Month: December 2015

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 9-10; Malachi 3:7 to 4:6; Rev. 22:6-21

Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them…  John 6:7
…but what are they among so many? John 6:9
…he looked up to heaven. Mark 6:41

A new year beckons. Ahead, with absolute certainty, are joys and sorrows, victories and defeats, dark days and light. The tide of time and its accompanying circumstances are inevitable. But our perspective on all that lies ahead is not fixed. We can choose our point of focus. We can be like Philip and fixate on the immensity of our problems. We can be like Andrew and lament the paucity of our resources. Or we can look up to heaven. And be filled. —S. McEachern

We would see Jesus: it is all we are needing;
Strength, joy, and willingness come with the sight—
Brightness above noonday; songs in the night.
—Anna B. Warner

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 7-8; Malachi 2:10 to 3:6; Rev. 21:9 to 22:5

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.  Psalm 23:2

As our great Shepherd, Jesus Christ brought us into an everlasting covenant based on His blood (Heb. 13:20). This covenant has brought us to green pastures. Here we not only find food fit for our souls, but a place of quiet rest and still waters. And when the sorrows of life intrude, our Shepherd feeds us and carries us in His arms close to His heart (Isa. 40:11). —G. W. T.

My shepherd, You supply my need; most holy is Your name;
In pastures fresh You make me feed, beside the living stream.
You bring my wand’ring spirit back, when I forsake Your ways;
You lead me, for Your mercy’s sake, in paths of truth and grace.
—Isaac Watts

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 5-6; Malachi 1 to 2:9; Rev. 20:7 to 21:8

…who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?  Esther 4:14

The name God does not appear in the book of Esther, but the providence of God is evident on every page. The nation of Israel was threatened with annihilation, but this can never happen with God on the throne. In the shadows, God had Mordecai, a man of faith, and Esther, a godly woman, available, “for such a time as this”. Both Esther and Mordecai had humble backgrounds, but they became instrumental in God’s plan of deliverance. Our background doesn’t matter to God. He is looking for committed believers He can transform into faithful servants. “Here am I; send me” (Isa. 6:8). —Milton Haack

Not for ease or worldly pleasure, nor for fame my prayer shall be;
Gladly will I toil and suffer, only let me walk with Thee.
—Fanny Crosby

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 3-4; Zech. 13:7 to 14:21; Rev. 19:11 to 20:6

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country…to bear his cross.  Mark 15:21

Simon, a Cyrenian, had travelled from present-day Libya to Jerusalem and was watching an assumed criminal in a procession being led to Calvary, the place of execution. Custom dictated the guilty carry His own cross but in a small mercy a surprised Simon was commanded to walk beside Jesus, with the cross now on his back. Simon’s family is mentioned here. It appears he was known to the gospel’s author. It does not seem strange to think he became a believer. When I get to Glory, I want to thank Simon for bearing the cross of the One who was bearing the load of my sins. —Arnot P. McIntee

The love that Jesus had for me, to suffer on the cruel tree,
That I a ransomed soul might be, is more than tongue can tell!
—J. Hall

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 2; Zechariah 12 to 13:6; Revelation 19:1-10

…And they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him…  Zechariah 12:10

What a moment of revelation for Israel, when they realize that the Messiah who has returned to save them is the self-same One whom they crucified. Surely the words of Isaiah will be upon their lips, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). We thank God that many of us have already looked upon the pierced Saviour, and have embraced Him as Saviour and Lord, and we look forward to sharing His Glory when He returns. —W. H. Burnett

Jesus bruised and put to shame, tells us all Jehovah’s name,
God is love we surely know, by the Saviour’s depth of woe.
—R. Chapman

DAILY?READINGS: Esther 1; Zechariah 11; Revelation 18

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God…  1 John 3:1

A Christian writer said, “What happened at the manger wasn’t designed to put me in the ‘holiday mood’. It was intended to shake me to the roots of my soul.” Almighty God became human to identify with us. Think of it! Laid in a manger—a feeding trough. How fitting for the One who became the Manna from Heaven, the Bread of Life for sinners like you and I. Such a condescension is beyond our comprehension. But in wonder we worship Him who is our Saviour. —E. Dyck

O Saviour, as my eyes behold the wonders of Thy might untold,
The heav’ns in glorious light arrayed, the vast creation Thou hast made—
And yet to think Thou lovest me-my heart cries out, “How can it be?”
—Avis B. Christiansen

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 13; Zechariah 9-10; Revelation 17

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful…  Isaiah 9:6

Wonderful comes from the word “surpassing”. It is something that is beyond understanding. This verse tells us that a Child was born. It speaks to the uniqueness of His humanity, the virgin’s child. But it also speaks of a Son given. Here we see the uniqueness of His deity, the Father’s Son, eternal in His being. It is a fitting title for the Lord Jesus—Wonderful! He is wonderful in His name, wonderful in His person and wonderful in His work. May our hearts be filled with wonder as we adore and worship the Lord Jesus. —Jim Comte

He is wonderful to sinners who saw their Saviour die;
And knew it was to save them, He left His throne on high.
—Author Unknown

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 12; Zechariah 8; Revelation 16

Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of salvation…  Luke 1:67-69

Zacharias had just experienced the birth of a son. One born of a “barren” wife. You would think that he would bless God for that recent miracle. Instead, he was filled with the Holy Spirit and led to praise God for a birth that would happen six months later. That birth’s supreme glory would be further validated by the heavenly host who proclaimed; “Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). With the Spirit’s help Zacharias recognized that wondrous birth. May we too rejoice in it. —Ken Gross

Joyful, all ye nations rise; join the triumph of the skies,
With the angelic host proclaim: “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
—C. Wesley

DAILY?READINGS: Nehemiah 10-11; Zechariah 7; Revelation 15

He shall be great…  Luke 1:32

Precious words! He is a great God. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us” (Titus 2:13-14). He is a great High Priest. “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession” (Heb. 4:14). He is a great Shepherd. “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will” (Heb. 13:20-21). —Jim Paul

Great are the offices He bears;
And bright His character appears,
Exalted on the throne.
—S. Medley