Category: Uncategorised

1 Kings 15:1-32; Jeremiah 26:1-24; Colossians 3:5-4:1

The messenger…spake unto him (Micaiah), saying, Behold…the words of the prophets declare good unto the king…let thy word …be like the word of one of them, and speak that which is good. And Micaiah said, As the Lord liveth, what the Lord saith unto me, that will I speak. 1 Kings 22:13-14

The prophet Micaiah refused to follow popular opinion, but without fear of man proclaimed exactly what God told him. This is the type of preacher needed today. One who faithfully declares only what the Bible says, whether the world calls it “politically incorrect” or not. “Thy word is truth” (John 17:17). —David Croudace

When the earth shall cease to be, and the heavens pass away,
The unchanging Word of God we’ll see, just as it is today. —Charles Naylor

1 Kings 13:33-14:31; Jeremiah 24:1-25:38; Colossians 2:8-3:4

Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek. Hebrews 5:6
Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedek. Hebrews 5:10

The answer as to why the Lord Jesus, the “priest” of Hebrews 5:6, is later referred to as “high priest” in verse 10 lies between the two quotations. In Psalm 110:4, God declared Christ to be a priest “for ever” after the order of Melchizedek. Thus His office was unique— He was the only one. As a result of His suffering and death, however, the Aaronic order has been terminated, and a whole new family of priests, “holy” and “royal” (1 Peter 2:5, 9), now look to
Him as their “high priest”. —Phil Coulson

Jesus, in Thee our eyes behold,
A thousand glories more;
Than the rich gems and polished gold,
The sons of Aaron wore. —Isaac Watts

1 Kings 13:1-32; Jeremiah 23:1-40; Colossians 1:21-2:7

And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts. Matthew 8:34

The demoniacs’ dramatic conversions led the townspeople to investigate the Lord for themselves. Sadly, they promptly asked Him to leave. They were accustomed to these violently possessed men. No doubt they could think of numerous dysfunctionally sinful people in their community. But they could not fathom the love that transformed
these debased men into new creatures. The newly saved are sometimes rejected by their loved ones because the lost are frightened by God’s power that frees from sin and produces spiritual fruit. Wickedness they comprehend, but grace is inscrutable. —Keith R. Keyser

Ungrateful sinners, whence this scorn of long-extended grace?
And whence this madness, that insults the Almighty to His face?—P. Doddridge

1 Kings 12:1-33; Jeremiah 21:1-22:30; Colossians 1:1-20

The Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the captains, and he said: “We are yours, O David; We are on your side…Peace…and peace to your helpers! For your God helps you. 1 Chronicles 12:8 NKJV

Amasai was a spiritual man, and the chief of the captains. Under his authority was a band of discontented, and unpromising men. But because they were willing to follow David, their rejected king, Scripture tells us that they became a band of mighty men. In a remarkable way, the Lord Jesus, of whom David is a picture, has redeemed misfit sinners like you and me, and brought us into fellowship with Himself. We are honoured to gather to His name,
(Matt. 18:20), to “endure hardship” for Him (2 Tim. 2:3-4), and soon we shall “reign with Him forever and ever” (Rev. 22:5). — Jim Comte

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ. —E. Rusthoi

1 Kings 11:1-43; Jeremiah 19:1-20:15; Philippians 4:2-23

The things that thou hast heard of me…the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

An Old Testament example of transferring truth to a fourth generation is instructive. In youth, Samuel learned the sanctity of God’s presence (1 Sam. 3:11-21). He likely conveyed it to David while they lived together (1 Sam. 19:18). David longed for a place for God’s presence in Jerusalem and contributed greatly to Solomon’s building of the temple. Sadly, Solomon’s transfer to the fourth generation failed. Rehoboam prioritized taxes, not God’s temple, and the kingdom divided through Solomon’s failure. Notably, however, prosperous kings in Judah walked in David’s ways, but the succession had broken links. Timothy apparently succeeded in his responsibility. Will we? —David W. Oliver

Jesus is coming! The promise is true;
Who are the chosen, the faithful, the few? —Daniel Whittle

1 Kings 10:1-29; Jeremiah 18:1-23; Philippians 3:1-4:1

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king. 2 Kings 22:1 NKJV
There was no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart. 2 Kings 23:25

It is truly amazing to see the spiritual growth of King Josiah. At the age of 26 he made spiritual decisions which men of double his age failed to activate. Sometimes we see this maturity in young spiritual men and women today. Let us “oldies” encourage and support them, and not despise their youth (1 Tim. 4:12). —Brian Russell

Oh, use me, Lord, use even me,
Just as Thou wilt, and when, and where,
Until Thy blessed face I see,
Thy rest, Thy joy, Thy glory share.  —Frances Ridley Havergal

1 Kings 9:1-28; Jeremiah 17:1-27; Philippians 2:12-30

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him. Luke 23:33

Many amazing things happened at Calvary. We cannot even begin to appreciate it as we should. Such words as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness and sanctification all belong there. It was there that we received salvation and were delivered from condemnation for our sins. Let us meditate on the import of all these things and praise our great God and Saviour for what He has done. —K.J.W.

Calvary covers it all;
My sin and shame, don’t count anymore
All praise to the One, who has ransomed my soul,
Calvary covers it all. —Jonas Myrin, Reuben Morgan

1 Kings 8:31-66; Jeremiah 16:1-21; Philippians 1:21-2:11

Neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

There are high costs to being submissive to the will of God. But some things are more important than life itself. To do the will of God, and “live Christ”, is of greater value in life than to be successful. This is why there is no reason to despair, or for thinking we are defeated when setbacks come. These conditions are sometimes necessary for our learning and discipline. Focus on what God wants, not on what we or others might want. Enduring suffering is
one of the ways in which character is built. —Gaius C. Goff

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials, though the whole world against me convene;
Watching with prayer and much self-denial, I’ll triumph at last, with nothing between. —C.A. Tindley

1 Kings 8:1-30; Jeremiah 15:1-21; Philippians 1:1-20

God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow. Philippians 2:9-10 NKJV

His radiant beauties outshine the brightest and the best that a broken world could ever produce. His excellent glories outnumber the attributes and credentials of all others. The value and preciousness of His sacrifice outweighs the greatest undertakings down through the ages. The triumph of the cross and His resurrection outstrips all other victories. Worship and adore Him today. —Peter Ramsay

My heart is full of Christ, and longs, its glorious matter to declare!
Of Him I make my loftier songs, I cannot from His praise forbear;
My ready tongue makes haste to sing the glories of my heavenly King.  —C. Wesley

1 Kings 7:1-51; Jeremiah 14:1-22; Ephesians 6:10-24

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1

This verse is breathtakingly profound. It captures in a few words that staggering mystery of the Person of Christ. He is eternal: “In the beginning was the Word”. He exists separately from God: “and the Word was with God”. He is equal to God: “And the Word was God”. Volumes could be written on this single verse. And yet He can be known by anyone who will accept Him as Saviour. He will be the eternal provider and companion of every believer. Do you know Him? —Brian Gunning

Thou art the everlasting Word,
The Father’s only Son;
God manifestly seen and heard,
And Heav’n’s belovèd one. —Josiah Conder