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DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 28:1-37; Amos 3-4; Luke 14:1-24

 

Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.    Psalm 50:14-15

 

Here are two essentials, if we would walk with the Lord: a spirit of thankfulness, and the discharging of commitments already made to Him. Thus strengthened, we shall not be overwhelmed in “the day of trouble” when it comes upon us. Even in the darkest hour, we are assured of an outcome which will be both for God’s glory, and for our blessing.    —George Hall

 

I’ll bless the hand that guided;
I’ll bless the heart that planned,
When throned where glory dwelleth,
In Immanuel’s land. —A. R. Cousin

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 26:16 to 27:26; Amos 1-2; Luke 13:22-35

 

The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.    Proverbs 3:19

 

It is God who created all the things and established the principles of nature. It was not Mother Nature, but our Father God! This knowledge assures us that God has all things under control. Our calling is to be good stewards of His creation, but we need not worry about the bigger picture. He is above it all. We must hold firmly to this and not waver from it so we will have perfect peace and enjoy the confidence that God’s Word gives. We know our Lord is upholding all things by the Word of His power.    —G. Frear

 

Trust in God and do the right. Though the road be rough and dreary,
And its end far out of sight, foot it bravely; strong or weary.
—N. MacLeod

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 25 to 26:15; Jonah 3-4; Luke 13:1-21

 

I will take joy.    Habakkuk 3:18 (ESV)

 

When you reach into your closet this morning, will you “take joy”?   Habakkuk could have taken fear, after all, the fig trees were not going to blossom, nor the vines bear grapes. He could have taken panic—the fields of grain, ripe and ready to harvest, faced total destruction. Despair would have been a reasonable attitude seeing his investments in flocks and herds were wiped out. But Habakkuk chose joy instead. “Joy in the God of my salvation” (Hab. 3:18). Let us this day honour the Lord by trustingly choosing to “take joy.”    —M. MacMullen

There is a rest in every woe, there is a refuge from the foe;
There is a peace this world can’t know: it’s in His name
—J. Simon

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 23:9 to 24:22; Jonah 1-2; Luke 12:41-59

 

I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.    Psalm 102:7

 

The lonely sparrow keeps its vigil atop the storm-swept roof. Protection, companionship and hope are unknown as he keeps his watch and waits. Calvary’s solitary vigil, too, was kept. There was no need for its silent sufferer to watch. He had been forsaken! Without protection, companionship and hope, He died for you and me. With full hearts may our worship be sweet today.    —Arnot P. McIntee

 

Alone, alone, He bore it all alone.
He gave Himself to save His own;
He suffered, bled and died,
Alone, alone. —Ben H. Price

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 22 to 23:8; Joel 3; Luke 12:22-40

 

There is one God; and one mediator between God and men; the man Christ Jesus.    1 Timothy 2:5

 

If God were some austere and distant figure, unable or unwilling to reveal Himself to man in love and grace, man would be in a most dreadful position. But standing between us (in all our need), and God (in His unbending righteousness) is one great mediator; God the Son. The Father is well pleased with Him. Yet He loves us to the extent that He died for us. He is the perfect and unfailing mediator between God and us. God the Father is reachable only through that mediator. But, thankfully, in this work He never fails.    —Doug Kazen

 

Though many a fiery, flaming dart, the tempter levels at my heart,
With this I all his rage repel; my Jesus has done all things well.
—S. Medley

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 20-21; Joel 2; Luke 12:1-21

 

For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.    2 Kings 17:12

 

The previous five verses in this chapter outline the long history of Israel’s idolatrous practices that led to their captivity by the
Assyrians. Their sinful lusts had brought disaster upon themselves! In this present evil age, we would do well to heed the warning of John. “Dear children, keep as with a garrison, yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21, Newberry’s margin) – whatever form they may take!        —Pete Smith

Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us;
Saying, Christian, love Me more.
—C. F. Alexander

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 18:9 to 19:21; Joel 1; Luke 11:37-54

 

Then I proclaimed a fast there … that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones and for all our substance.    Ezra 8:21

 

Ezra’s prayer in preparation for his return to Jerusalem reflected a heart-felt concern for three vital areas in the life of the nation: their personal walk, their posterity and their possessions. He wanted to ensure that the influences of seventy years in Babylon were nullified by finding the “right way” for the nation. Preceded by prayer and humble dependence upon the Lord, we too will be shown the divine corrective to the influences of the world around us, so that we may find the “right way” to proceed with our faith, family and finances.    —Mark Kolchin

 

Lift high the cross of Christ! Tread where his feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man, rise up, O men of God! —W. Merrill

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 17 to 18:8; Obadiah; Luke 11:14-36

 

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.    Mark 5:20

William Murdoch was an acclaimed Scottish inventor, a giant of the Industrial Revolution. Lord Kelvin, referring to Murdoch’s greatest invention—gas lighting, said that Murdoch did “great things for the whole world.” Perhaps at that time he did but nobody remembers it much now. In contrast the Lord Jesus did great things for the whole world for all eternity. His work opened heaven’s door. Will you enter into the blessings of the great things He has done?—Brian Powlesland

 

To God be the glory! Great things He hath done:
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son.
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the Life-gate that all may go in. —Ira D. Sankey

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 16; Song of Sol. 6:10 to 8:14; Luke 11:1-13

 

The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 
Psalm 19:8

The commands and principles of the Bible, “rejoice the heart.” The world has its principles which end in sorrow and defeat. “Go with the flow.” “Everyone’s doing it.” “Look out for number one.” In contrast, God’s principles bring joy to our hearts. Because they are pure they lead to pure lives. Because they enlighten the eyes, they bestow wisdom. Truly, more to be desired are they than gold and in the keeping of them there is great reward. (Ps. 19:8-11).    —Milton Haack

 

The Bible stands like a rock undaunted,
’Mid the raging storms of time;
Its pages burn with the truth eternal,
And they glow with a light sublime. —H. Lillenas

 

DAILY?READINGS: Deut. 13-14:21; Song of Sol. 3:6-5:1; Luke 10:1-24

 

All Thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia.    Psalm 45:8

 

The garments of the Saviour were all fragrant, whether the swaddling bands of His nativity; the seamless robe of the days of His ministry; the linen towel of His humility in the upper room when He washed the disciples’ feet; the purple robe with which they dressed Him in mockery; the linen grave clothes in which He was wrapped for His burial. Some excellency of His Person pervades every garment and makes Him precious to God, and sweet to His people.        —Jim Flanigan

 

My Lord has garments so wondrous fine,
And myrrh their texture fills;
Its fragrance reached to this heart of mine,
With joy my being thrills. —H. Barraclough