Persuading the Perishing

Read:  Psalm 60 / Proverbs 19 / Isaiah 6 / Mark 3

 

Psalm 60:11,12 ~ Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Proverbs 19:20,21 ~ Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart… the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Isaiah 6:8 ~ I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Mark 3:14 ~ And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach.

 

The help of man is surely vain,

But we are strengthened by God’s hand.

The godless teachers are insane;

The counsel of the Lord shall stand.

 

We are sent forth by God’s commission

To preach the Gospel of salvation,

Persuading those who face perdition

To flee to Christ from condemnation. 

 

Better Because

Read:  Psalm 59 / Proverbs 18 / Isaiah 5 / Mark 2

 

Psalm 59:9 ~ Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defense.

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

Isaiah 5:20 ~ Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!

Mark 2:17 ~ Jesus… saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 

Because the enemy is strong,

I’ll trust in Christ, whose strength is greater. 

Because the fool says right is wrong,

I’ll trust the Word of my Creator.

 

Because the sick need a physician

Who has the skill to make them whole,

I’ll tell the lost in their condition

That Christ alone can save their soul. 

 

Careless Congregation

Read:  Psalm 58 / Proverbs 17 / Isaiah 4 / Mark 1

 

Psalm 58:1 ~ Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

Proverbs 17:15 ~ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just… both are abomination to the LORD.

Isaiah 4:2-6 ~ In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious… for upon all the glory shall be a defense… a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Mark 1:15 ~ The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

 

The congregation of the lost

Condemns those they should justify.

They do not care to count the cost

Of final judgment when they die.

 

How blindly they dismiss our Savior,

So beautiful and glorious!

How foolishly they spurn the favor

Of Christ who gave Himself for us! 

 

Calling and Commission

Read:  Psalm 57 / Proverbs 16 / Isaiah 3 / Matthew 28

 

Psalm 57:4 ~ My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

Proverbs 16:1 ~ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD.

Isaiah 3:9 ~ They declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe… for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.

Matthew 28:19,20 ~ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

 

The wicked set themselves on fire;

Their tongue is sharpened as a sword.

Our calling in this day is dire;

We are commissioned by the Lord.

 

Though sinners do not hide their shame,

We have been sent to every nation

To show the reason Jesus came

And reach the lost with His salvation. 

 

Viewing His Vows

Read:  Psalm 56 / Proverbs 15 / Isaiah 2 / Matthew 27

 

Psalm 56:12 ~ Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

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

Isaiah 2:5,22 ~ O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the LORD… Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?

Matthew 27:22 ~ What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?

 

I view the vows my Savior made

Foretold in ancient prophecy

Fulfilled and wondrously displayed

When Jesus gave Himself for me. 

 

No wonder I am called to cease

From men who borrow every breath!

In Christ alone I find my peace,

Whom I will trust in life and death.  

 

Reason and Refuge

Read:  Psalm 55 / Proverbs 14 / Isaiah 1 / Matthew 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 14:26 ~ In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

Isaiah 1:18 ~ Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though… red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Matthew 26:53 ~ Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?

 

We cast our burden on the Lord,

For He alone extends the grace

That only Jesus could afford

When He became our Hiding Place. 

 

We’re called to reason while we may

To show our refuge found in Christ

Who chose to wash our sins away

When He for us was sacrificed. 

 

Hearts and Hands

Read:  Psalm 54 / Proverbs 13 / Song 8 / Matthew 25

 

Psalm 54:4 ~ Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.

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

Song of Solomon 8:7 ~ Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Matthew 25:34 ~ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom.

 

The Lord our Helper testifies

Along with those who help our soul.

Such hearty counsel makes us wise;

The fellowship is wonderful.

 

We talk about our Savior’s love,

And of His wondrous grace we sing.

Our hearts are set on things above;

Our hands are joined to serve our King.  

 

 

Galleries of God

Read:  Psalm 53 / Proverbs 12 / Song 7 / Matthew 24

 

Psalm 53:1 ~ The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they… there is none that doeth good.

Proverbs 12:5 ~ The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.

Song of Solomon 7:5 ~ Thine head upon thee is like Carmel…  the king is held in the galleries. (cf.1 Kings 18:19; Is. 35:2).

Matthew 24:30 ~ And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven… and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

 

Creation’s vistas are a school

With exhibitions glorious,

Yet they do not impress the fool

Who still denies the obvious. 

 

By choice the rebel never sees

The portraits of salvation’s story,

Though God provides His galleries

That manifest His grace and glory. 

 

 

Goodness of our God

Read:  Psalm 52 / Proverbs 11 / Song 6 / Matthew 23

 

Psalm 52:1 ~ Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.

Proverbs 11:30 ~ The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

Song of Solomon 6:1 ~ Whither is thy beloved gone… whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we may seek him with thee.

Matthew 23:37 ~ O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

 

The goodness of our God endures

Regardless of what sinners do.

We seek the fruit His grace secures

In souls which have been born anew. 

 

We preach the Gospel that we cherish

As precious souls to Christ are brought.

Yet those refusing Him shall perish

Whom He would save, but they would not! 

 

Healed for the Harvest

Read:  Psalm 51 / Proverbs 10 / Song 5 / Matthew 22

 

Psalm 51:10,13 ~ Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit… Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Proverbs 10:5 ~ He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.

Song of Solomon 5:9 ~ What is thy beloved more than another beloved… that thou dost so charge us?

Matthew 22:9 ~ Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage.

 

We need the Lord to cleanse our heart

That we may be renewed and healed

To preach the Gospel we impart

And labor in His harvest field.

 

We need to answer those who ask

Why Jesus Christ alone can save.

This great commission is our task

That Christ our Lord and Savior gave.  

 

Majestic Meekness

Read:  Psalm 50 / Proverbs 9 / Song 4 / Matthew 21

 

Psalm 50:5 ~ Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

Proverbs 9:5 ~ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

Song of Solomon 4:16 ~ Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

Matthew 21:5 ~ Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

 

The Lord has gathered us around

The table of His bread and wine,

Where images of Christ abound

As we are called to come and dine.

 

Behold our King exalted high

As the majestic great I AM,

And yet for us He came to die

In meekness as God’s spotless Lamb. 

 

Selfless Savior

Read:  Psalm 49 / Proverbs 8 / Song 3 / Matthew 20

 

Psalm 49:7 ~ None… can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him… But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me.

Proverbs 8:35 ~ For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the LORD.

Song of Solomon 3:4 ~ I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go.

Matthew 20:28 ~ The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

 

I have no cause to fear the grave

For I have been redeemed by Christ.

How selflessly He came to save

My soul when He was sacrificed! 

 

I sought Him in my deep distress

And found that He had sought me first.

He gave Himself!  What selflessness!

It was for me that He was cursed. 

 

Pondering the Possible

Read:  Psalm 48 / Proverbs 7 / Song 2 / Matthew 19

 

Psalm 48:9 ~ We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple.

Proverbs 7:2 ~ Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Song of Solomon 2:4 ~ He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Matthew 19:25,26 ~ Who then can be saved?... Jesus… said… With men this is impossible… with God all things are possible.

 

As we are pondering the love

That Christ expresses in His Word,

Our hearts are set on things above

As we rejoice in what we’ve heard. 

 

We come now to His banquet table

And see our ransom paid in full

For Jesus Christ alone was able;

With God all things are possible! 

 

Kindness of our King

Read:  Psalm 47 / Proverbs 6 / Song 1 / Matthew 18

 

Psalm 47:7 ~ God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.

Proverbs 6:23 ~ For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

Song of Solomon 1:4 ~ Draw me… the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.

Matthew 18:11 ~ For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

 

How gracious was our God and King

When we were stumbling in our blindness! 

With understanding, let us sing

To praise our Savior for His kindness! 

 

He drew our hearts when we were lost

Into the joy of His salvation.

Now as we contemplate the cost,

We sing with grateful adoration. 

 

Staying in Stillness

Read:  Psalm 46 / Proverbs 5 / Eccles. 12 / Matthew 17

 

Psalm 46:10 ~ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Proverbs 5:1 ~ My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding.

Ecclesiastes 12:13 ~ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

Matthew 17:5,8 ~ A voice out of the cloud… said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him… When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. 

 

The Lord commands us to be still,

And in that stillness we should stay

Attentive always to His will

And ready always to obey.

 

In stillness we shall find our duty

By fearing God who guides our choice.

In stillness we behold His beauty

As we delight to hear His voice. 

 

Forget and Follow

Read:  Psalm 45 / Proverbs 4 / Eccles. 11 / Matthew 16

 

Psalm 45:10,11 ~ Incline thine ear; 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 4:27 ~ Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

Ecclesiastes 11:10 ~ Remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.

Matthew 16:24 ~ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

 

The Lord commands us to forget

Distractions we cannot afford,

That we may live without regret

A life that honors Christ our Lord.

 

Let things below be counted loss;

Let eyes be set on things above,

That we may comprehend the cross

And follow Christ, the Lord we love. 

 

Greater Gospel

Read:  Psalm 44 / Proverbs 3 / Eccles. 10 / Matthew 15

 

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

Proverbs 3:19,20,34 ~ The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew… but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 ~ The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.

Matthew 15:8 ~ This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

 

We boast in Jesus, our Creator,

For all the works in His creation,

And yet His work was even greater

When He accomplished our salvation.

 

This is the Gospel God imparts

To those who humbly seek His face,

But arrogant and distant hearts

Are strangers to His saving grace. 

Whispered Wisdom

Read:  Psalm 43 / Proverbs 2 / Eccles. 9 / Matthew 14 

 

Psalm 43:3,4 ~ O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill… thy tabernacles. Then will 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 2:5 ~ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.

Ecclesiastes 9:18 ~ Wisdom is better than weapons of war.

Matthew 14:31 ~ Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

 

The light and truth of God have led

And brought me to His holy hill

To Christ who lives, who once was dead,

As He commands me to be still.

 

My heart rejoices as I hear

The Lord’s redeemed who gladly shout

While Jesus whispers in my ear

His wisdom that reproves my doubt. 

 

Christ is in Control

Read:  Psalm 42 / Proverbs 1 / Eccles. 8 / Matthew 13

 

Psalm 42:11 ~ Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

Proverbs 1:33 ~ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Ecclesiastes 8:5 ~ A wise… heart discerneth… judgment.

Song of Solomon 8:7 ~ Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.

Matthew 13:16 ~ But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

 

Why should my soul be now cast down

When Jesus tells me not to fear,

For many waters cannot drown

The love of Christ who draws me near. 

 

While time and judgment run their course,

The Lord is ever in control,

So why, then, should I doubt the Source

Of every blessing to my soul?