Month: May 2020

Numbers 34:1-35:8; Proverbs 30:1-33; Luke 5:1-16

For we are labourers together with God. 1 Corinthians 3:9 The toddler stared up at the heavy glass door. “Come on, son”, urged his towering father. “Let’s work together!” And so, the pudgy hand of the boy and the strong hand of the father worked in tandem to open the door. “Good work,” the dad commended as they stepped through the doorway. Could the father have done the work without his child? Of course, but he delighted to work with his child, to encourage him along and, in the process, deepen their relationship. How wonderful that God is that way with us! He allows us, in our weaknesses and inabilities, to work alongside Him, and amazingly, longs to say to us “well done!” —Lynn Shatford

Emptied that Thou shouldest fill me, a clean vessel in Thy hand;
With no power but as Thou givest graciously with each command. —Maxwell

Numbers 33:1-56; Proverbs 29:1-27; Luke 4:16-44

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 17:15

Pilate unrighteously “justified” and released the murderer, Barabbas, while condemning Jesus to death (Matt. 27:15-26). Both acts were abominable! But God also justified sinners and made Jesus a curse for us all (Rom. 3:23-26; Gal. 3:13; 1 Peter 3:18). The difference? The death of God’s sinless Son allows God to justify sinners righteously. God can now declare His righteousness: that He might be just, and the Justifier of him who believes in Jesus. Will you believe in Jesus and be counted among the justified? —K. C. Ung

Who can condemn? Christ Jesus died for sinners,
None can condemn—we’re justified. —Susan H. Peterson

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

That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 1 Samuel 17:46

David’s sincere desire, in this battle with Goliath, was to prove to all the earth that there is a God in Israel. He didn’t seek praise. He wanted to glorify God. The Lord Jesus had that same desire: “Father, glorify thy name” (John 12:28). We can glorify God by bearing “much fruit” (John 15:8). Do we constantly desire to glorify God in every way? Or is it more important to have our own way? —Mary Robins

Oh, may my life be to Thy praise O Father,
In all I do, may Thou be magnified;
Thou chosest me before the world’s foundation,
Thine own to be, that Thou be glorified. —Astrid H. Nelson

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

“Do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts. 1 Peter 3:14-15, NKJV

Peter speaks here of the harsh realities of faithfully living for Christ in a hostile environment. You may be experiencing a powerful wave of outright rejection or a subtle under-current of ridicule for being a Christian. Your strength to remain calm and strong will come from your focus upon Christ. Exalt Him afresh today as Lord in your heart. Bow your soul and elevate Him above all others and all else. He is your strength (Isa. 40:29). —Peter Ramsay

Above all kingdoms, above all thrones,
Above all wonders the world has ever known,
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth,
There’s no way to measure what You’re worth. —Michael W. Smith

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

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away. Song of Songs 2:10

At last, the long winter of the bridegroom’s absence was over, and he had come to claim his bride. At present the long winter of our Lord’s absence is running its course and there are times when the wintry blast and the rising storms make us long for Heaven and home. But especially we long for Him. We must also keep in mind that His longings for us are just as passionate as ours and that He waits with patience until that blessed hour, when He will arise and say “come away.” May this blessed prospect cheer our hearts mid the darkening gloom around us. —W. H. Burnett

Oh the blessed joy of meeting, all the desert past!
Oh the wondrous words of greeting, He shall speak at last.—P. Gerhard

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

Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. Exodus 17:10b-11

While Joshua fought, Moses prayed. As long as Moses held up his hands in prayer, Israel prevailed in battle, but when his hands drooped, Amalek prevailed. This battle was not won by Israel’s fighting ability since they were not experienced soldiers nor adept at warfare. The battle was won by Moses, through prayer. What a reminder as to the value, power, and absolute necessity of prayer! Have you prayed today? —W. Ross Rainey

Behold the throne of grace! The promise calls us near!
To seek our God and Father’s face, who loves to answer prayer.—Newton

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

Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot. Acts 20:13, NKJV

This journey is about 30 miles. Paul chose to walk it alone. Sometimes we need solitude. Preaching, shepherding, social demands, leadership, opposition and persecution. These things are exhausting. We need to give our all for Christ but we also need times to refresh and recharge. How Paul must have savoured the blessed loneliness of this walk with the Lord—the turquoise waters of the Aegean on one hand and pastoral hills on the other. Are you weary? It is not a sin to take some time alone. —S. McEachern

’Tis so sweet to walk with Jesus, step by step and day by day;
Stepping in His very footprints, walking with Him all the way.—Simpson

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

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness. Galatians 6:1

There are times when feelings of failure and sadness overtake us and we find ourselves paralyzed to the point where the simple basics of Christian life seem hollow and hopeless. How precious are those brave souls who draw near to help! With care and courage, they come at our Lord’s bidding to rescue us from despair. It has been an honour to have been the recipient of such help and it would be an honour to be used of our Lord to do the same for another. —Rick Morse

Out in the highways and byways of life, many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife, making the sorrowing glad. —Ira B. Wilson

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

Now the children of Israel moved on and camped in Oboth. Numbers 21:10, NKJV

The Lord brought fiery serpents among His people to teach them that lusting for the illicit results in death (separation from Him). Death could be avoided by looking at Moses’ bronze serpent on a pole in the midst of the camp. Bronze speaks of “fiery” judgments; the serpent signifies sin, and the pole prefigures Christ’s cross. We were all born spiritually snake-bitten, but those who come to Christ for healing obtain life and are also able to “move on” in the things of God. —W. A. H.

This is a day of new beginnings, time to remember and move on,
Time to believe what love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that’s gone. —Brian Wren

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

Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marvelled at him. Mark 12:17

When asked about paying tax, the Lord took a penny and taught a principle. “Whose is this image and superscription?…Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s.” (Mark 12:16-17). When it comes to the government, we are to pay (Rom. 13:7), pray (1 Tim. 2:1), and obey (1 Peter 2:13). But they marveled when He added to render “to God the things that are God’s.” His image and inscription is on us! —Rex Trogdon

Only one life to offer—Take it, dear Lord, I pray,
Nothing from Thee withholding, Thy will I now obey,
Thou who hast freely given Thine all in all for me,
Claim this life for Thine own, to be used, my Saviour,
Ev’ry moment for Thee. —Avis B. Christiansen