Month: June 2020

Joshua 13:1-33; Isaiah 9:8-10:4; Luke 24:36-53

Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite…have wholly followed the Lord. Numbers 32:12

The Kenizzites were Canaanites, foreigners, Gentiles. Caleb, in Hebrew, means “dog”, a common Jewish epithet for Gentiles. But Caleb is the only one of whom it says repeatedly that he “wholly followed the Lord”. Unlike the thousands of native Israelites who carelessly threw away their inheritance in the land and chose unbelief instead, Caleb could not be turned away from the true God he had found. Then one day, Caleb, an adopted Jew, and Joshua, a native Jew, entered the promised land together. Let us wholeheartedly hold fast to our inheritance. —M. MacMullen

I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. —2 Tim. 1:12

Joshua 11:1-12:24; Isaiah 8:5-9:7; Luke 24:13-35

As for God, his way is perfect. 2 Samuel 22:31

One of the results of being created with free will is the natural desire to do things “our own way.” This desire is not only limited to rebellious children, but plagues every one of us. We feel that “our way” is always best. But God disagrees. He reminds us that our ways are not His ways, because His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours (Isa. 55:8). By totally surrendering our will to His, we will discover that “his way” is always perfect. —E. V.

Have Thine own way Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting yielded and still. —Adelaide A. Pollard

Joshua 10:1-43; Isaiah 7:1-8:4; Luke 23:47-24:12

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me. Psalm 50:23, NKJV
That, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31, NKJV

Everything that God does and has ever done has been done to bring Him glory, (Isa. 42:8; Rom. 9:23; Jer. 9:23-24). Indeed, He deserves all the glory for the wondrous things He has done. When we praise our Lord Jesus Christ we glorify Him and His Father. He is worthy of our richest adoration and thanksgiving. May our praises ring out for His glory today. —Annette Baal

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty!
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee.
Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty;
God in three persons, blessed Trinity —Reginald Heber

Joshua 9:1-27; Isaiah 6:1-13; Luke 23:13-46

[Daniel] kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10

Though public prayer is prohibited in many places, today the believer still has “round the clock” access to the throne of grace for any and every type of need (Heb. 4:16). It has been said that as long as there are tests, there will be prayer in schools. That’s true for every facet of life. He knows every need of our hearts. May we today, appropriate and enjoy this privilege, of coming to the God of Heaven regardless of our circumstances or location. —Wm. H. Gustafson

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.
Prayer is the burden of a sigh, the falling of a tear,
The upward glance of an eye when none but God is near. —Montgomery

Joshua 8:1-35; Isaiah 5:1-30; Luke 22:54-23:12

Moses said unto the Lord…thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Exodus 33:12
And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14

Moses seems to be asking for a man to go with him. In response, God promised He would be the one to go with Moses. A wise man has said, “Safety does not consist in the absence of danger but in the presence of God.” The believer is promised no less, “I am with you always” (Matt. 28:20). —Ken Gross

What a fellowship, what a joy divine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms:
What a blessedness, what a peace is mine,
Leaning on the everlasting arms. —Elisha A. Hoffman

Joshua 7:1-26; Isaiah 3:1-4:6; Luke 22:31-53

Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle…thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord. Obadiah 4

Obadiah’s prophecy spoke to Edom, a proud nation who gloried in their wealth, wisdom, warriors and fortresses. Those fortresses were easily defended being cut into the rock face, high upon the cliffs, with entrances through narrow gorges where enemies could be quickly repulsed. They thought they were impregnable and no one could harm them. Yet God resists the proud and said He would bring them down. That prophecy came true and Edom no longer exists. It is a warning. Pride is something God hates. We should never allow it to flourish in our lives. —Paul Young

Humble yourselves, under God’s mighty hand,
So that He will lift you up. I bow down before You Lord. —Billborough

Joshua 5:13-6:27; Isaiah 2:1-22; Luke 22:1-30

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found. Isaiah 55:6
Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come. John 7:34

Society constantly asks us to follow our dreams no matter the cost. Many find though, that when they finally achieve their longings, it leaves them empty. Some have found world fame or earned great wealth only to find that their emptiness has not been filled. Everything associated with this life is temporary. Paul says, “we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Tim. 6:7). Have you taken the time to seek the Lord? He alone can give you the satisfaction this world cannot. —Jim Paul

Now none but Christ can satisfy, none other name for me
There’s life and love and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee. —Emma F. Bevan

Joshua 4:1-5:12; Isaiah 1:1-31; Luke 21:5-38

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. Luke 10:39, NKJV
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her. Luke 10:42, NKJV

Mary was in the right place. She sat in lowly and quiet submission before the greatest Teacher ever. She had the right purpose. She wanted to hear His word and learn from Him. She had the right priority. She valued time alone with Christ above everything else! Mary chose the right pathway. It was her definite choice to be a devoted follower of God’s Son. How devoted are we in wanting to spend quality time with our Lord? —Pete Smith

Speak, O blessed Master, in this quiet hour;
Let me see Thy face, Lord, feel Thy touch of power. —E. M. Grimes

Joshua 3:1-17; Hosea 11:12-14:9; Luke 20:20-21:4

Preach the word. 2 Timothy 4:2

To a young preacher who insisted it was essential to preach relevantly to the times, the man of God gave this advice. “Young man don’t preach to the times. Go and preach to broken hearts and you will preach relevantly and to the eternities.” The Word of God, preached in the enabling power of the Spirit of God, will still accomplish that which He pleases, and shall prosper in the thing whereto He sends it. —Arnot P. McIntee

I love Thy Word, O God; That tells me of Thy Son;
Of His redemption on the cross, For needy sinners won. —Author Unknown

Joshua 2:1-24; Hosea 10:1-11:11; Luke 20:1-19

Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34

The day that the Son died on the cross it was foremost in obedience to His Father. When He was on the cross, His first cry was “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). His last cry was, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit” (Luke 23:46). He had finished His mission to demonstrate His Father’s love for sinners (Rom. 5:8). Now we too can call Him “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). Today, as we honour our earthly fathers, let us remember to honour our heavenly Father. —K. C. Ung

Behold th’amazing gift of love the Father hath bestowed
On us, the sinful sons of men, to call us sons of God! —Isaac Watts