Day: 3 September 2019

2 Samuel 19:9-43; Jeremiah 3:6-4:2; Galatians 4:21-5:9

Behold, here I am: witness against me before the Lord, and
before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have
I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom have I oppressed?
or of whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes
therewith? and I will restore it you. 1 Samuel 12:3

Oh to be like Samuel. He walked with a spotless testimony. At the
end of his life his conscience spoke to his heart that his ways were
blameless. Could we stand before our children or churches and
say such things? What’s more, who of us would hear the response,
“Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken
ought of any man’s hand” (1 Sam. 12:4). To be able to say and hear
these things are two prizes worth striving for. —Shane Johnson

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a right spirit within me. —Psalm 51:10

1 Kings 3:1-28; Jeremiah 11:1-23; Ephesians 4:17-32

And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my
beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Mark 1:11

These wonderful words show us what God the Father thought
of His Son. It is interesting to notice that this commendation from
the Father came before any sermon was preached or any miracle
performed by His Son. The Father loved the Son not for what He
said or did but for who He was! When I examine my life what do
I focus on? The things I do or say? Or is it who I am in Christ? Activity,
although important, is no replacement for a life that has the
fragrant character of Christ! —Sid Halsband

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender, Lord—in me abide. —Edwin Orr