Choice Gleanings

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

By mercy and truth iniquity is purged. Proverbs 16:6

At Calvary, God’s mercy and truth procured our forgiveness and justification. Where would we be without mercy and truth? Through them, we have fellowship with God, are empowered by the indwelling Spirit, and are destined for eternal likeness to our Saviour. Proverbs, reminds us that indebtedness to mercy and truth must define our character too. “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee” (Prov. 3:3). It’s to be written on our heart. Mercy and truth enrich those who “devise good” (Prov. 14:22), defining our service. “Mercy and truth preserve the king” (Prov. 20:28),  strengthening his throne. It is our preservation and strength. —David W. Oliver

Teach me, Lord, on earth to show,
By my love, how much I owe. —Robert Murray McCheyne

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

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Psalm 103:13

Parents rejoice when their children are born. They lovingly watch them grow, teaching them to act in an age-appropriate manner. Sometimes they tenderly discipline them to correct bad, potentially destructive behaviour. They take great pleasure in seeing them grow into responsible adults. Spiritually reborn, our heavenly Father has welcomed each believer into His family. He has watched over us, taught and disciplined us, and delighted in our spiritual progress. His compassionate love never fails. In Christ, we are eternally part of God’s family. —George T. Ferrier

Our Father! O what gracious ways,
And thoughts of love that name conveys! —Unknown

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

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. 2 Corinthians 9:15

As we contemplate remembering the sacrifice of our Lord and Saviour today, our hearts soar in praise and worship for this unspeakable gift. Unspeakable doesn’t mean that it can’t be spoken, it means that it is “indescribable,” a “wonder beyond description.” And it is a wonder, isn’t it? Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself and became the potential substitute for every sinner in the world for all time! He becomes our personal Saviour when we realize our own sinful
state and believe, placing our trust in Him. —Ray Jones

What a wondrous blessing!
I am saved from the awful gulf of sin;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told. —Barney E. Warren

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

Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” John 6:67-68 NKJV
…Born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. 1 Peter 1:23 NKJV

The Lord Jesus is the only hope for salvation for humanity. There is no other. To possess eternal salvation we must rest our faith in only Him. As Peter tells us, there is no other place to go. Have you placed your trust in Christ for your salvation? —Brian Gunning

My hope is built on nothing less,
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name. —Edward Mote

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

He closed the book … and sat down. Luke 4:20

How wonderful it must have been to listen to the Saviour reading the Scriptures! Dignified and authoritative; His voice captivated His audience. Mark records the synagogue scene in Capernaum when, “They were astonished … for he taught them as one that had authority” (Mark 1:22). So, too, in Nazareth: when He had finished reading, all were attentive (Luke 4:20); all were amazed (v 22), and all were angry (v 28). The Scriptures had struck home! Brethren,
although we cannot equal the Lord when we read publicly, we should be like Ezra, who “read … distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading” (Neh. 8:8). —Phil Coulson

Father of mercies! In Thy Word what endless glory shines!
Forever be Your name adored, for these celestial lines. —Anne Steele

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

Therefore, having obtained help from God … witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come. Acts 26:22 NKJV

The Apostle Paul stood in the Lord’s strength to boldly proclaim the glorious Gospel. His target audience was everyone — both small and great. His message was only what God had given in His Word. Simply stated, “That the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles” (Acts 26:23). —Rex Trogdon

“Whosoever heareth,” shout, shout the sound!
Spread the blessed tidings all the world around;
“Whosoever will may come.” —Philip P. Bliss

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

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength … Isaiah 40:31

How many times have we had to wait for something? Maybe it was in the emergency room, maybe for a health diagnosis, or even an answer from the Lord. It is not easy to wait on the Lord in this day of instant gratification. And often God is actually “preparing the answer” but we are impatient. Many verses tell us to wait on the Lord; “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him” (Ps. 37:7). His timing is perfect. Are you waiting for something right now? Keep
trusting Him. —Virginia Strout

Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness, of Thy loving heart. —Jean Sophia Pigott

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

And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1 John 3:3

Our eternal hope will be fulfilled when we see Jesus. And so believers look ahead with anticipation and optimism even in difficulties. Our adverse circumstances strengthen our faith; cause us to lean on His grace, bring us closer to the Saviour and bring glory to God. Experiences may test our patience, but they provide opportunities that lead us to maturity, bringing us into a happy state of soul as we wait for His coming. —Gaius C. Goff

When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine,
In robes of vic’try through the skies,
The glory shall be Thine. —Isaac Watts

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

In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight. Colossians 1:22

The stark contrast between what we are now and what we shall be is painful, yet only when we see ourselves through our own eyes. In His sight we are now holy as to our character, unblameable as to our standing, and unreproveable as to our guilt. Our experience is that our state does not always align with our standing, yet He has provided His blood and His advocacy for our daily spiritual maintenance. We need not wallow in despair; we are in Christ. —Rick Morse

Like a river glorious, is God’s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase. —Frances R. Havergal

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

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. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Luke 6:27-29 NKJV

He loved us even when we were enemies. He went about doing good, yet He suffered hatred. He blessed many who would ultimately reject Him. For those who spitefully used Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” They stripped Him. They scourged Him. All of this without resistance, only love. —Peter Ramsay

No love like His! God is its blessed source,
Death ne’er can stop its course,
Nothing can stay its force; matchless it is! —Thomas Kelly