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Eli was a father who failed to discipline his sons. May I encourage parents to guide your children in the formative years. Guide them by example and instruction. Restrain them, that is, hold the reins. The rider uses the reins to direct the horse, loose enough to allow it to gallop yet without losing control. There is a wise balance that God can give in training your children. Discipline is “a strict training of the mind or character” or “obedience to the rules and commands.” It takes time, but it is so worthwhile. —James Comte

Jesus had initially chosen the twelve that they might be with Him. For more than three years they had been His companions, His friends, His little flock, but now, when it seemed that He needed them most, He was to be left—alone! He would be alone in the palace of the high priest; alone before Pilate and Herod; alone on the cross as a holy Sinbearer, forsaken even by God. What a lonely Man He was! —Jim Flanigan

Should Christians fight for their rights, when facing opposition from the world? This story gives the answer. The Israelites were facing fierce opposition but God said, “Stand still!” That took faith! Today, as we face increasing opposition, we too must stand still, commit each situation to the Lord and trust Him to fight the battle. The world will then know that God is God, and we will have His peace in our heart (Phil 4:7).—David Croudace

In the words “grace for grace” is the image of a fast-flowing river. Each moment, displacement of water is instantly matched by an equal replacement. There is no lessening of either quantity or quality. So it is with Divine grace; that vast reservoir is always full, whatever our needs may be. Do not hesitate to draw from it today!—George Hall

This verse urges us to sing a new song, for “Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.” Streams flow between river banks, banks that change little from year to year. But the streams are always new, always fresh. So my needs may remain constant but His mercies are new every morning. If I focus on the river banks—hard, rocky, unchanging, I will find little to sing about, but if I look at the streams of mercies, rushing toward me, sparkling clear, fresh, then my songs will burst out, in praise to the Giver of those mercies. —Marilyn MacMullen

Who gave—a supreme sacrifice! Himself—an enormous cost! For our sins—a heavy burden! That He might deliver us—a great rescue! From this present evil age—a satanic environment! According to the will of God and our Father—a divine purpose! To whom be glory forever and ever—an eternal joy! —Jim Paul

Regarding the word of the Lord Jesus in creation, we read, "For He spake and it was done: He commanded, and it stood fast," (Ps.33:9). But when it came to our redemption, the Lord was silent, to the extent that Pilate and Herod marveled that He did not say a word in His defence. No! His silence demonstrated His voluntary submission to the will of the Father. May the Lord give us wisdom to know when to speak and when to be silent. Reaching souls for Christ does not mean winning arguments, but humbly presenting Christ, and leaving the Spirit to do His work. —W. H. Burnett

Hezekiah had a very self-centred evaluation of what was “good”. Christendom is abounding with those who teach only to entertain and flatter. They draw great crowds, boast of great growth, and enjoy great popularity. Whose evaluation matters? Mine, or the Lord’s? Thankfully, He looks on the inside, and the one sinner that repents or the believer who sincerely yields is His true delight. Christ-centred worship and service is what really matters to Him, and so it should be with us too. —Rick Morse

We meet to remember our Lord today not because of our own merit or what we have done. We meet to remember Him because of His merit and what He has done. We are also being obedient to His command, “This do in remembrance of me”. May we meet today not out of a sense of tradition or formality but as a privilege to remember the One who first remembered us. —John M. Clegg

In the chapter which follows this one, there are three lives in a storm, a man, a woman, and a child. The man is in bondage; the woman is in weariness; the child is dead and her family is in mourning. But the word of the Psalmist is true, “He maketh the storm a calm,” (Psalm 107.29). The man is delivered by a word; the woman is healed by a touch; Jesus gently takes the little girl by the hand. In His own way He calms the storms in their lives and to us He would say, “Why are ye so fearful”.—Jim Flanigan