Author: Andrea Mathew

1 Chronicles 6:1-81; Ezekiel 8:1-9:11; John 2:1-22

Then said I, Woe is me!…because I am a man of unclean lips…
Then flew one of the seraphim unto me, having a live coal…
which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar…and said,
Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away,
and thy sin purged. Isaiah 6:5-7

A live coal from the altar would mean the fire had consumed the
sacrifice. Upon Isaiah’s confession of sin the atoning value of the
sacrifice was available to purge him from sin and iniquity. What
a profound picture of Christ’s atoning death, fully meeting the
repentant sinner’s need for cleansing and forgiveness. —P. W.

But Christ the heavenly lamb, took all our sins away,
A sacrifice of nobler name and richer blood than they.
— Isaac Watts

1 Chronicles 4:24-5:26; Ezekiel 7:1-27; John 1:19-51

He brought me into his banqueting house and his banner over
me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4

Could we put it this way? His banner over me—Love! His love
is always there, despite our doubts at times. Jeremiah reminds
us that it is an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3); the psalmist, that He
has set His love upon us permanently (Ps. 91:14). John declares
that the Lord fully loves His own unto the end (John 13:1) and
Paul says that nothing shall ever separate us from that love (Rom.
8:39). He who called us in love (Eph. 1:4-5) has also brought us into
His house with a banner of love that will never be removed or replaced.
Let us never forget this reassuring truth. —Mark Kolchin

Things future, nor things that are now, not all things below or above,
Can make Him His purpose forego, or sever my soul from His love.
—A. Toplady

1 Chronicles 3:1-4:23; Ezekiel 5:1-6:14; John 1:1-18

Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the
priests, and they builded the sheep gate…And next unto him
builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the
son of Imri. Nehemiah 3:1-2

And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put
not their necks to the work of their Lord. Nehemiah 3:5

God is watching and keeping records. He knows who is labouring
faithfully, skillfully and joyfully for His kingdom. He is also
aware of those who are not giving their best. “Let us not be weary
in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).
—D. Pickup

Work, for the night is coming, work thro’ the sunny noon;
Fill the brightest hours with labour, rest comes sure and soon.
— Annie L. Coghill

1 Chronicles 2:1-55; Ezekiel 3:16-4:17; 2 Timothy 4:1-22

Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and
fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. Job 1:20

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my
salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

Job and Habukkuk faced unprecedented catastrophes. They
had questions to which they were given no answers. Despite this,
they rose above the circumstances and worshipped God. There
are times when difficulties arise in our lives that don’t seem to
make sense, and there are no answers. O that we might be able to
respond like these worthies of the faith, and despite circumstances,
to rise above them and worship God. —W. H. Burnett

When I am sad at heart, teach me Thy way,
When earthly joys depart, teach me Thy way,
Make Thou my pathway plain, teach me Thy way. —B. M. Ramsay

1 Chronicles 1:1-54; Ezekiel 2:1-3:15; 2 Timothy 3:1-17

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in
Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1

At the Exodus, a lamb’s blood was applied to the door of each
Hebrew house and so the oldest child was protected when the destroying
angel passed through the land of Egypt. Later in Israel’s
history, Rahab, upon instruction from the spies, hung a scarlet
cord in her window, sheltering in safety as the walls of Jericho collapsed.
There is another judgement coming and each of us needs
to be sure that we have trusted Jesus to take the penalty for our sin.
Are you safe should that judgement fall? —Janet Fleming

Today there is given a warning, of the danger if you do not choose, God’s
offer of love and forgiveness—why do you the Saviour refuse? I challenge
you now to consider, the risk as you linger once more—Is scarlet thread
in your heart’s window?Is blood applied over the door?—Janet Fleming

2 Kings 25:1-30; Ezekiel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 2:1-26

Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your
inheritance. Psalm 2:8, NKJV

It is said that “Life’s golden altar is the altar of intercession”.
Although Abraham had just received the promise of a son, he put
his own joys and concerns to one side and interceded on behalf of
the wicked inhabitants of Sodom. Ours is a day when the face of
evil is showing itself ever darker, when wickedness and lies are
gathering momentum and, in the ensuing mudslide, are carrying
away institutions and families and much that is precious in their
path. Let us join Abraham, not in hiding from the darkness around
us, but in interceding for those who have never known the streams
of light pouring down from the Father of lights. —M. MacMullen

Make me a witness like You, dear Lord, showing the love of the cross; Sharing Your Word till all have heard, serving whatever the cost.—R. Hamilton

2 Kings 24:1-20; Lamentations 4:1-5:22; 2 Timothy 1:1-18

He first findeth his own brother Simon. John 1:41

Andrew whose name means “manly”, brought his brother Peter
to the Lord for salvation. As well, it was through Andrew that a lad
surrendered his valued lunch to Christ (John 6:9). Andrew could
relate the message of the Saviour to a family member, or his newfound
friend—a lad. He had won the confidence of both. Lord,
help me introduce my family and friends to You today, both for
salvation and surrender. —Arnot P. McIntee

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win;
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.
— Katie Wilkinson

2 Kings 23:1-37; Lamentations 3:1-66; 1 Timothy 6:1-21

The song of songs, which is Solomon’s. Song of Songs 1:1

This was most likely Solomon’s “superlative” song of the 1,005
he wrote (1 Kgs. 4:32). It concerned a royal sovereign who was altogether
lovely, the fairest of ten thousand to his beloved. He was
the apple tree in the forest; a rare find indeed, giving her shade
and satisfaction (Song 2:3). He was ever gracious, bringing her to
his banqueting house with love bannered above her (2:4). Today
we are at the banqueting house of the Lord. Have you reserved
your song of songs for your Beloved? —K. C. Ung

Come, let us sing the song of songs,
The saints in heaven began the strain,
The worship which to Christ belongs:
Worthy the Lamb, for He was slain! —James Montgomery

2 Kings 21:19-22:20; Lamentations 2:1-22; 1 Timothy 5:1-25

By thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew 12:37

There’s no escaping our own history. Like a ball and chain,
it will follow every unrepentant sinner to the final judgment.
Can anyone imagine the horror of having every blasphemous,
ungrateful, hateful, or malicious thing we’ve ever spoken replayed
before the Judge of all the earth? What possible plea of innocence
could we make? But, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all
sin, and releases us into eternal absolution. —Rick Morse

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose went forth and followed Thee. —Charles Wesley

2 Kings 20:1-21:18; Lamentations 1:1-22; 1 Timothy 4:1-16

Making the word of God of none effect. Mark 7:13

The car radio was on and it was an interesting interview with
a leading British politician, who was also a member of the Anglican
synod. At one stage he responded to a question by saying that
“The Bible was the handmaiden of the church”. Sadly many may
believe such a statement. Yet that is to reduce the Bible gravely and
to make it of none effect. Authority does not lie with the church but
with the revealed will of God in the Bible. It is the Word of God
that should govern all aspects of the life and belief of the Christian.
Let us submit to its precepts today. —Paul Young

Cling to the Bible, though all else be taken;
Lose not its precepts, so precious and pure;
Souls that are sleeping its tidings awaken;
Life from the dead in its promise sure. —M. J. Smith