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2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

The Dayspring from on high has visited us. Luke 1:78 NKJV

After a long silence, Zacharias’ Spirit-filled praise affirmed the angel’s message to him (vv. 17, 76) and John’s significance for Israel. Zacharias gives two thrilling, unique descriptors of the coming Lord. He calls Him the “horn of salvation” (v. 69), anticipating Christ’s imminent and future appearances, “mighty to save” (Isa. 63:1). He also calls Him the “Dayspring from on high” (v. 78). For centuries Israel walked in the darkness of divine silence (Isa. 9:2). Christ’s blazing sunrise was unwelcomed, although the “Sun of righteousness” (Mal. 4:2) will yet arise. By grace, we believers have welcomed that “Light” (John 1:7) and now “walk in the light” (1 John 1:7) of God’s presence. —David W. Oliver

Walk in the light, and thou shalt find Thy heart made truly His.
Who dwells in cloudless light enshrined, in whom no darkness is.—B. Barton

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

What is thy beloved more than another beloved?…Yea, he is altogether lovely. Song of Solomon 5:9, 16

In this touching love story, the bride is challenged as to why her beloved is so much greater than any other. She immediately responds with a detailed description of her loved one, revealing her intimate knowledge of him. How would you respond if asked why your Saviour (the lover of your soul), is greater than any other? Do you know Him so well, that your heart would spontaneously proclaim, “Yea, He is altogether lovely!”? — E. V.

You are beautiful beyond description, too marvelous for words;
Too wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard;
Who can grasp Your infinite mercy, who can fathom the depths of Your love?
You are beautiful beyond description, majesty enthroned above.  —Mark Altrogge

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1b NKJV

A man set out to row his dinghy home. Little did he realize that, as a prank, some of the locals had attached a bucket to the underside of his boat making it almost impossible to make any headway. As we walk life’s road to heaven are we struggling with a burden upon our back or a weight on our shoulders? Throw off the weights and press on to the finish line. —Janet Fleming

Are you carrying baggage; a sin that easily does ensnare?
Throw off those things which hinder, that cause us to despair.
Forgetting those things behind you, on Jesus fix your eyes,
Run with all endurance, and press on to win the prize.  —Janet Fleming

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

There thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun… Deuteronomy 16:6
And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. Mark 16:2
From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord’s name is to be praised. Psalm 113:3

Our God is worthy of praise at any time, throughout all the hours of the day! There is no shortage of reasons also as to why He should receive our praise and worship. Perhaps you’ll agree, that besides His glorious Person, the events surrounding His death and resurrection are two of our greatest themes for praise! —Pete Smith

Praise the Lord, who died to save us, praise His ever gracious Name.
Praise Him that He lives to bless us; now and evermore the same. – Thomas Kelly

2 Samuel 8:1-9:13; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Romans 14:19-15:13

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. Proverbs 10:11
With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Is. 12:3
There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water. John 4:7

When the woman of Samaria headed for the well that day she had no idea who she would meet or what she would obtain! Her intention was to draw water from the well but Scripture does not record her doing so. In conversing with the Lord she found that His words were a well of life to her and she ended up drawing water from the wells of salvation. What a blessing for her! Have you experienced this blessing too? —Philip A. Kaye

We are feeding on the living Bread,
We are drinking at the Fountain-head;
And whoso drinketh, Jesus said,
Shall never, never thirst again! —Isaac Watts

2 Samuel 7:1-29; Nahum 2:1-3:19; Romans 14:1-18

Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ…For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God… 2  Corinthians 10:1, 3-4

Are you in turmoil just now, struggling over which battle strategy will ultimately win and settle the perplexing  matter? Under attack, Paul confronted the pressing issues with the meekness and gentleness of Christ. Such an inner disposition of humility and calmness towards God and an outward expression of mildness and patient endurance amid negativity is not only Christlike; it reveals spiritual maturity and finally wins. —Peter Ramsay

May the mind of Christ my Saviour, live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling, all I do and say. —Kate B. Wilkinson

2 Samuel 6:1-23; Nahum 1:1-15; Romans 13:1-14

A threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

From Exodus 17: The battle lines were drawn. The Amalekites against Moses and his host of two-legged sheep. Amalek must have anticipated an easy victory! But they forgot that they were fighting against the Lord. How He won amazes us—a simple, threefold cord. Down below was Joshua, the frontline fighter, his sword wielded. But he was strengthened while another raised his arms to God. The interceding Moses lifted his prayers. But Moses and his weary arms were helped by others too. Their task was to support him in the task he was to do. A three fold cord still works today. Frontline workers. Intercessors. Burden-bearers too. There is a special part to play for someone just like you. —Brian Cretney

The battle is the Lord’s! Stand still, my soul, and view;
The great salvation God has wrought, revealed for you. —E. M. Clarkson

2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21

Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. 2 Chronicles 3:3

When God has a pattern for anything, it is ridiculous to think we could improve on it by additions, deletions, or modifications. As this was true of the temple, so it is true of our families, our assemblies, and our lives. When man-made things aren’t working, we are wise to consult the owner’s manual to fix them. As the Creator and Sustainer of all things, God’s “owner’s manual” is the Scriptures. If we follow His pattern, the outcome will be as it should be, and will be both for His glory and our benefit. —Rick Morse

Master, speak! And make me ready,
When Thy voice is truly heard;
With obedience glad and steady,
Still to follow every word. —Frances R. Havergal

2 Samuel 3:1-39; Micah 6:1-16; Romans 11:13-36

By faith Moses…esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  Hebrews 11:24, 26 NKJV

Moses made conscious choices. He said no to what Egypt offered and yes to identifying with Christ. Moses said no to the prestige of being called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; no to the pleasures of sin and the treasures of Egypt. He said yes to the reproach of identification with the promise of the Messiah, and yes to association with God’s people. Egypt pictures the world and the choices are similar for believers today. “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (Jas. 4:4 NKJV). —Gary McBride

Take the world but give me Jesus, all its joys are but a name:
But His love abideth ever, through eternal years the same.  —Fanny Crosby

2 Samuel 2:1-32; Micah 4:9-5:15; Romans 11:1-12

The sword of Goliath the Philistine…..There is none like that; give it to me. 1 Samuel 21:9
The word of God is…sharper than any two-edged sword. Hebrews 4:12

David had proven Goliath’s sword when he removed the owner’s head with it. He saw what it could accomplish when skillfully handled. May you and I know from personal experience what can be conquered by the living and powerful sword of God’s Word. Let us use it today for His glory, the consolation of the saints and the conviction of sinners. —Arnot P. McIntee

Oh blessed Word, O gracious Word,
We love it more and more;
O may it be our strength and sword
Till earthly strife is o’er. —L. W. Munhall