Saturday, February 29, 2020

Exodus 19:10-25; Psalm 59:1-17; Acts 10:34-48

I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25

Why was our Lord thankful? He rejoiced for the basis upon which the Father revealed His truth to His creatures. If wisdom or prudence was the criteria, many would be exempt. But simple childlike faith was the threshold for entry into the mysteries of divinity. May God give us such simple faith and may He open our understanding that we may understand the Scriptures and live them out (Luke 24:45). —Vernon Markle

Open my eyes that I might see, glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. —Clara H. Scott

Friday, February 28, 2020

Exodus 19:1-9; Psalm 58:1-11; Acts 10:24-33

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalm 143:8

Has life’s experience of late felt like one long, dark night? Continue to trust in God, for the morning light is near. Listen for the voice that cheers and comforts us. Often in a difficult trial, we can feel spiritually disoriented. It is hard to know which way to turn. If you are feeling like this today, like David, look heavenward and seek help from above. He will not disappoint! —Pete Smith

We expect a bright tomorrow; all will be well.
Faith can sing through days of sorrow, all will be well;
On our Father’s love relying, Christ our every need supplying. —Mary Bowly

Thursday, February 27, 2020

Exodus 18:1-27; Psalms 56:1-57:11; Acts 10:1-23

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2

Even those nearest to us can fall short in times of trial. David should have had encouragement from his wife, but Michal “saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart” (2 Sam. 6:16). Abigail should have been loved and protected by her husband, but Nabal was “churlish and evil in his doings” (1 Sam. 25:3) with the reputation for foolishness. The true believer will always flee to their precious Lord in times of trials. —Ray Jones

In the tempests of life, on its wide heaving sea,
Thou blest Rock of Ages, I’m hiding in Thee. —W. Cushing

Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Exodus 17:1-16; Psalm 55:1-23; Acts 9:32-43

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1:18

It is clear from Scripture that the world is divided into two groups. Those who are perishing and those who are saved! To which group do you belong? Those who believe the Gospel message to be foolish are perishing. How good to know that through the work of the cross Jesus provided a way whereby we could be saved. The power through the cross not only saves but changes lives for now and eternity. Will you accept God’s wisdom and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? —Jim Paul

Man of sorrows, God of glory, wondrous path Thy feet have trod,
Cross and crown rehearse the story, joyous sound this note abroad; Calvary’s victim, now adorns the throne of God. —M. Nunn

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Exodus 16:1-36; Psalm 52:1-54:7; Acts 9:1-31

For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth. Exodus 33:16

The distinguishing mark of a believer is an experience of God’s mercy and grace in a personal way. We have His promise that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb. 13:5). Then we are to be separated from the world and its way of thinking and separated unto Him. If that is our experience, than nothing (or no one) can separate us from His love (See Rom. 8:35-39). —Wm. H. Gustafson

Occupied with Thee, Lord Jesus, in Thy grace;
All Thy ways and tho’ts about me only trace,
Deeper stories of the glories of Thy grace. —H. Bennett, Mrs. Wellesley

Monday, February 24, 2020

Exodus 15:1-27; Psalm 51:1-19; Acts 8:5-40

The ox knows its owner And the donkey its master’s crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider. Isaiah 1:3, NKJV

God laboured to create a people for Himself, but the Jewish nation rebelled against His intentions and care for them. They did not even display the instinctive awareness and respect that an ox has for its owner, or a donkey for its master’s crib. Let us not pass over this injunction without challenging our own hearts. The crib speaks of where we rest and are fed. How well do we know God’s Word and character? How willing are we to rest in Him, trust His promises, and honour His commands? The prophet’s message is timeless. We owe Him full allegiance not a superficial religious nod. —W. A. H.

Is this the kind return, and these the thanks we owe,
Thus to abuse eternal love, whence all our blessings flow? —I. Watts

Lord’s Day, February 23, 2020

Exodus 14:5-31; Psalms 49:1-50:23; Acts 7:30-8:4

Behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease (exodus) which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Luke 9:30-31, NKJV

We succumb to death in weakness but not so the Lord Jesus. His would be a triumphant exodus; His ministry fully accomplished. Did Moses think of the Passover Lamb and the resultant freedom from Egypt? Did Elijah think of Carmel and the sacrifice which acknowledged the only true God? Perhaps, but His death would be more—the one sacrifice for sin; for all; forever! —Peter Ramsay

Without reluctance, flesh and blood His substance,
He took the form of man, revealed the hidden plan,
Oh, glorious mystery, sacrifice of Calvary,
And now I know Thou art the great I Am. —William E. Booth

Saturday, February 22, 2020

Exodus 13:1-14:4; Psalms 47:1-48:14; Acts 7:1-29

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

It has been rightly said that prayer does not equip us for greater work—prayer is the greater work. Some of God’s people are given the responsibility to preach His Word in public settings, even before large audiences, but the privilege of all God’s people is to pray. It can and must involve the sacrifice of time, the giving up of other things to focus upon the Lord. The joy of prayer and the power that flows from it is very much anchored to the discipline of interceding with God. The need today is for true intercessors and that is the challenge for each of us! —Paul Young

In the busy round of life, do we stop to pray?
Commit each day into His care, and seek His help alway. —Norah A. Young

Friday, February 21, 2020

Exodus 12:21-51; Psalm 45:1-46:11; Acts 6:1-15

And Caleb…said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men who went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people. Num. 13:30-31

The contradictory reports of the spies who went to search out the land of Canaan exemplify unbelief versus faith in God. C. H. Mackintosh says: “There is nothing beneath the canopy of Heaven so stupidly irrational as unbelief. On the other hand there is nothing so sound, clear and logical as the simple argument of childlike faith.” May we too, cultivate the faith of Abraham, who staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Rom. 4:20). —E. V.

His banner over us is love, our sword the Word of God;
We tread the road the saints before with shouts of triumph trod.—J. Yates

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Exodus 11:1-12:20; Psalm 44:1-26; Acts 5:12-42

I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Revelation 3:1

One of the greatest challenges for the Christian is living a life that is real and practical. Having an intellectual appreciation for sound doctrine is important but am I progressing from a head filled with knowledge to action motivated by a heart moved by truth? James warns us of the danger of being hearers only, deceiving your own selves. We make a huge mistake if we think we can just coast through life as long as we have the right doctrine. Let’s get real! “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them” (John 13:17). —Sid Halsband

Take my love; my Lord, I pour, at Thy feet its treasure-store:
Take myself, and I will be, ever, only, all for Thee. —F. R. Havergal