Tuesday, July 21, 2020

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

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. Isaiah 53:6
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

As unbelievers, God likened us to wandering sheep going our own sinful ways. We were headed to a horrible end. If we have taken God’s gift of a Saviour, God still likens us to sheep, but we are following the Good Shepherd who claims us as His own. He can do that because He gave His life for the sheep (v. 11). He not only saves but He keeps us in His hand (v. 28). What a change He has accomplished. —Ken Gross

Gently He leads me in the Heavenly way;
He will restrain me from going astray. —B. Warren

Monday, July 20, 2020

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

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. Ephesians 5:26

R. B. Jones, a Welsh preacher, once wrote, “The word of God is not only pure, it is also purifying.” The Bible, as God’s revelation, is absolutely pure and its holy message is essential for every man, woman and child. When that message is applied by faith to the human condition it has a washing, cleansing effect that deals with the dirt of sin and replaces it, by God’s grace, with righteousness. Do we know the daily purifying power of the Word of God? —Paul Young

Show me the truth concealed, within Thy Word,
And in Thy book revealed, I see Thee, Lord. —Mary A. Lathbury

Wednesday, July 19, 2020

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

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14

As we look at the growing chaos and darkness in our world, we might be tempted to think that things are out of control. Habakkuk gives us words of assurance that God is still in control. We also recollect the words of God through the psalmist, “Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion” (Ps. 2:6). We need never fear that man will have his way, because God has determined that His well-beloved Son whom they crowned with thorns, will one day wear the crown of glory, and wield the scepter of universal sway, as King of kings and Lord of lords. —W. H. Burnett

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

Saturday, July 18, 2020

Judges 11:29-12:15; Isaiah 32:1-20; 1 Corinthians 10:14-11:1

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35

The spies reported back to the Roman government: “These Christians are very strange people. They meet together in an empty room to worship. They do not have an image. They speak of One by the name of Jesus, who is absent, but whom they seem to be expecting at any time. And my, how they love Him and how they love one another.” Though finding the believers’ worship peculiar these outsiders were struck by their great love. Do our meetings display Christ to the visitors among us? —George Ferrier

Give as ’twas given to you in your need, love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed, unto your mission be true. —Ira B. Wilson

Friday, July 17, 2020

Judges 10:6-11:28; Isaiah 31:1-9; 1 Corinthians 9:24-10:13

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8, NKJV

What a comfort. On days when our schedules are packed and we cannot keep up, He has not changed. On other days, when the time lingers and the clock doesn’t seem to move, He has not changed. He is “my rock and my fortress and my deliverer” (2 Sam. 22:2, NKJV). Bring Him into your day today. —Danielle Robins

O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There’s light for a look at the Savior,
And life more abundant and free. —Helen Howarth Lemmel

Thursday, July 16, 2020

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

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this. Luke 7:4

The Jews thought the centurion was worthy of the Lord Jesus’ time and effort. According to them, “He loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue” (Luke 7:5, NKJV). Yet the centurion himself said, “I am not worthy” (Matt. 8:8). They were thinking of all the good he had done; he was thinking of all the bad. Had he committed things in his youth that he now regretted? Had he taken advantage of his position of power? We don’t know. But what we do know is this: this man modelled the way we should approach the Lord Jesus when we need something from Him. — Shane Johnson

I know not why God’s wondrous grace, to me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love, redeemed me for His own.—D. Whittle

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

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

Having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12, NKJV

Despite my warnings the student continued to act out. I said that he was not being obedient. “Obedient? I’m not a dog!” he retorted. Our society values obedience so little that even dogs are expected to behave better than humans. If we want to stand out for Christ, we can start with obedience: to our parents, employers, elders and anyone in a position of authority over us. While the world thrives on rebellion, they will watch us and marvel. —Jeff Frey

Thou my everlasting portion, more than friend or life to me;
All along my pilgrim journey, Saviour, let me walk with Thee.—Crosby

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

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

And John, calling two of his disciples to him, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” Luke 7:19, NKJV

In brighter times, John had confidently announced: “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:29). But his circumstances changed. Now, he is languishing alone in prison. Did Jesus rebuke him for being in such a spiritual state? No! He immediately sent him words of reassurance. Like John, we need to go to Christ with our doubts. He will reassure us through His Word and our communion with Him. —Peter Ramsay

Are you tired and friendless, have you almost lost your way?
Jesus will help you; just come to Him today. —Ralph Carmichael

Monday, July 13, 2020

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

No man cared for my soul. Psalm 142:4

David’s sad complaint was made when hiding in a cave from his pursuers. He was weary of often fleeing for his life. After my husband was diagnosed with a critical illness, a couple who lived a distance away came to share comfort. During their visit the wife went to the piano to play and sing No One Ever Cared For Me Like Jesus. The memory of that kindness still lingers. If you know of someone suffering: send a card, make a call—do something. Believers have all been gifted to do some service well. When that gift is used nobody will need to say, “No one cared.” —E. Dyck

Before I loved Him, He loved me; before I found Him, He found me.
Before I sought Him, He sought me; yes, Jesus cares for me. —Ron Hamilton

Lord’s Day, July 12, 2020

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

My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:1

In this Psalm we see the spiritual agony of the suffering Saviour. We are reminded of the physical suffering and the emotional torture that humanity heaped upon Him. And ultimately we know that God’s purpose was accomplished—a people for Himself! And we are included in that company! Truly these are wonderful thoughts to read and meditate on today. —G. Frear

The Holy One forsaken by God,
Suffering for sin, being struck by the rod,
He suffered alone, all forsook Him and ran,
As He hung on the cross to save sinful man. —G. F.