Chapter-A-Day: Volume 3

The Bible is the Word of God, which reveals to us God’s nature, His love, His holiness, His purposes, His will, His mind, and His ways. All these are seen in our Lord Jesus Christ as a Man when He was here on earth, and as He now is, in heaven.

May we read it EVERY DAY and think of what we have read — and then live it with the power He has given us (2 Peter 1:3). You will be blessed by the Lord if you do.

Day 1 - 1 Chronicles 13

V.1-8 David immediately thinks of bringing the ark — the highest picture of the presence of the Lord that we have in the Old Testament — to Jerusalem. He consults the captains and leaders. But it does not say anything about speaking to the Lord. He was full of natural enthusiasm, but more than this was necessary — obedience to the Word of GOD.

Sometimes believers are very anxious to be active for the Lord. But unless we act according to the Word of God, we are going to make mistakes.

V.9-14 He probably remembered what the Philistines had done when they had taken the ark. It was all right for them to put the ark on a cart. That really was faith on their part. But entirely wrong for David. Sometimes we imitate the unsaved, and think that is perfectly all right for us. But is it according to the Word of God?

V.14 But one home was blessed of God.

Day 2 - 1 Chronicles 14

V.8-17 The Philistines didn’t know that God’s king David was now on Israel’s throne and that God would give him strength against them. Isn’t it strange that believers often will pray very much about things in everyday life, but when it comes to worshipping God, many say that they can decide for themselves! When we say to the Lord “where wilt Thou?” (Luke 22:9) then we get His instruction. Do you realize the importance of this?

V.10, 14 David does what every believer should do daily — inquire of the Lord before acting.

V.16-17 Notice what the Lord did.

Day 3 - 1 Chronicles 15

V.1-3 David hasn’t forgotten the Ark.

V.4-15 We saw in the 13th chapter that David had disobeyed God’s plain instructions about the carrying of the Ark, and the result. Now he is very careful to have the proper men appointed to do the carrying — the Levites (See Num. 4:4-15).

V.16-28 David looks after every detail. All must be according to the Word of God. If David had not made his mistake the first time, he might not have become so interested in the Levites, and their being appointed as singers. Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord often brings blessing out of our failures!

Day 4 - 1 Chronicles 16

V.1-6 David continues to appoint men to serve the Lord. Everyone had a particular place to fill. So have you and I (See Mark 13:34).

V.7-36 These words are also found in a number of different Psalms. But God has a purpose in putting them here and in this order. It is a song of rejoicing It all leads up to the Lord reigning as King (v. 31). David has been set up as king. The promises made to Abraham long before, are all going to be fulfilled when Christ reigns as King. It is not so much as Priest, but as King. We have noticed in the chapters we have been reading, that the king does all the appointing. The king is the prominent person. So it shall be in the millennium. Christ the King shall lead all the praise to God.

V.37-43 The ark is in Jerusalem, but the altar and the priests are still at Gibeon.

V.39-40 God was setting that place aside because the priests had failed.

Day 5 - 1 Chronicles 17

David now wants to build a house — a temple for God to live in. It was a good desire to have. But it was not the time, God had a more perfect time.

V.7-14 Instead, God tells David that He will build David “a house.” By this was meant a family or a royal line. Notice the eleven things God says He will do. (v. 7) I took thee etc.; (v. 8) I have been with thee; (v. 9) I will ordain a place — will plant them; (v. 10) I will subdue all thine enemies — will build thee an house; (v. 11) I will raise up — I will establish; (v. 12) I will stablish; (v. 13) I will be his father; (14) I will settle him. These are the sure mercies of David (Acts 13:34). They were sure because they didn’t depend on David, only upon God. From Psalm 89:28-37 we learn that David understood that all these things would be fulfilled in Christ.

V.16-27 David’s words in his prayer to the Lord. All the words of the Lord produce humility before God and thanksgiving and praise to Him. Do our hearts overflow with praise? We know that David’s descendants failed very badly. God says nothing about the responsibilities — only all that which He would do.

Day 6 - 1 Chronicles 18

V.1 “Now after this.” After what? After he had prayed to the Lord! Notice the first enemy named — the one which had killed Saul.

V.2 And another enemy.

V.3 Notice “David smote ... he went to establish.”

V.4 “David took.” David houghed (crippled) the enemy’s horses.

V.5 David slew another enemy the Syrians.

V.6 David put up defenses. Notice the last 8 words!

V.7-8 David brings lots of valuable things from other enemies.

V.9-10 Others bring all kinds of riches to David.

V.11 David gives all the spoil to Whom?

V.13 Who preserved David? Who preserves you?

V.14 David brings justice to how many of his people?

V.15 Did David forget the priests?

V.17 Did David’s sons follow him?

Day 7 - 1 Chronicles 19

V.1-5 We have read how that David’s power spread far and wide. We are reading of some who were suspicious of David’s motives, and shamefully treated his messengers. This story is quite a contrast with poor crippled Mephibosheth (2 Sam. 9).

V.6-19 This treatment led to defeat for these people.

It helps us to understand better when we remember that all this is a shadow of the time when the Lord Jesus will come in power and great glory (see your chart) at the end of the tribulation. At that time the nations shall act toward Him in different ways. One by one He will destroy them. In Psalm 18:36-45 the same facts are brought out.

Day 8 - 1 Chronicles 20

The Lord is here telling the story, as an illustration of the time when Christ shall come as the Perfect King. He comes in glory and power (see chart also Rev. 19:11-16). He shall completely destroy His enemies (as David does in this chapter).

V.2 Notice David’s crown. Turn to Revelation 19:12.

V.3 Can be a picture of the severest punishment which shall fall on the Gentile world when the Lord Jesus shall come to be King (Read those verses in Rev. 19:11-16).

Day 9 - 1 Chronicles 21

V.1-8 But David is exposed to temptations of Satan through his prosperity. He wants to know how strong he is, so he orders all the people to be counted. But in doing this, he forgets the strength of God. We need to learn our weakness and rely only on His strength (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

V.9-17 The Lord loves David too much to let this pass unnoticed. But, as usual, out of the punishment comes blessing. For us, it is ever the same. David really knew the Lord well, though for a moment he forgets. But when he gets back his understanding, he chooses to fall into the hand of the Lord, rather than to hope for any mercy from his enemies (v. 13). A grand lesson for us to learn too.

V.18-30 God turns our hearts to brighter things. God uses David to be the one who selects the spot for the altar. This is to be the place of Solomon’s glorious temple! (2 Chron. 3:1). This was to open a new day for Israel in their relationship with God. But notice that the foundation of all this was the offering of sacrifices (v. 26).

V.27 The plague is stopped immediately. Of course you realize that this is pointing onward to Christ. The judgment for our sins fell upon Christ. But immediately the work was done, we were free from punishment (Heb. 10:14).

Day 10 - 1 Chronicles 22

The tabernacle had lost its place and power. A whole new idea was now going to be established — the temple, and grace appearing. This is the first of five chapters which tell us of the preparation for the building of this glorious temple. David was not allowed to build it because he had been a man of war. David’s son Solomon, a man of rest (v. 9), would build it.

God had Christ before Him in writing this book. The temple is another view of Christ, in all His beauty, magnificence, solidity, permanence and power. Christ in a future day — that is, during the millennium. But David gets all the materials ready. So with Christ, all is now ready for the day of His glory on earth in the millennium.

V.1 In his mind’s eye he could see the house!

V.2-5 The broad details of the immense preparations for this magnificent building.

V.6-16 A sweet talk between father and son. David tells Solomon that the Lord’s help was first in importance.

V.17-19 David also gives orders to the princes. Here again, he brings the Lord prominently before them.

Day 11 - 1 Chronicles 23

Instructions to the priests and Levites. “Levite” comes from “Levi” one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Levi had three sons, Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The priests came from Kohath’s family, but the three families were known as Levites. While the children of Israel walked through the wilderness for forty years, the Levites were the ones who carried the tabernacle and its furniture (Num. 4). But now they all have arrived in the promised land and the Levites don’t have that work anymore, so here David appoints them new work in connection with the temple. Another evidence of the change under King David.

Remember that these two buildings (A) tabernacle and (B) temple are pictures to us of (A) our wilderness journey through this world, and (B) the Lord reigning as King over the world during the 1,000 years of the millennium. (A) was temporary and carried from place to place, (B) was permanent. (A) was in the wilderness, (B) was in the land of Canaan (Palestine, Israel), the “promised land.”

Day 12 - 1 Chronicles 24

Every order came from King David. And David was getting his instructions from the Lord. There were never two ways given, never a choice. And so it is for the believers today. God never gives us a choice of anything in our life. He gives one way we either obey or disobey. If we obey we are happy (John 15:8-11) and we learn more.

We will list ten scriptures which show that this is God’s will (John 7:17; Luke 8:18; 1 Cor. 1:10; Phil. 2:2; Acts 20-29-32; Gal. 3:28; 2 Cor. 3:5; 2 Cor. 10:5; Prov. 28:5). See how many more you can find.

Let us relate all this to our chapter. David, of course, is a picture of Christ. Of Him it is written in Hebrews 5:8, “though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered.” David’s life of warfare is a picture of how Christ will act when He comes in power to reign over the earth. David was the supreme ruler. Christ shall be too. David earned this right. So did Christ. David made many changes from that given by Moses (2 Chron. 23:24). He changed the age of service of the priests to 20 years from 30. He introduced praising the Lord (2 Chron. 23:30).

V.7-18 Twenty-four groups (or shifts) took turns at this new work. Remember that all this is a picture of the coming reign of Christ.

Day 13 - 1 Chronicles 25

V.1-6 Another change. The introduction of groups singing with musical instruments. Never before had this been a part of the Jewish public worship. In the days of the tabernacle, sacrifices were the main feature, but in the days of the temple — the future days of glory on earth — songs of triumph will be the main theme. However, sacrifices will be there, but they will be a memorial of Christ’s death.

V.7 “Twelve” means administrative responsibility. These men shared responsibility with David. During the millennium, angels are not going to have this place of responsibility under the Lord, as they have today. Believers will take the place the angels have now (Heb. 2:5). Believers during the present day of grace, who have been faithful to God will have greater rewards and responsibilities then (Luke 19:15-19) — 288 is divisible by 12 (12 Times 24).

V.8-31 All is divided into 24 (2 x 12) groups, the teachers as well as the scholars. When the Lord reigns over the earth, all will be perfectly run.

Day 14 - 1 Chronicles 26

V.1-19 The porters were the doorkeepers of the gates of the house of the Lord (v. 12). The doors were guarded continually. This shows us that King David considered this job important as well as the singers work. To get our spiritual teaching from this, we need to realize our own need to be on guard continually. In Ephesians 6:10-17 we read how necessary it is for the believer to have on the whole armor of God. The only other time in Scripture where all the armor is mentioned is in Luke 11:22. That man was overcome. He is a picture of Satan. But the point is that he also was armored (like Goliath, 1 Sam. 17:4-7). But the believers have an armor which cannot be lost if we put it on. God tells us we need to be faithful doorkeepers.

V.20-28 Next, were the men in charge of the treasures. We believers have received “treasures” too (Col. 2:2-3). The world has its treasures, but they are not worthy to be compared with our treasures in Christ (Heb. 11:26).

V.29-32 Another group. Those in charge of the outward affairs. A picture of us believers in our contacts each day with people. Three times it describes the type of men needed. Verse 31, they had to look for them, but they found them. Don’t let Satan work on our pride to keep us from telling others about the Lord Jesus Christ.

V.32 For every matter pertaining to God. Everything was of importance.

Day 15 - 1 Chronicles 27

V.1-15 Next, the soldiers. We might have put them first, but God puts the doorkeepers far ahead of them (Read 2 Tim. 2:1-4). We need to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Now this doesn’t mean literal fighting as in our chapter but now our warfare is spiritual. Ephesians 6:12 makes this very plain.

V.16-22 Next, the rulers over the tribes — thirteen groups mentioned.

V.23-24 All these men were no doubt reliable men to be in charge. One was David’s own brother. David has learned not to number all the people (1 Chron. 21).

V.25-31 Thirteen smaller groups. What a wonderful organization this must have been that was being set up for Solomon. A beautiful picture of the glorious day on this earth when the Lord Jesus shall rule in righteousness.

Day 16 - 1 Chronicles 28

V.1-18 David now assembles all the men in positions of responsibility and speaks to them these beautiful words. He reviews his life and God’s thoughts about him. Notice how often he refers to the Lord. If the people kept the words of the Lord they surely would be a great people.

V.9-10 David says to Solomon “know the Lord!” Next, serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. A perfect heart would mean having a heart with nothing but the Lord in it — pure milk means nothing added. Willing mind means with no will of our own. A mind surrendered to God!

V.11-21 David carefully commits to Solomon (1) the patterns of the temple; (2) the materials wherewith to build it; (3) the details of the holiest of all; (4) the furniture.

V.19 No one part of all this came from David’s mind all came from God Himself!

V.20-21 May we take this final instruction to ourselves.

Day 17 - 1 Chronicles 29

Firstly, we’ll look at the story of the chapter. Then we’ll look what it is a picture of. For many years David had been collecting all the materials with which the glorious Temple of God would be built by his son Solomon. Notice that the word “all” is used in the chapter 22 Times. It is the summary of David’s part of the great undertaking. Now the picture. King David is a picture of the Lord Jesus Who, when He was here, did the great work of redemption. He destroyed Satan’s power over death by His dying on the cross. That work is all completed. Solomon is a picture of the time when Christ will return, with us, to reign over this world. Solomon had a reign of peace. Christ will reign on earth for 1,000 years.

V.5 The invitation to volunteer to work on the building of the Temple.

V.6-8 The response.

V.9 They “all” rejoice, from the king downward.

V.10-12 Concludes with glory to God.

V.14,15 David realizes how small he is compared with God!

V.18 May this verse grip our heart and mind too. The unconditional promises of blessing for Israel had first been given to Abraham. David wants the people never to forget this.

V.20-25 Everyone is of one mind in knowing and acknowledging that God was the source of all their blessing, and therefore to Him should be all the praise and worship.

V.26-30 David disappears, his work completed. He has put Solomon on the throne.

Day 18 - 2 Chronicles 1

V.1-6 David, you remember, has brought the ark to Jerusalem and put it in a tent there (v. 4). But Solomon goes back to where the tabernacle had been set up at Gibeon. The altar is a picture of the cross of Christ.

V.7-12 In addition to getting what he asks, Solomon also receives riches, wealth, and honor beyond all other kings.

V.13-17 Silver and gold became as common as stones!

Day 19 - 2 Chronicles 2

V.1-2 Solomon hired 153,600 men for the work of building the temple!

V.3-18 The Gentile king Huram (or Hiram, 1 Kings 5:1) has his part in the preparation of the wood for the temple. During the millennium, many Gentiles will be blessed in the Lord’s kingdom (Rev. 21:24). Reminder! All this is not a type of Christianity, but of the millennium, when Christ shall reign as King over the earth. We will be with Him then. The more faithful you and I have been to Him in our life now, the greater, or the larger the job you will get then. We will replace the angels at that time (Heb. 2:5). Our rewards for faithfulness will be in the 1,000 years (the millennium), not in eternity — there we all will be equal.

V.6-9 Though the building was “wonderful great” (v. 9), Solomon felt very small “Who am I? (v. 6). His father had said the same thing (1 Chron. 29:14).

V.10-18 There was true harmony between the two nations, as there will be in the Millennium. No real peace today, anywhere.

Day 20 - 2 Chronicles 3

V.1-2 On the very spot where David had built his altar, Solomon now builds the temple. And notice the name of the mountain. See Gen. 22:2 where Abraham went to offer up his son Isaac!

V.3 The width and length were double the dimensions of the tabernacle.

V.3-17 Details of probably the most beautiful, elaborate and expensive building that has ever been built.

V.8 This refers to the holiest of all — where God dwelt. It was a cube in shape 20 cubits x 20 x 20, overlaid with fine gold.

V.11-13 The cherubim or heavenly beings — God’s servants to carry out His orders. Angels aren’t used by God today for spiritual things, but for natural and physical things. They take care of us and protect us from harmful things, the Holy Spirit, Who lives in your body, teaches you and leads you into more truth if you let Him (John 14:16-17, 26).

V.14 The temple, as the tabernacle, had a vail (or curtain), which divided the holy place from the most holy (or “holiest of all”).

V.15-17 Important. The pillars are a symbol of strength. Here were two each had a name. Jachin (meaning He will establish) and Boaz (meaning “In Him is strength”). During the millennium, the Lord Jesus will be seen by this world in authority and power. When He came the first time it was in weakness. Unbelievers, and many believers too, would like to see a Jesus Who is powerful and popular. But He will not be so until in the millennium. The tabernacle is a picture of the believers traveling in weakness through this wilderness with Christ. The temple is a picture of Christ reigning in power during the millennium.

Day 21 - 2 Chronicles 4

V.1-8 The laver was for the priests to wash their hands and feet. Every believer is a priest (1 Pet. 2:5). As priests we need constant washing to be kept clean by the Word of God (Eph. 5:26). During the millennium, this is going to be a very important part of the operating of Christ’s glorious kingdom. Punishment against anyone who sins, will be carried out daily (Zeph. 3:5). So we see that the laver was very large in the temple.

V.9-18 These seem to be the articles made of brass. This metal is a picture of “testing” or “endurance.” The Lord Jesus completely endured the judgment of the cross. Who could ever measure this endurance?

V.19-22 Gold is a picture of God’s righteousness (perfect goodness). Only gold was used to make the pieces for the holiest of all and for the holy place. Brass was outside.

Day 22 - 2 Chronicles 5

V.1-10 We remember that the ark had been brought by David and put in a tent in Zion which was part of Jerusalem. Now the ark is brought into the finished temple and put in the holiest of all, under the wings of the cherubim. Of all the things which were in the temple, the ark is the most important, for it represents the presence of Christ as God. He was hidden behind the veil (curtain). In Exodus 19:16-19, we read of the frightening circumstances when God came down on to Mount Sinai. The reason why this same thing didn’t happen when God came down and sat on the ark in darkness was because of the veil. If God had gone out, everyone would have died, and no one could go past the veil into His presence (except the High Priest, once a year). But when Christ died on the cross, 1,500 years later, the veil was torn in two so that God could come out to meet us, and we can go boldly in to meet Him (Read carefully Heb. 10:19-22). This is your privilege. Are you going in? All you need is a good conscience to be in the presence of God.

V.9 The staves had been in the sides of the ark to carry it, now in its final resting place they wouldn’t be used again.

V.11-14 The final act — the dedication of the finished temple to the Lord. Notice the total harmony (v. 13). If they were one in heart they would make one sound in worship — so will we.

V.13-14 God is well pleased with this completed work, and shows it by filling the house with a cloud that is God’s glory — the same cloud (glory) that had filled the tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex. 40:34-35).

Day 23 - 2 Chronicles 6

V.1-11 Solomon now is in complete charge of the worship. In his person, he combines the work of priest and king. So the Lord Jesus shall be King and Priest in the millennium. He is King (John 1:49); Prophet (Luke 24:19); Priest (Heb. 3:1).

And, do you want to learn a secret? You who have accepted Christ as your Savior, have been made, not only priests, but kings as well. You had better believe it, because you can read it in Revelation 5:10. Are we acting each day as if we believe it?

V.4 Our words and our deeds should be the same.

V.12-42 Listen carefully to this wonderful prayer to the Lord.

V.22-23 In affairs between two people, Solomon asks God to judge righteously.

V.24-25 If the nation is beaten in battle, it will be because they have sinned.

V.26-27 If there is no rain falling on the land, it will be because they have sinned.

V.28-31 The prayer becomes more individual. If individually or collectively they would turn back to the Lord, confess and pray to Him, then Solomon prays that the Lord would deal individually with them according to each state of soul.

V.32-42 Solomon asks the Lord to answer the prayers of the people.

V.32-33 An outsider, individually praying, wanting to learn about the Lord.

V.34-35 When the people were away in another land, at war, and prayed collectively, facing toward Jerusalem.

V.36-39 If things go very bad for them because of sin; but if they even turn to the Lord in that far-away place.

V.40-42 Closes his prayer. Contrast these verses with Numbers 10:33-36. There, God was searching a resting place, here was a fixed place. There, enemies had to be scattered, here no enemies (Also Psa. 132:8). What a wonderful prayer! But Solomon didn’t have the secrets nor the power you and I have, since Christ has given us a new life, like His, and He lives in us (John 17:26). Read it. The Lord looks for one thing — brokenness of heart. How much we need to learn this!

Day 24 - 2 Chronicles 7

The prayer goes up, in chapter 6 and the fire came down from the heavens in today’s chapter. This proved that God had accepted Solomon’s prayer. What an experience. The glory of the Lord filled the house. Take a minute to read what similarly happened when a woman poured some perfume on the Lord’s feet a week before He went to the cross (John 12:3).

V.1 The Lord, by this event, gives a direct evidence of His acceptance of the sacrifice, the building and the prayer.

V.3 Beautiful result, worship to God.

V.5 What a huge sacrifice. Read Heb. 10:12, 14 for a contrast.

V.6-9 The Lord and His goodness were the center of their thoughts and sacrifices.

V.10 The people returned home satisfied and happy. Are we?

V.12-22 The Lord lays the full responsibility on Solomon. The more we know the more responsible we are to live what we do know of the teaching of the Bible; and the more we live what we have learned, then God will teach us more and more and yet more — there’s no limit! Read Luke 8:18 to see for yourself.

Day 25 - 2 Chronicles 8

This whole chapter shows us that everything was exactly as King David had commanded (v. 14); and as Moses had commanded (v. 13) that the people were all obedient to what was told them.

V.10, 15; that they finish any work which they had started (v. 16). So, look at the end of verse 16. Then the Lord directed the work outside of the worshipping of God in verses 17-18. Their ships returned, and millions of dollars of gold were given to Solomon. All this chapter is a picture of what Israel’s people will do in the millennium, when Christ will rule over this whole world, and where obedience and happiness will be universal (Psa. 72:8).

Day 26 - 2 Chronicles 9

The fame of Solomon stretched to the four corners of the earth. The Queen of Sheba came to Jerusalem to ask him every question in her heart; he answered all. The Lord loves to have us bring our questions, large or small to Him. He surely will answer them.

V.3-4 When she had seen his wisdom, and his house, there was no more spirit in her. When we believers come close to the Lord and learn of Him (Matt. 11:29-30) there is not going to be much thought of ourselves left either.

V.5-6 The half had not been told her. We may know the Lord as Savior without seeing Him as our Lord or Master. Only then is there peace and joy in our heart.

V.3-8 Notice that, as a woman, she keeps her proper place, being interested in the things belonging to a woman. It doesn’t say that she was inspecting the troops etc.

V.11 Notice the two things which are made from this special wood. Terraces (or steps, stairs) and harps. Some of the wood was walked on, and some made music. In the life of the believer, there are two sides of our life which must be consistent: our walk (our life) and our worship.

V.13-28 Gentiles contributed wealth to Solomon. So in the millennium (Rev. 22:1-5).

V.29-31 We do not read of the personal failure of Solomon (but we do in 1 Kings). So ends the lovely story of Solomon as seen by God in grace.

Day 27 - 2 Chronicles 10

V.1-3 Solomon’s son Rehoboam immediately runs into trouble. Jeroboam, a rebel, who has been hiding in Egypt, now returns and succeeds in dividing the kingdom. But God was allowing this, and had warned of this in 1 Kings 11:29-34.

V.4 Jeroboam and all the people ask Solomon’s son to make things easier for them.

V.5-15 Rehoboam first asks the advice of old men; then the young men. Notice verse 15, the latter are listened to.

V.16-19 So the nation of Israel is divided. Ten tribes follow Jeroboam. Two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, follow Rehoboam. The former was to be called the kingdom of Israel, the latter called the kingdom of Judah. God dislikes division. And if you will remember to watch for it, those future kings who wanted to obey the Lord, always thought of Israel as all united. The believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are all seen by God as one body. Acts 26:7 shows that Paul had this thought even though they had been divided for about 600 years.

V.19 But here the division began. Only 2 tribes, Judah and Benjamin, remained to worship God at His Center, Jerusalem. Now, since 1947, these 2 tribes are back in their land, but in unbelief.

Day 28 - 2 Chronicles 11

V.1-4 Rehoboam wants to go to war against those who separated. But God does not. If people choose to divide the believers today by denominations, it is a very serious sin. But God, though He desires it (1 Tim. 2:4), will not force anyone to be gathered only to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. How much does the Lord mean to us?

V.5-17 For three years, Rehoboam obeyed the Lord and was blessed.

V.18-23 Many seeds of trouble here.

Day 29 - 2 Chronicles 12

V.1 Read this carefully. The first king of this kingdom of Judah, Rehoboam, does 3 things in this verse. And notice who followed him in the 3rd thing! They forsook the Word of God. The downfall has started.

V.2-4 Five years roll by. God sends an army of 1,200 chariots, 60,000 men on horses and a tremendous crowd of people. They made it right to Jerusalem.

V.5 But God had one man, obedient Shemaiah — pronounced Shemia. If you turn to 1 Kings 12:19-24 you’ll find the same man there. Notice what he is called in verse 22. Shemaiah tells the king why the Lord had sent the king of Egypt to attack him. Think about this when the Lord sends troubles into your life.

V.6 Notice what the leaders did. This is our remedy too (Read 1 Peter 5:6).

V.7, 8 The Lord doesn’t speak to the king. To whom does He speak?

V.9-12 No one is killed, but they lost their treasures.

V.13 The fact that his mother’s name is mentioned shows she had something to do with his character and life. It means “pleasantness.” And it is the feminine of Naaman the leper (2 Kings 5:1).

V.14-16 King Rehoboam, faithful at the start of his reign, but hadn’t set his heart after the Lord. Two interesting people in this chapter, Shemaiah and Naamah. His name means “Heard by God.”

Day 30 - 2 Chronicles 13

V.1-3 The son Abijah becomes king of Judah.

There is war between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel. Abijah, with 400,000 men meets Jeroboam, king of Israel who has 800,000 men!

V.4-7 Abijah declares that Jeroboam had rebelled against Solomon’s son Rehoboam.

V.8 Abijah continues to tell Jeroboam that really he is challenging the Lord’s kingdom. He admits Jeroboam has a great army but reminds him that he also has golden calves for gods.

V.10-12 But Abijah has the Lord!

V.13-20 Jeroboam uses a trick — he sends part of his army in behind Abijah’s position. Judah’s army looks back and sees what has happened. What did they do then? Notice in verse 16 who delivered Judah.

V.17 Half a million of Israel die.

V.18 See why Judah succeeded.

V.20 Who did what to Jeroboam?

V.21, 22 Let’s trust the Lord in our warfare against our enemy (Eph. 6:13).

Day 31 - 2 Chronicles 14

Today we start to read of a very interesting king Asa, Solomon’s great grandson. It takes three chapters to tell his story.

V.1 He has these years of quietness after these wars.

V.2-5 Count how many evil things he destroyed. Firstly, we have to get rid of things we know are not pleasing to the Lord, and then we can build on our Christian life.

V.6-8 Notice that walls, towers, gates and bars — all defensive, then an army of over half a million soldiers (Read 2 Tim. 2:3). Some Christians think this is preaching the gospel only, but it is to defend and stand up for the truth of Scripture.

V.9-10 Satan has his army, and stronger too; a million men! Twice the number.

V.11 Did Asa say “there’s no hope for us”? He did what we need to do every day. Did it matter how many men were against them?

V.12-15 So Who did the fighting? (Look in 2 Chron. 20:15).

Day 32 - 2 Chronicles 15

A bright day of sunshine in Judah’s history! A real turning to the Lord. You may belong to Him, but are you truly putting Him first in your life? We are definitely not, if we can’t get time to read His Word each day. We all need to do what these people did — put away the idols which come into our life. This chapter is so beautiful, encouraging and simple, that it needs little comment. I would suggest that instead, you read it twice, slowly. The second time you read it, you will see things you hadn’t seen the first time.

Day 33 - 2 Chronicles 16

V.1-9 A sad turning away from the Lord by king Asa who had been so wonderfully blessed, but who now grows cold in his soul. A valuable but serious warning — just when King Asa had been enjoying the pleasant circumstances, now 21 years later, the king of Israel attacks him. Isn’t it true that when we are enjoying our happy circumstances as believers, we often forget the Lord Who gave us them?

V.2-6 What a terrible mistake he makes! Asa, before had gone out to battle in the name of the Lord, now he is bribing the heathen king of Syria to stop helping the king of Israel who is trying to damage Asa.

V.7-10 The Lord sends a faithful man who speaks very plainly and courageously to Asa. Don’t we also rely on people rather than on the Lord when we get cold in our soul?

V.9 Try to memorize this verse!

V.10 Instead of taking the message as coming from the Lord, he acts foolishly and also gets angry. We do too when we are unfaithful.

V.11-14 So Asa, who had made a good start in his life, and the Lord had blessed him so richly, at the end the Lord sends him a disease in his feet — a picture to us of an unfaithful walk or life. May this be a real lesson for us and a warning.

Day 34 - 2 Chronicles 17

V.1-6 Now his son is king, Jehoshaphat starts out well by taking a bold stand for the Lord.

V.7-11 Jehoshaphat sent out men to faithfully teach the Word of God (v. 9).

V.12 Little wonder that he prospered!

V.16 The Lord saw this about this man. Are we like him?

V.18 What an army for such a little nation, 1,600,000 men!

Day 35 - 2 Chronicles 18

V.1 As we have often mentioned, when things go well for the believer, he is in very great danger, because he grows careless. You remember wicked king Ahab! What a foolish thing to become close friends with him.

V.2-3 Jehoshaphat forgot what his great, great grandfather Solomon had said (Prov. 1:10).

V.4 A foolish suggestion to make to a man who killed the Lord’s prophets.

V.5 These were men who worshipped idols!

V.8-27 The dreadful treatment of this faithful man.

V.27 He says to the king something like this, “If you live to see what you say is going to happen, then the Lord’s Word which I have spoken, is not true”!

V.28-34 Whose word came true?

Day 36 - 2 Chronicles 19

The Lord had mercy on Jehoshaphat and saved his life, even though he had done a foolish thing in uniting with wicked king Ahab.

V.2 Here is a question which each reader can ask himself. Are we guilty? It is so easy a thing to do. How much happier we are when we make friends with those who love the Lord. Read Psalm 139:21 for a good contrast.

V.3 God always gives us as much credit as He can, yet overlooks nothing. God notices that king Jehoshaphat has destroyed some of the idols.

V.4 Personally he went out around his country to try to draw the people back to the Lord. Do we? Or do we waste precious time talking about unimportant things?

V.5-19 He very thoroughly sets up men to settle all matters concerning God, and the kingdom.

V.9 It would not be the smart judges who could give the best decisions, but those who lived faithfully for the Lord and had a pure heart.

V.11 Last sentence. You can count on the Lord to instruct you if you are obedient to His Word.

Day 37 - 2 Chronicles 20, Verses 1-17

When a person takes a stand for the Lord and sets out to follow the Lord, then the Lord allows that person to be really tested.

V.1 These particular enemies had not been bothering the kingdom of Judah, until now. Who was behind this? The Lord. He was going to see how real all this work (in 2 Chron. 19) was (Heb. 12:5-11).

V.2 A detailed report of the enemy’s strength and location is given to the king. To whom will he turn? To whom do we turn when sudden trouble comes to us?

V.3-12 Some one might say “Don’t waste precious time like this.” Let’s prepare the army. Notice how thoughtful he is in his prayer. He recalls Solomon’s prayer (1 Kings 8:33-34).

V.12 Read over this verse many times. Remember where it is in the scriptures. Quote it to the Lord in your prayers!

V.13 The little children were there praying too.

V.15 Here is God’s answer to such a prayer. May we all experience this in our life!

V.16-17 Who could fear to go out with a promise from God like this?

Day 38 - 2 Chronicles 20, Verses 18-37

V.18 They did not all jump and shout for joy — they worshipped the Lord. Count the number of times “the Lord” is mentioned in today’s reading! He was the source and the object! This will be the result in your life too if you follow the principles of this chapter.

V.20-21 What a strange sight! What confidence they had in the Lord! Soldiers following the priests to the battle! Priests who were praising the beauty of holiness! This was the secret of their strength and victory.

V.25 They were more than conquerors (Rom. 8:37).

V.26 The valley of Berachah (pronounced BAY-RACK-A) was the valley of blessing. May we all come there, His way.

V.27-30 Let us be like this. Not promptly forgetting the Lord after He has so graciously helped us.

V.31 His mother gets special mention. God must have seen the influence of the mother on the son. Mothers! Are you implanting the fear of the Lord in your children’s hearts? There is nothing more important. Many years later the fruit was seen.

V.35-37 A foolish mistake, He joins in a business venture with a godless friend. And the result is failure! How slow we are to learn God’s lessons! Have we learned from the story of Jehoshaphat?

Day 39 - 2 Chronicles 21

You will remember wicked king Ahab, king of Israel. King Jehoshaphat (king of Judah) had made an alliance with him, and now Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram marries Ahab’s daughter! Our life influences our children.

V.6 The answer. And the reason is made plain.

V.8-10 Not a word about asking the Lord for help, as his father had done (2 Chron. 20:12).

V.11 False gods and immorality go together.

V.12-15 A faithful servant of God, Elijah, had written a message from God to the king, telling him his awful future. Would this cause him to stop his wickedness?

V.16-20 What a contrast here too, to his father’s great gathering of the enemy’s treasure. The enemy strips Judah of its treasure; all but one of the king’s own family were taken captives. The Lord preserved the royal line (Matt. 1:8).

V.20 He departed this life without being regretted! Because of the sins he himself committed and the sins he forced the people to commit (v. 11).

Day 40 - 2 Chronicles 22

V.1-9 Ahaziah is the grandson of king Jehoshaphat who had made an alliance with the wicked king Ahab (of Israel). Notice how this connection still brought troubles to the kings of Judah.

V.2 It says “daughters” of Omri but in the Hebrew language sometimes “daughter” is used when it is granddaughter, as it is here (See 2 Chron. 21:6).

V.10 When this wicked daughter of Ahab sees that her son has been murdered, she turns and kills all his sons so that she will have full authority.

V.11 The king’s sister however, hides the youngest boy from Athaliah. In this way God’s direct line from David to Christ is unbroken! God, as always, was in control.

Day 41 - 2 Chronicles 23, Verses 1-15

V.1 A faithful and brave man appears. What a man he is! Jehoiada (2 Chron. 22:11 tells us who he is). His wife was the aunt of the little boy who is now hidden in the temple. The descendants of King David had almost completely ruined the kingdom by their wickedness, but God always has a man ready. And Jehoiada the priest is such a man. You will be surprised to find where he is eventually buried!

V.2-10 Jehoiada carefully lays the plans to proclaim the boy to be king. Count how many times David’s name is mentioned in the chapter. It was because of king David that God preserved his line.

V.11 The six-year-old boy is made king!

V.12-13 What a surprise she must have had. What a surprise all the unsaved are going to get when the Lord Jesus appears in glory to set up His kingdom. This story is a little picture of the Lord who is now hidden in heaven, the house of God, until He is pronounced King of kings and Lord of lords.

V.14-15 The wicked woman gets her wages!

Day 42 - 2 Chronicles 23, Verses 16-21

V.16-21 Beautiful turn of events. How lovely when we see a person leading others back to the Lord. Galatians 6:1 is an example.

V.16 Notice the last seven words!

V.17 They knew where to start. We cannot get back into communion with the Lord until we first confess and forsake our sins.

V.19 What a lesson for us. God’s Presence demands cleanness of all who enter in. Satan has cleverly deceived people into thinking that any denomination can have the Lord’s Presence, and that we should not judge others. But when the Spirit of God gathers a believer to the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, outside all denominations, then that person realizes how important verses like this are. The Spirit of God can ONLY gather to Christ. He cannot lead a believer into some group of believers who hold doctrines which are contrary to the Word of God. The Lord Jesus cannot have evil in His presence.

V.21 “And the city was quiet.” What peace and quiet there is in the heart of one who obeys God and His Word. Jehoiada had gone right back to David’s days for his guidance. And we need to go back to the apostles’ teachings for ours. Let’s review these six verses and see the pattern.

V.16 Gave themselves to the Lord.

V.17 Removed all evil out of their lives.

V.18 Went to God’s Word for direction.

V.19 Were very careful who came into the Lord’s house.

V.20 The king on his throne presented to all.

V.21 Everyone rejoiced. Quietness after judgment fell on the wicked. That should be the pattern of our life! Is it?

Day 43 - 2 Chronicles 24

V.1-14 Great repairs are made to the house of God, but young king Joash seemed to rely on the faith of Jehoiada the priest rather than on his own faith.

V.15-16 After a long life — few lived this long at that time — Jehoiada the faithful priest dies. Now we see how much reality there was in others.

V.17 King Joash turns to the princes for guidance, and not to the Lord.

V.18 Downhill they rush!

V.20-21 Faithful Jehoiada had a faithful son. God kept the father alive for 130 years yet lets the son be stoned to death. (God never makes mistakes! Read Rev. 2:10). Will Zechariah get a crown of life? Yes. Faithful to God, paying the price.

V.22 This is how far Joash got away from the Lord. As it were, he challenges God to do anything about it.

V.23-25 God would not let such a challenge go by. The result, and the reason.

V.25-27 His dreadful end. Jehoiada the priest was buried among the kings (v. 16)! But not so this king! The people knew the right value of the two lives. The higher the stand we take before God, the more responsible we are, and the severer the punishment if we depart from the Lord.

Day 44 - 2 Chronicles 25

V.1-2 Amaziah, the son of Joash, is the next king of Judah. God looks upon our heart.

V.3-5 He wants to find out how strong he is, and forgets about the Lord.

V.6-10 A good lesson here for us. He foolishly hires outsiders. God sent a man to speak to the king. The king argues. What an answer he gets. If we have gone ahead and done something or bought something which we later realize is not pleasing to the Lord, naturally we think of the loss to us if we get rid of it. Let’s read the last sentence of verse 9 over and over.

V.10 The ones sent back became angry. (See also verse 13).

V.14-16 What a foolish thing to do. The gods of the people whom he had just defeated, he brings home and worships them! But God sends a messenger with a serious warning.

V 17-28 All because he turned away from the Lord. What responsible people we believers are. Just think how many times we have read that God sent prophets to warn. Are we thankful when faithful believers warn us?

Day 45 - 2 Chronicles 26

V.1-15 Uzziah has a great lesson for us too. He turns to the Lord, and these 15 verses tell us how the Lord helped him. So long as he looked to the Lord, he was helped (v. 5). We would think that a man who saw God helping him so noticeably would never turn away.

V.16-23 But such ungrateful creatures are we, that when things go well with us, we forget the Lord. What this king did was very serious. No one but a priest could go into God’s presence in the temple. But his heart is so lifted up with pride and self-confidence that he thinks he can do what he wants.

V.17-18 It says they were brave men. To be faithful to God is to be a brave man.

V.19 When we are in the wrong on spiritual matters, we often get angry. Notice what part of his body was affected by the leprosy!

V.20-21 His dreadful end.

V.23 He was not buried with the other kings, but out in a field by himself!

Day 46 - 2 Chronicles 27

Yesterday we read that this new king Jotham had been the administrator of his father’s kingdom while he had been a leper (2 Chron. 26:21) and so he had seen what the Lord had done to him for his disobedience of going into the Lord’s house, as the priests only were allowed to do.

V.2 So this verse tells us that he didn’t make the same mistake he didn’t go into the temple. But the people hadn’t learned — they still acted corruptly. If you wish you may read Isaiah chapters 1-2 to see the state of the people around this same time.

V.6 Do you want to be strong for the Lord? Then carry out this verse in your life. Why don’t we? Mostly because we don’t believe the Lord will do His side.

V.8 He dies when he is 41 years old.

Day 47 - 2 Chronicles 28, Verses 1-15

These kings’ names are confusing to us, for they have several names. Ahaz is the king’s name (in Hebrew), but in Greek it is Achaz as in Matthew 1:9. In verse 1 we read what he did not do, but then to verse 4, we read six things he did do. He was an idolater and a murderer!

V.5 Notice the first word. He acts first, then God does although this was about 150 years later, it sounds a bit like the story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5. Count the number of enemies who rise up against king Ahaz for his wickedness (2 here).

V.6-8 This is the king of Israel. Look what he did to 120,000 of his nationality. Remember Judah and Benjamin were now known as the kingdom of Judah. The last sentence of verse 6 is what God is saying, not Pekah. He didn’t know that the Lord was allowing him to do this because of what Judah was doing. Now look at the number of men he captured! Almost ⅓ of a million men were lost by Judah.

V.9-15 You will need to read this slowly to see that God was controlling everything. Although the Lord was punishing Judah by using Israel, yet He did not like to see Israel thinking that they were without sin themselves. So all the prisoners are sent back.

V.10 There was sin also in Israel which Israel was forgetting in their delight in punishing Judah. Aren’t we quick to judge others and forget our own sins?

Day 48 - 2 Chronicles 28, Verses 16-27

V.16-21 He turns to a heathen king to help him. Like believers turning to some worldly person to help them. No one can oppose the Lord. Verse 19 tells us why all the trouble. There is no word of repentance, nor confession of sin. All is dark.

V.22-27 Now he turns to religious evil. Note the awful insults to God.

Day 49 - 2 Chronicles 29, Verses 1-20

From such a wicked father, the grace of God raises up a faithful son, King Hezekiah. His name means “strength of Jehovah.” There were three great and faithful kings in Judah’s history Jehoshaphat, Hezekiah and later on Josiah.

V.1-9 This young king took the first correct step he confessed that they have sinned. When we get cold in our soul and the Lord speaks to us, the first important thing to do is to confess the exact sins which we have done. We need to name the sin and confess it to God (Read Prov. 28:13). A definite promise from the Lord.

V.10-19 The filth which had gathered in the temple was first removed. How otherwise could they speak to the Lord. Even the doors had been broken (v. 3).

All this can be a picture of what has happened to the church of God since the day of Pentecost. Carelessness has caused the doors to be broken, believers and unbelievers taking communion together. Are we willing to go back to the originals as in the days of the apostles? To remove the corruption which has been allowed to gather over the centuries?

Day 50 - 2 Chronicles 29, Verses 21-36

V.21 Although the vast majority of Israel was scattered far from God, a little number gathers at the place where the Lord had chosen to place His name. A sin offering comes first. How suitable for their restoration.

V.24 It was not only for the little group that they offered the sacrifice but “for all Israel.”

V.25 They went right back to the order of things that David had given. And this is what we need to learn today. We are to look to the Lord only, to find out what we are to do, and where we are to go. To continue on with things which we know are contrary to God’s Word, is to shut our eyes to the truth. Hezekiah obeys the Lord and he is blessed. Will we do the same?

V.29 The result. Truth humbles us if we obey it. Worship of God is the result.

V.36 There was order. The result was rejoicing. It always is.

Day 51 - 2 Chronicles 30

Remember that the people of Israel are divided into two kingdoms, the kingdom of Israel and the kingdom of Judah. People of the latter are back in the land of Israel today. The kingdom of Israel (the ten tribes) has been scattered since around the year 600 BC. No one knows where they are today.

V.1 The above will help you to understand this verse. It was never the desire of God that Israel should be divided, any more than it is God’s desire that the believers today should be divided into denominations. Sin has divided them and us. Satan is the one behind all divisions.

Hezekiah sends messengers to all Israel and invites them to the one center God had — Jerusalem. The others had made centers of their own Bethel and Dan — this was merely imitating God’s center. So today, denominations which are man-made are imitations of the truth of Christ as the one gathering Center. It was not because Hezekiah was there, but because God was. It was God’s chosen center.

V.2-5 The decision is made to hold the Passover on the second month, because they were not quite ready to hold it on the first month, the correct one (Num. 9:10-11).

V.6-12 Invitations were sent out to all. The reception they received! Just like today. When the truth of Christ as the one gathering center is pointed out in the scriptures, most believers make excuses as to why they think it is all right to remain in a denomination. But we are thankful for the first word of verse 11. Some obeyed. Notice what they did. If the truth is obeyed, it humbles us.

V.13 They all met as one congregation.

V.14-22 Notice how careful they were in every detail.

V.23 They wanted more.

V.24-27 Willing, giving hearts (v. 24); rejoicing hearts (v. 25); great joy (v. 26); their prayers were heard in heaven (v. 27).

Day 52 - 2 Chronicles 31

V.1 Those who had obeyed, and had come to Jerusalem, now realize what they had not realized before, that is, that false religion was among them.

V.1 Tells us what they did (2 Cor. 10:4-6).

V.2-4 Now a permanent routine was established.

V.5-7 More than they needed. So too when our hearts are drawn to Him!

V.11-19 Interesting and instructive to notice that the Lord gives the names of the faithful men. They shared the joy with God.

V.20-21 God was honored in all this. It was “good” and “right” and “truth” before the Lord. What could surpass this? The result was that he prospered. May we all realize that we too have a path open to each of us... a life of obedience to God’s Word.

Day 53 - 2 Chronicles 32

V.1-8 Although there was great rejoicing, God allows a test! A powerful enemy approaches.

V.9-19 The enemy tries to break down the confidence of the people in the Lord. They even made fun of the fact (v. 12) that Hezekiah had said that there only was ONE altar. Isn’t that what Satan whispers into believer’s ears, that we can choose where we shall worship the Lord. Satan does not like to see people gathered around Christ alone. So he causes divisions.

V.20 Two faithful men pray.

V.21 God answers.

V.22 To God is the glory, for He did it alone. Notice the last six words!

V.23 The hearts of the people were touched.

V.24-25 God tells us what he saw in the king’s heart, so a personal trial comes to him.

V.26 Nice to see. May it be true of us.

V.27-33 God tried him and He tries us too.

V.33 A great honor. He is buried in the chiefest of the sepulchers, close to king David. May each one of us take to heart the lessons we can learn from this faithful king.

Day 54 - 2 Chronicles 33

Manasseh was born during the last 15 years of his father’s life. These were the years that God added to Hezekiah’s life when he prayed to the Lord (2 Kings 20:1-6). Manasseh’s name means “causing to forget.” And we can see why. Manasseh completely turns away from the Lord, and brought dreadful punishment on himself. It shows us that having faithful parents won’t keep us, we have to stand for Christ ourselves.

V.3-9 God names the wicked deeds — religious evils. This is the worst evil today, because it is aimed at Christ. Believers today don’t realize this, and quickly fall into his traps.

V.10 God warns before He acts in judgment. But Manasseh doesn’t hear!

V.11 The Lord did this. Do we see the Lord’s hand in the circumstances which come to us?

V.12 He did. This is the same thing his father did (2 Chron. 32:26).

V.13 The Lord personally did this too. He brought him back! So long as we persist in our own ideas, we do not understand the Lord (Prov. 28:5).

V.14-16 He is in earnest now. The Lord is first. He doesn’t care what others may think. He is thankful.

V.17 Many of the people were not brought back to the Lord, they stubbornly kept to their old ideas, habits and idols.

V.18-19 Beautiful summary of his life.

V.21-25 Brief is the record of the life of this man.

Day 55 - 2 Chronicles 34, Verses 1-18

V.1-.2 A new story. What a tender heart Josiah has. How careful he is to obey the Word of God.

V.3 He is only 16 years old. It may be that some who read these words are this age. What a grand thing it is to turn to the Lord when we are young. Many years so often are wasted. Josiah’s life can be a real encouragement to us.

V.4-7 By the time Josiah is king, the other kingdom (of Israel) has been carried away captive. Only the kingdom of Judah is left in the land. Josiah goes himself throughout the land of Israel to cut down the idols. Then he returns to Jerusalem — God’s center.

V.8-13 Now he is 26 years old. A complete repair of the Lord’s house is necessary.

V.14-18 God had hidden a book in the temple. It was His Word. It is passed from one to another. Each seems to realize it is something important.

Day 56 - 2 Chronicles 34, Verses 19-33

V.19 A perfect example of how the Word of God should affect our lives. Immediately he is saddened! Good! (See v. 27).

V.21 He realizes the awfulness of sin in God’s sight. Do we?

V.22-26 When God’s people become careless, women come into prominence. Notice that today, believers are becoming more careless about the Word of God, women are preachers in many places.

V.27 Beautiful verse. Count on God to do the same for you.

V.28 Josiah was going to be spared from seeing the awful punishment which God was about to send on Judah.

V.29-33 You will find many beautiful thoughts here.

Day 57 - 2 Chronicles 35

V.1-19 Before you read these verses, we would like to point out that what is prominent in the story of Josiah is that so many things were restored to the Word of God as given to king David. This is so important for us too. Is the Word of God of first importance in your life? If it is, then you are a happy person.

V.3 Even the ark seems to have been taken out of the temple.

V.20-27 Josiah does not ask the Lord about this act of his; he loses his life through it. The king of Egypt was not attacking him. Many believers today get involved in worldly things which are not their place, and lose out too.

Day 58 - 2 Chronicles 36

At the death of Josiah, God holds back the punishment of wicked Judah no longer, and here we see the flood of judgment rushing in.

V.3 First the king of Egypt comes against them.

V.6 Then comes the king of Babylon.

V.10 The temple is ravished and stripped of the holy articles.

V.11-13 Things go from bad to worse.

V.14 Notice the two “alls.” What could be worse?

V.16 This is exactly what is happening today. And God’s judgment is just about to fall once again.

V.19 What destruction. The people and leaders had no care for God and His Word. So this is what happens.

V.22-23 But what a God to tell us this! He is going to bring back to Jerusalem a little remnant which will build again the Lord’s house! This is the God of grace. May we come to know Him and follow Him in our dark days. Our morning comes! The Lord Jesus is coming!

Day 59 - Mark 1, Verses 1-20

Today we move to the New Testament. In Mark’s Gospel the Lord Jesus can be noticed in His service, particularly as a Prophet.

He is at work in the early verses of the first chapter. No ancestors given as in Matthew and Luke; this would not be expected for a servant. Nor are there many miracles or long talks in this Gospel. This Gospel gives the actual order in which things took place more than any of the other Gospels.

V.1-8 John the Baptist prepares the way of the Lord, preaches the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins — not Christian baptism, for people were baptized by John, and then needed Christian baptism (Acts 19:5). He announces a more glorious Servant — verse 7 tells how unworthy he felt.

V.9-11 The Lord Jesus takes His place with His people the Jews, and is baptized by John. The Spirit of God descends upon Jesus, and God speaks from heaven, declaring His delight in His beloved Son. So we see here the Trinity. The Son is revealed as a Man; the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, and the Father’s voice is heard. Remember that all God’s purposes of blessing centered in Christ.

1 Corinthians 15:47 describes two men, Adam, the first man — Christ the second Man. Adam’s race failed God, so we can understand why the Father’s delight is expressed here.

V.14-15 Remember it was the “gospel of the kingdom” which Jesus preached. The kingdom was announced but never established, because He was rejected. But He shall yet come again and set it up in power (Rev. 11:17).

V.16-20 Two sets of brothers are invited to follow the Lord Jesus. They become disciples and apostles of His. Notice two words in verse 18. “Forsook” and “followed,” and four words in verse 20 — “they left” and “went after.” They were so attracted to Jesus that they forsook their nets and left their father!

Day 60 - Mark 1, Verses 21-44

V.21-45 The miracles we read of here are not simply a sign and proof of His power, but also were a demonstration of His tender love and goodness.

V.40-45 The leper knew of the Lord’s power, but did not know if He was willing to heal him. Jesus shows His compassion. The power and willingness are freely shown to the poor leper — a picture of sin which contaminates all who are touched — and Jesus touches him. But Jesus is not contaminated.

V.44 Only when we go through an experience of His love and grace is our heart really drawn to Him, and our lips opened to tell others.

Day 61 - Mark 2

V.2 Jesus is the Preacher.

V.11 The Healer.

V.17 The Caller.

V.19 The Bridegroom.

V.28 The Lord of the Sabbath.

V.1-12 The consciousness of our need, and the confidence in the love, grace and power of the Lord combine to bring about this deliverance from sickness and sin, the true root of all evils (Psa. 103:3). God delights to forgive.

V.14-17 Matthew (Levi) was a Jew and a tax-collector for the Romans. The Jews hated to acknowledge that a Gentile nation was over them, the people of God. But they detested a Jew who would work with the Romans. The scribes and Pharisees raise the question as to how it could be possible that a righteous teacher would sit and eat with unclean men and sinners. Grace is the opposite to law, with all its hardness.

V.15 They eat, but then they follow Jesus!

V.18-22 Jesus is the Bridegroom. He was present, so His followers did not fast. But later they would, for the joy of His presence would be turned into sorrow by His absence. The other reason is this: it was impossible to mix two systems, Christianity and Judaism. The new wine — the true and the spiritual power of Christianity — could not be put into the old bottles — the old institutions and ceremonies of Judaism. If done it would destroy the bottles. Sad to say, present day Christianity has taken on many of the Old Testament ceremonies, rituals, music, ministers and altars thus adapting itself to appeal to the old nature in us.

V.23-28 The Sabbath, the last day of the week, was a sign of God’s rest in the first creation. It also was a sign of the covenant (agreement) He had made with Israel. Because of sin, man can never share this rest with God. God tried again, and gave man a covenant, the law, but immediately they broke it by building the golden calf. Then finally, they crucified God’s Son. The only Man, God could have communion with the Son of His love the Lord of the Sabbath. From man’s side, all was broken and finished. David is used here as a picture of the same point. The Sabbath the sign of the first covenant was broken and so disappears. Christianity is founded on a new work — the cross of Christ. He remained dead over the Sabbath and rose on the first day of the week — the Lord’s Day, Sunday. So resurrection is the beginning of the new creation.

Day 62 - Mark 3

V.1-6 God finds His true rest in showing His love to a world of evil. Graciously the Lord Jesus heals the poor man. The Pharisees thought nothing of doing evil so long as tradition was maintained. They hated the Herodians. Here they are discussing together the destruction of Jesus. Jesus the Doer of all good!

V.7-12 The Lord withdraws from prominence and contact with the Jewish leaders, but continues His healing and work of grace and love.

V.13-21 He withdraws further to a mountain, and there calls those He chose to be His apostles. They were to “be with Him.” Only Mark says this.

V.21-30 His friends think He is out of His mind; the leaders ascribe His wonderful works to the power of Satan! The Lord shows how impossible this last point is.

V.31-35 Because of the above, Jesus renounces all relationship with His people. He now is forming new links with souls.

Day 63 - Mark 4, Verses 1-25

V.1-20 The Lord had come to collect the fruit from His vineyard (Israel) but there was none. So He becomes a Sower of seed — the Word of God. The Word is received in different ways. How deeply it penetrates the heart is the factor. Does the Word of God affect our heart and life? The devil wants to take away the Word. Unless the conscience has been touched, the Word at first brings joy, but it does not last. When the conscience has been awakened then there is no joy at first. But when the seed works, then the light reaches in, and confidence in God develops, and joy follows.

V.21-25 A serious warning. Let the things we hear in the Word take hold of us. “Take heed what ye hear.” Most of our problems stem from not doing this.

Day 64 - Mark 4, Verses 26-41

V.26-29 Interesting and instructive. The Lord came to earth, worked, sowed the seed. At the end He will come back for more work at harvest time. But in between these two He “sleeps” (He is away in heaven), is out of sight, seated on the right hand of God. He allows the gospel to grow, apparently without having anything to do with it until the harvest. In secret He is working. Let us not think He does not see all!

V.30-32 The seed is small when planted.

Christianity at the beginning was very limited — just in Israel. But now has been spread over the whole earth.

V.35-41 A parable with great meaning for us. The Lord was going away, and it would appear that He is separated from them, and us. The Lord gets into a boat to cross the sea, and falls asleep. A storm comes up, the disciples are afraid and wake Him. He rises, speaks, stills the storm, and then has a word for them and us. Do we think the boat holding the Son of God could have sunk with all on board? In all the difficulties and dangers of the Christian life, during the whole journey we are conscious we are in the same boat with Jesus, if we are doing His will. It may seem as if He is sleeping. But His security is ours. Will He fail to carry out in the future what He promises in verse 35?

Day 65 - Mark 5

V.1-21 Yesterday, His power over nature and storms, today over demons. A picture of the world being influenced by Satan, and preferring Satan to God. The great power of God is able to drive away the evil power of Satan, but Satan persuades the people to drive away God in the Person of Jesus. The power of God is more terrible to man than the power of Satan. The swine probably are a picture of the end of Israel under Satan’s influence in the tribulation (see your chart). The man who is cured is quiet and wishes to be with Jesus. Possibly a picture of the remnant of Israel to be healed in the future during the tribulation period (see your chart).

V.22-43 Another picture of the relationship of God with Israel. Jesus came to heal Israel, but Israel was in fact, spiritually speaking, dead. When Jesus arrived, it was necessary to raise Israel from the dead, this is portrayed in the damsel. He came to do it the first time, but shall carry it out in the millennium.

V.25-34 But coming in before the final healing of the girl (Israel) a woman in deep need has individual faith, and she is completely healed. Sincerity is nice, but it is not enough. Faith is needed. Faith is always answered. He may make us wait, but He will not fail us.

V.35-43 The girl appears to be dead. Jesus raises her. So in the last days, Israel shall be restored! But it will be the Lord’s voice which will do it.

Day 66 - Mark 6, Verses 1-29

V.1-6 Jesus leaves Jerusalem and goes up North to where He had lived most of His human life. He preaches in their synagogues, but the people can’t understand how a person who was a carpenter could speak such wisdom and do such miracles. They couldn’t relate the greatness with the humanity. They didn’t know that Almighty God had become a Man, and that He was speaking to them! But we must remember that what God is, is much more displayed in the humbleness of this Man than if He had come as a powerful and glorious king! Only being a carpenter was enough to make the people reject Him.

V.5 Tells us the effect of unbelief!

V.7-13 The Lord sends out His twelve apostles. We have a proof of His power more remarkable than His own miracles, and that is that He gives others, the power to perform in miracles themselves. Only God could do this.

V.11 What a judgment pronounced by one Who had the power to carry it out!

V.14-29 When King Herod heard of the works of Jesus, his conscience bothered him, and he immediately recalled what he had done to John the Baptist. The details of that dreadful party are told. Herod prided himself on his power, but it only proved his weakness, and his wickedness.

Day 67 - Mark 6, Verses 30-46

V.30-32 The disciples come back and recite to Jesus all that they had done and taught. He gently leads them to a quiet spot to rest. The flesh had become excited, and this is dangerous for a believer. Particularly when there has been success. We need to get alone with Jesus.

V.33-44 The disciples are glad of the rest, but displeased at the crowds coming to spoil it. Jesus has loving sympathy, teaches and feeds them (Read Psa. 145:16). This shall be fulfilled completely in the millennium, but Jesus was a Man here on earth Who could do this now.

V.37 The Lord does not say, “I will give them food,” but “Give ye them to eat.” The Lord wants us to use His power in bringing blessing to others.

V.45-46 The story of Jesus present and future. Now we are in the boat on our way to the other side. He is separated from us because this world has rejected Him. But verse 55 goes on to the millennium, when He shall be received with joy, and blessings will richly flow out from Him.

Day 68 - Mark 7

V.1-23 Two important points to learn here. The religious hypocrisy of the Pharisees is exposed and judged by Jesus. All these washings were despised by God. Secondly, the Lord shows that what comes out of a man’s mouth defiles him, because it comes out of his heart, not what goes in. People can be religious without being holy. They washed their hands, but not their hearts. Believers may fail, and often do, but the soul that is resting on the grace of God only looks to God for approval.

V.24-30 He goes up to the north and shows the wonderful grace of God to a poor Gentile woman who was outside Israel. Her humble remarks show that she knew she deserved nothing. God in His grace brought blessing to her. The only condition too for blessing to any.

V.31-37 The state of this poor man represents the state of His beloved people — they were deaf to the voice of the good Shepherd, and their tongue was tied so that they could not give the praise to God. Israel was without speech or hearing! The Lord sighs, the ears are opened, and the tongue is loosed.

V.37 “He hath done all things well.” Do you see that many times a day?

Day 69 - Mark 8, Verses 1-21

V.1-9 They have seven loaves. The number “7” is the complete number. Seven baskets are filled with the food left uneaten. The number fed was 4,000. The number “4” is that which speaks of “universal” going out in four directions North, East, West and South. God’s grace and love and provision go out worldwide. Another way it can be applied. Three represents heaven the Trinity, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Four represents the earth as mentioned above. Seven is completion, when heaven and earth shall be in harmony, and Christ shall be the center of all (Eph. 1:10).

V.10-13 Israel had rejected Him, yet they persist in asking for a sign. It was useless to give proof to hearts which had decided not to believe. The trial was over. So He groaned in spirit with sorrow.

V.14-21 The disciples themselves were really blind, not willfully, but in fact. So here, the Lord has instruction for them. They had faith, but lacked understanding.

V.15 Pharisees = hypocrisy; Herod = worldliness.

Day 70 - Mark 8, Verses 22-38

V.22-26 Possibly the blind man’s experience was like the disciples — they saw only partially. The Lord keeps on, until the blind man saw clearly. When the Holy Spirit came down, then the disciples saw plainly.

V.27-33 The Lord asks a vital question. Upon Peter’s reply, He tells them not to tell any about Him. Why? Because He had been completely rejected. So He turns their thoughts to the cross. But notice He does not say that Christ must suffer, but the “Son of Man.” This is His rejection title, and also that by which He shall be known when He comes in glory and power (Matt. 26:46). Peter did not understand that the cross was the road to glory.

V.33 The Lord knew that what Peter had just said was not understood by the other disciples, so He speaks very strongly to Peter.

V.34-38 To follow the Lord down here is not an easy road. It will mean taking a low place, enduring sorrow and loneliness. But the end of that road is glory.

Day 71 - Mark 9, Verses 1-32

V.1-10 The Lord always connects suffering with glory. He has been speaking of suffering, so now He is going to show some of them the glory. Read Peter’s own words in his Epistle, 2 Peter 1:16-18, where he tells of this experience. What a privilege for stumbling Peter to be a witness of the Lord’s glory. Soon it will be ours too! And forever!

V.5 Ever-impetuous Peter desires to put Christ, Moses and Elias (Elijah) on the same level. But Moses and Elias disappear and Jesus only is seen.

V.9-10 Although this experience was well-suited to strengthen the faith and increase the intelligence of the disciples, they were not to speak about it until Christ’s resurrection.

V.11-13 We need to listen to God. Then we understand plainly.

V.14-29 Another example of the Lord’s patience. Notice that the poor father does not lose out because of the failure of the disciples. “Bring him to Me,” must have been sweet music to the father. What was lacking? Power? No. Prayer and fasting.

Day 72 - Mark 9, Verses 33-49

V.33-37 When Jesus was repeatedly reminding them of the future cross for Him, they are arguing as to who was the greatest! Little wonder that they lacked power. Sin allowed in our lives is the only thing which weakens us.

V.38-40 The cause of their reasoning is found in the words, “he followeth not us.”

V.41-50 The Person of Christ is the deciding factor. A cup of water given in His name would not lose its reward.

V.43-48 An eternity of blessing with Christ is better than to keep a right hand, foot or eye, and find oneself in eternal torment. The fire is a picture in Scripture of the searching out power of divine judgment.

V.48-49 Salt represents the power of the Holy Spirit to keep us from all that is impure.

Day 73 - Mark 10, Verses 1-27

V.2-12 God created man in innocence. But with the entrance of sin by man, the relationships of life have been spoiled. The Pharisees ask a question regarding the married state. God takes us back to what He instituted at the beginning. Doing what we want brought in the breakup of marriage.

V.13-16 Children (in Scripture) are a picture of what believers should be — dependent and trusting.

V.17-27 God created the beautiful nature around us, although thorns and thistles are found in it. We find that which is lovely sometimes in a person’s character, sometimes even in an animal. But in man as man, is there really any good? Paul gives the answer in Romans 7:18. This is clearly seen in the rejection of Christ. The young man has many nice qualities in his character. The Lord says there is no good in a person (Rom. 3:10). The man was looking at the Lord as a Rabbi. The Lord is God, although He hid His divinity in human form. The man did not know who the Lord was. He, like the world today was seeking his own interests and pleasures; and really has no heart for God at all.

V.21 The Lord exposes the human heart, the young man’s true state. The love of riches ruled his heart. He finds himself in the presence of Him Who searches the heart! Did his riches keep him from being grieved? No, they never satisfy—only Christ can.

Day 74 - Mark 10, Verses 28-52

V.28-31 The disciples are astonished at what had been said to the young man. If a rich, good-living man, who had kept the law, was far from the kingdom of God, who then could be saved? In the Old Testament God had blessed a faithful man. But with the coming of the Lord Jesus, the true, lost condition of man was exposed. We all need to realize our lost condition, and that we need to be saved.

V.32-34 Once more He tells of the cross. Understanding of this only came later.

V.35-45 How little they were learning what the Lord had been teaching, may be seen in this part. James and John had faith that He would reign, but the old nature in them comes out. The Lord leaves to the Father the right of choosing: His part is the cross!

V.46-52 This poor beggar has no false ideas of his worth or condition, and he receives a blessing. In verse 47 we have the sinner’s call: in verse 49, the Savior’s call and the servant’s call. The man rose, came, and followed!

Day 75 - Mark 11

Yesterday’s chapter ended the story of Jesus in His lowly service to Israel.

V.1-11 Today we begin a new section. The humble Servant rides into Jerusalem on a donkey and presents Himself as a King. Once more He carried out what was written hundreds of years before in the Old Testament about Him. Read Zechariah 9:9 isn’t that a thrilling verse!

V.9-10 “Hosanna” is like a prayer in heaven to bless the One (Jesus), who comes in the name of the Lord.

V.11 The people really had no interest in Him, so as it was late in the day, He left His city of Jerusalem and retires to the little village of Bethany. How sad!

V.12-14 This fig tree is a picture of Israel. Because Israel bore no fruit, would not obey God and would not have Him, Israel is set aside. The curse is pronounced on the tree. But always remember that Israel is yet going to come into blessing. But it is going to be because the Lord Jesus died for them.

V.15-19 Though He would not defend Himself, He is very jealous for God’s house the temple. We must remember that after He is totally rejected, God Himself turns away from that temple. It became a dead place (Luke 13:34-35; Mark 14:1-2).

V.17 Read Malachi 3:1-2.

V.27-33 This is the third time in this one chapter that Jesus comes into Jerusalem. This time, the religious leaders try to catch Him with words. But He reduces them to silence. He had told them Who He is, but they would not believe. To reject the Lord Jesus is fatal.

Day 76 - Mark 12, Verses 1-17

A simple story with an important meaning. “A certain man,” is the Lord. A vineyard is the land and people of Israel. “Husbandmen” the leaders of Israel. “A servant” refers to the prophets of the Old Testament.

V.3-11 This is Israel in the Old Testament.

V.6 What a lovely picture of God’s beloved Son!

V.10 Refers to the Lord Jesus in the future.

V.12 The wicked men to whom the Lord had been telling the story, realized its meaning, yet it did not change their attitude toward Him.

V.13-17 They try to catch Him in another way. What a perfect answer He gave them.

Day 77 - Mark 12, Verses 18-44

V.18-27 The Sadducees did not believe in resurrection. So they try to corner Him with this supposed case. The blessed Lord Jesus not only has all the answers, but He Himself is the answer to all our problems and questions. God is a living God, and God of the living.

V.28-34 This man understood that obedience to God is more important than offering God sacrifices.

V.35-37 The answer to this question proves that Jesus is Divine. He is Lord of David, as God. He is the Son of David, as Man.

V.41-44 The poor woman is noticed by the Lord. Read 2 Samuel 24, the middle of verse 24. To follow the Lord will cost us something. This chapter has shown us many classes of people, and what the Lord thought of each. The woman is devoted to a place. In Mark 14:3, a woman is devoted to a Person!

V.10, 24, 26 In each an appeal to go to the Scriptures.

Day 78 - Mark 13, Verses 1-13

From chapter 11 and the following, we have been seeing the changes resulting from the Lord’s rejection. In Mark 11:11 we read of Jesus entering the Temple. In verse 1 of today’s chapter, we see His going out of the temple. We do not read in this gospel of His going into it again. The Lord left the temple, the glorious center of the Jewish religion. God was finished with it. A new one will come later (v. 35) and He will be its Master. Just think of how many people today, Jews, Catholics and Protestants, are clinging to the old customs and traditions. (Read 2 Cor. 5:17).

V.3-4 The disciples question Him about what He had said in verse 2.

V.5-37 The Lord gives them a grand outline of what would take place in their lifetime and right on till when He would return in His glory. But four times He said “take heed.” Watch for them, and then look at the last word of our chapter. But also notice that He uses another word of warning “watch.” Look for it three times tomorrow, and three times in Mark 14:32-72. Keep your chart near you and notice in it, the things from this chapter.

V.5-8 The main character of Satan, the Devil, is to deceive. From the Garden of Eden (2 Cor. 11:3) to the end (Rev. 12:9) Satan, in these verses is like the “deceiving serpent” (v. 5, 6, 22).

V.9, 12-13 But here as the “roaring lion” in violence — Satan’s two characters.

V.10 This refers to “the gospel of the kingdom” which Jesus and His disciples preached when He was on earth. The nation of Israel rejected it. Today we have the gospel of the grace of God, going out to all the world. But this verse is the future after the believers are taken to be with the Lord. Then the world which may not have heard the gospel, will then have an opportunity. See “C” to “E” on your chart see also Matthew 24:14.

V.11 In the meantime they could count on the Spirit of God — after Jesus had returned to heaven — to give them help as to what to say.

V.12-13 The more closely they lived to please the Lord, the more they would be misunderstood and hated. We too (2 Tim. 3:12).

Day 79 - Mark 13, Verses 14-37

V.14,17 The “great tribulation” commences in the middle of the 7 years (“D” on your chart) and goes on for 3½ years.

V.18 His loving care was so great that He even thought of the weather!

V.20, 22, 27 Wonderful to see that the Lord’s chosen ones, the “elect,” will be preserved through these hard days.

V.21-23 Many would claim to be the Messiah. The antichrist (the false Messiah) will appear on earth soon after we believers have been taken to be with the Lord. (See “C” on your chart).

V.24-37 These verses are more precisely referring to the “great tribulation.” (See chart).

V.37 But this surely applies to us today! Watch. For we certainly need to be very careful that we are not deceived by things which are being said these days.

Day 80 - Mark 14, Verses 1-31

V.1-2 In two days the great annual celebration of the Passover would take place. The Passover had been kept periodically since Moses first received instructions from God, about 1,300 years before this. Every Passover reminded God of His beloved Son who would die. God makes them carry out their wicked plans on the very day the Passover was killed.

V.3-9 Some calculated the cost of this perfume; what a working man might earn in a year. Though the disciples may have felt the increasing hatred of the leaders against Jesus, this woman, probably Mary (John 12:1-8) knew that it was going to mean — death. And her love to Jesus was so strong that she understood the true situation better than the disciples. Another thing we don’t find this Mary at the grave of Jesus, looking amongst the dead people. She knew and remembered Him as living.

V.10-11 The opposite — a heart not pure. Though none of the disciples could see any difference in the life of Judas, now the secrets of his heart come out.

V.12-25 Now we see what was in the Lord’s heart — love and concern for His followers. He must show them the way He will give Himself for them. So He starts a new thing here — the remembrance of Him by His followers during the long time between His cross and His coming again. We rest in the finished work of the first, and with joy we wait for the second. Taking the bread and the wine each Lord’s Day, is a link with both. Actually, to verse 21 is the Passover. From 22 to 25 the remembrance of the Lord in a new way. In the Passover they remembered the lamb, but in the bread and wine, they remembered Him!

Day 81 - Mark 14, Verses 32-72

V.32-42 The three who were with Jesus on several special occasions now have this privilege. But as so often happens when the Lord gives us something to do, there is failure. But never when He does a work. Did you find that word mentioned three times? So, ten times the two words are used in chapters 13 and 14. We had better “take heed” and “watch” too, for we are living in difficult days.

V.37 Read again verse 29. Now read verses 37, 54, 68, 70 and 71. Peter thought he knew himself.

V.50 Totally forsaken! What loneliness for Him!

V.55-72 As you read these verses, turn to Isaiah 53:7 and you will realize how perfectly this latter scripture was fulfilled. Peter denies the Lord in verses 67, 68, and 71.

Day 82 - Mark 15

V.1-15 Today we read of Jesus standing before Pilate, and yesterday in verses 53 to 72 we had read of Jesus before the High Priest. In both He is condemned for what He had said of Himself. Who Jesus is, is the most important single subject of your whole life. If He were not God, then there is no heaven nor hell, there is no eternity, the Bible is not true. But He is God, therefore all these things are real and true. Everything hinges on this.

V.16-20 Jesus before King Herod; they mock Him, strike Him and spit on Him. But the real hatred of Jesus was seen in the priests.

V.21-47 His crucifixion, and death and burial.

V.32 The chief priests said that if they saw Christ come down from the cross they would believe Him. But read Mark 16:11; Luke 16:31; John 20:29. We believe with our hearts (Rom. 10:10).

V.33-34 Here we stop. We cannot follow Jesus into the darkness. This was His alone. In these three hours, He bore the punishment for the sins of all who believe on Him. Here He was punished for sin by God. What He had suffered from men during the first three hours on the cross was for righteousness. We may share the first three hours, never the last three.

V.34 The only words spoken on the cross recorded by Mark.

Day 83 - Mark 16

The story of His resurrection is quite short in Mark. The mighty power of God had raised the Lord Jesus from among the dead. The women believed in His person that He was the Son of God, but the resurrection was just a little beyond their faith. But the women certainly had more faith than the men! We never read of a woman in the New Testament ever speaking a word against the Lord!

V.9-10 Mary Magdalene was the first to see the Lord, because she was the most devoted to Him at this moment.

V.14 Even after He had risen from the dead, some of the disciples did not believe. And so He had to speak strongly to them.

V.19 Finally the Lord is received up into heaven to sit at God’s right hand.

V.20 There was no excuse for not believing. They had plenty of proof, for it says “signs following.” The Lord gave proof of the truth of His word by signs and miracles being done.

Day 84 - Jonah 1

We begin a most interesting book today. Everyone in the book shines, but Jonah! We’ve loved this story since we were small, because it is so easy to understand: a fish swallows a man, it swims to shore and out comes the man! Alive and well. But when we are older, we look at the story and learn that it is so big in its meaning that we can see Christ going into death and coming back to life. Even that Jonah was the first Hebrew prophet sent to the Gentiles with a message. And further that Jonah is a picture of the Jewish nation utterly, hopelessly lost, and Nineveh is a picture of the whole world hearing a message from God through a Jew!

V.1-3 He is told by the Lord to go to the great Gentile city of Nineveh, and tell the people that God saw all their wickedness, and that the city would be destroyed in 40 days.

V.4-17 But Jonah runs away from the Lord. Did you ever do that? Did you ever feel that you should speak to someone about their soul, and then you didn’t? Did God let Jonah do what he wanted? Yes. He let him go the whole way, even letting the men throw him into the sea.

V.15 Only one way salvation can come to a person — through death (Rom. 3:25).

V.17 But! What kindness of the Lord!

Prayer is mentioned in each chapter Jonah 1:14; 2:1; 3:8; 4:2.

Day 85 - Jonah 2

V.1 Notice how late Jonah was in starting to pray. God often lets us go a long way down that road of doing what we want to do. But when we get toward the end, we find that things are not working out as we had hoped! Then we remember Him and start to pray. Verse 1, Jonah prays to live. In Jonah 4:8 he prays to die!

V.2-9 See how many different Psalms you can find from which Jonah quotes.

V.10 What kindness of the Lord!

Day 86 - Jonah 3

V.1-4 The second time, the Lord tells Jonah to go and give His message to Nineveh. This time he goes.

V.5-9 The people hear the warning message from Jonah. It surely must have been a strange sermon. Only eight words. Notice that it does not say that the people believed Jonah. This is important to remember when we tell unsaved people about the Lord Jesus Christ. It is God’s message. What kindness of the Lord!

V.8 The people of Nineveh were told to do two things: (1) Pray to God and (2) turn away from their evil doings. Both are needed in our life.

Day 87 - Jonah 4

V.1 Why do you think Jonah was angry?

V.2-4 Because he thought of himself before others and before the Lord. He tells why he ran away, because he knew that the Lord was gracious, and that He would not carry out the threat of destruction! He would rather have had all dead in Nineveh than that his words would not be carried out!

V.5-7 In verse 6 it says that the LORD God sent a blessing, but in verse 7 it says that GOD sent the destroying worm. His grace does the first. His righteousness does the second.

V.5-11 So the Lord causes a miracle to happen. Did Jonah do anything to make the tree grow? He was glad when a good thing came his way, but angry when a bad thing happened. Often believers are like this. And this is what we can learn from this story. The Lord always has a lesson for us to learn in all the things which happen to us.

V.11 To come to know the Lord better is to learn how gracious and kind He is to every one of us who has put his trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jonah was a sign to the Gentiles (Nineveh), Read Luke 11:30; and a sign to the Jews (Matt. 12:39).

Day 88 - Isaiah 1, Verses 1-15

We shall not comment on every chapter in this book as some may find it hard to understand.

However, if you have the time, read the chapters omitted. Commencing with Isaiah, to the end of the Old Testament, we have seventeen books of scripture, which foretell the future. No one but God can tell the future correctly. God spoke to these prophets, and told them what to say. But He has told us that all these things happened and all were written for our instruction and warning (1 Cor. 10:11). Prophecy is mostly about the earth, not heaven. Isaiah gives us the greatest and longest view of the future of the world. The other prophets take up little sections of the future. Isaiah lived during the reign of four kings of Judah, or roughly from 765 BC to 700 BC.

V.1-9 A summary of the whole book of Isaiah; God loved Israel very much, but because they had turned away from Him, He must punish Judah and its capital Jerusalem for all their wickedness. The other 10 tribes had already been taken away into captivity. This terrible event should have shown them that God had carried out His warnings, and had allowed the 10 tribes (the kingdom of Israel) to be carried away captive. They never have been brought back (about 2,700 years ago). But the kingdom of Judah went right on in their own sinfulness.

V.10-15 All their religious acts were just a sham. God hates this pretense.

Day 89 - Isaiah 1, Verses 16-31

V.16-20 Wonderful verses. God pleads with them. No matter how bad they were, if they would only turn to God, He would cleanse them.

V.16-17 Notice the last 4 words of verse 16 and first 4 words of verse 17. We must act in this order. Are we?

V.18-20 The Lord was not overlooking their sins, but wanted them to know that if they would only realize the seriousness of their sins, He would gladly welcome them to come to Him and speak about them. We can use this verse in preaching the gospel today because really it is the same story, except that the blood of Christ has been shed. For them it was a national turning to the Lord.

V.21-23 But they would not listen. Just like the world today.

V.24-31 Nevertheless God is going to bring salvation to them in the end. This salvation is on the earth, and takes place after we believers are gone to be with the Lord Jesus. Look at your chart, if you take out the circle, the day of grace, the two gray sections come together. This will help you to understand Old Testament prophecy.

Day 90 - Isaiah 2

V.1-4 A glimpse into the far-distant future of Judah. (Look at your chart). After the seven years of tribulation, the Lord comes in glory and sets up His kingdom for 1,000 years, the millennium. These verses refer to that still-future time.

V.6-19 A more accurate translation of the middle of this verse is “because they are filled with what comes from the east.” Today, the stores have so much of Eastern styles and merchandise that it makes us realize how close we are to the fulfillment of these verses. But before Israel is brought into this wonderful time of blessing on this earth, there was going to be a long time of forsaking by God. These fourteen verses refer to these days, Really, we could say that it stretched from the time the kingdom of Judah was taken to Babylon (just after Isaiah wrote his book) right on to today and then on until after we believers are taken to be with the Lord and through the tribulation (from about 600 years before “B” on your chart until “E”).

V.20-22 Just a little whisper of when Israel begins to humble themselves, and then the glorious days of the 1,000 years of the millennium will dawn on this earth. But we believers will be with the Lord before that day comes.

Day 91 - Isaiah 5

V.1-15 God planted this vineyard, expecting fruit, but He found only wild, unusable fruit.

V.7 Many times we have read of how disobedient Israel was, in spite of all the kindness of God during their whole history; His vineyard is a picture of Israel.

V.16-19 The future, after we have been taken to heaven. This is the millennium, when the blessed Lord Jesus shall be King over the earth (see “E” to “F” on chart).

V.20-24 When people give up the Word of God, they get everything mixed up (but they don’t realize it). He cannot bless us if we are disobedient to His Word.

V.25-30 God is going to punish Israel very severely, just before the Lord Jesus returns (“E” on chart). These verses refer to that time called the day of tribulation (“D” on chart).

Day 92 - Isaiah 6

V.1-6 A seraphim is a heavenly being, possibly like an angel. They are concerned about the Lord’s glory. Notice what they say.

V.5-7 When Isaiah hears what the seraphim say about the Lord, he realizes that he is in the Lord’s presence. This causes him to know how unclean he is himself. This is always the result when we are brought close to the Lord. We see how careless we have been. But when we confess to the Lord the things we have been going on with which we realize are not pleasing to Him, then He restores us.

V.8 Now Isaiah is ready to be used by the Lord. We cannot be suitable for the Lord to use unless we have had Isaiah’s experience.

V.9-13 Israel was so disobedient, that God has to tell Isaiah to go and tell them that He was going to blind them so that they would not be able to understand God. Blindness is happening today in our lands. People are not obeying God’s Word, so 2 Corinthians 4:4 is becoming true. We all need to be very careful to live out everything we have learned from the Bible. If we don’t we will not see clearly.

Day 93 - Isaiah 9

V.6 Suddenly God brings in the Lord Jesus; without identifying Him. One who will be able to bring Israel back to God.

V.14 In the tribulation God will be only acting in judgment on Israel. But God is not finished with Israel. The punishments will increase in severity.

V.15-17 They gladly listen to false teachers when they get away from the Lord. So do believers, Satan has many false teachers today.

V.18-21 And they turn to more wickedness, when their heart is hardened. The last sentence means that God will punish them still more.

Day 94 - Isaiah 18

A most interesting chapter, because we can see in it some events foretold which are beginning to be seen in the world these days.

There have been many very different thoughts written by men over the centuries as to the meaning of this chapter. But those, whom we believe have searched very diligently into each word, seem to be in agreement that this chapter refers to Israel and an unnamed, friendly nation which sends help to it. We do not wish to write positively about this, but recent world events seem to be confirming this view.

V.1 A little more accurately, this first word is calling the attention of a country which is sending ambassadors to try to help Israel in a future day. It is translated “Ho!” Then “shadowing with wings” seems to suggest a desire to protect or cover another which is in need of help. “Which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia,” (or Cush). That is beyond the Euphrates or the Nile. This expression is only twice in the Bible (Zeph. 3:10). So, a country far away.

V.2 This description can easily be applied to Israel, scattered, peeled, amazingly long existing.

V.3 All the world is called to pay attention!

V.4 The Lord is looking down from a separate place (heaven), and appearing to be taking a rest. At harvest time, a lull when nothing seems to be happening.

V.5 When everything seems to be going well for Israel, suddenly the Lord will send something to cut it down to shreds.

V.6 Devastation everywhere.

V.7 But then! The Lord will heal it so completely that it will be like a beautiful gift, presented to the Lord where HIS name will be honored on earth.

Day 95 - Isaiah 21

Today we read of the future of this world’s business, science, art, politics and pride of accomplishment — all shall be totally destroyed. The word “Babylon” describes these five areas of this poor world without Christ.

V.1-10 Are referring to the area around the great city of Babylon. But that word has a broader meaning, which includes the five points we mentioned above.

V.11-17 Refer to the nations surrounding Israel. They could be called the Arab lands.

God calls it the “desert of the sea.” In the scriptures “the sea” is a picture of the mass of people. Men may be very proud of what they are doing, but God waits until they have reached the top — like He did at the tower of Babel. There is that same word “Babel,” “Babylon,” “confusion.” Then He is going to destroy the whole thing. On your chart, this is during those seven years, (C to D).

Day 96 - Isaiah 23

The city of Tyre was a great seaport on the Mediterranean (in present-day Lebanon). It is a picture of the business or commerce of the world. All this is going to be destroyed by the Lord when He comes in His glory. But in the end the Lord is going to use some of this earthly commerce for the good of His people Israel in the millennium.

Day 97 - Isaiah 24

This chapter sounds as if the world is standing before the throne of God, like Revelation 20:11-15. But that great white throne judgment is for individuals. But here it is broader and more like whole areas being judged by the Lord.

V.1-2 This poor world tries to find its joy and pleasure apart from God. Today we are reading of the awful end of this poor unhappy world as it is known today.

V.13-15 In Israel at the end of the seven years, there is going to be a small number of Jewish people who truly believe in the Lord. They are often called “the remnant.” They shall form the future nation of Israel.

V.16-18 The unbelieving ones in Israel. Zechariah 13:8 tells us ⅔ of the Jews shall be unbelievers and perish.

V.19-23 The days of the great tribulation, when this world is going to stagger like a drunken man! Count the number of times the word “earth” is used in this chapter.

Day 98 - Isaiah 26

V.1-4 Very often, when you read the Old Testament prophets, using the words “In that day,” it is referring to when Israel shall have gone through the dreadful punishment in the tribulation (“D” on your chart) for their past sins, and have come into the blessings of the millennium. Notice the beautiful words, “salvation,” “righteousness,” “truth,” “peace,” “trusts,” “everlasting,” “the Lord Jehovah.”

V.3 A good verse to memorize. The verse before applies to the whole nation, but this verse is very individual.

V.5-11 There will be many unbelievers on the earth in those seven years. Verse 11 means that when the unbelievers will see this punishment coming on them, they won’t believe that God is causing this. But later, they will, and be ashamed.

But verses 7 to 9 show that there shall be some believers among them.

V.12-13 The believing remnant can’t boast in anything but the name of the Lord!

V.14 Those nations which would not believe God shall be completely destroyed. Notice the words “dead men,” here and in verse 19. Here it refers to the punishment to fall on the wicked, rebellious Israelites. Verse 19 refers to those, the remnant in the future days in Israel, who turn to the Lord. It is going to be a resurrection of these ones.

V.15-19 Whereas today the Jews who are back on their land of Israel, are proud of themselves. Here we hear of what that believing remnant will say. They don’t depend on themselves anymore. They depend only on God.

V.20-21 The days are going to be so terrible, that God is here telling the remnant to hide until the tribulation is over.

Day 99 - Isaiah 28

V.1-4 A slight change takes place. God starts to take up the different things in Israel which He is going to judge Ephraim — this was the name of one of the tribes, but is used often to represent all the 10 scattered tribes. We learn God’s view of the things which people value greatly. The first two are pride and carelessness through being rich (v. 3).

V.5-6 But God whispers a few words of encouragement to the little remnant of believing Jews. Not a crown of pride (v. 1) but a crown of glory!

V.7-13 God has been patient with Israel. He tried to teach them like a child at school “Here a little and there a little.” But they didn’t listen.

V.14-15 Instead they will choose the Antichrist — this is still in the future today.

V.16-17 Again the Lord Jesus is suggested here. 1 Peter 2:6 gives us the key. When God judges things, He brings in the Lord Jesus and His cross.

V.19-29 This is the story of a farmer who collects and throws away the weeds (fetches and cummin) then plants his good seed (wheat, barley, rice). All is a picture of God’s dealings with Israel.

Day 100 - Isaiah 30

V.1-7 In the future, Israel will try to get help from the nations around, but hear what God says will happen. Only God’s thoughts through His Word can teach us the right way.

If we depend on others instead of the Lord, He will make us ashamed of what we have done. The world can never help us.

V.8-14 Read these verses carefully for your own good. No person is worse off than the person who knows the Lord, disobeys the Word of the Lord, and then is left alone by the Lord.

V.18 He waits patiently for us when we go our own way and find how really awful it is; then He draws us back to Himself. But if our will gets working, sometimes He lets us go on and on, farther and farther away from Him. Happy day for us when we do turn back. This is what some in Israel will do in the last days (7 years, on your chart).

V.19 This is the beginning of the day of the Lord the millennium.

V.20 Though they went through the tribulation, those who believe will be brought into the millennium.

V.21 Then they shall walk in obedience and shall be happy.

V.22 Then they shall be glad to throw away all the things that they had once set their hearts on.

V.27-28 Read Revelation 19:11-16. These both describe that great day when the Lord Jesus shall descend out of heaven, and shall destroy all His enemies on the earth. We shall come with Him!

V.30 A wonderful glorious day is coming for our blessed Lord Jesus. The world takes His lovely name in blasphemy and cursing now. He shall come in glory and majesty. Every eye shall see Him, every knee shall bow before Him (Rev. 1:7).

Day 101 - Isaiah 35

What a beautiful chapter. When Jesus was here, He gently used His great power to heal the sick, sad and sinful. But all that He did was just a little example of what He will do when He comes again. So our chapter is telling us of that sweet and glorious day when the Lord Jesus has come in His glory. And we will come with Him!

Then eyes, ears, feet and lips shall praise Him. Do you see these, and others here?

Day 102 - Isaiah 40

Today’s chapter continues telling of the glorious future for Israel; it is written in such beautiful language and opens up to us God’s kindness and grace to Israel of a still future day on this earth. A part of Israel called the remnant, as we have learned, will have turned to the Lord in the 7 years of tribulation just before the millennium starts. These are the ones that are described in this chapter. Try to remember two things about the future. To Israel, God is going to show His glories and wisdom on the earth. To the believers (the church, the body of Christ) He is going to show His glory and His wisdom in heaven. We must never mix the two, of course we can see often that they are quite alike. But still, one is earthly, the other heavenly. Many Christians get these two mixed up. Some of your Bibles have notes at the top. For instance, over chapter 41, they say “God’s church is exhorted to trust in Him.” These statements were written by men who were confusing Israel and the church. And many still do.

V.29-31 This is the little remnant in those last days.

Day 103 - Isaiah 41

V.1-5 These verses are wonderful. Just as if God were calling the whole world, and saying something like this “Let us settle this question once and forever.”

V.7 They get all the metal idols and gods repaired. They examine the soldering to see if it will hold! They drive some extra nails into the wooden idols to make them stronger!

V.21-23 God asks the dead gods to tell the future!

V.24 God gives the final word. The gods are nothing.

V.26-29 The questions are asked “Can idols tell the future?” No. The idols are wind and confusion. Sad to have to say it, but we believers sometimes have “idols” too. Anything which keeps us from enjoying the Lord is an idol.

Day 104 - Isaiah 42

V.1-4 Three servants of God are mentioned in Isaiah (1) David (Isa. 37:35); (2) Israel, as a nation (Isa. 41:8-16) and other places; (3) The Lord, (Isa 42:1-12) and all of chapter 49. Do you recognize that lowly life which was never in a hurry? God always had His beloved Son in mind. Turn to Matthew 12:18-21, it helps you to understand these verses. Just think that God became such a lowly Servant. The Lord Jesus is the Servant, and the Lord Jesus is God.

V.7 We are never told in the Old Testament of one Israelite, who had been born blind, receiving his sight. The Lord Jesus was the first one who brought sight to the blind (Mark 10:46). Written about 600 years before He came to earth.

V.5-12 These verses all refer to the day when Christ shall come again in His glory (see “E” on your chart).

V.13-16 What the Lord will do during that time.

V.17-25 Everyone who turns away from the Lord to other gods — this might be done when we set our minds to find pleasure in the world — will end up in disappointment.

V.24 Here it tells us that God controlled what happened to Israel. He allowed the robbers to come and rob them. So if we turn to other things, and forsake the Lord. He allows us sometimes to get into trouble. And all because He loves us so much.

Day 105 - Isaiah 45

V.1-4, 13 Isaiah writes down the name of King Cyrus, who would be a great Gentile king of the future. We can imagine the surprise about 175 years later when they brought the writings of Isaiah to this king of Persia and showed him that their God had told that he would live! Even telling his name! Read about it in Ezra 1. No wonder he wanted to help the Jews rebuild their city of Jerusalem.

V.5-25 Beautiful words of God. Read them carefully. Notice part of verse 21 “a just God and a Savior.” Isn’t that grand! God is fair and just. But since that was written, the Son of God has come to earth. He is the Savior.

V.22 Marvelous beyond words. And yet people will not come to Him. They prefer to go on in their misery and sorrow, and die unsaved.

Day 106 - Isaiah 52

The Lord here calls Israel to wake up! He is just about ready to announce a great event.

V.3 He tells them that they sold themselves to the Gentiles around them and they received no payment, then He tells them they are going to be restored later on and they won’t be asked to pay anything!

V.4 the Lord reminds them of their sad days in Egypt and of how they were oppressed.

V.5 He asks what does He have as a result. Nothing but howls from them, and His Name is blasphemed!

V.6 Then He tells them that a day is coming when they’ll know that “I am HE” and “Here I am.” They had completely forgotten the Lord who had done so much for them!

V.7-12 A great call to His people to listen to what HE is going to do for them!

Now we read the greatest reference in the whole of the Old Testament to the Lord Jesus dying on the cross. Remember it was written 500 years before He came to earth! Some of the tenderest, sweetest, most touching expressions in the whole Bible. The last 3 verses of this chapter and the entire 53rd chapter, form a great “V.” Firstly we read, in these 3 verses, the heights, the glory of the Lord Jesus. Then in the 53rd chapter, we see the great valley, and great depths to which the Lord plunged in His life here on earth and on the cross. Then at the end of this chapter, we read of the height of glory to which He will be raised when He is in His resurrection and glorified life.

V.14 No man’s face was ever marred like His!

V.15 Many Gentile nations on the earth in the millennium shall turn to the Lord and be astonished at what they learn of Him.

Day 107 - Isaiah 53

This chapter refers particularly to Israel, but we shall apply it to ourselves.

V.1 Something like “But, oh how few believe!” Who will listen?

V.2 In God’s eyes, Jesus was like a tender green sprout from a root in a dry ground, but in our eyes, there was nothing in Him to attract us, nothing to make us want Him — blessed Jesus!

V.3 Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. We turned our backs to Him, and looked the other way. We didn’t care.

V.4-5 Our griefs our sorrows our transgressions our iniquities were made His, and the result? our peace. We were healed!

V.6 We are the ones who went astray like sheep.

V.7 He was the Lamb that was brought to the slaughter.

V.8 From prison and trial, they led Him away to death.

V.9 He was buried like a criminal but in a rich man’s grave (Matt. 27:57-60).

V.10 It was in God’s counsel to put Jesus to grief, but Jesus would live again and God’s plan shall prosper in His hand.

V.11 When Jesus sees all the results of the punishment He endured, He will be satisfied, and God will be glorified.

V.12 To understand this verse, we must apply it entirely to Israel and this earth. When it happens, every believer in the Lord Jesus will be safely with the Lord in heaven. Then this verse will be fulfilled on earth when the Lord will set up His world-kingdom. He will be Lord of lords and King of kings. Every eye will see Him. The last half of the verse is saying that the reason He will be so victorious is “because” of His life of obedience and humiliation, His atoning death and His prayers.

Day 108 - Isaiah 55

What a beautiful chapter! What an invitation! What a loving God to make such an offer! It is like the gospel message today.

In verses 1-5 we have the invitation; in verses 6-7, the warning; and in verses 8-11 we have the “Word.”

V.4 To whom do you think God is referring when He says “him”?

V.6 Today this verse is true. If the Lord comes tonight, then it will no longer be true. “While He may be found;” this is so serious.

V.11 The people may scoff at the Bible, but notice this verse. A good verse to memorize. See if you can say it without a mistake. I think it is one of the most misquoted verses in the Bible. You try it. It is a very, very important verse.

Day 109 - Isaiah 57

In verses 1-12 we read about the bad behavior of the nation of Israel. God is the One Who is speaking here. In verses 13-19 we learn of the behavior of the small number of obedient Israelites whom we call, “the remnant.”

V.1-2 A righteous person dies, sometimes early in life, and others don’t seem to wonder why. No one realizes that God is taking them away to be with Him, and away from the evil days ahead.

V.3-12 The people referred to are those in the tribulation who refuse to listen to the Lord. Their wickedness gets worse and worse. It always does.

V.9 This refers to the false Messiah. He is referred to as “the king.” Turn to John 5:3, the Lord Jesus refers to another person who will come, pretending to be the Messiah. That person is the same one who is referred to in our verse 9.

V.13 A change takes place here. The Lord contrasts those who listen to the false voices, gods and idols, with those who trust in Him. Look at the promise in the last section of verse 13.

V.16 What a warning here!

V.18-19 Yet what promises to those who will put the Lord first!

Day 110 - Isaiah 59

V.1 The Lord isn’t too weak to save them! And He is not deaf!

V.2 But their own sins were the reason for their troubles, and the cause of God’s hiding His face from them.

V.3-4 God saw every detail of their life. And He sees ours too! Is this our trouble? However, we must always remember this difference, these people were under the law. Their blessings depended on how they acted. Our blessings depend entirely on the finished work of Christ for us. But the enjoyment of our blessings depends on our obedient life entirely. So try to remember this difference as you read the Old Testament. Their hands, fingers, lips, tongue, feet and thoughts were all working. But for themselves, and against the Lord who loved them so much.

V.15 A very sad verse. Those who walk obediently are attacked. Is this true today? It surely is. The more obedient you are to God’s Word, the more narrow-minded you will be considered. But who are we trying to please, God or man?

V.16-20 God saw that there was no man who could help them, so He has stepped in Himself. This is exactly why the Lord Jesus came to earth as a Man. Beautiful verses, particularly verse 20. God knew that the only way His people would ever be happy and blessed, would be when He would send His Son!

V.21 But it certainly won’t be because they did anything; but only because God changed their hearts; and all because the Lord Jesus died for them on the cross. See how this verse is confirmed in the New Testament (Heb. 8:10-13). The Bible is all one!

Day 111 - Isaiah 62

Beautiful chapter! Isaiah says He will not rest until Israel is blessed at long last.

V.2-4 We sometimes hold up a special treasure for everyone to see. This is what the Lord is going to do with Israel in the “day of the Lord.” (See “E” to “F” on your chart).

V.5-12 God’s promise to Israel.

V.6 Watching and praying, a good combination (Matt. 26:41; Mark 13:33; Luke 21:36).

V.10-12 Always remember that the great blessing into which Israel is going to be brought during the millennium all depends on what the Lord Jesus has done on the cross for them. The unbelieving nation is now relying entirely on their own vaunted strength of their army and not on the Lord at all. All these shall be swept away and a nation of believers in the Lord will emerge. So here we read “behold thy salvation cometh.” The Lord Jesus is their salvation (and ours).

Day 112 - Isaiah 65

V.1-5 Now God answers. He says that other nations (the Gentiles) which never inquired about Him before, are finding Him. But Israel, His own people, have followed their own evil path, even though He has stretched out His arms to welcome them all day long!

V.5 And they say to one another “Don’t come too close, you will defile me! for I am holier than you!” They didn’t deserve any mercy.

V.8-16 In these verses we find a very important point. God makes Israel into two groups for the future. (1) The little group which will believe on Him during the tribulation. This little group is known often as “the remnant.” In our chapter, He calls them “my servants” and sometimes “my chosen” (vvs. 8-10, 16).

(2) The main part of the nation of Israel is going to be destroyed when the Messiah, the Lord Jesus, comes in His glory (see “E” on chart, vvs. 11-12). (Both in 13-15). Do you see this point in these verses?

V.17-25 These verses go on into the millennium. People will live the whole 1,000 years — as long as a tree, v. 22, only a sinner shall die younger v. 20. What a lovely world it will be then. The Lord Jesus shall be the One that everyone will look to.

Day 113 - Isaiah 66

God continues with His answer.

V.1-2 Although God made heaven and earth, He asks what place could anyone build for Him that could be as nice as that, yet in spite of all this, He says He will look to the man that is humble and who trembles at His Word.

V.3-4 The people were using any sacrifice which they offered to God. God would therefore choose how He would treat them.

V.5-6 God is going to punish the unbelievers in Israel.

V.10-13 Here again we see that God divides between those who believe — how richly they are going to be blessed! (vvs. 10-14) — and those who do not — sudden destruction is going to fall on them (vvs. 15-17).

V.19-21 God is going to send those believers (all Jews) to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom to the heathen nations during the tribulation (See chart and Matt. 24:14).

V.22-24 And so our lovely book of Isaiah closes with these rich promises of blessing to believing Israel in the millennium. There are eleven different “everlastings” in this book. Everlasting Father, covenant, strength, burnings, joy, God, salvation, kindness, sign, name, and light. The Bible is an everlasting “sure word” (2 Pet. 1:19). Obey it to be happy.

But do not forget, when this takes place, we believers shall be with the Lord!

Isaiah is quoted in Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Peter.

Day 114 - Hosea 1

This very tender-hearted prophet often cries, not because of his own sins, but Israel’s. This book brings before us a picture of a man (God), who has an unfaithful wife (Israel) who is put away for adultery, but later is to be brought back, purified and made the center of the new earth. The book can be divided into three sections. The first, Hosea 1:1 to 3:5; God telling His purposes. The second, Hosea 4:1 to 13:8; messages to the sinful people of Israel. The third, Hosea 13:9 to 14:9; the final blessings and glory of Israel on this earth. Wonderful? Wonderful! You’ll find four names in the 1St and 2nd chapters. Their meanings are “Loammi,” “Not my people” 1:9; “Ammi,” “My people” 2:1; “Lo-Ruhamah,” “Not having obtained mercy” 1:6; and “Ruhamah,” “Having obtained mercy” 2:1. You’ll notice the negative one is first in both cases because Israel deserved nothing but punishment which they will get, but afterward they will be blessed and happy.

Hosea speaks of the love of God more than the righteousness of God. This makes the warnings to Israel even more terrible. But yet a morning of blessing is promised after the dark night. God uses Hosea in a very striking way.

V.2-4 Hosea is told by God to live out a parable. The reason being that Israel was very unfaithful to God. Jeremiah 3:14 tells us that God Himself uses a parable about Israel. So Hosea is used by God to shock the people. You will see that Israel itself is called by the same name as the son that is born to Hosea (v. 11).

Most of the prophets had to suffer dreadful things so that their message from God would be listened to.

V.5 The son’s name is a name of a place in Israel today. A reminder that God is still going to punish Israel.

V.6-7 The daughter’s name means “not having obtained mercy.” This refers to the separated ten tribes called “the house of Israel.” They were swept away into captivity and have never been heard of since. But God is going to collect them all up again. “The house of Judah” was going to be kept by God. It is Judah which has been back in the land of Israel since May 14, 1948.

V.8-9 But God had, at that time, completely set aside Judah also.

V.10-11 A view into the yet future — all completely restored and blessed. Not because of themselves, but because the Lord Jesus has taken their punishment since Hosea’s time.

Day 115 - Hosea 2

V.1-13 The Lord speaks to Israel as if she were His wife who had become unfaithful to Him. We could say “where sin abounded” (Rom. 5:20).

V.5 Israel thought that she received her blessings from the false gods to which she had turned.

V.6-13 God has had to put Israel through terrible days since that time to make them realize that it was not the false gods who were watching over her, but God Himself.

V.14-23 Here we can say “grace did much more abound” (Rom. 5:20). God always has His eye on the day when He will bless Israel in the yet future. These verses are beautiful to read with this in mind. Every punishment was needed to cause Israel to look up to the Lord.

Day 116 - Hosea 3

Israel has experienced this to the full. Since the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, Israel has wandered as a stranger over this earth, being pushed from country to country unwanted. It is only in very recent years that the Jews have been accepted in the countries in which they have wandered. This chapter ends the first section of the book.

Day 117 - Hosea 4

From here to end of the Book, God speaks to the people and pleads with them to turn back to God.

V.1-14 In this chapter, God shows that every class of people in Israel had sinned. Prophet, priest, king, everyone. Adultery and wine took all their understanding away.

V.15-19 A special warning to Judah not to follow the other ten tribes of Israel. And this is just what she did.

V.17 It is a terrible thing when God leaves us alone. Sometimes when we are determined to have our own way, He does for a while.

Day 118 - Hosea 5

V.1 Hosea speaks to the priests and to the people. He shows them that all their own sins have brought the troubles. A very important lesson for believers to learn. Not the sins we did before we were saved, but those things which we are going on with now. Remember that doctrinal sins are even more serious than moral sins.

V.15 Again that burst of sunlight, “till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face.”

Day 119 - Hosea 6

Hosea increases his tender pleadings to return to the Lord.

V.3 Beautiful promise — and for us too. “Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.” If we all obey the Word of God, then we will all understand alike, and think alike. The Spirit of God cannot teach one believer one thing and teach another believer something opposite.

Adultery or whoredom in Israel’s time, teaches us spiritually what unfaithfulness to the Lord is. To be disobeying the Lord doctrinally today is like committing adultery in those times. And the longer we continue in it, the harder our heart gets.

Day 120 - Hosea 7

This is a chapter full of spiritual instructions for the believer in the Lord Jesus today.

V.2 These people were so careless that they could not realize that God saw everything that was in their heart!

V.9 Only slowly did they slip away from the Lord. Were you once happy when you first came to know the Lord as your Savior? And do you now have no strength to resist temptation? Read this verse carefully.

V.10-14 Here is our answer. Come back to the Lord, and confess the sins we are going on with. Get into God’s presence alone. If we don’t, we won’t realize what we are really going on with. We may even think we are being good and living clean moral lives. That is good, but what about our religious associations? Does Scripture condemn what we are going on with? It is not what we say in the “Bible Reading Companion,” but what God says, to which each one of us is going to have to give account to God.

Day 121 - Hosea 8

He continues to plead with the people. Much instruction is here for us too.

V.2 Do we say “Yes I know God”? And all the time the Lord sees our thoughts. This is why so many believers have little peace in their heart.

V.4 Idols are the cause of our weakness. Anything which comes between the Lord and us is an idol.

V.11 Notice the words “altars to sin.” This plainly tells us that this is not immorality, but religious disobedience. An altar was for worship. Everything was in the name of religion.

V.12 They were so careless that they did not understand. To disobey the Lord in religious things is even worse than immorality, because it is sin against the Lord Himself! People decide the seriousness of sin by how it affects other people. God decides the seriousness of sin by how it affects Christ.

V.14 People may build many buildings to come to worship God, as they say, but notice what God says. It is the heart that God wants. In these chapters, remember that when Ephraim is spoken of it is referring to the 10 separated tribes. When it is Israel, it is all the 12 tribes, seen as one. When it is Judah, it is just Judah and Benjamin — the two which are back in the land now.

Day 122 - Hosea 9

More plain talk. Are we applying these things spiritually to ourselves? We should. They did not listen to all these pleadings. Are we? Do we go on with things which we know do not please the Lord? Do we pray for a tender conscience? If we do not, our conscience becomes hardened, as it did in these people.

Day 123 - Hosea 10

V.1 Back to religious evil. The more riches they had, the more religious evil!

V.2 Divided hearts! How many believers there are today with divided hearts!

V.13 Note the plowing and the reaping!

May the Lord open our own eyes to see what is weakening our life. Only sin weakens the believer.

Day 124 - Hosea 11

Beautiful chapter. God now reminds them that He is not a man. He has the heart of God. Though they didn’t love Him, He remained the same! This is the language which breaks our hearts sometimes. We believers often slip away from the Lord. With His gentle love He draws us back. In the 23rd Psalm, He says “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.” So we would think that there is no danger for us, but what does He say next? “He restoreth my soul.” Just think about that! When everything is going well, this often is when we get out of communion with the Lord.

V.10-11 When they start to tremble, they have come to the end of themselves. We can thank the Lord that He lets us come to the end of ourselves, and then we are ready to be restored.

Day 125 - Hosea 12

This is interesting. God would certainly have to punish them for their sins, but He reminds them of another time long before. The time of Jacob, when he had wrestled with the angel of the Lord, and Jacob had won. And the angel was the Lord Himself! Jacob had succeeded in turning away the Lord’s anger and the Lord had told Jacob His name. “Now”, says the Lord to these people “you do the same. Turn back to Me. Wait for Me. I don’t change”. Just think of the mercy of the Lord toward Israel in spite of everything He said to them, they just brushed Him aside. And yet the day is going to come when He is going to make them the center of the whole world! Does this make you thank the Lord for what He has done for you? Or are we still careless? Do we drift back to the worldly pleasures and entertainments? May the Lord touch our hearts.

Day 126 - Hosea 13

These last two chapters are very beautiful. They give us a little view of God.

V.1-5 God must announce the punishment, yet in doing it, He remembers what He is — we might put it like that.

V.6-8 Punishment was necessary.

V.9-10 But back the Lord comes to love and grace.

V.11-13 Punishment must be given because sin was there.

V.14 Notice the words, “I will” (future). But turn to 1 Corinthians 15:54 “Death is swallowed up.” There it is in the past tense. Because the cross of Christ has come between these verses.

V.15-16 God would have to punish.

Day 127 - Hosea 14

V.1-3 He loves Israel so much that He even tells them what to say to Him so that He might be able to bless them!

V.4 His love bursts out.

God is holy. God is love. Holiness demands punishment. But God’s love in the end shall overcome. Do you know why? Because He punished His Son, the Lord Jesus instead of Israel.

We hope you have been helped by this book. May our conscience be touched by its reading.

Day 128 - Joel 1

We shall find five times the expression “the day of the Lord” in this book. As you know, this refers to a day after the believers are caught up to be with the Lord. Then the punishments from God shall fall on this earth, particularly on Israel.

A terrible pestilence of flies, locusts and caterpillars, which seem to have eaten everything in sight. The land of Israel is left empty. This has two purposes: (1) To awaken the people to realize they had turned away from the Lord Who loved them, and (2) to remind them that a much more awful day of punishment would come on their land. Though almost 2,800 years have gone by since Joel wrote this book, “the day of the Lord” — “D” on your chart — hasn’t come yet. But let’s not think that it’s not close. The pestilence wasn’t just a piece of bad luck, as people say. God had a message for those people — and He has a message for us, when He allows a great sorrow to come to us.

V.15 This is the first reference to that awful “day.” Judah had been living carelessly, paying little or no attention to God’s pleadings with them. Now God reminds them of the coming of “the day of the Lord.”

Day 129 - Joel 2

V.1-14 Turn back to Numbers 10, you will see that there were two reasons for blowing the silver trumpets. In verse 9 it was to sound an alarm to the camp. Here in Joel the alarm is to be sounded! There was danger. The enemy was coming. Joel warns the people. Are we getting the warning?

Today God is warning us. We should realize that we are living in very dangerous days. Satan is attacking the believers by deceiving us rather than by frightening us.

V.15-17 Back in Numbers 10:7 you read of the other blowing of the silver trumpets to call the people together. Here, they were to purify themselves, the priests were to weep because of the badness of their behavior.

Today the Lord is saying the same to all true believers. To separate from all the mixture and confusion around, and to be gathered to the name of the Lord Jesus alone. Christ is the one gathering center, and He is not divided (1 Cor. 1:13). Satan is the one who is separating believers from each other.

V.18-27 What the Lord promised if the two trumpets were obeyed. Do you want to please the Lord? Then are you doing these two things? He will surely make you happy if you do. Notice how much the Lord wants to make His people happy.

V.28-32 Turn to Acts 2:14-21 where Peter repeats these words. They were partly carried out on the day of Pentecost. They will completely come to pass when the Lord comes in His glory (see chart) at the day of the Lord.

Day 130 - Joel 3

This beautiful chapter is a view into the glorious future when Israel shall be the center of the whole earth, and the Lord Jesus shall be the King. But always remember that believers in the Lord Jesus are not going to be here on earth at that time. Our future is to be with the Lord.

V.9-17 Refer to the time of tribulation (see chart). A small part of the two tribes, Judah and Benjamin, will believe that Jesus will come back as King. They are called “the remnant.” They shall suffer terribly, and these verses describe those dreadful days. (The other ten tribes are still scattered and unknown at that time).

Day 131 - Amos 1

Amos and Hosea lived at the same time. Hosea was very upset by what awful judgments were ahead for Israel, but Amos also tells of what will happen to some of the nations surrounding Israel.

Amos not only heard the words of the Lord, but he saw them; that is, he saw what the words meant. This prophet is writing to the ten tribes before they were taken away captives; they’ve never been heard of since. They’re known as “the lost ten tribes,” and are here called the kingdom of Israel.

God kept a record of all the things which the enemies of Israel did. There are five paragraphs or divisions. Each one starts with the same words. “For three transgressions and for four.” The number “three” tells us that God had enough proof. The number “four” in the Bible means that whatever is being spoken of goes out in all four directions. Like east, west, north and south. In other words, it is for all. We call it “universal.” You shall see eight separate judgments which are yet to fall on these nations surrounding Israel and Israel itself.

V.3-5 The first one is about Damascus. It was the capital city of Syria the country to the north of Israel. God has not forgotten what that nation did to His people.

V.6-8 Next, Gaza: these days in the news, we hear a lot about the “Gaza strip.” It was the center of the land of the Philistines. They were the bitter enemies of Israel in the days of King Saul and King David, and they are again today. Of course, the official leaders didn’t like to have to listen to an ordinary herdsman (cattleman) bringing the Word of God to the nation (Amos 7:10). However, God is not influenced by what the officials think.

V.9-10 City of Tyre. It has been conquered by three world empires in succession.

V.11-12 Now follows Edom. This was on the other side of the river Jordan. The Arabs are still fighting Israel. God remembers that they are guilty.

V.13-15 Ammon was very cruel. God does not forget. All this tells us that God has a perfect record of the complete life of every person.

Day 132 - Amos 2

V.1-3 Next comes Moab. You remember its beginning (Gen. 19:30-37). Today’s verses tell Moab’s end.

V.4-5 Here is a surprise. Even Judah does not escape. Judah was a part of Israel. Notice what these people were guilty of. They paid no attention to God’s Word! Are we careful about it? Do we read it every day? Do we obey it?

V.6-8 Lastly, the whole of Israel. They had no use for those who followed the Lord! What a terrible thing to be guilty of. God does not forget.

V.9-10 God reminds them of what He had graciously done for them. He tells them this to shame them!

V.11-12 Nazarites were any who devoted themselves completely to the Lord. Israelites enticed them to give up.

V.13-16 God’s patience will come to an end concerning these eight different groups.

Day 133 - Amos 3

V.1-2 The Israelites are going to be punished in a different way from the others. The nearer a person is brought to God, the more careful that person has to be about his life.

God is telling those people that punishment was coming. But that a little remnant (v. 12) would be saved. Just like two legs, or an ear of a sheep would be rescued by a shepherd from the lion’s mouth, so a few out of Israel would be saved in the future. Believers today are like a remnant. If you are believing God’s Word your heart is filled with peace and comfort. Nothing can disturb you.

Day 134 - Amos 4

Today’s chapter is also instructive and helpful. God tells of small punishments which He has sent as a warning to Israel. But they would not take any notice. Count up the number of times in this chapter that He says “yet have ye not returned unto me.”

V.12 So the final warning “prepare to meet thy God.”

This chapter commences — and continues to the end of the book — to give the pleadings of God to His people, to turn from their wickedness, for He knew He could not bless them unless they did turn.

Day 135 - Luke 1, Verses 1-38

We start to read today a sweet and tender book by a doctor who shows us these qualities on every page. Some unbelievers say that it is not necessary to be inspired to write history. Just tell the facts, they say. But the historian might not be correct in some details. But God’s Word is inspired, God-breathed (2 Tim. 3:16), and so it is a perfect record of the facts. This Gospel presents Christ as the “Son of Man,” and so we’ll see references to all the world being blessed — not only Israel, as so often in Matthew. For instance only Luke 2:31 quotes Psalm 98:2. Also only Luke 3:6 quotes Isaiah 40:5. “All flesh” means all nationalities, and only Luke of all the Gospels has the words “redeemed” or “redemption” in it. And unbelievers sometimes say “only men wrote the Bible, not God.”

V.1-4 Truth is always absolute, unbending. The Bible is hated by unbelievers because it is so positive. Read this one sentence of 82 words for an example of this. Notice the words “declaration,” “surely,” “eyewitnesses,” “the beginning,” “the word,” “perfect,” “understanding,” “all things,” “very first,” “know,” “certainty.” What positive words! It lives on and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23). But not only this Book of Luke is inspired and perfect, but read the following verses to see that the whole Bible confirms itself to be inspired by God. 2 Peter 1:21 about the Old Testament and 2 Peter 3:2, 16 and Jude 17 for the New Testament.

V.5-25 The birth of John the messenger who was to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to make His appearance on this earth.

V.26-38 When we were reading in the Book of Daniel, we learned that this mighty angel had come from God in heaven to tell Daniel the great secrets of the future (Dan. 8:15-19; 9:21). But today we read of the same Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, verse 19 of our chapter, and suddenly the heavens open and Gabriel comes to the home of the poor unknown virgin of Nazareth! We are able to hear the very conversation Mary had with this heavenly visitor. Read the words slowly. She believes everything the angel Gabriel told her. She is to be the mother of the Son of God. The angel leaves.

Day 136 - Luke 1, Verses 39-79

V.39-45 Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth who is to give birth to John the Baptist. We can read the wonderful conversation between these two favored women. But notice that the subject is of the child to be born to Mary, not Elizabeth. Notice in this chapter the mention of God, the Lord, Holy Ghost, Jesus, Son of the Highest, Lord God, Son of God and God my Savior. What a story!

V.46-55 Mary takes a very low and humble place. And her full heart said, “God is my Savior.” She needed and trusted in a Savior too!

V.68-79 The 67th verse had said that Zacharias, a priest, Elizabeth’s husband, began to prophecy, or say profound things by the power of the Holy Ghost.

V.68-75 Amazing words which tie Old Testament prophecies to their fulfillment in the birth of the Lord Jesus. Notice in the margin of your Bible — if you have a King James version — the many, many references to the Old Testament verses mentioned. If you have time, turn to them. You’ll see how wonderfully the Bible all fits together.

V.76-79 The father addresses his son John.

V.80 John disappears into the deserts for many years until we read of him in Matthew 3:1.

Day 137 - Luke 2, Verses 1-24

We all love this wonderful story the birth of Jesus. In the Old Testament there are 333 prophecies concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Of these 109 were fulfilled in His first coming, leaving 224 prophecies to be fulfilled concerning His future coming(s). 333 reasons to show we can trust Him! Of the 46 Old Testament prophets, less than ten of them write of events concerning His first coming, while over 36 write of His second coming. Micah 5:2 prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem, Isaiah 7:14 tells that He would be born to a virgin, and Daniel 9:25 foretells us when he would be born — about 450 years later. Yet unbelievers today pay no attention to these three facts.

V.1-6 The Roman Emperor, Caesar Augustus orders that everyone has to go to their own home town to “register.” And so it comes to pass that Joseph and Mary are in Bethlehem when Jesus is born. Was that something that came by chance into the mind of Caesar at that time? We know Who caused him to decide to do this just at that date!

V.7, 13 There was no room for Jesus to be born at the inn, but all heaven rejoices at His birth.

V.14 A grand summary of the work of Christ. The first Adam, through disobedience, caused the whole human race to fall into sin, suffering and death.

Through sin, all the violence, misery and death has come to this poor world. God lost His satisfaction in man in the garden of Eden. But now He announces that He is glorified in heaven, peace shall come on this earth and His good pleasure in men is re-established through this One who has just been born, Jesus, His beloved Son. Glorious verse.

V.15-18 The shepherds, seeing the angels disappear into the sky, decide on action. Immediately, they go to the very stable where the infant Jesus lay. The wise men had been guided, so were the shepherds. So will we, if we want to see Jesus!

V.19 The others may wonder what all these great events meant, but Mary had the secret in her heart.

V.20-24 It is hard to go quickly over these wonderful verses. The shepherds understood and gave God the glory. Jesus is named. Take time to read Leviticus 12:1-4 to see how carefully the Old Testament order was obeyed in this family. See if you can find the 40 days there.

Day 138 - Luke 2, Verses 25-52

V.25-32 The Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost) is mentioned 11 Times in Luke’s gospel — more than other Gospels. Here a godly man is told by the Holy Ghost that he won’t die until he sees “the Lord’s Christ.” What a statement! The Holy Spirit guides him into the temple (not the stable) on the exact day when the parents bring in the child Jesus.

V.28 Simeon takes the Savior of the world in his arms and thanks God.

V.29-32 In 43 words he details the work which God, the Father has given His Son to do. It stretches into eternity! Simeon was a listener too, for that’s what his name means. May we too be listeners!

V.33-34 Simeon blesses Joseph and Mary, but only speaks to Mary. Joseph is prominent in Matthew’s Gospel, but Mary in Luke.

V.35 At the cross, the heart of God was revealed in love the heart of Satan was revealed in fierce hate and the heart of man revealed in rejection. But one heart the heart of the thief, was revealed in confessing Jesus as Lord.

V.36-38 An old widow named Anna recognizes Him!

V.41-52 The Lord Jesus surprises His mother by speaking of “My Father’s business” for God was His Father, and His business was to do the will of God His Father. These are the first recorded words of the Lord Jesus. Notice how closely they are connected with His last recorded words (John 19:30).

Day 139 - Luke 3

V.1-2 Notice three things: (1) the whole political world in motion (v. 1); (2) the confusion of the Jewish religion (two high priests); (3) “the word” coming out of the wilderness — not the temple.

V.3 All the prophets of the Old Testament had tried to lead the disobedient nation back to the law and to the ordinances given by God. But all had failed.

V.7 John knows that their hearts are not right, and speaks very sternly. This is not Christian baptism, though performed in the same way. This was a baptism of repentance, for the Messiah was coming. The only way He could be received was by repentance.

V.16 John makes it very plain that he is glad to be only the messenger.

V.22 Of course there was no need of repentance with the Lord Jesus, but God shows His approval of what was being done. We see the Trinity here.

V.23-28 The genealogy of the Lord Jesus goes back to Adam because Luke’s gospel presents Christ as Son of Man, to the whole world. Matthew’s to the Jews, goes back only to Abraham.

Day 140 - Luke 4

V.1 Remember, and remember that the Lord Jesus is, at the same time, GOD and a Man. He always was GOD, the Son of God, but He became a Man only when He came to this earth and was born in a stable at Bethlehem in Israel. The Bible is the written Word, He is the Living Word. Read 17 words in John 1:1. Now, as a Man, He felt physically everything that any other man feels: hunger, thirst, tiredness, how people treated Him, and so on. Our first verse tells us that He was “led,” and “tempted” of the devil. Verse 5 says the devil taking (or leading) Him; verse 9 says he (the devil) brought Him, and “set Him” etc. As a Man He depended entirely on God (read Heb. 4:15).

V.2-13 Adam had been tempted and he failed. The fruit of the tree in Genesis was said to be “good for food” the lust of the flesh, “pleasant to the eye” the lust of the eye and a “tree to be desired to make one wise” the pride of life. This appealed to Adam and he fell. Now the Lord meets the same three temptations “make these stones bread” the lust of the flesh, “all this power will I give thee and the glory” the lust of the eye, “cast thyself down from this pinnacle” the pride of life. But the Lord Jesus did not fail nor could He fail, for He was God manifest in flesh, and He was and ever is, HOLY. The Lord met each temptation with a quotation from the Scriptures (Deut. 8:3; 6:13; 6:16). We also have the Word of God to direct and guide us. Use it quickly when you are tempted, by the same devil! But you need to be reading it each day in order to be familiar with it.

V.16-20 In Isaiah 61:1-2, you will see that the Lord stopped reading in the middle of the sentence. Because He would bear that vengeance Himself for us! But if people reject Him, God’s vengeance will surely fall on them (Rev. 19:11-13; John 3:36).

V.29 He had just begun to preach and His words were “gracious” (v. 22), yet they tried to get rid of Him, because He mentions blessings to Gentiles (vvs. 25-27).

V.33-34 He keeps on preaching and healing and blessing what a wonderful Savior!

Day 141 - Luke 5

V.1-7 He asks for the use of the boat, but afterward He pays them!

V.5 We may work very hard, and have nothing to show for it. But when we obey Him, without reasoning, what results!

V.8-11 Peter realizes that he is in the presence of the Lord, and he confesses that he is sinful. Jesus knew all this, so He didn’t depart!

V.11 These same men, James and John and Peter, forsook all and followed Jesus!

V.12-15 A poor leper who really believed that the Lord had the power to heal, but didn’t know whether He really cared or not, fell on his face before Jesus. Are we doing this when we have problems?

V.17 Read carefully. The Lord was there to heal the Pharisees and teachers of the law, but they didn’t realize they needed healing!

V.18-26 What a contrast! These realized their condition and had confidence that Jesus could help them. In this event, we see the faith of the men carrying the bed toward the house where Jesus was speaking, more than the faith of the man on the bed. Crowds and difficulties don’t discourage them, they carry him up onto the roof and break a hole in it to let down the man!

V.20 What words to hear!

V.21 What hard hearts!

V.22-24 What blessed words come from the lips of the lowly Lord Jesus!

V.26 But God was given the glory!

Day 142 - Luke 6, Verses 1-19

V.1-12 The “Sabbath,” (Saturday) was the day set apart by God for rest, and specially given to the Jews. They had really already rejected Him, so He tells them that He is “Lord of the Sabbath.” He did right to heal on the Sabbath. This made those religious leaders terribly angry. The Lord on the cross was dead all day Saturday, proving that that day of rest was finished, because they had killed the Lord. But on the first day of the week, Sunday, the Lord’s day, he rose from the dead, and brought believers into a new position. So we can understand that the first day of the week is set apart for true believers, and it is called “the Lord’s Day.” It is not a day of rest, but a day when we have the special privilege of worshipping and serving the Lord.

V.13-16 He chooses 12 of those who followed Him, whom He calls apostles.

V.17-19 Many come to be healed, but it does not say they truly believed on Him.

Day 143 - Luke 6, Verses 20-44

V.20-26 The Lord Jesus tells His followers that they should not expect to be popular, but to expect suffering. For if the people rejected the Lord, they would also reject His followers. Notice the word “blessed” is mentioned three times, and then “rejoice” and “joy” and “reward.” But the word “woe” is mentioned four times. Then “hunger,” “mourn” and “weep.”

V.23-28 These verses are not telling a person how to get saved — that is a gift from God, through the work of Christ. But we believers should remember we have the power to act as the Lord Jesus would act, in every circumstance (John 1:12). If we read these verses slowly, we shall see that He fulfilled them, and so should we to please Him. We believers are blessed. These verses tell us to love, do good to, and pray for those that reject the truth.

V.39-42 What a lesson for all believers to learn. How critical of others we often are!

V.43-49 We live today in a world where everything is becoming blurred, nothing is definite, people aren’t sure about anything, anything goes, there are few “absolutes.” But these seven verses tell us that trees, bushes and people produce what they are. What is in our heart will come out in our conversation and our life.

Day 144 - Luke 7

V.1-10 The Roman officer, the centurion, believes that Jesus could heal his servant; taking a humble attitude, he approaches Jesus through the Jews. The message is beautiful. Like saying to Jesus, “Servants are at my bidding, but diseases are at yours.” Look at the result!

V.11-17 He not only can heal the sick, He can also raise the dead. Notice verse 15, that the mother was a lonely widow, the Lord did not raise the young man so that he would be His servant, but tenderly turns the raised up young man to his mother.

V.19-30 John, that faithful messenger, is in prison and he hears of the miracles which the Lord is doing. No doubt he wondered why the Lord did not open the prison doors and let him out, and so he sends messengers to find out if the Lord is truly the One who should come. John had said “Behold the Lamb of God” (John 1:36) but being in prison was too much for John. The Lord sends them back to tell John not to be offended. Do you see Him answering the prayers of others, and seeming to forget you? He knows where you are, and what you may be suffering, and some day we will understand.

V.36-50 Who received forgiveness and blessing? A poor sinful woman, who bowed, weeping at His blessed feet. And who missed it all? The proud Pharisee who could quickly point out a sinner, but not point to himself as one. It was not her love, but her faith which saved her.

Day 145 - Luke 8, Verses 1-21

Briefly, chapter 8 is the Lord’s preaching; chapter 9 the preaching of the twelve apostles; chapter 10 the preaching of the seventy.

V.1-3 He takes men and women with Him who had been attracted to Him. Did you ever stop and think how amazing it is that God the Creator has come to earth to preach the kingdom of God! He has a plan that will meet every need we believers could ever have! What a world! A world which is in total rebellion against God!

V.4-15 Do you think you have found the secret of this parable of the Sower? It is to expose what man is, the seed was always the same, but the dropping of the seed here and there was to expose what the soil was like. Every type of person in the world is seen as the different soils. The first is the roadway — where the devil is waiting. The second is the rocks — where the old nature comes out. The third is the thorny ground — where the world dominates everything. The fourth is the good ground — where the Holy Spirit is working.

V.16 We who know the Lord Jesus, should not hide that light. If the light is under a vessel, or a bed, it surely doesn’t light the way. Perhaps a vessel would remind us of our work and we should never let our work keep us from shining for the Lord. The bed tells us of our laziness we ought to be diligent in letting our light shine.

Day 146 - Luke 8, Verses 22-40

V.22-25 Perhaps we find ourselves in real trouble, and it seems as though the Lord has forgotten about us. The storm rages worse and worse, and at last we despair of any hope. But always remember, the Lord will never let us be tried more than we can stand (Read 1 Cor. 10:13).

V.26-40 What a frightful condition this poor man is in — but nothing is too hard for the Lord. The Lord sends him to his own people to tell them of Jesus. Did he do a faithful work? Verse 40 gives the answer.

Day 147 - Luke 9

V.1-6 How great is the love of our Lord Jesus, Who not only goes about with the good news (chapter 8) but sends others too to spread it far and wide.

V.10 The disciples return with the news of their labors and He takes them away to a desert place. He knew that they needed rest though His own labors never stopped.

V.11-17 The Lord knew what He would do, but He tests their faith. The little that you have, He can use for much blessing.

V.18-22 Something new! Peter truthfully confessed the Lord as “the Christ of God.” Then the Lord Jesus tells them of His coming rejection and death.

V.23 Notice one important word in this verse, “daily.” Martyrs have died for the faith, and their reward will be great. You may not face that, but you can “daily” take up that cross and follow the Lord.

V.28-36 We come now to a very different event. The Lord Jesus takes three of His apostles (notice who) up into a mountain (notice what to do). While He was doing it, His whole appearance changed, His face and His clothing were brilliant with shining — it was a brief view of what the Lord Jesus is going to be like in His kingdom glory which He will set up on this earth during His 1,000 year reign as King (“E” to “F” on your chart). Two other men suddenly appear. Who are they? They had been alive about 1,500 years before! There they were, talking with Jesus about (notice carefully!) Notice what the three apostles were doing! Are we like that? Peter suggests a dreadful thing. But hear what God says right out loud from heaven! We should never put the Lord Jesus on the same level as people. But godly men have done something like this when they use men’s names for denominations.

Day 148 - Luke 10, Verses 1-20

V.1-16 This time, He sends out seventy. We don’t get this in Matthew. Luke’s gospel is more to the whole human race.

The cities that reject those messengers are terribly guilty, for verse 16 tells us that it is truly the Lord Himself that they are rejecting. There is still that same rejection. It is a serious thing in the sight of God, to refuse a word of warning or of invitation.

V.20 There are many honored names on the earth, but they will all fade away. Let us thank God that our name, who have received the Lord Jesus, is written in heaven.

Day 149 - Luke 10, Verses 21-42

V.21 What beautiful submission. He had been rejected, and was on the way to the cross, but He looked up with thankfulness to the One who had sent Him. We can say the same thing.

V.25-37 What a picture of ourselves on the wrong downward road, and of the Lord Jesus who came right where we were and brought such blessing to us. That poor man was taken to a place of shelter and nourishment, where he was cared for until the return of the Samaritan. So our Lord, who has saved us, would invite us to be gathered to His own precious name, where in such an assembly, we can be sheltered and nourished on the Word of God until the Lord comes for us.

V.42 Oh to sit at His feet and listen to His Word!

Day 150 - Luke 11, Verses 1-26

V.1 The Lord, as a dependent Man, prayed much, and His disciples ask that they also might be taught how to pray. They did not yet know how to simply speak with thanks and with requests to their Father. When we pray to God our Father, we are showing that we realize how much we need Him. When Satan sees us kneeling in prayer, he knows we are talking with God and then we are more able to resist him (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

V.2-4 Many Christians don’t realize that “the Lord’s prayer” was given to His disciples here on earth before the Lord had died and was risen. They were praying for the kingdom of God on earth to come. It hasn’t come yet. We believers today are an heavenly people, our hopes and future are in heaven. After we’re taken to heaven at the “rapture,” “C” on your chart, the gospel that Jesus is coming back as King, will be preached to those people who never heard the Gospel of the grace of God in our “day of grace.” Then those believers will pray this prayer “Thy kingdom come.” And He will return, with us following Him, to reign over this earth during the 1,000 years of the millennium (“E” to “F”). What a wonderful future is ours. It’s worth the little, or much, we suffer for Him now. We are now redeemed and can by the Spirit, speak to our loving Father in words of our own.

V.5-13 The Lord compares a man at midnight asking his friends for three loaves of bread, with our asking our Father for our needs. Selfishness kept the man from giving bread, until the other person’s persistence bothered him so much, he finally produced the bread. Our Father is always ready “ask and it shall be given you.”

V.14-26 The hatred of the heart of man against the Lord! In verse 21 The devil is the strong man. His “goods” are the unbelievers whom he claims. But the Lord is “stronger than he” and so He has come to deliver Satan’s captives and set them free.

V.15 Is an illustration of perverted religion and verse 16 like infidelity.

V.23 The conflict of the ages is proclaimed — God or Satan. One or the other, no compromise.

Day 151 - Luke 11, Verses 27-53

V.27-28 Laying the emphasis on the wrong person. This woman was thinking of the mother of Jesus more than of Him. Read 1:46-47 to see that Mary had her values straight. She recognized that Jesus her Savior was the most important One.

V.31-32 Two comparisons: King Solomon was an example (very feeble) of the great height of exaltation of Christ, while Jonah was an example of the depth to which the Lord went in bearing our punishment.

V.33-36 A contrast between a “single” eye and an “evil” eye. To have a single eye means that I have just one object before me and that is to please the Lord Jesus, and obey His Word. All other motives are relatively “evil.”

V.37-44 The Lord is invited to dinner by a Pharisee who notices that Jesus doesn’t go through the washing custom before eating. Here the Lord speaks very sharply to these religious leaders for their hypocrisy. He doesn’t spare them. Why do you think He spoke like this? Because a greater than Solomon or Jonas (Jonah) was there in front of them and they didn’t recognize Him — the blessed, lowly, gracious, loving and long-promised Christ (the Messiah), the Son of God. In His perfect life of obedience to God, they had everything they needed to prove Who He is, and they despised Him! (Read John 1:10-11).

V.45-52 The lawyers, the experts in the law, join in against Him. The Lord exposes their false life too.

V.53-54 We can see from these verses that they are preparing to destroy Him. Before we close this chapter, please notice five statements in it. In verse 20, “the finger of God” and “the kingdom of God;” in verse 28, “the Word of God;” in verse 42, “the love of God;” and in verse 49, “the wisdom of God.” Five links in a wonderful chapter.

Day 152 - Luke 12, Verses 1-30

V.4-5 The Lord Jesus was going to be put to death, and so were some of His followers. But He tells them not to fear men who could kill the body but to fear God, who could cast a lost soul into hell.

V.6-7 Then He speaks to their hearts and turns their thoughts away from fear entirely and speaks of the loving care that God had for them.

V.8-12 What wonderful promises confess their name before His Father if they confessed the name of Jesus to people. Are we ashamed?

V.13-15 Jesus wasn’t on earth to settle someone’s inheritance! They need to beware of being like the rich fool.

V.16-21 This poor, rich man thought only of himself.

V.13-21 The world has rejected the Lord, the only truly righteous One, and so even to this day, we see much that is unfair and unjust. Let us not set our hearts on things that will soon be left behind.

Day 153 - Luke 12, Verses 31-59

V.32 See if you notice the three different groups in one verse: (1) A Shepherd with His flock (2)? (3)?

V.31-48 We can see in the last verses we were reading yesterday, and these sixteen verses that a personal trust in the Lord is needed and not to be anxious about food and clothing (vvs. 31-32).

V.34 What a treasure we have in our Lord Jesus up there in heaven itself. If our treasure is in heaven, and He is, that’s where our heart is going to be.

V.35-40 And heaven is where He is coming from. Don’t forget. if we really believe that the Lord is coming at any moment, our life will show it. In each of verses 37 and 43 there is a promise of blessing. But do you see the difference?

V.49-53 People today discuss religion as if it were a theory on which they can have several opinions. These verses tell us that the Person of the Lord Jesus is the One central Object of life. For or against HIM — no third way. Read these verses to see what GOD says. Not only our Christian friends may turn against us if we are too much for HIM, but even our own brothers and sisters. And isn’t it so? To follow the Lord, sometimes brings hate, and fire and division, not peace. His grace brought out the opposition.

Day 154 - Luke 13

V.1-5 The Lord seems to have Israel as a nation in mind, its hypocrisy and rebellion, and God’s patience and heart of love toward it. These were no more wicked than the whole nation.

V.6-9 The fig tree is another picture of Israel; it had no fruit for the Lord. For three years — the time of the Lord’s presence and preaching among them — they had hated Him and not repented. And so even after the Lord was crucified, He waited and sent messages of forgiveness. But they rejected them all, and stoned Stephen who warned them so faithfully. Now, as a nation, they’ve been “cutoff” — not the individual Jewish people.

V.11-13 All this poor woman could see was the ground around her feet — a picture of Israel. The Lord touches her, and she stands up straight, and looks into the face of Jesus! What a picture of what He will do for Israel in the future.

V.23 Sounds like a sensible question, but sometimes such questions are simply an attempt to get away from the question “am I saved?”

V.34-35 He loves the people, even though He knew that they hated Him and would very soon crucify Him. He looked back on their history and knew all about those who had been sent in past years and had been killed.

Day 155 - Luke 14

V.1-6 In today’s chapter nothing satisfies Him, nothing is according to His mind. If we are close to Him, we will be thinking the same. The Lord is invited into a Pharisees’ house, and at once He feels that He is opposed by those there. The house is surely a picture of man’s world. He notices a poor man suffering from dropsy. He asks them a question, They wanted to trap Him in His words so they hypocritically keep silent. He heals the man, then asks them a question. Some question! He exposes their wicked hearts and ours.

V.7-11 The Lord notices that the guests chose the best possible seats! Like our old nature? Yes indeed. If you could see the world today through God’s eyes, you would see exactly the same sight. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

V.12-14 The Lord now looks at the host. But he is no different! Selfishness in another form! If the Lord had acted this way toward us, inviting to heaven the rich and attractive ones, how many would have accepted the offer?

V.15-24 The Lord opens up a view of a feast to be spread in heaven. What a difference! Not one invited guest turns up! God must force His guests in! If there was only the work of the Lord Jesus, there would never have been a single guest. If there had only been the work of the Holy Spirit, there would have been no feast! What love of God in sending both!

V.25-35 A large crowd follows along after Jesus. They were looking at Him as someone to follow. But the first contact every sinner needs to have with Him is as a Savior. But the Lord says to them something like this “If you want to be like Me, you must give up everything.”

Day 156 - Luke 15

V.1-2 Happy contrast in this chapter. He meets Publicans (tax collectors) and sinners. With them He can communicate as a Savior! Now He can open His heart and mouth and tell these wonderful stories or parables.

V.3-7 Like the work of the Lord Jesus.

V.8-10 Like the work of the Holy Spirit.

V.11-32 Like the heart of God the Father. The Lord Jesus prepares the feast — the Holy Spirit prepares the guests and the Father is full of joy to have His house filled with the guests, rejoicing for eternity. If you are enjoying communion with your Father, someone once said, you never get past the 15th of Luke! Enjoy it

Day 157 - Luke 16

V.1-12 A most important lesson is to be learned here, by every believer in the Lord Jesus. A steward is a person who has been given responsibility by some rich person to look after his affairs. The boss calls him in and says that he hears that he is wasting his money and fires him.

V.3-7 He thinks things over, and makes a plan and carries it out.

V.8 The boss congratulates him when he hears what the man did. Why? Because the man thought of his future and had the right to do what he did.

V.9-12 The first meaning of this story, is that Israel was the “steward” and lost the job, but in applying it to the believer in Christ today, it teaches us that we first need to learn that we must live within our income. If we’re faithful in this area, then the Lord may give us some work to do for Him, so in this He commits to us the real valuable side of life, “the true riches” (vvs. 11-12).

V.13 “Mammon” means money.

V.19-31 A rich man who took those things which were entrusted to him, and used them all for his own pleasure. Every day this is taking place around us, but what if we could really see beyond and hear the awful anguish of a neighbor who has gone into a lost eternity. But see this poor man Lazarus he closes his eyes in death here and opens them up in eternal happiness. And there is a great gulf fixed forever between these two places.

Day 158 - Luke 17

V.1-2 The Lord Jesus loves “these little ones” and He warns us that we ought to be very careful that nothing we do or say would ever offend one of them.

V.3-4 Suppose someone has done something to offend me, what shall I do? The Lord says I am to forgive him no matter how many times he may offend me. I am not to offend others, and I am to forgive, if anyone offends me.

V.11-19 Each one of these lepers cried out for mercy, and the Lord heard and healed every one of them. Just one of them turned back to thank the Lord. Here is a cleansed leper a Samaritan at the feet of Jesus giving Him thanks.

V.21 In other words the Lord Jesus is saying, “I the Lord Jesus, represent the kingdom of God among you.” It does not mean that the kingdom of God was inside each of them, for He was talking to unbelieving Pharisees.

V.22-37 The Lord tells of the time when He will come to reign. It will be a time of judgment in which some will be taken away in judgment and others will be left for blessing, the blessings of the millennium. Try to remember this, because many confuse this coming of Christ with the rapture. Here the unbelievers are the ones who are taken suddenly. All this will take place AFTER we believers have been taken to heaven.

Day 159 - Luke 18

V.1-8 The Lord tells a parable — an earthly story with a heavenly meaning — so that the disciples will learn that prayer and patience go together. We need to be more afraid that we will not hear the Lord than being afraid that He won’t hear us. It has been said that the quickest way to get on our feet is to get on our knees. Watch and pray.

V.9-14 This lesson on prayer is different. It shows the spirit in which we should pray. Two men speak to God in prayer, then the Lord God speaks. Listen carefully to what He said!

V.15-17 A third lesson by the Lord. This one shows the heart of the disciples but then reveals His heart.

V.18-23 A fourth lesson. This young man doesn’t learn, because his heart and mind were set on the wrong things in life, riches, so he went away sad, even though he still had his riches. They didn’t satisfy him.

V.24-30 A fifth lesson. What seems impossible to people is possible with God. The disciples didn’t realize that the Lord Jesus was introducing something unheard of before. In Old Testament days when a person was faithful and obedient to God, he became rich, because God rewarded him right then and there. They had the evidence of God’s hearing them and rewarding them. But they didn’t realize that, in spite of God’s goodness to them, Israel would turn on God and crucify His Son. But the Gospel story had the secret in it that grace and blessing were going to be a gift of God. That seemed impossible to people.

V.31-34 These verses prove the above remarks. The Lord spoke so plainly. How could anyone not understand the simple words Jesus was saying to them (Read Luke 24:25). He blamed them after He had risen from the dead for being so careless and unbelieving. Are we the same?

V.35-43 If the Pharisee, and then the rich man missed the blessing, a poor blind beggar receives it. He followed Jesus!

Day 160 - Luke 19

The story of a rich man who did receive the blessing.

V.1-10 Zacchaeus’ riches did not satisfy him. He wanted Jesus. Nothing would hinder him. The Lord Jesus stops and calls him by name. Down he comes to stand at last in the presence of Jesus. In verse 7, those who saw what happened, considered Zacchaeus a sinner. Of course, the Lord knew all about Zacchaeus anyway, but what does He say? Verse 10, I have not come to bless you Zacchaeus, because you are generous and honest, but because I have come to seek and to save that which was lost!

V.11-27 While our Lord Jesus is away, He has given to each of us something that we can use for Him, we will give an account of how we used it.

V.38 The Lord is entering the city of Jerusalem and this is the cry that is raised. When He was born, the cry was raised “Peace on earth.” There is really no peace on earth, because they have rejected the Prince of Peace. As He enters the city where He is going to be condemned, the cry is now “peace in heaven.” The Prince of Peace was returning to heaven.

V.41 The Lord weeps over the very city that hated Him so much.

Day 161 - Luke 20

V.1-8 Only a divine Person could silence the unbelief with such an answer. Remember Jesus had not yet died, so when it says “Gospel” here it is still referring to the good news of the kingdom on earth.

V.9-18 The guilty nation of Israel, was His “vineyard.” After having refused the message sent by so many of His servants, the Old Testament prophets, God looks down and says “I will send my beloved Son.” But they kill that Son. Jews individually are still free to accept the Lord Jesus, of course.

V.19-26 The sins of Israel had brought them under the control of Caesar, the Roman Emperor. The Lord simply tells them to pay whatever Caesar demanded, but also to remember their responsibility to God.

V.27-38 The Lord tells the Sadducees — they did not believe in a resurrection — that in heaven, marriage does not exist at all. The joys of heaven are far, far greater than the joys on earth. “Equal unto the angels” means that angels know nothing of marriage in heaven and neither will we. We shall be higher and nearer than the greatest of angels.

Day 162 - Luke 21

V.1-4 We owe all to the blessed Lord Jesus Who gave Himself for us. He held back nothing and neither should we.

V.1-7 The Lord must tell the disciples that this beautiful temple was going to be destroyed. They want to know when.

V.8-24 The Lord plainly tells of the terrible judgments that were coming on that city. In the year 70 A.D. (about 37 years later), a Roman General named Titus came and surrounded the city of Jerusalem (v. 20) and completely destroyed it, and put great numbers of Jews to death. The words “till the time of the Gentiles be fulfilled” is the period of time which still exists today. The Gentiles are the rulers in the world (Rom. 11:25). After we believers are taken to glory, then some in Israel shall turn to the Lord (Rom. 11:26). They shall become the whole nation of Israel; and the land and people of Israel once again be the Lord’s throne on earth and the “time of the Gentiles” shall end.

V.25-28 These verses speak of the time when the Lord will come forth out of heaven to put down all His enemies and bring deliverance to the godly Jews who will be waiting for Him in that day (“E” on your chart).

V.32-33 Those words our Lord spoke will not pass away!

V.37 They are plotting to kill Him, but still He patiently and lovingly works among them. At night He goes to the mount of Olives! No one took Him to their home.

Day 163 - Luke 22

V.9 A most important question. The Lord still wishes us to remember Him, and He loves to hear us ask this same question. He is not pleased if we look around and “join the church of our choice.” Every believer is in the “church” for which He gave Himself. It is the desire of our Lord to see us gathered around Himself, to His worthy Name, and not the name of an organization made by men. The place the Lord chose was an “upper room” not the temple but a place outside of all religious systems.

V.19-20 What simplicity! There are many who still meet the first day of the week to remember their Lord in the quiet precious simplicity described here. A loaf, a cup, and the presence of our Lord Jesus! If we are willing to separate from what we know is wrong, then, and only then, the Spirit of God gathers us to the Lord’s Name. To add anything more is to say that He has not provided enough.

V.28 He had seen much failure with His disciples, and yet He says this.

V.39-46 He prays to His Father about the cross. Oh, how terrible sin is in the sight of the Lord. How awful the suffering that was necessary to put away sin.

V.54-62 Peter, denies that he ever knew the Lord! He just didn’t know how weak he was, and neither do we.

V.63-65 How awful our own hearts. The Lord Jesus was blindfolded, while they slapped and mocked Him — He who had created them. What a Savior!

Day 164 - Luke 23

V.1-12 Sad to see that this hatred against the Lord actually makes people be friends.

V.25 They chose a murderer, and crucified the only true and good Man who ever lived. And today they blame God for their wars and their troubles! The world today would crucify Him again if they could do so.

V.39-43 How could it be that God would show such love! God is love. This is the darkest hour in all the history of man. God touched the heart of that thief, so that he admitted his guilt, confessed Jesus as Lord. That very day he was in paradise with the Lord Jesus!

V.45 God has opened the way so that He can now come out in blessing to man, and opened the way so that man can come into the presence of God; made clean from every stain of sin.

V.50 No doubt the wicked rulers wanted to cast the dead body of Jesus into a common grave with the two thieves, but God had declared “He was with the rich in His death” (Isa. 53:9), and so it was fulfilled.

Day 165 - Luke 24

What glorious news! The resurrection! Jesus, the One who died for sinners, has come forth out of the grave. Now we know that God is completely satisfied with the work of redemption. He was “raised again for our justification” (Rom. 4:25).

V.6-7 A great surprise to those faithful women who came early on the first day of the week.

V.11 In spite of the story of resurrection, the message was not believed. But Peter runs all the way to the grave, and finds their story to be true.

V.13-35 Two discouraged disciples are met by the Lord, and He warms their heart by speaking of those things which were really so dear to them.

V.27 Three things get opened in this wonderful story. Here is the first — the Scriptures are opened to them by the Lord. What an experience it must have been for them as they walked those six miles of mountainous roads from Jerusalem to Emmaus. No wonder their heart burned in them (v. 32).

V.28 The Lord does not invite Himself to their home. Their hearts have been so warmed by His company, that they won’t let Him go.

V.31 Here is the second thing He opened — their eyes. They recognize Him! The Lord Jesus! What a moment awaits those of us who know this same Lord Jesus as our own Savior, when we hear His call to come up (1 Thess. 4:15-18). Probably today!

V.33 Notice where they go.

V.36 The presence of Jesus! What a joy to their hearts.

V.45 The third thing gets opened — their understanding. This didn’t happen when the first two were opened. Why? Because it was only when they were at the right place. Our understanding is not opened either until we are obedient. They had acted and returned to Jerusalem when the second thing had been opened. No one told them to return! When we separate then He gathers.

V.47 The message of repentance and forgiveness should begin at Jerusalem the very city where He had been rejected and hated and cast out.

V.49 They were to wait at Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit came upon them, which we read about in Acts 2.

Day 166 - Psalms

To describe the Psalms, we could say some are: (1) the voice of the Lord Jesus, written 1,000 years before the events took place; (2) Or like the voice of the little group of believing Jews, (the remnant) during the tribulation, “D” on chart; or (3) mostly the words of King David. Each word is inspired by God Himself. Also, this Book of Psalms could be like a hymn book for the believing Remnant, during the tribulation. It is so much about their trials, joys, sorrows and coming glory.

Psalm 1:1 The book opens with “blessed” or “happy.” God wants us to be happy. He has made every provision for our happiness. Notice three words, “walketh,” “standeth” and “sitteth.” If we walk with someone it might seem to us to be of very little importance, a passing friendship, so we might think it does not matter if they are “ungodly.” But the next step is “standeth” that is, we are still more in their company and are beginning to feel at home with them though they are “sinners.” And last comes, “sitting” now we might feel right at home, for we sit down with them, even though they are “scornful.” If we love the Lord Jesus, and His Word, we shall not want to walk or stand or sit in the company of those who do not love Him. We separate from them but we do not isolate ourselves, for we must witness to them.

V.2 Are we reading our chapter each day and thinking about it daily and at night too? Read your chapter with God.

V.3 A tree planted here is getting its moisture from the river. If we keep close to the Lord, and read His Word, we shall grow, even though we may find very few Christian friends to help and encourage us.

V.4 “The ungodly” may seem to prosper, but they will have to meet God someday. The Lord Jesus walked totally in the truth of this wonderful Psalm. But keep reminding yourself — the Lord Jesus lived on earth 1,000 years after these words were written! He perfectly fulfilled them.

Day 167 - Psalm 2

In this Psalm, we see terrible hatred and opposition foretold for the Lord Jesus. The world does not want anyone who lives for the glory of God. They hate the light, for they want to live in their sins.

V.2 Many unite to show their hatred, exactly like today.

V.7-9 Though written 1,000 years before the Lord Jesus came to earth, notice how similar the words are to Matthew 3:17, Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5. God sees the hatred of the heart of man, and He tells us that His Son, the Lord Jesus, in a yet future day is going to be honored, and those who despise Him will be punished. The Lord is going to reign over this world, and His enemies are going to be “dashed in pieces.” Holy and fierce judgment is going to fall on those who have rejected Christ.

V.12 If they do not repent, they will “perish.” But blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

Day 168 - Psalm 3

Notice the heading of this Psalm; (these are inspired). God could just as easily have given David these words when all was quiet and happy, but He gave them to him when he was really in trouble. Take a few minutes and turn to another example of difficult days producing more praise and worship to God than days of great blessing. 2 Sam. 22:2-51 (50 verses). Praise after his troubles. Chapter 23:1-7 (7 verses) after success and blessing. Do you get the point in your life?

V.5 Although David was in real trouble, he awakens happy and fearless. The night is passing and the morning has come.

Day 169 - Psalm 4 & 5

V.1 Middle part can be translated “In pressure thou hast enlarged me.” Encouraging to us when the Lord puts us through trials.

V.3 Here we read about the “godly.” You remember the way in which the Lord will reign after He has called us home to Himself. All those who have rejected the gospel will be punished, with no further chance for them to receive the gospel. But God will work in the hearts of some of His own people, the Jews, and will tell them that their promised King is coming out of heaven to reign. Some will believe this wonderful message, and will wait for Him in faith, and will tell others about His coming. These are often referred to in the Psalms as “the godly” or sometimes even “the poor” or the “meek.” Those who reject that message are called “the wicked” or “the ungodly.” This will help us to understand these Psalms more easily.

V.7-8 We might think that plenty of money would make us happy, but there is a happiness that is far more wonderful than “when their corn and their wine increased.” Those who please God can lie down and sleep in peace.

Psalm 5

V.2 David called God his King, and in the time that is coming, which we mentioned in yesterday’s Psalm, the godly Jews of that day will also know Him as King.

V.3 It is a good thing to begin each day by speaking to the Lord.

V.10 This may surprise us a little. But let us remember again, this is the language of David, of the Old Testament, and also looks ahead to the time when the Lord will be ready to come forth to put down His enemies and to reign over the earth.

V.11-12 Do you rejoice? Perhaps you might say “when all things go well, then I rejoice.” But here we read of how every believer may rejoice each day.

Day 170 - Psalm 6 & 7

Perhaps we may be rather surprised at so much trouble and weeping. David had mighty faith, it is really wonderful to hear him crying to the Lord like this in his times of trouble.

V.6 It seems to be night time. And there will be a very dark time of suffering for those “godly” ones, when the “ungodly” prosper and persecute them. In this darkness and trial they cry to the Lord — “D” on your chart.

Psalm 7

V.1 David, when he was in trouble, not only calls on the Lord but he trusts in the Lord. And so it will be with the “godly” in time to come, when they have no strength of their own, and their enemies are so strong.

V.6 The Lord will not openly deliver His people for quite a while during their future time of “tribulation.”

V.7 What wonderful words! This is what David looked forward to.

V.17 Notice how very often the last verse of the Psalm is one of victory.

Day 171 - Psalm 8

The song of praise promised at the close of Psalm 7.

V.1 What a wonderful burst of praise this is! This is really the song of the “godly ones,” who have been despised and who have heard the name of their Lord despised. But now, the wicked are gone, and the Lord reigns.

V.3-4 The Lord has made all creation, yet He finds His pleasure in His people.

V.5 This tells us of the Lord Jesus, who as a babe was made lower than the angels. But now He has gone up beyond angels again and is crowned with glory and honor. A glorified Man up above the stars.

Day 172 - Psalm 10

The cry of those who trust in the Lord during the coming day of tribulation on the earth — “D” on your chart. They are suffering and persecuted. Notice the many times the words “wicked” and “poor” are used. Look back to the outline of Psalm 4. “Ungodly” and the “wicked” are the same people.

V.3-11 What the unbelievers will be saying during that same time.

V.12 This poor suffering “remnant” loves the Lord and is waiting for His return “E” on chart.

V.14 The ungodly have said in verse 11 “he will never see it.” But here the godly ones say “thou hast seen it.” Those who know the Lord are sure that He is watching and that He will deliver them.

V.17 This word “humble” speaks of a few godly ones who are true to Him in the time of the coming “tribulation.” They are confident that the Lord will remember them and deliver them. Tomorrow, move on to Psalm 16.

Day 173 - Psalm 16

To understand this Psalm better, remember it is like the Lord as a Man speaking to God.

V.2-3 The Lord Himself, finds His delight in those whom He calls His saints. It specially refers to those who will trust in Him and wait for Him in a future day. He loves His saints! All believers are known as saints or holy ones.

V.5-8 The perfectly dependent Lord Jesus is described in these verses. He turns to the Lord His God, and trusts Him for everything and thanks Him for His faithfulness.

V.10 This refers to the then future resurrection of the Lord Jesus from the dead.

V.11 What happy confidence! The Lord Jesus prophetically looks forward to the joy, after His death and resurrection, of being at the right hand of God in glory. That is where He is now.

Day 174 - Psalm 22

We shall group Psalm 22, 23 and 24. We could call them the cross, the crook (shepherd’s rod) and the crown of glory. Or another way, Psa. 22, Yesterday; Psa. 23, Today; Psa. 24, Forever. Or Psa. 22, the Good Shepherd; Psa. 23, the Great Shepherd; Psa. 24, The Chief Shepherd. The very language of the Lord Jesus as He suffered on the cross one thousand years later.

V.1 When He was bearing our sins on the cross, God turned His face from Him, because He is holy and hates sin.

V.4-5 He says that when Israel cried to God, He heard them. But when He cries, God does not answer! He is forsaken of God.

V.16-18 The exact way in which the Lord Jesus was treated one thousand years before it took place. The piercing of His blessed hands and feet and the parting of His garments.

V.21 Ends the words of the Lord’s sufferings on the cross.

V.22 The work of the cross is finished. The Lord has borne all the judgment and now He is happy to “declare Thy name unto My brethren.” In John 20:17, we hear the Lord saying “I ascend unto My Father and your Father.”

He wasn’t meeting Satan at the cross, as many say, but meeting God and the judgment for sin. He did this as the Son of Man. In His life He glorified His Father, but on the cross He glorified God as the sin-bearer.

V.22 Is a small mention of the Christian era (see John 20:17).

V.25 The “great congregation”, refers to the millennium (“E” on your chart) when Jews and Gentiles will follow the Lord Jesus in praise of Jehovah.

Day 175 - Psalm 23

The best-known and loved of all the Psalms. But before we can enjoy the Lord Jesus as our Shepherd, He had to die for us, and that is why Psalm 22 with all its sufferings must come before Psalm 23, with all its peace and rest.

V.1-3 What peace and happiness! But notice that David says “He maketh me to lie down ... He leadeth ... He restoreth.” When things are smooth and pleasant, David enjoys talking about that wonderful and faithful Shepherd.

V.4 But David is talking to the Shepherd.

V.5 The valley is passed and his cup runs over! And so it will be with all those who belong to the Lord.

V.6 The wonderful promises. What a wonderful future! We look back to the sufferings of Psalm 22 and thank and praise the Lord for going through all that for the glory of God, and so that we might know Him now as our Shepherd, and look forward to dwelling with Him forever.

Day 176 - Psalm 24

“The earth is the Lord’s.” We should remember this. There is so much boasting about “Man and his world,” but it is really the Lord’s, He made it.

V.3 This world that the Lord made, has been ruined by sin and here two questions are asked, they can mean, who is worthy to reign over this world?

V.4 The answer to the question would show us that the Lord Himself is the only One who is worthy to reign. But also all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Savior are clean and pure in the sight of God.

V.7-8 We can see very clearly that it is the Lord Himself who reigns, and there is rejoicing when He reigns, for He will put down all His enemies. Let us notice then, that in Psalm 22 He suffers, in Psalm 23 He cares for us as our Shepherd, and in Psalm 24 He comes out of heaven, with us, to reign.

Day 177 - Psalm 25

V.1 When you and I are living with a good conscience toward God, we can enjoy being close to the Lord, as this verse says. It doesn’t say he lifts up his eyes, but his inward feelings, his soul. The soul is our inward feelings, our affections.

V.2 I won’t be sorry or ashamed if I trust the Lord.

V.3 Then he thinks of others — a good thing to do. He hopes they too will find this out for themselves. They won’t ever be sorry that they trusted the Lord.

V.4 A change here. He longs to know the Lord more and more. It’s good to be teachable.

V.5 Not only to know the ways of the Lord, but to live in them! A big difference.

V.6 He would rather remember what the Lord is, than to think about himself.

V.7 We believers today know that since then the Lord Jesus has come to earth and died for us, and so the verse for us (Heb. 8:12).

V.8-13 He goes back to remembering what the Lord is.

V.14 The Lord will whisper to you what to do when you don’t know; but it’s only when we fear, have reverence for, the Lord.

V.15-22 Remember that the Psalms don’t give us the full revelation of what God has given the believer today. The next Psalm continues on with the same thoughts as today’s Psalm. Remember too that the first application of the Psalms is to Israel.

Day 178 - Psalm 27

This Psalm is like the words of the “remnant” in the tribulation. But these people are so close to the Lord that their words are like the Lord’s own words.

V.1-3 He is light first and salvation, and strength. Anything more needed?

V.4 King David loved the Lord so much he wanted to dwell, or live in the house of the Lord. And he wanted it “all the days of my life” not just occasionally. “To behold the beauty of the Lord”. Do you notice the difference between this verse, “all the days of my life”, and the last 12 words of Psa. 23?

V.5 Sometimes it takes a time of trouble to make us feel our need of the presence of the Lord.

V.8 The Lord wants us to seek His face, or to keep close to Himself.

V.11 This is a very good prayer for all of us. We so often want our own way.

V.14 Not always easy to do. But the secret of strength!

Day 179 - Psalm 30

A very important point for you and me to learn, is in this Psalm; that the wonderful position every believer is in, is greater than the best circumstances a person could be in on this earth. We might think that when everything is quiet, a nice job, happy marriage, good health and so on, that that is true happiness. But Scripture reminds us in 1 Peter 3:14 that there is a happiness which is ours when we’re in opposite circumstances — suffering. So we realize that the Lord has left us an example in His own life of sorrow (1 Pet. 2:21).

V.1-3 A soul who has everything out before the Lord and confesses it to Him, is conscious that he (she) has been lifted up out of the pit.

V.4-12 Even after we have felt we are forgiven, we might be careless again and become depressed. Verse 10 shows us the Lord still hears. This will humble us, but He still hears when we confess to him. (Read 1 John 3:20-21).

Day 180 - Psalm 32

V.1-2 The thankful words of one who has been forgiven. He doesn’t pretend, because he realizes the Lord knows everything.

V.3-4 He remembers how terrible it was when the Lord first began to work in him.

V.5 It was a great day when he confessed all to the Lord. (This is our way of staying in communion with the Lord).

V.8 Notice the order of the three promises. Don’t forget them.

The horse and mule have no understanding of the mind of their master. The Lord doesn’t want us to be like them. God wants to guide us gently and with love. But sometimes He has to bring real trouble or sorrow into our life because we are trying to have our own way.

V.11 Here the forgiven sinner encourages others to join with him in praising the Lord.

Day 181 - Psalm 36

V.1-4 These describe the human heart. What depravity! No hiding anything. All is exposed. How awful it is! Your and my old nature.

V.5-12 But — The Lord God.

V.5 His lovingkindness, His faithfulness;

V.6 His righteousness, His judgments.

V.7 Again His lovingkindness.

V.8 His pleasures;

V.9 With Him is the fountain of life and His light;

V.10 Again His lovingkindness and His righteousness.

V.12 The opposites — pride, the hand of the wicked, workers of iniquity cast down. How thankful we should be for having such a God!

Day 182 - Psalm 37

V.1 “Evildoers” and “workers of iniquity” seem to get along quite well! And perhaps those who live to please the Lord don’t seem to get along so well but “fret not thyself ... be not envious.” Because they shall soon be cut down.

V.3-7 We need these things every day. This is written to God’s earthly people, the godly Jews, in a future day.

V.3 “The land” means the promised land.

V.11 This will only take place here in this world after the Lord returns to reign (“E” “F” on chart); we shall be in heaven.

V.14 “The wicked” are those who go on in their ungodly ways during the tribulation. The “meek,” “righteous” and the “godly” (the remnant) are those who love the Lord, and are waiting for Him to come out of heaven to reign at that time.

Day 183 - Psalm 40

Often in this book of the Psalms, some are grouped together around one theme. These three are a picture about Christ’s life on earth among His own people, Israel. Not only sharing in their sorrows, but in the end, paying for their sins on the cross, so that all who looked to Him, might be blessed with Him in the end. The last verse is like a prayer of the Lord Jesus as He was on the cross. He didn’t ever do anything to save Himself from that dreadful cross. Throughout this Psalm, you will see a little of what He went through, and how He felt everything that was done to Him.

V.1 He does not use the word “Father,” for it is only used in the New Testament. We can see that the Lord took His place right among His own people. May we take our place with Him in this wicked world, and realize we are following a rejected Man.

Day 184 - Psalm 41

There were times in the life of David when his own friends turned against him. One of these was Shimei, and one of them was his own son Absalom. But there were some who were true to David and suffered with him.

V.1 “The poor” really means the despised followers of the Lord in a still future day. Those who will remain faithful in waiting for the Lord are called “poor,” “weak,” or “godly.” Although this will be fulfilled after we are gone to heaven, yet it is true even now. For those who love the Lord are despised. He is happy to see those who confess His name.

V.5 Even today, there are many who hate that precious Name, and would like to see it blotted out. But we can honor that name in our hearts, our lips and our ways. We can be with those who are gathered to His precious Name. The One whom we love is despised, and if we wish to be popular in this world, we shall be unfaithful to Him.

V.9 David wrote this when one of his special friends had turned against him, and he felt it very much. At the same time, he valued those who stayed with him and were true to him.

Day 185 - Psalm 42

V.1-3 This is a picture of a believer who is searching for something — and he doesn’t know what it is. He had the first joy of his salvation, but now, somehow, he doesn’t have the joy any more. But he finds that even the searching is beginning to bring relief. What he is really searching for is God, Himself. And he finds that the searching is bringing the joy! And don’t we find the same thing? The circumstances around us may be nice, but they don’t satisfy. Only the Lord satisfies. So when the Lord sends us something which our old nature doesn’t like, we discover that the Lord is trying to teach us that our new life only finds total satisfaction in Christ, and Christ alone. So we are learning from this Psalm is that when we put out of our life the things we know are not pleasing to Him, then real joy is given us by God Himself

Day 186 - Psalm 45

Remember that although these Psalms are referring to the actual things which happened to King David and others, they are beautiful, poetic pictures of the Lord Jesus when He returns to be King over the earth. This Psalm is an answer to the troubles and the prayers for help in the last 3 Psalms.

V.1-2 A lovely description of the beauty of the Lord.

V.3-5 In a future day, the Lord Jesus shall come out of heaven to put down His enemies and to reign over His own waiting people. (“E”—“F” on chart).

V.3-8 His enemies, the ungodly will fear Him, but His own people, the godly Jews, will rejoice in His beauty here described.

V.9-12 “The queen” this is Jerusalem, looked at as a queen. The Lord Jesus will come out of heaven with us, to bring blessing to this earth.

V.13 That is so important. We look on the outside but God looks on the heart. “Her clothing is of wrought gold” that which is outside that which others can see, but she is “all glorious within.”

Day 187 - Psalm 46

This Psalm gives us one very important but simple point, “Be still and know that I am God.”

V.10 So where do we start to learn this? — in verse 1. Not many words, but what words! Read it over for at least five times, and see what happens to your confidence! A very accurate translation of this verse is, “God is our refuge and strength, a help in distresses, very readily found” (J.N.D. translation). No matter what happens in our life, even the mountains shaking, we can be still. Try Him for yourself!

Day 188 - Psalm 48

God has had only one main center on this earth — Jerusalem, or Zion. So this Psalm is entirely about one point. We notice that it is not talking about what that city is today, but what it shall be in the future Millennium. In Psalm 44 we can read of what awful judgments are going to fall on that city — after we believers are caught away to heaven — in the tribulation. (Look at your Chart).

Day 189 - Psalm 50

This Psalm explains a lot of the past days in Israel’s history. Yes, He did give them instruction as to what the people were to bring to God in the many, many sacrifices. There was nothing wrong with the sacrifices. What God is telling in this Psalm is that He is not complaining about the sacrifices, but about what the people were going on with, their bad practices, their wicked ways with each other, at the very time they were doing these sacrifices. You can see what God is saying to us today. We might give an outward appearance of being holy by attending a religious service and at the same time be going on in sin.

V.23 Tells us what HE has done — given the one sacrifice for sin, the Lord Jesus. Notice the last part of that verse — is our daily life in keeping with this sacrifice?

Day 190 - Psalm 51

V.1-4 Here is a very important lesson. King David had committed a dreadful sin (2 Sam. 11). Not only in committing adultery, but in causing the husband to be killed. In this Psalm, David takes full responsibility for his sin. He throws himself at the Lord’s feet. All sin is against God.

V.5 He goes back to the root of all sin. When the believer sins he (or she) must go to God quickly and confess it. 1 John 1:9 is important.

V.8-12 He longs to get back to the real joy of life — keeping close to the Lord.

V.13-15 He wants to be able to witness to others about the Lord.

V.16,17 We rest on the one sacrifice for our sins, the death of the Lord Jesus.

V.19 Then the Lord will rejoice too.

Day 191 - Psalm 52 and 53

There is plenty of power seen everywhere today, advances in, science, industry and knowledge generally. If the believer is impressed and taken up with them then Psalm 53 is telling him that he has a few things to learn from GOD! May verses 8 and 9 in Psalm 52 be what we want.

Day 192 - Psalm 54 & 55

The godly repentant ones are persecuted by the mocking ungodly ones, and they cry to the Lord, and trust in Him.

V.1 May that worthy name be more and more precious to us.

V.6-7 The result. We call on the name of the Lord when we’re in trouble, and then we praise that worthy name.

Psalm 55

In the life of David, there were several of his friends who turned against him; the saddest of all was his own son Absalom. And in the life of the Lord, it was Judas who turned against Him and betrayed Him.

V.12-13 The Lord sorrowed greatly at the hatred in the heart of Judas. The Lord grieves over the unbelieving part of the nation of Israel. He loved them, and had done so much for them, and yet they hated and despised Him.

V.16 The Lord Jesus lived for the glory of God. We too, can call on God and find our happiness in Him, even though friends may turn against us.

V.17 Daniel did this (See Dan. 6:10).

Day 193 - Psalm 61 and 62

Has your heart ever been overwhelmed with the most awful conditions around you? Have you lost the joy in the Lord that you used to have? Does there seem to be no way out? Read this Psalm 61. Turn to the Lord. Forget everything else. He will lead you to the ROCK, it is UNDER you, and His wing is OVER you.

Psalm 62

V.1-2 Here we are listening to a person who knows the Lord so well that he has full confidence in Him for everything in his life.

V.5-6 Notice that his faith is increasing. In v.2, he says he won’t be greatly moved by problems, but in v.6 he says he won’t be moved at all!

V.8 Only when you are keeping close to the Lord with a good conscience, can you tell others effectively to trust Him.

V.11-12 He has total confidence in the goodness and fairness of God.

Day 194 - Psalm 63 & 64

V.1 He seeks for God. His soul thirsts for Him; his flesh (body) longs for Him. From time to time we should remind ourselves that there are different lessons in these Psalms. Very often they are the language of the heart of Jesus while He was here on earth written long before He was born. At times they are the feelings of David in his trials. But most of them can teach us lessons for our own problems today. Here, the Lord feels deeply the hatred of those who rejected Him. No doubt also the godly Jews will feel the same way in the time of the great tribulation yet to come to them (“D” on your chart). But in it all, there is confidence and trust in the Lord.

Notice in Psalm 63:1, his soul thirsts; in verse 5, his soul is satisfied and in verse 8 his soul finds fellowship.

V.6 Contrast this verse with Ecclesiastes 2:23.

Day 195 - Psalm 66 & 67

V.1-4 The whole earth. It will yet be filled with the glory and the praise of the Lord. This is speaking of the millennium.

V.5-12 All Israel. “Come and see.” This beautiful Psalm calls upon everyone to come and see what the Lord will do, and the glory that will be shown openly.

V.6 Their thoughts go back to the time when they were brought out of Egypt, and though they did a lot of complaining, they now are filled with praise as they look back on the goodness of the Lord (v. 12).

V.16-20 The individual. “Come and hear.” Yes, not only come and see but come and hear. Let our voices be lifted up in praise and prayer and confidence, even though we may be surrounded by difficulties, for it is going to end in His presence with all its joy.

Psalm 67

Those believers in the “gospel of the kingdom” — to be preached after we have been taken to heaven — are brought into this wonderful blessing, and will be anxious that others may “come and see” (Psa. 66:5); “come and hear” (Psa. 66:16); and “know” (Psa. 67:2); “praise” (v. 3); “be glad and sing for joy” (v. 4); and “God shall bless” (v. 7).

All believers shall see and enjoy the blessings of the Lord.

Day 196 - Psalm 68

In 1 Chronicles 15, King David brings the ark up to Jerusalem, to set it on Mount Zion. You will see that there was to be singing as the ark was carried forward and up the hill. This Psalm gives us the words of the song which they sang long ago. But, amazing to realize, this same song shall be sung in a future day by the believing remnant of Jews.

V.15 They have come within sight of Mount Zion and they are filled with praise. This may be hard to understand. They describe what was happening in King David’s day; but they also are telling what Israel can expect when the Lord Jesus returns to reign over the earth as King during the millennium (1,000 years).

V.19 They cannot take any glory to themselves, but bless the Lord for His daily blessings and for His goodness in restoring them to their land.

Day 197 - Psalm 69

We will now read three Psalms which speak of the Lord’s sufferings, not from God as in Psalm 22, but from people (Psa. 69; 102; 116).

The cries of the Lord as He suffered from people.

V.5 Could there be any fault found in His holy life? Certainly not. But He bore our sins, and confessed them as His own.

V.20 There was no one to pity or to comfort Him in His terrible sorrow and suffering.

V.21 How remarkable that we should read words like this, written long before the Lord Jesus lived here, and so perfectly fulfilled a thousand years after they were written by King David.

V.22 There will be terrible punishment on those who hated and crucified the Lord and have never repented.

V.32-36 There will be blessing for the humble, and for those that love His name.

Psalm 102

We learn more of the inner feelings of the Lord Jesus from the Old Testament than we do from the New Testament where the events actually took place!

V.1-11 We hear the Lord Himself in His deep grief as He is suffering for us on the cross.

V.12-22 God answers His cries and He is able to rejoice at the promise of life and a kingdom. It should make us praise the Lord ourselves, as we think of the suffering He went through, that we might have the joy of forgiveness, and of praising Him.

Up to verse 11, we have the sorrows of the Lord’s life, when He came the first time. But from verse 12 to 17, He is comforted when He thinks of the result of His work.

V.18 It will bring blessing to Israel and all the nations in the future millennium.

V.23 The Messiah,

V.25 The Creator.

V.24 The price He paid to redeem us!

Day 198 - Psalm 116

Here we find the song of resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Don’t forget — written 1,000 years before the cross of Christ had happened!

V.3 He went into death for you and me.

V.8 But He was raised again. We shall never know the awfulness to His holy soul of going into death and the grave for us. But we rejoice to know that He is now risen and we can join in His song of praise and victory.

V.15 What a wonderful verse! It is truly precious to Him, when one of His own saints (believers) is called Home into His presence. Have these verses of our blessed Lord’s sufferings touched your heart?

V.18 His people.

V.19 The place — Jerusalem.

Day 199 - Psalm 73

Perhaps we have all had the thoughts that are opened to us in this Psalm.

V.1 It is true that God is good to those who are of a clean heart. He loves to bless, but we sometimes hinder His blessings by our own careless ways.

V.2-16 The writer watches the ungodly to see how they get along. They are healthy and they prosper and don’t even seem to have as many troubles as believers often have. This was so hard to understand. The more he looked around, the more puzzled he became. But he had not been looking in the right place.

V.17 But when he gets into the presence of the Lord, he gets the answer. The awful end of the wicked is so terrible that their little time of prosperity seems as nothing.

V.22 He admits he had been foolish to envy the wicked. But perhaps we have all done the same thing. Let us look up then, and remember that our future is to be in the glorious presence of the Lord Jesus, no matter what our present troubles may be.

V.25 The Lord will be the joy of our hearts in heaven and it surely should be true of us now for He is well able to fill our hearts with joy on the way home.

V.28 Let us then draw near to the Lord, and trust in Him then our testimony will follow.

Day 200 - Psalm 84

V.1 This wonderful verse tells of one who loves to be in the presence of the Lord. Is that true of you?

V.2 There was a time when David was driven out of Jerusalem, and it may have been at this time that he wrote this Psalm. He isn’t longing to be in his palace, but in the courts of the Lord.

V.3 The sparrow; the least valuable bird, and the swallow; the most restless bird, but both of them found a place to lay their young. No matter how lowly or how restless we may feel we can find a home in the presence of the Lord.

V.5-12 There is a valley to pass through. This is much the same as Psalm 23. It also speaks of the house of the Lord, and dwelling there forever but it also speaks of the valley on the way.

The house of the Lord is something that we look forward to at the end of the way, but there may be valleys of tears and troubles along the journey. May the last eight words take hold of us, and may we experience what it means to trust Him.

Day 201 - Psalm 90

This Psalm begins the fourth book or section. It runs to the end of Psalm 106. It begins with a Psalm of Moses — He lived about 500 years before King David. The wonders, the mysteries of the first creation seem to be compared with the majesty and wonder of God, Himself. We could call this a “Time” Psalm. Watch for the words “Generations,” “Everlasting,” “years” (6 times), “night,” “morning” (twice), “evening,” “days” (5 times).

V.1-2 We can look around at creation the sea the mountains and can rejoice to know that the God who loves and cares for us was before all these from everlasting to everlasting! In verse 2 we see the stability and greatness of God; what a contrast to man’s frailty and littleness (v.5-6)!

V.3-10 How weak and frail man is! He thinks himself very wise and important, and he boasts about what he can do. But after all, he just lives a few years and then he is gone, and where has he gone?

V.12 If we just remember how short our time is here, we shall apply our hearts to wisdom. What wisdom is this? It surely is not the wisdom that is taught at school, but the wisdom of accepting the Lord as our Savior and of living to please Him.

V.14 Man’s wisdom never brought him any happiness. But the consciousness of the Lord’s care and mercy can make us glad all our days.

V.17 May we too desire that the beauty of the Lord be seen in us, and that our life may be such that those who watch us may see the “beauty of the Lord.”

Day 202 - Psalm 91

This beautiful Psalm is about the Lord Jesus their Messiah who would not come to earth for yet a thousand years! He would be preserved by the “Almighty God” (v. 1).

V.3-8 Shows us how God would preserve His beloved Son Who would become a Man. It seems to be a remarkable contrast to the story of Adam. Adam wanted to be like God and so tried to make himself wise and important. But the Lord Jesus, equal with God, speaks in this Psalm as a dependent Man. He trusted in God in all things, and this is an example for us. Yesterday we were reminded of how very weak and frail man is. Here we have an account of that blessed One who was without sin or failure of any kind. And yet, as a Man, He trusted perfectly in God.

V.11-12 The devil quoted these words to the Lord in the temptation in the wilderness (Matt. 4:6). The devil knew these verses were about the Lord, and so he tried to tempt the Lord to act apart from the will of God His Father. But the Lord would not do so. Let us then, learn the lesson of dependence from this Psalm.

Day 203 - Psalm 92 & 93

V.1 Praising the Lord is only possible when we are enjoying Him!

V.3 Do we praise the Lord with an instrument of 10 strings? Two eyes, two ears, two hands, two feet, one tongue and one heart! Ten strings! Let’s praise Him with all that we have.

V.5 We can see His work in creation, and we know His thoughts of love, for He has shown it all in giving the Lord Jesus.

V.6 There are many fools who deny that God made the world, and care nothing at all for His thoughts of love.

V.14 Isn’t it grand to see those who are old, still happy in the Lord, and telling others of His love. No doubt this specially reminds us of God’s people, the Jews, who in the coming days of their history will bless and praise the Lord.

Psa. 93 Here we read of majesty and glory and strength on this earth in a time which is still future. It is not so right now, but there is One Who is mightier than the waves and floods of man’s rebellions, and He will set it all right. In the meantime, let those of us who know Him, and who enjoy His presence, remember that He wants us to act in holy separation (v. 5).

Day 204 - Psalm 104

Begins with the greatness of the Lord; closes with the glory of the Lord (v. 31). God as the Creator is exalted. There are many today who think they are very wise, and yet they laugh at the idea that God created everything. What a surprise it will be to them when they meet the very One who made it all!

V.5 He laid the very foundations of the earth. As we read these verses slowly it makes us praise Him more and more. Look at the sky the moon and the stars and remember verse 19. Look at the hills and remember verse 13. Look at the trees and remember verse 16. Yes, wherever we look, we see the hand of the Lord, and we feel the same as the writer as we come to verse 24!

V.30 All things that exist came from the hand of God.

V.34 And this should make us think on the Lord. And it is not only sweet to us, but it is sweet to Him, for He knows what we are thinking about!

Day 205 - Psalm 105

The writer speaks of God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He remembers the goodness of God in blessing.

V.25 Tells about the time when God’s people were slaves in Egypt. God allowed them to be hated and to be beaten and yet He loved them.

V.26-37 God’s wonderful deliverance of His people, but we can learn a lesson from this. Does the Lord send a time of trouble to you? Does He allow some to hate you? Remember He loves you and He is going to bring you into eternal blessing.

V.37 The people were wealthy and healthy.

V.38 The Egyptians were glad when the children of Israel departed. It is quite possible that the unsaved will be rather glad when the Lord calls us away. There will be nobody then to trouble their conscience, or to talk to them about the Lord. But it will be so short a time, and then the judgments will fall.

V.41 He looked after them in the wilderness, and gave them water from the Rock. He knows our needs too, and can refresh our thirsty hearts with the water of His Word.

Day 206 - Psalm 106

Psa. 105 has shown us what God really is like toward His people. Over and over again He told of His faithfulness to them.

V.3-25 Today we look at the other side — at the way people act. They were glad when God had acted so kindly to them, but they soon turned back to their evil ways. So here we get a brief history of the people’s thoughts and actions when they were delivered out of Egypt.

V.12 When they saw the wonderful miracle at the Red Sea, they even sang (Ex. 15).

V.13-25 It didn’t take them long to forget. They go from bad to worse. These are all very sad verses, but what a picture of all of us in our natural state.

V.26-27 God steps in with punishment. Did that turn them from their disobedience? Verse 28 answers that question.

V.30-31 Another kindness of God. Moses, in verse 23 spoke to God on their behalf. Here another faithful man shows his courage.

V.32-43 Back they go again; this time turning to idols.

V.35 shows us what mixing with worldly friends does to us (See 1 Cor. 15:33).

They began by forgetting God’s works (v. 13); and ended by sacrificing to devils (v. 37).

V.44-48 And yet God shows what HE is. Are you getting the message?

Day 207 - Psalm 107

Today we start the 5th and final section of the Psalms. It is like a history written before it happened. It will help us to understand better if we keep in mind that this section is like Israel on their final march into the land and center they had previously despised. And it is their entry into the millennial blessings and joys which they will have for one thousand years, with the Lord as their King and Jerusalem their center.

V.2 “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” Let us open our mouths and tell what the Lord has done for us. Read verses 6, 13, 19 and 28. They are all about the same. And now verses 8, 15, 21 and 31. Again they are the same. The Lord sent trouble to them from time to time, and in their troubles, they turned and cried to the Lord. He delivered them, and then came the call to praise Him!

Let us then learn the lesson from these few Psalms of praise. We can never forget the goodness and mercy of the Lord that picked us up and saved us. We can see His lovingkindness and His faithfulness in all the trials and troubles that He has allowed in the life of each of us. And the result of all this should be more and more praise to His worthy name.

Day 208 - Psalm 110

A very beautiful Psalm.

V.1 Notice the word “Lord.” The letters of the word are different. “The LORD said unto my Lord.” The first word LORD means “Jehovah” and the next word Lord is “Adonai” and refers to the Lord Jesus. Now this word is new to most of us and it means God for the Lord Jesus was God, as well as man. In Luke 20:41-44, you will see that the Jews didn’t understand this at all.

V.2-3 In Psalm 109, the Lord speaks of Himself as “poor and needy.” But what a place of honor is His! He has ascended, and receives such a high place. In Philippians 2:5-11, the Lord Jesus went down, down so very low, to the shameful death of the cross. But He has now received such a wonderful place of honor, and He will yet reign over willing people — the people on the earth, not us — and will put all His enemies down. And we shall be with Him to share it with Him. Let us not try to get the honor of this world now, but wait for the day when we shall share the honor that He has won.

V.7 This can refer to the Lord Jesus in His perfect dependence all the way along His lowly life here on earth. He was glad of the refreshment He received from God, but He never went out of the path of dependence. May we be refreshed in the same way and “lift up the head.”

Day 209 - Psalm 111 & 112

V.1-6 Our hearts should be filled with praise as we remember that the Lord Jesus, so despised and unwanted, now is in a place of honor and majesty.

V.7 It is good to remember that even the work of His hands, that we see all around us, should make us praise Him. Five verses speak of the Works of the Lord.

V.10 How we need to remember this! The schools today teach man’s wisdom, not the wisdom which comes from God through the Bible. Read verse 5 and 10 together. We aren’t afraid of the Lord, but notice what the “fear” of Him produces.

Psalm 112

V.1 Not only is the fear of the Lord the beginning of wisdom, but the person who walks in this fear is blessed of the Lord. The Lord Jesus Himself would do nothing that was not for the glory of God.

V.2-3 Always remember that the promises of rewards for obeying the Lord, in the Old Testament days, were riches and things, whereas today, for us, they are the enjoyment of our spiritual blessings in Christ.

V.7 Are we afraid of evil tidings — bad news? If we are, it is because we are not completely trusting in the Lord. We may be trusting Him for salvation, but we should trust Him also every day of our lives, for He is caring for us.

V.9 Daily walking with the Lord does not make us selfish, but it does make us want to help others. Notice how long that person’s righteousness lasts!

Day 210 - Psalm 113 & 114

V.1-2 Notice the “name of the Lord” is mentioned in the first three verses. Today there are so many names that men honor, and even call “churches” by different names. Is this what the Bible teaches?

V.7-8 Our position before and after we knew the Lord Jesus as our Savior.

God uses weak things so that it may be plain and clear that good and blessings come from His love and power. So let’s remember that His heart and His hand are the sources and we enjoy our blessings through obedience, prayer and the reading of His Word.

V.9 We can put Sarah, Rachel, Hannah and Elizabeth into this verse.

Psalm 114

V.1-6 Remind us of the children of Israel leaving the land of Egypt and going across to the land that flowed with “milk and honey.” There were big deeds of power at that time.

V.7 But there is greater power to come! What an awful day it will be for those who are left behind at the coming of the Lord. The earth will feel His power in judgment (punishment) far worse than it was felt in the land of Egypt.

Day 211 - Psalm 125

V.1-2 If you have quiet confidence in the Lord, even if you have difficulties in your life, you are going to be thinking like these two verses. Do you believe that? Do you see that third word in the first verse? The Lord would be happy to show you what He is waiting to do for you if you ... Him!

V.4 We sometimes say to our children “Be good now.” Do you want the Lord to “do good” to you? What does the Lord expect us to be? Upright in heart. Do we need to ask Him to help us to be this? (Read 2 Peter 1:3-4).

V.5 This will be the end of those who turn to do their own will. But the Lord doesn’t want to end the Psalm like that. The Psalm starts with “trust” and ends with “peace.”

Day 212 - Psalm 126 & 127

You may have noticed, at the chapter number a statement which reads “Song of degrees.” The word “degrees” means “a going up.” These 14 Psalms, from 120 to 134, are thought to be songs like steps up from days of troubles, difficulties, captivity, all the way up to joy, rejoicing and singing praise to God in His house (or temple). It could be like Israel’s long journey from Babylon, “the city of confusion” (Isa. 24:10) to Jerusalem, the city of peace (Psa. 122:3-8). So you can also enjoy the thought that we are on our journey up to heaven, where the Lord Jesus is waiting for us.

V.3 Every believer can surely say this from the heart.

V.5 We can think of these verses as the Good Seed of the gospel, and the telling of it to others.

V.6 We can apply verse 5 to ourselves, “they,” but this verse to the Lord, “He.” The Lord Jesus wept as He looked on Jerusalem, for He knew that it would refuse His love and mercy. But He shall come again bringing the fruit (us) with Him.

Psalm 127

Here we are reminded that God alone gives the blessings. Everything that we try to do on our own is empty.

V.1 If men build buildings, some day they shall be dust and ashes and their honored names forgotten. But there is a building which will last forever — the church of God! This is made up of every true believer, each one a living stone (1 Pet. 2:5).

Day 213 - Psalm 133 & 134

V.1 “Brethren, dwelling together in unity.” Is it really possible? Yes, thank God, it is. If we all obeyed the Word of God, we all would be gathered together in the name of the Lord Jesus. What glory we would bring to Him! What happiness and unity for us. Or are we like Proverbs 6:19? Read the first sentence again and quickly read the last clause of verse 3. Get it?

Psalm 134

V.1 Here all the servants of the Lord are standing in the house of the Lord. What a lesson for us! It is a wonderful thing to be saved, and to have the Bible as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. But what about the house of the Lord? Do we really want to be found there? That is where the Bible would lead us. If we read His Word prayerfully, and then obey it, we will learn more truth. The Lord Jesus is the truth and the Spirit of God will lead us into that one unity of the Holy Spirit (Read carefully Eph. 4:3).

Day 214 - Psalm 140 & 141

A man who loves the Lord, and is surrounded by wicked and proud men. What will he do? In verse 4 he says “keep me O Lord.” In verse 6 he says “thou art my God.” In verse 12 he says, “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted.” We think we can fight against the evil that is around us, but instead we can quietly trust in the Lord, who will soon deliver us from it all, completely and forever.

Psalm 141

V.3 When we hear that which is evil and wicked around us every day, we sometimes begin to talk that way ourselves. Let us ask the Lord to keep our lips.

V.5 There may be times when some friend will speak a faithful word to you, because he or she fears that you are getting careless. Don’t be angry about this. The Lord has allowed it, and there is a lesson for you in it.

Day 215 - Psalm 149 & 150

V.4 “A new song” — see Rev. 5:9, this will be our song. It is His earthly, believing people that are being spoken of here. The Lord will use them to put down the wicked, and all the enemies of the Lord. But today, we can rejoice to know that we are His heavenly people. It is not our responsibility to cut off the wicked, but to tell them of God’s offer of forgiveness; to wait for the Lord to call us away; then He will judge the wicked who refused to accept Him.

Psalm 150

All believers today have the joy and privilege of praising our blessed Lord in His sanctuary, and soon we shall praise Him up there in heaven, His firmament.

Day 216 - Daniel 1

Today we start a new and entirely different book — Daniel. Its setting is in “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). That covers many years. We’re in it today. It started at about B.C. 607 or 2,600 years ago and will continue until the Lord appears. (“E” on your chart). It all took place after the ten tribes of Israel had been taken captive by Assyria — and have never been heard of since then. The remaining two tribes, Judah and Benjamin were taken captive to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. Judah was the Royal tribe; and the kings were taken too. Our chapter tells of Daniel, one of the Royal family. These four young men would have been around 17 years old.

V.3-4 The king decides to use these Hebrew captives to train, with a group of his own, with the best education. Verse 4 gives a list of 6 requirements which they had to possess. What an opportunity for these young fellows.

V.5 The king plans what they should eat — the best — the king’s own menu, and, no doubt, the best wines available.

V.7 In order to help make these Hebrew captives forget their own background, all are given foreign names.

V.8 But Daniel had a secret in his heart — he belonged to GOD. He would not eat the meat that probably had been offered to idols. He would not defile himself.

V.10-14 The official is afraid to change the king’s plans; he would lose his life if he did. Daniel says a remarkable thing; it wouldn’t have been fair to put the responsibility on the man who would be serving the food. Daniel suggests that the man also bring him some cereals, and see how things went for ten days. Very wise suggestion.

V.15-16 The four young fellows have rosier cheeks and are fatter than all the others.

V.17 The secret is told — God honored those who honored Him!

V.19 Not only were they physically superior but in intelligence, they were ten times smarter!

V.21 This verse tells a lot without saying it — Nebuchadnezzar, the king had passed into history. His successor, King Belshazzar was killed by another Empire, the Medo-Persian. But the first three words of our verse tell us what the Apostle Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:14. Take good notice of it.

Day 217 - Daniel 2:1-30

V.1-13 King Nebuchadnezzar apparently had this dream some time earlier and has now forgotten it. All the wise men of his vast empire can’t tell the meaning of his dream. But his mind is greatly troubled and he can’t sleep. He is so agitated that he orders all the wise men (probably all those of chapter 1) to be killed, Daniel included.

V.14-16 Daniel goes to the king and asks for time, and promises the interpretation. What does he do? The next two verses tell the answer.

V.19-23 What does Daniel do as soon as God tells him the dream and the meaning of it? Read it.

V.26 Daniel meets the king face to face. The king asks him if he is able to tell the mystery.

V.27-30 Who gets the credit for revealing the secret?

Day 218 - Daniel 2:31-49

V.31-45 Here we have the greatest foretelling of future political events that the world has ever known. The dream was of a high statue of brilliant and awesome appearance. There were four different materials, pure gold head, silver chest and arms, bronze belly and thighs, iron legs, its feet part iron and part clay. While he was watching it, a stone struck the great image in the feet and broke them, then, bit by bit, the whole image was smashed to pieces. Then the stone grew larger and larger till it filled the whole earth. Daniel next told the king its meaning. Four Empires would arise in the world, one following the other. the last would disappear and then arise again and be totally destroyed. All this is very important to us because, though this was written about 2,600 years ago, it is telling of events that are taking place in Europe today, the restoration of the Roman Empire.

V.44-45 The stone is explained. It is a type of the Lord Jesus who shall appear and completely destroy the revived Roman Empire (Rev. 19:13-16).

V.46-49 King Nebuchadnezzar pours honors on Daniel but soon forgets him.

Day 219 - Daniel 3

V.1, 6 This mighty and proud king has set up an image and ordered everyone to bow down to it. If anyone refused, they would be thrown into a furnace. What would you have done?

V.12 The three faithful friends of Daniel will not bow.

V.17-18 What an answer to the king’s command! They knew the Lord could deliver them from the furnace, but they didn’t know whether He would or not. Then they say that if He doesn’t, He would deliver them out of the king’s hand some other way! How wonderful! We may be laughed at, or we may not get very far ahead in our job, but it is worth it all to be true to the Lord.

V.23-27 What God does for them! He will not leave you, even though you too may find yourself in a position of real suffering for His sake.

Day 220 - Daniel 4

This chapter is very serious for us all, because it shows that God is mighty and involves Himself in the affairs of men and hears everything we say. False worship is followed by kingly pride.

V.1-3 This same king has not learned anything, in spite of all the things told of in the previous 3 chapters. Notice how full of himself he is.

V.3-18 He has had another dream, obviously sent by God. He is told that he himself was the great tree to be cut down. Daniel tells him to turn from his wicked sins and reform his ways, for perhaps the punishment might be put off. Does he pay any attention? We’ll see later.

V.19-27 Daniel tells him what the dream meant. He had plenty of warning, but he is too proud to pay attention.

V.28-37 God gives him a whole year to repent — merciful God! But no. So his mind leaves him and he becomes like an animal for seven years. Each one of us has to do with God, and we should be more serious about life. God mercifully brings the king back and he gives praise to God. We hear no more of him.

Day 221 - Daniel 5

About 25 years go by — Nebuchadnezzar is gone — his grandson, Belshazzar, is king.

V.1-4 Belshazzar has reverted to his gods and makes a great banquet to them, using the holy cups stolen out of God’s temple at Jerusalem, by Nebuchadnezzar.

V.5-9 In the middle of the drunken party, suddenly something happens which frightens everyone, including the king.

V.10-12 The queen enters and tells the king that there is a man able to tell the meaning of the words written on the wall.

V.13-16 Daniel is brought in. How soon they had forgotten about him! Great rewards are promised him.

V.17-29 Daniel starts to talk. He has to tell the story of Nebuchadnezzar as if no one had even heard of it! Just like people today, not listening. Daniel tells that the end of the first great world empire, Babylon, has come.

V.30-31 The judgment falls! The king is killed, the Empire gone.

Day 222 - Daniel 6

A new Empire has been formed, the Medo-Persian with Darius as head, but Cyrus as king (Dan. 1:21).

V.1-9 Daniel receives a high position, which causes jealousy among the native leaders. They can only find fault with him in “the law of his God” (v. 5). So they ask the king to sign a law which would forbid anyone to pray to anyone except Darius for 30 days. If anyone did, he was to be thrown into a lion’s den.

V.10-17 When Daniel knew that the law was signed, this is what he immediately did. These men find him in the act, and figuring that they have won a victory, report it to Darius. The laws of this Empire could never be changed (v. 15). Darius is very upset because he respects Daniel, but cannot do anything. Daniel is cast into the lion’s den.

V.16 Darius had respect for Daniel and confidence in God. Read verse 4 again.

V.18-20 The king’s feelings, could he sleep? Did he sleep in that morning? Notice the wording of his question to Daniel.

V.21-22 Daniel answers with confidence toward God and toward the king.

V.23 What about his wounds?

V.24-25 Awful retribution. The first section of the book ends here.

Day 223 - Daniel 7

The last section of the book begins. Now we will read of the visions that Daniel has and the revelations he receives from God. Chapters 7 and 8 actually took place before chapter 6. In chapter 2 we read of the 4 world empires, here we read of the same four, this time as 4 different beasts.

V.1-8 In chapter 2 we saw the 4 empires as man sees them, as a huge monument to his pride. Here we see these empires as God sees them, as beasts — dreadful. The first represents the Babylonian empire, as a lion. The second empire as a bear, the Medo-Persian. The third, as a leopard, the Grecian. The fourth, which was like no living animal, the Roman empire. It had 10 horns or 10 kings (v. 24).

V.9-10 Somewhat a description of what is written in Revelation 19:11-17 and refers to when the Roman Empire is restored, but finally utterly destroyed by the Lord Jesus at His appearing. You may remember reading in chapter 2:44-45 of the stone. We’re close to it now, because the 10 kingdoms of Europe are being formed before our eyes into the revived Roman Empire.

V.11 Refers to this revived Roman Empire (Rev. 19:20). Doesn’t this stir you into realizing that the Lord is coming any day?

V.13-14 The Lord’s appearing (“B” on your chart). Not the rapture.

V.17-22 The people who believe this “gospel of the kingdom,” to be preached after we are gone to glory.

V.23-28 The dreadful days ahead. But when the Lord appears, all these unsaved people shall be cast into hell. Then the Lord Jesus begins His reign over the earth for 1,000 years, the Millennium (“E” to “F” on chart).

Day 224 - Daniel 8

The 2nd and 3rd of the four empires are again told of here in verses 3 and 4 (the second empire) and verse 5 (the third, the Grecian empire).

V.8 is after Alexander the Great dies (aged 32) the Grecian, his empire is divided among 4 of his generals.

V.9-12 A man called Antiochus Epiphenes is the “little horn.” He lived during the silent years between the Old and the New Testament.

V.17, 19 Refers to the future.

V.23-25 Also are future. The Prince of Princes is the Lord Jesus.

Day 225 - Daniel 9

V.5-10 God’s people had sinned, and because of this they had been carried into captivity, and Daniel among them. But from what we have read already, Daniel was a faithful, praying young man. Notice his confession. He does not point the finger at others, but says over and over, that we have sinned. Let us remember this.

V.15-18 The tribes of Judah and Benjamin were in captivity in Babylon because they had sinned. Their city, Jerusalem and God’s temple in it, were in ruins. This is what saddened Daniel.

V.20 The Lord hears a prayer like that!

V.23-27 These remarkable verses tell in great detail, the coming of the Lord Jesus, His being cut off, and the future sorrow and suffering of His people.

V.25 “Messiah the Prince;” but in the next verse the “prince” is the Beast.

Day 226 - Daniel 10

V.2 The vision that Daniel saw told of future suffering for his people, the Jews, and he mourned for 3 weeks. It is good for us to feel very deeply the sorrow that lies ahead for any who reject the Lord Jesus. Twice Daniel is called “a man greatly beloved.”

V.21 Michael was the angel of the people of Israel.

Day 227 - Daniel 11

The first 34 verses of this chapter are now history. At the time they were written, it was all future!

V.36-37 You have heard the word “Antichrist.” This is the person described in these verses. He will be a Jew, a king in Israel. He will deceive millions after we believers are gone to glory.

V.40-45 Two other powerful men will appear after we are gone, but both will be destroyed by the Lord when He comes in glory (Rev. 19:11-21).

Day 228 - Daniel 12

V.1 Michael is here called “the great prince” (See also Rev. 12:7).

V.4 Daniel is told to seal the book, because it would be many years before these things would be fulfilled. The time is near when these purposes of God will be fulfilled. Do we realize that we are living just before these prophecies will be completed?

Day 229 - Esther 1

God’s name is not once mentioned in the book! Should this book be in the Bible? But just wait till you read it! You’ll find God’s unseen hand on every page, but you will have to read it carefully. It’s all true, rest assured. It is about a time in the Jews’ history when they were captives in Babylon and about 80 years after Daniel’s time. Remember, they were captives (see Esther 2:6) because they had turned to worshipping idols — so God hides Himself. But He tells us what He was doing for them behind the scenes — merciful God! We can wonder why this man and Esther, his young cousin, would stay in that far country when many Jews had returned to Jerusalem. We’ll read about them in Ezra and Nehemiah. They certainly lived in a place where God was not known.

V.1-9 What a tremendous feast this was. But typical of these prosperous days. God had allowed the Gentiles to rise to great power and wealth.

V.10-22 As a result of the queen’s refusal to obey her husband, she lost her crown. Remember, this story is of a heathen land.

Day 230 - Esther 2

V.1-4 The king is about to take another bride.

V.5-7 Here we are introduced to Mordecai and to Esther her name means “I will be hidden,” whom he had brought up as his daughter. Both of these were of the Jewish captivity. Notice that Esther had kept herself pure, she was a virgin.

V.15 She did not rely on anything of her own choosing, but left everything in God’s hand.

V.20 She was submissive to Mordecai’s instructions.

V.21-23 Notice these verses and the story of this plot, for it forms a very important part of the story that will follow. How interesting to see the way the Lord works “behind the scenes” directing things for the blessings of His people.

Day 231 - Esther 3

V.1-6 Haman is raised to great power by Ahasuerus. He takes great pleasure in seeing everyone bow down to him but Mordecai the Jew will not bow. Although God’s name is not mentioned in this book of Esther, we can see that God’s Word was known and obeyed. The ten commandments (Ex. 20:5) were being followed here, cost what they may. The believer obeys the laws of his land. But when those laws come into conflict with what the Word of God says, then he obeys the Word.

V.7-15 Haman is so angry about this, that instead of trying to get rid of Mordecai, he decides to get rid of all the Jews in the whole kingdom.

V.8 Interesting verse. Modern writers today claim that the Bible is just made up from the writings of other peoples. Notice what this verse says which utterly denies this.

V.15 Just like the world today. It sits down to drink, but it does not know what is ahead. Haman thought that he was in control but wait!

Day 232 - Esther 4

V.1-3 Mordecai is obviously distressed and for good reason; he loves his nation. He was doing a brave thing to come to the very gate of the palace in sackcloth, and to cry out bitterly.

V.4-8 Queen Esther hears of the way Mordecai is dressed and of his weeping and she shares his grief.

V.10-14 Esther at first is afraid, but then she is reminded that her own life will also be taken along with all the other Jews. Also, she is reminded that she might have come to the office of queen for just this special challenge. Notice again her willingness to submit to her cousin’s advice. As you are reading this chapter, notice seven things in the first three verses: (1) rent (tore) his clothes, (2) put on sackcloth, (3) cried, (4) mourning, (5) fasting, (6) weeping and (7) wailing. We will see a contrast with these things when the story unfolds more.

Day 233 - Esther 5

The three days of fasting are ended, and Esther enters the palace room of the king. To her delight, he holds out the scepter and she is free to make her request. She does not tell him at once just what her purpose is.

V.9-14 Haman has reached the very highest point of honor, and is very proud of it. But Mordecai still will not bow down to him. Haman goes home and boasts to all his friends of his wealth and honor, and then ends by telling of his anger about Mordecai. So far, everything has been going against the Jews, and in favor of their enemies. But God has His eye upon His people and He loved them still, though they had lost all right to be called His people, because of their disobedience.

V.13 No matter how well things go for an unbeliever, there is never complete happiness, as we see here.

V.16 Would we have the courage of Esther? What a brave woman! Did she know that God was with her?

Day 234 - Esther 6

It was much more than an ordinary case of a sleepless night. God kept the king awake.

V.2-3 The king asks someone to read the diary of his reign. In it, was the story that we noticed in the end of chapter 2. And it was found that no reward or honor had been done to Mordecai for saving the life of the king. Do you see God’s hand in this great story? Who had put the thought into the king’s head of reading in the old diary?

V.4-11 Haman is humiliated, and hated Mordecai is honored. It is true today, that in many countries Jews have been hated and persecuted and put to death; it would seem that God has not taken any notice. But the day is coming when He shall turn to His earthly people once again — after we have been taken to heaven.

Day 235 - Esther 7

V.3-5 The king does not yet know that Esther is a Jewess, and he asks in surprise who is it that would dare to threaten her life.

V.6 She accuses Haman. Swift vengeance comes upon that haughty, crafty, guilty man. Let us remember as we read this story, that the Lord is behind all that takes place (Prov. 21:1; Psa. 73:19).

Day 236 - Esther 8

The Jews were not only spared from the penalty of death which had been sent out, but a new decree was written, giving the Jews liberty to put to death any “that would assault them.”

V.15 What a wonderful change! No more sackcloth and tears, but kingly raiment and rejoicing. And all this came about without the Jew’s own efforts, but rather from the faithful hand of the Lord working for them. Notice the contrast between last words of Esther 3:15 and the last words of this verse!

V.16-17 We can understand their joy, for one day they were under the sentence of death, and the next day they were delivered from it. Notice too that “many of the people became Jews.” What a good thing it would be if many people would turn to the Lord today, and receive Him as their Savior and become Christians.

We pointed out seven sad things in Esther 4:1. Here we see the contrast: (1) light, (2) gladness, (3) joy, (4) honor, (5) a feast, (6) a good day, (7) rest (Esther 9:17). What a perfect description of the unsaved and then the believer.

Day 237 - Esther 9

V.1-11 The day of vengeance came, but it did not fall, as had been planned, on the Jews, but on their enemies. Even the ten sons of Haman are put to death. Remember what you read in Zechariah 12:8-9 about Israel’s future. The troubles and problems of this poor world are not going to be settled by the gospel, nor by the efforts of people, but by the judgments of God.

V.30 Do our letters always have “words of peace and truth”? They should.

Day 238 - Esther 10

A description of the glory and honor of Mordecai. His story began as an unknown Jew, captive in the land of a proud Gentile king. God has promised blessing for His beloved nation the Jews. And He will keep His promise, though there have already been times when they were more hated and persecuted than any other race. And there will yet be times when they will pass through terrible tribulation. But they will at last shine forth in their own land, blessed through God’s own faithfulness. So our story of Esther ends. Have you learned its meaning concerning Israel’s future? Be careful not to confuse this story with Christianity — we do not take vengeance on our enemies. But this is a picture of what will happen to the enemies of Israel in a future day (see “E” on your chart). God is going to use Israel to punish their enemies, who have hated and persecuted them. Take a minute to read Zechariah 12:8-9 to prove this.

Day 239 - Ezra 1

Five books, though not all beside each other in the arrangement of the Books of the Bible, all tell of one time. Put an arrow on your chart, pointing to the time just before the Lord Jesus came to earth. Then write in the names of these five books — Ezra, Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi. These five books tell of the time of the return of a small number who had a heart for the Lord, and were willing to leave the prosperous life in Babylon. The kingdom of Judah, 2 tribes only, had been carried away captive to Babylon just before BC 500, for 70 years.

Chapters 1-6 These chapters are a history of what had happened about 70 years before. Ezra wasn’t born at that time.

Let’s go back as to why Israel was taken captive. It was because they had turned away from the Lord. So the Lord had called on the head of the first and greatest of the world empires, Babylon, to take away Judah out of their land. They had now been 70 years in Babylon.

V.1-4 Cyrus was then the head of the 2nd world empire, Persia — Iran, today. He offers to let any of the captives of Israel to return to Jerusalem. He would pay all their expenses. What a God of mercy, love and power we have!

V.5-11 King Cyrus did an amazing thing. He told the captives to take back to Jerusalem all the vessels of the house of the Lord which the other king of Babylon had stolen 70 years before.

Day 240 - Ezra 2, Verses 1-57

V.1-2 The actual names of some of those who wanted to go back to God’s center — Jerusalem. Although everything was in ruins there, they still wanted to go. Most had not been there!

V.2 Zerubbabel was the leader. Turn to Matthew 1:1-16 which gives the royal line from Abraham through King David to Christ (Notice v. 12). Does God control things? This very man Zerubbabel is of that royal line actually the King of Israel. Just as Jesus was (Matt. 2:1-2; 27:37).

V.2-58 Although we may find it hard to even pronounce these names, the Lord holds these people so dear to Him that He tells us who they were! Notice that they went by households (take a minute to read Ex. 1:1). How happy we are when our children follow the Lord. We can count on this, when we ourselves follow Him.

Day 241 - Ezra 2, Verses 58-70

V.61-63 A sad and important lesson. Some were “put from the priesthood” because they could not prove what family they belonged to. It made no difference while they were in captivity, but now when they have returned to occupy again the place where the Lord had set His name, there was much care as to who should act as a priest and who should not. When it is a question of the worship of God, we see how absolutely necessary it is that it be done according to God’s order and not according to what men think. This is why there are so many denominations today (John 4:23).

V.68 When they came to the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem they saw that it had been destroyed. They had come there to rebuild it yet they act in wonderful faith, as if the house were truly standing.

V.70 We have read of seven groups. Those who returned were seen as taking the place of the nation of “all Israel,” even though they were less than 50,000 (Read Rom. 11:26).

Day 242 - Ezra 3

V.1 The Lord Himself had chosen Jerusalem (Deut. 12:5). And in response to His call, they were all gathered together there. Notice, “as one man.” They all had one purpose — to be where the Lord wanted them to be. That always produces oneness.

V.2-3 They were surrounded by enemies, and feared them. The first thing they did was to set up the altar and offer burnt offerings. They immediately gave the Lord His rightful place, and counted on Him to take care of them.

V.4 Sacrificing and keeping the feasts of Tabernacles, with joy! Praise to God (v. 3), joy in their hearts (v. 4).

V.8-13 Important lesson. When the foundation of this new house of the Lord was laid, there was great joy and gladness. But there were some very old Jews who could remember the glory of Solomon’s temple; they wept when they saw this new foundation, so poor and small, not like the “old days.” Turn to Haggai 2:3-5, and see that God heard their weeping and sent a wonderful message.

Day 243 - Ezra 4

V.2 These enemies approach the faithful Jews with deceit.

V.3 A good answer.

V.4-6 But the enemy tries another method.

V.7-16 A letter written to king Artaxerxes, where the Jews had been for 70 years, making complaint against these Jews.

V.17-24 A reply now comes back from the king and it is ordered that the work must be stopped. How strange this seems, for it was truly a work of the Lord, and yet the enemy succeeded in stopping it. But if we turn to the book of Haggai, we shall find that there was an inward reason for this. Haggai 1:2, 4, 9 tell a sad story. Once they had laid the foundation of the house they began to neglect this work, and turned to building their own homes instead. If we are unfaithful, the Lord may allow the enemy to attack us.

Day 244 - Ezra 5

God sends a message to these Jews through the two prophets. We will read their books shortly.

V.2 Having heard the message from God, they go at rebuilding the house of the Lord with great energy.

V.3, 7 The enemy is still busy.

V.5 They had heard the word of God (in verse 1) now the eye of God is on them! What more did they need? Nor we!

V.6-17 Another letter is sent to the king. This time it is to king Darius, for he had succeeded Artaxerxes. This letter gives a full account of what was going on at Jerusalem. They gave a true and faithful account of what they were doing, and why they were doing it.

V.11 What the Jews had said to the ones who wanted the work to be stopped.

V.12 It was not because of the might of the enemy that Solomon’s temple had been destroyed, but because of their own sin.

V.17 In Babylon a search is made to see if the Jews really had authority from king Cyrus to continue with the work of the house of the Lord.

Day 245 - Ezra 6

V.1-12 The wonderful reply of the king of Medo Persia. Not only were they free to continue to work, but the Lord stirs the heart of Darius! He replies to the enemies of the work of the Lord in this way.

V.7 “Let the work of the Lord alone!”

V.8 Expenses (money) to be given to these men.

V.9 These Jews now had more liberty and help than they had before! When we are careless in our life and cold in our heart, Satan deceives us, and we lose our power and discernment.

V.15 And this house was finished.

V.16 Compare the sacrifice at the dedication of this house, with that at the dedication of Solomon’s temple in 1 Kings 8:10-11, the glory of the Lord filled Solomon’s temple. But there were no such signs here in the days of Ezra.

V.21-22 Count seven things some of the people did or that happened to them.

V.22 By God’s help the house of the Lord was rebuilt. The Passover and the feast of unleavened bread were kept with JOY, for “the Lord had made them joyful.” These chapters complete the story of the first return of the Jewish captives to Jerusalem from Babylon.

Day 246 - Ezra 7, Verses 1-10

About eighty years have gone by between chapters 6 and 7. Here to the end of the book, Ezra appears for the first time and personally tells of leading the second group out of Babylon.

V.1-5 Ezra was a descendant of Aaron, and therefore was a priest by birth.

V.6 Ezra also carefully read the law of Moses. This is the only way he could be of help to others.

V.10 Notice three things in this verse. Good for us too.

Day 247 - Ezra 7, Verses 11-28

V.11-26 The king gave this letter to Ezra when he went from Babylon to Jerusalem. Notice in verse 13, “which are minded of their own freewill to go up to Jerusalem.” Each person was free to go or stay. To stay probably meant prosperity, to go meant hardship, but was pleasing to the Lord,

V.25 Notice what the king said that Ezra had in his hand.

V.27-28 He took no credit to himself, nor to his influence with the king, but rather thanked and praised the Lord for this wonderful open door.

Notice how many times the Lord’s hand is upon Ezra.

Day 248 - Ezra 8

V.1-14 These men did not know that their names would be found in God’s Holy Word, just because they were willing to go to Jerusalem! God saw their devotedness, and today He still notices the love of those who wish to be where His Word would direct them. What a significant journey, from Babylon to Jerusalem. Babylon is a picture to us of idolatrous corruption and worldliness, and Jerusalem is a picture of the privilege of being where He has set His name.

V.15-22 None of the sons of Levi were found among these willing men. Apparently, they had felt quite at home in Babylon and decided to stay there.

V.18-20 There were some who were at last stirred up to come, and “all of them were expressed by name.”

V.21 A long and dangerous journey, was ahead, so Ezra proclaims a fast. He wanted a right way from the Lord, “for ourselves, and for our little ones, and for our substance.” He was serious about it! If we parents wish our children to walk in a right way, we must walk in it ourselves.

V.24-34 These men have a big responsibility. At the beginning of the journey they have certain treasures put into their hands. They are told “watch ye, and keep them” (v. 29). Many wonderful treasures of truth have been given to us in the Word of God. What a treasure it is to know that we are living stones in the church of God, that we are members of the body of Christ, that we are part of the bride of Christ, that our Lord is coming soon to take us Home. Hear Him say “watch ye and keep them, until!”

V.34 When they reached the end of the journey, they had the written account of what had been given to them when they started out. The truth of God has been given to us to treasure and obey. We are going to have to give an account to God how well we have obeyed it.

Day 249 - Ezra 9

V.1 Ezra is astonished and very upset to find that many, even the priests and princes, had married foreign wives.

V.2 A warning. The “holy seed” refers to Israelites. They were mixing with and marrying Gentiles. It was forbidden by God. And for those of us who really belong to the Lord Jesus today, it is a serious and wrong thing to yoke together or to make friends with those who do not know the Lord Jesus as Savior (2 Cor. 6:14; James 4:4).

V.3 Ezra’s great grief when he received news of the disobedience of God’s people.

V.4 Ezra’s own grief and humiliation, touched the heart of those who trembled at the words of the God of Israel. We too need to tremble at God’s Word. Really there were two groups there, the guilty ones and the non-guilty ones. Notice which group trembled at the Word of God. Will their trembling do any good? Wait to see.

V.6-8 First Ezra takes his place among the guilty ones, for he says “I am ashamed ... our iniquities ... our trespass.” Next, he justified God for all that had happened to them in the past “for our iniquities have we been delivered into the hands of the kings” and then he speaks of the grace that the Lord had shown to them. Let us today confess how we have failed, and let us never blame God for our difficulties. He is gracious and He is faithful.

Day 250 - Ezra 10

V.1 What a remarkable result from the confession and weeping of one man. The news spreads, and soon there is a very great congregation gathered weeping before the house of God (Eccl. 7:2).

V.2-5 One man suggests a very strong and difficult remedy. A full confession of their guilt, and a willingness to separate from that which was so displeasing to the Lord.

V.3 The wives, and the children were to be put away. This was according to the law, for they were unclean. In 1 Corinthians 7:14, notice the contrast between the law and the grace of God. In 1 Corinthians 7 neither the wife nor the children need to be put away if the husband becomes a believer. It is still wrong and disobedient to marry an unbeliever. A believer can pray to the Lord that the partner and the children may be saved.

V.9-10 Ezra first explains their sin, then urges them to confess it and then holds them responsible to separate themselves. Confession is one thing, but there must be a turning away from the sin itself. There would have been no “strange wives” if there had been proper separation from the people of the land.

V.18 The actual list of those who were guilty, and it begins with the priests! They were that much more responsible because of their position and their influence.

Day 251 - Nehemiah 1

The second of the 5 books describing the time after a little group of about 50,000 or less (Judah and Benjamin) have returned to Jerusalem. Ezra has told us about the rebuilding of the temple, today we start to read about the rebuilding of the wall around Jerusalem. Just as they needed a wall to protect them from the subtlety and violence of the enemy, so we need to keep separated, not isolated, from the world (2 Tim. 2:20-21; 2 Cor. 6:14). This book was about 12 years after Ezra’s time. It gives us the last historical view of the people of God in the Old Testament. We believe we are living in the last days of God’s people in this “day of grace.” May we be as sensitive as to what God is saying to us today. But probably the greatest lesson for us to learn today is that Nehemiah (means Comfort of Jehovah), throughout his book shows that he constantly realized the ruined condition of God’s people.

Chapter 1

V.1 Shushan was in the land of their captivity. It is what is now Iran. Nehemiah lived in a palace, and yet we shall find that he left that palace and suffered a great deal of trouble because he loved the people of God.

V.2-3 Nehemiah inquired about his brethren the Jews who had gone back to their land, and he learns they are having a very hard time.

V.4-11 In this prayer, Nehemiah shows his deep love for his people, and his great grief because of their troubles.

V.6 He admits that these troubles have come because of sin and disobedience, but he does not blame others for it, but says, “I and my father’s house have sinned.” Nehemiah is aware of the sad ruin of his own people, the Jews, and he is also aware of the faithfulness of the Lord to whom he turns in prayer.

V.11 Nehemiah had a very honored position there, but he wept and prayed because the people of the Lord were in distress and trouble. Notice the great king was only “this man” before God.

Day 252 - Nehemiah 2

V.2 The king notices that Nehemiah looks sad, and asks the reason. To appear sad in the presence of the king might mean death.

V.4-5 Between the question and the answer, there was a quick silent prayer to the Lord. What a good habit for any of us!

V.5-8 The king hears his request and it is promptly granted.

V.10 Signs of trouble ahead. Two men, Sanballat and Tobiah hear about Nehemiah’s visit and they are very upset. Sanballat was of Moab. Tobiah was of Ammon. Their wicked beginning is told in Genesis 19:32-38.

V.12-18 Nehemiah makes a tour of inspection and finds the conditions to be very bad. But in verse 18, he speaks with confidence of the hand of God. We too are living in a similar day of indifference, but we can also count on the Lord to be with us, and we can also rise up and build up (encourage) one another.

V.19 Those 2 enemies and one more join to laugh and to mock.

Day 253 - Nehemiah 3, Verses 1-13

The building of the wall around the city of Jerusalem. It was to keep those within the city safe and separate from their enemies outside. We ought to love those who are still outside, lost and guilty, but we ought not to mix with them.

V.1 Eliashib, the high priest, does some building. But read Nehemiah 13:4, 28. He was connected to the enemies. Then look at verses 20-21 of our chapter; he didn’t build in front of his own house. These men build the sheep gate, the first gate mentioned, for it is as lost sheep that we are found and redeemed and brought inside.

V.3 The fish gate. Now we are saved, and one of His sheep, we can be “fishers of men” to win others for the Lord.

V.5 How some did their work.

V.6 The “old gate.” Today when everything that is old is considered out of date, it is good to remember that the truth of God never goes out of date.

V.12 Perhaps there are some daughters who don’t like it too well when their fathers build a wall, and restrain them from worldly friends and amusements. These faithful daughters helped their father to build the wall!

Day 254 - Nehemiah 3, Verses 14-32

V.14 The dung gate! Paul said “I count all things but loss ... and do count them but dung that I may win Christ.” All that seems so valuable is only dung and worthless compared with Christ. Malchiah put locks and bars on that gate.

V.23 Here two men repaired “over against their house.” It is one thing to tell someone else that they ought to be faithful and separate, but it is another thing to apply it to our own family.

V.30 “Over against his chamber.” This is the most personal of all. Not telling others what to do, nor even this time his own house or family, but his own chamber right where he lived.

V.32 Right where we started. The wall is completed, and now the people of God are inside and the enemy is outside.

Day 255 - Nehemiah 4

V.1-6 These same two enemies were very angry; they mocked about the work. But Nehemiah says “so we built the wall.” Don’t let mockery or anger stop you from living for the glory of the Lord. There may even be other Christians who will mock you and tell you that you are too separate but just go on building your wall.

V.14 Nehemiah encourages the workers and says “remember the Lord.”

V.16-23 From that day on, there was watching and diligence and a readiness to defend this work of the Lord. In Ephesians 6, we read of the whole armor of God, and we need all of it, for there are many mighty and watchful enemies.

Day 256 - Nehemiah 5

V.1-5 Trouble among these very workers. Greed is a terrible sin.

V.6-13 Nehemiah is angry about this, and speaks very sharply, and makes them promise to restore and set right, that which they had taken wrongfully. His words of rebuke had their effect, and the guilty ones promise to restore all.

V.14-16 Nehemiah himself sets a good example of faithfulness and unselfishness. If we wish to encourage others to please the Lord, it will not have much result unless we ourselves are living as we should. Nehemiah says “because of the fear of the Lord.”

V.17-19 Nehemiah cared for his people and even for the heathen! Selfishness is hateful to the Lord. If we really love the people of God, there are plenty of opportunities to show it.

Day 257 - Nehemiah 6

V.1-4 The same enemies have not given up their hatred, but this time they try another method. They suggest to Nehemiah that he should “come and let us meet together.” How harmless that sounded. Nehemiah said “no” four times. Today the “Ecumenical Movement” is a great effort to try to unite all the religious groups together to form one great church. We have a picture of it here. May our answer be “no” also.

V.5-8 The enemy tries again, with false accusations, and says “Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together.” Again, Nehemiah refused to be tricked.

V.9 He turns to God for strength.

V.10-14 Further attempts to hinder this servant of God. Nehemiah takes it all to the Lord and goes quietly on with his work.

V.15 The work is finished. The wall and all of its gates were now completed.

V.17-19 Instead of mocking or threatening, the enemy tries to make friends with some inside the wall. We even find marriage between those enemies outside and God’s people inside, for Meshullam was one of the builders of the wall.

Day 258 - Nehemiah 7

V.2 Hanani was given charge over Jerusalem. It does not say that he was rich or wise, or skillful. But he was faithful and he feared God.

V.3 Watchfulness. The gates were not to be opened till the sun was hot. This would be when there was plenty of light, so that no enemy would get in by pretending that he was a real citizen of the city. If that wall was built to shelter God’s people, and to keep them in separation, then there must be faithfulness in keeping out those who have no heart for the Lord.

V.5-66 A long list of the names of those who lived in the city, altogether 42,360. God knew the name of every one of them.

V.64 Here were some whose names were not found. But in Philippians 4:3 we find those that had their names in the “book of life”!

Day 259 - Nehemiah 8

V.1-8 Men and women gathered at the water gate, and listened from morning till noon while Ezra read to them from the Word of God. How important it is for us to follow the call of the Lord, to come out from the religious confusion that is pictured by Babylon, and then, to hear His Word.

V.8 So important to read the scriptures distinctly, and explain them so that they can be understood. This brings joy (v. 11).

V.9-12 The Lord Himself found joy in seeing His people gathered back to His center.

V.13-18 They kept the “feast of tabernacles” gave a picture of the coming millennium (see your chart). Let it also be our daily habit to read the Word of the Lord.

Day 260 - Nehemiah 9

A change from gladness to fasting! There was gladness because they kept the feast that spoke of future blessing. We too can rejoice as we look forward to the time when the Lord Himself shall come and take us all home. But when we think of how we often fail, it is good for us to be humbled. What a picture of serious confession!

V.2-3 Important steps: separation from all strangers, confessing their sins, reading in the book of the law and worshipping the Lord. There would be more worship if we remembered these other important things.

V.4-38 A wonderful record of the faithful ways of God from the days of Abraham.

V.16-17 Their guilt and unfaithfulness are remembered but so is the kindness of God.

V.18-19 Israel’s failure and God’s faithfulness. We have failed so much, but the Lord has been so faithful to us. We are thankful for His faithfulness.

V.33 What a beautiful confession! Let us ever be ready to admit fully our own failure.

Day 261 - Nehemiah 10

The names of those that sealed that covenant beginning with Nehemiah. In addition to all those who signed the covenant, in verse 28 we read “and the rest of the people.” Your life is either a help or a hindrance to every other believer.

V.32-39 We find a happy readiness to bring to the Lord all that could be used in His service.

V.34 What is this “wood offering?” No offering made by fire could ever be made, if there was no wood. Perhaps the Israelite who brought a few armfuls of wood to the priest, thought his work was of no value. But the Lord called it a “wood offering,” and valued it.

See how often “the house of God” or “the house of the Lord” is named.

Day 262 - Nehemiah 11

The people were settled in different parts of the land. We find many names, for God has an individual interest in each one of His own.

V.2 Connect this verse with Psalm 137:5-6.

V.19 The porters, or gatekeepers. Some people were kept out who felt they ought to be let in. But faithful men were chosen for this work.

V.22 Singers. What joy it must bring to the heart of God when He looks down and sees His people singing for joy of heart.

Day 263 - Nehemiah 12

Each one known by name to the Lord.

V.24-25 Three times in this chapter, singers and porters are mentioned. Singers, to praise the Lord. Porters to guard the doors. Notice in verse 25 porters keeping the ward at the threshold of the gates. Right at the very threshold these faithful men stood.

V.29 Notice where the singers lived. They wanted to be near Jerusalem.

V.36 Notice who is leading his brethren — Ezra, the faithful scribe.

V.43 What wonderful singing, and what praise. “God had made them rejoice with great joy.”

V.45 “According to the commandment of David,” they went back to the original time.

Day 264 - Nehemiah 13

V.1-3 When the Word of the Lord was read, it was found that no Ammonite or Moabite was ever to come into the congregation of the Lord. As soon as they heard this, they acted on it, and separated themselves from the “mixed multitude.” This wasn’t the first time they did this separating. About 11 years before, in Nehemiah 9:2, they had realized they had been mixing in with the world around them. Satan’s most successful trap is to lead us back into friendship with unbelievers. We’ve mentioned the wall of separation in this book often. May we realize what it means for us today.

V.4-9 Hard to believe this would happen. Eliashib was the very first one to build when the wall was commenced in Nehemiah 3. He, a priest, had actually given that room to Tobiah; one of those active enemies! Nehemiah was very upset so he cast out everything that belonged to Tobiah and cleaned out that room and restored it to its proper use. Thank God for faithful men!

V.17 Nehemiah speaks to the nobles, because they had no regard for the Sabbath.

V.21 Now he speaks to the merchants because they also failed to honor the Sabbath.

V.25 Again he speaks to some of the Jews, who had taken heathen wives, and reminds them that this was one of the very things which caused king Solomon to fail so badly. Was it right for Nehemiah to reprove so much? It was. He was contending for that which was right in the sight of the Lord. Let us remember that the Word of God is given to us to read and to obey (Read Jude 3). Four times Nehemiah prays, “remember me, O my God” — they are his last words.

Day 265 - Haggai 1

Our third book in this same time period when some of the Jews came back to Jerusalem to be where the Lord wanted all Israel to be. In Ezra you were reading all the things that happened and also what they did in their work. This book of Haggai is telling us things which the Lord saw in the hearts of these same people at that same time. Interesting? It explains a lot about ourselves when we look below the surface of our circumstances and at our state of soul. Though they had begun to rebuild the temple, not the wall, after a while they grew tired, and also because of opposition, they started to work on their own homes. May Christ be the attraction of our heart, and if so, we won’t slacken in our devotion to Him.

V.1 Haggai was the man to whom the Lord gave a message to deliver to Zerubbabel — remember him from the previous two books?

V.2 When the people returned to their land, the temple was in ruins, and they set to work to rebuild it. But after a while they became careless, and the work stopped. So God raises up a prophet to urge them to go back to work, but they say the time isn’t right.

V.4 The Lord notices that the people were living comfortably in their “ceiled” (like our word “ceiling”) houses.

V.5 This was at the root of their carelessness.

V.6, 9, 11 The Lord controls your every circumstance. If He doesn’t help, it doesn’t matter how much energy we use.

V.13 Contrast. We can count on the Lord to bless when we obey Him. But we sometimes try to use the Lord as a convenience for our own selfish motives, and then we wonder why we are so spiritually poor, and don’t understand the Lord’s Word. The “Lord’s messenger” spoke the “Lord’s message.” Use God’s Word when speaking to people. There is power in it. If you look in Matthew 1:12, 16, you will see who this man Zerubbabel is! What a miracle! This man didn’t know that his faithfulness would be recorded in God’s eternal book. Nor did he know that he would be the ancestor of the Lord Jesus as a Man on earth.

Day 266 - Haggai 2, Verses 1-9

Haggai lived at about the same time as the first half of the book of Ezra. The interesting difference is that Ezra tells of the adversaries (4th chapter) but doesn’t tell of the condition of the heart of the people; whereas Haggai tells of the state of soul of the people and not of the adversaries. The Lord allows the circumstances in order to draw our souls closer to Him. Then we understand.

V.3 The Lord reminds them of the glory of the first house; but in verse 7, He tells them of the future glory of “this house.”

V.4-5 Beautiful promises. He tells them to be strong, and better still, He tells them why they could be strong, “I am with you.” Ephesians 6:10 is worth turning to.

V.6-9 They could look forward to a great future on earth — we look heavenward! (Phil. 3:13, 20). In this first message, the Lord encourages the leaders to look to the Lord, not at the circumstances.

Day 267 - Haggai 2, Verses 10-23

V.10-17 God explains why they did not succeed in their work. They were in a bad state of soul. A real message for us. We need constantly to ask God for a tender conscience. When we go on carelessly, we lose our ability to understand spiritual things, and we drift farther away. When we have a tender conscience, then God lets us see some of the careless things in our life. If we confess and forsake them, then we begin to learn a little more. We grow in our soul step by step.

V.12-13 We are not made clean by association with what is clean, but we are soiled (contaminated) by associating with what is unclean. A good thing to remember.

V.1-19 If there is a pure heart toward God, He will bless us in our soul.

V.20-23 We are not to try to set the world right. Speaking reverently, if God has not set it right, we cannot. Here we see into the future — judgment is coming.

V.23 Zerubbabel becomes a picture of Christ. He was God’s pledge (promise) that Christ would come.

“I will make thee as a signet;” contrast this with the signet (Jer. 22:24).

Day 268 - Zechariah 1

His name means “Remembered of Jehovah.” Nothing of Zechariah’s own life is recorded. His time was about B.C. 519. We have just been reading Haggai’s book, and these two men apparently lived at the same time. According to Ezra 5:1 and 6:14. Haggai is concerned as to the House, Zechariah as to the city. We will find it a very interesting book, for it tells about the first coming of the Lord Jesus, which at that time was in the future. Then it also reaches forward to tell of days which are still future to us, when Israel shall be blessed in their land. They got their land back in May 1948. So we’re close!

Chapter 1

V.1-6 A call to the people to turn to the Lord, not to be like their fathers who refused to listen to God’s warnings through the prophets. They admitted that the punishment was exactly what He had said.

V.7-17 Zechariah’s first message. A horse is a symbol of God’s power on the earth, using nations to carry out His purposes. Possibly the red horse represents Persia (Iran today) the same color as the one on which the angel rode, because Persia was ruling at that time. The speckled could represent the next future Empire, the Grecian, and the white horse being the Roman Empire, the last Empire.

V.15 God is angry at the nations because they were having it easy while Israel was being punished.

V.16 God is yet going to show mercy to Jerusalem, after all the disobedience to Him. Mercy? Why? Because Christ paid for their sins.

V.18-21 The four world Empires represented by four horns, they were God’s instruments to scatter Israel for disobedience.

Day 269 - Zechariah 2 & 3

A man with a measuring rod. Jerusalem, though small, would be made large and a blessing — still future. No walls.

V.5 The Lord would be a wall of fire about it.

V.8-13 “The glory” refers to when the Lord shall come back in power to set up His glorious kingdom (“E”—“F” on your chart) and to reign over the earth, Jerusalem and Israel being the center.

Chapter 3

In order for Jerusalem to be blessed, the people must be cleaned. Joshua, the high priest, with his filthy garments, illustrates this. Satan is put down.

In verse 4, Joshua is cleaned, in verse 5 he is clothed then crowned.

V.7 The little remnant, the future faithful few, will be tested until that day comes.

V.8-10 A view into the millennium.

Day 270 - Zechariah 4 & 5

Chapter 4

V.1-3 Telling that the kingdom of His, in the millennium will be all light and perfect order.

V.6-10 Describe the conditions at the time of writing when the remnant, under Zerubbabel had returned to Jerusalem. Zechariah encourages him, that he would be able to complete the job of rebuilding the house of God.

V.11-14 Christ in the future will be both King and Priest, His power shall be the Holy Spirit (the oil). It applies both to the remnant then returning like a shadow of the real fulfillment in the day when the Lord appears (Rev. 11:4).

Chapter 5

V.1-4 Another vision a high-flying roll (about 30 x 15 ft) this pictures judgment which will search into every corner and punish stealing and swearing falsely.

V.5-11 Another vision. The woman held in place by a weight. A picture of the wicked idolatry introduced by Babylon into the land of Israel earlier. It is now departing and returning to its original place. Shinar is in Babylon, where men opposed God (See Gen. 11:2; Rev. 17:5).

Day 271 - Zechariah 6 & 7

Chapter 6

V.1-8 The four horses possibly represent the four world Empires. The red horse (Babylon); black horse (Medes and Persians, then existing); white horse (Greece); grizzled and gray horse (Romans).

V.9-15 Christ as the Branch is again brought in. He will build the temple of the Lord and then sit upon His throne; and rule as King and Priest.

V.13 Speaks of the Lord in a future day as King and Priest.

Chapter 7

Things change from this chapter on. The Lord now speaks to the conscience of the people that had come back to Jerusalem. It will be harder to understand, so take it slowly.

V.3 Refers to when Jerusalem had been destroyed seventy years before (2 Kings 25:8).

V.5 The Lord asks them if they really fasted and mourned when they had been in Babylon, about the destroyed condition of Jerusalem.

V.8-14 God reminds them that they had been scattered for their sins. But were they listening?

Day 272 - Zechariah 8 & 9

Chapter 8

V.1-8 What mercy! God tells them, that in spite of their willful disobedience, He was going to act in mercy toward them (Rom. 9:27). This will only be in the millennium.

V.9-15 Wonderful picture of how gracious God is!

V.16-23 During the tribulation, many believing Jews shall preach the gospel of the coming kingdom all over the world. Many, Gentiles shall hear and believe, and so will enter into the millennium.

V.19 Fasting and feasting produced joy and gladness — truth and peace.

Chapter 9

V.1-8 God is going to severely punish the nations around Israel, so that this will enable Israel to expand north. You hear of Lebanon these days. Tyre and Sidon are cities there today.

V.9 This verse is in the New Testament; see if you can find it. It is very plain to Whom it refers!

V.10-16 But the tribulation must come also to take away the wicked people, then the believers in Israel shall be saved.

Day 273 - Zechariah 10&11

Chapter 10

V.1 Showers of blessing shall descend on Israel in the millennium.

V.2-3 What good were all those idols?

V.6 God will give the Jews great strength and all the believers shall be gathered in Israel.

V.7-12 The scattered ten tribes shall be gathered from all over the world.

Chapter 11 is quite a contrast to chapter 10.

V.1-5 Here the people of Israel are under the control of the Gentiles. Their own leaders (their shepherds, scribes, elders, priests) did not pity them, so the Lord has pity on them.

V.12-13 Can you see how similar this is to Matthew 27:9-10? Their Messiah is valued at thirty pieces of silver.

V.7, 10, 14 Refer to Judah and Israel, for so long divided into two kingdoms.

V.15-17 The true Shepherd (Christ) having been refused, the Lord speaks here of the Antichrist. All these Scriptures pass over our day of grace completely.

Day 274 - Zechariah 12

The conditions in Jerusalem during the time the Antichrist is accepted by the nation of Israel during the tribulation (“D” on your chart).

V.3-9 The nations surrounding Israel will be harassing it, but later the believing remnant shall receive strength from God, and shall turn on those nations and crush them.

V.8 The weakest man there, shall become as strong as David! He killed a lion and a bear with his hands.

V.10-14 The believing remnant in Judah shall realize that the One they crucified, is their true Messiah. Their heart shall be pierced with sorrow. Their sorrow shall be individual and intense.

V.12 All will mourn, King (David), Prophet (Nathan), and Priest (Levi).

Day 275 - Zechariah 13

The cross is pointed to here.

V.2-4 As a result of the cross, all Israel is going to be cleansed. Every unbeliever in the land will be destroyed (Matt. 25:31-46).

V.6 Those Israelites who have not known about the cross, will ask this question.

V.7 God proclaims Jesus Christ as His Fellow (companion), but His sword went into Him! The nation was scattered, while the believing remnant was blessed (Matt. 26:31).

V.8-9 Judah will be individually sifted. Two thirds of them will be unbelievers.

Day 276 - Zechariah 14

V.1-4 The Lord appears suddenly at the end of the tribulation (E on your chart). That is called “The day of the Lord.” His feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives from where He has ascended to heaven (Acts 1:9-11).

V.5 The Lord shall destroy the unbelieving nations of the West. Not all at once, for we have read in Daniel how He is going to deal with one group at a time. Russia will be the last (Ezek. 38-39). The last of this verse is interesting. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 refers to the same event (“E” on your chart).

V.6-7 Turn to Isaiah 39:26. It would seem that it is referring to the same future day when the Lord shall return with all us believers, to reign over the earth (“E” on your chart). The light apparently will be much brighter than it is now.

V.8 Two rivers will start to flow out of Jerusalem. It is the only capital in the world without a river. One will flow West into the Mediterranean, the other East, into the Dead Sea.

V.9 Beautiful to read this slowly.

V.14 Think of what a day that will be when this verse is fulfilled.

V.20-21 No one will spoil that wonderful day of “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD.”

Day 277 - Malachi 1

Malachi means “My messenger.”

The last of our five books telling of the conditions of that little group which returned to Jerusalem about 475 years before the Lord Jesus came to earth. They too became generally careless, and so the prophet Malachi is raised up by God to stir up the people. It is like a conversation between God and His people. They had sunk down to a very low state. Only with the outward form were they worshipping God. He in mercy, grace and love, had brought His people back from captivity. Yet they were so forgetful and disobedient! What a debt they owed to God! The Lord desires to find in us a heart that looks to Him each day.

V.1-2 He had to remind them! They ask Him in what way He loved them! They were insensible to the Lord’s authority.

V.6 The priests despised His Name! They ask Him how they did this.

V.7 They brought unclean bread to His altar! They ask, when!

They had gone far away from God and weren’t even conscious of it. Many believers today are the same. The Lord was just about to come then — and did. He is about to come again — and will. Are we looking for Him?

Day 278 - Malachi 2

V.1-10 The priests who ought to have been guides to the people, are next spoken to. God had raised up the priests to be His messengers and the go-between God and His people. He had made an agreement with them that he would bless them if they glorified God.

V.7 Each believer today is a priest (1 Pet. 2:5). We have the mind of Christ (1 Cor. 2:16). We have wisdom from God (1 John 2:20).

V.11-13 Religious evils. Do you realize the great distance believers have departed from God in religious evils? The Lord calls us back (2 Tim. 2:21).

V.14-17 Unfaithfulness to God and His Word is pictured by unfaithfulness in the marriage relationship. If we are friendly with those who do not follow the Lord, we are unfaithful to Him!

Day 279 - Malachi 3

V.1-6 The messenger who was going to announce the coming of the Lord Jesus was John the Baptist. This was written hundreds of years before John was born.

V.14 We hear this these days “What is the use of trying to please the Lord? It hasn’t helped, so I’m going to live to please myself!”

V.15 People today are dulled into thinking they are happy, just as then.

V.16-18 Yet God saw a little group of people which feared the Lord, and got together and spoke about and enjoyed the Lord!

In these 4 chapters, “His Name or My Name” occur 9 times. What a precious Name! (See also Psa. 89:7). Notice the promises, make them your own. We will have the ability to discern what is really righteous and what is wicked. But these verses are referring to when the Lord shall appear before the world in a yet future time (“E” on your chart). Then He will be coming to judge all the wickedness.

Day 280 - Malachi 4

V.1 But God is holy, and He tells us the end of the wicked. Punishment is on the way!

V.2 But! What a contrast for these people!

V.5-6 A man shall arise before the Lord comes in glory. Not for us there is no event to take place before He comes for us.

He will call the people to repentance before the great and terrible day of the Lord Jesus comes. Some will listen to him. So the Old Testament closes with the promise of the rising of the Sun of Righteousness, the Lord Jesus, coming in power. The New Testament closes with the promise of His coming as the Morning Star for us.

Day 281 - Jeremiah 1

Jeremiah’s deep feelings of sorrow for his people make this a most touching book. The Lord even tells him that the people won’t listen to him. What a difficult job he had! He was very sad to see Judah slipping away from the Lord. He was to tell them that punishment was ahead for them. He loved them deeply. It would be like the horror that a person might have as he watched a crowd rushing toward the edge of an unseen precipice, and his being unable to stop them. Some in the crowd even throwing rocks at him as he shouted his warnings. His heart breaks — He finally sobs out as he sees them die. He was so close to the Lord that he was feeling what the Lord felt about His people, so it is really like the reflection of the Lord’s voice that we are hearing in this book.

V.2 Though Josiah was the king and did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, many Israelites went to the temple and gave up their idols, and “outwardly” worshipped the Lord, but their hearts were still the same. And God saw their hearts, and warned them of the punishments that were coming, Jeremiah, a tender-hearted man, didn’t like to do this. He tried to excuse himself from what God asked him to do.

V.6 Jeremiah knows the people won’t listen to the message.

V.9-12 But the Lord tells him that He will put the very words into Jeremiah’s mouth. The Lord shows him a “rod of an almond tree” and “a seething pot,” (like a frying pan). The almond tree was the first to blossom. In Numbers 17:8 it bore fruit in one night. This tells us that the Lord would hasten to use His rod to bring to pass what He was saying would happen.

V.14 “Out of the north an evil shall break forth.” This danger that was to come from the north, was the power of the country called “Babylon.”

Day 282 - Jeremiah 2

V.1-4 God tenderly reminds the people that He has not forgotten their love to Him in those earlier days when He had taken them out of the land of Egypt! They obeyed and followed Him then!

V.5-8 The Lord asks what evil He had done to cause them to turn away from Him! None, of course. When they arrived in the promised land, they despised it!

V.9-17 After all God had done for them, what a shameful way they acted in turning to lifeless idols.

V.18-34 Instead of taking the deserved punishment from the Lord, they want to go down to Egypt to get help! What dreadful behavior!

V.35-37 They had the frightful spirit to say that they were innocent!

Day 283 - Jeremiah 3

We shall often find the words whoredom and adultery in this book. God loved the nation of Israel, and He chose them to be His own special people, just as a man chooses a woman to be his wife. But if a wife turns from her husband to some other man, it is a terrible sin. And this is what God is telling that guilty nation. He says I loved you, and blessed you, and now you are turning away from me this is adultery.

V.4 Let us take this verse to heart. What a wonderful blessing it would be to us, if we turned always to the Lord for every bit of wisdom that we needed, and let Him guide us always, through His Word.

V.10 We mentioned that there was an outward following of the Lord in the days of Josiah, but the Lord could see their hearts, and here He says that they turned not with their whole heart but “feignedly” that is, just pretending.

V.13 The Lord pleads with them to admit their guilt, for if they would, then He would bless them.

V.14 Even if the whole nation would not repent, the Lord asks any one or two who will, to turn to Him, and He promises to bless them. This is very true today. The whole world is guilty. We cannot expect our country or any other to repent. But we can pray that “one of a city, or two of a family” may turn to the Lord with their whole heart.

V.17-22 God promises blessing to those who will repent and turn to Him.

Day 284 - Jeremiah 7

The Lord continues to plead with the people to turn back to Him. It is like a man who has a wife who has left him for other men.

V.2 The prophet is told here to stand in the “gate of the Lord’s house.”

V.4 From the gate of the temple, he warns them, that although they boasted about their fine temple, and their religion, yet the Lord could see their evil hearts and their sinful ways.

V.13-14 The Lord reminds them that He had often warned them, but they would not hear, and so He sadly tells them that the very temple of which they boasted, would be destroyed. And this actually happened when king Nebuchadnezzar came a little while later.

V.18 They had not only turned from the Lord, but they had worshipped false gods, idols, instead. This is often called “adultery” that is, a turning from God Who loved them, to false idols.

V.25 In spite of their many years of guilt and idolatry, God had continued to plead with them through His prophets.

V.34 This was the sad and terrible condition that actually happened to the cities of Israel, because of their sin.

Day 285 - Jeremiah 10

V.1-5 It was not just the ideas of Jeremiah it was the Word of the Lord. Then in the next verses, He shows the foolishness of worshipping idols just a piece of wood sometimes decked with silver and gold.

V.7, 10 Notice Who the Lord is!

V.11-12 Here the Lord reminds the people that these foolish dumb idols could not make or do anything, and that they themselves will perish. But the Lord He is the One Who made all things.

V.23 Like the Lord saying, “It’s not possible for a person to decide what to do in his life, without Me.”

We do not have the wisdom to live for God’s glory. Wisdom does not come from our hearts, but from the Word of God.

Day 286 - Jeremiah 18

Perhaps we all know something about how a potter takes clay and shapes it into a pitcher or a vessel of some kind. Sometimes it doesn’t take the right shape, so the potter starts over again. He can do what he wants with the clay. Here the Lord tells Israel that they, His people are a “marred” or a spoiled vessel.

V.8 If you have read the story of Jonah and Nineveh, you will remember that God did just what He tells us in this verse.

V.12 In spite of the promise of blessing, their answer is that they will not listen, but will continue with their evil ways.

V.18 They were getting tired of listening to Jeremiah’s pleadings and warnings, though he was just telling them the Word of God. Now they begin to plan trouble for him so they won’t have to listen to his words any more.

Day 287 - Jeremiah 21

In this chapter, the very thing that was prophesied from the beginning of the book, begins to take place. The mighty Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, comes to destroy them.

V.4-5 It was too late now. The enemy is at the gate, and the Lord says that He Himself will fight against Israel, and that the city will be taken.

V.8 Here is something to remember, “the way of life” and the “way of death.” And it is the Lord that announces the message.

V.9 Read this verse carefully. If they wished to live, they were to submit to the enemy and go out and surrender. If they wished to die, they were to refuse to go out, and remain in the guilty city.

Day 289 - Jeremiah 26

King Josiah has died and his son Jehoiakim is the new king.

V.2 The Lord tells Jeremiah to stand in the entrance to the Lord’s house, and is told that he must not leave out one word of the Lord’s warnings.

V.8-9 When he finishes his message, the priests, the prophets, and all the people are so mad that they plan to kill Jeremiah! Poor Jeremiah! He is alone.

V.10 But the Lord had His eye on His faithful servant, and sends the princes to protect (Jer. 5:12-15). Fearless Jeremiah speaks faithful words for the Lord.

V.16 The Lord cared for this faithful man. He is quite ready to die as he told them in verse 14.

V.24 Here God tells us the name of those who stood with Jeremiah and defended him when others would have put him to death.

Day 290 - Jeremiah 29

In Previous chapters, the Lord carried out His words of warning. Judah was taken captive to Babylon. Jeremiah writes this letter to them. No doubt they thought very often of their own land of Palestine, and wondered whether they should submit to the rulers of the land where they were held captive. We can see here God’s answer to this question.

V.10 Once more the Lord reminds them that after 70 years He would let them return to their own land. What kindness to tell them the number of years!

V.21 Notice again that the Lord specially names those who refuse to accept His word and who rebelled against Him. He sees and knows the heart of every one and if any refuse His Word, what awful punishment!

V.24-32 Shemaiah pretended to have a message from the Lord, but was really preaching rebellion against the Lord.

Day 291 - Jeremiah 30

This chapter has two thoughts. Firstly, God was giving them a promise that He was going to bring them back to their land. We read yesterday that Jeremiah was to tell them the length of time before this would happen. But secondly, God told Jeremiah to tell the people about a far greater event to take place in the distant future. All the tribes of Judah and Israel would be brought back to the land. This event still hasn’t taken place. Nor will it, until the Lord first comes into the sky and calls every believer, dead and living, to come with Him to heaven. Are you a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ? You will then be one of those who hears His voice and will be with Him forever.

V.4-7 But, something else. Before the Lord brings them back, a terrible punishment is going to be put on the people, known as the great tribulation (See your chart “E”).

V.8-11 He tells the faithful ones not to be afraid.

V.12-15 Word to the unbelievers. Punishment because they persisted in disobedience — so they were “incurable.”

V.16 Refers to the nations who have hated Israel and beaten them.

V.17-24 He returns to the subject of their being blessed in the later days (“E” to “F” on your chart).

Day 292 - Jeremiah 31

V.1-3 Now the Lord speaks about Himself. Such a loving God!

V.4-30 Here we see that not only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin — they are back in the land since 1948 — but all the other 10 tribes which are still scattered and unknown, shall be called back too.

V.31-40 Beautiful promises for the Millennium. But notice that the Lord Himself shall be there with them. The new covenant (or contract) will be made with Israel, not law-keeping, but, because of the death on the cross of the Lord Jesus, God will forgive them their sins. Those who believe will be the only ones who will go into the Millennium. Everyone born during these 1,000 years will be a believer also (v. 33-34).

V.36-37 Notice the “ifs.” If heaven could be measured, then His promises wouldn’t be kept! Impossible!

Day 293 - Jeremiah 32

V.3 Poor Jeremiah was so hated for telling the people what the Lord had told him, that they put him in prison. But it is good to notice, that he keeps on as if nothing had happened. Why? Because he believed God. See what the Apostle Paul calls himself in Ephesians 4:1. So was Jeremiah! Happy to be one! But notice verse 4.

V.6-12 He is told to buy a piece of land.

V.14-15 The deeds of the property were to be preserved for the future. Later they would find that all this had been prophesied!

V.17 Let’s never forget this verse — and the question in verse 27.

The rest of the chapter shows us that (1) God had given Israel the promised land, (2) They disobeyed God, (3) They were punished for doing this, (4) Yet God, because of Christ’s death for their sins, will bring them back and Christ shall be King over them in prosperity, power and happiness.

Day 294 - Jeremiah 33

The prophecy goes on into the future (hasn’t come yet) when the Lord Jesus will appear again. He is described as the Branch of righteousness, and the fulfillment of King David (v. 15).

In verses 6-8, God is saying 7 times “I will.” What wonderful promises!

Day 295 - Jeremiah 34

All who had Hebrew slaves had made an agreement with Zedekiah and had set them free. But afterward they had taken the same fellows and made them slaves again. Jeremiah is very angry about this, and he says that they will be punished for doing this. Isn’t this just like Christians sometimes? The Lord Jesus has given us freedom from our sins and the world, and then we go back into the worldly things, and Satan attracts us into doing things that make us like slaves again.

Day 296 - Jeremiah 35

We read of the faithfulness of these Gentile people, the Rechabites. God had promised to bless them and their descendants. They are descendants of Rechab the Kenite (1 Chron. 2:55, Gentiles). It is very interesting to read in the Encyclopedia that there are people in the desert today who claim that they are Rechabites.

Day 297 - Jeremiah 36

Jeremiah ordered a man, a writer, Baruch, to write his prophecy of what God was going to do later in punishment of Jerusalem. He was to write it on a roll of paper. When this was read to the king Jehoiakim, he cut it up and threw it into the fireplace. Then he tried to arrest Jeremiah and Baruch. But God saw all this going on, and hides them. Another roll is obtained and all the prophecy was written again. It’s the same today. People put their Bible in a drawer and forget about it. But God sees this too. So Baruch rewrites the whole thing!

Day 298 - Jeremiah 37

King Zedekiah is still disobedient to God; but gives a show of pretense. He gets a little bit of relief from war with Babylon, but this makes him hope that perhaps they will go away. So he asks Jeremiah to speak to the Lord and hear what He says. Sounds good! He hopes that the Lord won’t punish them. This only shows how far away from God he was. The princes accuse Jeremiah of siding with the enemy, because he had said that punishment was coming. So they put him in prison.

Zedekiah, probably because he had a bad conscience, lets Jeremiah out from prison. But he was too weak to confess his sins, and obey the Lord.

Day 299 - Jeremiah 38

V.2 Things get worse for Jeremiah. God said that any who stayed in Jerusalem would die, but those who go with the enemy would live. The princes are so angry, they ask the king to kill Jeremiah.

V.5-6 Jeremiah is cast into the dungeon. Some faithful men act to help him. God is a God of details. His way is perfect. The prison even is a place of safety for Jeremiah. God wanted Ebedmelech to hear a message, so He sends it through Jeremiah. What an encouragement this must have been to him.

Day 300 - Jeremiah 44

We have the awful confusion and sin which existed among those who insisted on staying in Jerusalem when God had told them to go. The result was that they were scattered and received the punishment God had told them of before. There was no indication that anyone repented. They ask Jeremiah to ask the Lord, but don’t obey Him when they get an answer.

Day 301 - Jeremiah 52

Defiance of God continued to the end.

V.1-3 King Zedekiah stayed in Jerusalem, rebelling against the king of Babylon.

V.4 Nine years later, the enemy came with all his army and surrounded the city for 2 years.

V.6, 7 Famine now breaks out, the men of war try to escape, but fail.

V.8-11 The awful judgment of God fell on Zedekiah, his eyes are put out, and he is carried away to Babylon.

V.12, 13 The Lord’s great temple burned, and the wall of the city.

V.15 What an ending even for the poor people.

V.17-23 The vessels of the Lord’s house all taken to Babylon.

Why all this destruction? Simply because the kingdom of Judah, from the king down to the poor people had given up their faith in the God Who loved them, but His holiness demanded this punishment. May the reading of this Book have a sobering effect on each of us. Summary: Israel, in spite of all God’s kindness, forsook Him and turned to idolatry. God therefore turned over the government of the world to the Gentiles. It has remained so till today. But we know that God has found a way to bless Israel and the world in the future, and that is of giving His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be a sacrifice on the cross! So God can be righteous and fair and forgive the sins of any one, yes, everyone who will put their trust in Christ.

Day 302 - Habakkuk 1

The first of the Minor prophets called a “prophet” only Haggai and Zechariah also called prophets. It’s a hard name to pronounce, but an easy book to understand and enjoy. Here’s a summary of it. It is like the thoughts of a person who realizes how wicked the people around him had become. And they were God’s people too. Then he gets upset by the Israelites being killed by the nations around them. But then God explains things to him; that God knew what was going on. Habakkuk knows that these nations were happy to attack Israel. So he decides he had better stop talking and listen to God, for He was using these nations to punish Israel for the awful things they were doing. Habakkuk is not only satisfied to hear this, but he is very happy. So will we be if we obey and listen to Him.

Chapter 1

V.1-4 He is complaining to God that everybody was getting away with breaking the law, and God wasn’t doing anything about it.

V.5-11 The enemy was allowed to do this damage because of Israel’s sins. They thought they were doing this for their own god.

V.12-17 He knows God is from eternity and can do anything!

Day 303 - Habakkuk 2

V.1-3 Habakkuk decides he had better stop talking and start listening to what God was trying to tell him. God told him to write down what He was saying. All this that was happening was a picture of what was going to happen to Israel far in the future! It hasn’t happened yet. Look at your chart and notice that the tribulation would take place before the Millennium.

Do you get the picture? Habakkuk was like in the tribulation.

V.4 Good for us today.

V.5-19 Many warnings. Don’t judge things by what you see (Read John 20:29).

V.14 Refers to what it will be like in the Millennium.

V.18,19 A warning against idol worship.

V.20 Tells us that the Lord is in control of everything.

Day 304 - Habakkuk 3

V.1-19 What a change takes place! Now Habakkuk prays.

“Shigionoth” means a serious song or poetry, or an elegy.

V.17-19 Beautiful confidence! He now can say, “Lord, although you might take everything, yes, everything away, I can still rejoice in Thee!” Wonderful little Book, packed with instruction for us! It begins with a “burden” and ends with a song! When we are enjoying the Lord Jesus, He will turn our problems and burdens into a song.

The harp is a stringed instrument, also found in Revelation 5:8.

Day 305 - Nahum 1

This book was written about 150 years after the book of Jonah.

Try to get the meaning of it. One view, we see that it is about the city of Nineveh — but the whole story is a type of what is going to happen to this same enemy in a still future day.

V.7 What a wonderful promise! May we lay hold of it.

V.15 We also find this verse in Isaiah 52:7, speaking of the beautiful feet of the Lord.

Nahum means “the Lord’s affliction;” and in verse 9 we see that His “affliction shall not rise up the second time.” The Lord’s work on the cross was completed once and forever. Now connect this with Genesis 41:52.

Day 306 - Nahum 2

We read about the city of Nineveh, that had been spared at the time of Jonah. But now, about 150 years later, the city has gone back to idol worshipping. God is very angry with this city. And Judah was equally guilty of idolatry.

V.6 The river may be the Tigris river. The dams would be broken.

V.7 “Huzzab,” is a symbolical name for Nineveh. We hear a great deal about Iran and Iraq, that is where that city was. Those countries will be some of the enemies who will attack Israel in the Tribulation.

V.8-13 Refer to God’s punishment that would soon take place for their great wickedness. Today, the world is becoming even more wicked and violent, so let us be as separate from it as possible.

Chapter 3:8 Probably refers to Egypt, “whose rampart was the sea,” or the river Nile.

Day 307 - Zephaniah 1

Zephaniah means “Jehovah hath hidden” (Psa. 27:5).

V.2-3 God pronounces a general judgment on all who disobeyed Him, both Jews and Gentiles.

V.4-6 Judah’s judgment is singled out, because they had been specially blessed by the Lord and now they were doing the same wicked things as the Gentile nations. They had turned “back from the Lord” (Read Heb. 10:38).

V.7 God tells that He has prepared a sacrifice, the Lord on the cross, and is inviting guests — future glories on the earth.

V.8 Notice “strange apparel.” Today we can see the same thing in the weird clothes people are wearing. Read Joshua 7:21 and Ezekiel 23:12 to see where the styles are coming from.

V.12 The Lord will search out all their wickedness.

V.14-17 This is referring to the time of the great tribulation.

V.18 All their wealth won’t buy an escape from the punishment coming for this world.

Day 308 - Zephaniah 2

V.1-3 This is a call to the unbelieving people in Israel to seek the Lord. But in verse 3 (the meek of the earth) we see the first reference to the little remnant that will turn to the Lord.

V.7 This remnant is going to be cared for by the Lord.

V.8-15 The nations, Moab, Ethiopia, Assyria and Nineveh, are specially mentioned because they had delighted to attack God’s people Israel.

Day 309 - Zephaniah 3

V.1-7 The greatest punishment is going to fall on the city of Jerusalem, because she had been God’s center on earth, privileged above all. God tells about all the sinfulness He saw. The responsible men, her princes, her judges, her prophets, her priests. The higher the privileges, the severer the punishment.

V.5 Refers to the Millennium. Every day those who disobeyed the Lord will die.

V.7 As it were the Lord said, “surely after all I have done, they will pay attention to Me.” But they even became more corrupt!

V.8 He tells the remnant to hold on and wait for Him.

V.9 In the Millennium, each Israelite will have a pure heart, no one among them, will disobey the Lord (Heb. 8:11-13).

V.10 This refers to the scattered 10 tribes — and they are still today. The Lord will call them to return to the land of Israel.

V.14-20 A glorious time for Israel. All the disobedient ones will be taken away.

V.15 The Lord will be their King in those thousand years of joy and glory on this earth.

V.17 The Lord God in their midst will joy over them with singing. In this chapter you will find: (1) The just Lord in the midst, (2) The King of Israel in the midst, (3) The Lord thy God in the midst.

Day 310 - Obadiah

V.1 The Spirit in the prophets constantly looks beyond Israel and Judah, taking notice of the nations of the Gentiles. “An ambassador,” as Obadiah speaks, “is sent among the heathen,” now and again. So, Nahum was sent to Nineveh, and now Obadiah is sent to Edom.

V.3 The world was Esau’s part, while Israel was still a stranger and a pilgrim. Esau’s children were dukes and kings also, and had their cities; were settled, as in the clefts of the rocks, where eagles made their nests; while Jacob’s children were homeless wanderers in strange lands.

Esau was a profane man. He sold his part in the Lord for some pottage (porridge). He set his heart on the present life.

V.10-14 Esau (or Edom) was glad in the day of Jacob’s captivity, “in the day of their calamity.”

He rejoiced in the fall of Jerusalem under the sword of the Chaldean. Moab might have been a dwelling-place for the captives of Zion (Isa. 16:4), but Edom stood in the way to cut them off.

V.12-14 Seven things Esau “should not” have done.

V.21 When the mount of Esau is punished, then salvation shall rejoice on mount Zion, and holiness find its sanctuary there — in the millennium.

Day 311 - John 1

This Gospel gives much more than the other three, of the Persons of the Son of God, the Father and the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost). We will be reading of the rejection of the Lord Jesus and our redemption, as if they had already taken place. There is no mention of the Lord’s birth, or ascension to heaven, nor are the events in sequence. Everything, we could say, is “now.” Israel is looked at as being totally rejected by God.

V.1 God takes us back into eternity, before the creation of the world. God had no beginning. This gospel concerns the glory of Christ, that blessed Man Who is in the glory today. It shows us God’s children, the believers, as His family. John tells us over and over again that this blessed Man is God.

In John there is (1) No birth of the Lord Jesus; (2) No record of His earthly ancestors; (3) No temptation by Satan; (4) No mention of anyone possessed with demons; (5) No agony in Gethsemane; (6) No three hours of darkness on the cross; (7) No forsaking by God; (8) No ascension. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, rejected by His own people Israel, but living and dying to the glory of God.

V.1-5 What the Lord Jesus always was and is. He was before the beginning of everything. All that God is, His wisdom and love and power, are in Christ.

V.6-13 The purpose for which John the Baptist was raised up, was to point to “the Light.”

V.12 Only those of us who have been “born again” are the children of God.

V.14-18 This is what the Lord became when He came to earth. His glory was seen.

V.19-28 He came after John, but was before him.

Day 312 - John 1:29-51

V.29-34 Jesus is the “Lamb of God,” the sacrifice God has provided for us.

V.32 God proved that Jesus was His Son by the Spirit of God coming down onto Him.

V.35-51 Beautiful sight, the blessed Lord Jesus attracts followers to Himself. John’s followers leave him and follow Jesus. All rejoice together. Now notice His many names: (1) the “Word,” (2) “Jesus,” (3) “the Light.” See if you can find at least 5 more.

Day 313 - John 2

V.1-11 The first miracle. Wine in scripture is sometimes a picture of joy on earth. Man has spoiled it. The Lord Jesus turns the water into wine, only He can give us true joy.

V.13-17 He has the right and power to clean the temple, His Father’s house. He would have to leave it later, because the nation rejected Him.

V.23-25 Like today, many believe in His name, but it goes no further. They only saw; people say “seeing is believing.” But that is not so. Their conscience is not reached.

Day 314 - John 3

V.1-21 These verses really explain what the last three verses of John 2 mean. Many people think that if they are “good living” that they have a better chance of reaching heaven. Nicodemus thought so. But he was told that he must be “born again.”

V.12-21 The Lord as it were, turns to the whole world, and gives us the wonderful news of eternal salvation with God through believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

V.18 Anyone who does not accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Savior is already condemned. John 12:31 shows that the judgment has already been passed. But if a person believes, all is forgiven and that person is saved. A good verse to give to unbelievers.

V.25-34 John the Baptist says things which are very plain. The youngest person could understand these words.

V.35, 36 The John who wrote this gospel (not the Baptist) is thought to have written these words, because John the Baptist didn’t know about Christianity and eternal life.

Day 315 - John 4

V.1-4 To go from Judea (in the South) to Galilee (in the North) a person would have to pass through Samaria.

V.5-42 Although the Lord Jesus is not wanted in Judea, He is happy to spend time in winning a sinful woman. He is the Giver of living water. Try all she could, her heart could not be satisfied. But it was only when her conscience was touched that she realized she was speaking to no ordinary man.

V.28-42 She showed the sure sign of a believer, she immediately wanted to tell others about the Lord Jesus. If you have never told anyone about the Lord Jesus being your Savior, then you are not sure you are saved (Rom. 10:9-10).

V.43-54 But He had other work to do. He could raise from the dead if necessary. Now he cures this son who was at the point of death — a picture of Israel as a nation. After the Lord Jesus comes for the believers, He is going to raise up Israel from their present condition of being as dead.

Day 316 - John 5:1-27

V.1-16 What a miracle Jesus performs; He comes to the poor man, He doesn’t tell the man to come to Him. And so it is now, we cannot move towards Him in our sins. But He comes to us. Doing this on the Sabbath, only brought out the hatred of the religious people.

V.17-27 But it also brought out the truth that God the Father, and God the Son, are working together in the salvation of souls. Every living person will receive one of two things from the Lord Jesus, eternal life or banishment to hell.

V.25 Refers to a person being dead in sin. This is the way all unbelievers are. When we heard the voice of the Son of God, we received life, we live.

Day 317 - John 5:28-47

V.28-29 These verses refer to something entirely different. These dead are those who are in their graves. Their body is dead. Both saved and unsaved. The believers, whose bodies are in the graves are going to be raised by the voice of the Lord Jesus one of these days (1 Thess. 4:16). The unbelievers who have died will remain in their grave for about a thousand years longer! And then they shall be raised by the voice of the Son of God (Rev. 20:12).

So our two verses refer to two separate events and two separate times.

V.32-47 They were without excuse when they refused to accept Him. Four things and persons spoke about Him to them: (1) John the Baptist, (2) His own works, (3) His Father at His baptism (John 1:32-33) and (4) the Old Testament scriptures (vvs. 45-47).

Day 318 - John 6:1-40

V.1-4 What wonderful power! The Lord Jesus could feed 5,000 men from 5 loaves and 2 Small fishes. Today He is the food for every believer on earth.

V.15 Outwardly it looks as if they wanted Him to be their King. But He could see beyond their actions into their hearts.

V.16-21 When we have difficulties in our life, remember to read these verses; verse 20 particularly.

V.22-40 They were interested in Him mainly because they had been fed by Him. But what He wanted was their heart. He wanted everyone to receive Him and the gift He could give them — eternal life (v. 27).

Day 319 - John 6:41-71

V.41 The Jews complain because He said that He had come down from heaven!

V.44 This verse takes from us all the credit for accepting the Lord Jesus and gives all glory to God. The bread which Jesus gave was His flesh, which He would give for the whole world. There could be no salvation for us if the Lord Jesus had only come to earth, and then had gone back to heaven. He must die.

V.51-58 This does not mean that we actually eat the flesh and drink His blood. But it does mean, that if we are going to be saved, it is through His death, and no other way. The death of Christ makes it very plain that the old life with which we were born can never inherit eternal life. It is only when we realize that the old life is condemned and put in the place of death, that we can know that our new life is in the Christ Who has died and has been raised again.

V.53 We EAT once for salvation.

V.54-57 The word changes to EATETH. These verses are for the believer. “Eateth” means that we must be eating over and over again. It is His death which keeps us in our new life.

V.60-71 Many could not accept what was just said, and gave up. But it only showed that their belief in Him was very shallow.

V.68 If our heart grows cold toward the Lord, who could we turn to that would make us happy? Peter’s answer is very clear.

Day 320 - John 7:1-31

V.1-9 The family of Jesus does not believe in Him! They urge Him to go to Jerusalem for the Jewish celebrations. But He waits; later He will go and show Himself.

V.10-13 As Jesus is teaching in the temple, He does not say much about Himself.

V.17 If any one desires to do the will of God, he will know the teaching of scripture — whether they really are from God or are the thoughts of men. Are we submitting to the Word of God?

V.19-31 Moses gave the Israelites the law, but they did not keep it. When Jesus came they tried to kill Him because He had cured a man on the Sabbath!

Day 321 - John 7:32-53

V.37 Glorious Person — so individual. Christianity is not a religion, it is a Person. Do you live in communion with Him day by day?

V.38-39 Water is a picture of the Holy Spirit, Who came down from heaven at Pentecost. He fills every believer with heavenly joy and satisfaction, if we don’t allow other things into our life. But remember, the Holy Spirit had not yet come, because Jesus had not yet gone to heaven.

V.40-53 They were divided about Jesus. What we think of Him decides the side we take, even after we are believers. How much the Lord Jesus means to us is going to decide what kind of a life we will lead. Do we enjoy the company of unsaved people? Then the Lord has lost His attraction for us.

Day 322 - John 8:1-32

There are three words which can describe the Lord Jesus: “Life,” “Light” and “Love.” In these chapters, “water” or “life” is mentioned — a picture of “Life” (see John 4:10; 7:38). In John 8 to end of 12, it is “Light.” Then in John 13-21, it is surely “Love.” Today we will notice “Light.”

V.1-11 These religious leaders still try to cause Jesus to make a mistake so they might accuse Him of going against the Scriptures. First of all, they were breaking the law themselves. For in Leviticus 20:10 it clearly says that both the man and the woman were to be punished. But they bring only the woman. Jesus brings their own sins to mind. He wrote on the ground, giving their conscience time to work. With guilty conscience in the presence of God, they left one by one. They could not stand the “Light.” And the Lord told the woman to go and sin no more. The Light shows how bad we are, but the blood of the Lord Jesus cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7).

V.12-32 What is the Lord Jesus in verse 12?

V.13-19 The Pharisees said that one witness was not enough. But God also was His witness. So there were two, but still they would not change, nor believe.

V.21-32 Some of the most helpful verses in all scripture to see the importance of knowing who Jesus is. Read them carefully particularly verse 24.

Day 323 - John 8:33-59

V.33-50 Jesus pointed out that though they were the descendants of Abraham, before God, they were sinners. And they were following their father, the devil.

V.51-59 Jesus said that if anyone kept His Word, he would never see death. But they argued that Abraham had died. Was Jesus greater than Abraham; they asked?

V.58, 59 His wonderful answer, and their reply. Did you notice “light” in the chapter? It exposes.

Day 324 - John 9

Yesterday we saw Jesus’ words rejected. Today we see His works not wanted. The whole chapter is one story of the “Light,” Jesus, bringing light to man in darkness. The question of Who Jesus is, is the center of everything. The Pharisees were in a spot. They could not deny that a great miracle had been done. Verse 24 was what they believed. The world has not changed! Most of the arguments the religious leaders are having these days, center around the very same question. “Is Jesus the Son of God?” If Jesus is not God, then there is no heaven, no hell, no salvation. But since He is the Son of God, then everything the Bible says is true. What the Lord Jesus did to this blind man, is a picture of what He has done to every believer in Him. He has given sight to our blind eyes. The blind man could understand better than they could, that if Jesus was not from God, He could do nothing.

V.35-38 The blind man is cast out of the Jew’s religion, but Jesus finds him, and shows him that He is the Son of God. The man believes and worships Him.

V.40-41 If the Pharisees had confessed that they were blind, there was a cure too for their sin, but when they said that they saw, their sin remained. Did you see “light” in this chapter? It brought relief.

Day 325 - John 10

Jesus is gathering His sheep to a new center — Himself. He was gathering them out of the old sheepfold (Israel). The Jews had been helping on the work of the Lord, without knowing it, by putting out the man in John 9:34.

V.3 The porter is the Holy Spirit. Jesus leads the sheep out of the Jewish fold to bring them into life in a new condition.

V.7-9 Those who enter in through the door (Jesus), find salvation, liberty, food and closeness.

V.29 They also find security and protection. The Father gave the sheep to Christ.

V.16 The “other sheep” are us, Gentiles. Some have heard Him. Notice there is one flock. He is the Shepherd. We stay close to Him because He attracts our hearts. There is no fence around us, there is no law, but He is the attracting Center.

V.24-38 The Jews are divided again. Who is He? they say. He again tells them of His Words and works. They would not believe because they were not His sheep.

Day 326 - John 11

By His power the Lord Jesus proves to be the resurrection and the life. Though Lazarus was sick, Jesus did not visit Mary and Martha until Lazarus had been dead four days. This must have tested their faith very much. But He was waiting for His Father to tell Him when to go.

V.24 They knew that Lazarus would rise again at the last day, but that didn’t comfort them at the time. Oh, they thought, if Jesus had only come before Lazarus had died!

V.42 Jesus longed that the people might believe on Him!

V.43 Jesus calls one man to come out of death, for He had power without limit.

V.47 The more love and power He showed, the more the leaders hated Him. They were determined to stop His work one way or another; by murder, if necessary. Light in this chapter.

Day 327 - John 12:1-19

V.1-11 Here we find in Mary, a beautiful contrast from all the hatred and lack of understanding. She is in communion with the Lord. The result of communion with Him is to understand what is happening. She alone seemed to know what was ahead for Him. She anoints His feet with very costly perfume; this immediately stirs up the others to find fault with her!

V.10 They turn their murderous thoughts toward Lazarus. And yet people today say that no one has ever come back from the grave. The truth is that they will not believe, though one rise from the dead (Luke 16:31).

V.12-19 People acclaim Him King of Israel. But the leaders do not know how to stop this.

Day 328 - John 12:20-50

V.20-26 Greeks (Gentiles) want to see Him. Jesus knew that His time to be King had not yet come. Instead He was going to the cross!

V.24 Jesus, first would have to become like a seed which is planted in the ground. It dies, but through death, there springs up fruit. Those who have believed in the Lord Jesus as their Savior, are the fruit for God.

V.26 It is one thing to be saved, but it is another thing to follow the Lord Jesus! Here is where the happiness and peace is in the believer’s life.

V.27-36 The Lord’s soul was troubled, and He asks to be saved from what was ahead of Him. But immediately He adds that it was for that very purpose He had come to earth.

V.37-50 No matter how many miracles He had done, yet they would not believe. Two great things were going to happen in the one event. The world was going to become guilty of the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus, and Satan’s power was going to be broken.

V.38 Isaiah, over 500 years before, had written these very words (Isa. 53:1).

V.46 “The Light” mentioned again.

V.48 The Bible is going to judge and condemn the unbelievers when they stand before the Lord at the end of the millennium (“F” on your chart).

Day 329 - John 13

From now on, Jesus is only seen with His disciples.

V.1 The love of Jesus never changed for His own, even though He now faces the cross.

V.1-17 Jesus is teaching us a lesson. Each believer is to have a real interest and concern for other believers. We are to wash each other’s feet. By this is meant that when one of us does something which is not pleasing to the Lord, another believer can come to us kindly, and point it out. Satan would here say to us that we are not to judge each other. If we love each other, we are going to try to help each other. It is only when we have judged and put out of our life the things which do not please the Lord, that we can have fellowship with Him.

V.7 Jesus was going away, and they would understand later. The “hereafter” refers to our present day.

V.18-30 Judas is pointed out as the one who betrays the Lord. Judas goes out before the Lord’s supper. That is not told here.

V.31-35 The Lord Jesus will be seen in His glory when He comes in His kingdom at the beginning of the millennium. But God has glorified Him before that time now in heaven.

V.34-36 By having love one for another, we show that we follow the Lord Jesus.

V.37-38 Peter boasts of his faithfulness, but is told of the fall ahead of him.

Day 330 - John 14

V.1-14 They were greatly troubled at the thought of His leaving them. So Jesus comforts them. He is going to prepare a place for them in His Father’s House, and He will come again to take them to himself. This to comfort us too.

V.6 Just think how much there is in these 22 words!

V.9-11 When we believers read John 1:18, we might think that we shall never see God the Father. But these verses explain that we shall. But in the Person of the Son. Read also Colossians 2:9; Father, Son and Holy Spirit are pleased to dwell in the body of the Son.

V.13 This assumes that we are living in obedience to God’s Word.

V.16-26 The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. He is the One Who taught the Apostles. If we believers obey the scriptures, we all would be in one fellowship, gathered only to the Lord’s Name.

V.21 The more obedient we are, the more Jesus reveals Himself to us. The more He attracts our hearts, the less the world will attract us.

V.27-31 The Lord Jesus had constant peace with His Father. He was never disturbed, no matter how terribly He was treated by this world. This is the peace which He gives to us. If we are not walking each day with Him, the world soon crowds into our heart, and that peace is disturbed. May He satisfy our heart more and more.

Day 331 - John 15

V.1-7 When Jesus was on earth, He was the true vine. Israel should have been this vine (Psa. 80:8). The branches must abide in the vine or they could not bear any fruit. If a man did not abide in Him, he was cast out as a dried branch, because he was merely a professor. These verses are saying that without Him we can do nothing (v. 5). Many people think they are Christians, because they live a good clean life; but the Lord Jesus has no power over their life — they are not born again.

V.8-11 These verses have been called the royal road to happiness. Are they true of us? We receive fullness of joy through obedience (v. 11).

V.18-27 The world hates a believer in the Lord Jesus, who is living for Him.

V.24-25 If they had not had the miracles which He did, there might have been an excuse for their not believing in Him, but now they have no excuse.

Day 332 - John 16

V.1-16 Jesus continues to comfort His disciples. He is telling some secrets concerning their future: He warns them that some would be put out of the synagogue, some would be killed and He tells that if He didn’t go up to heaven, the Holy Spirit, with all His power, could not come. It would all be well worth it,

V.8 The Holy Spirit would be a demonstration to the world.

V.12-15 Jesus had many things to say to the disciples, but they did not have the power to receive them until the Holy Spirit had come down. The Holy Spirit would guide them into all truth.

V.16-22 They would sorrow while He was away, but He would come again, and they would then rejoice. Now after He had died, He rose again, and some of the believers saw Him. But mainly this is referring to the coming for all believers in the air. For this we wait today.

V.23-26 He opens up to them the way they were to pray. They could pray to the Father in His name.

V.24 Fullness of joy through prayer — dependence.

V.33 What Jesus had spoken was in order that they might have peace in Him. In the world they would have troubles, but He had overcome the world. This is the end of the Lord’s talking to His disciples.

Day 333 - John 17

This is the Lord’s prayer to His Father. Jesus wanted all that the Father had decided, to come to pass.

V.1-5 The glory of the Lord Jesus, as Son of the Father, is opened up to us.

V.6-19 Jesus puts His disciples in His own relationship with the Father. They are brought into the place that He was as a Man before God the Father. He prays that they might enjoy this place of blessedness.

V.20-21 Others would believe later. We are some of these. All believers are brought into the same blessing of oneness in the Father and the Son.

V.22-26 Here we get a glimpse into our eternal position in the glory. There is going to be complete oneness. We are going to see the glory of the Son. But they (and we) are to enjoy this wonderful relationship now.

Day 334 - John 18

V.1-14 Jesus enters into the garden and is betrayed by Judas. In John we do not read of His agony in the garden. But only here do we read of the officers and men falling to the ground, because John shows us the Lord Jesus as the Son of God.

V.15-18, 25-27 Peter denies his Lord. He has lessons to learn. Note the words “Annas had sent Him bound” (v. 24), “then led they Jesus” (v. 28). The blessed Lord Jesus humbly let these wicked people lead Him around! What a low place He took! (Read Phil. 2:7-11).

Day 335 - John 19

Note the many contrasts throughout this chapter.

V.1 Pilate has examined Jesus and has found Him not guilty, and yet he whips Him.

V.2-3 The soldiers put a crown on His head, but it is a crown of thorns! They say “Hail (or greetings!), King of the Jews!” 6 times He is called King in this chapter. They strike Him with their hands!

V.4-6 Pilate says that he finds no fault in Him. The chief priests reply, “crucify Him, crucify Him!”

V.7 In Luke 22:67, we read that the chief priests had asked Jesus to tell them if He was the Christ. Here they say that He should die because of what He had said!

V.8-11 Pilate tells Jesus of his power. Jesus replies that he had no power at all! Unless he received it from God.

V.12-15 The Jews hated Caesar, the head of the Roman Empire, and here they want him as a friend!

V.16 Having admitted that Jesus was not guilty, yet he condemns Him to be crucified.

V.18 The Lord of glory, the Creator, is crucified between two thieves.

V.19 After all this, Pilate writes this title and puts it on the cross!

V.23, 24 The blessed Lord Jesus, after all the good He had done, is stripped of His clothes, and nailed to the cross by rough soldiers. They cast lots, like tossing a coin, but they don’t know they are carrying out the scriptures (Psa. 22:18)! Four times in this chapter it says “that the scripture should be fulfilled.” He the Living Word fulfilled the written Word.

V.28-29 In His thirst, they gave Him vinegar (Psa. 69:21)!

V.30 No man took His life, He gave it up Himself (John 10:17-18).

V.32-34 The soldiers see that Jesus is dead and one pierces His side with a spear! The cleansing power of the blood of Jesus is for the sinner. The atoning power of the blood of Jesus is for the throne of God. You will see the first in Leviticus 14; and the second in the 16th chapter. The first satisfied the need for us sinners; the second satisfied the heart of God about sin. The first is for “sins,” the second for “sin.”

V.36 Scripture written about 1,300 years before concerning the Passover (Ex. 12:46) is fulfilled! And in verse 37 another scripture!

Day 336 - John 20

God now acts! The greatest power ever known is now shown. The Lord Jesus is raised from the dead. All now changes from darkness to light.

V.1 In the first creation, God worked for six days, then rested on the 7th day. But through Adam’s sin, death has been brought to everyone. But the Lord Jesus (the last Adam, 1 Cor. 15:47) has come down to earth and has made a new and perfect creation. Now God can rest forever on the day after the 7th, the 8th day. The day after the old Sabbath (7th day, Saturday) is the 8th day (Sunday) and that’s the Lord’s (Acts 20:7). When we accept Christ as our Savior, we are born again into the new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).

There are 3 new things: (1) a new day (v. 1), the first day of the week, (2) a new name, for the first time the Lord Jesus calls His followers “brethren,” (v. 7), (3) a new relationship (v. 17), God becomes their “Father.”

V.1-10 An empty tomb is what we now know. Death could not hold our Savior. He lives and lives forever (Rev. 1:18).

V.11-18 All the disciples lack the devotion of Mary. Turn to Luke 8:2 to see who she was. She wishes to touch Him, supposing He would be as He had been before His death. But He was going to be known in a new way. Christ has been raised into a new place. The way in which He was known when He was seen by the people, is gone forever. That is what 2 Corinthians 5:16 means. We know Him no more after the flesh, in other words, our old life is in the flesh.

Our new life is a spiritual life.

V.19-23 These verses are a picture of what God wants us to be enjoying. The Spirit of God wants to gather each believer around the Lord Jesus — separated from all things which are contrary to the Scriptures.

V.24-29 Thomas, one of the apostles, won’t believe unless he can see! But later exclaims “My Lord and my God.” Notice the 29th verse.

V.31 A summary of the whole gospel of John.

Day 337 - John 21

V.1-14 Sad that Peter wants to go back to his old life! And the others follow him. Are we drifting back into our old life? To live like we used to? If we do, it is because the Lord Jesus has lost His attraction for us. They worked hard at fishing. Isn’t that true too of us when we get cold in our souls? Nothing would stop us from working late into the night if it was something we wanted to do!

Next, the Lord kept the fish from getting into their nets! Then in the morning, He comes to where they were, and asks them if they had any food! Why did He ask them? Because He wanted them to admit that they had absolutely nothing for all their work. Did you ever see a believer who was happy who had gotten away from the Lord? They think they are.

V.6 Will they listen to this instruction? Notice the wonderful results for simply obeying. They were not able to handle the big load of fishes! (See Mal. 3:10).

V.7-14 The Lord always is the Provider (James 1:17), so He says these two sweet words “come, dine.” Are we responding? The food which the blessed Lord gives to us is Himself, and this food is for our new nature (John 6:35).

V.15-25 In Psalm 23 it says, “He restoreth my soul.” Here the soul of Peter has been restored, after having so terribly denied knowing the Lord. Now he is instructed to feed and shepherd, the Lord is the Chief Shepherd, other believers.

V.25 There is no limit to what we can learn about the Lord Jesus. May we learn more and more of Him.

With this chapter, we complete the reading of most of the Books of the Bible. We have alternated between Old and New Testaments to show the oneness of the whole Bible. We trust it has been a blessing to you.

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Chapter-A-Day: Volume 3

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