1st July: Exodus 20:21-21:32
So
many instructions - Don't get bogged down in details. Remember this: We
do not live by an ethic of legalism. This is an ethic of redemption
(20:1-2). Forget the God of redemption, and you have nothing but a lot
of rules and regulations. Become obsessed with rules and regulations,
and there will be no room for the Redeemer and His redemption.
'Earmarked' for Jesus, we are to 'serve Him for life' (6). No turning
back! We are bound to Him by love - not law! What love He has for us!
Verse 30 speaks of 'ransom' and 'redemption': What great words of the
Gospel (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 1:18-19)! 'Eye for eye...' (24) - This
limits vengeance. Remember: Love is the answer - not vengeance
(Leviticus 19:18)! Let Christ's love give you strength - to keep on
serving Him (Galatians 2:20; Philippians 1:6).
2nd July: Exodus 21:33-22:31
We
travel from grace to glory - from 'Egypt' to 'the promised land'. In
the wilderness there are many pitfalls. We can become careless in our
obedience to Christ. Do not 'leave a pit open' - you may cause a brother
to stumble (33; Romans 14:13). Restitution (1-17) - Be faithful in
practical matters (Luke 19:8; 3:10-14). Read of 'the thief' (8). Think
of the Lord - and be ready for His return (1 Thessalonians 5:2; Matthew
6:19-21). All our human problems are to be brought 'before God'. Never
forget Him (8-9,11). God is 'compassionate' (27). We are to be
'consecrated' (31). God loves us. Will we continue to live as those who
have never known His love? - 'God forbid! How can we who died to sin
still live in it?' (Romans 6:2).
3rd July: Mark 10:1-31
The
Pharisees came to Jesus - 'to test Him' (2). They asked Him about
divorce (2). He spoke to them about marriage (6-9). We need to be
positive, well grounded in the basic principles of God's Word. When the
thorny problems come - as they surely will - we will face them with
maturity, and not as 'children, tossed to fro and and carried about with
every wind of doctrine' (Ephesians 4:14). Jesus loved the little
children (13-16). Do we? Some say 'No' to the love of Jesus (21-22). Say
'Yes' to Him. We cannot save ourselves. Salvation is God's doing, not
ours (26-27). Don't let 'self' take the place of Christ: 'we have
left everything...' (28). Don't say, 'I have given so much to God, done
so much for Him, given up so much for Him'. God has given you more! God
has done more for you! God has given up more for you! John 3:16.
4th July: Mark 10:32-52
Jesus
was 'going up to Jerusalem' - to the Cross (32). He came to die, 'to
give His life as a ransom for many' (45). The death of Christ lies at
the very heart of the Gospel (1 Peter 1:10-12; 1 Corinthians 1:23 & 2
Corinthians 5:18-21; 1 John 1:7, 2:2; Hebrews 2:9). Don't think, 'Glory
for me' (37). Think, 'Glory to God' (43-44): 'God forbid that I should
glory save in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ' (Galatians 6:14).
Bartimaeus cried out to the Lord for mercy (47). 'How embarrassing',
some people thought - 'how undignified' (48). When God is at work, some
people don't like it! They like everything to be dignified - dull and
dead! When God is at work, people get converted. This may not please the
'critics', but it pleases God - and that's what matters. Cry to God for
mercy. Your prayer will be heard - and answered.
5th July: Exodus 23:1-33
God
is love: He loves 'the stranger' (9). God is holy: He 'will not acquit
the wicked' (7). He wants to reproduce His love and holiness - in us.
Not holiness without love: that is self-righteous legalism. Not love
without holiness: that is spineless sentimentalism. To Israel, He sent
'an angel...' (20). To us, He has sent Christ: He is the Way to
the place prepared for us (John 14:2-3,6). Through the Holy Spirit,
Christ continues His ministry among us (John 14:25-26). 'Pay attention'
to the words of Christ. 'Listen' for the voice of the Holy Spirit (21).
Do not 'quench' or 'grieve' the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19;
Ephesians 4:30). It may take time - 'little by little' (30) - but God will work through his obedient people - 'I will...you shall...' (30-31).
6th July: Exodus 24:1-18
Moses
was alone with the Lord - receiving the Word of the Lord (1-2). Moses
went to the people - speaking the Word of the Lord (3). There was also a
written ministry of the Word (4). At the heart of our worship, there is
'the blood of the covenant' (8; 12:13; John 1:29; Hebrews 9:22; 10:4;
9:13-14; 1 John 1:7). Moses worshipped on 'the mountain of God' (12-18).
We worship 'in spirit and truth' (John 4:19-24). We come to the Father
through Christ and in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). We come on the basis
of Christ's blood shed for us (Hebrews 10:19-22). We come as those to
whom the Spirit has been given (John 1:33; 3:34). With 'the Spirit of
God' living in us and helping us as we pray, let us feast on Christ, the
Truth, the living Word, to whom the written and spoken word point us
(Romans 8:9,26; John 14:6; 1:1,14; 17:17).
7th July: Exodus 25:1-40
This is full of Christ! We don't 'read into' the Old Testament things which aren't really there. We read this part of Scripture in the light of the full
revelation of God. We see Christ as the Central Theme. Above everything
else and everyone else, there is Jesus Christ our Saviour. God dwells
among His people (8). Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20; Colossans
1:27). God is merciful to us (17-22; Psalm 103:8-12; Micah 7:18-19).
Through Christ, we have received 'mercy' (Ephesians 2:4-7; Titus 3:4-7).
From 'mercy' we move on to 'testimony' (18). The two are vitally
related (1 Timothy 1:12-17). The 'bread of the Presence' (30) turns our
thoughts to the Cross. The 'lampstand of pure gold' calls us to shine
brightly for Christ, who 'came...to save sinners' (1 Timothy 1:15).
8th July: Mark 11:1-33
Here we learn of the authority of Christ. Calling the 'colt' into His service, He says, with authority, 'The Lord
has need of it' (3). With authority, He speaks to the fig tree (14) - a
'visual aid' of His teaching: 'Every branch of Mine that bears no
fruit, He takes away' (John 15:2). In the temple, He speaks with
authority, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer...' (17).
He speaks of authority in prayer: 'whatever you ask in prayer, believe
that you have received it, and it will be yours' (24). The religious
leaders did not understand Jesus (27-33). Why? - They didn't love Him.
We can experience His authority: His Word spoken to us 'in power...' (1
Thessalonians 1:5). We can exercise His authority: Through prayer,
setting His Word free to do His mighty work (Ephesians 6: 18-20) - if we
are learning to love Him!
9th July: Mark 12:1-44
Jesus
- God's 'beloved Son' (6): Rejected by men, raised by God (10-11).
Jesus' enemies tried 'to trap Him in His talk' (13). He spoke with
wisdom - and so can we. Anointed by the Holy One, we have the mind of
Christ (1 John 2:19-20; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16). Christ's enemies knew
'neither the Scripture nor the power of God' (24). We are to speak as
those who know the living God (27). Our 'first' priority is love for God
(29-30). Jesus says, 'Love your neighbour' (31). This is not, however,
'the be-all and end-all' of our life. There is more. We must not forget
God. Jesus is 'Lord' (35-37). Let it be: Jesus is my Lord. The scribes had all the external trappings of religion - and nothing else (38-40)! The 'poor widow' had very little, yet she had everything that really matters: she loved the Lord (41-44)!
10th July: Exodus 26:1-37
From
the outside, it was a 'tent'. On the inside, the tabernacle was a place
of great beauty. Many look at Christ, and see 'no beauty that we should
desire Him' (Isaiah 53:2). The believer looks at Christ, and says, 'You
are beautiful beyond description, too marvellous for words, too
wonderful for comprehension, like nothing ever seen or heard' (Mission Praise,
788).The 'veil' has been removed (2 Corinthians 4:3-4,6). Our sin had
separated us from God, hiding His face from us (Isaiah 59:2). When
Christ died, 'the curtain of the temple was torn in two...' (Mark
15:37-38). He has changed everything (Hebrews 9:7-8,11-12). Once, we
were 'separated...alienated... strangers...far off'. Now, we are 'in
Christ Jesus' - 'brought near in the blood of Christ' (Ephesians
2:12-13; Hebrews 10:19-22).
11th July: Exodus 27:1-19
We highlight two interesting phrases - (a) 'as you were shown on the mountain' (8); (b) 'towards the sunrise' (13, New International Version).
We need both 'the Scriptures' and 'the power of God' (Mark 12:24). Our
faith is based on divine revelation - 'according to the Scriptures' (1
Corinthians 15:3-4). We are 'not' to 'go beyond what is written' (1
Corinthians 4:6). Face the risen Son - We may not always be facing the
rising sun, but we should always be facing the risen Son! The
revelation, the resurrection, the Scriptures, the Son - these are the
great focal-points of our Christian Faith: God has revealed Himself,
Christ has risen. Encouraged by the Scriptures, and empowered by the
Son, we face the risen Son and we say, 'I will proclaim the glory of the
risen Lord' (Romans 15:4; Matthew 28:18-20; Mission Praise, 14).
12th July: Mark 13:1-37
We
are not to be a people whose 'faith' is locked in the past! We are to
be a people of hope. We look to the future. We 'see the Son of man
coming in clouds with great power and glory' (26). There may be 'wars
and rumours of wars' (7). When Christ returns, only one thing will
matter: 'he who endures to the end will be saved' (13). 'This day - the
noise of battle': Look beyond all that to 'the victor's song' (Church Hymnary, 481). In human conflict, there is so much of self - 'We are the people'. When Christ returns, nothing will matter but this: 'When the roll is called up yonder, I'll be there' (Mission Praise, 759). We hear of 'wars and rumours of wars'. Do we say, 'This is part of our history. It's always been this way'?. We must remember: Preaching Christ's Gospel is far more important than 'defending' our ways (10)!
13th July: Proverbs 4:10-19
'The
path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter
and brighter until full day' (18). Face the risen Son. His life in us is
like the rising sun. It begins with 'the first gleam of dawn'. It
'shines ever brighter until the full light of day''. Christ 'dawns on us
like the morning light' (2 Samuel 23:4). In a moment of discovery, we
say, 'It's just dawned on me'. It is very wonderful when Christ reveals
Himself, when He brings us out of our darkness and into His light. This
is just the beginning. There is so much more: 'No eye has seen, nor ear
has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who
love Him' (1 Corinthians 2:9). 'Light has dawned that ever shall blaze...Light a flame within my heart... Let my flame begin to spread' (Mission Praise, 422; Songs of Fellowship, 339).
14th July: Exodus 27:20-29:9
The 'lamp' was 'set up to burn continually' (27:20) - 'May we be a shining light...Let the flame burn brighter...' (Songs of Fellowship 389; Mission Praise, 743). A 'royal priesthood', we have been called by God - to let His light shine (1 Peter 2:9). He
has called us to serve Him (28:1 John 15:16; Acts 20:28; 13:2; 9:15;
Hebrews 5:4). The divine call is accompanied by a divine empowering -
'the Holy Spirit sent from heaven' (1 Peter 1:12). We are precious to
God - Our 'names' are written on His heart (9-12,21,29-30; Luke 10:20;
Philippians 4:3; John 10:3). In Christ we are cleansed (29:4 1 John 1:7), anointed (29:7; 1 John 2:27) and robed
(29:5-6,8-9; Isaiah 61:10). In Christ, we have 'the best robe' (28:2;
Luke 15:22; Revelation 7:9-10,13-14). In Him, we are 'consecrated' by
the Word and 'anointed' by the Spirit (28:3,41; John 17:17; 14:16-17, 26; 16:13-14).
15th July: Exodus 29:10-46
There is a great contrast between the many sacrifices of the Old Testament and the one
sacrifice of Christ (Hebrews 9:25-28; 10:1-4, 10-14). Looking to
Christ, we focus attention on verses 42-46. For God's people, 'the tent
of meeting' was a special place concerning which God said, 'I will meet
with you, to speak there to you. There I will meet with the people of
Israel, and it shall be sanctified by My glory' (42-43). Let us pray
that, in both the pulpit and the pew, there will be the glory of God.
Aaron and his sons were 'consecrated to serve' (44). We look beyond them
to Christ who 'came ...to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for
many' (Mark 10:45). He dwells among us (45; John 1:14). He has provided
for us a 'better' redemption than the redemption of Israel from Egypt -
He is 'much more excellent' (46; Hebrews 8:6; 9:23-24).
16th July: Exodus 30:1-38
The Word of God ('the testimony') declares the mercy of God, leading to our meeting with God (6). We highlight several features of our worship: (a) 'the blood of the sin offering of atonement' (10) - This points to the 'how much more' sacrifice of Christ on the Cross for us (Hebrews 9:13-14); (b) 'washing' (18) - Christ 'has washed us from our sins in His blood' (Revelation 1:5; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5-6); (c) 'holy anointing oil'
(25) - We are to be 'consecrated', 'most holy', servants of the Lord,
'making holiness perfect in the fear of God', living in the power of the
Holy Spirit (29-30; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Zechariah 4:6); (d) 'incense'
(35) - We are to be 'the aroma of Christ', spreading His 'fragrance' (2
Corinthians 2:14-16). Christlike living is grounded in prayer (Psalm
141:2; Revelation 5:8; 8:3-4; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18; 1 Thessalonians
5:17).
17th July: Mark 14:1-25
Jesus
was surrounded by enemies, 'seeking to kill Him' (1). There was also a
hypocrite, preparing 'to betray Him' (10-11). What a joy it was to find a
woman with such heartfelt love for Him (3-9). Her love for Christ must
never be forgotten (9). There is something else which must never be
forgotten - His love for us. Our love for Him can never begin to
compare with His love for us. When we celebrate the Lord's Supper
(22-24; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26), we rejoice in His love. Think
little of your love for Him. Think much of His love for you. 'Who His
love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise? He can never
be forgotten throughout heaven's eternal days' (Songs of Fellowship, 168). Remember Christ, and let your remembering be filled with worship (25; Ephesians 5:19-20; Colossians 3:16-17).
18th July: Exodus 31:1-32:14
'Called' by God and 'filled' with His Spirit (31:1-3), Bezalel had the support of Oholiab and 'all able men' (31:6). Few may be called and equipped to lead, but many
are required for God's work to be done - effectively (1 Corinthians
12:4-10). 'All' of us receive our strength from the 'Spirit' (1
Corinthians 12:11). We offer ourselves in service with this faith,
'Jesus is Lord'. Faith is God's gift: 'no one can say "Jesus is Lord"
except by the Holy Spirit'. There are many gifts. They are varied
expressions of one gift: the faith which confesses that 'Jesus is Lord'
(1 Corinthians 12:3). The people fell into idolatry and immorality
(32:6): a 'warning' to us (1 Corinthians 10:6-12). We have God's help -
to overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10: 13). Moses sets for us a godly
example: he spent time with God, hearing His voice and prevailing in
prayer (32:1,7-14).
19th July: Exodus 32:15-33:23
In Moses, we see the holiness and love
of God: a deep hatred of sin (32:19), an intense longing for sinners to
be forgiven (32). Filled with 'the fear of the Lord', Moses was
fearless before men. God's Word to sinners is clear: He warns them
(Proverbs 29:1); He calls them to repent (Acts 2:38); He invites them to
return to Him (Hosea 6:1). Moses' faithful and fearless preaching
emerged from his closeness to God: 'The Lord spoke to Moses face to
face, as a man speaks to his friend' (11). Moses prayed; God heard; God
answered (33:17). Moses prayed for a revelation of God's glory (33:18).
God revealed Himself as the good God, the God of grace and mercy
(32:19). Let us go up to God and bring down all that is needed to build
the Body of Christ that God may take pleasure in it and that He may
appear in His glory (Haggai 1:8).
20th July: Exodus 34:1-35
God
gives His promise (33:19). God keeps His promise (5-7). The glory of
Christ is revealed to those who are learning to love Him (John 14:21).
We are not yet ready for the full glory (33:20). When Christ returns, 'we shall see Him as He is'
(1 John 3:2). There is to be 'no other god' but the Lord (14). We are
not to be squeezed into the world's mould (Romans 12:2). 'No molten
gods', 'no graven image' - We are to be remoulded by God, 'conformed to
the image of His Son' (17; 20:4; Romans 12:2; 8:29). Moses' face was
shining - Other people noticed (29)! Let others see Christ in you. Never
take pride in your own spirituality - 'If anyone imagines that he knows
something, he does not know (the Lord) as he ought to know (Him)' (1
Corinthians 8:2). Keep your eyes on Jesus. The glory comes from Him. No
glory for me - All glory to Him (2 Corinthians 3:18)!
21st July: Mark 14:26-52
After
'they had sung a hymn' (26), Peter showed that there was a great deal
of 'self' in him (29). All of us can be like this - 'they all
said the same' (31). We attend Communion (22-24), we sing hymns (26) -
yet still the wrong attitudes persist! We 'enjoy' praise, prayer, and
preaching - Remember: God is concerned with the whole of life, not just
the 'spiritual' activities! Christ looked ahead to the Cross - 'the
hour', 'this cup' (35-36). He was far removed from an 'enjoyable
atmosphere' within which prayer is 'easy'. Sorely tempted, He prayed,
'not what I will but what You will' (36). This was no easy road - the
'betrayer' was waiting for Him (42). It was a lonely road - 'they all
forsook Him, and fled' (50). 'The gate is narrow, the way is hard'
(Matthew 7:14). May God help us to follow Jesus.
22nd July: Exodus 35:1-36:7
The work of God is shared by many different people with many different gifts. The work is done according to (a) the Lord's command (35:1,4,10; 36:1,5); (b) heartfelt obedience (21; 36:3,5-7); (c) the God-given abilities
(24-25; 36:2,4,8). There is something for 'everyone' to do - everyone
'whose heart is stirred whose spirit is moved' (21). Many gifts are
needed (31-35). Underlying them all, there is this: 'filled with the
Spirit of God' (31). In God's work, there is to be 'full' obedience.
When we are fully obedient, there will be 'an overflowing blessing' (Malachi 3:10). 'The people bring much more than enough...'. There 'was sufficient to do all the work, and more'
(36:5,7). God is ready to bless. Are we ready to obey? 'If my
people...I will...'(2 Chronicles 7:14). 'Always abounding in the work of
the Lord' (1 Corinthians 15:58)!
23rd July: Exodus 36:8-38
Moses
may have been the leader among God's people, but he could not do all
the work by himself! Two of his helpers - Bezalel and Oholiab - are
named (1-2). Most - 'all the able men' - remain anonymous (8). Anonymous
yet indispensable - Without them, the work of God would have been left
undone! To those who are full of their own importance, God says, 'No-one
is indispensable. I will find someone else to do My work'. To those
who, without fuss, get on with doing His work, God says, 'You are my
servants, through whom My work will make good progress'. Building
Christ's Church is a long process, involving suffering and
disappointments as well as hard-fought victories. In so many ways, the
tabernacle pointed to Christ: 'God with us' (Matthew 1:23). May God help
us to lead many people to Christ!
24th July: Mark 14:53-15:5
Jesus
is 'the Christ, the Son of the Blessed'. He is 'seated at the right
hand of Power'. He is 'coming with the clouds of heaven' (61-62). He is
'the King of the Jews': His Kingdom is greater than Herod imagined - it
is 'not of this world' (2; John 18:36). Why, then, did He remain silent
when false charges were brought against Him? He was bearing our sin
- That is why 'He did not open His mouth' (Isaiah 53:4-7; 1 Peter
2:22-24; 3:18; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He knew that He was going to the
Cross - for us (John 10:11,15,17-18). Jesus did not deny us: His silence
was a godly silence - 'He bore the sin of many', making 'Himself
an offering for sin' (Isaiah 53:12,10). Will we deny Him? Our silence
is a guilty silence (66-71). May Christ's Word, and His look of
love, cause us to weep - and repent (72; Luke 22:61-62; 2 Corinthians
7:10).
25th July: Exodus 37:1-29
Pure gold
(2,6,11,16-17,22-24, 26); Jesus Christ is 'pure gold'. He is 'God with
us'. His body was broken for us. We feed on Him, the living Bread. His
light is shining. He spreads the fragrance of His holiness, and the
aroma of His love (Matthew 1:23; Luke 22:19; John 6:35; 8:12; 2
Corinthians 2:14-16). Read about the ark, the mercy seat, the table, the
lampstand, the altar of incense, the holy anointing oil...Think of Christ:
He is the 'mercy seat of pure gold' (6). 'The Lord is merciful and
gracious...': In mercy, He withholds His judgment from us - He is 'slow
to anger'. In grace, He pours His blessing on us - He is 'abounding in
steadfast love' (Psalm 103:8). We deserve judgment. We receive
salvation. Why? Christ took our judgment that we might receive His
salvation. This is the Gospel - and it is 'pure gold'!
26th July: Exodus 38:1-31
We read, in verse 8, of 'the ministering women...'. See also 35:25-26,29 - 'all women ...all the women... All the men and women...'.
Male and female - We need each other. We are 'one in Christ Jesus'. In
Him, 'there is neither male nor female' (Galatians 3:28). There should
never be a competitive spirit. We are to complement each other. In verse
25, we read of 'the silver from those of the congregation'.
God's work does not depend entirely on those who have been called to be
leaders. Each of us must play our part. There should be no pulling in
different directions. We belong together. We are to work together. Let's
pull together, pooling our resources, pulling our weight. Among God's
people, there is 'gold' - but it must be 'used for the work' (24). Will
you be worth your weight in gold - for God?
27th July: Mark 15 6-41
Jesus
did not 'save Himself'. 'He saved others' (31). He sacrificed Himself
for our salvation. His was the sacrifice. Ours is the salvation. He 'put
away sin by the sacrifice of Himself' (Hebrews 9:26). Barabbas was
'released'. Jesus was 'crucified' (15). This is the Gospel - He took my
place, He died for me. He was 'forsaken' by God (34). We are reconciled
to God (2 Corinthians 5:19,21). We rejoice that Christ ignored the
mocking call from 'the chief priests' and 'scribes': 'come down now from
the Cross' (32). He paid the full price of our salvation. For us
now, there is full salvation. His suffering was complete: 'It is
finished' (John 19:30) was not a whimper of defeat. It was the
declaration of victory. All that was needed - He has done for us. Now, He invites us to receive salvation: 'Come; for all is now ready' (Luke 14:17).
28th July: Exodus 39:1-43
'As the Lord had commanded...' (1,5,7,21,26,29,31-32,42-43): Obedience to God - this is the most important thing. 'And Moses blessed
them' (43): Where there is obedience, there is blessing - there's a
vital connection between the two. In Jesus, we see perfect obedience:
'My food is to do the will of Him who sent me, and to finish His work'
(John 4:34). Jesus was fully obedient to the Father's will: 'He became
obedient unto death, even death on a Cross' (Philippians 2:8). Through
His obedience, there is blessing for us: 'by one Man's obedience many
will be made righteous' (Romans 5:19). We look beyond the Old Testament
priesthood to Christ, the 'High Priest of the good things that have
come' - By 'His own blood', He has secured for us 'an eternal
redemption' (Hebrews 9:11-12).
29th July: Exodus 40:1-38
Here, we highlight three lessons: (a) The work of God begins with the Word of God:
'The Lord said to Moses...' (1). Before we can do anything for God, we
must be taught by God. (b) The work of God must proceed in the way of God:
'Thus did Moses; according to all that the Lord commanded him, so he
did' (16). If we are to accomplish anything for God, we must do God's
work in God's way. (c) The work of God must lead to the worship of God:
'The glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle' (34). If we are really
seeking to work for God, we must seek to give Him the glory for all that
is accomplished. Making these our priorities - the Word, way and
worship of God - , we will look for 'the cloud and fire', the presence
and power of God among us: He will be our Guide 'throughout all our
journeys' (38).
30th July: Mark 15:42-16:20
Dead
and buried (44-46) - 'The End'? No! There is more. An 'Appendix'? No! A
whole new beginning - For Jesus, for us! He is 'the first fruits (1
Corinthians 15:20,23). The full glory is still to come (1 Corinthians
15:24). He has risen (6). 'At His coming, those who belong to Christ' will
be raised - with Him and by Him - to everlasting life (1 Corinthians
15:23). This is the glory of the resurrection. It is not simply a thing
of the past. It is our glorious future - we 'will be raised
imperishable' (1 Corinthians 15:52). There is a Gospel to be preached - the Gospel of salvation (15-16). May God help us to preach the Gospel 'everywhere' - This will involve all
of us, not just a few of us! May He give us the joy of seeing Him at
work, confirming the message by the signs that attend it (20).
31st July: Psalm 10:1-18
Wickedness
seems to be so prevalent. Many 'renounce the Lord', saying 'There is no
God' (3-4). It seems that the wicked 'prosper at all times', while the
innocent victims of oppression feel that 'God has forgotten' (5-11).
When it appears that God 'has hidden His face', when we feel
that He has forgotten us, we must remember this: 'The Lord is King for
ever and ever' (11,16). Do not judge by appearances. Do not trust your
feelings. Everything changes. Nothing remains the same. Everything
changes - except God. He is unchanged, unchanging and unchangeable in
His faithful love for us. We rejoice in this: 'Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever' (Hebrews 13:5). Whatever circumstances
and feelings may suggest, never forget this: 'He loved us from the first
of time, He loves us to the last' (Church Hymnary, 293).
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