Category: Uncategorised

2 Chronicles 25:1-28; Ezekiel 42:1-20; John 18:28-19:16

As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. Ecclesiastes 11:5 NKJV

The Spirit of God uses the illusive nature of the wind, and the miraculous phenomenon of a growing unborn child to describe how little we understand the ways of God. Job tells us, “He does great things which we cannot comprehend” (Job 37:5), and Paul affirms that “His ways (are) past finding out” (Rom. 11:33). If you don’t understand what God is doing in your life right now, continue to seek His face, and trust Him to work through even impossible situations for your good. He is able! —E. V.

His glories now we sing, who died and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.—M. Bridges

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

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. Revelation 19:7

When Princess Elizabeth got engaged, World War II had just ended and much of Great Britain lay in ruins. As such, she felt a modest wedding ceremony would be appropriate. The government of the day disagreed! The British people were exhausted and discouraged. What better way to bring hope and joy, than with a royal wedding! Dear beloved one, we too may feel the ravages of war upon our souls, but let us not give up hope! Very soon there will be a royal wedding that will eclipse that of any earthly monarch! What a glorious day to look forward to! —Lynn Shatford

The church shall never perish! Her dear Lord to defend,
To guide, sustain, and cherish, is with her to the end. —S. J. Stone

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

Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5 NKJV

Because of the pervasiveness of sin in this world, tears are a daily reality. As witnesses, believers weep over the lost in their lives of aimlessness and sorrow. As Christ’s body, we weep over division among fellow saints. As truth-tellers, we weep over false teaching that causes confusion, stunts spiritual growth, and diverts seekers from the path of life. Thankfully, our Lord will one day wipe away all tears (Rev. 21:4). Spiritual seed tearfully sown in difficult situations will yield to the harvest of God’s ripened, glorious purposes. The Lord shall build His church and His kingdom shall come despite earth’s current tribulations. —Keith Keyser

Give to the winds thy fears; hope and be undismayed;
God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head.  —Paul Gerhardt

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

Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled. Matt. 26:56 NKJV
Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. John 13:1 NKJV

The 12 disciples were our Lord’s closest earthly companions, yet when we come to the most crucial event in Jesus’ life, they are absent. Only John is even mentioned as being at the cross. Our last view of Peter is as he denies the Lord, not when confronted by a spear, but by the accusation of a servant girl. I dare not be too hard on him for doubtless I would have done the same. But what a contrast is our Saviour! Despite all He suffered—the betrayal,
denial and forsaking of those closest, His love never faltered. He went all the way to Calvary and died for us there! —Kevin Shantz

He suffered there in darkness, with none His grief to share,
And though He looked for comfort, no comforters were there. —A. Stevens

2 Chronicles 18:1-19:11; Ezekiel 38:1-23; John 15:17-16:15

I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. Romans 9:1-2 NKJV

Why did Paul experience such continual and deep grief in his heart? Paul’s primary concern was the fact that many of his countrymen, even his own relatives were unsaved. Even though they had so many advantages; the very Word of God, divine covenants, and even His manifested glory, they still were not saved! “He was moved with compassion for them” (Matt. 14:14). Are we as deeply grieved and moved as we consider the lost? —Ray Jones

Let me look at the crowd as my Saviour did,
Till my eyes with tears grow dim,
Let me look till I pity the wandering sheep,
And love them for love of Him. —R. A. Jarvie

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

And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! Luke 19:41-42
Having made peace through the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:20

Since the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, the sinful hearts of men have been restless, desiring peace both within and without. There will always be “wars and rumours of wars” without, but one of the wonders of Christ’s death for us on the cross is that the believer can have peace within, “The peace of God, which passeth all  understanding” (Phil. 4:7). “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). —Elizabeth C. Bishop

Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of sin;
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within. —Edward H. Bickersteth

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

O our God, wilt thou not judge them? For…this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. 2 Chronicles 20:12

With an invading army approaching, King Jehoshaphat led the nation in prayer. Jehovah answered through a Levite called Jahaziel, “Be not afraid nor dismayed…for the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chron. 20:15). The next day the king spoke to the people. What we read in verse 20 is a play on words in the Hebrew, that could be translated, “Have firm faith and you will stand firm.” If you are facing problems and you don’t know what to do, follow the king’s good advice and have firm faith in Him alone. —Pete Smith

The Lord our refuge is, and ever will remain;
Since He hath made us His, He will our cause maintain.  —Samuel Barnard

2 Chronicles 12:1-13:22; Ezekiel 35:1-36:15; John 13:31-4:14

Saul arose from the earth…they led him by the hand. Acts 9:8

Saul had his own ideas as he started toward Damascus; however, God had other plans for this persecutor of the new Christians. The confident Saul suddenly had to lean on others to lead him along in his blindness. Are we, like Saul, wanting to be independent? God is looking for those who will depend on Him. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us: “Trust in the Lord…and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Do we make decisions on our own or are we willing to allow God
to “take us by His hand” and lead us in His perfect will for our lives? As we learn to lean on Him, He will guide us. —V. Strout

He helps me with each task, if only I’ll ask;
Every day now I’m learning to lean.  —John Stallings

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

I implore Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I urge you…help these women who labored with me in the gospel. Philippians 4:2-3 NKJV

Are you embroiled in a relational situation of escalating tension? Do these sisters remind you of the turn your Christian life has taken? Your joy is fading. Your eager desire to partner in the Gospel is evaporating. Your energy, once happily used to advance the Lord’s purposes, has now been diverted to nursing your peeve. Bitterness is gaining a foothold. Consider this a warning message. For the next week, read Philippians 2 with a repentant, reflective heart. May God help us all to be of the same mind. —P. Ramsay

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

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. Is. 61:10 NKJV

They say that clothes “make the man” and we can be judged by what we wear. But whether we choose an outfit for comfort or glamour, professional power, or practical protection, believers rejoice in their true attire: the garment of salvation. Hand-me-down rags and designer fashions are irrelevant when we stand in God’s presence, covered with the robe of righteousness, purchased by the blood of Christ. What spiritual beauty and dignity He bestows. Rejoice! —Caroline Webb

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine.  —Charles Wesley