Ascending Answer

Read:  Psalm 61 / Proverbs 30 / 2 Kings 21 / Romans 4

 

Psalm 61:2 I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

Proverbs 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name… if thou canst tell?

2 Kings 21:20,26 And he [Amon] did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, as his father Manasseh did… and Josiah his son reigned in his stead.

Romans 4:17 I have made thee a father of many nations, before him whom he believed… God who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were… according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

 

I cry to God to lead me higher,

Ascending upward to His rock.

My Savior answers my desire

As from His Word, I hear Him talk. 

 

He lifts my heart to heights above

To see His purpose and rejoice.

I hear my Savior’s words of love,

Like Abraham who heard His voice. 

 

Heroic Help

Read:  Psalm 60 / Proverbs 29 / 2 Kings 20 / Romans 3

 

Psalm 60:11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

2 Kings 20:5,6 Thus saith the LORD… I will defend this city for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Romans 3:26 Declare… his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

 

I know where help is coming from.

It’s not from man; that much is plain.

Heroic Help from Christ has come,

And every other hope is vain.

 

We praise our Hero and Defender

By whom we have been justified

With all who gratefully surrender

To Jesus Christ who for us died. 

 

Died to Defend

Read:  Psalm 59 / Proverbs 28 / 2 Kings 19 / Romans 2

 

Psalm 59:17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

2 Kings 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.

Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

 

The Lord my Strength is my Defense,

The God from whom my mercy came.

There is no other confidence

Or refuge that my soul can claim. 

 

My Savior died to thus defend

My soul when He was sacrificed. 

How hopeless, therefore, is the end

Of those despising Jesus Christ! 

 

Reward for the Righteous

Read:  Psalm 58 / Proverbs 27 / 2 Kings 18 / Romans 1

 

Psalm 58:11 Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Proverbs 27:12 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

2 Kings 18:5,7 He [Hezekiah] trusted in the LORD… so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him… And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went forth.

Romans 1:17-20 The righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith… The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness… so that they are without excuse.

 

The righteous find a great reward.

The wicked shall discover wrath. 

A prudent man will trust the Lord.

The fool shall stumble in his path.

 

Like Hezekiah who was wise,

We’re called to place in God our trust,

For only fools will trust in lies

From men who soon return to dust. 

 

Heard and Healed

Read:  Psalm 57 / Proverbs 26 / 2 Kings 17 / Acts 28

 

Psalm 57:6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

Proverbs 26:27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

2 Kings 17:12,14 They served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing… Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.

Acts 28:26,27 Go unto this people, and say… Their eyes have they closed; lest they should see… and hear… and understand with their heart, and… be converted, and I should heal them.

 

The net prepared where I might stumble

And pit arranged where I might fall

Were seen by God who saves the humble

And rescues those who on Him call.

 

The Lord exposed the dark seduction

Of idols which had been concealed.

I heard the truth of God’s instruction, 

I trusted Christ, and I was healed! 

 

 

Thankfully Viewing Their Vows

Read:  Psalm 56 / Proverbs 25 / 2 Kings 16 / Acts 27

 

Psalm 56:12,13 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death.

Proverbs 25:12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.

2 Kings 16:2,20 Ahaz… did not that which was right in the sight of the LORD…and Hezekiah his son reigned in his stead.

Acts 27:25,35 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me… And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God.

 

Give thanks on this Thanksgiving Day

For vows fulfilled at such a cost

When Christ our Savior died to pay

The ransom needed by the lost.

 

The vows of God are now in view

By which He gives us confidence.

Yet there are vows that we make too,

Which call for our obedience. 

 

We see this principle displayed

In godliness and grateful living,

Like Hezekiah who obeyed

And Paul who trusted with thanksgiving.

Rest vs. Rejection

Read:  Psalm 55 / Proverbs 24 / 2 Kings 15 / Acts 26

 

Psalm 55:22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Proverbs 24:15,16 Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again.

2 Kings 15:5,7 The LORD smote the king, so that he was a leper unto the day of his death… So Azariah [Uzziah] slept with his fathers; and they buried him” cf. Is. 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw… the Lord sitting upon a throne.

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

We cast our burden on the Lord,

Assured that we shall not be moved.

Our rest shall also be restored

When we are by the Lord reproved.

 

When leprous king Uzziah died,

He surely felt the Lord’s correction. 

Let souls persuaded now decide,

For “almost” still is a rejection!  

Desire and Defense

Read:  Psalm 54 / Proverbs 23 / 2 Kings 14 / Acts 25

 

Psalm 54:4,7 Behold, God is mine helper… and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies.

Proverbs 23:18 For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

2 Kings 13:17 Elisha said… Shoot… The arrow of the LORD'S deliverance… for thou shalt smite the Syrians.

Acts 25:12 Then Festus… answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go.

 

My eyes have seen the Lord’s desire;

My ears delight in what I’ve heard.

My certainty could not be higher;

I trust in God’s prophetic Word.

 

Though enemies around me stand,

My Savior stands in my defense.

They cannot thwart what God has planned,

And this shall be my confidence. 

 

 

Reason with His Righteousness

Read:  Psalm 53 / Proverbs 22 / 2 Kings 13 / Acts 24

 

Psalm 53:2 God looked down from heaven… to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God.

Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.

2 Kings 13:23 The LORD was gracious unto them, and had compassion on them… and would not destroy them, neither cast he them from his presence as yet.

Acts 24:25 As he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled… Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

 

The Lord looked down from heaven’s throne,

Beholding all humanity.

They neither sought Him on their own,

Nor turned from their insanity. 

 

Yet God was gracious, nonetheless,

And sent His Gospel with His Spirit.

We reason with His righteousness

So all may trust Him who will hear it. 

 

Rest upon His Reputation

Read:  Psalm 52 / Proverbs 21 / 2 Kings 12 / Acts 23 

 

Psalm 52:9 I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints.

Proverbs 21:1 The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.

2 Kings 12:2 Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada… instructed him.

Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

 

As we behold what God has done,

We rest upon His reputation.

He promised He would send His Son;

He did so, bringing us salvation. 

 

We rest assured that Christ is near,

Though every other friend has fled.

How good and pleasant is His cheer

As we are daily by Him led!

Cleansed by Christ

Read:  Psalm 51 / Proverbs 20 / 2 Kings 11 / Acts 22 

 

Psalm 51:7,13 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow… Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted.

Proverbs 20:9 Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?

2 Kings 11:13,14 Athaliah… when she looked… the king stood by a pillar… and all the people of the land rejoiced… and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

Acts 22:21,22 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles… And they… lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth.

 

As hyssop’s cleansing by the lamb,

The blood of Christ shall make me clean,

Though God examines all I am

And my most inward part has seen.

 

So let the world call it treason

When from its folly I depart,

Yet if they ask me for a reason,

I’ll show them Christ who cleansed my heart. 

 

Wiser Will

Read:  Psalm 50 / Proverbs 19 / 2 Kings 10 / Acts 21

 

Psalm 50:21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes.

Proverbs 19:21,27 The counsel of the LORD, that shall stand… Cease, my son, to hear the instruction that causeth to err from the words of knowledge.

2 Kings 10:31 But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin.

Acts 21:14 And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.

 

The silence of our God is broken;

His Word proclaims the way of peace.

The Gospel has been plainly spoken,

And lies exposed by truth shall cease. 

 

Let every doubt be swept away

As darkness flees before the sun.

We have our Savior’s Word today;

Now let His wiser will be done. 

Ransom Refused

Read:  Psalm 49 / Proverbs 18 / 2 Kings 9 / Acts 20

 

Psalm 49:15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

2 Kings 9:32 And he [Jehu; Jehovah is] lifted up his face to the window, and said, Who is on my side? Who?

Acts 20:27,29 I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God… I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 

 

The Lord redeemed us from the power

And horror of a hopeless grave. 

Christ Jesus is our mighty Tower;

There is no other who can save.

 

He paid the price to ransom all,

Yet some refuse to hear His voice. 

To every soul He sends His call,

Yet Christ is still received by choice.  

 

God will Guide

Read:  Psalm 48 / Proverbs 17 / 2 Kings 8 / Acts 19

 

Psalm 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

Proverbs 17:1,7 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness… than an house full of sacrifices with strife… Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

2 Kings 8:1 Then spake Elisha unto the woman, whose son he had restored to life, saying, Arise, and go thou and thine household, and sojourn wheresoever thou canst sojourn.

Acts 19:9 But when divers were hardened… he departed…  and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school.

 

Our everlasting God and Guide

Communes with us in quietness.

Let not the speech of foolish pride

Replace His comfort with distress. 

 

Our God has called us to depart

From counsel uttered by the fool

So that His Word may guide our heart

As we’re instructed in His school. 

 

We do not Well

Read:  Psalm 47 / Proverbs 16 / 2 Kings 7 / Acts 18

 

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Proverbs 16:19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

2 Kings 7:9 Then they said one to another, We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace.

Acts 18:28 For he [Apollos] mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

 

O clap your hands and shout aloud;

Proclaim our Savior’s reputation! 

The time is short to warn the proud

To humbly seek our Lord’s salvation.

 

We do not well if we withhold

The Gospel in this present season.

With Scripture’s proof, let us be bold

To speak with evidence and reason. 

 

Preach and Pray

Read:  Psalm 46 / Proverbs 15 / 2 Kings 6 / Acts 17

 

Psalm 46:1-3 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear… though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… Selah.

Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honor is humility.

2 Kings 6:17 Elisha prayed… LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see… And, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

Acts 17:30,31 God… now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: because he… will judge the world… given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 

 

Though earthly kingdoms disappear

And mountains fall into the sea,

There is no cause for us to fear;

God is our Help eternally. 

 

The fear of God shall make us wise

To preach His Word with confidence

And pray that God will open eyes

Of every sinner who repents. 

 

Beauty and Behavior

Read:  Psalm 45 / Proverbs 14 / 2 Kings 5 / Acts 16

 

Psalm 45:10,11 Hearken, O daughter… forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; so shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him. 

Proverbs 14:35 The king's favor is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.

2 Kings 5:26 Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments?

Acts 16:30,31 Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.

 

When we are worshiping our Savior,

Distractions no more cloud our eyes. 

His beauty changes our behavior, 

And His instruction makes us wise.

 

Is this a time for cherishing

The carnal things we once had craved?

Awake, for souls are perishing

Who by the Gospel may be saved! 

 

Boldly Boast

Read:  Psalm 44 / Proverbs 13 / 2 Kings 4 / Acts 15

 

Psalm 44:8 In God we boast all the day long, and praise thy name forever. Selah.

Proverbs 13:20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.

2 Kings 4:43,44 Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave thereof… They did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD.

Acts 15:4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.

 

We boldly boast in Christ our Lord

Who gave Himself for our salvation.  

Forever He shall be adored 

By every kindred, tongue, and nation.

 

We celebrate the victory

That our heroic Savior won. 

We’ll boast in Him eternally,

Declaring what our Lord has done.   

 

God of our Gladness

Read:  Psalm 43 / Proverbs 12 / 2 Kings 3 / Acts 14 

 

Psalm 43:4 I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God.

Proverbs 12:25 Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.

2 Kings 3:11,12 Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him?...  Here is Elisha… The word of the LORD is with him.

Acts 14:21,22 When they had preached the gospel… they returned again… confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith.

 

There is a place our hearts can go,

A refuge no one can destroy,

For at the cross our God will show

His love, the fountain of our joy.

 

The Word of God dispels our sadness

And sets our hearts on things above,

For sorrow is replaced by gladness

When we recall our Savior’s love.