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2 Kings 3:1-27; Jeremiah 36:1-32; Hebrews 8:1-13

I will bless you…and you shall be a blessing. Gen. 12:2 NKJV 

At Babel, people refused to listen to God, resulting in a confused and disintegrating society. However, God graciously spoke again, now to an individual, Abram. Yet how can one man make a difference in such a chaotic world? God tells Abram “You shall be a blessing”. Is that not what we all desire to be in the hands of God? Like Abram, we must both listen to and obey God’s Word—perhaps leaving behind what is familiar and seemingly secure. In response to  Abram’s willingness, five times, God says, “I will…”. It is through such a life that God promises to work and to bless.
—M. McKillen

I’m learning to trust You, even when I can’t see it;
And even in suffering, I have to believe it. —Michael Ketterer

2 Kings 2:1-25; Jeremiah 35:1-19; Hebrews 7:1-28

For I know the [plans] that I think toward you, says the Lord, [plans] of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

The Cullinan is the largest rough diamond ever found, and was given as a gift to King Edward VII. He entrusted the cutting of this three thousand carat diamond to a skilled craftsman, Joseph Asscher. Before he ever touched the Cullinan with a blade, Mr. Asscher studied the diamond for six months. He needed to determine the best way to cut
it in order to ensure minimum damage and maximum function and beauty. Dear friend, you are far more valuable than a diamond! If the Lord has allowed you to go through a trial, it is not by accident. He has a plan and a purpose: our good and His glory! —Lynn Shatford

Deep in unfathomable mines of never-failing skill;
He fashions up His bright designs, and works His sovereign will —W. Cowper

2 Kings 1:1-18; Jeremiah 34:1-22; Hebrews 5:11-6:20

Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. Daniel 1:8

Daniel would rather have risked death than sin against God. He had a heart’s desire for holiness and was willing to make it known. Christians today experience continual pressure to conform to this world, to deny that God exists and to renounce their faith in Him. An author once wrote, “The world says, ‘Go along with us’, but God says, ‘Stand up and be counted; be different; be a stranger and a pilgrim in this world.’” (1 John 2:15-17). May this be our heart’s
desire too! —Pam Hagey

Standing by a purpose true, heeding God’s command,
Honour them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel’s band!
Dare to be a Daniel! Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm! Dare to make it known! —Philip P. Bliss

1 Kings 22:1-53; Jeremiah 33:1-26; Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Psalm 62:8

The dictionary defines “refuge” as a place of shelter and safety. In Israel’s day, “Cities of Refuge” were established to protect those who had accidently slain someone (Num. 35:11). Christ’s sacrifice on the cross sheltered us from God’s wrath against sin (Rom. 5:9). Even today, our heavenly Father promises to shelter us in the storms of life. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Ps. 46:1). What storm are you facing today? Run to God,
your refuge, and find help for your every need. —E.V.

The Lord’s our rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm. —Vernon Charlesworth

1 Kings 21:1-29; Jeremiah 32:26-44; Hebrews 4:1-13

Until the day break, and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense. Song of Songs 4:6

In Scripture, myrrh is associated with grief and sorrow, whereas frankincense is associated with times of celebration and worship. So it is with the future bride of Solomon, pending that glad moment when she would be united with Him, she occupies herself with the things that remind her of Him. Before He went to Calvary, the Lord Jesus instituted the Lord’s Supper. It was so we, His future bride, could be sustained in our love for Him, by revisiting Calvary, that mountain of myrrh, the mount of sorrow, and send the fragrance of our worship on high. —Willie H. Burnett

Backward look we, drawn to Calvary, musing while we sing;
Forward haste we to Thy coming, Lord and King!  —Douglas Russell

1 Kings 20:1-43; Jeremiah 32:1-25; Hebrews 3:1-19

We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. Matthew 11:17

Here in our Lord’s day, we see a people being stubbornly unreasonable, much as it is today. When the Lord cried, “Come now, and let us reason together” (Isa. 1:18), it fell on many deaf ears in those times, as it does in these. When people refuse the merciful invitation of the Gospel, it is their unreasonable way of refusing to consider what their Creator wants to say to them. Our God is longsuffering beyond measure, but we wonder how much longer this will last. —Rick Morse

The angels beckon me from Heaven’s open door,
And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.  —Jim Reeves

1 Kings 19:1-21; Jeremiah 31:1-40; Hebrews 2:1-18

And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise. Hebrews 11:39

At our Vacation Bible School, we have sometimes had a speaker do a chalk drawing and award it to one of the children for answering a question about the message. But that child does not get to take the drawing home with them right away. He must wait until the end of the week. In this way, the drawing serves as a lesson to others, teaching that we must wait to receive God’s promise as He works out His purposes in our lives and uses us as an illustration
to others. —Warren Hagey

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
And scan His work in vain;
God is His own interpreter,
And He will make it plain. —William Cowper

1 Kings 18:1-46; Jeremiah 30:1-24; Hebrews 1:1-14

Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will show thee; And I will make of thee a great nation. Genesis 12:1-2
(Jesus said) If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15

When God spoke to him, Abram could have easily questioned what He directed. But God had given His command and promised what He would do as a reward. Abram responded. Today, God has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings and says keep my commandments. Do we love Him enough to do so? —Ken Gross

Trust and Obey,
For there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey. — John H. Sammis

1 Kings 17:1-24; Jeremiah 29:1-32; Philemon 1:1-25

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised). Hebrews 10:23

Jewish believers were being persecuted and the writer urged them to hold fast to their profession of faith in the Lord Jesus. Likewise, we must not waver in our faith in Christ when faced with problems or trials. Let us be true and faithful to our profession of faith. If any problems arise, we can always draw near with full assurance of faith in Him and let our needs be known. He will be faithful to His promises to help us. —K.C. Ung

God’s promises are true,
He will His own defend,
Arise and shine for Him,
Your light ne’er let grow dim. —A.M. Reynolds

1 Kings 15:33-16:34; Jeremiah 27:1-28:17; Colossians 4:2-18

My times are in Your hand. Psalm 31:15 NKJV

Years ago I sat at the bedside of my younger sister as she lay dying of an aggressive cancer at age 49. It was so sad to see her suffer, though the staff were so kind and caring. She was mostly asleep during those final days but sometimes she woke up and briefly spoke before falling back to sleep. On one occasion she suddenly woke and said, “I’m dying”. I did not know how to respond but others said, “No you are not!” They spoke out of love but it was untrue as she was dying. As I reflected, Ps. 31:15 came to mind, and I wish I had quoted the words. Our times are always in God’s hand
and we never know when He will call us and say our time on earth is over. It is so important to be ready. My sister was, praise God. —Paul Young

When all my labours and trials are oe’r, and I am safe on that beautiful shore,
Just to be near the dear Lord I adore, will through the ages be glory for me.  —C . Gabriel