Revised Common Lectionary

Day 213 1 Chronicles 11:1-12:22 ;  Romans 14:19-15:13 ;  Psalm 89:46-52 1 Chronicles 11 speaks of “David’s mighty men” ( 1 Chronicles 11:11 ). The focus is not, however, on either David or the “mighty men.” It is on the Lord - “The Lord brought about a great victory” ( 1 Chronicles 11:14 ). In their warfare, “the Spirit” brings this message - “... your God will help you” ( 1 Chronicles 12:18 ). What are we to say about these things from the Old Testament Scriptures? They were “written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” ( Romans 15:4 ). As we consider what God has done in the past - His “former great love”, we are encouraged to believe in His “faithfulness”, and we say, from our hearts, “Praise be to the Lord for ever! Amen and Amen” ( Psalm 89:52 ). Day 214 1 Chronicles 12:23-14:17 ;  Romans 15:14-33 ;  Psalm 90:1-10 God’s purpose concerns all the nations - “The Lord made all the nations fear...

In Ezekiel 29, we read about God's judgment upon Egypt, that proud nation, which caused so much distress to His people, Israel. Egypt's time of power had come to an end. Their position of power had been taken by Babylon. The Lord is looking beyond the day of Babylon's power. He is doing a work that is eternal. His work centres upon His people, Israel - "On that day, I will make the people of Israel strong again ..." (Ezekiel 29:21). In Ezekiel 30, we read about the fall of Egypt and the rise of Babylon. The history of our world is the history of the rise and fall of nations. Whatever happens, the Lord remains the Lord of history. Kingdoms rise. Kingdoms fall. The Kingdom of the Lord endures forever. This is a great encouragement to God's people. The knowledge that God is in control assures us that there is, in history, more than just the ever-changing flow of events. There is the God whose love remains forever. Egypt will be conquered. This m...

"… Jerusalem, the city where I chose to place My Name” (1 Kings 11:36). Jerusalem is called the Holy City. It’s not so much Jerusalem that’s holy. It’s the Name of the Lord that’s holy – and He has placed His holy Name in Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, Jesus died for us and rose again for us. Again, it’s not Jerusalem that’s holy. It’s our Saviour who’s holy. Jerusalem’s a special place because Jesus is special. There’s no one like Him. He’s our Lord. He’s our Saviour.

Day 152 2 Samuel 1:1-2:7; John 20:10-31; Proverbs 13:20-14:4 David was “anointed … king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:4). Jesus was given a higher honour: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). The greatest inheritance we can leave to the rising generations is the spiritual inheritance of faith in Jesus Christ – “that they may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” (John 20:31). Day 153 2 Samuel 2:8-3:21; John 21:1-25; Psalm 69:1-12 God gave His own gracious promise concerning the reign of David: “For the Lord promised David, By My servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies” (2 Samuel 3:18). Jesus indicated to His disciples, notably Peter, what He was going to do through them: “the net … was full of large fish” (John 21:11). Note also Jesus’ ...