Monday, August 31, 2020

2 Samuel 15:1-37; Zephaniah 3:1-20; Galatians 3:1-14

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. Jn. 9:5
[The church] which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Ephesians 1:23
Among whom ye shine as lights in the world. Philippians 2:15

Jesus is no longer physically in the world. We are now His body. In His wisdom He has turned the work of illuminating the world over to us, through His Spirit. May God enable us to consciously and competently hold forth the Word of life, letting the Light of the world shine in that dark corner where we live. —D. Pickup

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light a-far,
To the many duties ever near you, now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are! —Ina Duley Ogdon

Lord’s Day, August 30, 2020

2 Samuel 14:1-33; Zephaniah 2:1-15; Galatians 2:1-21

Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. Luke 6:27-29, NKJV

The Lord taught us how to live and He showed us how to love. He healed many who would ultimately reject Him. Unlike His disciples, He harboured no resentment to those who refused Him (Luke 9:56). After the brutal nails, He prayed: “Father, forgive them” (Luke 23:34). He did not hide His face from shame and spitting (Isa 50:6). May we live as He lived. —Peter Ramsay

Behold the Man upon the cross, my sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice, call out among the scoffers. —Stuart Townend

Saturday, August 29, 2020

2 Samuel 13:1-39; Zephaniah 1:1-18; Galatians 1:1-24

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt. 11:29

When training a new ox to plow, farmers in ancient days would often yoke it to an older, stronger, more seasoned animal who would bear the burden and guide the young ox through his learning. The more the young ox fought the yoke the more tired it would become. Only when he learned to surrender to the yoke and leaned into the senior ox would he find rest. Dear believer, it’s His yoke. Lean on Him. Find rest for your soul! —Sid Halsband

O patient, spotless One! Our hearts in meekness train,
To bear Thy yoke and learn of Thee, that we may rest obtain. —Christian Andreas Bernstein

Friday, August 28, 2020

2 Samuel 12:1-31; Habakkuk 3:1-19; Romans 16:1-27

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Matthew 1:23
Teaching them to observe all things…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Matthew 28:20

Centuries had passed since Isaiah’s prophecy concerning Emmanuel (Isa. 7:14). But the glorious incarnation fulfilled the promise that Emmanuel came to be “with us.” But before Emmanuel ascended, God once again left us His promise, “Lo, I am with you alway.” What assurance on our journey home! —Jim Comte

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake;
I will guide, and save, and keep thee, for My Name and mercy’s sake;
Fear no evil, fear no evil, only all My counsel take.—Author Unknown

Thursday, August 27, 2020

2 Samuel 10:1-11:27; Habakkuk 2:1-20; Romans 15:14-33

As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Ezekiel 33:11
Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15

You would think that the death of a wicked one, one who had rebelled against Him, would satisfy a holy God. But no. He takes no pleasure in it. On the other hand, what a delight to know how He reacts to the death of one of His own. If we see it from His perspective, we will rejoice with Him and with them! The sacrifice of His Son has taken away the sting and victory of death. “Absent from the body…present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8). —Ken Gross

Face to face with Christ my Saviour, face to face what will it be?
When with rapture I behold Him, Jesus Christ who died for me.—Breck

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

2 Samuel 8:1-9:13; Habakkuk 1:1-17; Romans 14:19-15:13

This is the King of the Jews. Luke 23:38

This was an insignificant admission for Pilate to make. He, along with all Romans of that time, looked down on the Jewish people. So calling Jesus the King of the Jews was not really an honour. If only he knew Who was before him. He was standing before the Creator of the world—Almighty God in human form. But like so many today, he thought that Jesus was simply another good man. Is that how you view Him? If Pilate had thought that Jesus was King of Rome, he would not have had Him crucified. But he crucified the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. —Mary Robins

Just as I am, and waiting not, to rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God I come! —Charlotte Elliott

Tuesday, August 25, 2020

2 Samuel 7:1-29; Nahum 2:1-3:19; Romans 14:1-18

Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. Numbers 13:30

Twelve Israeli spies were appointed to spy out Canaan. They returned to report that grapes, pomegranates and figs abounded there and the land was surely fruitful! But ten of them said, “We be not able to go up” (v. 31), because there were also giants there and the city walls were great. To defeat them was impossible. They reckoned the campaign of conquest without God. But, Joshua and Caleb countered—“Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.” With God with them, they certainly could. Can He be that for you today? —K. C. Ung

Tis the grandest theme that the world e’er sung,
Our God is able to deliver thee. —W. A. Ogden

Monday, August 24, 2020

2 Samuel 6:1-23; Nahum 1:1-15; Romans 13:1-14

So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err…He…humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers. 2 Chronicles 33:6, 12

Hezekiah’s son Manasseh followed him to the throne. Tragically, he blasphemed God by setting a carved image in the house of God. After God’s dealing, “He humbled himself greatly.” Manasseh returned to God, but he was too late to influence his godless son Amon. Backsliding Christian parents may return from the bypaths of sin, but it could be too late to influence their children in the ways of the Lord. Live for Him now. —Arnot P. McIntee

Happy the home where Jesus’ name is sweet to every ear;
Where children early lisp His fame, and parents hold Him dear. —Henry Ware, Jr.

Lord’s Day, August 23, 2020

2 Samuel 4:1-5:25; Micah 7:1-20; Romans 12:1-21

The Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
As Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it. Ephesians 5:25
The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. John 10:11

As we contemplate afresh the wonder of Calvary today, may our hearts truly “worship him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Let us rejoice in the sweetness of His person, the fullness of His love and the greatness of His sacrifice! He alone is worthy of our praise! —Pete Smith

Behold a spotless Victim dies, my surety on the tree;
The Lamb of God, the Sacrifice, He gave Himself for me. —Author Unknown

Saturday, August 22, 2020

2 Samuel 3:1-39; Micah 6:1-16; Romans 11:13-36

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

A medieval church in Faversham has seats for the choir which can be tipped up and used as perches. Seated occupants thus appear to be standing. The seats are called “mercy seats.” In Israel, the tabernacle made no provision for priests to sit—their work was never done. The mercy seat in the most holy place was symbolic of God’s place and presence. The high priest could approach it just once a year—no doubt in fear and trembling. The Christian can come into God’s presence unafraid, there to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. —Brian Powlesland

Come to the mercy seat, fervently kneel;
Earth has no sorrow that Heaven cannot heal. —Thomas Moore