To Comfort and To Cleanse

Read:  Psalm 42 / Proverbs 19 / Ezekiel 36 / 1 Thes. 2

 

Psalm 42:8 ~ Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Proverbs 19:23 ~ The fear of the LORD tendeth to life… he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.

Ezekiel 36:29 ~ I will… save you from all your uncleannesses.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 ~ But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

 

The lovingkindness of the Lord

Shall be our comfort all day long,

And in the night, our prayer outpoured

Is heard by God who gives His song.

 

The Lord is searching us within 

To cleanse our hearts and our behavior

So we may be allowed to win

The souls we lead to Christ our Savior. 

 

Refuge of His Reputation

Read:  Psalm 41 / Proverbs 18 / Ezekiel 35 / 1 Thes. 1

 

Psalm 41:11 ~ By this I know that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me.

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

Ezekiel 35:13 ~ Thus… ye have boasted against me, and have multiplied your words against me: I have heard them.

1 Thessalonians 1:9,10 ~ Ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.

 

By this I know God favors me

As He upholds me with His power:

He is my Refuge where I flee;

His reputation is my tower.

 

Though foes may yet be multiplied,

I’ll trust the safety Christ shall give,

For by His death I’m justified,

And by His life I also live. 

 

Speaking to the Seeking

Read:  Psalm 40 / Proverbs 17 / Ezekiel 34 / Colossians 4

 

Psalm 40:5,9 ~ Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward… I have not refrained my lips, O LORD.

Proverbs 17:6 ~ Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.

Ezekiel 34:2 ~ Thus saith the Lord… to the shepherds… that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Colossians 4:5,6 ~ Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace… that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

 

The wondrous works that God has done

And gracious thoughts He has revealed

Regarding God’s beloved Son

I have declared and not concealed. 

 

To children’s children I will speak

And thereby feed my Savior’s flocks.

I’ll call upon the lost to seek

The Lord while at the door He knocks. 

 

Living for the Lord

Read:  Psalm 39 / Proverbs 16 / Ezekiel 33 /Colossians 3

 

Psalm 39:7 ~ Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.

Proverbs 16:6 ~ By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

Ezekiel 33:10,11 ~ Thus ye speak, saying, If our transgressions and our sins be upon us… how should we then live?...  As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live.

Colossians 3:2 ~ Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

My hope is in the Lord alone

By whom iniquity was purged.

I’m living now to make Him known,

Persuading those whom I have urged.

 

I’ll tell them of my Savior’s love

Who died to rescue them from death.

I’ll set my heart on things above

As long as He shall give me breath. 

 

Christ our Confidence

Read:  Psalm 38 / Proverbs 15 / Ezekiel 32 / Colossians 2

 

Psalm 38:22 ~ Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.

Proverbs 15:11 ~ Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Ezekiel 32:32 ~ I have caused my terror in the land of the living… with them that are slain… saith the Lord GOD.

Colossians 2:15 ~ Having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

 

The Lord of our salvation hears

The prayer of those who flee from terror.

The humble sinner wisely fears;

The proud shall perish in their error. 

 

We triumph in the Lord’s defense

Who spoiled principalities.

In Christ we have our confidence

Who conquered all our enemies. 

 

 

Momentary Multitude

Read:  Psalm 37 / Proverbs 14 / Ezekiel 31 / Colossians 1

 

Psalm 37:1,35,36 ~ Fret not… I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away… I sought him, but he could not be found.

Proverbs 14:29 ~ He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Ezekiel 31:18 ~ To whom art thou thus like in glory and in greatness among the trees… Yet shalt thou be brought down with the trees of Eden unto the nether parts of the earth…  This is Pharaoh and all his multitude, saith the Lord GOD.

Colossians 1:17,18 ~ And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

 

The wicked, like a green bay tree,

Shall pass away and not be found.

Fret not, for soon they shall not be,

Though for a moment they are crowned.

 

Like Pharaoh and his multitude

Who had inspired confidence,

By judgment they shall be pursued,

And Christ shall have preeminence. 

 

Egypt's Error

Read:  Psalm 36 / Proverbs 13 / Ezekiel 30 / Philippians 4

 

Psalm 36:9 ~ For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.

Proverbs 13:14 ~ The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Ezekiel 30:19 ~ Thus will I execute judgments in Egypt: and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Philippians 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 

God’s fountain filled with life and light

Is found by all who fear the Lord,

Where blinded eyes receive their sight

And strength from heaven is restored. 

 

Though Egypt thought that they were strong

And that their chariots sufficed,

The Lord who judged them proved them wrong;

Triumphant strength is found in Christ. 

 

High Prize of His Pleasure

Read:  Psalm 35 / Proverbs 12 / Ezekiel 29 / Philippians 3

 

Psalm 35:27 ~ Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.

Proverbs 12:28 ~ In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.

Ezekiel 29:21 ~ In that day will I cause the horn of the house of Israel to bud forth… I will give thee the opening of the mouth in the midst of them; and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Philippians 3:14 ~ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

 

The ultimate prosperity

Is that which gives my Savior pleasure,

Who gave His life to ransom me

And loved me with a boundless measure.

 

He gave me life instead of death;

He gave me truth instead of lies. 

My goal henceforth, with every breath,

Is pleasing Him; this is my prize. 

 

Magnify His Mercy

Read:  Psalm 34 / Proverbs 11 / Ezekiel 28 / Philippians 2

 

Psalm 34:3 ~ O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.

Proverbs 11:4 ~ Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.

Ezekiel 28:25,26 ~ Thus saith the Lord GOD; When I shall have gathered the house of Israel… they shall dwell with confidence… and they shall know that I am the LORD their God.

Philippians 2:9-11 ~ God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

O come and let us magnify

The name of Jesus Christ our Lord!

He sacrificed Himself to buy

Our ransom we could not afford.

 

Let us exalt our Savior now

Who rescued us from sin and shame.

Let every knee to Jesus bow

And every tongue confess His name! 

 

His Counsel He Conveys

Read:  Psalm 33 / Proverbs 10 / Ezekiel 27 / Philippians 1

 

Psalm 33:10,11 ~ The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to naught: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

Proverbs 10:21 ~ The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.

Ezekiel 27:2,36 ~ Now… son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus… thou shalt be a terror, and never shalt be any more.

Philippians 1:3-6 ~ I thank my God… for your fellowship in the gospel… confident of this… that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

 

The Lord our God shall bring to naught

The counsel of His enemies,

Yet He conveys to us His thought,

And He fulfills His prophecies.

 

The Lord pronounced a lamentation

That Tyrus would be found no more.

Yet He will finish His salvation

Which He began in us before.  

 

Preparation to Preach

Read:  Psalm 32 / Proverbs 9 / Ezekiel 26 / Ephesians 6

 

Psalm 32:8 ~ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 

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

Ezekiel 26:3,4 ~ Behold, I am against thee, O Tyrus, and will cause many nations to come up against thee… I will also scrape her dust from her, and make her like the top of a rock.

Ephesians 6:14-15 ~ Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and… and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

 

My Shepherd guides me as I go

And bids me daily come and dine.

My Savior loves me, this I know,

Reminding me with bread and wine.

 

But still the warnings of my God,

Like those to Tyrus, do not cease.

And so, with preparation shod,

I’ll preach the Gospel of His peace. 

 

Choose to Change

Read:  Psalm 31 / Proverbs 8 / Ezekiel 25 / Ephesians 5

 

Psalm 31:5 ~ Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.

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

Ezekiel 25:11 ~ And I will execute judgments… and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ephesians 5:17 ~ Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

 

The voice of Christ was prophesied: 

Let all the world heed and hear it 

As to the Father Jesus cried,

Committing then to Him His spirit. 

 

There is no refuge from God’s wrath

For those who will reject the Savior,

But those who choose to change their path

Are rescued by His saving favor.  

 

Sing and Speak

Read:  Psalm 30 / Proverbs 7 / Ezekiel 24 / Ephesians 4

 

Psalm 30:11,12 ~ Thou hast… girded me with gladness; to the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.

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

Ezekiel 24:27 ~ In that day shall thy mouth be opened… and thou shalt speak… and they shall know that I am the LORD.

Ephesians 4:15 ~ But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

 

To God I’ll gladly sing my praise

And of His mercy I will speak,

For God still hears each one who prays,

And He delights to save the meek.

 

I’ll speak the truth in love today

To sinners hopeless and depraved

To show there is no other way

Apart from Jesus to be saved. 

 

Preferred Pronouncements

Read:  Psalm 29 / Proverbs 6 / Ezekiel 23 /Ephesians 3

 

Psalm 29:4 ~ The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

Proverbs 6:20,23 ~ My son, keep thy father's commandment…  For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life.

Ezekiel 23:1-49 ~ The word of the LORD came again unto me… And a voice of a multitude being at ease was with her…  Thus will I cause lewdness to cease out of the land…  and ye shall know that I am the Lord GOD.

Ephesians 3:20,21 ~ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

 

The mighty voice of God has spoken;

How great and true are His commands!

His promises are never broken,

And in the end, His counsel stands.

 

Ezekiel declared His Word

That differed from this world’s sages.

Let God’s pronouncements be preferred 

That honor Christ throughout all ages! 

 

Reason to Regard

Read:  Psalm 28 / Proverbs 5 / Ezekiel 22 / Ephesians 2

 

Psalm 28:1,5 ~ O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit… because they regard not the works of the LORD.

Proverbs 5:7,21 ~ Hear me now therefore… and depart not from the words of my mouth… For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Ezekiel 22:30 ~ And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

Ephesians 2:10,22 ~ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus…an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

 

There is a reason to regard

The words and works of God today:

Without His voice, my heart is hard;

I need to hear Him and obey.

 

I dare not let instruction slip;

His will deserves my dedication.

I am my Savior’s workmanship,

The temple of His habitation. 

 

Head above all Heroes

Read:  Psalm 27 / Proverbs 4 / Ezekiel 21 / Ephesians 1

 

Psalm 27:4 ~ One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after… to behold the beauty of the LORD.

Proverbs 4:18 ~ But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Ezekiel 21:26,27 ~ Thus saith the Lord… Remove the diadem… until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.

Ephesians 1:2,22 ~ Grace be to you, and peace… from the Lord Jesus Christ… the Head over all things to the church.

 

We join with David to behold

The beauty of our Lord and Savior  

Who paid the price that was foretold

To ransom us with saving favor.

 

Christ wears the highest diadem

As Head above all heroes crowned.

Our Lord surpasses all of them;

There is no other like Him found! 

 

Place of Preeminence

Read:  Psalm 26 / Proverbs 3 / Ezekiel 20 /Galatians 6

 

Psalm 26:8 ~ LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honor dwelleth.

Proverbs 3:26 ~ For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

Ezekiel 20:4 ~ Wilt thou judge them, son of man, wilt thou judge them? cause them to know the abominations of their fathers.

Galatians 6:14 ~ But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

 

I love my Savior’s habitation

Which honors His preeminence.

He is the Lord of our salvation,

Our Refuge, and our Confidence. 

 

Let no intruder take His place! 

Let Christ alone be magnified

Who rescued us with truth and grace

When on the cross for us He died.  

 

Liberty or Lamentation

Read:  Psalm 25 / Proverbs 2 / Ezekiel 19 /Galatians 5

 

Psalm 25:12 ~ What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.

Proverbs 2:5 ~ Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. 

Ezekiel 19:1,13,14 ~ Israel…is planted in the wilderness, in a dry and thirsty ground… This is a lamentation. 

Galatians 5:1 ~ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.

 

All those who fear the Lord know well

That Christ alone is qualified

To liberate our souls from hell,

For to this end our Savior died.

 

How horrible the lamentation

Shall be for souls eternally

Who spurned the Lord and His salvation

And thereby chose their destiny! 

 

Sent our Savior

Read:  Psalm 24 / Proverbs 1 / Ezekiel 18 /Galatians 4

 

Psalm 24:4,5 ~ He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully… shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Proverbs 1:23,33 ~ Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you… Whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely.

Ezekiel 18:32 ~ For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord… wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Galatians 4:4 ~ But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.

 

Psalm twenty-four describes our Savior

With virtues that were His alone. 

In every aspect of behavior,

His perfect holiness was shown.

 

Through Christ, we see the Father’s love

Supply the need of every soul:

He sent our Savior from above,

The Word made flesh, when time was full.