Choice Gleanings

Numbers 32:1-42; Proverbs 28:1-28; Luke 4:1-15

Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him. Isaiah 42:1 NKJV

“Behold! My Servant”, introduces us to a beautiful portrait of the Lord Jesus. He is described in detail as the compassionate Servant and as such, a “bruised reed” He would not break, nor would He snuff out the dimly “burning flax” (v. 3). We see this compassion illustrated in the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8). She was a “dimly burning flax”, whom He tenderly forgave. We too are bruised by sin and the hurts of life and He has
forgiven and redeemed us. On this Lord’s day it is our holy privilege to remember, worship and adore our  compassionate Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. —Jim Comte

Saviour, we remember Thee! Thy deep woe and agony,
All Thy suffering on the tree: Saviour, we adore Thee! —S. T. Francis

Numbers 30:1-31:54; Proverbs 26:13-27:27; Luke 3:1-38

I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 NKJV

This wasn’t a call for political engagement. Paul’s admonition was an urgent call for activism in prayer. Despite the “real” persecution the Christians were suffering, Paul didn’t so much as even hint at endorsing displays of contempt towards Nero’s government. Rather than resorting to common ways to protest evil, he urged the uncommon. Show the love of Christ to all and pray for all regardless of their politics, policies or practices—ultimately for the glory of God and the furtherance of the Gospel. —Peter Ramsay

Here ’mid earth’s sin and sorrow and care;
O give me power, power in prayer. —A. S. Reitz

Numbers 29:1-40; Proverbs 25:1-26:12; Luke 2:22-52

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans 1:15

Paul had previously been a Pharisee who separated himself from the Gentiles. Now he was ready (willing, eager) to preach the Gospel in the capital of Gentile power. Burdened to preach Christ (Acts 9:15), he was willing to give up his own rights and desires for Christ’s sake (1 Cor. 9:19-22). We are not all gifted evangelists but every believer should have a burden to share the Gospel to those the Lord brings to us, and in the places He sends us.  —George Ferrier

I’ll go where You want me to go, dear Lord,
O’er mountain, or plain, or sea;
I’ll say what You want me to say, dear Lord,
I’ll be what You want me to be. —Mary Brown

Numbers 28:1-31; Proverbs 24:1-34; Luke 2:1-21

You have put gladness in my heart. Psalm 4:7 NKJV

There are many things that bring sadness into our lives. This is only natural. Scripture reminds us that there is a time to weep, and a time to laugh (Eccl. 3:4). The Psalmist was no stranger to these fluctuating seasons of emotion. Yet as he chose to focus on the many things he had to be thankful for, his perspective dramatically changed, from sad, to glad! It has been truly said that, “Thanksgiving is the key to knowing the joy of the Lord”. You too will discover this truth as you count your blessings. —E. V.

I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart;
I will enter His courts with praise.
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made;
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.  —Leona Von Brethorst

Numbers 26:52-27:23; Proverbs 23:12-35; Luke 1:57-80

And she bound the scarlet cord in the window. Josh. 2:21 NKJV

From this point forward, every time Rahab looked out her window, her view of the world was shaped by the scarlet cord. Instead of impending judgment she saw impending deliverance. Instead of despair there was peace. This word “cord” is translated in other passages as “hope”. How suggestive and lovely for us to meditate on. Our hope in Christ should change our worldview. The turmoil and evil we see all around, one day will be set right by His righteous
return. And the sorrows we may be personally struggling with this very day, somehow are lightened and even tempered with joy, as we view them through a window bound with the scarlet cord of our hope in Him. —S. McEachern

When with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages, to sing of His love for me. —C. Gabriel

Numbers 25:1-26:51; Proverbs 22:17-23:11; Luke 1:26-56

Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Eph. 6:10
My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
When I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10

On multiple occasions Moses reminded Joshua to “Be strong and of good courage”. Obviously Joshua had a huge task ahead of him and a remarkable leader to replace. Divine strength and courage would be needed. What task or challenge are you facing? The apostle has the answer for it: His strength for our weakness—the infinite resource of the power of His might. We are not to face life’s challenges on our own. Turn it over to Him. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Be strong and heed the promise!
Fear not, but go forth undismayed;
Be strong, and of good courage;
Have faith! Be not afraid. —Ren Olsen

Numbers 23:27-24:25; Proverbs 21:12-22:16; Luke 1:1-25

Whoever drinks of this water…but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give… John 4:13-14 NKJV

What a beautiful truth we discover in the two different tenses of the verb Jesus used for “drink” when speaking to the Samaritan woman: “Whoever [continues to drink] of this water will thirst again, but whoever [takes one drink] of the water that I shall give him will never thirst”. The point Jesus was making? At best, physical water—any physical satisfaction provided by this world only quenches our thirst temporarily, requiring a never-ending quest for contentment. But the water Jesus offers, spiritual water, quenches our spiritual longings once and for all! Christian, take this Water to some thirsty soul today. —Brian Cretney

I heard the voice of Jesus say, behold I freely give,
The living water, thirsty one, stoop down and drink and live.  —Horatius Bonar

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

I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. 2 Timothy 1:5 NKJV

Here we see the wonderful cycle of faith in Timothy’s life. It was the faith which dwelt in his grandmother and mother. The expression, “which dwelt”, is to say they were right at home with their faith. While faith cannot be passed down, it can be passed on. May God inspire us all to follow the good example of these two mothers in the Bible. Timothy did! —Rex Trogdon

O give us homes built firm upon the Saviour,
Where Christ is Head and Counselor and Guide;
Where ev’ry child is taught His love and favour,
And gives his heart to Christ, the crucified.   —Barbara Hart

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

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 

God’s ultimate purpose is to populate Heaven with those like His Son. We see this illustrated in what scientists call “metamorphosis”. The process begins with an ugly, earth-bound caterpillar, but soon, it emerges from the chrysalis; now a beautiful butterfly fitted for the skies. So also, when our Lord returns, we will receive bodies “like unto his glorious body” (Phil. 3:21), fitted for Heaven. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus”. —Willie H. Burnett

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

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

By faith Abraham, when he was called…obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:8
Being fully persuaded that, what (God) had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:21

Abraham believed the Word of the unseen God and acted upon it. Leaving the comforts of his home, he walked through the desert to a land he did not know; to dwell among a people whose language he did not speak. Yet he never went back but trusted God in spite of many hardships. He became, not only the “father of faith” but is a challenge to each of us today to be so committed; that we too, never turn back. —David Croudace

I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back; no turning back.
The world behind me; the cross before me, no turning back, no turning back.  —Sadhu Sundar Singh