Choice Gleanings

Numbers 11:4-35; Proverbs 9:1-18; 1 Peter 1:1-25

Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee. Jeremiah 32:17

We need to look beyond what is happening now and focus on what God has promised for the future. Things may seem impossible now, but then we will be affirmed that “with God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). Our faith is not in what is going to happen, but in the God who makes things happen. He worked through His people in the past, and He will work through you now, even in difficult days. With faith in the wisdom and power of God, declare
openly your confidence in the future. God knows better than we do, what is happening around us, and why. —Gaius C. Goff

Crown Him as your Captain in temptation’s hour;
Let His will enfold you in its light and power. —Caroline Noel

Numbers 10:11-11:3; Proverbs 8:1-36; Jude

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen. Psalm 72:18-19

He only does wondrous things! As we contemplate the things that God has done for us, our hearts should be filled with praise and gratitude. We cannot praise Him too much or give Him too much glory. Everything that God does is perfection, and when He rules on earth, all will be at peace. How we long for that day! —Gwenyth Frear

As long as sun and moon endure,
May people know, Your peace so pure.
Blessed be the God of heaven,
And His wondrous name for e’er, Amen! —G.F.

Numbers 9:1-10:10; Proverbs 6:20-7:27; Mark 16:1-20

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding. 1 Kings 4:29

The widely watched funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II heard tributes from many leaders. One tribute came from the leader of the Church of Scotland who said in his homily, “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth began her reign, like King Solomon, by asking for wisdom, something that she demonstrated in large measure”. The king of Tyre said, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel…who [gave] to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding” (2 Chron. 2:12). To be wise is to be prudent and demonstrate understanding , characteristics to be admired and sought after.—Brian Powlesland

We have no wealth or learning; what shall we children bring?
We’ll bring Him hearts that love Him; we’ll bring Him thankful praise,
And young souls meekly striving, to walk in holy ways:
And these shall be our treasures, we offer to the King. —Unknown

Numbers 8:1-26; Proverbs 5:1-6:19; Mark 15:24-47

And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. Isaiah 49:5

How could the Lord Jesus die to save a world that rejects Him? How could He suffer His own people’s repudiation without despairing? The Father’s unwavering approval of His beloved Son and the prophecy of His future restoration of the Israelite remnant strengthened Christ for obedience to the point of death on the cross (Matt. 3:17; Phil. 2:8). Truly, He shall everlastingly “be glorious in the eyes of the Lord”. —Keith R. Keyser

Love to miserable sinners, love unfathom’d, love to death, 
Was the only end and motive, to resign His gracious breath.  —William Williams

Numbers 7:1-89; Proverbs 4:1-27; Mark 15:1-23

[I] cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16

The Apostle Paul was very much a man of prayer. His work was anchored in a prayerful attitude of communion with the Lord. As we study his prayers and others in the Scriptures we find the focus is spiritual rather than material. Rarely are there requests for health,  wealth or even physical freedom and the words “Be with” are never used, as we so often do today. Jesus has promised to be with His people (Matt. 28:20) and so it seems a bit superfluous to ask the Lord to do what He has already promised to do. As someone has written, “All that matters may be brought before God, but we must always bring before God those things that matter most”. —Paul Young

Take time to be holy, speak oft with Thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. —William D. Longstaff

Numbers 6:1-27; Proverbs 3:1-35; Mark 14:53-72

How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15

I have a 100-year-old friend who faithfully gives Gospel tracts to people every day. According to God’s Word, he has beautiful feet. I long to have beautiful feet too. Do you? God gives us opportunities to share the Good News about His gift of salvation with people every day. I have often wondered where I would be if nobody had ever shared the truth with me. —Pam Hagey

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus—spread His praise from shore to shore;
How He loveth, ever loveth, changeth never, nevermore;
How He watches o’er His loved ones, died to call them all His own;
How for them He intercedeth, watcheth o’er them from the throne.  —S. Trevor Francis

Numbers 5; Proverbs 2; Mark 14:27-52

[Jesus]…began to wash the disciples’ feet… John 13:5

Jesus washing the feet of His disciples goes beyond a call to humble service to one another. Why else would Jesus say to Peter, who refused this cleansing, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with Me” (v. 8 NIV)? The key here is the word “part”, also used to describe what Mary enjoyed with the Lord (Luke 10:42), namely, fellowship, or intimacy. The Lord uses foot-washing as an example of our need for daily cleansing, not from the guilt of sin, but from the ongoing defilement of sin. Sin limits our intimacy with Christ and our usefulness for Him. May we not resist this necessary foot-washing but, through confession (1 John 1:9), allow the Lord to cleanse us with the “washing of the water of the Word” (Eph. 5:26). — Brian Cretney

Thou, while I trust in Thee, wilt keep me clean;
Each day to Thee I bring heart, life, yea, ev’rything. —H. B. Beegle

Numbers 4:1-49; Proverbs 1:1-33; Mark 14:1-26

The pillar of the cloud departed not from them…to lead them in the way. Nehemiah 9:19
When he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:4

When the pillar moved, the Israelites moved. When the pillar stood still, they remained where they were. They never needed to wonder where God wanted them to be or whether they were on the path God wanted them to follow. They were always confident. If Christ is our Saviour and Shepherd, we shouldn’t be envious of their certainty. To be led by His voice is even better. —Ken Gross

He leadeth me, O blessed thought!
O words with heavenly comfort fraught!
What-e’er I do, where-e’er I be,
Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me. —J. H. Gilmore

Numbers 3:1-51; Psalms 148:1-150:6; Mark 13:1-37

A…strong wind rent the mountains…but the Lord was not in the wind…and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12

When Elijah was discouraged, God demonstrated His power and might. The wind, earthquake and fire weren’t meant to harm Elijah—they just passed him by. Then came stillness, and the voice of the Lord encouraging him to move forward. When Elijah’s way grew difficult, God drew near, not with thunder, but in quietness and stillness. He will do the same for us. —Deborah Manera

Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently, the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God, to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.  —Kathrina von Schlegel

Numbers 2:1-34; Psalms 146:1-147:20; Mark 12:18-44

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. Mark 14:10

Many today present themselves as Christians. Judas was one of the group. No one questioned his loyalty. He was the treasurer for the disciples (John 12:6). At the last supper, when the Lord indicated that one at the table would betray Him (Matt. 26:22), there was no suspicion that it was Judas (Matt. 10:4). It may be the same with you. Are you really one of His or are you just one in the crowd? Examine yourself and know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour.  —K. J. W.

Through the blood I repent of all my sins,
Precious Lord I now give in;
Fill me Lord Jesus,
Lord, I ask You to come in. —D. E.