Category: Uncategorised

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 27; Job 34-35; Matt. 14:13-36

And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert
place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and
they had no leisure so much as to eat. Mark 6:31

The context shows how demanding the previous days had been,
both physically and spiritually. The Lord was concerned that His
men should have much needed refreshments. The “holiday” which
He arranged for them was truly a “holy day”, for in it they gained
fresh insights into His greatness and power! What a good pattern for
us to follow in our “leisure pursuits”! —G. Hall

Then, fresh from converse with thy Lord, return
And work till daylight softens into even:
The brief hours are not lost in which ye learn,
More of your Master and of His rest in Heaven. —E. Bickersteth

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 26; Job 32-33; Matt. 13:44 to 14:12

Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you?
Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ? For he knew that for
envy they had delivered Him. Matthew 27:17-18

These leaders faced a threat; many of their followers were defecting
to Jesus. The Pharisees were not motivated by godly jealousy for
maintaining truth (2 Cor.11:2) as they would have others believe; it
was carnal envy. This was not the first time or the last, that the works
of the flesh came into play when the things of the Spirit were being
considered. Even true shepherds or parents may not always discern
what really motivates them when they think their position threatened.
Let us be careful to lead with pure motives. —Colin Anderson

If there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free. —J. Edwin Orr

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 25; Job 31; Matt. 13:24-43

And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with Thee, both into
prison, and to death. Luke 22:33

During our Saviour’s sojourn here, the world was cruel towards
Him and unheeding of His message. Eventually they crucified the
Creator and Saviour. This was because the nature of the world and of
the Creator are incompatible—apart from the reconciling grace of
God. Let us not be surprised when the world continues to behave in
the same way. But let us, for our part, continue to hold forth the reconciling
grace of God, until the Lord, in His good time, decides it is
time to call us home. —Mark Fenn

Come see His hands and His feet, the scars that speak of sacrifice,
Hands that flung stars into space, to cruel nails surrendered. —G. Kendrick

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 24; Job 29-30; Matt. 13:1-23

As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness: I shall be
satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness. Psalms 17:15

At least ten times the Psalmist speaks of being satisfied. The world
claims to offer satisfaction, but time after time, to our sorrow, we’ve
found that its waters fail. Its joys are shallow and its pleasures fleeting.
Note Jacob’s response in Genesis 45 when he saw the wagons
sent from Egypt for his deliverance, “It is enough, I will go.”
Concerning the things of Christ, can you say from the depths of your
heart, "It is enough, I am satisfied"? —Wm. H. Gustafson

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

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 23; Job 27-28; Matt. 12:22-50

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth
hour: and He saith unto the Jews, Behold your King! But they cried
out, Away with Him, away with Him, crucify Him. John 19:14-15

In mockery the soldiers gave Him the trappings of a king. For a
royal sceptre, they gave Him a reed; a blood stained, purple robe as
a kingly garment; for a diadem, a crown of thorns and for His throne,
a cross! Kneeling down in front of Him, the Creator of the universe,
they mocked Him, taunting Him as King of the Jews. In a coming day
those same soldiers, along with all the rest of creation will bow their
knees again, but this time to acknowledge Him as King of kings and
Lord of Lords. Let us freely do so today. —Drew Craig

The head that once was crowned with thorns, is crowned with glory now;
A royal diadem adorns the mighty victor’s brow. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 22; Job 25-26; Matt. 12:1-21

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone,
Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and
there is no breath at all in the midst of it. But the LORD is in His
holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him. Hab. 2:19-20

What a contrast between God and idols. People speak to their
idols and get only silence. When God speaks, all are to be silent. Yet
even when He is silent, God speaks. As a sheep, silent before its
shearers (Isa 53:7), the Lord Jesus spoke volumes about His hatred of
sin and love for sinners. As the Just suffered for the unjust, He taught
us about God’s justice and grace, His mercy and wrath. Friend, listen
to God’s message and trust Christ today. —George Ferrier

Jesus bruised and put to shame, tells me all Jehovah’s name;
God is love, I surely know by the Saviour’s depths of woe. —R. C. Chapman

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 20-21; Job 23-24; Matt. 11:2-30

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a
far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:17

How often do we wonder why the Lord delays in answering our
prayers? In the age in which we live, we are used to the quick fix. We
want the Lord to reveal His will to us right now. Why then does He
make us wait? Perhaps He has an even better plan for us, just over the
horizon. Or perhaps in waiting, our faith is strengthened. In either
case, let’s look at waiting on the Lord as a blessing, and not a burden.
Wait on Him today. —L. Richard

I’m waiting, I’m waiting on you Lord
and I am peaceful, I’m waiting on You Lord,
Though its not easy, but faithfully I will wait.—John Waller

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 19; Job 22; Matt. 10:24 to 11:1

For the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Sam. 16:7

If our value to society was measured by the size of our house or
our bank account, many would have little influence. The misfit and
those who are limited would be overlooked as insignificant. But in
the sight of the Lord, these are often the real heroes of faith. God the
Creator, wisely teaches and trains each one of His children for service
here below and later in heaven above. His ultimate goal is to have
us conformed to the image of His Son. Are we like Him? —E. Dyck

And is it so, I shall be like Thy Son?
Is this the grace which He for me has won?
Father of glory (thought beyond all thought),
In glory, to His blest image brought. —J. N. Darby

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 18; Job 21; Matt. 10:1-23

The just upright man is laughed to scorn. Job 12:4

This is Job’s response to his accusing, so called friends. How
painful when a believer is ridiculed by the world, but how much
worse when by fellow saints. Thank God there is always one that
understands—the One who was wounded verbally and physically in
the house of his friends (Zech. 13:6). —Brian Russell

All the paths the saints are treading,
He once trod, the Son of God;
All the sorrows we are feeling,
He has felt upon the road. —J. A. Trench.

DAILY READINGS: Gen. 17; Job 20; Matt. 9:18-38

They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun
smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even
by the springs of water shall He guide them. Isaiah 49:10

God’s people are seen labouring in the heat of the day, distressed
and suffering hunger and thirst. But God is merciful and promises to
guide them towards and lead them beside springs of water. This suggests
refreshment in abundance and rest in adequate measure. In
mercy He did it for the Israelites as He brought them out of Egypt
and He is able and willing to do it again for you today. —Roy Hill

When I faint with summer’s heat,
Thou shalt guide my weary feet;
To the streams that still and slow,
Thro’ the verdant pastures flow. —James Merrick