Month: August 2020

2 Samuel 2:1-32; Micah 4:9-5:15; Romans 11:1-12

He said, It is finished. John 19:30

Of all mankind, Christ alone could say “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do” (John 17:4). As he lay dying, British administrator and financier Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) exclaimed in frustration, “So much to do, so little done.” In contrast the Lord Jesus Christ could look back on His 33 years as One who had perfectly and completely carried out His Father’s will. What would your testimony be at the end of your life? —W. Ross Rainey

Finished! The work of Calvary done.
Finished! The Saviour’s battle won. —W. R. R.

2 Samuel 1:1-27; Micah 3:1-4:8; Romans 9:30-10:21

And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. Luke 15:5-6

What a picture: me, His sheep, held safe and secure on my Shepherd’s shoulders. He searched for me, found me and now we are headed home. And what is so amazing—His joy exceeds my joy. Let us rejoice together evermore. —D. Pickup

He, who in the hour of sorrow bore the curse alone;
I, who through the lonely desert trod where He had gone.
He and I, in that bright glory one deep joy shall share;
Mine, to be for ever with Him, His that I am there! —Gerhard Tersteegen

1 Samuel 30:1-31:13; Micah 1:1-2:13; Romans 9:1-29

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God. Ezekiel 18:23
The Lord is…not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

These verses teach that it is the will of God that all men should be saved. If any find themselves in a lost eternity, it will not be because God willed it, but rather that they themselves, by their rejection of the Gospel, have determined their eternal destiny. The Lord spoke of such when He said, “how often would I…and ye would not” (Matt. 23:37). May the Lord, today, give some soul the spirit of repentance, and acceptance of Christ as Saviour. —W. H. Burnett

That grand word whosoever, is ringing through my soul,
Whosoever will may come. —Eliza E. Hewitt

1 Samuel 28:1-29:11; Isaiah 66:1-24; Romans 8:18-39

Here I am: witness against me before the Lord. 1 Samuel 12:3

While the Israelites were rejoicing in their victory over the Ammonites, the prophet Samuel challenged them to witness against him. Had covetousness, self-interest, impartiality, or injustice ever clouded his judgments? Only a righteous man could make such a claim and Samuel was that man. Everyone agreed that he had been an honest judge and a selfless leader that had not oppressed anyone. Our autumn years will be most enjoyable when we look back and see our path did not stray from the way of holiness and that the next generation is following along in our steps. —W. A. H.

Blessed is the man who makes the word of God his constant guide;
There learns the path his Savior trod, nor turns his step aside. —H. Auber

1 Samuel 26:1-27:12; Isaiah 65:1-25; Romans 8:1-17

If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. Genesis 4:7

Sin will always be with us this side of Heaven, always craving, always ready to pounce. It is like a ravenous animal seeking to devour us—if we let it. There is an enticing but also enslaving power to sin. We like the power and freedom associated with it but we should fear it. Sin is enticing (James 1:13-15), even pleasurable for a season (Heb. 11:25) but in the end it is enslaving (John 8:34). If we choose to allow it in the door, it may seem pleasant at first. But in time it will devour us. —Shane Johnson

Oh, the years in sinning wasted, could I but recall them now,
I would give them to my Saviour, to His will I’d gladly bow.—C. Luthe

1 Samuel 25:1-44; Isaiah 63:15-64:12; Romans 7:7-25

And none shall appear before Me empty-handed. Exodus 34:20b, NKJV

The Israelites were instructed that when they harvested their crops, they were to bring the very best of the first harvest to the house of the Lord. No one was permitted to appear before God without an offering. This required preparation beforehand. What present day parallel can we draw from this? When we come into the Lord’s presence Sunday morning have we come with hearts prepared to offer Him the fruit of our lips (Heb. 13:15)? Or have we come empty handed with nothing to offer Him? What a dishonour this would be to the one who gave His all for us! —E. V.

Must I go and empty handed,
Thus my dear Redeemer meet? —Charles C. Luther

1 Samuel 23:1-24:22; Isaiah 62:1-63:14; Romans 6:15-7:6

We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. Daniel 9:18

Isaiah reminds us that we have no righteousness of our own (64:6). It only comes as a gift of God upon conversion. His righteousness is imputed to our account. That, in turn, gives us boldness of access. We then can approach our Heavenly Father in faith, knowing that He will receive us and hear our prayer. The Psalmist reminds us a number of times that “His mercy endureth for ever” (Ps. 136). —Wm. H. Gustafson

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

1 Samuel 21:1-22:23; Isaiah 61:1-11; Romans 6:1-14

That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psalm 26:7-8

Here is the peace and confidence of a person who is trusting in the Lord and who knows His forgiveness. We also see the importance of meeting with God’s people. The world has nothing to offer the child of God either socially or spiritually. As we meditate on God’s Word, our hearts are lifted up in praise and thanksgiving. We have so much to thank Him for! —G. Frear

Help me O Lord, in Thee to hide, I’ll trust in You and will not slide,
Try me Lord, and test my heart, keep me from sin to stay apart. —G. F

1 Samuel 19:8-20:42; Isaiah 60:1-22; Romans 5:12-21

Then said the lord of the vineyard, What shall I do? I will send my beloved son: it may be they will reverence him when they see him. Luke 20:13

In this parable the Lord Jesus exposed the false hearts of those to whom He was sent. Their desire for position and power wouldn’t allow for a rival such as Himself and in their response to His final question, they categorically condemned themselves. Once they realized He had spoken about them, they sought to overthrow Him rather than repent of their sin. Human pride; how like our hearts to defend that which can cost us so much. —Rick Morse

Down to the depths of woe, Christ came to set me free;
He bared His breast, received the blow, which justice aimed at me. —G. W. Frazer

1 Samuel 18:6-19:7; Isaiah 59:1-21; Romans 4:23-5:11

Pilate said to them, “Behold the Man!” John 19:5, NKJV

No man has crossed the pages of history like Jesus! John the Baptist said, after me there comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me. A needy woman said, come see a man who told me all things that ever I did, is not this the Christ? The Jews said, for a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, because you being a man, make yourself God. The Pharisees said, this man receives sinners and eats with them. Pilate said, I find no fault in this man. The crowd said, away with this man, crucify Him, crucify Him. What will you say about this man, Jesus who is called the Christ? —Jim Paul

What will you do with Jesus? Neutral you cannot be;
One day your soul will be asking, “What will He do with me?” —Albert B. Simpson