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The LORD is near Daily Devotional for 2022

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Saturday, December 31, 2022 No Signs for the Rapture I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:2–3 No Signs for the Rapture Everyone who has read the Gospel of John has noticed its distinct character, especially in relationship to the other three Gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Someone has gone to the trouble of calculating that 93% of John’s Gospel is unique material, with only 3% found in the other Gospels—while we cannot vouch for the strict accuracy of this calculation, the impression it leaves is...More Friday, December 30, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (10)—A Man Made to Speak They brought to Him a dumb man possessed by a demon. Matthew 9:32 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (10)—A Man Made to Speak In our unsaved state we have nothing to say. We can speak neither to God nor for God. As believers in the Lord Jesus our lips should now bear fruit (Heb. 13:15). There is no discrete account of the Lord healing someone who was only dumb. In other cases—recorded by Matthew and Mark—the sufferer was also blind or deaf or demon-possessed, or a combination of these. If we are not seeing the Lord’s glory, if we are not listening to His Word, if our hearts are filled with...More Thursday, December 29, 2022 Boldly Seeking the Lord’s Direction Then Jonathan said, “Very well, let us cross over to these men, and we will show ourselves to them. If they say thus to us, ‘Wait until we come to you,’ then we will stand still in our place and not go up to them. But if they say thus, ‘Come up to us,’ then we will go up. For the Lord has delivered them into our hand, and this will be a sign to us.” 1 Samuel 14:8–10 Boldly Seeking the Lord’s Direction The Philistines had invaded Israel with 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and a vast army. Saul had disobeyed God’s word and now cowered under a pomegranate tree with only 600 men....More Wednesday, December 28, 2022 The Authority of Christ All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 The Authority of Christ Authority is the right to exercise power. History has borne out the truth of what British politician, Lord Acton, in the 18th century said: “Power tends to corrupt; and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This has been the track record of emperors and kings. The more power they acquired, the less their sense of morality. Jesus rode into Jerusalem to exercise His power as the King of Israel. He began by cleansing the temple, thus securing God’s rights. But the Scribes and Pharisees...More Tuesday, December 27, 2022 The Unsuitableness of Lofty Claims But as for us, Jehovah is our God, and we have not forsaken Him … we keep the charge of Jehovah our God … we have God with us. 2 Chronicles 13:10–12 The Unsuitableness of Lofty Claims Doesn’t that sound impressive! The speaker’s name was King Abijah of Judah, a man whose “heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God” (1 Ki. 15:3). The occasion was the eve of a major battle against the ten-tribe kingdom of Israel. Actually a number of things in Abijah’s speech were true. He certainly knew something of Israel’s history and God’s promises. He had no problem describing how bad others...More Monday, December 26, 2022 The Believer’s Union With Christ But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Romans 8:9 The Believer’s Union With Christ The believer is not in the flesh, but in the Spirit; he is in Christ; he has died out of his old Adam standing in the death of Jesus, and has been quickened, raised up, and seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. He has been born of the Spirit, and is indwelt by the Spirit. He has been brought out and brought in. Hence Scripture speaks of us as “accepted in the Beloved,” “complete in Him,” “preserved in Christ Jesus,” and “sanctified in Christ Jesus.” We are a new creation in...More Sunday, December 25, 2022 God’s Pleasure in Men Fear not … I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10–11 God’s Pleasure in Men In the area around Bethlehem, shepherds were staying overnight, taking care of their animals in the fields. One day, sheep that qualified would be presented to God as a sacrifice, according to the Mosaic Law. Is it not amazing? The Baby that was resting in the manger, a feeding trough, so close to the animals, would ultimately be “the Lamb of God” sacrificed to take away “the sin of the...More Saturday, December 24, 2022 Peace on Earth And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. Luke 2:7; John 1:14 Peace on Earth Each recurring Christmastime gives occasion to emphasize anew the wonderful story of the love of God—a love that led Him to send His one-and-only Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Christianity rests on three great pillars: the Incarnation,...More Friday, December 23, 2022 Touching the Leper Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40–42 Touching the Leper According to the Law, a leper was unclean and had to live outside the camp of Israel alone, and cry out “Unclean! Unclean!” when someone approached (Lev. 13:45–46). This leper approached Jesus, knelt down to Him and asked for...More Thursday, December 22, 2022 Faithful Shepherds I will raise up shepherds over them, who shall feed them; and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, saith Jehovah. Jeremiah 23:4 Faithful Shepherds The spiritual leaders of Jeremiah’s day were easy to identify. In Jeremiah 23, God Himself called them “the shepherds that feed My people” (v. 2). They were responsible to tend Jehovah’s flock, nourishing them in good pastures, and probably anyone who spent time observing the Lord’s people could have pointed them out. But this passage exposes those shepherds as frauds. Although they had a...More Wednesday, December 21, 2022 Jonathan’s Certainty “You shall not only show me the kindness of the Lord while I still live, that I may not die; but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the Lord has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “Let the Lord require it at the hand of David’s enemies.” 1 Samuel 20:14–16 Jonathan’s Certainty When Saul comes to Naioth, David flees. However, he still holds on to the hope that he will be able to take his place again at court, and he comes back to seek advice from his...More Tuesday, December 20, 2022 Occupy Till I Come To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Matthew 25:15 Occupy Till I Come The visible aspect of the kingdom was postponed when the Lord was rejected. There could be no kingdom on earth without the King. But before His departure to heaven, He gave His servants varying amounts of talents, according to their ability, to be utilized for Him until He returned at a later date. In Matthew’s account, the one with five talents doubled his in trading; and the one with two talents also doubled his two....More Monday, December 19, 2022 His Name Is Wonderful Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given … And His name will be called Wonderful. Isaiah 9:6 His Name Is Wonderful “Wonderful,” what does that word mean to us? It means fullness of awe, amazing, arousing wonder, unusually good. Perhaps these words express our thoughts as we think about Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon or other natural wonders of the world, but they cannot adequately express the fullness of the person of the Lord Jesus. When we consider that the Almighty, the Creator God, became Man, that He, the One by whom all things were created, and by whom all things...More Sunday, December 18, 2022 The True Offering They brought [Jesus] to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord) ... and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.” Luke 2:22–24 The True Offering The Child Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after His birth. He was named “Jesus” according to the instructions the angel Gabriel had given Mary before she conceived Him through the Holy Spirit. Forty days after His birth, another ceremony took place when they brought the Child to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. “Every...More Saturday, December 17, 2022 God’s Sovereignty Before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord … the Lord called Samuel. 1 Samuel 3:3–4 God’s Sovereignty Man may fail but God does not. He raises up new servants to replace those who have failed to carry out His purposes. This does not make Him indifferent or mechanical towards human failure, but He is not limited or controlled by it. At least two verses in this chapter illustrate the failure of Israel: “the Word of the Lord was rare in those days” (v. 1), giving evidence that the people were in no condition to receive revelations from the Lord. And Eli the...More Friday, December 16, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (9)—Two Blind Men Two blind men followed Him, crying and saying, Have mercy on us, Son of David. Matthew 9:27 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (9)—Two Blind Men Giving sight to the blind evidenced that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of David. He is recorded as healing seven blind men: (1) here, two near Capernaum who call upon Him as Son of David; (2) in Matthew 12:22–23, one who was also demon-possessed and dumb, resulting in the crowds recognizing Jesus as Son of David; (3) in Matthew 20:29–34, two near Jericho who likewise recognize Him; (4) in Mark...More Thursday, December 15, 2022 They Shall Shine “They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts, “On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him.” Malachi 3:17 They Shall Shine God presents to us here the few faithful souls, humble and hidden, who were going to have the honor of welcoming His Son at His coming down to earth. They are His jewels; their names are enshrined in His book of remembrance (Mal. 3:16), and the Gospels bring some of them to our acquaintance: Zacharias and Elizabeth, Joseph and Mary, Simeon, and Anna. Are you in the little band of those today who fear the Lord,...More Wednesday, December 14, 2022 Doing Good to All Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. So they all ate and were filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them. Luke 9:16–17 Doing Good to All Here we see the precious grace of the Lord Jesus beautifully displayed and seen here as a provision for the needs of every soul who will receive it. The five loaves and two fish are multiplied to meet the needs of all, with twelve baskets left over. As He blesses this provision with prayer to His God and...More Tuesday, December 13, 2022 The One at the Top of the Ladder [Jacob] dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven. Genesis 28:12 The One at the Top of the Ladder Jacob had the assurance of the Lord’s support, for He said, “I … will keep you wherever you go” (v. 15). In like manner, the Epistle to the Hebrews very blessedly unfolds to us the priestly grace of the Lord that supports us in our journey through this world. The Lord, at the top of the ladder, is keeping His feeble, failing saints who are at the bottom of the ladder. In Hebrews 7, we learn that the One who is made higher than the heavens ever lives...More Monday, December 12, 2022 Christ Our Savior (12)—The Father Sent the Son. And we have seen, and testify, that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14 Christ Our Savior (12)—The Father Sent the Son In our final meditation on the Lord Jesus as Savior, we go back to what was from the beginning. This is one of John’s themes (1 Jn. 1:1, 2:7, etc.). The relationship of the Father and the Son is eternal. The Son was loved by the Father before the foundation of the world (Jn. 17:24). Let us hold fast this truth! The apostle John could say that “we,” the apostles, had seen and could testify of this wonderful fact that the Son had been...More Sunday, December 11, 2022 Linked With the Redeemer Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead. Revelation 1:5 Linked With the Redeemer The Creator-God cannot die, but He stepped into manhood in order to die for God’s glory, as the whole human race had dishonored Him. The Lord Jesus entered the world He had created, where “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) and the whole creation suffers (8:22), but He honored God. He also came to die—once the appointed time had come—as the ultimate Sacrifice to glorify God and for our salvation. Luke put all these things in their actual historic and geographic context. He told...More Saturday, December 10, 2022 Follow and Serve Christ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. John 12:26 Follow and Serve Christ Certain Greeks had come to Jerusalem to worship at the Passover feast. While there, they asked about Jesus and expressed their desire to see Him. Perhaps they had heard that Jesus had come into Jerusalem riding upon a donkey’s colt. According to the prophet Zechariah, the coming King would present Himself to the nation of Israel in this lowly manner, as the Son of David. When Andrew and Philip came to tell Jesus that...More Friday, December 9, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (8)—A Ruler’s Daughter My daughter has by this died; but come and lay Thy hand upon her. Matthew 9:18 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (8)—A Ruler’s Daughter This eighth miracle is closely connected with the seventh (the woman with the issue of blood). They are recorded by Matthew in a single story. In the immediate response of the Lord Jesus to the grieving father’s plea, we see His wonderful sympathy. He “rose up and followed him.” He, the Master, whose call throughout this section is, “Follow me,” did not hesitate Himself to follow a needy sinner. His mission, having been interrupted by the...More Thursday, December 8, 2022 Identity We know that we are of the truth. 1 John 3:19 Identity A friend of mine once had his personal identification card stolen. A few days later it also happened that he lost his job. Although he was willing and able to work, it was nearly impossible to get another job without his ID card. Not only that, but a host of ordinary tasks, such as going to the bank, became difficult as well. It was suddenly obvious to him that proof of identification was essential for daily life to function smoothly. My friend’s ID was replaced, but his experience illustrated some spiritual identity questions....More Wednesday, December 7, 2022 A Death Remembered Joseph took an oath from the children of Israel, saying, “God will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones from here.” So Joseph died … and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt. Genesis 50:25–26 A Death Remembered Joseph gives directions concerning his bones in the power of faith’s vision of the living God. They are not to be left in Egypt. What a witness to the Israelites must the coffin of Joseph have been through the long years, forever reminding them that not even death itself can hinder the living God from fulfilling all His pleasure, and carrying out His...More Tuesday, December 6, 2022 Like All the Nations The people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Samuel 8:19-20 Like All the Nations When they were ready to cross into the land God had promised their fathers, God told the people of Israel that He had chosen them to be His people because He loved them. He wanted them to be “a holy people … a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth” (Dt. 7:6–8). God gave his...More Monday, December 5, 2022 Thinking About God Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 Thinking About God The world is constantly telling us how to think, even what to think about God! But Paul urges us to have a different mindset concerning who God is. I would like to underline three reasons why what we think of God and how we think of Him is so important in our Christian life. 1. Right thinking about our God is the way we show Him that we love Him. Look at Matthew 22:37; notice we are to “love the...More Sunday, December 4, 2022 Christ Our Savior (11)—Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Christ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 Christ Our Savior (11)—Growing in Grace and Knowledge of Christ In our verse above we have the apostle Peter’s closing words to the flock of God. How striking that he exhorts believers to grow in two different ways. (1) We are to grow in grace. Grace is God providing for us according to His own heart of love. Our hearts are so slow to realize the fullness of the grace of God. We want to still think that we can do something, or must do...More Saturday, December 3, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (7)—A Woman With an Issue of Blood A woman … came behind and touched the hem of His garment. Matthew 9:20 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (7)—A Woman With an Issue of Blood This story begins with a man whose daughter had died. On His way to the man’s house the Lord meets a completely different need—the case of a woman who had bled constantly for twelve years. His mission to raise up the dead girl comes first, but this mission is not completed until the bleeding woman is healed. This provides a very interesting dispensational illustration. Two miracles are intertwined. He comes for the dead girl first, but she is...More Friday, December 2, 2022 Meditate Upon the Beloved Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful. Isaiah 9:6 Meditate Upon the Beloved As we know, this verse speaks about the Lord Jesus, so it begs the question, are we or have we ever been full of wonder at the Person of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? When the queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem and she heard Solomon and saw his glory, “there was no more spirit in her”; in other words she was wonder-struck. Referring to this, the Lord applied it to Himself: that One greater than Solomon was...More Thursday, December 1, 2022 Do not Look Within—Look at Him Accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6 Do not Look Within—Look at Him What a state of privilege! It includes our justification before God, but the Greek word for “acceptance” means more than that. It signifies that we are the objects of divine complacency, even of divine delight. How marvelous that we, worms, mortals, sinners, should be the objects of divine love! But it is only as we are “in the Beloved.” Sometimes there is the temptation to think we are accepted in our own experience. When the spirit is lively, and the hopes are bright, we think God accepts us, for we feel...More Wednesday, November 30, 2022 The Sandwich But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:31 The Sandwich We all enjoy good food, whether it is good home cooking, or eating at a favorite local diner, or perhaps even on rare occasions, a gourmet restaurant. But there is one eating pleasure that we do not often think about, and that is the reliable, handy sandwich! Sometimes the hard-working laborer’s lunch box contains a nice ham and cheese sandwich—nothing better when one has worked hard all morning! Perhaps you have your own favorite, like peanut butter and jelly, but we have all enjoyed...More Tuesday, November 29, 2022 Knowing God All shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them. Hebrews 8:11 Knowing God The thought of understanding something simply means to have a correct insight into the nature of the object and to conform oneself to the nature of that object. The thought of knowing God means to have an intimate, personal knowledge of Him. It is not something we can put into a test tube; it is something that is to be lived out in us daily and it has an effect in our lives! First, knowing God gives me a desire to be like Him. The French philosopher Pascal once said, “Man’s greatest needs are...More Monday, November 28, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (6)—The Healing of the Paralytic And behold, they brought to Him a paralytic, laid upon a bed; and Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, Be of good courage, child; thy sins are forgiven. Matthew 9:2 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (6)—The Healing of the Paralytic Matthew does not provide the details of this miracle. It is in Mark’s Gospel we learn that this paralyzed man was lowered through the roof by four who carried him because the crowd was too great to allow any other way. Matthew describes in few words that he was a paralytic—without strength, unable to walk. In this miracle we are confronted by...More Sunday, November 27, 2022 “My Father and Your Father”—The New Relationship I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God. John 20:17 “My Father and Your Father”—The New Relationship Mary of Magdala was once so fully under the power of the devil that seven demons had to go out of her before she was set free. The Lord Jesus cast them out (Mk. 16:9), and thereafter she, with other women, helped Him in His ministry (Lk. 8:1–3). What a transformation! No more bondage but pure, full-hearted attraction to Him in His greatness and grace. Mary lived for Him because He was everything to her, as He should be to us (Col. 3:11). So it was a...More Saturday, November 26, 2022 The Rock of Ages You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3–4 The Rock of Ages These words celebrate the deliverance of the believing remnant of Israel. The pride of man has been brought down by the outstretched arm of Jehovah. The remnant had no defense against the proud enemies surrounding them. High walls with gates and bars offered no safety. Their deliverance came exclusively from the Lord, Jehovah—the “Rock of Ages” (Isa. 26:4 jnd). The Lord Himself is their defense...More Friday, November 25, 2022 Not in Vain (3) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Timothy 2:15 Not in Vain (3) Let the Christian reader specially note the expression, “the work of the Lord.” We are not to imagine for a moment that all which engages the energies of professing Christians is entitled to be designated “the work of the Lord.” It is far from it! We see...More Thursday, November 24, 2022 Not in Vain (2) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Not in Vain (2) How immensely valuable and important, in view of yesterday’s meditation, is the first part of our workman’s motto! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast [and] immovable.” The “therefore” throws the soul back upon the solid foundation laid in the previous part of the chapter in which the apostle unfolds the most sublime and precious truth that can possibly engage the Christian’s heart, truth...More Wednesday, November 23, 2022 Not in Vain (1) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Not in Vain (1) Here we have an uncommonly fine motto for the Christian workman, and every Christian ought to be a workman. It presents a most valuable balance for the heart. We have immovable stability linked with unceasing activity. This is of the utmost importance. There are some of us who are such sticklers for what we call principle that we seem almost afraid to embark on any scheme of large-hearted Christian activity. On...More Tuesday, November 22, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (5)—The Healing of the Demoniacs There met Him … two possessed by demons, coming out of the tombs, exceeding dangerous, so that no one was able to pass by that way. Matthew 8:28 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (5)—The Healing of the Demoniacs Upon arriving at the other side of the sea, the Lord Jesus was met by two demon-possessed men. Mark mentions only one of these men, but he tells the story in much greater detail, allocating twenty verses compared to Matthew’s seven (see Mk. 5:1–20). The next miracle recorded by Matthew—the paralytic borne by four—occurred much earlier, as given in Mark 2:1–12. Bear in mind that...More Monday, November 21, 2022 Christ Our Savior (10)—The Holy Spirit Given According to His own mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, which He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior. Titus 3:5–6 Christ Our Savior (10)—The Holy Spirit Given The book of Titus shows us how good works are not the cause of our salvation but should be the result of our salvation: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Tit. 3:5 nkjv). Often in Scripture salvation is seen as something done outside of ourselves, for example, “Stand still, and see the salvation...More Sunday, November 20, 2022 Descended and Ascended for Us He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. Ephesians 4:10 Descended and Ascended for Us In the fullness of time, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law (Gal. 4:4). The Word became flesh and dwelt among us; as the only-begotten Son in the Father’s bosom, He made Him known (Jn. 1:14, 18). Yet at the same time, as the Son of Man, He was “up there” above time and space, saying, “No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven” (Jn. 3:13). Yet in His extreme...More Saturday, November 19, 2022 The Heart We Need I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26 The Heart We Need The heart is the most frequently mentioned part of the body in Scripture. We often describe the heart as the essence of our being, and that image is even more prominent in the language of the Bible. From our hearts flow the issues of life (Prov. 4:23). Our hearts make decisions (“a man’s heart plans his way,” Prov. 16:9) and reach conclusions about God (“seek Him with all your heart,” Dt. 4:29). The heart thinks,...More Friday, November 18, 2022 The God Who Knows Our Hearts The heart-knowing God bore them witness. Acts 15:8 The God Who Knows Our Hearts Our God is “the heart-knowing God.” The testimony of Scripture is very clear on this point. King David exhorted his son Solomon to serve the God of his father with a perfect heart, “for Jehovah searches all hearts, and discerns all the imaginations of the thoughts” (1 Chr. 28:9). Our God knows not just the actions, but also the motives and inner springs of man: “I Jehovah search the heart, I try the reins, even to give each one according to his ways” (Jer. 17:10). Again we see this characteristic of our God...More Thursday, November 17, 2022 Faith Is Believing and Obeying God’s Word By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. Hebrews 11:8 Faith Is Believing and Obeying God’s Word Here we see faith in the personal experiences of life. God called Abraham out from a land of idol worshipers, from his own near relatives. It was no light step to take. He was a man of means and prominence, but when God called, it was a voice that could not be ignored. We are not told here with what hesitation he at first acted, for he went only as far as Haran, his father...More Wednesday, November 16, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (4)—The Storm Rebuked The ship was covered by the waves; but He slept. Matthew 8:24 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (4)—The Storm Rebuked In Exodus 3:1–9 Moses learns that when he puts his hand into his bosom it becomes leprous, when he casts his staff on the ground it becomes a fearful serpent, and when he pours water on the ground it becomes blood. Unclean, unsafe, and guilty. Before we can serve effectively we have to learn these lessons. Matthew’s first set of miracles begins with a leper—unclean. The third set will begin with a woman having an issue of blood—symbolic of guilt. The second set...More Tuesday, November 15, 2022 Where Is Our Heart? Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 Where Is Our Heart? The Bible speaks much about the heart. It tells us that our lives will be lived out in relation to what we have in our hearts. What a warning this is for us. We are told that, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Mt. 6:21). We find many heart-revealing stories, both negative and positive, as we consider various people in the Bible. Eve’s heart was on the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, even though it had been forbidden; Lot’s wife’s heart...More Monday, November 14, 2022 Christ Our Savior (9)—His Two Appearings For the grace of God which carries with it salvation for all men has appeared. Awaiting the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11; Titus 2:13 Christ Our Savior (9)—His Two Appearings First of all, we must notice that this verse emphasizes the absolute deity of our Lord Jesus. He is our “great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” God and Man in one blessed Person! Then, notice the two appearings in these verses. We are living in the interval between these two comings. We look back and see His first appearing in this world....More Sunday, November 13, 2022 Obedience to Shiloh The scepter shall not depart from Judah … until Shiloh comes … to Him shall be the obedience of the people. Genesis 49:10 Obedience to Shiloh Judah’s name means “He shall be praised” (Gen. 49:8). His father pictured him as a young lion, the ultimate Ruler. God’s Spirit led Jacob to describe the reign of the coming Messiah (Shiloh), the One to whom belongs the ruler’s staff. However, this rule would depart from Judah, and the scepter be taken away! The scepter departed when the Roman occupation took away from the Jews the right of capital punishment, sometime before the Messiah was to...More Saturday, November 12, 2022 God Will Dwell With Men Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men. Revelation 21:3 God Will Dwell With Men It has ever been God’s great purpose to dwell with men. This great desire came out in the Garden of Eden, when the Lord God came down to the Garden in the cool of the evening. Alas! sin had defiled that fair Garden and God could no longer dwell with man. Then, on the ground of redemption, God dwelt in a tabernacle in the midst of Israel. Alas! Israel entirely failed to walk in consistency with the presence of God. The nation fell into idolatry, finally rejected Christ, and the Lord had to say, “Your house is...More Friday, November 11, 2022 Fairness or Grace I pray, let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan. Deuteronomy 3:25 Fairness or Grace Have you ever had an expectation that has been dashed? You thought, “Surely this was God’s will for me—it’s just not fair!” God does not act on the principle of “fairness,” however, for if He did, as sinners we all would be lost forever; rather, He operates on the principle of sovereign grace. Just before Israel was about to leave the wilderness and go into the promised land, Moses prayed, “Let me cross over and see the good land” (Dt. 3:25). Jehovah’s answer to him...More Thursday, November 10, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (3)—Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed And when Jesus had come to Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law laid down and in a fever. Matthew 8:14 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (3)—Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed This is the third miracle in a series of ten recorded here by Matthew. In the first, a leper was healed. In the second, a centurion’s servant (8:1–4, 5–13). Peter’s mother-in-law, healed from her fever, arose and served the Lord Jesus. A fever indicates that by nature we are unserviceable to Him: the body temperature is out of control. When we are not in control of our actions, motives, words, or...More Wednesday, November 9, 2022 The Story of Two Debtors There was a certain creditor who had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more? Luke 7:41–42 The Story of Two Debtors The Savior had been invited to dine at the house of Simon, a Pharisee, who was totally unconscious of whom he had in his home that day. His God was there, but he knew it not. He was a religious man, but, in his eyes, his Guest was simply a traveling preacher to whom it might be well to grant a meal. He did not even offer the usual...More Tuesday, November 8, 2022 The Burden of Loneliness Refuge has failed me; no one cares for my soul. Psalm 142:4 The Burden of Loneliness A fraud expert interviewed a convicted scam artist who targeted people seeking friendships online. The scammer would profess friendly or romantic intentions, gain someone’s confidence, then obtain access to bank accounts or commit some other fraud. The question was asked, “How many of the people you targeted were lonely?” The scammer replied, “Every single one of them.” Loneliness can be a great burden. Even if it does not lead to financial deception, it can deeply affect our emotional and...More Monday, November 7, 2022 Christ Our Savior (8)—His First Appearing Who has saved us, and has called us with a holy calling … according to His own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages of time, but has been made manifest now by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has annulled death, and brought to light life and incorruptibility by the glad tidings. 2 Timothy 1:9–10 Christ Our Savior (8)—His First Appearing We have here some blessings that our Lord brought to us at His first coming. The apostle tells us that God’s purpose and grace were manifest, became visible, when Christ appeared in this world. He came as our...More Sunday, November 6, 2022 A New Beginning Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. Mark 15:33 A New Beginning The long and sinful history of man was compressed into the three hours of darkness that surrounded the cross. All man’s sin and guilt were laid upon Jesus the holy Victim, as He hung suspended there. All God’s wrath and indignation against sin were poured out upon Him, when He took the penalty of sin—death and judgment—which we so rightly deserved. The Scriptures declare, “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us” (2 Cor. 5:21); and again, “For Christ also...More Saturday, November 5, 2022 The Lord of Hosts (3) A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? says the Lord of hosts to you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, “In what way have we despised Your name?” You offer defiled food on My altar, but say, “In what way have we defiled You?” By saying, “The table of the Lord is contemptible.” Malachi 1:6–7 The Lord of Hosts (3) Malachi, whose name means “My Messenger,” was the last prophet God sent to His people in the Old Testament. No details are given us about him, but the theme of his...More Friday, November 4, 2022 The Lord of Hosts (2) Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.” Thus says the Lord of hosts: “If it is marvelous in the eyes of the remnant of this people in these days, will it also be marvelous in My eyes?” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 8:4–6 The Lord of Hosts (2) Two months after Haggai uttered his first recorded prophecy, the Lord began also to use Zechariah, a young priest, to prophesy to the remnant who had...More Thursday, November 3, 2022 The Lord of Hosts (1) “Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,” says the Lord; “and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,” says the Lord, “and work; for I am with you,” says the Lord of hosts. “According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!” Haggai 2:4–5 The Lord of Hosts (1) Less than 50,000 Jews had returned from captivity to Jerusalem to rebuild God’s temple, which had been destroyed years earlier by the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar. They faced enemies all around and,...More Wednesday, November 2, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (2)—The Centurion’s Servant Healed A centurion came to Him, beseeching Him, and saying, Lord, my servant lies paralytic in the house. Matthew 8:5–6 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (2)—The Centurion’s Servant Healed In this miracle a Gentile is prominent. Here the centurion acknowledges that he is unworthy: “Lord, I am not fit that Thou shouldest enter under my roof” (v. 8). The faith of this unworthy Gentile was remarkable. The Jew, seen in the healing of the leper, required the Lord’s touch (v. 3). The Gentile, exemplified by the centurion, needs but the Lord’s word: “only speak a word, and my servant...More Tuesday, November 1, 2022 The Danger of Religious Trifling The Philistines fought, and Israel was routed, and they fled every man to his tent. 1 Samuel 4:10 The Danger of Religious Trifling What should the people of God do when they are defeated? The actions and attitudes of the people of Israel in this chapter provide some answers to that question. The chapter begins with about four thousand Israelites killed at the hand of the Philistines, and the leaders asking, “What went wrong?” They began well by recognizing the hand of the Lord in their defeat, but they did not go on to the right remedy. Instead of humbling themselves before God,...More Monday, October 31, 2022 Building Wealth or Building for Christ? For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine and the oil, and lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. Hosea 2:8 Building Wealth or Building for Christ? Israel didn’t recognize that it was God who had given them everything they had, the blessings, wealth, and all their necessities were provided by God. But they, just like Hosea’s wife Gomer, had gone after other lovers (idols); they were unfaithful and had committed tremendous idolatry and harlotry. There was no appreciation for what God had given and provided, for they used all that was given to...More Sunday, October 30, 2022 The Right State for Worship Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Matthew 5:24 The Right State for Worship As we come together on Lord’s Day mornings to remember the Lord, we should remember that there are at least five things that the Lord considers more important than our offerings. To obey is better than sacrifice is what Samuel told King Saul (1 Sam. 15:22). Are we obedient to the Lord during the week? To love the Lord and our neighbor is more to God than our giving (Mk. 12:32–33). To do righteousness and justice is more...More Saturday, October 29, 2022 Christ Our Savior (7)—Awaiting Him For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20–21 Christ Our Savior (7)—Awaiting Him These verses point us to the future. The Lord Jesus is coming for us! Already today every believer can say that their citizenship is in heaven. We belong to heaven. The Lord Jesus told the disciples to rejoice because their names were written in heaven (Lk....More Friday, October 28, 2022 Obedience From the Heart? Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Psalm 22:26 Obedience From the Heart? When Rehoboam took over as king from his father Solomon (1 Ki. 12), he preferred to heed the counsel of his buddies rather than the elders who had counseled his father. Even here at the outset we see a hint of his character, and the consequence was a split in the kingdom. He proceeded to put an army together, thinking he could retake the northern tribes by force. When God sent a message to him by Shemaiah, telling him the split was from God, Rehoboam obeyed and turned back. Although we can commend Rehoboam for obeying...More Thursday, October 27, 2022 Four Portraits of Christ I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. Revelation 22:13 Four Portraits of Christ Have you ever studied your personal ancestry? Is it interesting? Are there any kings or nobility or Jewish heritage? Or like me, perhaps your family heritage is of no particular regard. The four Gospels of the New Testament each present the Lord Jesus Christ to us from a unique perspective and with a unique emphasis. The Book of Matthew presents Christ as the King; in Mark, Jesus is seen as the Servant; Luke reveals Christ as the Son of Man; and John presents Christ as the Son...More Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Two Men in Their Twenties All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. Jeremiah also lamented for Josiah. 2 Chronicles 35:24–25 Two Men in Their Twenties Jeremiah and Josiah were contemporaries, and we can infer that they were probably close in age. The Lord called Jeremiah as a prophet when he was still young. In that same year, Josiah, who became king at age eight, had been reigning for thirteen years and thus was twenty-one years old (Jer. 1:2–8; 2 Chr. 34:1). Although we do not know Jeremiah’s precise age, it is not a stretch of the imagination to assume that they lived through their twenties at about the same...More Tuesday, October 25, 2022 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (1)—The Healing of the Leper And behold, a leper came up to Him and did Him homage, saying, Lord, if Thou wilt, Thou art able to cleanse me. Matthew 8:2 Ten Miracles in Matthew 8 and 9 (1)—The Healing of the Leper Although leprosy was a sickness, the characteristic biblical word to describe it was not “unwell” but “unclean.” In Old Testament typical teaching, leprosy speaks of the uncleanness of sin. One prominent feature of Matthew’s Gospel is dispensational teaching—that is, things concerning God’s ways with Israel, His ways with the Gentiles, and His future plans for Christ connected with this...More Monday, October 24, 2022 Heaven Opened (4)—Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11 Heaven Opened (4)—Jesus, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords The heavens presently have received the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 3:21). In a sense, He is hidden there from the view of man, but of course not hidden to faith: “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). But at some point in the future, a time which only God the Father knows, which He “has put in His own authority,” Christ will appear to the world (Acts 1:7, 11; Mt. 24:36, 44). They will not...More Sunday, October 23, 2022 The Worst Disease of All Eradicated Forever Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. Romans 5:12 The Worst Disease of All Eradicated Forever The Bubonic plague, the Ebola virus, SARS, and most recently, the COVID-19 virus, have taken countless thousands of lives over the years. Yet these diseases have only affected a percentage of the world’s overall population. But there is another disease that is the worst of all diseases combined, because it affects every person on this earth. And it brings death. It cannot be identified in a research lab; nor...More Saturday, October 22, 2022 Not in Vain! Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Not in Vain! This is encouragement we need as we press on to glory. This is the very last verse of the chapter that begins with a summary of the gospel Paul preached, which emphasized the resurrection of the Lord Jesus after His death and burial. Christianity was a new, different religion in the Roman world of that day. Its teaching about a Jewish Man (as the world would have regarded Him), whose claim to be the Son of God had...More Friday, October 21, 2022 Christian Liberty For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 Christian Liberty Liberty and love go together. There is no such thing as true liberty if it does not give occasion to the spontaneous outflow of love. Liberty is the very sphere into which the Christian is introduced—liberty from the bondage of sin, of law, of self-will; liberty, in fact, to honor God. The exercise of self-will is bondage rather than liberty. The devil, of course, seeks to turn our liberty to corruption, making it a license...More Thursday, October 20, 2022 Christ Our Savior (6)—Savior of the Body Christ is Head of the Assembly. He is Savior of the body. Ephesians 5:23 Christ Our Savior (6)—Savior of the Body In chapter 5 of Ephesians, we have the walk of the believer; in other words, how we are to conduct ourselves in this world. We are to walk in love (v. 2), we are to walk as children of light (v. 8), and we are to walk in wisdom (v. 15). The apostle Paul then brings this truth into the marriage relationship. The great example is the relationship of Christ and the Church. As the Assembly is subject to Christ, so wives are to be subject to their own husbands. As Christ loved...More Wednesday, October 19, 2022 Profitable “to You and to Me” I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains, who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me. Philemon 10–11 Profitable “to You and to Me” These lovely words express Paul’s depth of feeling for Onesimus, and his joy at being able to lead him to Christ while in prison. So far so good, but there was a fly in the ointment. It turned out that Onesimus was the runaway slave of Philemon, a brother in the Lord that Paul held very dear (vv. 1, 6–7, 20). Not only that, Onesimus may have robbed him before he ran off (v....More Tuesday, October 18, 2022 The Fear of the Lord Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the Lord. Jeremiah 9:23–24 The Fear of the Lord Jeremiah lived in a day very similar to ours: wickedness was rampant, false religion was everywhere, dishonesty, moral corruption, and rejection of God’s Word were evident. The center of the problem is...More Monday, October 17, 2022 Heaven Opened (3)—Jesus the Son of Man at the Right Hand of God Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God! Acts 7:56 Heaven Opened (3)—Jesus the Son of Man at the Right Hand of God Whenever heaven is opened, the Lord Jesus is the object, whether He is on earth or in heaven. In our text today, heaven is opened, but here He is in heaven, so now He becomes earth’s object in heaven: “Jesus has no object, but He is the Object of heaven when it opens; the saint has, and it is Jesus Himself in heaven when it is open” (J. N. Darby). The martyrdom of Stephen was a turning point in the history of the nation of...More Sunday, October 16, 2022 The Lord Jesus Thirsted for Water I thirst! John 19:28 The Lord Jesus Thirsted for Water These two words spoken by the Lord as He was on the cross tell us of His manhood which was capable of the same physical suffering as any man. He thirsted immensely as He hung on the cross. Psalm 22:15 says, “My tongue clings to My jaws,” expressing the deep thirst He suffered. A soldier of the Vietnam War told me that he and his company were surrounded by the enemy in the jungle. They dug deep in their fox holes, unable to move. As time passed they ran out of water but could do nothing until the enemy moved on. Finally they were...More Saturday, October 15, 2022 Noah Walked With God Lamech lived one hundred and eighty-two years, and had a son. And he called his name Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us concerning our work and the toil of our hands, because of the ground which the Lord has cursed.” Noah walked with God. Genesis 5:28–29; Genesis 6:9 Noah Walked With God Lamech, Noah’s father, felt the burden and effect of sin having entered into the world. God had said to Adam, “Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life” (Gen. 3:17). And “we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the...More Friday, October 14, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (11)—Strength Out of Weakness Who by faith...became strong out of weakness. Hebrews 11:33–34 David’s Mighty Men (11)—Strength Out of Weakness Many of the heroes of the faith recorded in Hebrews 11 are inspiring examples for us today. One remarkable statement in this chapter is that some “became strong out of weakness.” This is true of David and his mighty men and of many others, who “quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword … became mighty in war, made the armies of strangers give way.” As a young shepherd boy, David took on Goliath, the giant. It was not because David was physically stronger....More Thursday, October 13, 2022 Christ Our Savior (5)—Fulfillment of Promise David … a man after My heart, who shall do all My will. Of this man’s seed according to promise has God brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus. Acts 13:22–23 Christ Our Savior (5)—Fulfillment of Promise Why was David called a man after God’s own heart, who would do God’s will? We know David sinned, and sinned grievously. Is it not because He also gave a faint reflection of our Lord Jesus Christ? David could set forth some of the features of the man that is pleasing to God, but in his Seed, the Lord Jesus, we see everything that is pleasing to God. All that our blessed Lord did was according...More Wednesday, October 12, 2022 How Are We to Understand the Meaning of “Quickly”? “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 How Are We to Understand the Meaning of “Quickly”? Let us be impressed with the fact that it is the Lord Himself who is speaking, it is not even an apostle delivering a message from Him; the words are His own. “I will come again,” He says in John 14:3; “I am coming quickly,” He says in the Revelation. They are His last words to us. If we grasp the fact that they are His own words to those He loves, we shall begin to understand them with the heart. Let me illustrate. A mother must leave her...More Tuesday, October 11, 2022 Actions Are Louder Than Words Pray for us to the Lord your God, for all this remnant (since we are left but a few of many, as you can see), that the Lord your God may show us the way in which we should walk and the thing we should do. Jeremiah 42:2–3 Actions Are Louder Than Words God always provides guidance for His people in a day of confusion. Isaiah and Jeremiah prophesied in such times, yet the Lord says in Isaiah, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isa. 30:21). In Jeremiah, we see the same faithful promise: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask...More Monday, October 10, 2022 Heaven Opened (2)—The Son of Man Object of Angelic Service Hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man. John 1:51 Heaven Opened (2)—The Son of Man Object of Angelic Service This testimony about an open heaven is given by the Lord Jesus Himself, but again, He, the Son of Man, is the object of the opened heaven. The Lord’s statement here came to Nathanael, “an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit” (v. 47). In this passage of John 1, Nathanael represents the godly Jews who will turn to Christ in a future day. Nathanael confesses the Lord by exclaiming, “Rabbi, You are the Son...More Sunday, October 9, 2022 Self-judgment Through Confidence in Christ Let a man prove himself, and thus eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28 Self-judgment Through Confidence in Christ The above passage does not allow for the kind of self-examination which is really based upon a system of doubts and fears and has no warrant whatsoever in the Word of God. This self-judgment is a sacred Christian exercise of the most salutary character. It is based upon the most unclouded confidence as to our salvation and acceptance in Christ. The Christian is to judge self because he is, and not to see if he is a Christian. This makes all the difference. Were I...More Saturday, October 8, 2022 Hypocrites The Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him … when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault … He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites.” Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium … But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Mark 7:1–2, 6; John 18:28 Hypocrites At another time the Lord said that the Pharisees were sitting in Moses’ seat, meaning that they had taken the place of...More Friday, October 7, 2022 Complacency and Comfort? Woe to those who are at ease in Zion and to those who feel secure in the mountain of Samaria. Amos 6:1 Complacency and Comfort? The first two clauses here truly summarize it—the Israelites had become at ease, complacent and comfortable as they prospered and dwelt safely in their land. They felt secure in the mountains of Samaria; instead of being secure in the hands of God, they had gotten comfortable in the world and in the places of this world. “Those who recline on beds of ivory and sprawl on their couches, and eat lambs from the flock and calves from the midst of the stall”...More Thursday, October 6, 2022 Christ Our Savior (4)—Exalted The God of our Fathers has raised up Jesus, whom ye have slain, having hanged on a cross. Him has God exalted by His right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and remission of sins. Acts 5:30–31 Christ Our Savior (4)—Exalted Here in Acts 5, Peter and the other apostles were put into prison by the religious leaders (v. 18). However, we see an illustration that the Word of God is not bound! An angel is sent to deliver them from prison and tells them, “Go ye and stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life” (v. 20). The apostles are...More Wednesday, October 5, 2022 Two Great Lights God made the two great lights, the great light to rule the day, and the small light to rule the night. Genesis 1:16 Two Great Lights This passage does not mention either the sun or the moon by name, but it is obvious that these are the two great lights. Together, they give us a lovely example of Christ and His people. The sun represents Christ. This huge star, about 93 million miles from earth and 865,000 miles in diameter, has been precisely placed by God in relation to the earth. Without its outflowing light, heat, and energy, life on earth could not survive for a moment. What a great...More Tuesday, October 4, 2022 Between “You and Him”—Gaining Your Brother If your brother sins against you, go tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. Matthew 18:15 Between “You and Him”—Gaining Your Brother Fellowship is mutual, and we need to use diligence “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) if we are to enjoy it. “God is faithful” (1 Cor. 1:9), but sad to say, we often break down in the love we owe Him and each other. In speaking about little children and lost sheep in Matthew 18, the Lord Jesus looks forward to the church in its local setting as our spiritual...More Monday, October 3, 2022 Heaven Opened (1)—Jesus Christ the Object of Heaven’s Delight When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him. Matthew 3:16 Heaven Opened (1)—Jesus Christ the Object of Heaven’s Delight There are four occasions in the New Testament in which the heavens are opened (Mt. 3:16; Jn. 1:51; Acts 7:56; Rev. 19:11). Each occurrence of an open heaven has the Lord Jesus as its special object. The first incident, which sets the tone for the others that follow, occurs at the very beginning of Christ’s ministry on earth. The Lord Jesus came to John to be baptized but John tried to prevent Him...More Sunday, October 2, 2022 They Made Him a Supper Jesus therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany, where was the dead man Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from among the dead. There therefore they made Him a supper, and Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those at table with Him. John 12:1–2 They Made Him a Supper What a scene at Bethany! The evidence of His love was there and also that of His death-conquering power, for Lazarus was there, witness to the resurrecting glory of the Son of God. This indeed was a circle of love, for we read in an earlier chapter, “Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus” (11:5). His was a...More Saturday, October 1, 2022 The Witness of the Spirit The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:16 The Witness of the Spirit One of the greatest tools of the enemy of our souls is doubt. If the devil is so bold as to accuse believers in the presence of God, then he will surely accuse us to our own consciences as well. For this reason it is important to be established in the truth as the Bible reveals it to us. As Christians, our sins were forever forgiven through the work of the Savior Jesus Christ on the cross; and further, our present weaknesses are continually addressed by His work in heaven as our...More Friday, September 30, 2022 Christ Our Savior (3)—Savior of the World And more a great deal believed on account of His word; and they said to the woman, It is no longer on account of thy saying that we believe, for we have heard Him ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world. John 4:41–42 Christ Our Savior (3)—Savior of the World John 4 is a wonderful chapter that presents to us the Lord Jesus as the Savior of the world. Joseph in the Old Testament received the name “Zaphnath-paaneah” from Pharaoh (Gen. 41:45). One of the meanings of this name is, “Savior of the world.” Now here, in this place, is one greater than...More Thursday, September 29, 2022 The Eye of Faith And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.” John 9:37 The Eye of Faith Our Lord Jesus spoke these wonderful words to the man who had been born blind, whom He had healed. It is evident that the man had never seen the Lord until that time, for he was blind from birth. After having gained sight this was their first meeting. Yet the Lord plainly said, “You have seen Him.” What did the Lord mean? The manner in which the statement is phrased is important. “You have seen Him” declares that, prior to that moment of contact, the healed man...More Wednesday, September 28, 2022 It Was “Our” Sorrows Christ Carried Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:4 It Was “Our” Sorrows Christ Carried It was not for Himself that He sighed and wept, but for them. He would have lifted every sorrow from their hearts, and been exceedingly joyful in doing it, but they would have none of it; they were blind to their blessing, and hugged their sins and rejected Him. It was for them He wept. In the midst of men, because of what men were—sin-loving, devil-deceived, God-hating—He was the Man of Sorrows. Yet their enmity did not change...More Tuesday, September 27, 2022 The Meaning of the Burning Bush And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So [Moses] looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2 The Meaning of the Burning Bush The flame of fire is a symbol of the holiness of God. This is shown in various ways, especially in the fire on the altar, which consumed the sacrifices; and in the Epistle to the Hebrews, we have the express statement that “our God is a consuming fire” (12:29); testing everything according to His holiness, and thus consuming everything which does not answer its...More Monday, September 26, 2022 “For Me and You”—A Fishing Lesson Lest we offend them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you. Matthew 17:27 “For Me and You”—A Fishing Lesson This was not Caesar’s money (22:21) but the temple’s. When those who collected it insinuated the Lord Jesus did not pay it, Peter hastily assured them that He did (17:24–25), forgetting that Jesus had called the temple His Father’s house (Jn. 2:16). No doubt, he wanted to maintain his Master’s honor but inadvertently spoke of Him...More Sunday, September 25, 2022 Worshiping God as Creator Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying: “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.” Revelation 4:9–11 Worshiping God as Creator At the beginning of chapter 4, the apostle John, the writer of this book, in his vision hears a voice from heaven telling him to come...More Saturday, September 24, 2022 Sensitivity to the Word of God Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 Sensitivity to the Word of God Israel had descended into idolatry, led by Manasseh their king, who rebuilt the high places that King Hezekiah had destroyed. The result was that God’s house was in disrepair. When Josiah became king, he set about to repair it. Then Hilkiah “discovered” the Book of the Law which had been neglected rather than lost, for after all, it was found in the house of the Lord! Shaphan read it to the king, and it so affected him that he tore his clothes....More

Thursday, September 22, 2022 Christ Our Savior (2)—He Has Come And the angel said to them, Fear not, for behold, I announce to you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all the people; for today a Savior has been born to you in David’s city, who is Christ the Lord. And this is the sign to you: ye shall find a babe wrapped in swaddling-clothes, and lying in a manger. Luke 2:10–12 Christ Our Savior (2)—He Has Come The Gospel of Luke emphasizes the grace of God, as we see in particular in the parables the Lord told in chapters 14 and 15. The grace of God appeared in this world when the eternal Son became flesh (Tit. 2:11). What a cause for...More Wednesday, September 21, 2022 The Lord Is Our Inheritance: Let Us Serve Him Freely! The priests, the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and His portion. Therefore they shall have no inheritance among their brethren; the Lord is their inheritance, as He said to them. Deuteronomy 18:1–2 The Lord Is Our Inheritance: Let Us Serve Him Freely! All the tribe of Levi had been set apart by God to be occupied with the service of the sanctuary and the things of God. Consequently, the Lord Himself was going to take care of them. They were not given any inheritance in the land, but only...More Tuesday, September 20, 2022 Face to Face He who has seen Me has seen the Father. John 14:9 Face to Face Years ago, I wanted to get to know the Lord Jesus better, so I started to read the Gospels. I spent time every day looking at how He interacted with others. I saw His dependence on His Father; I saw His compassion and care for others; I saw His hatred for sin and His love for the sinner! As we study His life, the Spirit of God will begin to conform us into the image of the Lord Jesus. Why study His life? The Lord Jesus said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” In John 1:1–2 we read, “In the beginning was the...More Monday, September 19, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (10)—Taking a Stand in the Battle After him was Shammah … The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. So the people fled from the Philistines. But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. So the Lord brought about a great victory. 2 Samuel 23:11–12 David’s Mighty Men (10)—Taking a Stand in the Battle This story is similar to what Eleazar had done, the second of David’s mighty men, defending a field of barley (1 Chr. 11:12–14). Lentils, mentioned in today’s passage, were used to feed the hungry. The first case...More Sunday, September 18, 2022 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (3) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice … when I saw Him, I fell at His feet … He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid … Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this.” Revelation 1:10, 17, 19 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (3) To the aged apostle John “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day,” in exile on the island of Patmos, the Lord Himself appeared, but in a manner John had never seen Him before. Seeing this awesome One in the midst of seven golden lampstands,...More Saturday, September 17, 2022 Christ Our Advocate and Priest We have a great High Priest. We have an Advocate with the Father. Hebrews 4:14; 1 John 2:1 Christ Our Advocate and Priest The difference between advocacy and priesthood is twofold. The Priest is with God; the Advocate is with the Father. The Advocate has to do with sin; the Priest with our infirmities (Heb. 4:15)—never with sins. It is true that He has made propitiation for our sins (Heb. 2:17), and no doubt it was the Priest who did so—not as a function of His office, but rather because the character is inseparably connected with His Person. The propitiation which He made (as...More Friday, September 16, 2022 Christ Our Savior (1)—A Wonderful Savior God is my rock, in Him will I trust—my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my Savior: Thou wilt save me from violence. Besides Me there is no savior. And all flesh shall know that I, Jehovah, am thy Savior and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. 2 Samuel 22:3; Isaiah 43:11; Isaiah 49:26 Christ Our Savior (1)—A Wonderful Savior How wonderful the fact that we have a Savior! With the Lord’s help we hope to look at some of the scriptures that speak of the Lord Jesus as our Savior. Often in the Old Testament (as in our first verse above)...More Thursday, September 15, 2022 “Sowing” in the Marriage Relationship Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7 “Sowing” in the Marriage Relationship When he was inaugurated as president, John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” How different things would be in our home if we had a similar attitude, not seeking what we can get out of our marriage, but what we can give and do for our spouse, our marriage, and our family. As they consider marriage, many people think about what they will get out of this new and wonderful relationship that they are about to enter into. But how much...More Wednesday, September 14, 2022 Being Thankful Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful. Romans 1:21 Being Thankful A lack of thankfulness paves the road that leads away from God. Romans 1 describes a time when people recognized God’s power and divine nature through His created works (v. 20). However, two things interfered: they refused to honor Him as He deserved, and they refused to thank Him for anything He had done. This led to foolish thoughts, idol worship, unclean desires, immoral behavior, and ultimately a debased mind that was full of unrighteousness (vv. 22–32). A spirit of...More Tuesday, September 13, 2022 “You and Me”—Keeping close Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, since we have both sworn in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘May the Lord be between you and me’” … So he arose and departed, and Jonathan went into the city 1 Samuel 20:42 “You and Me”—Keeping close King Saul was determined to destroy David, despite the efforts of his son, Jonathan, to defend David’s cause, even at the risk of his own life (19:4–5; 20:32–33). Now Jonathan secretly tells David that he must flee. The previous verse says they “kissed one another; and they wept together, but David more so” (v. 41). They...More Monday, September 12, 2022 Lessons on Jotham (4)—The Lord Notices All The rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah. 2 Chronicles 27:7 Lessons on Jotham (4)—The Lord Notices All In the short description of the reign of Jotham, we can identify many good things he did: he learned from the mistakes of his father, he stayed faithful to God despite the corruption of the people, and he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. But sometimes some details are more difficult to see; and here, there is one that only a careful study of the chronologies can bring to light. When Uzziah was...More Sunday, September 11, 2022 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (2) I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia” … I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man. Revelation 1:10–13 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (2) Although banished to Patmos, an island some twenty miles from the coast of present-day Turkey, because of his faithfulness to...More Saturday, September 10, 2022 King Uzziah (3)—Marvelously Helped And he made devices in Jerusalem, invented by skillful men, to be on the towers and the corners, to shoot arrows and large stones. So his fame spread far and wide, for he was marvelously helped till he became strong. 2 Chronicles 26:15 King Uzziah (3)—Marvelously Helped Uzziah had greatly strengthened the nation’s military capability. Bible scholars inform us that this period in Israel was a time of both military power and economic prosperity. As a result, Uzziah’s “fame spread far and wide” (cf. vv. 6–8, 15). Jehovah had done this for the nation, no doubt as a direct result of...More Friday, September 9, 2022 King Uzziah (2)—He Loved the Soil Uzziah … dug many wells, for he had much livestock, both in the lowlands and in the plains; he also had farmers and vinedressers in the mountains and in Carmel, for he loved the soil. 2 Chronicles 26:9–10 King Uzziah (2)—He Loved the Soil Following the death of King Uzziah’s spiritual mentor, Zechariah, he continued to strengthen himself and his nation. We read that he “made war against the Philistines,” those inveterate enemies of Israel who were characterized by afflicting God’s people and raiding the fields and food storage silos. Uzziah was able to get victory over these enemies:...More Thursday, September 8, 2022 King Uzziah (1)—Spiritual Prosperity [Uzziah] sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God; and as long as He sought the Lord, God made him prosper. 2 Chronicles 26:5 King Uzziah (1)—Spiritual Prosperity King Uzziah of Judah started out in a very promising way. He was only sixteen when he became king. Spiritual mentors are very important in our lives, and it appears that Uzziah had just such a person in Zechariah. This is not the same Zechariah of the Minor Prophets, the only thing we know about him was that he “had understanding in the visions of God.” Obviously, this man had a big influence...More Wednesday, September 7, 2022 The Gospel Came Directly From God But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11–12 The Gospel Came Directly From God Paul absolutely assures the Galatians that the gospel he preached is not according to man. Indeed, it is entirely contrary to the natural thought of man, for it emanates from One whose thoughts are higher than man’s thoughts. Isaiah 55:8–9 reminds us of this: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’...More Tuesday, September 6, 2022 Lessons on Jotham (3)—A Decision Has to Be Made Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 27:6 Lessons on Jotham (3)—A Decision Has to Be Made Jotham did what God instructed His people to do, and he became strong. There is a beautiful promise in Psalm 50:23 in this regard: “To one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!” But there is also something very important and evident behind the fact that he ordered his ways before the Lord his God: it was his decision of heart to walk in such a way. His commitment is seen in his zeal for the house of God: he built the upper gate,...More Monday, September 5, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (9)—Keeping Rank with One Heart All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. 1 Chronicles 12:38 David’s Mighty Men (9)—Keeping Rank with One Heart Many joined David publicly and came to Hebron from every tribe. They did so according to the word of the Lord (v. 23) and with undivided heart (v. 33) or with a loyal, perfect heart. We sometimes say, “the matter of the heart is the heart of the matter.” Those who came had “one heart” and were of one mind, with a “right heart” (v. 38)....More Sunday, September 4, 2022 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (1) I, John, both your brother and companion in the tribulation and kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.” Revelation 1:9–11 In the Spirit on the Lord’s Day (1) The aged apostle John had outlived his fellow apostles, but was not enjoying a comfortable retirement. Early church fathers tell us that for his faithfulness as a respected Christian...More Saturday, September 3, 2022 Remembering Zion By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion … and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? Psalm 137:1, 3–4 Remembering Zion Reading Psalm 137 we hear the lament of some of God’s people as they were taken as captives away from Israel to Babylon. Their heart goes back to their place of worship, and they promise not to forget Jerusalem. They express their longing for that place. But we must ask, why had they been taken into captivity in the first place? It...More Friday, September 2, 2022 The Power of Faith in the Time of Difficulty Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 The Power of Faith in the Time of Difficulty In our Lord’s reply to Martha we have one of the most blessed utterances that ever fell on the human ear: “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” What living depth, what divine power, what freshness and comfort in these words! They present to us the very gist and marrow, the essential principle of the divine life. It is only the eye of faith that can see the glory of God. Unbelief sees only...More Thursday, September 1, 2022 Love Not the World All that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 Love Not the World Fellowship with the Father and the Son and love of the world are incompatible. The world is that system which has grown up on this earth without God. The world around each one of us will assume different colors according to our different tastes. That which we individually like the most, will, as a rule, be the world to us, and the world we shall least willingly give up. It is easy to give up things we do not care for, and to call...More Wednesday, August 31, 2022 The “You and Me” of Christian Love Ruth said: “Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, if anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16–17 The “You and Me” of Christian Love Ruth’s mother-in-law, Naomi, made a great mistake when she left the land of Israel and moved to Moab. Her husband and two sons died there, sad illustration of the loss we suffer when we step outside...More Tuesday, August 30, 2022 Union With Christ—His Glory and Interests Are Ours Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? Acts 9:4 Union With Christ—His Glory and Interests Are Ours Paul could give no testimony to what Jesus was during His life on earth, but his ministry begins with the glory of Jesus, as the Lord in heaven. Jesus appears to him in the glory of His Sonship, and Lord is the title by which Saul addresses Him: “Lord, what do You want me to do?” “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” is the expression of Christ and the Church, being one. The interests of the Lord were thus shown to be centered in His poor, rejected, and persecuted people. In...More Monday, August 29, 2022 A Ready and Willing Heart And I said, “What shall I do, Lord?” And the Lord said to me, “Get up and go on into Damascus, and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do.” Acts 22:10 A Ready and Willing Heart What a beautiful response we read about here when the Lord had appeared and revealed Himself to Paul. Once Paul became a believer, his first question was, “What shall I do, Lord?” This shows us Paul had a ready and willing heart; immediately after becoming a believer and follower of Christ, he wanted to serve Him. He did not want to waste any time, but in complete surrender he asks...More Sunday, August 28, 2022 Loneliness I lie awake, and am like a sparrow alone on the housetop. Psalm 102:7 Loneliness Loneliness is a very unpleasant feeling. Many who have lost loved ones know the emotion, the feeling, even many years after their loss. Such feelings were well understood by the Lord as He too passed through a deep sense of loneliness. In the latter part of Matthew the Lord foretells His coming rejection and crucifixion. He speaks of Judas’s betrayal; He tells His disciples they will all forsake Him, and mentions Peter’s threefold denial. In the garden, the Lord separates from His disciples to pray. Even though...More Saturday, August 27, 2022 Lessons on Jotham (2)—Persevering in Doing What Is Right [Jotham] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord … But the people still followed corrupt practices … Jotham became mighty, because he ordered his ways before the Lord his God. 2 Chronicles 27:2, 6 Lessons on Jotham (2)—Persevering in Doing What Is Right Two things get our attention in these two verses. First, the people were walking in corrupted ways. Isaiah 1–6, which corresponds to that period, gives us more details. There we read that God did not want His people to come and offer sacrifices with a semblance of piety, then go back home and live totally differently, even offering...More Friday, August 26, 2022 Slow to Speak In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 10:19 Slow to Speak There is sin in much speaking and there is wisdom in restraint of words. The English satirist and poet, Matthew Arnold, once wrote, “They never taste who always drink, They always talk who never think.” The Bible pointedly admonishes against talkativeness and idle speaking. The Lord Jesus warned “that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Mt. 12:36). Indeed, the preacher and wise man of the Old Testament wrote,...More Thursday, August 25, 2022 The Way of the Cross I appoint unto you, as My Father has appointed unto Me, a kingdom. Luke 22:29 The Way of the Cross How we shrink from this hardship and the sacrifice that witnessing for Christ involves! We labor to save our own lives often, for we so little appreciate the love of Christ that made Him die for us; and it is only as that love of His constrains us that we shall do any other; but when that love takes full possession, we sell the garment and buy the sword, and go forth to witness for our Lord regardless of the consequences to ourselves. In this there is compensation; the compensation of the Lord’s...More Wednesday, August 24, 2022 Paul’s Review Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand. Acts 26:22 Paul’s Review Paul stood before Porcius Festus and Herod Agrippa II, two ranking officials in Judea. Imprisoned in Caesarea for the past two years, Paul was awaiting a journey to Rome where he would appear before Caesar regarding the Jewish accusations against him. Agrippa had recently arrived and expressed interest in Paul’s situation, so an audience had been arranged. What could Paul say to summarize his experiences? He first recalled his early life among the Pharisees, then his encounter with the risen...More Tuesday, August 23, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (8)—Understanding and Commitment Now these were the numbers of the divisions that were equipped for war, and came to David at Hebron to turn over the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 12:23 David’s Mighty Men (8)—Understanding and Commitment It is beautiful to note that the Spirit of God was at work in many ways and in different people. During the years that Saul was persecuting David, several understood that he was the king after God’s heart. One example was Abigail, whose husband refused to honor David after his men had faithfully cared for Nabal’s shepherds and flocks. She...More Monday, August 22, 2022 A Radical Change From you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith toward God has gone out … how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:8–10 A Radical Change What a turnabout in the lives of these Thessalonians! This change was the result of having believed the gospel that Paul had preached to them in the power of the Holy Spirit. They had received it as a message from God, as indeed...More Sunday, August 21, 2022 True Worship Jesus says to her, Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when ye shall neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem worship the Father … But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth. John 4:21, 23 True Worship When the woman of Samaria turned the discussion to worship, our Lord Jesus revealed some facts to which we need to pay careful attention. He told her that the Samaritan worship was based on ignorance, and that worship as it had been given took place among the Jews at Jerusalem (v. 22). But not even Jewish worship was true worship (v....More Saturday, August 20, 2022 Thoughts on Prayer Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Thoughts on Prayer One of the indications of the importance of prayer is the Lord’s attitude toward it. He often went to be by Himself to pray. One of the few instances that the Lord was angry was when He saw what was being done in the temple, His Father’s house. The “house of prayer” had been converted to a den of thieves. As we consider prayer, may we realize that we can pray to our Father—one of the closest family relationships possible—who is in heaven, indicating He is sovereign and capable of answering our needs, One who wants...More Friday, August 19, 2022 A Free Offer of Spiritual Riches I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. Rev. 3:18 A Free Offer of Spiritual Riches This was written to the angel of the assembly in Laodicea. That assembly claimed to be rich, but the Lord says they were poor. Therefore He counseled them to buy from Him gold purified by fire. This can be bought “without money and without price,” but they must give up their boasting in riches if they are to have the true...More Thursday, August 18, 2022 Lessons on Jotham (1)—Imitating the Faith of Our Predecessors [Jotham] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord according to all that his father Uzziah had done, except he did not enter the temple of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 27:2 Lessons on Jotham (1)—Imitating the Faith of Our Predecessors When we compare the summary of the reign of Jotham with the one of his father, we readily notice an important word: “except.” Jotham followed in the path of faith of his father, but not blindly: he learned from the good and bad things Uzziah did. He was very clever: he took the time to observe, think, and learn from what his father did. In fact, we can say that his...More Wednesday, August 17, 2022 Christ Pleads For His People Simon, Simon! … I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail. Luke 22:31–32 Christ Pleads For His People What could Simon do in the presence of Satan? Poor, impetuous, self-confident Simon! And what can we do who are as foolish and weak as he? Satan’s effort was and is to separate the souls of those whom Jesus loves from Him and to destroy them; and if he cannot destroy them, he will endeavor to destroy their testimony. What easy prey he would have if it were not for the blessed fact that we have an Intercessor, whose ceaseless and blessed activities on our behalf are...More Tuesday, August 16, 2022 Divinely Instructed By faith, Noah, oracularly warned concerning things not yet seen, moved with fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his house. Hebrews 11:7 Divinely Instructed God spoke to the patriarchs “in many parts and in many ways” (Heb. 1:1). The communications from God to these Old Testament saints were fragmentary, and came through dreams, visions, or angelic visitations. God communicated to the “fathers” through these partial and various means because the Scriptures were not yet completed, neither had the Son of God yet come (Heb. 1:2). Noah could not turn to the Bible to get guidance...More Monday, August 15, 2022 “You and Me”—Believers Then the children of Judah came to Joshua in Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him: “You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.” Joshua 14:6 “You and Me”—Believers What did the Lord say to Moses concerning Joshua and Caleb forty-five years earlier? “Surely none of the men who came up from Egypt … shall see the land … except Caleb the son of Jephunneh … and Joshua the son of Nun, for they have wholly followed the Lord” (Num. 32:11–12). Ten of the twelve men sent to search out the land...More Sunday, August 14, 2022 Attractions and Affections Draw me away! Make haste, my beloved. Song 1:4; Song 8:14 Attractions and Affections Are we drawn to the Person of Christ? Whether we contemplate the greatness of His work at Calvary or read of the many who were healed during the time of His earthly ministry, we must turn our gaze to the Beautiful One by whom and through whom these things were done. When a loved one wears perfume, it is not to attract our hearts to the fragrance itself, but that the fragrance would turn our gaze to the person wearing it. Similarly, let us continually thank the Lord for forgiveness of sins and a hope of...More Saturday, August 13, 2022 Jesus and His Human Relatives (2) Even His brothers did not believe in Him. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. They returned to Jerusalem … they went up into the upper room where they were staying … [The eleven remaining apostles] all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers. John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Acts 1:12–14 Jesus and His Human Relatives (2) Before the Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross, even His brothers (strictly speaking, half-brothers, for they were sons of Joseph and Mary) did...More Friday, August 12, 2022 Jesus and His Human Relatives (1) He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons … When His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.” For even His brothers did not believe in Him. Mark 3:14–15, 21; John 7:5 Jesus and His Human Relatives (1) We worship and adore the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God who became true Man, absolutely sinless, born at Bethlehem to the Virgin Mary. He grew up in Nazareth in Galilee. Mary and Joseph, her husband, a...More Thursday, August 11, 2022 The Attributes of God (2) Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30–31 The Attributes of God (2) In Isaiah 40 we see some of the characteristics of the God we are told to “wait” upon. The more we learn of who He is, the more we realize that we can wait on Him in every area of our life. He can be trusted and depended on because of who He is. Isaiah goes on to remind us of more of the attributes of our...More Wednesday, August 10, 2022 The Attributes of God (1) Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 The Attributes of God (1) What a precious promise from God’s Word! But who is this God that we are to wait upon? What is He like? We must confess that we know very little about our God, and what we do know we tend to isolate because of our circumstances. We might know and understand that God is love, but when bad things happen because we live in a world broken by sin, we might begin to think that God has...More Tuesday, August 9, 2022 Lessons on Uzziah (4)—Going Out of Our Place Azariah the priest … with eighty priests of the Lord … withstood King Uzziah and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord … you have done wrong” … Then Uzziah was angry … and when he became angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead in the presence of the priests in the house of the Lord. 2 Chronicles 26:17–19 Lessons on Uzziah (4)—Going Out of Our Place It is very interesting and surprising to read that Uzziah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that his father Amaziah had done” (2 Chr. 26:4). Amaziah did...More Monday, August 8, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (7)—Helpers in Trying Times When he went to Ziklag, those of Manasseh who defected to him were … captains of the thousands … And they helped David against the bands of raiders, for they were all mighty men of valor. 1 Chronicles 12:20–21 David’s Mighty Men (7)—Helpers in Trying Times During a very difficult time, as King Saul continued to persecute him, David decided to take refuge in the Philistine town of Gath. The giant Goliath, whom David had killed while still a shepherd boy, had come from there (1 Sam. 17). However, after Saul had sought to kill him several times, David fled to King Achish in Gath, where he...More Sunday, August 7, 2022 Remember Me Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him. Genesis 40:23 Remember Me The chief butler owed his life to Joseph. But the chief butler forgot to remember him! Perhaps, with his new lease on life, he was simply taken up with his blessings. When Pharaoh’s dream jogged his memory, he came forward and spoke of Joseph as “a young Hebrew man, a servant” (41:12). Don’t we see veiled in these words a beautiful picture of our Lord? There is nothing that we can tell the Father about the Lord Jesus that He does not already know; and yet the Father delights to hear us speak well of...More Saturday, August 6, 2022 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (4)—Beware! You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17–18 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (4)—Beware! Peter continues on with the practical exhortations in light of the topic of the Lord’s second coming and the ultimate dissolution of the present world. “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand.” Wonderful thought that as Christians we know what is coming beforehand. The purpose of...More Friday, August 5, 2022 The Perfect Obedience of Christ I delight to do Thy will. Psalm 40:8 The Perfect Obedience of Christ Our blessed Lord Jesus found the will of God to be His only motive for action. There was nothing in Him that needed to be restrained by the authority of God. His will was perfect and His every movement was of necessity—the very necessity of His perfect nature—in the current of the divine will: “I came down from heaven, not to do Mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me” (Jn. 6:38). Now, what could Satan do with such a Man as this? Absolutely nothing. He tried to withdraw Him from the path of obedience...More Thursday, August 4, 2022 God’s Love Makes Us Overcomers This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:3–4 God’s Love Makes Us Overcomers Mere assertions of love for God while ignoring His expressed will can be nothing but hypocrisy. The love of God is not merely love for God, but God’s love having entered the heart and producing a fitting response. The proof of it, therefore, is in my keeping His commandments, and love will fully agree that His commandments are not...More Wednesday, August 3, 2022 Lessons on Uzziah (3)—My Rights or Christ’s Rights? But when [Uzziah] was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God and entered the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense. 2 Chronicles 26:16 Lessons on Uzziah (3)—My Rights or Christ’s Rights? It is a very sad thing to see that when Uzziah became strong, he believed himself to be above God’s ordinances. He went into the temple of the Lord to offer incense, a task reserved for the priests alone. Even if it was out of genuine devotion—which we can really doubt, for real devotion would submit to God’s ordinances just like King...More Tuesday, August 2, 2022 Christ’s Message to the Church of the Last Days I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 Christ’s Message to the Church of the Last Days There passes before us a solemn picture of the last stage of the professing Church. The failure that commenced with the loss of first love to Christ, ends in such utter indifference to Christ that the Church is unmoved, even though Christ is outside the door. It is deaf to every appeal by which He would seek to win their hearts. The grace that has restored to us an open Bible, and revived the great truths concerning Christ and the Church, is so abused by the Christian...More Monday, August 1, 2022 The Gadarene (5) As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, “Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you.” Mark 5:18–19 The Gadarene (5) In this passage about the Gadarene, the Lord Jesus three times was asked for permission to do something. In two cases He said yes, in one case He said no. First, the demons asked Him to send them into the swine, and the Lord allowed them. Second, the people of the region asked him to...More Sunday, July 31, 2022 Remembrance This is My body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of Me. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Remembrance Take notice of the word “remember.” It is not a Christ as He now exists. His body is now glorified. That is not a remembrance. It is a remembrance of what He was on the cross, a body slain, shed blood, not a glorified body. It is remembered, though, by those who are now united to Him in glory into which He is entered. As risen with Him in glory, they look back to that blessed work of love which gave them a place there. They drink also the cup of remembrance of Him. In a word, it is...More Saturday, July 30, 2022 Let Us Draw Near Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:19–22 Let Us Draw Near The question of sin now settled, the believer is encouraged in those privileges that are proper to him. The law sternly forbade entry into the holiest. In the legal system God dwelt in thick darkness, and none dared approach. But the saint of God today is called to approach with calm,...More Friday, July 29, 2022 Lessons on Uzziah (2)—Well Equipped Soldiers Uzziah had an army of fighting men … to help the king against the enemy. Then Uzziah prepared for them, for the entire army, shields, spears, helmets, body armor, bows, and slings to cast stones. 2 Chronicles 26:11, 13–14 Lessons on Uzziah (2)—Well Equipped Soldiers Uzziah was ready to face the enemy; his army was well equipped, in order, and ready to help the king at any moment. From the moment we believed in Christ and His redemptive work for us, we have been introduced into a battle against the flesh which is in us, against the system of things around us which rejects God, and...More Thursday, July 28, 2022 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (3)—Be Diligent Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless. 2 Peter 3:14 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (3)—Be Diligent The first two of Peter’s exhortations to the “beloved” are both connected with the coming of the Lord; the beloved ones were exhorted to “be mindful” of it and not to forget it (v. 1). This was in light of scoffers who would appear in the last days. The beloved should not “be unaware” of this fact. God does not count time as we do; any delay in Christ’s coming is really not a delay, but...More Wednesday, July 27, 2022 Water From the Well of Bethlehem And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 2 Samuel 23:15 Water From the Well of Bethlehem How little did those three mighty men imagine that their act of loving devotedness would be recorded on the eternal page of inspiration, there to be read by millions. They never thought of this. Their hearts were set on David, and they did not count their lives dear to themselves so that they might gratify him or refresh his spirit. Had they acted to get a name or place for themselves, it would have robbed their act...More Tuesday, July 26, 2022 The Gadarene (4) [The Gadarene] … was not living in a house, but in the tombs. They came to Jesus and observed the man who had been demon-possessed sitting down, clothed and in his right mind. Luke 8:27; Mark 5:15 The Gadarene (4) The Gadarene demoniac “was not living in a house,” but in complete restlessness he was running around and living in tombs. One feature of the unregenerate man is his inward and sometimes outward restlessness. In this world, real rest cannot be found. But when this man met the Lord Jesus, things in his life changed completely. The first thing that people noticed...More Monday, July 25, 2022 A “Me and You” God The Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. And I will make My covenant between Me and you.” Genesis 17:1–2 A “Me and You” God God had promised Abram that his own child would be his heir, and he had believed Him (15:4, 6). But he and his wife Sarai were old and time was running out, so they took matters into their own hands. She arranged for him to have a child with her maidservant, and he consented (16:2–4). The child Hagar conceived was Abram’s son right enough, but he got him the wrong way. It was a disaster; Ishmael was a cause...More Sunday, July 24, 2022 We See Jesus But we see Jesus … crowned with glory and honor. Hebrews 2:9 We See Jesus When we focus on our Lord Jesus, we must include thoughts of His suffering at Calvary. That work opened the way to a relationship with Him, providing for the many privileges from the divine side. But we do not remain at Calvary. We cannot even stay by the empty tomb. At the cross, we find it empty. If we go to the tomb, it is also empty. In either case we are concerned with Christ as dead. However, if by faith, we look into heaven, we see the exalted Man, crowned with glory and honor. Knowing that the cross is empty and...More Saturday, July 23, 2022 Gathered to Him Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him. 1 Samuel 22:2 Gathered to Him There does not appear to be anything attractive about these four hundred men. We would not consider them respectable, reliable members of society. They did not seem to be men in whom we would have a great deal of confidence, nor would we think them capable of shouldering responsibilities. And we certainly cannot imagine how these four hundred would ever get along together in a cave!...More Friday, July 22, 2022 Living by Faith I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20 Living by Faith Many a Christian who is thoroughly well-assured in his soul that faith in Christ is the only possible way by which a sinner can find pardon and peace, fails to believe that faith in Christ is the only way by which he himself can live to God. Such a believer has faith in Christ as his Savior from the doom of sin, but not faith in Him as his Strength over the power of...More Thursday, July 21, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (6)—Courageous and Qualified Some Gadites joined David at the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions. 1 Chronicles 12:8 David’s Mighty Men (6)—Courageous and Qualified It took great courage to identify with someone who was hotly pursued by King Saul. David had retreated to a stronghold in the wilderness, not a pleasant or attractive place. However, the men who joined David were drawn to him, the king after God’s own heart, as God moved their hearts. King Saul, on the other hand, was a strong leader, but people...More Wednesday, July 20, 2022 The Gadarene (3) Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. Two men who were demon-possessed met Him as they were coming out of the tombs. They were so extremely violent that no one could pass by that way. [The Gadarene] had not put on any clothing for a long time. Mark 5:5; Matthew 8:28; Luke 8:27 The Gadarene (3) “He was gashing himself with stones.” This makes it clear that sin is self-destructive. You are harming yourself one way or the other. That is also what the writer of Proverbs says: “But he who sins...More Tuesday, July 19, 2022 Lessons on Uzziah (1)—God Made Him Prosper [Uzziah] sought God in the days of Zechariah … and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him prosper. 2 Chronicles 26:5 Lessons on Uzziah (1)—God Made Him Prosper Contrarily to his father, Uzziah prospered! And it is interesting to read this because when Uzziah started to reign, at 16 years old, it was when his father had been made captive by the king of Israel. This means that Uzziah was co-regent over the kingdom with his father Amaziah for 24 years! While Amaziah turned away from God and stubbornly kept that path, his son Uzziah sought the Lord with the same tenacity. And he prospered in...More Monday, July 18, 2022 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (2)—Be Not Ignorant But let not this one thing be hidden from you, beloved, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord does not delay His promise, as some account of delay, but is longsuffering towards you, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:8–9 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (2)—Be Not Ignorant God does not want His dear children, His beloved, to be in the dark. That is the meaning of today’s verse. “Let not this … be hidden from you”; the word “ignorant” (in kjv) means “hidden” or “to...More Sunday, July 17, 2022 The Lord’s Day—The Holy Spirit, not Law On the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. Genesis 2:2–3 The Lord’s Day—The Holy Spirit, not Law The seventh day had a special place given to it by God, and no work was done; God rested on that day. Sad to say, that rest was very soon broken because of man’s sin, so that the Lord says in John 5:17, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” In Genesis 2, the rest that we read of is symbolic of eternity—of that rest we find in...More Saturday, July 16, 2022 Simeon’s Prophecy (2) Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” Luke 2:34–35 Simeon’s Prophecy (2) Simeon blessed Joseph and Mary, who are called the parents of the Child Jesus here in Luke’s Gospel. Earlier in this Gospel it has been emphatically stated that this Child would be the Son of God. Mary was His mother and Joseph was her husband. He had the privilege of being...More Friday, July 15, 2022 Simeon’s Prophecy (1) [Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” Luke 2:27–32 Simeon’s Prophecy (1) Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple in accordance with the law....More Thursday, July 14, 2022 Jeremiah’s Generation Though they say, “As the Lord lives,” surely they swear falsely. O Lord, are not Your eyes on the truth? Jeremiah 5:2–3 Jeremiah’s Generation Jeremiah’s neighborhood and the surrounding culture were filled with religious people. His hometown, Anathoth, was one of the cities where the priests lived. The national reforms of King Josiah had reinvigorated a determination to remove Baal’s wicked altars and follow the Lord’s ways. In later chapters of Jeremiah, various priests and officials had the name of Jehovah on their lips. But this chapter begins with God telling Jeremiah...More Wednesday, July 13, 2022 That I May Know Him (2) That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10 That I May Know Him (2) Paul counted everything in his past, his religious pedigree and all the accolades of men, as loss (Phil. 3:7). But in verse 8 he looks at his life at the time and counts everything loss for Christ: notice, “for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ!” This means much more than simply knowledge about Christ! Paul was not interested only in historical knowledge about Christ; he had that before he was saved. But he wanted ongoing...More Tuesday, July 12, 2022 That I May Know Him (1) That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10 That I May Know Him (1) In Acts 9 we read of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus. We hear him ask two questions that are very insightful for understanding the subject of knowing God and making Him known. The first question was, “Who are You, Lord?” The Lord answered by saying, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul then responded with his second question, saying with trembling and astonishment, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” The...More Monday, July 11, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (5)—Great Faith and Energy Now these were the men who came to David at Ziklag while he was still a fugitive from Saul the son of Kish; and they were among the mighty men, helpers in the war. 1 Chronicles 12:1 David’s Mighty Men (5)—Great Faith and Energy The first group of men who came to David at Ziklag belonged to Benjamin, Saul’s very own tribe! Joining David, they risked their lives because King Saul was persecuting David and his men. David welcomed them and immediately started to train them. Eventually, they became some of his “mighty men” and “helpers in the war.” They realized that Saul was not just...More Sunday, July 10, 2022 The Source of Praise To Him who loves us, and has washed us from our sins in His blood, and made us a kingdom, priests to His God and Father: to Him be the glory and the might to the ages of ages. Amen. Revelation 1:5–6 The Source of Praise What? This One who knows the secrets of the Father’s heart, do I know that He loves me? Did He die for me? I had nothing but my sins when He looked upon me. Was His blood competent to take out all their crimson dye? And is God satisfied? Will God find fault with that work as inadequate? Oh no! He looked upon me, the chief of sinners, and I am to be a specimen of the cleansing...More Saturday, July 9, 2022 He Was There He saw them straining at rowing … He came to them. Mark 6:48 He Was There The disciples’ need and His love brought Him there. They would have seen Him long before they did had they not been so bent upon their own efforts to bring their boat to port; but when their sailor-skill was baffled and their strength was done, He was there; when they dropped their oars and ceased the struggle, He was there to come into their circumstances and bring His own peace with Him and share it with them, to steer them into a great calm. It is even so today. His love brings Him swiftly to our relief,...More Friday, July 8, 2022 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (1)—Be Mindful Beloved, I now write to you this second epistle (in both of which I stir up your pure minds by way of reminder), that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the commandment of us, the apostles of the Lord and Savior. 2 Peter 3:1–2 Four Exhortations to the “Beloved” (1)—Be Mindful Second Peter 3 contains Peter’s very last words to the saints. He had already told them that he would soon be martyred (1:14; cf. Jn. 21:18). Four times in this chapter the apostle addresses the saints with the title of endearment, “Beloved” (vv. 1, 8, 14, 17)....More Thursday, July 7, 2022 Secure in Christ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Secure in Christ We marvel as we read the story of Israel in the wilderness and God’s declaration that “He has not observed iniquity in Jacob, nor has He seen wickedness in Israel” (Num. 23:21). How wonderful to realize that this is God’s attitude towards us as well. But how can this be? It is because He sees us in His Son. We are one with the Lord, and so His perfection is attributed to us. This is something that should affect our hearts...More Wednesday, July 6, 2022 “You and Me”—We Are Brethren Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren.” Genesis 13:8 “You and Me”—We Are Brethren Lot was not a stranger and pilgrim like his uncle (Heb. 11:13), so they were bound to face challenges in their relationship. But they were brethren, so we can apply Abram’s words to ourselves as fellow believers on the Lord Jesus. We differ in character and attainment, but we should be able to go on together in the Christian life. It was not long after Abram and Lot began their journey that strife...More Tuesday, July 5, 2022 The Gadarene (2) And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones. Mark 5:3–5 The Gadarene (2) “No one was able to bind him.” Measures have been taken everywhere to “bind” the worst effects of sin on man, and there are prisons in many places to keep the worst offenders away from human...More Monday, July 4, 2022 Guided by the Pillars of God The Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. Exodus 13:21 Guided by the Pillars of God What is of importance to notice here is that the people of Israel were divinely guided on their march. He who selected their path guided them in it, went before them in the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, in all their wanderings. These gracious symbols of His presence He never took from them as long as they were in the wilderness. This is only an illustration of the truth, that the...More Sunday, July 3, 2022 The Humbled One Now in the Highest Place The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, who dwells on high, who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth? Psalm 113:4–6 The Humbled One Now in the Highest Place Feeble indeed is our perception of the infinite magnitude of the glory of God. His glory is high above all heavens. He dwells in light unapproachable. His magnificent splendor is such as to bow angels in prostrate adoration, even though they had seen only partial visions of His glory and not His blessed face, as they do now in the Person of His...More Saturday, July 2, 2022 What Does God Look Like? No one has seen God at any time. John 1:18 What Does God Look Like? Recently a research group from the University of North Carolina surveyed 511 devout Christians, asking them one particular question: “What does God look like?” What an interesting question because we must keep in mind that Scripture says, “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (Jn. 1:18). The response of the group was not what you would expect. Most pictured a God that actually looks like them! In fact, for those in the study who were more...More Friday, July 1, 2022 The Throne of God Unshaken The twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne. Revelation 4:10 The Throne of God Unshaken The government of God calls forth the worship of the saints, who use the crowns that Christ has given them to recognize their perfect submission to Him. They cast their crowns before the throne and own the Lord as worthy to receive glory and honor and power, for He is the Creator of all, and for His pleasure all things are and were created. Sin has marred that fair creation, so that now the whole creation...More Thursday, June 30, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (4)—Courageous, Devoted, and Ready Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 1 Chronicles 11:22 David’s Mighty Men (4)—Courageous, Devoted, and Ready The name Benaiah means “Yah has built up,” and his father Jehoiada, “Yahweh knows.” He was from Kabzeel (“God gathers”), the southernmost town in Judah, close to Edom. Our text says that he had done many deeds, or was a doer of great deeds. He had struck down two heroes of Moab and a lion in a...More Wednesday, June 29, 2022 The Gadarene (1) Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs. Mark 5:1–3 The Gadarene (1) “An unclean spirit.” The demons are generally called unclean spirits. That tells us that Satan’s activities are principally unclean. Everything that Satan does to entice or tempt people will lead them to a behavior that is unclean. There are good spirits, the angels. But the demons are fallen angels that fell with Satan in his rebellion...More Tuesday, June 28, 2022 The Importance of Remembering You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you; therefore I command you this thing today. Deuteronomy 15:15 The Importance of Remembering “Remember the Alamo!” is a well-known saying in the United States which originated after a famous battle at the Alamo Mission in 1836, when Texas was seceding from Mexico. It became a battle cry for American soldiers in subsequent wars. It graphically shows the importance remembrance has in the psyche of men and nations. This is also true when it comes to spiritual things—perhaps even more so,...More Monday, June 27, 2022 Spiritual Refreshment From the Rock All drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of a spiritual rock which followed them: (now the rock was the Christ). 1 Corinthians 10:4 Spiritual Refreshment From the Rock Water was in the rock, but until smitten, it did not give forth water—so it was with Christ. And now He is revealed to us in heaven as the eternal Son of God, who was smitten for us. We can turn to Him and say, “There is our spring of living water; He is ours. We have got eternal life in Him as a well of water springing up.” All the way through the wilderness, the water flowed to slake their thirst, to refresh them;...More Sunday, June 26, 2022 The Lord’s Last Desire for Us With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. Luke 22:15 The Lord’s Last Desire for Us The storm was gathering outside, preparations for His arrest and condemnation and crucifixion were being rapidly completed, and Judas, who knew all about it, sat there at the table with Him, with the price of his treachery in his bag. And Jesus knew all this. Never before had the powers of darkness been so stirred; this was the supreme hour; men were but the puppets on the stage, guilty puppets, playing their part with willing hearts; but behind them were the forces of evil...More Saturday, June 25, 2022 Perfect Love Casts Out Fear “Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Genesis 50:17 Perfect Love Casts Out Fear The lack of true knowledge of Joseph’s heart, and the consequent lack of confidence in Joseph is revealed in the message that his brethren sent to him. And worse, they attempt to hide their own unbelief and mistrust of Joseph by pretending they are only carrying out the dying commands of Joseph’s father. It is impossible to believe that Jacob left any such command. In total forgetfulness of Joseph’s forgiveness of all their sad...More Friday, June 24, 2022 A Voice Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” John 1:19 A Voice They were determined to have an answer, and he gives them one. But mark his answer! Who or what was he? Nobody. He was only a “voice” (v. 23). This is morally lovely. The self-emptiness of this most honored servant is beautiful. It does the heart good to be brought into contact with such practical grace as this. Here was a man of real power and dignity, one of Christ’s most illustrious servants, whose preaching had stirred the hearts of thousands, whose...More Thursday, June 23, 2022 God’s Dear Children Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. Ephesians 5:1 God’s Dear Children What a wonderful place the Lord sets us in here, and sets us in the consciousness of it too, showing us how we get to it, with its effects and fruits. But that consciousness is hindered by everything that is in contrast to God: worldliness, carelessness, or negligence. Still, it is where God has really set us, and we are to be “imitators of God as dear children.” To think that such a word should come out of His mouth to us, calling us “dear children.” We are familiar with the thought of being sons of God,...More Wednesday, June 22, 2022 Let Alone (4)—“Let Him Alone” Ephraim is joined to idols, let him alone. Hosea 4:17 Let Alone (4)—“Let Him Alone” “Joined to idols”: not merely idolatrous, bad as that may be, but definitely joined to them in a fearful and daring unity. Recovery appears hopeless. A long course of tampering with evil has not only blunted the conscience, but turned the evil into a pleasure, and every sense of what is due to God is dulled, so that the idols assert their authority, and God is forsaken. Alas, that the heart should thus become entrapped, Satan so easily conquer, and man fall so completely! Yet so it is; and when Ephraim is...More Tuesday, June 21, 2022 Let Alone (3)—“Let Them Alone” Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Matthew 15:14 Let Alone (3)—“Let Them Alone” This is a solemn verdict—awfully solemn! It was spoken by Christ in reference to the false teachers of that day—the teachers who placed tradition above Scripture, and who taught for doctrines, the commandments of men. Of religion, such as it was, they had plenty, for they drew nigh with their mouth, but their heart was far from God. Oh, what a difference! Mouth-religion may be musical, eloquent, attractive, and imposing, but it...More Monday, June 20, 2022 Let Alone (2)—“Let It Alone” Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. And if it bears fruit, well. But if not, after that you can cut it down. Luke 13:8–9 Let Alone (2)—“Let It Alone” “Let it alone this year also” was the prayer of the dresser of the vineyard on behalf of the fruitless fig tree. The lord of the vineyard had come and looked for fruit for three years; and being utterly disappointed, he gave commandment that it should be cut down. The tree cumbered the ground. It was occupying space that could be planted with profit. It was not only fruitless, but it was doing...More Sunday, June 19, 2022 Let Alone (1)—“Let Her Alone” But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial.” John 12:7 Let Alone (1)—“Let Her Alone” Mary of Bethany, who had before this found her happy place at the Master’s feet, came to the supper prepared for Him just six days before His death, and poured upon His feet her very costly ointment of spikenard, the odor of which filled the house. Her act of devotedness was directed toward the Lord Himself. It was in the nature of intelligent worship, but it provoked the hostility of the disciples. To them it was a “waste.” They said that it should have...More Saturday, June 18, 2022 Lessons on Amaziah (4)—The Only King Who “Turned Away” From the Lord Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived fifteen years after the death of Joash the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel. Now the rest of the deeds of Amaziah, from first to last, are they not written in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel? From the time when he turned away from the Lord they made a conspiracy against him. 2 Chronicles 25:25–27 Lessons on Amaziah (4)—The Only King Who “Turned Away” From the Lord Interestingly, we read that Amaziah “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart” (2 Chr. 25:2). At the beginning of his reign he did that...More Friday, June 17, 2022 The Divine Unity of God’s Book Every Scripture is divinely inspired. 2 Timothy 3:16 The Divine Unity of God’s Book The Bible is a remarkable book. Indeed, it is not just one book, but it is many books, written over a period of 1,500 years by as many as forty different writers, most of whom never met one another. In some cases, they lived many miles apart from each other. Yet, amazingly, it is one book, and in this sense it has an internal unity that would be impossible without divine inspiration. This divine unity is seen in its consistent presentation of God’s purpose in Christ through history, prophecy, and even poetry....More Thursday, June 16, 2022 The “World”—Things Haven’t Changed He was in the world, and the world had its being through Him, and the world knew Him not. John 1:10 The “World”—Things Haven’t Changed Not Mars or Jupiter or Saturn became the sphere of God’s reconciliation, but Planet Earth. It is into our world that God sent His only-begotten Son to be our Savior. While creation shows the power of God, the incarnation, life, and atoning death of the Lord Jesus display His love. Why didn’t God totally destroy the world of mankind as soon as Adam sinned? Or why did He not destroy it during the subsequent ages in which His glory and righteousness were...More

Wednesday, June 15, 2022 Every Believer Has a Gift See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship. Exodus 31:2–3 Every Believer Has a Gift God announced whom He Himself had called to do the work in building the tabernacle. These were men who could be depended on to follow God’s instructions without wavering. No one was allowed to take this honor on himself, but he must receive it directly from God. How important it is that God’s work should be done by God’s workmen. All...More Tuesday, June 14, 2022 The Wonderful Gospel As cold water to a weary soul, so is good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25 The Wonderful Gospel The gospel message comes from heaven, from God. It must neither be camouflaged in a politically correct language to obscure its contents, nor tempered to soothe the conscience of the lost. Its message will offend the self-righteous who consider themselves “good” and who take exception to being called sinners, and hell-deserving at that. It says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God,” and that “the wages of sin is death,” and “after this the judgment.” It...More Monday, June 13, 2022 How the Acts of the Apostles Begins The former account I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, until the day in which He was taken up … He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. Acts 1:1–3 How the Acts of the Apostles Begins It is apparent from this introduction that Acts might well be titled Second Luke or Luke, Volume 2. Its author says here that the Gospel of Luke was about “all that Jesus began both to do and teach.” It concluded with the Lord being parted from...More Sunday, June 12, 2022 Remembering Our Absent Lord Do this in remembrance of Me. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Remembering Our Absent Lord The Lord’s Supper brings before us the fact that He is not here—we announce the death of our Lord until He returns—and one reason why He is not here is that the world cast Him out: “And He was numbered with the transgressors.” His name was blotted out from David’s royal line and inscribed on the criminal roll of Jerusalem. Yes, the name of Jesus of Nazareth would be found along with the names of thieves and murderers. And we announce the Lord’s death until He comes again. As we eat His Supper, we...More Saturday, June 11, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (3)—Taking on the Giants Abishai the brother of Joab was chief of another three. He had lifted up his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. 1 Chronicles 11:20 David’s Mighty Men (3)—Taking on the Giants Abishai means “my father is Jesse,” or “my father is a gift,” and his mother Zeruiah was one of David’s sisters (1 Chr. 2:15–16). Jesse was the father of David, while Abishai was one of Jesse’s grandsons. Abishai was the most renowned of the thirty mighty men but was not one of the first three (11:21). His younger brother Asahel, a fast runner, was killed by...More Friday, June 10, 2022 Lessons on Amaziah (3)—We Lose Everything When We Turn Away From God Amaziah king of Judah took counsel and sent to Joash the son of Jehoahaz, son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, “Come, let us look one another in the face.” And Joash the king of Israel sent word to Amaziah king of Judah … “Stay at home. Why should you provoke trouble so that you fall, you and Judah with you?” But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God, in order that He might give them into the hand of their enemies, because they had sought the gods of Edom. 2 Chronicles 25:17–20 Lessons on Amaziah (3)—We Lose Everything When We Turn Away From God After Amaziah refused to listen...More Thursday, June 9, 2022 Saul’s Breach of Faith So Saul died for his unfaithfulness which he had committed against the Lord, because he did not keep the word of the Lord, and also because he consulted a medium for guidance. 1 Chronicles 10:13 Saul’s Breach of Faith Sometimes 1 and 2 Chronicles provide lengthy details not recorded in the books of Samuel or Kings. Often, however, the Chronicles give us God’s concise analysis of events. For example, Saul’s kingship is almost completely overlooked in 1 Chronicles. The record of his death in chapter 10 is essentially all we are given. The summary of Saul’s unfaithful life is...More Wednesday, June 8, 2022 Amos—The Shepherd Who Became a Prophet I followed the flock. Amos 7:15 Amos—The Shepherd Who Became a Prophet Amos was a shepherd, and he also harvested the fruit from sycamore trees (Amos 1:1; 7:14–15). He was an all-round farmhand who worked outdoors regularly and was very familiar with rural life—not someone you would think would have a powerful ministry. But God does not think like we do. In keeping with his down-to-earth style, he describes his vocation in prosaic terms, saying, “I followed the flock.” He describes himself as being “among the herdmen” (1:1 jnd). This seems to have been his...More Tuesday, June 7, 2022 How the Gospels Begin—John In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things received being through Him, and without Him not one thing received being which has received being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light appears in darkness, and the darkness apprehended it not. John 1:1–5 How the Gospels Begin—John The Gospel of John was the last Gospel to be written. Its first verse takes us farther back than any other passage in the Bible, farther than the beginning of creation in Genesis 1, and even before the time when we...More Monday, June 6, 2022 In What Way Have You Loved Us? “I have loved you,” says the Lord. “Yet you say, ‘In what way have you loved us?’” God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. Malachi 1:2; John 3:16; Revelation 1:5 In What Way Have You Loved Us? Do you feel loved? Malachi wrote to the remnant of Judah who had returned to the land of promise. When he gave them the Lord’s word, “I have loved you,” immediately they questioned His love: “In what way have You loved us?” Had they forgotten their deliverance from Egypt? Or how...More Sunday, June 5, 2022 The Redeemer God Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Romans 3:24 The Redeemer God When Christ meets a sinner and gives him peace, the only thing that He thinks of is His own blood, and anything added to that He would turn away from and repudiate. Ah! There is no name to which Jesus of Nazareth responds more heartily than the name of Savior—it has not become a common name to Him. He will not share it with another. He may have every glory, but above all is this name of Savior between Him and God. He is “the Savior God.” Ah! There is something there that has a...More Saturday, June 4, 2022 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (4)—Live Godly For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live … godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Titus 2:11–13 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (4)—Live Godly There is a third lesson which grace teaches its saved pupils. It teaches them to live godly. This opens up our relations with the world above. There is great force, beauty, and completeness in these words used by the inspired apostle. They present to us three great circles in...More Friday, June 3, 2022 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (3)—Live Righteously For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live … righteously … in the present age. Titus 2:11–12 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (3)—Live Righteously The second grand lesson which grace teaches me as to my practical life is to live righteously. This contemplates me not merely in the inner circle of my own moral being, but in the midst of the circumstances and relationships of the scene around me, that outward world in which I am called to live and move from day to day. My divine Teacher instructs me...More Thursday, June 2, 2022 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (2)—Live Soberly For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly … in the present age. Titus 2:11–12 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (2)—Live Soberly These instructions arrange themselves under three distinct headings, as suggested by the words “soberly, righteously, and godly.” Soberly refers to the inner circle of one’s own heart. It simply means with inward self-government, a most comprehensive expression. The grace that saves me teaches me to exercise a holy government over self. I am to...More Wednesday, June 1, 2022 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (1)—Introduction For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. Titus 2:11–12 Three Lessons Grace Teaches Us (1)—Introduction Grace does not teach those who are dead; it gives life to them. It does not teach those who are guilty; it cleanses them. It does not teach those who are condemned; it justifies them. It is as quickened (made alive), cleansed, and justified that I become the pupil of grace. The very first thing that grace does for the lost sinner is to bring...More Tuesday, May 31, 2022 Lessons on Amaziah (2)—Guard Yourselves From Idols After Amaziah came from slaughtering the Edomites, he brought the gods of the sons of Seir, set them up as his gods, bowed down before them and burned incense to them. Then the anger of the Lord burned against Amaziah, and He sent him a prophet who said to him, “Why have you sought the gods of the people who have not delivered their own people from your hand?” 2 Chronicles 25:14–15 Lessons on Amaziah (2)—Guard Yourselves From Idols After his victory over his enemies, Amaziah brings back something very strange: the gods of the sons of Seir. And worse, he sets them up as his gods, and...More Monday, May 30, 2022 How the Gospels Begin—Luke Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. Luke 1:1–4 How the Gospels Begin—Luke Luke, the beloved physician, a Gentile, collected information from those who had personally known and had...More Sunday, May 29, 2022 From the Ash Heap to the Palace He raises the poor out of the dust, and lifts the needy out of the ash heap, that He may seat him with princes. Psalm 113:7–8 From the Ash Heap to the Palace The text quoted for today’s meditation is found in Psalm 113, but it is also found, almost word for word, in 1 Samuel 2:8. There it is the thanksgiving prayer of Hannah upon her realizing that Jehovah heard her request for a son. It is believed that the psalmist is actually quoting Hannah; however, in her prayer she also adds, concerning the needy and the beggars, that God will “make them inherit the throne of glory.” This...More Saturday, May 28, 2022 The Jealousy of God For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:2 The Jealousy of God God’s jealousy is first mentioned on the occasion of the giving of the Law: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Ex. 20:2). He was their God and they were His people on the ground of redemption. Accordingly, they were to have no other gods before Him: “You shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (v....More Friday, May 27, 2022 Quiet, Lowly Service However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15–16 Quiet, Lowly Service From the beginning of the ministry of the Lord Jesus, how real was the blessing of God upon it! In this chapter of Luke we read that with a touch He had healed a man full of leprosy (vv. 12–14). Although that man was to tell no one, yet the news spread, and crowds were drawn to hear and to be healed by Him. But the blessed Lord of glory was not carried...More Thursday, May 26, 2022 The Truth as It Is in Jesus But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Ephesians 4:20–23 The Truth as It Is in Jesus If our ears are opened to hear Him and there is willingness to be taught by Him, our entire character and conduct will be in total contrast to that of the unsaved. The truth as it is “in Jesus” is a seldom used expression in Scripture. It refers to the truth exemplified in...More Wednesday, May 25, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (2)—Love’s Devotion Now three of the thirty chief men went down to the rock to David, into the cave of Adullam; and the army of the Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 1 Chronicles 11:15–16 David’s Mighty Men (2)—Love’s Devotion How depressing for David! The town he was born in had been taken by the Philistines, who had made it their garrison. In this context we read, “David said with longing, ‘Oh, that someone would give me a drink of water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!’ So the...More Tuesday, May 24, 2022 Peace With God The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all. Acts 10:36 Peace With God One of the most momentous questions which can be put to a human being is this: “Have you peace with God?” It is a question of deepest solemnity, and it claims a direct and immediate answer from every heart. There is no reason why any truly anxious soul should continue for one moment without settled peace with God. Christ has made peace by the blood of His cross. God is preaching peace by Jesus Christ, and here we have the solid foundation of the believer’s...More Monday, May 23, 2022 How the Gospels Begin—Mark The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the Prophets: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You. The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’” Mark 1:1–3 How the Gospels Begin—Mark Mark’s Gospel presents our Lord Jesus as the Servant of God, the One diligent in business for God here upon earth. He Himself said He had not come “to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mk. 10:45). But the Holy Spirit makes very clear...More Sunday, May 22, 2022 The Story of Three Kings Hiram the king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress and gold … King Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. Then Hiram went from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, but they did not please him. So he said, “What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul. 1 Kings 9:11–13 The Story of Three Kings Hiram, the King of Tyre, had greatly facilitated King Solomon’s building of the temple (2 Chr. 2:1–15). King Solomon, in turn, gave Hiram a section of land in Galilee as a gift of...More Saturday, May 21, 2022 Lessons on Amaziah (1)—The Power to Help Is From God O king, do not let the army of Israel go with you, for the Lord is not with Israel, with all these Ephraimites. But go, act, be strong for the battle. Why should you suppose that God will cast you down before the enemy? For God has power to help or to cast down. 2 Chronicles 25:7–8 Lessons on Amaziah (1)—The Power to Help Is From God Amaziah goes to war. While preparing, he counts 300,000 men among the people. But it seems that numbers were important for him, and that he sought deliverance in it, and so he hires 100,000 mighty men from Israel for one hundred talents of silver. But the Lord...More Friday, May 20, 2022 The Danger and Challenge of Prosperity Israel is a luxuriant vine; he produces fruit for himself. The more his fruit, the more altars he made; the richer his land, the better he made the sacred pillars. Hosea 10:1 The Danger and Challenge of Prosperity We see Israel had become overall as a luxuriant vine, very rich and prosperous, because of God’s grace and favor of course, but their appetite and desire for building up themselves did not diminish. “He produces fruit for himself.” Israel, just like many believers today, were more concerned with self and how to build more riches. They had become more prosperous for themselves and...More Thursday, May 19, 2022 We Shall See His Face On either side of the river, was the tree of life … The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse … and His servants shall serve Him. Revelation 22:2–3 We Shall See His Face Looking back to the Garden of Eden we remember that the tree of life was there, and God came down to walk with man in that fair scene. Alas! man had sinned, and God could no longer dwell with man; the way of the tree of life was barred, and the curse was over all. Looking on, we are permitted to see this vision of the Church in glory, and find again the tree, and the river,...More Wednesday, May 18, 2022 The Good Wine On the third day a marriage took place in Cana of Galilee … and [Jesus] manifested His glory. John 2:1, 11 The Good Wine A wedding! Probably similar to many others celebrated during that period of history, except for one vital factor: Jesus and His disciples were invited to this one. People noticed Him when a problem arose. (Does that sound like us?) They ran out of wine, and He performed a miracle, producing wine from everyday water—six barrels full! The feast continued and everyone was happy, especially the emcee, who exclaimed to the bridegroom, “You’ve kept the good wine until now!”...More Tuesday, May 17, 2022 Keeping in Tune With God He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love. Zephaniah 3:17 Keeping in Tune With God The Christian cannot be in a difficulty for which Christ is not sufficient, nor on a long, dark road where he cannot find Him enough. God’s rest is where He can find perfect rest. Do you think God could find rest in this world? Have you ever found rest in it? Though He was perfect love above all the evil, yet He could not rest. When the Jews charged the Lord Jesus with breaking the Sabbath, He says that sweet and lovely word: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (Jn. 5:17). Could love...More Monday, May 16, 2022 How the Gospels Begin—Matthew The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot … Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit … “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:1–2, 18, 21 How the Gospels Begin—Matthew Matthew, the Gospel of the King, the Messiah, connects the Old Testament with the New Testament, thus fittingly beginning...More Sunday, May 15, 2022 The Ninth Hour, the Hour of Prayer Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour; but about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me? Matthew 27:45–46 The Ninth Hour, the Hour of Prayer During this sacred scene, in which the Lord Jesus was bearing the judgment for our sin, we hear His cry of desolation. This occurred at the “ninth hour.” We learn from this passage that there was darkness over the land from the “sixth hour,” which would be our 12:00 noon, until the “ninth hour,” which...More Saturday, May 14, 2022 Lessons on Joash (3)—Who Is He That God Will Honor? [Joash’s] servants conspired against him because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died, and they buried him in the city of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings. 2 Chronicles 24:25 Lessons on Joash (3)—Who Is He That God Will Honor? There is a great blessing in fearing God and serving Him faithfully. We see it clearly when we compare the end of King Joash and the end of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada lived 130 years, and by that time, it was clearly a sign of the approbation of God; Joash lived only 47 years. A conspiracy was...More Friday, May 13, 2022 Shining for Christ Do all things without murmurings and reasonings, that ye may be harmless and simple, irreproachable children of God in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation; among whom ye appear as lights in the world, holding forth the word of life. Philippians 2:14–16 Shining for Christ Christ’s yesterday was the accomplishment of redemption—His tomorrow is having His Church with Himself in glory. But He is a living Christ for today. Christ cannot light a single spark in the heart of an individual without that tiny little spark being for God. He gives the light, and has ordained that every ray...More Thursday, May 12, 2022 Doing the Will of God Then I said, Lo, I come (in the roll of the book it is written of Me) to do, O God, Thy will. For ye have need of endurance in order that, having done the will of God, ye may receive the promise. Hebrews 10:7; Hebrews 10:36 Doing the Will of God Our first verse above is a quotation from Psalm 40. Here in Hebrews, the Holy Spirit confirms to us that this was a messianic psalm, written concerning the Son, the Lord Jesus. How wonderful that He, the eternal Son, ever with the Father, came into this world and became a Man in order to do the will of God. For this purpose a body was prepared...More Wednesday, May 11, 2022 David’s Mighty Men (1)—Stand Firm and Don’t Give Up! Eleazar … was with David at Pasdammim. Now there the Philistines were gathered for battle, and there was a piece of ground full of barley. So the people fled from the Philistines. 1 Chronicles 11:12–13 David’s Mighty Men (1)—Stand Firm and Don’t Give Up! Eleazar was one of David’s warriors. His name means “God has helped.” Even though many were fleeing for fear of the Philistines, this man stayed put and kept defending a field full of barley. Why? Good food must be kept away from the enemy and preserved for God’s people. Also, Eleazar had learned from David and stayed with...More Tuesday, May 10, 2022 Faith and Victory For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? 1 John 5:4–5 Faith and Victory These verses show that everyone who is born of God loves all those who are born of God, since they all belong to the same family. To love God and obey His commandments is how it should be, since love and light are inseparable, and God’s perspective should be ours. The second feature of those born of God is that they overcome the world. A helpful illustration is Israel...More Monday, May 9, 2022 Nebuchadnezzar’s Transformation I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven … and I blessed the Most High. Daniel 4:34 Nebuchadnezzar’s Transformation The first four chapters of Daniel provide the story of Nebuchadnezzar. In chapter 1, Daniel and his friends requested different food and drink during their Babylonian training in order to keep themselves pure. The ruler Nebuchadnezzar was likely unaware of their request, which had been handled by lower-level officials. Yet God blessed their faithful choices by giving them knowledge and skill. As a result, when the king noted their ability, he was impressed. Then in...More Sunday, May 8, 2022 The Lord’s Day: New Creation Day I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day. Revelation 1:10 The Lord’s Day: New Creation Day John does not merely intimate that he had the Spirit as every Christian has, nor that he was filled with the Spirit as the Christian should be, but that he became as completely characterized by His power for the divine purpose of seeing and writing these visions. It was on the “Lord’s Day,” or first day of the week. For the “Lord’s Day” is not at all the same thing as the “day of the Lord.” The same expression in the Greek was used with regard to the Lord’s Supper, because it was not a...More Saturday, May 7, 2022 Lessons on Joash (2)—Seeking to Please God, Not Men After the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. 2 Chronicles 24:17 Lessons on Joash (2)—Seeking to Please God, Not Men After the death of Jehoiada, the high priest, things changed in the reign of Joash. We see the princes coming and giving homage to the king, and Joash, desiring to please them for this allegiance, listens to them. It does not take much time for hearts to be manifested. Even if the temple was newly restored, there was no real desire for the things of God: they abandon the house of the Lord, turn to idolatry, and...More Friday, May 6, 2022 With Him! The Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 With Him! What a thought! The Lord Jesus knows where to look for, and to gather up, every one of His own from the dust of death. He will have the dust give up that which was laid in it, to make each one a body of glory, fashioned like His own, and will set each...More Thursday, May 5, 2022 God Blesses the Faith of Individuals The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9 God Blesses the Faith of Individuals Looking around us we could easily get discouraged. Attendance at the meetings is low, few are actively involved; there is a lot to be done but few to help. But the Lord calls individuals to serve Him, maybe especially so in difficult and discouraging times. When Peter asked the Lord, “What about this man?” pointing to John, the Lord answered him by saying, Never mind him, “you follow Me.” It...More Wednesday, May 4, 2022 Flesh Is Flesh That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. John 3:6 Flesh Is Flesh Let us note the fact that these words were not spoken to an outwardly gross and vicious man. Nicodemus was a model for his fellows, upright and correct in his conduct, but with startling clearness the truth is set before even him: flesh is flesh, there must be a new start. “You must be born again” (v. 7). We are often told that what humanity needs is to be cultured, educated, religious; that men ought to be placed in better environments, their standard of life...More Tuesday, May 3, 2022 The Moral Excellencies of Christ His disciples came to Him and said … “Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” Mark 6:35–36 The Moral Excellencies of Christ None of us think of John, or of Peter, or of the rest of the disciples, as hardhearted or unkind. Quite otherwise. We feel that we could have entrusted them with our griefs or our necessities. But this little narrative in Mark 6, shows us that they are all at fault, when the hunger of the multitude became evident to them, threatening to break up their ease; but, on the contrary...More Monday, May 2, 2022 A New Eden Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 A New Eden I have heard this passage described as “a new Eden,” a veritable paradise of God, and so it is. The old Eden was beautiful, with all manner of fruits which were good for food, and God was there; but our first parents forfeited their right to be there by their disobedience, and they were driven...More Sunday, May 1, 2022 A Holy Work Do not eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted in fire … You shall let none of it remain until morning, and what remains of it until morning you shall burn with fire. Exodus 12:9–10 A Holy Work The children of Israel were under the shelter of the blood of the Paschal lamb, protected from the judgment that came upon the land of Egypt on that night. The Passover lamb is a well-known type of Christ who has been sacrificed for us (1 Cor. 5:7). There were other things they were to observe in connection with the lamb that night: besides applying the blood to their doorposts and...More Saturday, April 30, 2022 Lessons on Joash (1)—Repairing the House of God Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the Lord. Then he gathered the priests and the Levites, and said to them … “see that you do it quickly.” However the Levites did not do it quickly. 2 Chronicles 24:4–5 Lessons on Joash (1)—Repairing the House of God What a surprising thing to read! Joash had more will, zeal, and energy to repair the house of the Lord than did the priests and the Levites combined! They were coming in every day for the service of God and worship, but they were neglecting the house of God! Children of God, we have been made a holy priesthood...More Friday, April 29, 2022 He Who Is in Us Is Greater You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 He Who Is in Us Is Greater You don’t have to be older before you need to stand up against the enemy. John calls all the believers children in the sense that they are born of God (Gr. tekna). On the other hand, he differentiates between fathers, young men, and little children (Gr. teknia) in regard to their spiritual growth. With the latter Greek term, John addresses babes in Christ, very young in the faith. Someone who gets saved at 80 years old is a babe in...More Thursday, April 28, 2022 Occupation With the Unseen That you may serve the Lord without distraction. 1 Corinthians 7:35 Occupation With the Unseen The life that is ours in Christ is an essentially heavenly thing. Full understanding and enjoyment of it cannot be until God’s full thought concerning us is realized, and we find ourselves in the Father’s house, with our bodies fashioned like to the body of the Firstborn Son, all that is mortal being swallowed up by life. But eternal life is really ours now, many a divine statement assuring us of it. Yet it is an exotic in this world, and we need to live in spirit outside of this world if we would...More Wednesday, April 27, 2022 Jesus Begins His Public Ministry Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Mark 1:14–15 Jesus Begins His Public Ministry John the Baptist had earlier proclaimed Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Two of his disciples had followed Jesus after John had again pointed Him out as the Lamb of God. One of these, Andrew, had also brought his brother Simon to Jesus, and Jesus had given him the name Peter. We find these things and more about...More Tuesday, April 26, 2022 A Sleepless Night That night the king could not sleep. Esther 6:1 A Sleepless Night The finger of the Almighty was in that sleepless night. The Lord God of the Hebrews had a mighty work to accomplish on behalf of His beloved people, and in order to bring that about, He drove “balmy sleep” from the luxurious couch of the monarch of 127 provinces. This brings out in a marked way the character of the Book of Esther. The reader will observe that, throughout this interesting section of inspiration, the name of God is never heard. Yet His finger is visibly stamped upon everything. The most trivial...More Monday, April 25, 2022 The Word of God and Its Critics For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12–13 The Word of God and Its Critics The features of the Word of God are brought before us in these verses. It is living and powerful. Like all living things it possesses amazing energy. Further it has extraordinary powers of...More Sunday, April 24, 2022 The Seed of the Woman They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8 The Seed of the Woman It has been said that “conscience makes cowards of us all.” This is seen at the very beginning of man’s history on earth. The Lord God called to Adam, and he answered, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself” (v. 10). Of course the Lord knew just where Adam and Eve were, but He called them and they could no longer hide....More Saturday, April 23, 2022 The River of Life And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. Revelation 22:1 The River of Life The life of believers is indeed eternal life, but nonetheless it is a dependent life; it is not life apart from Christ. “The river” and “the tree” are symbols that very blessedly bring Christ before our souls. Further, they speak of Christ in connection with “life,” for the river is the “river of water of life,” and the tree is “the tree of life.” Christ is not only the fountain of life through whom we receive life, according to...More Friday, April 22, 2022 The One Man Pleasing to God And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great on the earth. Noah walked with God. I do always the things that are pleasing to Him. Genesis 6:5; Genesis 6:9; John 8:29 The One Man Pleasing to God The Lord Jesus Himself reminds us that as the days of Noah were, so shall they be again before His coming as the Son of Man. While this speaks of His coming in glory, yet we see all around us the increase of public violence and corruption (Mt. 24:37–38). In the days of Noah, Jehovah looked at the earth and saw corruption and violence everywhere. The imagination of...More Thursday, April 21, 2022 Grace and Truth For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:17 Grace and Truth The atmosphere tingles with emotion as a wretched woman is dumped at the feet of the Son of Man (Jn. 8:1–11). The Pharisees demand an answer: “Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?” Clever Pharisees! They would kill two birds with one stone: get rid of a worthless woman, and at the same time embarrass Jesus. The trap was well laid. If He advocated freeing her, He flaunted the law of Moses; if He agreed to stoning her, what would become...More Wednesday, April 20, 2022 Cleansing of the Ear, the Thumb, and the Toe The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 14:14 Cleansing of the Ear, the Thumb, and the Toe The Christian is never to allow anything to enter his ear which would be inconsistent with the blood of the Lamb. The right hand is the symbol of action. The Christian should not do anything which would be dishonoring to the blood of Christ; all that he does every day should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, and he...More Tuesday, April 19, 2022 Ananias (3)—Obedient Messenger Then a certain Ananias … came to me; and he stood and said to me, “Brother Saul, receive your sight … The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth. For you will be His witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:12–16 Ananias (3)—Obedient Messenger Ananias wasted no time. He went to Saul and addressed him. “Brother Saul,” he began. Their brotherhood as fellow Jews was now being...More Monday, April 18, 2022 Leaving Behind the Spices And having returned they prepared aromatic spices and ointments, and remained quiet on the Sabbath, according to the commandment. Luke 23:56 Leaving Behind the Spices These devoted women made thorough preparation for anointing the body of our Lord. They observed the commandment relative to the Sabbath. Commendable indeed! So commendable that there is recorded in the Scripture of truth a testimony to their devotedness to be read by many. But as we look at it, all their preparation was to no practical purpose. They never had the opportunity to use what they had prepared for the anticipated reason....More Sunday, April 17, 2022 The Resurrection—Foundation of the Christian Faith If Christ is not raised, then, indeed, vain also is our preaching, and vain also your faith. 1 Corinthians 15:14 The Resurrection—Foundation of the Christian Faith Many, in looking at the Church’s hope in Christ, have seen the importance of the doctrine of the resurrection. But the more we search the Scriptures, the more we perceive, in this doctrine, the fundamental truth of the gospel—that truth which gives to redemption its character, and to all other truths their real power. For instance, who does not know that Christianity has its root and its foundation in that solemn and...More Saturday, April 16, 2022 The Burial And men appointed His grave with the wicked, but He was with the rich in His death. Isaiah 53:9 The Burial It was the custom of the Romans to leave the bodies of crucified criminals upon their crosses until the carrion birds had cleaned the bones of every shred of flesh and to dig a rough hole near the spot of the crucifixion and cast them in there. These soldiers, who had gambled for the clothes of the Lord, were keen to get back to their dice and their wine, and had prepared beforehand a grave big enough to hold the three corpses. They made His grave with the wicked. But when the...More Friday, April 15, 2022 Darkness for the Sinless One—Justification for the Guilty Ones My Father, if it be possible let this cup pass from Me; but not as I will, but as Thou wilt. Matthew 26:39 Darkness for the Sinless One—Justification for the Guilty Ones These words which Christ uttered in prayer in Gethsemane, when His soul was very sorrowful and His sweat like great drops of blood, were recorded for at least two reasons. First, that we may have a glimpse of the agony which the Lord endured. He, the gentle One who never harmed anybody, was to suffer first at the hands of sinful men. He knew all in advance: the spitting, the slapping of His face, the beating of His head with a...More Thursday, April 14, 2022 God’s Power Over Things Both Great and Small O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? Are You not our God? And the Lord God prepared a plant and made it come up over Jonah. 2 Chronicles 20:6–7; Jonah 4:6 God’s Power Over Things Both Great and Small What an encouragement for our hearts as we read various portions of Scripture. In Daniel, we understand God’s dealings with Nebuchadnezzar, his kingdom, and several other kingdoms which follow (see Dan. 2; 7; 8). All that...More Wednesday, April 13, 2022 Heroes of Faith Overcame, Despite Weakness Through faith [they] subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle … were tortured … stoned … slain … tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. Hebrews 11:33–38 Heroes of Faith Overcame, Despite Weakness God made many Old Testament believers strong “out of weakness.” In the New Testament, the apostle Paul taught the believers to be his followers (Phil. 3:17; 1 Cor. 11:1). As our model, he learned that Christ’s grace...More Tuesday, April 12, 2022 Lessons on Ahaziah (4)—Choices and Consequences When Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he met … the sons of Ahaziah’s brothers … and he killed them. He searched for Ahaziah … and he was brought to Jehu and put to death. 2 Chronicles 22:8–9 Lessons on Ahaziah (4)—Choices and Consequences Judgment came on the house of Ahab by the hand of Jehu. And because Ahaziah had been counseled to visit Joram at that very moment, he was found and killed, as also his nephews that were with him. After that, there was no one from the house of Ahaziah who could reign in Judah because they were too young. Grandmother Athaliah took the...More Monday, April 11, 2022 Ananias (2)—Communion With the Lord Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” Acts 9:13–16 Ananias (2)—Communion With the Lord This passage emphasizes the lordship of our Lord Jesus. The Lord had spoken to Ananias. Ananias had replied, “Here I am,...More Sunday, April 10, 2022 Meditations on the Cross Behold the Lamb of God! I have glorified Thee on the earth. John 1:36; John 17:4 Meditations on the Cross As the Lamb of God, Christ perfectly glorifies God in John 13; as the Son, He perfectly glorifies the Father in John 14. It is a wonderful thing, the cross; there, and there only, was God fully glorified. Where do we find the love of God in all its fullness? At the cross: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us” (1 Jn. 3:16). Where do we find perfect righteousness against sin? At the cross: “He made Him to be sin, for us,...More Saturday, April 9, 2022 Psalm 133 (3)—Life Forevermore It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing—life forevermore. Psalm 133:3 Psalm 133 (3)—Life Forevermore The oil came first upon the head of Aaron, then descended to the beard, and finally to the very edge or hem of his garment (vv. 1–2). The unity of brethren is described as being like this oil, but the oil itself also is a picture of the Holy Spirit! First the Holy Spirit came upon Christ, then by grace, the “gift of the Holy Spirit” was given to us by Him. Aaron is a wonderful type of this, the oil upon his head and...More Friday, April 8, 2022 Psalm 133 (2)—The True Aaron and True Melchizedek Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. Psalm 133:1–2 Psalm 133 (2)—The True Aaron and True Melchizedek In this millennial psalm, we see Aaron presented as a type of the Lord Jesus. In that day He will be King-Priest upon His throne, the true Melchizedek; today by faith we see Him in glory. Aaron and Melchizedek present typical aspects of Christ’s priesthood: (1) presently, it is according to the pattern of Aaron, He has...More Thursday, April 7, 2022 Psalm 133 (1)—Dwelling in Unity Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. Psalm 133:1–2 Psalm 133 (1)—Dwelling in Unity In Psalm 132 we see Messiah reigning in Zion. In Psalm 133 we see Him as the great King and Priest upon His throne at the beginning of His millennial reign (see Zech. 6:13). He will gather the outcasts of Israel in unity around Himself. In spirit we know Him thus now; the Christian anticipates that time to come. In a very real...More Wednesday, April 6, 2022 Having Our Eye Upon Christ and His Coming I pursue, looking towards the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus … Our commonwealth has its existence in the heavens, from which also we await the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior. Philippians 3:14, 20 Having Our Eye Upon Christ and His Coming A heavenly life will never be found save in one who is in present communion with Christ about the place to which He is leading us. And a heart can never be abidingly in communion with the heart of Christ and be identified with the world that does not know Him. The Holy Spirit bids us keep our eye fixed on Christ, as He is...More Tuesday, April 5, 2022 Christ’s Subduing Power Will Be Manifested We await the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, who shall transform our body of humiliation into conformity to His body of glory, according to the working of the power which He has even to subdue all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20–21 Christ’s Subduing Power Will Be Manifested The thoughts of God and of Christ in heaven, as they flow into us, make manifest to us an awful contrast between them and what we find in ourselves. But how sweetly, in all that reminds us of what even these bodies of ours are, we are also reminded of the love which will change and fashion them according to His own...More Monday, April 4, 2022 The Faithfulness of Jehosheba When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being murdered. 2 Kings 11:1–2 The Faithfulness of Jehosheba This episode in Judah’s history has all the drama of a Shakespearean play, yet it is no fiction. Two women figure prominently. One was Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, the most evil rulers of the northern kingdom of Israel. As the wife of Joram (or Jehoram), king of Judah,...More Sunday, April 3, 2022 Worship to the Father and the Son Every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying: “Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 Worship to the Father and the Son This magnificent ascription of adoration anticipates a future day when every creature—heavenly, earthly, and infernal—will give due honor to the God of eternal glory and to the Lamb. Even those eternally lost will do so, though not with responsive hearts. The awesome majesty of Him...More Saturday, April 2, 2022 Ananias (1)—“A Certain Disciple” Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” Acts 9:10–12 Ananias (1)—“A Certain Disciple” Ananias is here introduced to us as “a certain disciple.” What a lovely title! He is not called an apostle,...More Friday, April 1, 2022 Lessons on Ahaziah (3)—The Necessity for the Renewal of Our Minds But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram. 2 Chronicles 22:7 Lessons on Ahaziah (3)—The Necessity for the Renewal of Our Minds From whom did Ahaziah receive the counsel to go up with Joram? It was from the house of Ahab (2 Chr. 22:5), not from God. And what was the result of it? It was to his complete loss! In the world in which we live today there are lots of bad influences. Actually, the apostle John wrote that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 Jn. 5:19). This has a practical consequence: if I...More Thursday, March 31, 2022 The Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. John 1:14; Luke 2:52 The Moral Glory of the Lord Jesus Christ The glories of the Lord Jesus are threefold: personal, official, and moral. His personal glory He veiled, save where faith discovered it, or an occasion demanded it. His official glory He veiled likewise; He did not walk through the land as either the Divine Son from the bosom of the Father, or as the authoritative Son of David. Such glories were commonly...More Wednesday, March 30, 2022 What on Earth Is Going to Happen Next? Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 What on Earth Is Going to Happen Next? Thank God that as Christians we do not have to speculate about the future. To set a time, for example, when the Lord will return is both fanciful and irresponsible. Many have done so to their discredit. The Word of God is our only dependable source for knowing the future. Second Thessalonians 2 gives us an intelligible order of events according to God’s foreknowledge and purpose. Satan had sought to shake the faith and disturb the peace of...More Tuesday, March 29, 2022 Paul’s Confidence in a Storm and Shipwreck And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee. Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. Acts 27:22–25 Paul’s Confidence in a Storm and Shipwreck Paul is just as calm in the midst of the storm as he was before governors and kings. The hurricane does not prevent him from...More Monday, March 28, 2022 Tested by the Word Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. Psalm 105:19 Tested by the Word Most readers of The Lord Is Near calendar will be familiar with the history of Joseph the son of Jacob. This much-loved patriarch is often viewed as a type of Christ by the things he suffered and how he was ultimately exalted by God—a wonderful picture of the sufferings and glories of Christ! There is another way to view Joseph: simply as a human being who passed through a long period of trials in his life—many years of them in fact. In viewing Joseph as a type of Christ we...More Sunday, March 27, 2022 The First Day of the Week On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper. 1 Corinthians 16:2 The First Day of the Week Have you ever wondered why the Lord chose the first day of the week for us to lay aside something? Was it for convenience’s sake? Was it because then we could just remember how our income was during the past week and give in relation to that? The first day of the week, Sunday, or the Lord’s Day, is the day when the Lord rose from the dead. The disciples were together that day and the Lord revealed Himself to them. A week later, again on the...More Saturday, March 26, 2022 Lessons on Ahaziah (2)—Who Are My Counselors? [Ahaziah] did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction. 2 Chronicles 22:4 Lessons on Ahaziah (2)—Who Are My Counselors? We can see the importance of surrounding ourselves with good counselors when we consider what happened to Ahaziah. His reign was short-lived because of his wicked ways. Those that were around him to give counsel were of the house of Ahab, and chiefly his own mother. Who are our counselors? To whom are we going when we need advice and guidance? Are we receiving our counsel from...More Friday, March 25, 2022 The Wisdom of the Wise The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have? Jeremiah 8:9 The Wisdom of the Wise This verse is part of a conversation between God and Jeremiah that runs from chapter 7 through chapter 9. Here in chapter 8, the Lord has exposed the sins of the people and waited for their confession, yet no one repented (vv. 5–6). Instead, they claimed, “We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us” (v. 8). In response, God gave His own assessment: “They have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they...More Thursday, March 24, 2022 Jehu and Hezekiah—A Contrast But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of Jehovah the God of Israel with all his heart. And [Hezekiah] did what was right in the sight of Jehovah … He trusted in Jehovah the God of Israel … And He clave to Jehovah, and did not turn aside from following Him, but kept His commandments. 2 Kings 10:31; 2 Kings 18:3, 5–6 Jehu and Hezekiah—A Contrast Sometimes we learn a great deal through the contrasts which the Scriptures present to us. Outwardly, Jehu’s reign appears to have been quite prosperous. He executed God’s judgment on the house of Ahab and exterminated Baal worship...More Wednesday, March 23, 2022 Encouraging the Young in Christ They brought little children to Him, that He might touch them. Mark 10:13 Encouraging the Young in Christ What a mercy and privilege it is for the newly converted soul to find himself in the house of God, sheltered and cared for. The Thessalonian converts were babes in Christ. Paul wrote to them, “We were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children” (1 Th. 2:7). And Peter says, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2). It has been stated by some that we have no right to care specially for the young...More Tuesday, March 22, 2022 Thanks Be to God “Death is swallowed up in victory. O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” ... Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:54–55, 57 Thanks Be to God Is it possible to overcome the power of death? Certainly not, if it depends on us. However, it depends on God and on the Lord Jesus Christ, as His Word confirms. Through the power of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has annulled the power of death, since He has rendered it inoperative (2 Tim. 1:8–10). He also made powerless the one who had the power of death, that is...More Monday, March 21, 2022 The Rapture of Elijah Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and … crossed over on dry ground … Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 2 Kings 2:8, 11 The Rapture of Elijah Elijah was privileged, as he stood upon the sand of the wilderness, to look right upward and, unimpeded by the humiliating circumstances of sickness and death, see heaven open to receive him. Not one of the circumstances of fallen humanity fell to the lot of our prophet...More Sunday, March 20, 2022 Christ Entered Our Sorrows Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. Psalm 69:20 Christ Entered Our Sorrows There is no comfort like the thought that Jesus has entered into all our sorrows. This is the very way God has met the need, and want, and wretchedness of our nature. Supposing that Adam had never fallen, we could not speak of God with the comfort that we now can, since He has come in sympathy to us, through the means of the incarnation of our blessed Lord. The Lord Jesus having become a man is the source of...More Saturday, March 19, 2022 The Grain of Wheat But Jesus answered them saying, The hour is come that the Son of Man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit. John 12:23–24 The Grain of Wheat At the time when the Lord Jesus was present at the Passover feast in Jerusalem, some Greeks were also there and they approached Philip with the request, “Sir, we desire to see Jesus” (v. 21). Philip communicated their desire to Andrew, and the two of them brought this message to Jesus. It may seem strange to us that the...More Friday, March 18, 2022 The Importance of Judah in God’s Purposes In Judah God is known. Psalm 76:1 The Importance of Judah in God’s Purposes Our scripture text today is very brief, and at first glance we may wonder if it has any value for our daily meditation, or in terms of edification. We should not pass so lightly over God’s Word, or quickly dismiss certain portions as irrelevant or unedifying, which perhaps we sometimes do, even if unconsciously. Let us remember, “The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple” (Ps. 119:130). So it is with today’s text, “In Judah God is known.” It is a simple...More Thursday, March 17, 2022 A Throne in Heaven (2) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:2 A Throne in Heaven (2) Moreover, “One sat on the throne.” This glorious Person is not described, but precious stones are used as symbols to set forth His glory. We must remember that God is seen in connection with the throne. It is not the heart of the Father revealed by the Son who dwelt in the Father’s bosom that is before us, but the glory of God set forth in Christ on a throne in connection with the government of the universe. The precious stones are symbols setting forth the...More Wednesday, March 16, 2022 A Throne in Heaven (1) Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. Revelation 4:2 A Throne in Heaven (1) The throne is the emblem of rule and authority; the guarantee for order and blessing and security throughout the universe. The fall was in reality a challenge to the throne; sin is rebellion against the throne; infidelity is a denial of the existence of the throne; pride aspires to the throne; and the devil defies the throne. How blessed, then, after six thousand years of rebellion against the throne, to pass into heaven and find the throne “set in heaven,”...More Tuesday, March 15, 2022 Delivered From the World Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, nor will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2 Delivered From the World Christians have been delivered from the world in a positional sense, but there is a definite need to embrace that reality in a practical sense. Exodus 5 reveals some methods by which the enemy of our souls struggles mightily to keep us enslaved to this world. Suppose we show some interest in spiritual things and would like to “hold a feast” to honor the Lord (v. 1)—that is, our priorities are becoming centered around Him....More Monday, March 14, 2022 Ministering to the Saints For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrews 6:10–12 Ministering to the Saints Some of us may feel inclined to exclaim, “How extraordinary! I should have thought that great acts of faith, great exploits of devotion to God would have revealed reality better than that.”...More Sunday, March 13, 2022 Overflowing Hearts My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men; grace is poured upon Your lips; therefore God has blessed You forever. Psalm 45:1–2 Overflowing Hearts The psalmist here was not simply repeating things that he had heard, but his heart was overflowing and his whole soul was delighting in contemplating the King. Now he speaks what he himself had composed concerning Him. His tongue was indeed like the pen of one who writes with free-flowing ease. He was not working hard at trying to...More Saturday, March 12, 2022 The Origin of Satan (2) How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.” Yet you shall be brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit. Isaiah 14:12–15 The Origin of Satan (2) In these verses, in a portion prophetically addressed to the king of Babylon more...More Friday, March 11, 2022 The Origin of Satan (1) You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God … You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you … Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor; I cast you to the ground. Ezekiel 28:12–13, 15, 17 The Origin of Satan (1) God is light and God is love. He is absolutely holy, absolutely pure. He has never done one bad or wrong thing. Some people ask, “Then where did Satan come from? Did God make the devil?” The Bible speaks of the...More Thursday, March 10, 2022 Brought Into the Presence of God Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Brought Into the Presence of God Here, in Ephesians, we are viewed as brought into God’s presence, holy and without blame; that is, with a nature and character that suit Him, and are the reflection of what He is. And we are seen sitting in the heavenlies “in Christ.” Moreover, we are in the same relationship to God as Christ is; hence, Christian conduct is spoken of in this epistle as what suits this place, and flows from it. Through...More Wednesday, March 9, 2022 More Than Conquerors In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us … Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 8:37; 12:21 More Than Conquerors The apostle Paul often wrote about what “we are,” what God has in mind for all true Christians. Indeed, all born-again believers are in the Lord Jesus Christ. They may be marked by weaknesses and shortcomings, yet God helps them to be overcomers instead of being overcome by difficulties or by evil. Why? Because a holy and righteous God has set these weak believers right with Himself “in Christ.” Of course, that implies...More

Tuesday, March 8, 2022 We All Have a Testimony Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will declare what He has done for my soul. Psalm 66:16 We All Have a Testimony There was a time when it was common for Christians to publicly declare what God had done for them, to “share their testimony.” Today it seems we are more energized to declare our political views or how our favorite sports team is faring. Perhaps it is time to get back to that older habit of declaring “what He has done for my soul.” Some will protest that public testimonies can devolve into speaking too much of our past, of glorying in our sin, or speaking too...More Monday, March 7, 2022 Lessons on Ahaziah (1)—What Kind of an Influence Am I? [Ahaziah] also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor in doing wickedly. 2 Chronicles 22:3 Lessons on Ahaziah (1)—What Kind of an Influence Am I? Ahaziah was probably established by the people shortly before his father Jehoram died, unable to assume his responsibilities because of his terrible bowel disease. But despite the fact that he saw all that his father did, and all that had happened to him, he did not learn the important lessons he could have gotten from it. Nor did he learn from his grandfather Jehoshaphat, for he was 14 years old when he passed away....More Sunday, March 6, 2022 Thankful for Salvation Him who knew not sin He has made sin for us, that we might become God’s righteousness in Him. For by one offering He has perfected in perpetuity [forever] the sanctified. 2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 10:14 Thankful for Salvation Strange, incomprehensibly strange, to find the eternal Son of God under wrath, made sin! There are heights and depths in it that we never could understand. But we need also to see the living Lord now in the presence of God for us. The courts above are a strange place for me to tread. How can I find myself at ease there? Ah! Because of the accepted...More Saturday, March 5, 2022 God Is Still “Meddling” in Our Affairs These men, being Jews, exceedingly trouble our city; and they teach customs which are not lawful for us, being Romans, to receive or observe. Acts 16:20–21 God Is Still “Meddling” in Our Affairs It all started with an extraordinary girl—a soothsayer. Perhaps Paul and Silas should have appreciated the free publicity as she followed them, shrieking, “These men are the servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to us the way of salvation.” But they didn’t! Recognizing her as a slave of Satan and a victim of some unscrupulous profiteers, they would not accept her advertisements. The...More Friday, March 4, 2022 A Servant of the Lord Gets Old Now Joshua was old, advanced in years. And the Lord said to him: “You are old, advanced in years, and there remains very much land yet to be possessed.” Joshua 13:1 A Servant of the Lord Gets Old Joshua had served his God faithfully for many years. As he had been commissioned, so he had led the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. Now he had grown old. But the work was not yet completed. What thoughts may have passed through his heart as he thought of his diminishing strength and of the vast stretches of land still remaining to be possessed? The Lord came to the aid of His...More Thursday, March 3, 2022 Justification and Sanctification (2) But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11 Justification and Sanctification (2) The Christian is not only justified, he is also sanctified; he is a saint. This may startle some who are accustomed to the usual theological expression, that justification is an act done at once, and that sanctification is gradual and progressive. We do not deny that there is such a thing as gradual sanctification, that is, increasing holiness of walk in him who, by abiding in the Son, grows from a little child into...More Wednesday, March 2, 2022 Justification and Sanctification (1) Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith … that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:24–26 Justification and Sanctification (1) The believer is not only forgiven, but he is also justified—that is, accounted righteous. A forgiven criminal could never feel comfortable in the presence of his judge, nor even of honest men. But, blessed be God’s name, we are not only forgiven criminals and sinners, but justified; that is, we are positively accounted righteous. Therefore, we are at peace with God and...More Tuesday, March 1, 2022 John Mark (7) A certain young man followed Him with a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men seize him; but he, leaving the linen cloth behind him, fled from them naked. Mark 14:51–52 John Mark (7) No doubt this unique and enigmatic verse refers to Mark himself. Like the other Gospel writers, he does not draw attention to himself, but when he records the Lord’s disciples “left him and fled,” he feels bound to record he did the same (v. 50). He was quite young that cold night he followed the little band to Gethsemane, but whatever drew him onto that dangerous path—curiosity or...More Monday, February 28, 2022 Attracted to Isaac Wilt thou go with this man? And [Rebekah] said, I will go. Genesis 24:58 Attracted to Isaac Genesis 24 tells us the wonderful story of how a wife was obtained for Isaac; it contains many lessons for us. As the story unfolds, we hear the servant speaking about his master Abraham, and his son Isaac. He spoke in such a way that made much of the greatness of Isaac and all that belonged to him. How is it with us? Is the Lord the subject of our conversations? Does the way that we speak about Him attract others to Him? Do we even know Him well enough to speak of Him in such a way? Rebekah...More Sunday, February 27, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (8) So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands. Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.” Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” John 19:1–5 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (8) Though Pilate repeatedly stated he found no fault in Him, he did...More Saturday, February 26, 2022 The Lord Was an Early Riser (2) Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 The Lord Was an Early Riser (2) I am in no doubt that I am on the right line here, and I urge this great fact, this blessed, encouraging, peace-giving fact, upon my readers: Your needs are never ahead of the Lord; they may have surprised you, but they have not taken Him by surprise. I preach in this meditation an all-sufficient Christ—ever ready, ever able, ever willing; who rose up a great while before the day of your troubles...More Friday, February 25, 2022 The Lord Was an Early Riser (1) Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He [Jesus] went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. Mark 1:35 The Lord Was an Early Riser (1) I got a great lift recently in reading the first chapter of Mark’s Gospel. When I came to verse 35, I had to stop and give thanks to God, for as by a flash of light from heaven I was made to realize that I could never be up too early for the Lord. My troubles may begin with my first conscious moment, but He has risen up before them and is always ready for them. He is always ahead of them and of me. And with Him there...More Thursday, February 24, 2022 John Mark (6) Mark, Barnabas’s cousin, concerning whom ye have received orders, (if he come to you, receive him). Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow-workmen. Take Mark, and bring him with thyself, for he is serviceable to me for ministry. Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24; 2 Timothy 4:11 John Mark (6) Mark was restored to the Lord but needed to be restored to service too, like Peter in John 21. Paul takes the lead. The Colossians would have known he had not agreed to take Mark on his second missionary journey (Acts 15:38), and might have been reticent to put their confidence in him if...More Wednesday, February 23, 2022 His Bottle and His Book You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book? Psalm 56:8 His Bottle and His Book God has both a “bottle” and a “book.” We do not have to think of them in literal terms but they are no less real, indeed they are more real than anything in our physical world. The effort of the enemy against God’s people is prominent in this psalm: “My enemies would hound me all day” (v. 2). Of his enemies, David writes, “they mark [or watch] my steps” (v. 6); the enemy is watching me, and he is trying to trip me up. But Someone else was...More Tuesday, February 22, 2022 Called to Be With Christ, Follow Him, Learn From Him These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 Called to Be With Christ, Follow Him, Learn From Him Right from the beginning of His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus faced tremendous opposition, but He never gave in to the enemy. He was always an overcomer, despite all the adversity, troubles, or afflictions. He called His disciples to be with Him, to follow Him, and learn from Him and to represent Him as sent out by Him “in the world.” This last phrase occurs thirteen times in...More Monday, February 21, 2022 God Uses Broken Things The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. Psalm 51:17 God Uses Broken Things When my children were little, they used to bring me their broken toys. Those that I couldn’t repair usually ended up being thrown away because that’s what you do with broken things. But God does not throw away broken things; He wants to use them. The late Vance Havner once said, “God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume....More Sunday, February 20, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (7) Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas … Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” … They said, “Barabbas!” Pilate said to them, “What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said to him, “Let Him be crucified!” Matthew 27:15–17, 21–22 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (7) We are here at a decisive point in the trial of our Lord Jesus. The Gospel of Matthew, which...More Saturday, February 19, 2022 Dominion Over the Fish of the Sea And God blessed them; and God said to them … have dominion over the fish of the sea. Genesis 1:28 Dominion Over the Fish of the Sea It is very interesting that in the creation of mankind in Genesis 1, the first part of the creation they are said to have dominion over is the fish of the sea. The fall of Adam and Eve into sin in Genesis 3 altered this. In fact, rather than Jonah having dominion over the great fish, the great fish had dominion over him, as it swallowed him (Jon. 1:17)! Yet Psalm 8 tells us that it was still God’s thought for there to be a Man who would have the...More Friday, February 18, 2022 Persevering Prayer Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain. James 5:17 Persevering Prayer James tells us of Elijah’s secret moments of prayer and wrestling, and shows him to us in the retirement of the mountains of Gilead, where he had no doubt mourned over the lamentable state of things in Israel, and also fortified his spirit for the part he was about to play. This circumstance in the life of the prophet teaches us a truly profitable lesson. We live in a time of more-than-usual barrenness and spiritual dearth. The state of the Church may well remind us...More Thursday, February 17, 2022 Lessons on Jehoram (4)—The Lord’s Assessment of Our Lives [Jehoram] was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years, and departed without being regretted. And they buried him in the city of David, but not in the sepulchres of the kings. 2 Chronicles 21:20 Lessons on Jehoram (4)—The Lord’s Assessment of Our Lives The end of Jehoram’s life is also God’s assessment of it. A short reign of eight years, but what a terrible legacy! He killed his brothers, he did what is evil in the eyes of the Lord, Moab revolted, the priestly city of Libnah revolted, he led the people into idolatry, and his enemies went against...More Wednesday, February 16, 2022 What a Gift! The Eternal Son For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son. John 3:16 What a Gift! The Eternal Son The Greek word which has been translated in our English Bibles as “only-begotten” is used five times of Christ as the Son of God, all in the writings of the apostle John. As the Son of God, Jesus was the unique Representative of the being and character of the One who sent Him. John 1:14 speaks of His glory as of “an only-begotten with a Father.” The glory was that of a unique relationship. The word “begotten” does not imply a beginning of His sonship; it rather implies...More Tuesday, February 15, 2022 John Mark (5) She that is elected with you in Babylon salutes you, and Marcus my son. 1 Pet. 5:13 John Mark (5) The last time we read of Mark in Acts, he is sailing to Cyprus with Barnabas (15:39). Years later, we catch a glimpse of him again in Babylon, in the greetings that close Peter’s first letter. We cannot be sure where he had been in the meantime, but doubtless Mary his mother followed him in her prayers, for her home was a house of prayer (Acts 12:12; 1 Th. 5:17). Babylon lay several hundred miles east of Jerusalem. To get there Mark had to travel in completely the opposite direction...More Monday, February 14, 2022 The Sword of Elisha It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 1 Kings 19:17 The Sword of Elisha It is often noted that Elijah, the prophet of judgment, anointed Elisha, the prophet of grace, to succeed him. Elijah had personally put to death the 450 false prophets of Baal. This verse says that Elisha would also kill the enemies of the Lord, but that seems totally out of character for him. Elisha was the prophet who dispensed mercy and blessing upon the widow and the leper, upon the hungry and those in need. In what way did Elisha...More Sunday, February 13, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (6) Then Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, said to them, “You have brought this Man to me, as one who misleads the people … having examined Him in your presence, I have found no fault in this Man … no, neither did Herod, for I sent you back to him; and indeed nothing deserving of death has been done by Him. I will therefore chastise Him and release Him.” Luke 23:13–16 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (6) Luke’s Gospel shows us that after Pilate’s initial examination of the Lord Jesus he had found no fault in Him. Pilate told His...More Saturday, February 12, 2022 The Cure for Fretting Do not fret because of evildoers, nor be envious of the workers of iniquity. Psalm 37:1 The Cure for Fretting Three times in this psalm the word “fret” is brought before us (vv. 1, 7, 8). Encouragement to have victory over fretting is the central idea of the psalm. The fretting mentioned here is not to preserve us from being “worry warts,” or help us to overcome physiological anxiety, but rather fretting because of the evil which is in the world and because of the evildoers of the world. How can it be that good people suffer while we see “the wicked in great power, and spreading like a...More Friday, February 11, 2022 Stephen Superior to Circumstances But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. Acts 7:55 Stephen Superior to Circumstances Stephen was full of the Holy Spirit; I do not say everyone is, though we believers have the Holy Spirit. The effect of seeing Christ in glory is that we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. He who is in the glory is the One who bore my sins. Now let me look upon that glory, let me think of it, let me tell it; He “loved me and gave Himself for me,” and my heart delights to look at Him. The effect is that I am...More Thursday, February 10, 2022 Submission, Suffering, and Prosperity And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man. The chief of the tower-house looked not to anything under his hand, because Jehovah was with him; and what he did, Jehovah made it prosper. Genesis 39:2; Genesis 39:23 Submission, Suffering, and Prosperity The submissive man will ever be a prosperous man. Nature would say that slavery and prosperity must be an impossible combination, but if we submit to His ways, the presence of the Lord can turn days of adversity into days of prosperity. All the world would admit that Joseph was a prosperous man in the day of his exaltation, but...More Wednesday, February 9, 2022 The Forerunner and the After-Runners This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19–20 The Forerunner and the After-Runners The Christian’s hope is heavenly; therefore it is said to enter “within the veil” (“behind the veil”). Within the veil was the holiest of all, typical of the third heaven; that is, the immediate presence of God. That which was within the veil was the ark of the covenant, typical of Christ. Now...More Tuesday, February 8, 2022 John Mark (4) Barnabas proposed to take with them John also, called Mark; but Paul thought it not well to take with them him who had abandoned them, going back from Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. There arose therefore very warm feeling, so that they separated from one another; and Barnabas taking Mark sailed away to Cyprus. Acts 15:37–39 John Mark (4) These verses start brightly, but the “very warm feeling” that developed between Paul and Barnabas takes some of the shine off them. The devil cannot undo the fact that we are “members of the body” (1 Cor. 12:12), but if we let...More Monday, February 7, 2022 Lessons on Jehoram (3)—We Always Reap What We Sow Because you have … walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have made Judah … to play the harlot … and also have killed your brothers … behold, the Lord will strike your people with a serious affliction—your children, your wives, and all your possessions; and you will become very sick with a disease of your intestines, until your intestines come out by reason of the sickness, day by day. 2 Chronicles 21:12–15 Lessons on Jehoram (3)—We Always Reap What We Sow Jehoram had seen the life of his father, and certainly knew well about his grandfather Asa. He also came under the...More Sunday, February 6, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (5) As soon as [Pilate] knew that He belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time. Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. Then he questioned Him with many words, but He answered him nothing. Luke 23:7–9 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (5) Once Pilate heard that Jesus was from Galilee, he decided to send him to Herod, the ruler of Galilee, who was at Jerusalem for the feast. This apparent token of...More Saturday, February 5, 2022 The Pride of Man Will Be Judged The loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be brought low; the Lord alone will be exalted in that day, but the idols He shall utterly abolish. Isaiah 2:17–18 The Pride of Man Will Be Judged Of all man’s many faults, his pride is the worst. One may descend to the lowest depths of moral degradation and repulsive corruption and yet pride himself on his own self-importance and his own strong, independent will. Which is worse—his moral wickedness or his lofty pride? Surely it is his pride, for this is not simply sin against his own body or sin against his neighbor,...More Friday, February 4, 2022 Disciples of the Great Victor When a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Luke 11:22–23 Disciples of the Great Victor During His forty days of fasting in trying circumstances in the wilderness, our Lord Jesus Christ faced the enemy. He was victorious, applying the Word of the God in whom He trusted, not human expediency, traditions, or cunning (Lk. 4:1–13). Through His faith in God and His Word, Jesus never failed, but overcame the most dangerous,...More Thursday, February 3, 2022 John Mark (3) Barnabas and Saul … having been sent forth by the Holy Spirit … sailed away to Cyprus … And they had John also as their attendant … and John separated from them and returned to Jerusalem. Acts 13:2, 4, 5, 13 John Mark (3) It is good when younger and older believers serve the Lord in tandem, like Elisha and Elijah (2 Ki. 3:11) and Timothy and Paul (Acts 16:1–3; Phil. 2:19–20). What a wonderful opportunity John Mark had here to learn from two older brothers and serve the Lord by helping them with their mission in practical ways. So why did he leave them in the lurch when...More Wednesday, February 2, 2022 Forced Anger As the churning of milk produces butter, and wringing the nose produces blood, so the forcing of wrath produces strife. Proverbs 30:33 Forced Anger It is difficult for non-Hebrew readers to appreciate the word play in this proverb. Bible dictionaries and other resources show that churning, wringing, and forcing in this verse are all forms of the same Hebrew word. One English translation (the esv) reflects that repetition by saying, “Pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.” Another interesting word play is that the word for wrath is a...More Tuesday, February 1, 2022 An Important Question If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 An Important Question The Bible describes the time in which we live as “this present darkness” (Eph. 6:12 esv), “the evil day” (Eph. 6:13), and “this present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). It is evident that the “course of the world” is under “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph. 2:2). As believers we fully recognize this, not only from such scriptural revelations but also from our own experience and observation from living in this world. So then it should come as no surprise to us when we see...More Monday, January 31, 2022 The Widow of Nain The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 The Widow of Nain The city of Nain was about 25 miles from Capernaum, a good day’s journey. In Luke 7:11–17, as we see the Lord Jesus going, a large crowd accompanied Him there. As they approached the city there was a large crowd coming out of the city; it was a funeral procession. A dead man was being carried out. Since the Jews buried their dead the same day (Dt. 21:23; Acts 5:5–10), we can safely assume this man had just recently passed away. The deceased was the only son of a widow,...More Sunday, January 30, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (4) Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas to the Praetorium, and it was early morning. But they themselves did not go into the Praetorium, lest they should be defiled, but that they might eat the Passover. Pilate then went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” They answered and said to him, “If He were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him up to you.” John 18:28–30 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (4) After their late night and dawn sessions, having in their eyes valid reason to condemn Jesus to die, the hypocritical Jewish leaders took Jesus to the...More Saturday, January 29, 2022 John Mark (2) And Peter … having become clearly conscious in himself, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John who was surnamed Mark, where were many gathered together and praying … And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, having fulfilled the service entrusted to them, taking also with them John, surnamed Mark. Acts 12:11, 12, 25 John Mark (2) In these verses we find three men who greatly influenced John Mark’s life as a believer: Peter, Barnabas, and Saul (Paul). This reminds us that as we grow older, younger believers are looking at us and learning from what we do and say. We...More Friday, January 28, 2022 Lessons on Jehoram (2)—To Be Exercised By the Discipline of God [Jehoram] walked in the way of the kings of Israel. But the Edomites revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time from under his hand, because he had forsaken Jehovah the God of his fathers. 2 Chronicles 21:6; 2 Chronicles 21:10 Lessons on Jehoram (2)—To Be Exercised By the Discipline of God Not long after Jehoram became king, Edom—who had been defeated by King David, and since then had been governed by Solomon and the kings of Judah—rebelled and set a king for themselves. Jehoram went to war against them, but it brought no result as...More Thursday, January 27, 2022 Hidden in Christ, Then Revealed in Christ When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:4 Hidden in Christ, Then Revealed in Christ In this verse, it is not the Lord coming to meet His own and gather them to Himself in the air (1 Th. 4:17); but “every eye shall see him” (Rev. 1:7). When the Lord comes to translate the Church, it will be far otherwise. God has joined us even now by the Spirit to Christ in heaven, according to all the efficacy of His death and resurrection. As far as the spirit is concerned this is true now, and it will be true of the body itself when Christ...More Wednesday, January 26, 2022 Be Strong and Work But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded! “Now be strong … and work; for I am with you,” says the Lord of hosts. 2 Chronicles 15:7; Haggai 2:4 Be Strong and Work We would like to link together these two scriptures that speak of being strong and working for the Lord. First, in 2 Chronicles, we see that king Asa has just won a great victory over the one-million-man army from Ethiopia. Sometimes, after a great victory which the Lord in His grace gives us, there is a tendency to settle back and let our hands be slack. We can be thankful for...More Tuesday, January 25, 2022 John Mark (1) Beginning of the glad tidings of Jesus Christ, Son of God. Mark 1:1 John Mark (1) Matthew’s gospel begins with the genealogy and birth of the Lord Jesus, as befits one born king (2:2). Luke starts his account mentioning godly men and women who were waiting for a savior when He was born (2:11, 38). John goes back to the beginning, before creation, to present Him in His deity: the Word, the only-begotten of the Father (1:1, 14). But Mark brings Him before us abruptly as the servant-prophet, though He be Son of God, the Father’s delight (1:1, 11). After His baptism, we read in Matthew,...More Monday, January 24, 2022 Lowly, Silent Service And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. Genesis 39:3 Lowly, Silent Service Being a prosperous man, Joseph became a witness for the Lord in the house of bondage. We read, “His master saw that the Lord was with him” (v. 3). His testimony, too, was the testimony of his life rather than his lips. Potiphar was impressed by what he saw rather than by what he heard. “His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” Had Joseph been forever complaining of his hard lot, or...More Sunday, January 23, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (3) As soon as it was day, the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, came together and led Him into their council, saying, “If You are the Christ, tell us” … “Are You then the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” And they said, “What further testimony do we need? For we have heard it ourselves from His own mouth.” Luke 22:66, 70–71 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (3) Through the night all the Jewish religious leaders had illegally been carrying on a trial against Jesus, God’s Son, with venomous hatred. Their long-intended object had...More Saturday, January 22, 2022 Alarmed and Attracted I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up … “Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips” … “Behold, this has touched your lips; your iniquity is taken away.” When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Isaiah 6:1, 5, 7; Luke 5:8 Alarmed and Attracted I may have been attracted by grace or alarmed by the terror of the Lord; one is the love getting into your heart, the other the light getting into your conscience, and God is both light and love. The work in which He bore...More Friday, January 21, 2022 Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory. Matthew 12:20 Bruised Reed and Smoking Flax Matthew is the Gospel of God’s mighty King who came in humility, mercy, tenderness, and compassion, as the above verse explains. John the Baptist, the King’s herald, proclaimed His arrival and identified Him to the people, because He had come “incognito.” God endorsed John’s mission by sending the Holy Spirit from heaven to rest and remain on the Lord Jesus, God’s chosen One. He is the Son of God (Mt. 3:11–17; Jn. 1:29–34). His...More Thursday, January 20, 2022 A Morning Prayer Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. Psalm 5:1–3 A Morning Prayer Prayer for the believer is a necessity like oxygen, and something that comes as natural as breathing. Yet we often struggle with consistency; as far as having any regular pattern, prayer is more “hit and miss.” In Psalm 5:1–3, we see a guide or pattern which is very simple: “in the morning.” The Lord Jesus...More Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Like Master, Like Servant For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 Like Master, Like Servant God takes the bright light that shines in the face of Jesus Christ, and makes it shine in our hearts. He is the perfect answer and character of everything delightful to God. We are in Him, and His character is to flow through us. He has brought us into the light and holiness of the Father’s house; and because of having fellowship with Him, we can turn around and cast every...More Tuesday, January 18, 2022 God’s “Thoughts” How precious are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more in number than the sand. Psalm 139:17–18 God’s “Thoughts” We see one of the precious thoughts of God in John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believes on Him may not perish, but have life eternal.” This is what Cyprian called “an ocean of thought in a drop of language”! Who can sound the depths of this thought of God? It will form the theme and the mystery of eternity; it will be the center and focus around...More Monday, January 17, 2022 The Sufficiency of the Scriptures All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy 3:16–17 The Sufficiency of the Scriptures If Christ’s work suffices for the conscience, if His blessed Person suffices for the heart, then, most assuredly, His precious Word suffices for the path. We may assert with all possible confidence that we possess in the divine volume of Holy Scripture all we can ever need, not only to meet all the exigencies of our individual...More Sunday, January 16, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (2) Those who had laid hold of Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled … Now the chief priests, the elders, and all the council sought false testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none … at last two false witnesses came forward and said, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” Matthew 26:57, 59–61 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (2) Late in the night, after the preliminary session in the palace of Annas, our Lord Jesus was taken to the nearby palace of Caiaphas,...More Saturday, January 15, 2022 The Days of Noah: A Picture of What Is Coming God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make yourself an ark.” Genesis 6:13–14 The Days of Noah: A Picture of What Is Coming Early in the history of man, his guilt had become so great that God would no longer bear with mankind, and He told Noah that He would destroy the earth with a flood of waters. In view of this, He gave Noah complete instructions how he should build the ark. This would take a long time, for the ark was to have room, not only for eight human beings, but...More Friday, January 14, 2022 Christ Revealed to John by the Father John bore witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending’ … And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God.” John 1:32–34 Christ Revealed to John by the Father Although there is far greater witness to the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ, John’s witness is perfectly true and should be seriously considered by all who hear it. Before his birth, John had been chosen by God to be the forerunner of the...More Thursday, January 13, 2022 God Hears and Forgives May You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive. 1 Kings 8:30 God Hears and Forgives This chapter records King Solomon’s public prayer—one of the longest in the Bible—at the dedication of the temple. First, he praised God for His fulfilled promises and expressed amazement that the God of heaven would even consider an earthly temple. Then Solomon made his request in the verse above: May You hear the prayers of Your people, wherever they are, when they pray toward this...More Wednesday, January 12, 2022 A Throne of Grace Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 A Throne of Grace Oh, then, let us come boldly to the throne of grace! It is a “throne of grace” because graced by our great High Priest being seated there. Thence is dispensed mercy and grace for seasonable or opportune help (see jnd), only we must come to the throne in order that we may get it. What Israelite of old dared approach with any boldness the awful throne of the Almighty God? When Ezekiel saw it in a vision, there was “a likeness with the appearance...More Tuesday, January 11, 2022 Lessons on Jehoram (1)—We Must Trust in God to Build Our Life Jehoram established himself over the kingdom of his father, and strengthened himself; and he slew all his brethren with the sword, and certain also of the princes of Israel. 2 Chronicles 21:4 Lessons on Jehoram (1)—We Must Trust in God to Build Our Life What a great contrast we have between Jehoshaphat and his firstborn son Jehoram. We read of Jehoshaphat that “he took courage in the ways of Jehovah,” and consequently “Jehovah established the kingdom in his hand” (2 Chr. 17:6, 5). But of Jehoram we read that he “established himself over the kingdom of his father.” He desired to...More Monday, January 10, 2022 Enlarged in Pressure When I call, answer me, O God of my righteousness: in pressure Thou hast enlarged me; be gracious unto me, and hear my prayer. Psalm 4:1 Enlarged in Pressure Psalm 4 was written by King David. We do not know the exact circumstances which gave rise to the psalm. There were many times in David’s life when he experienced pressure. Even though he had been anointed king by Samuel, he lived the life of a fugitive with many close calls and narrow escapes. At times it seemed as if he was surrounded by his enemies and that the walls were closing in around him—pressure indeed. In the natural...More Sunday, January 9, 2022 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (1) The detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year … The high priest then asked Jesus about His disciples and His doctrine … Then Annas sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest. John 18:12–13, 19, 24 The Unjust Trials of Our Lord Jesus (1) The apostle John, who wrote his Gospel years after the other Gospels had been written, is the only one who mentions that Jesus was tried first before Annas and then before his son-in-law Caiaphas,...More Saturday, January 8, 2022 The Death Which Brings Life Except the grain of wheat falling into the ground die, it abides alone; but if it die, it bears much fruit. John 12:24 The Death Which Brings Life These words of our Lord seem a strange answer to give to some people who simply wanted to see Him. And yet, as He continued speaking, an amazing message began to emerge—one that has rung down through the ages with one unchanging tone. It is this: All that is for God results from death. The Lord was that grain of wheat who fell into the ground and died that He might not abide alone. His finished work at Calvary’s cross produced an abundant eternal...More Friday, January 7, 2022 Judging the Word or the Word Judging Us Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 2 Chronicles 34:18–19 Judging the Word or the Word Judging Us Here we have a tender conscience bowing under the action of the Word of God. This was one special charm in the character of Josiah. He was, in truth, a man of a humble and contrite spirit who trembled at the Word of God. Would that we all knew more of this! Josiah had no question whatever in his mind as to the genuineness and...More Thursday, January 6, 2022 God Sees the Heart He [Christ] did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23 God Sees the Heart When three of Job’s friends heard of the things that had befallen him, they came with the purpose of comforting him in his grief and trials. But rather than doing so, they condemned him, unjustly telling Job that it was due to his iniquities that God was dealing with him in this way. One of them even said, “Know therefore that God exacts from you less than your iniquity deserves,” meaning that God should be punishing Job even more harshly; there must be sin in his life (Job...More Wednesday, January 5, 2022 Walking in the Lord’s Ways Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord! Psalm 119:1 Walking in the Lord’s Ways God has given us many Scriptures and examples to help us walk in His ways. Through these He teaches us and leads us to do what is right in His eyes. As doers of God’s Word, we will be undefiled (blameless, without defect). By walking in “the way” of the Lord we will be blessed, as we follow the One who never failed. The Lord Jesus kept God’s law—not necessarily man’s interpretations of it— and never added to it, nor took anything away from it. He is our Teacher and great...More Tuesday, January 4, 2022 Do You Have Any Symptoms? Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God. Hebrews 12:15 Do You Have Any Symptoms? In late 2019 and into 2020, countries around the world began responding to the new coronavirus infections which brought death to hundreds of thousands and sickened millions more. That spring, a news magazine presented firsthand accounts of medical workers. One article, following a New York City paramedic, noted that all her patients had likely been infected the week before. “Fighting COVID,” the article said, “is like racing toward a star that may have burned out centuries ago but whose...More Monday, January 3, 2022 Daniel’s Prayer Life Whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Daniel 6:7 Daniel’s Prayer Life The word of God gave Daniel plain directions for the circumstances in which he found himself. Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple anticipated his difficulties: “When they come to themselves in the land where they were carried captive … and pray to You … then hear in heaven Your dwelling place” (1 Ki. 8:47–49). In faith in God, Daniel acted according to the word of God. He refused to make any compromise. The carnal mind...More Sunday, January 2, 2022 Arresting the Son of God There was a garden, which [Jesus] and His disciples entered. And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?” John 18:1–4 Arresting the Son of God Again and again John’s Gospel sets Jesus before us in His dignity as the Son of God here on earth. This is the evangelist’s focus...More Saturday, January 1, 2022 At the Gate of the Year Known to God from eternity are all His works. Acts 15:18 At the Gate of the Year In December 1939, England was at war. Nazi Germany had invaded Poland, and a dark, threatening cloud hung over all of Europe; an uncertain future lay before the people. King George VI was looking for inspiration as he was about to address the nation on the radio. Thirteen-year-old Princess Elizabeth gave her father a poem to read just before he addressed the anxious nation. The original title of the poem, written by Minnie Louise Haskins, was “God Knows,” but it became popularly known as “The Gate of the...More

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