Category: Uncategorised

Numbers 22:39-23:26; Proverbs 20:1-21:11; James 4:13-5:20

[Elimelech] went to sojourn in the country of Moab. Ruth 1:1
And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech’s. Ruth 4:9

The Lord allowed a great famine to grip Bethlehem (“house of bread”). Elimelech tried to escape this trial by going to Moab, the land of compromise. Boaz remained in Bethlehem and endured the trial. Elimelech died in Moab. Boaz became a part of the Messianic lineage! If the Lord allows a trial in our life, how much better for us to stay near to Him and learn what He has to teach us. Challenging though it may be, it will result in our good and His glory. —Lynn Shatford

Take the world, but give me Jesus, Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey, Light will cheer me all the while.  —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 22:1-38; Proverbs 19:1-29; James 3:1-4:12

When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. Matthew 8:10; Mark 6:6 NKJV

Twice we read that Jesus marveled. Once at the great faith of a Roman centurion, to which the Lord graciously gave testimony to all. The other time He marveled at the lack of faith in His own hometown of Nazareth, yet graciously went about teaching the Word. What does He see when He looks at our faith? Thank God for His grace! —Rex Trogdon

How marvelous, how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous, how wonderful Is my Saviour’s love for me! —Charles H. Gabriel

Numbers 21:1-35; Proverbs 18:1-24; James 2:1-26

Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Romans 8:23

Here, the apostle makes it known, that there is an aspect of our redemption that lies in the future, the redemption of our bodies. The apostle Paul also wrote “Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:22). Just as a future bride is given an engagement ring as a token of future marriage, so the indwelling Holy Spirit is the guarantee of the promise that we will be given glorified bodies, freed from the present effects of the sin
curse that causes us pain, suffering and sorrow. —Willie H. Burnett

With the light of resurrection,
When our changed bodies glow,
And we gain the full perfection,
Of the bliss begun below— Anne R. Cousin

Numbers 20:1-29; Proverbs 17:1-28; James 1:1-27

And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 2 Samuel 15:21

Ittai, a Gentile mercenary from Goliath’s hometown, professed relentless loyalty to his adopted king; much like Ruth, who promised to remain with Naomi, thereby identifying with God and His people. Formerly strangers, by grace they were brought near. Likewise, believers today “are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Eph. 2:13). May our fidelity to Christ be seen by all. —Keith R. Keyser

Soon shall I be from the wicked released,
There shall my joy with the Lord be increased,
Soon shall the faithful forever be blest,
There, there is rest. —C. W. Ainsworth

Numbers 19:1-22; Proverbs 16:1-33; 2 Peter 3:1-18

The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness. 2 Samuel 17:29 NKJV

Is this the state of your soul? Are you tired and hungry and thirsting for God’s presence and Spirit to revive and sustain you? Take heart! Jesus has promised not to leave us comfortless (John 14:18). He has promised never to leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). He has promised eternal life to those who overcome (Rev. 2:7). Also, remember the Lord’s words to Paul: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). May we take courage and find renewed hope in God’s promises today! —Deborah Manera

He who cares for the sparrows and numbers the hairs of our head,
cannot possibly fail us. —Hannah Whitall Smith

Numbers 18:1-32; Proverbs 15:1-33; 2 Peter 2:1-22

Seemeth it to you a light thing to be a king’s son in law, seeing that I am a poor man? I Samuel 18:23
Beloved, now are we the sons of God. I John 3:2

David’s prospect of moving from pasture to palace, from being an unknown shepherd to being the king’s son-in-law, was hard to believe and a responsibility harder to assume. But David’s honour was light compared to yours and mine. We are not the son-in-law of an earthly potentate, but sons of the King of kings and Lord of lords. What an honour! May we bring constant credit to the One who sits on heaven’s throne. —Arnot P. McIntee

I’m a child of the King,
A child of the King;
With Jesus, my Saviour,
I’m a child of the King. —Hattie E. Buell

Numbers 16:41-17:13; Proverbs 14:1-35; 2 Peter 1:1-21

He kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10

The prayer of Daniel reveals his humble heart because though he was a powerful statesman he knelt before Almighty God. He had a regular rhythm of prayer where he left his work and spent time with God three times a day. His prayers were not just petitions but an outpouring of gratitude to God. Though his prayer was personal it was not secret and all knew that was his devotional habit. His prayers brought him into danger and he knew that the death sentence was over him and yet he never stopped praying. May nothing and no one deter us from vital, daily communion with our Lord.  —Paul Young

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire, that trembles in the breast. —J. Montgomery

Numbers 16:1-40; Proverbs 13:1-25; 1 Peter 5:1-14

For the land is mine for ye are strangers and sojourners with me.  Leviticus 25:23

The land mentioned here related to Israel, but the principle applies to us believers. When saved, we hopefully realise that all we own so far as material things are concerned, are the Lord’s. We must be very careful to use our  possessions wisely. We are, at the most, tenants of our lives and possessions, and one day must give an account of our behaviour to the Landlord. —Brian Russell

Search me Oh God, and know my heart,
Know all my thoughts and my ways;
Cleanse me Oh God; give me a pure heart,
That I may see Your face. —Paul Oakley

Numbers 15:1-41; Proverbs 12:1-28; 1 Peter 4:1-19

Ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. Deut. 5:32
Thus have they loved to wander. Jeremiah 14:10

Jeremiah 14:10 is certainly not the epitaph the Lord wishes to be engraved on His people’s lives. To stand and  ponder the world’s enticements invites danger, enabling Satan to cause once careful feet to wander. In times past we may have walked according to the course of this world, but now “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). It is our life to live, but
how will God sum it up? Are we a worthy worker or a woeful wanderer? —David J. Reed

Then my soul shall fear no ill, let Him lead me where He will;
I will go without murmur, and His footsteps follow still.  —Fanny Crosby

Numbers 14:1-45; Proverbs 11:1-31; 1 Peter 3:1-22

He (the Lord) heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. Psalm 147:3 NKJV

It is through the ministry of Christ in our lives that we are healed. Scars remind us of where we have been, but they do not have to dictate where we are going. Healing of limbs can take time, and a genuine shepherd/elder will need to have patience with the flock. Shepherds must not be discouraged that some of the mended sheep may walk with a limp the rest of their lives. They do well if they faithfully encourage mended sheep to press on in the faith, keeping their eyes on Christ. —David A. Dunlap

Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art! —Carl Boberg