August 23 “For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water.” (Jer. 2:13) It is a bad bargain to exchange a fountain for cisterns, and especially for broken cisterns. A fountain is a spring of cool,…
August 22 “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father.” (John 20:17) One of the much-loved hymns for children says, “I think when I read that sweet story of old,/ When Jesus was here among men,/ How He called little children as lambs to His fold,/ I should like to have…
August 21 “…I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.” (1 Cor. 14:19 TEV) The subject here, of course, is the use of tongues without interpretation in the meetings of the church. Paul is opposed to the practice. He insists…
August 20 “If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?” (Heb. 12:7) The words chastening, chasteneth, chastisement and chastened occur seven times in the first 11 verses of Hebrews 12. As a result it is easy for the casual reader to get…
August 19 “Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.” (Ex.22:28) When God gave the Law to Moses, He included a specific prohibition against speaking reproachfully or disrespectfully of those who hold positions of authority. The reason for this is clear. These rulers and leaders are representatives of God. “There…
August 18 “Let not him who girds on his armor boast like him who takes it off.” (1 Ki. 20:11 NASB) Although these words were spoken by a wicked king, Ahab, they are words of truth. Even ungodly men sometimes lapse into truth. The king of Syria had made insulting, degrading demands of Ahab, threatening…
August 17 “…them that honor me I will honor…” (1 Sam. 2:30) One of the many ways in which we can honor the Lord is by standing true to divine principles and by steadfastly refusing to compromise. During his early years Adam Clarke worked for a silk merchant. One day his boss showed him how…
August 16 “And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.” (1 Tim. 6:8) Few Christians take these words seriously, yet they are as truly the Word of God as John 3:16. They tell us to be satisfied with food and covering. That word “covering” includes a roof over our heads as well as…
August 15 “Take heed, and beware of covetousness.” (Lu. 12:15) Covetousness is the excessive desire for wealth or possessions. It is a mania that grips people, causing them to grasp for more and more. It is a fever that drives them to crave things they don’t actually need. We see covetousness in the business man…
August 14 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” (Psa. 51:17) There is nothing more beautiful in God’s spiritual creation than a believer who demonstrates a true spirit of brokenness. Even God Himself finds such a person irresistible; He can resist the…