Month: July 2018

DAILY READINGS: Judges 16:1-31; Isaiah 35:1-10; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

Nahum whose name means “comfort” or “consolation” brought hope and comfort to the hearts of God’s people. He gave them the following three-fold assurance: “The Lord is good.” His character cannot change toward you and me. He is “a strong hold [or refuge] in the day of trouble.” Rest in your impregnable fortress for divine protection. “He knoweth them that trust [or find shelter, refuge] in him.” Find comfort in His omniscience, knowing “he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7). Weary one, no matter how difficult the day may be, “the Lord is good” and He is still your stronghold. —Jim Comte

I found a Friend; O such a Friend! So kind, and true, and tender,
So wise a Counselor and Guide, so mighty a Defender. —James G. Small

DAILY READINGS: Judges 14:1-15:20; Isaiah 34:1-17; 1 Corinthians 12:1-31

Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly. 1 Kings 18:3, NKJV

God had called Elijah to a certain work in a certain sphere for a certain time. He had also called Obadiah. The circumstances were different, but they had this one commonality: God had placed them where they should be. In fact, unbeknownst to Elijah, God had another 7,000 who had likewise not bowed the knee to Ahab’s edict (19:18). God is working in many places today. The key is to be faithful where He has called us. We need to be aware that though we may not have been given a certain mandate, others may have—and we can rejoice for what God is doing through them. —N. C. Funston

Shine, Jesus shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory.
Blaze, Spirit blaze; set our hearts on fire. —Graham Kendrick

DAILY READINGS: Judges 13:1-25; Isaiah 33:1-24; 1 Corinthians 11:2-34

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11

In my early teens I attended a home Bible study and met a lady who had been converted to Christ during the Welsh revival (1904-05). The revival drove people to the Bible—to read, mediate, memorize and study it. To my amazement she talked of having memorized the whole book of Psalms and then to my utter astonishment the whole of the New Testament. It challenged me to get God’s Word into my mind and so to have an effective bulwark against sin. —Paul Young

Lord of that word, the word of life which fires us,
Speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
Teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us:
Lord of the word, receive Your people’s praise. —Timothy Dudley-Smith

DAILY READINGS: Judges 11:29-12:15; Isaiah 32:1-20; 1 Cor. 10:14-11:1

Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane. Matthew 26:36

Have you ever compared the conflicts in the two gardens, in Eden and Gethsemane? In Eden, faced with temptation, man disobeyed God’s Word, and died because he had sinned against God. In Gethsemane, faced with an unparalleled trial, Jesus obeyed God’s will; and in so doing suffered and died to save us from the consequences of that first failure in Eden. Now God can justify His love for man to offer him eternal life because a sinless substitute has borne sin’s judgement for man. Do you believe this? —K. C. Ung

Gethsemane can I forget? Or there Thy conflict see,
Thine agony, and bloody sweat, and not remember Thee? —James Montgomery

DAILY READINGS: Judges 10:6-11:28; Isaiah 31:1-9; 1 Cor. 9:24-10:13

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29

Thomas was one of the chosen few to see and hear the Lord. We are part of the many who haven’t had such a privilege. Yet wonder of wonders, the Lord calls us blessed! We, who do not deserve the very least of God’s mercies are a blessed people. One day, we believe very soon, we shall see our Saviour and be with Him for all eternity. Dear reader, the best is yet to come! —John M. Clegg

We saw Thee not when Thou did come, to this poor world of sin and death,
Nor e’er beheld Thy cottage home, in that despised Nazareth;
But we believe Thy footsteps trod, its streets and plains, Thou Son of God. — John H. Gurney

DAILY READINGS: Judges 9:1-10:5; Isaiah 30:1-33; 1 Corinthians 9:1-23

For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20

One’s language can often reveal where they come from. In the Old Testament the Gileadites recognized and killed any Ephraimite who could not correctly say the word “Shibboleth.” Similarly the believer’s speech and manner should reveal that they belong to heaven. Coming down from heaven, Christ is our perfect example. His lips were anointed with grace, not only kind, but also truthfully speaking words of eternal life. Let us follow His example in our speech, having words of grace and truth, revealing that we are heavenly citizens. —George Ferrier

More about Jesus would I know, more of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see, more of His love who died for me. — Hewitt

DAILY READINGS: Judges 8:1-35; Isaiah 29:1-24; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13

And the men that held Jesus mocked him and smote him. Luke 22:63
And Herod with his men of war…mocked him. Luke 23:11
And when they had mocked him, they…led him out to crucify him. Mark 15:20
Likewise also the chief priests mocking him. Matthew 27:41

The Lord of glory was mocked and made sport of. Angels looked on, undoubtedly eager to defend. Demons must have been astonished at humanity’s audacity. Yet religious, political and military men united to ridicule and insult the Son of God! In contrast, we have the privilege today of holding Him in the highest esteem! —Pete Smith

Sinners in derision crowned Him, mocking thus the Saviour’s claim:
Saints and angels crowd around Him. Own His title, praise His Name. —Thomas Kelly

DAILY READINGS: Judges 7:1-25; Isaiah 28:1-29; 1 Corinthians 7:1-40

I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
Being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. Romans 4:22

Many reading this meditation can say with the Psalmist David. “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread” (Ps. 37:25). He, like you and I, proved the
Word of God, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” We know what God has promised He is able also to perform. Dear believer, drink in the truth today and enjoy it to the full. —Arnot P. McIntee

I will never, never, leave thee,
I will never thee forsake;
I will guide, and save, and keep thee,
For my name and the mercy’s sake. —Author Unknown

DAILY READINGS: Judges 6:1-40; Isaiah 27:1-13; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest…shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

Growing up on a farm I realized how dependent we were on the supernatural. Weather is the key for a successful crop. The tiller prepares the soil, drops in the seed, but cannot call forth life. God furnishes the warmth to pull the sprouts through the earth’s crust. Clouds open to water the plants. Prayers ascend for protection from hail and destructive winds. In the spiritual realm we cannot save a soul. We pray and witness to prepare the seedbed. Then pray against the enemy’s interference. God sends showers of grace, love and mercy to instill germinating life into a repentant sinner. —E. Dyck

Back of the loaf is the snowy flour, and back of the flour is the mill;
And back of the mill is the wheat and the shower and the sun and the Father’s will. —Maltbie D. Babcock

DAILY READINGS: Judges 5:1-31; Isaiah 26:1-21; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

And God remembered Noah. Genesis 8:1

The thought here is that God earnestly remembered Noah. Even godly Noah must have had many fears and doubts during his stay in the ark. However God did not forget him for one moment. Our faith is very weak at times and we forget the mercies of God—but He never forgets us—in fact He earnestly desires our good. —Brian Russell

You are my strength when I am weak;
You are the treasure that I seek;
You are my all in all. —Dennis Jernigan