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DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 2; Micah 4:9 to 5:15; Romans 11:1-12

 

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.    1 Samuel 7:12

 

This can be translated, “Up to this point has the Lord helped us.”  He has helped us through all of the deep valleys and raging rivers of life. He has helped us through all of life’s storms, dangers seen and unseen. Always His gracious hand has been with us. Actually these storms of life can become milestones in each of our lives. We can set up our “stones” and confidently say, “Ebenezer.” This gives us the assurance that for every tomorrow and for every mile yet to come, He is still faithful and He is our Ebenezer!    —Jim Comte

 

All my tomorrows, all my past—Jesus is Lord of all.
I’ve quit my struggles, contentment at last! Jesus is Lord of all. —Gaithers

DAILY?READINGS: 2 Samuel 1; Micah 3 to 4:8; Romans 9:30 to 10:21

 

We know.    1 John 5:18-20

 

The apostle John concludes his epistle with three certainties (1 John 5:18-20) whereby we may know that we are “born of God”. We know that we are the sons of God when we “sin not” (5:18a). We know that though “The whole world lies in the wicked one,” yet “He touches us not” (5:19, 18b). And we know “That the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know Him that is true, and we are in Him … even in his Son Jesus Christ” (5:20). Are you certain of this three-fold knowledge? Do you know your Lord?    —K. C. Ung

 

But I know whom I have believèd, and am persuaded that He is able,
To keep that which I’ve committed, unto Him against that day.
—D. W. Whittle

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 30-31; Micah 1-2; Romans 9:1-29

 

I will stand my watch … to see what He will say unto me.            Habakkuk 2:1

 

Habakkuk models for us the prayer of expectation. He asks God tough questions and then betakes himself up to the solitudes of his watchpost where he waits with confidence and anticipation for God’s revelation of Himself. He does not wonder if God will answer, but he is listening carefully for God’s answers. And the result? Habakkuk’s paean of praise is extraordinary. Though the worst happens, “Yet will I rejoice in the Lord” (Hab. 3:18).    —M. MacMullen

 

Listen to His voice in the stillness telling us to walk in the light;
Listen to His voice in creation, telling of His glory and might.
Listen to the depths of His wisdom; listen to the truth of His Word,
Come and taste the joy of His presence: Listen to His voice.
—R. Hamilton

 

 

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 28-29; Isaiah 66; Romans 8:18-39

 

While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof.    Song of Solomon 1:12

 

What a lovely picture of an assembly in worship, especially at the Lord’s Supper. The Lord is in the place of honour while His saints around Him worship and adore. Spikenard was a lowly aromatic herb from which was prepared the much-valued highly-perfumed ointment. So from the lowly hearts of His adoring people the rich fragrance of worship may arise for His pleasure.    —Jim Flanigan

 

What food luxurious loads the board,
When at His table sits the Lord;
The wine how rich, the bread how sweet,
When Jesus deigns the guests to meet.
—Charles H. Spurgeon

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 26-27; Isaiah 65; Romans 8:1-17

 

But godliness with contentment is great gain.    1 Timothy 6:6

 

Consider the ten wealthiest people in the world. Do they give evidence of being godly or contented? It does not seem so. In contrast to the world’s ambition for material wealth, a godly life with contentment offers great gain for now and eternity. Paul observed, “We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). When we are content with the basic necessities of life and enjoying daily fellowship with the Lord we are well on our way to godliness and great gain.    —Milton Haack

 

Worldlings prize their gems of beauty, cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure; only Jesus will I trust.
—M. James

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 25; Isaiah 63:15 to 64:12; Romans 7:7-25

 

But ye lacked opportunity.    Philippians 4:10

 

These were trying times for the Philippians. They wanted to do something for Paul, but could not find the time or the situation. They had given before (Phil. 4:15-16), but hadn’t in recent months or years (Phil. 2:30). In other words, there was no context in which they could implement their desire; something had held them back. Now they could and so they did. We need to be ready to serve and give, even if we feel stymied at a given moment. Thus when the opportunity shows up, we can rise to the occasion. It may involve more than giving; there may be an opportunity to witness, to preach, to pray, or to visit. A context means an opportunity.    —Norman Craig Funston

Make me a blessing, O Saviour, I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today. —I. B. Wilson

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Sam. 23-24; Isaiah 62 to 63:14; Romans 6:15 to 7:6

 

For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.    Proverbs 3:26-27

 

Because believers have God’s wisdom and are not fearful of the future, they can afford to be generous to their neighbours. And we should be, as our generosity and kindness can turn others to Christ. We are not to envy those who leave God out of their lives and seemingly prosper. The end result for unbelievers is tragic—lost for all eternity. Those who humbly walk with God, have His grace and glory forever.   
—G. Frear

 

Satisfied with Thee, Lord Jesus, I am blest;
Peace which passeth understanding, on Thy breast;
No more doubting, no more trembling,
Oh, what rest! Oh, what rest! —H. Bennett

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 21-22; Isaiah 61; Romans 6:1-14

 

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?    Luke 24:32

 

Christ’s word uniquely stirs His people’s hearts. Two confused Christians were downcast on the Emmaus road; yet Christ’s speech to them lifted the gloom and brought them understanding. Modern saints may also commune with Him by reading the Scriptures. Led by the Spirit, private consideration of the Bible leads to individual worship and growth in the Lord. Then when we assemble with fellow-saints in the church to remember Him, our hearts will burn.    —Keith Keyser

 

Sweet it is to sit before Thee, sweet to hear Thy blessed voice,
Sweet to worship and adore Thee, while our hearts in Thee rejoice.
—T. H. Reynolds

 

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 19:8 to 20:42; Isaiah 60; Romans 5:12-21

 

For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.    John 6:38
From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.     John 6:66

 

Handling rejection is not easy. We all like to be liked. How do we feel when our service for the Lord does not seem to be valued or recognized? Underneath all the acts of our Lord was the desire to bring joy to the heart of God and to finish His work. He knew what He was doing and He knew who He was doing it for. If we adopted His approach we would revolutionize our service. “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:7).    —Sid Halsband

 

Behold the servant of the Lord! I wait Thy guiding eye to feel,
Joyful from my own works to cease, glad to fulfill all righteousness.
—John Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: 1 Samuel 18:6 to 19:7; Isaiah 59; Romans 4:23 to 5:11

 

We have done that which was our duty to do.    Luke 17:10

 

On the tombstone of a First World War veteran in a cemetery in France is engraved a lengthy poem—part of it is shown below. Sometimes Christians can be so busy in the service of the Lord that they never stop to think about what is being achieved and whether an alternative way of serving might be needed and more beneficial. Some of the Lord’s people have had long years of service in pursuit of the glory of God and the day will come when they will be relieved of their duties and others will take their place if God so wills. For such, the call to “higher service” will mean no more earthly strains but rather the joy of peace and the rapture of winning the race.    —Brian Powlesland

 

Out of the strains of the doing, into the peace of the done;
Out of the thirst of pursuing, into the rapture of won. —W. M. L. Jay