Today’s thought “God is our refuge and strength” (January 26) Just as parts of the Psalms, such as 22:1 and 16:10,11 foreshadowed events and sayings in the mortal life of our Lord, so Psalms 46 and 47 we read today can be seen as portraying the awesome events at and after the time of his… Read More Today’s thought “God is our refuge and strength” (January 26)
Today’s thought “We do not know” (January 19) Today we read of the great welcome the ordinary people gave to Jesus as he rode on the back of a donkey. “The whole city was stirred up” (Matthew 21:10) and we ponder – and find it impossible to imagine – the incredible drama of the scene… Read More Today’s thought “We do not know” (January 19)
In today’s reading Genesis 31 we hear about a dream of Jacob and him knowing that the father of Rachel and Leah did not regarded him with favour as he did before. But he also knew that the God of his father had been with him all the time (verse 4-5) In this chapter of… Read More Today’s thought “Lift up your eyes and see – God shall know it” (January 18)
Today’s thought Jacob and Esau (January 15) There is a degree of contrast between the brothers we read of in the Old Testament compared to the New. We read today in Genesis 27 of the friction between the twin brothers Jacob and Esau. We read earlier that Esau had despised his birthright (25:34) and Jacob… Read More Today’s thought Jacob and Esau (January 15)
Today’s thought “The LORD will provide” (January 12) Today in Genesis 22 we read of the climax to Abraham’s life – the instruction from the Lord to “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of… Read More Today’s thought “The LORD will provide” (January 12)
In our Bible readings today Psalm 19 reminds us of the wonder of God’s creation. All that He has made in the heavens declares His glory, with every part perfectly designed for its role and purpose. Although the heavenly bodies have no voice, they speak volumes about the mighty Creator, witnessing to His majesty and… Read More Today’s thought “to Remind us of the wonder of God’s creation” (January 09)
Today’s thought “I am your shield” (January 8) Today we read more of God’s dealings with Abraham, at that stage called Abram, we read, “the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: ‘Fear not, Abram, I am your shield …’” (Genesis 15:1). Abram had become concerned because he had not fathered a… Read More Today’s thought “I am your shield” (January 8)
Today’s thought “Let us make a name” (January 6) Our readings in Genesis have progressed to the time after the flood. Much time has passed and the descendants of Noah have multiplied and “they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there … Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a… Read More Today’s thought “Let us make a name” (January 6)
Today’s thought “I never knew you” (January 5) There are some really challenging sayings of Jesus in the first twenty-seven verses of Matthew 7 today. Then his comment in verses 28,29 jumps out at us. “When Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who… Read More Today’s thought “I never knew you” (January 5)
Today we listen to a prayer and a passionate song of David with Psalm 6 & 7. Facing several problems David took refuge and asked God to save him from each of his persecutors (Psalm 7:1-2) David asks the Adonai, Who commanded judgment and vindication, to arise in His anger against the fury or rage… Read More Today’s thought “Asking God to arise against the enemies” (January 03)
2020 got closed and 2021 is here to bring us again in the surroundings of many people. Last night we probably were surrounded by family and close friends, but the New Year’s Eve is also a time spend by many in the public sphere, for going to enjoy the festivities and firework. Last year the… Read More Today’s thought “Our company” (January 01)
Are we feeling hemmed in, locked up, restricted and perhaps a little ‘stir crazy’? Spare a thought for Noah and his family. They entered the ark on the seventeenth day of the second month of the 600th year of Noah’s life (Genesis 7:11) and God shut them in. They did not leave the ark until… Read More Some comfort in Times of isolaton
Though in the vision of today’s reading in the Book of Zechariah, the wickedness of Judah is contained and sent far away to Babylon, where it is not only tolerated but is worshipped, Zechariah’s prophecy also gives us an inspiring look into the future when those who “endure” will “reign with the king in Zion”.… Read More Today’s thought “The vision of the branch and unleashing judgment upon the whole ear” (December 22)
On the 21st day of the 7th month (Av = July-August), the prophet Haggai gave a second message from the Eternal. (Haggai 2:1) He asked about Zerubbabel (Shealtiel’s son and Judah’s governor), Joshua (Jehozadak’s son and the high priest), and all those who returned from exile, or any of them still living who saw how… Read More Today’s thought “Latter glory of the house of God shall be greater than the former” (December 18)
Yesterday we read how all were required to gather together, even the shameful nation, before the decree of God takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon us, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. (Zephania 2:1-2) By the prophecy of Zephania and other… Read More Today’s thought “What sorrow awaits rebellious people” (December 17)
What ominous warnings do we read in today’s chapter in Zephaniah! They are a sequel to what we read yesterday – they are a challenge for us to act to make sure we are on the Lord’s side – now! Hopefully all those who read and know their Bibles are already in the process of… Read More Today’s thought “The burning anger of the LORD” (December 16)
The Eternal One Devar Hashem Jehovah brought a message for the whole world. Jehovah God gave it to a man named Zephaniah when Josiah (Amon’s son) was the king of Judah. Zephaniah’s father was Cushi, the son of Gedaliah (Amariah’s son and a descendant of a commoner named Hezekiah). (Zephaniah 1:1) Eternal One said He… Read More Today’s thought “The Eternal One going to wipe the face of the earth clean” (December 15)
In completing our reading of Habakkuk we noticed the ‘footnote’ that concludes the last verse, “To the choirmaster …” this indicates that the last three verses are a hymn or song. It has always been in our hymn book, yet, for many years we have rarely heard it sung. It seems to us that we… Read More Today’s thought “Yet I will rejoice …” (December 14)
“That you may grow up into salvation” We meditate thoughtfully on Peter’s first letter: he was writing to the “elect exiles of the Dispersion” (1:1) – primarily Jews – as James (1:1) had also done “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion” (1:1). Peter names them as being in “Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia”… Read More Today’s thought “That by it you may grow up into salvation” (December 12)
Unceasing evil The above two words are the last words in the short prophecy of Nahum we read this morning. His three chapters are “an oracle concerning Nineveh” (1:1). You will remember that Jonah reluctantly went there, but they responded to his preaching of warning that in “forty days” they would be destroyed because of… Read More Today’s thought “Unceasing evil” (December 11)
