Sunday 15 September 2019

Daily Devotional Readings: Year Three - April

1st April: Isaiah 52:1-12
'Good News' - Let us 'shout for joy'. 'Good News' - Let us sing 'songs of joy'. There is the Good News of God's reign - 'Your God reigns'. There is the Good News of our redemption - 'The Lord has redeemed' us. We are not to keep the Good News to ourselves. This 'news of happiness' is to be shared with everyone. We must let 'all the ends of the earth see the salvation of our God'. 'Christ died for our sins' - This is Good News. Christ was 'raised on the third day' - This is Good News. 'Jesus is Lord' - This is Good News. This is the Good News we must 'pass on' to others. In our world, there is so much bad news. We must not let the Good News be drowned out by the bad news. We must make sure that the people hear the Good News - loud and clear (7-10; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; Mission Praise, 249).
2nd April: Isaiah 52:13-53:12
In this remarkable prophecy,.we see Jesus Christ, crucified for us - 'the Lord has laid all our sins on Him' - and risen from the dead - 'After the suffering of His soul, He will see the light of life' (6,11). 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord?' (Mission Praise, 745). We might put this question to Isaiah. In one sense, he wasn't there. He lived long before the time of Christ. In another sense, he was there. God opened his eyes. God gave him a glimpse of what was going to happen in the future. 'Were you there when they crucified my Lord?'. In one sense, we weren't there. These things happened long before we were even born. In another sense, we were there. It was our sins which Christ took with Him to the Cross. It was our sins which He left behind Him when He rose from the dead (Romans 4:25).
3rd April: Proverbs 18:1-24
'The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream' (4). 'The grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus' (1 Timothy 1:14). This is the 'wisdom' we must seek - the wisdom which receives 'salvation through faith in Christ Jesus' (2 Timothy 3:15). True wisdom finds its overflowing joy in the Saviour: 'The Name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe' (10). We rejoice in Jesus. He is God's Son - 'You shall call His Name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High' (Luke 1:31-32). He is our Saviour - 'You shall call His Name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins' (Matthew 1:21). He is 'the Friend who sticks closer than a brother' (24). Jesus is God's Son. Be wise. Let Him be your Saviour and Friend.
4th April: Isaiah 54:1-17
'The Lord' is not only 'the Holy One of Israel'. He is 'the God of the whole earth' (5). The Gospel is for 'all nations'. The ministry of Christ's apostles began in 'Jerusalem', but it did not end there. The Gospel was to be taken 'to the ends of the earth' (Luke 24:46-47; Acts 1:8). Taking the Gospel out from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth was not easy. The apostles faced much opposition. They stood upon God's promise: 'No weapon formed against you shall prosper' (17). When we face opposition, we must take our stand on the Word of God: 'If God is for us, who can be against us?' (Romans 8:31). Even when our words seem to fall on stony ground, we must keep on speaking the Word of God's love: 'With everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the Lord, your Redeemer' (8).
5th April: Isaiah 55:1-13
The Word of God is spoken - 'Seek the Lord while He may be found...' (6-7). No one seems to be listening. What are we to do? We must remember God's promise: 'My Word will not return to Me empty' (11). We do not see all that God is doing. He is doing much more than we realize - 'My thoughts are not your thoughts...' (8-9). We may be feeling very despondent - 'Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything' (Luke 5:5). The Lord still comes to us with His Word of encouragement: 'You shall go out with joy...' (12). Before there is joy, there may be many tears. When there seems to be nothing but disappointments, we must remember the Lord's promise: 'Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy...' (Psalm 126:5-6). We must not 'judge before the time...' (1 Corinthians 4:5).
6th April: Isaiah 56:1-57:10
'My House will be called a House of prayer for all nations' (56:7). God is gathering His people together 'from every tribe and language and people and nation' (Revelation 5:9). 'Salvation comes from the Jews', but it doesn't end there - 'The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile (the rest of the world)' (John 4:22; Romans 1:16). We were 'foreigners'. Now, we are 'no longer foreigners...'(56:6; Ephesians 2:19). Christ has 'broken down the dividing wall of hostility'. 'We are no longer Jews or Gentiles'. 'We are one in Christ Jesus'. Christ has 'made the two one'. We 'have been brought near through the blood of Christ'. We are 'one body' - Jews and Gentiles brought together 'through the Cross' of Christ (Ephesians 2:13-16; Galatians 3:28).
7th April: Isaiah 57:11-58:14
'To the far and to the near', God speaks His Word of 'peace' (57:19). Christ is God's Word of 'peace' (Ephesians 2:13-14). Christ is for 'the Jews'. Christ is for 'the Gentiles'. There is one way of salvation. Jesus Christ is our Saviour. We must put our 'faith' in Him. Through Him, we have 'peace with God' (Romans 3:29-30; 5:1). God's Word invites us to 'call upon the Name of the Lord and be saved' (58:9; Acts 2:21). In Christ, there is true 'joy' - 'I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For He has clothed me with garments of salvation...' (58:14; 61:10). We rejoice in Jesus Christ. He is 'the High and Exalted One'. He has come from His 'high and holy place'. He has become 'Emmanuel', 'God with us'. He is our peace and joy, our Saviour and our God' (57:15; Matthew 1:21, 23; John 20:28).
8th April: Matthew 21:1-11
This was a day to be remembered. Sadly, however, it was quickly forgotten. Within a few days, the 'Hosanna' became 'Crucify Him! Crucify Him!' (9; 27:22-23). We can 'change our tune' so easily and so quickly - 'With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing'. What does God's Word say about this kind of thing? - 'My brothers and sisters, this should not happen!' (James 3:9). We come to the Lord's House. We come to worship Him. We listen to His Word - and we forget. God's Word calls us to 'be doers of the Word, and not hearers only'. Let every day be a 'Hosanna' day, a day for praising the Lord, a day for remembering Him and being 'blessed' by Him (James 1:22-25).
9th April: Mark 12:1-12
The prophets came. They spoke the Word of the Lord. The people did not like what they heard. They had no time for God's faithful servants. They did not want to know. They refused to listen. They rejected the Word of the Lord. God sent His Son. They did not listen to Him. They sent Him to the Cross. It sounds like such a sad story. It's the story of God's Word in today's world. People hear God's Word, and they shrug their shoulders - 'So what?'. They can't be bothered listening to what God has to say to them - 'It goes in one ear and out the other'. They don't take God's Word seriously - 'It's like water off a duck's back'. Is there another side to the story, a better side? Yes! Jesus is our Saviour. Jesus 'has risen'. In Jesus, we find true and lasting joy (10-11; 16:6; Acts 4:10-12; 1 Peter 2:4-8).
10th April: Luke 22:7-20
Read about the Lord's Supper. Think about what it means. Remember Jesus. Thank Him for His love. Give your love to Him. Here are some words to help you: 'Here is love vast as the ocean, loving kindness as the flood, when the Prince of life, our Ransom, shed for us His precious blood. Who His love will not remember? Who can cease to sing His praise? He can never be forgotten throughout heaven's eternal days'. 'Thank You for the Cross, the price You paid for us, how You gave Yourself so completely, precious Lord, precious Lord. Now our sins are gone, all forgiven, covered by Your blood, all forgotten, thank You Lord, thank You Lord'. 'Lord, You are so precious to me, and I love You, Yes, I love You, because You first loved me' (Songs of Fellowship, 168, 369; Mission Praise, 632).
11th April: John 18:1-11
It seemed like Jesus' enemies had 'the upper hand' - until we look 'behind the scenes'! Jesus was no tragic victim of circumstances. His death was no accident. He knew exactly what He was doing. Jesus was moving forward in perfect love - 'I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep...I lay down My life for the sheep...No one takes My life from Me. I give My life of My own free will'. Jesus was moving forward in perfect obedience to the Father's perfect will - 'This command I received from My Father'. Jesus was moving forward in perfect faith, looking beyond His death to His resurrection - 'I lay down My life that I may take it again...I have the authority to give My life, and I have the authority to take My life back again' (10:11,14-15,17-18). Jesus is our perfect Saviour!
12th April: Matthew 27:15-26
'Jesus' was 'crucified'. 'Barabbas' was 'released' (26). This is not only the story of Barabbas. It is our story - 'Jesus tasted death for everyone' (Hebrews 2:9). This is 'the big picture' - Jesus died 'for the sins of the whole world' (1 John 2:1-2). Barabbas was expecting to die. Then, something quite amazing happened - Jesus died for Barabbas! Each of us deserve to die - 'All have sinned...the wages of sin is death' (Romans 3:23; 6:23). Now, each of us can say, 'Jesus died for me'. We read the story of Barabbas. We rejoice in the Story of amazing love: 'Jesus died for me'. 'And can it be, that I should gain an interest in the Saviour's blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain - For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?' (Church Hymnary, 409).
13th April: Mark 15:25-39
'Truly this Man was the Son of God!' (39). Jesus Christ was no ordinary man. He was special. He was unique. He is God's 'only Son' (John 3:16). He is God's 'beloved Son' (Matthew 3:17; Luke 9:35). He is not only the greatest Man who ever lived. He is 'greater than the angels' in heaven. 'All God's angels' are called to 'worship Him'. 'Truly this Man was the Son of God' - In these words of faith, we hear an echo of God's Word concerning His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ - 'You are My Son; today I have become Your Father...I will be His Father, and He will be My Son...Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever...Sit at my right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for your feet' (Hebrews 1:1-14). 'Truly this Man was the Son of God' - Let these words be your confession of faith in Christ.
14th April: Luke 23:50-24:8
Jesus was dead and buried. Surely, this was the end? No! There was something else - the resurrection. What a great miracle this was! Jesus had been dead. Now, He was alive! He had risen from the dead. What a surprise this was! - 'they were perplexed...they were frightened' (4-5). 'He is not here; He has risen!' The resurrection was no surprise for Jesus! He had been looking forward to it! - 'Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise' (6-7). They had forgotten. That's why they were surprised - 'perplexed' and 'frightened'. Now, 'they remembered His words' (8). The Lord speaks His Word to us. He calls us out of unbelief. He calls us to have faith in Him - a 'living' faith in a 'living ' Saviour (5).
15th April: John 20:19-31
'My Lord and my God!' (28). These words were spoken by Thomas. These five short words, fourteen letters in all, marked the turning-point in his life. He had been 'doubting Thomas' - 'Unless I see...I will not believe' (25). He became 'believing Thomas' - 'My Lord and my God!'. Never think, 'I'm just a "doubting Thomas". I'll never change. I'll always be a "doubting Thomas"'. You can be like 'believing Thomas'. He became a new man, a man of faith. God is calling us to make a new beginning with Him. He calls us to have faith. We are to 'believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God'. Through faith in Him, we receive new life - 'life in His Name' (31). Look to Jesus. Be changed by His love. 'Open our eyes, Lord. We want to see Jesus, to reach out and touch Him and say that we love Him...' (Mission Praise, 545).
16th April: Acts 2:22-36
'God raised Jesus from the dead...It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him' (24). The proud unbeliever hears about the resurrection of Jesus Christ and says, 'Impossible!: 'Resurrection? - No way! Jesus died, and that's it! The end!'. The Word of God says something very different about our Lord's resurrection - 'Impossible!: "It was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him"'. Jesus is the perfect Son of God. He is the perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world. It was impossible that He should remain dead! Don't listen to the voice of proud unbelief - 'Resurrection! This can't happen! It's impossible!'. Listen to the voice of the Gospel - 'Resurrection! This is what God has done! It's impossible! - God's perfect "plan" (23) couldn't possibly fail: the perfect Son, the perfect Sacrifice, the perfect Salvation'.
17th April: Isaiah 59:1-21
What are we to do 'when the enemy comes in like a flood'? We must look away from ourselves to Jesus Christ. He has 'come' as our 'Redeemer'. Trusting in Jesus Christ, we must pray that 'the Spirit of the the Lord will come like a rushing stream'. We must pray that 'the wind of the Lord' will come sweeping through us with much blessing (19-20). In ourselves, there is no blessing - 'salvation...is far from us'. 'Our sins have separated us from God'. We need to receive 'salvation' from the Lord (11,2,17). We must not delude ourselves. Satan is stronger than we are. We have no hope of victory over Satan - until we put our trust in Jesus Christ. Without Christ, we are helpless and hopeless. With Him, we shall be victorious. He is 'the Rock of our salvation' (Matthew 7:24-27; 2 Samuel 22:47; 1 Corinthians 10:4).
18th April: Isaiah 60:1-22
'Arise, shine; for your Light has come...the Lord will be your everlasting Light' (1,19-20). Jesus Christ is 'the Light of the world'. When we 'follow Him', we 'will not walk in darkness'. We 'will have the light of life' (John 8:12). We are living in difficult times. We are surrounded by much darkness. We must not be discouraged - 'the lamp of God has not yet gone out' (1 Samuel 3:3). When the darkness threatens to overcome the Light, we must take encouragement from God's Word - 'The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it' (John 1:5). When the darkness seems to be everywhere, put your trust in the Lord - The Lord is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear?' - and let 'His Word' be 'a lamp to your feet and a light to your path' (Psalms 27:1; 119:105).
19th April: Isaiah 61:1-11
'The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me...to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour' (1-2). Jesus has fulfilled these words (Luke 4:18-21). Jesus has come, 'proclaiming the Good News of God'. He tells us that 'the time has come'. This is the time of opportunity, the time for making our response to Jesus Christ. He calls for our response - 'Repent and believe the Good News!'. He calls us to make our response now - 'now is the acceptable time...now is the day of salvation' (Mark 1:14-15; 2 Corinthians 6:2). There will come a time when the time of opportunity comes to an end. When Christ returns 'with power and great glory', it will be 'the Day of vengeance of our God'. We do not know when Christ will return. Get 'ready' for His Return. Put your 'faith' in Him (2; Matthew 24:30,36,44; 25:13; Luke 18:8).
20th April: Isaiah 62:1-12
God has given us 'a new Name'. It is 'the Name which is above every name', the Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ (2; Philippians 2:9-11). Christ loves us. He has given Himself for us. He calls us His 'Bride' (Ephesians 5:25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 21:2,9). Through faith in Christ, we have become 'the Holy People'. Through Him, we are 'the Redeemed of the Lord'. We have been 'Sought After' by the Lord. In Him, we are 'the City No Longer Deserted' (12; 1 Peter 2:9-9-10; 1:18-19; Luke 19:10; John 14:18). 'There is a Name I love to hear...It tells me of a Saviour's love, who died to set me free. It tells me of His precious blood, the sinner's perfect plea...Jesus, the Name I love so well, the Name I love to hear!...O how I love the Saviour's Name, the sweetest Name on earth!' (Mission Praise, 672).
21st April: Psalms 96:1-97:12
'The Lord reigns' (96:10; 97:1). 'The Lord is King!'. He is not only 'the King all-glorious above'. He is 'the King of love'. He is 'our Maker, Defender, Redeemer and Friend!'. He is not only 'the King of heaven'. He is 'the God of grace'. He is 'the King of mercy' (Church Hymnary, 35,36,388,360,86). His reign is not to be restricted to some faraway heaven. It is not to be a reign that is far removed from the practicalities of our everyday life. He is to reign in our hearts. He is to reign in every part of our life. Let His reign of love begin. Let His grace and mercy control all that you do. We must pray, 'Reign in me, Sovereign Lord, reign in me'. When we say, 'Let Your Kingdom come' and 'let Your will be done', we must pray, 'Captivate my heart. Establish there Your throne' (Mission Praise, 570).
22nd April: Psalms 98:1-100:5
'Exalt the Lord our God...Make a joyful noise to the Lord' (99:5,9; 98:4,6; 100:1). We are to worship the Lord with joy. We are to glorify God. We are to enjoy Him. In our worship, we must never forget the holiness of God: 'He is holy!...The Lord our God is holy!' (99:5,9). In our worship, we rejoice in the love of God: 'His steadfast love endures for ever...He has done marvellous things!' (100:5; 98:1). The God of 'awesome purity' loves us with the most perfect love of all: 'No earthly father loves like Thee...'. Let us worship Him with holy fear and heartfelt love: 'O how I fear Thee, living God, with deepest, tenderest fears...with trembling hope and penitential tears! Yet I may love Thee too, O Lord, Almighty as Thou art, for Thou hast stooped to ask of me the love of my poor heart' (Church Hymnary, 356).
23rd April: Psalms 101:1-102:28
'I will sing of Your love...I will walk with integrity of heart...' (101:1-2). These words were written many centuries ago. 'Things are very different now' - so we're told! Worshipping the Lord and walking with Him: Are these things out-of-date now? Are they to be forgotten? So many people have no time for the Lord. They feel that they can do without Him. They refuse to worship Him. They do not walk with Him. In our ever-changing world, there is something we must never forget: The Lord is 'enthroned for ever'. His 'Name endures to all generations'. In all the changes of life, the Lord 'remains the same'. His 'years go on through all generations'. His 'years will never end' (12,24,27). These words were 'written for a future generation'. They were written for us. We must not forget to 'praise the Lord' (18)!
24th April: Proverbs 19:1-29
'The fear of the Lord leads to life' (23). 'The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him' (Psalm 25:14). What a strange combination - friendship and fear! We ask, 'How can there be friendship where there is fear?'. Here, we have a special kind of friendship - 'the friendship of the Lord' - and a special kind of fear - 'the fear of the Lord'. Why is this friendship and fear so special? It's because the Lord is special! He is the God of perfect holiness - 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty'. We must come before Him in 'the fear of the Lord' - 'Woe is me! I am undone; I am a man of unclean lips...'. He is the God of perfect love. He calls us into friendship with Himself - 'Your guilt is taken away and your sin forgiven' (Isaiah 6:3,5,7). We rejoice in 'the friendship of the Lord'. Let us respect Him with 'the fear of the Lord'.
25th April: Isaiah 63:1-19
The Lord our God is 'mighty to save'. He has shown His 'steadfast love' to us. He has become our 'Saviour'. 'In His love', He has 'redeemed' us (1,7-9). We read here about the power of God - He is 'mighty to save' - and the love of God - 'In His love', He has 'redeemed' us. What love the Lord has for us - 'God so loved the world that He gave His only Son...' (John 3:16)! What power there is in the Gospel of love - 'The Gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes' (Romans 1:16)! What a 'Saviour' we have - Our Lord Jesus Christ is 'able to save to the uttermost all who come to God through Him' (Hebrews 7:25)! Think of Jesus Christ. Think of His love, His power, His salvation. Thank Him for all He has done for you - 'Alleluia! What a Saviour!' (Church Hymnary, 380)
26th April: Isaiah 64:1-65:12
We confess our sins to God - 'We sinned...All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags'. We look to God for forgiveness - 'Do not remember our sins for ever' (64:5-6,9). We know that God hears and answers our prayer. Jesus Christ is God's Answer to our prayer. He has 'come down' from heaven to earth. 'The Son of the Most High' has been 'born' into our world. Jesus Christ is God's way of saying 'Here am I! Here am I!'. He is 'God with us' (64:1; 65:1; Luke 1:32,35; Matthew 1:23). 'The blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin'. Let us 'confess our sins'. 'The blood of Jesus, God's Son, cleanses us from all sin' - Let us come to God with faith, believing that He 'will forgive our sins'. (1 John 1:7,9). Let us rejoice in Jesus, our Saviour!
27th April:Isaiah 65:13-66:4
What a contrast there is between those who belong to Christ - 'My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts' - and those who have refused to come to Christ for salvation - 'You will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit' (14)! God is preparing a great future 'for those who love Him' - 'I will create a new heaven and a new earth'. He is calling us away from our sins - 'Past things will not be remembered. They will not come to mind'. He is calling us to His 'holy mountain'. How can we enter into our full enjoyment of God's eternal salvation? God's Word tells us: 'I will pay attention to those who are humble and sorry for their sins and who termble at My Word' (65:17,25; 66:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9). Make sure that you belong to Christ. Put your faith in Him (John 3:18,36).
28th April: Isaiah 66:5-24
'Hear the Word of the Lord'. How are we to listen to God's Word? We are to 'tremble at His Word'. We are to 'drink deeply with delight' (5,10-11). There is to be the fear of the Lord. There is to be joy in the Lord. These are not opposites. They belong together - 'Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling...Rejoice in the Lord' (Philippians 2:12; 3:1). We hear God's warning, and we'tremble'. To those who 'sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth', God says this: 'It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God' (Hebrews 10:26,31). We hear God's promise, and we 'rejoice': 'The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms' (Deuteronomy 33:27). Let us 'hear the Word of the Lord' - the warning as well as the promise!
29th April: Proverbs 20:1-30
'Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler; whoever is led astray by it is not wise' (1). We need to learn the truth of these words - before it's too late! There is a better way than the way of drunkenness. It is the way of being filled with the Holy Spirit: 'Don't get drunk on wine, which leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Spirit' (Ephesians 5:18). We must not 'live according to the flesh'. God calls us to 'live according to the Spirit'. He warns us against making the wrong choice: 'To set the mind on the flesh is death'. He shows us the way of blessing: 'To set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace'. 'Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth'. May God help us to turn from 'the works of the flesh' and seek 'the fruit of the Spirit' (Romans 8:5-6; Colossians 3:2; Galatians 5:19-23).
30th April: Psalm 103:1-22
'Praise the Lord' (1-2,20-22). Let's praise Him for His 'steadfast love'. He is 'abounding in steadfast love' (8). How are we to respond to His 'steadfast love'? Are we to say, 'God loves me. I can do what I like'? No! We must not think like this. We're not to say, 'I'll keep on sinning. God will keep on forgiving' (Romans 6:1-2). God's Word tells us something very different. Loved by God, we learn to love Him. When God's 'steadfast love' has really touched our hearts, it changes our lives. This is the great change which the Psalmist has in mind when he writes, 'As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him...The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear Him' (11,17). Let's thank God for His love - and live to please Him!

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Notes on the Psalms