appeared before Judge Gray when he presided over a lower court. On both occasions, the prisoner had escaped conviction on a technicality. Addressing the accused, the judge said, “I know you are guilty and you know you are guilty. I remind you one day you will be dealt with according to justice and not the law.” Accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour. It is the only way to not meet Him as Judge some day. —Arnot P. McIntee

When the judgment overtakes you,
And those words appear in sight.
How they prayed and pleaded with you,
But you answered, “Not tonight”. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 8:1-9:31; Ezekiel 33:1-33; John 12:20-50

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Psalm 30 is a penitential psalm of David. This verse speaks of the dawn of a new day after seemingly endless nights of weeping. Often we have our “nights” over past sin or because of trials we may be passing through. Paul calls it, “our light affliction” and then reminds us that this “light” trial is “[working] for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). The night is a brief, passing time, but when the dawn comes, all our tears will have dried up; all our sorrows will be replaced for there will be “no night there” (Rev. 22:5). Weeping today; the shout of joy tomorrow! —Jim Comte

But Christ will soon appear, to catch His bride away;
All tears forever over, in God’s eternal day. —Esther K. Rusthoi

DAILY READINGS: 2 Chronicles 7:1-22; Ezekiel 32:1-32; John 11:55-12:19

It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. Psalm 119:71

The flesh hates affliction. But faith knows affliction is good. Affliction brings glory to God when we suffer cheerfully for Him. But that’s not all. Affliction is good for me too. Difficult circumstances are often the best way to learn. The lessons leave a lasting impression. When we are afflicted, God has our utmost attention. Affliction makes me say, “Speak; for thy servant heareth” (1 Sam. 3:10). Are you afflicted today? Rest in Him—He will bring you through. —Shane Johnson

Some through the waters, some through the flood,
Some through the fire, but all through the blood;
Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song,
In the night season and all the day long. —G. A. Young