Daily Look at God's Word and Thoughts - Jan 1-7

 Daily Guidance - Each day has a couple verses along with song/poetry/verse from a couple centuries or so ago.

JANUARY 1

The perfect guidance of God

I will instruct and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

  Psalm 32:8, KJV

If you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

  Isaiah 58:10–11, NIV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

  John 14:6, NRSV

All the way my Saviour leads me:

What have I to ask beside?

Can I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my Guide?

Heavenly peace, divinest comfort,

Here by faith in Him to dwell!

For I know whate’er befall me,

Jesus doeth all things well.

All the way my Saviour leads me;

O the fulness of His love!

Perfect rest to me is promised

In my Father’s house above.

When my spirit, clothed immortal

Wings its flight to realms of day

This, my song through endless ages,

Jesus led me all the way.

  Frances Jane Van Alstyne, 1820–1915

JANUARY 2

The good shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

  Psalm 23:1–6, ESV

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.… I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.’

  John 10:11, 14–15, 27, NASB

Green pastures are before me

Which yet I have not seen;

Bright skies will soon be o’er me,

Where the dark clouds have been:

My hope I cannot measure

My path to life is free

My Saviour has my treasure,

And He will walk with me.

  Anna Laetitia Waring, 1820–1910

JANUARY 3

Knowing Jesus

‘All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.’

  Matthew 11:27, NKJV

‘And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.’

  John 17:3, NKJV

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

  Ephesians 1:17, NIV

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the sharing of his sufferings by becoming like him in his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

  Philippians 3:10–11, NRSV

More about Jesus would I know

More of His grace to others show.

More of His saving fulness see.

More of His love—who died for me

More, more about Jesus.

More, more about Jesus;

More of His saving fulness see,

More of His love who died for me.

  Eliza Edmunds Hewitt, 1851–1920

JANUARY 4

Bearing fruit

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

  Psalm 1:1–3, KJV

The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

  Proverbs 11:30, NKJV

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

  John 15:5–8, ESV

Forth in Thy Name, O Lord, I go,

My daily labour to pursue,

Thee only Thee, resolved to know

In all I think, or speak, or do.

The task Thy wisdom hath assigned

O let me cheerfully fulfil,

In all my works Thy presence find,

And prove Thy good and perfect will.

  Charles Wesley, 1707–88

JANUARY 5

God, the Creator

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

  Genesis 1:1, KJV

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

  Genesis 1:26–27, KJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

  John 1:1–3, KJV

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

the King of creation;

O my soul, praise Him, for He is

thy health and salvation;

All ye who hear

Brothers and sisters, draw near,

Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, Who doth prosper

thy work and defend thee;

Surely His goodness and mercy

here daily attend thee:

Ponder anew

What the Almighty can do

If with His love He befriend thee.

  Joachim Neander, 1650–80

  tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1829–78, and others

JANUARY 6

Depending upon God

Why do you complain, Jacob? Why do you say, Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God’? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

  Isaiah 40:27–31, NIV

Happy the man whose hopes rely

On Israel’s God! He made the sky,

And earth, and sea, with all their train:

His truth for ever stands secure;

He saves the oppressed, He feeds the poor,

And none shall find His promise vain.

I’ll praise Him while he lends me breath;

And when my voice is lost in death,

Praise shall employ my nobler powers:

My days of praise shall ne’er be past,

While life, and thought, and being last

Or immortality endures.

  Isaac Watts, 1674–1748

JANUARY 7

The blood of Christ

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.

  Ephesians 1:7, NKJV

Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

  Hebrews 10:19–22, NRSV

‘Man of Sorrows!’ what a name

For the Son of God, Who came

Ruined sinners to reclaim!

Hallelujah! what a Saviour!

Bearing shame and scoffing rude

In my place condemned He stood,

Sealed my pardon with His blood:

Hallelujah what a Saviour!

  Philipp Paul Bliss, 1838–76

Martin Manser, ed., Daily Guidance (Martin Manser, 2015), 7–14.

JANUARY 8

God’s perfect peace

Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

  Psalm 31:19, KJV

“Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” Therefore you will joyously draw water from the springs of salvation.

  Isaiah 12:2–3, NASB

Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—in peace because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD for ever, for in the LORD GOD you have an everlasting rock.

  Isaiah 26:3–4, NRSV

Like a river glorious

Is God’s perfect peace,

Over all victorious

In its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth

Fuller every day;

Perfect, yet it groweth

Deeper all the way.

Stayed upon Jehovah

Hearts are fully blest,

Finding, as He promised,

Perfect peace and rest.

  Frances Ridley Havergal, 1836–79

JANUARY 9

Submitting to our Father

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

  Hebrews 12:7–11, NIV

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

  James 4:7, KJV

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

  Psalm 139:23–24, KJV

Have Thine own way, Lord, have Thine own way;

Thou art the potter, I am the clay.

Mould me and make me after thy will,

While I am waiting yielded and still.

  Adelaide Addison Pollard, 1862–1934

JANUARY 10

The Christian’s priority

Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

  Matthew 5:5–8, NASB

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

  Matthew 6:33, KJV

Seek ye first, not earthly pleasure,

Fading joy and failing treasure;

But the love that knows no measure

Seek ye first.

Seek this first: be pure and holy,

Like the Master, meek and lowly,

Yielded to His service wholly:

Seek this first.

  Georgianna Mary Taylor, 1848–1915

JANUARY 11

God’s holy word

Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.…

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

  Psalm 119:97–100, 105, ESV

From childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

  2 Timothy 3:15–17, NRSV

Lord, Thy Word abideth,

And our footsteps guideth;

Who its truth believeth

Light and joy receiveth.

O that we, discerning

Its most holy learning,

Lord, may love and fear Thee,

Evermore be near Thee!

  Henry Williams Baker, 1821–77

JANUARY 12

Worshipping Jesus

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

  Mark 14:3–9, NASB

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds

In a believer’s ear!

It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds,

And drives away his fear.

Jesus! My Shepherd, Brother, Friend,

My Prophet, Priest and King,

My Lord, my Life, my Way, my End,

Accept the praise I bring.

  John Newton, 1725–1807

JANUARY 13

A life of praise

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

  1 Peter 2:9–10, NKJV

Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

  Hebrews 13:15–16, NIV

Fill Thou my life, O Lord my God,

In every part with praise,

That my whole being may proclaim

Thy being and Thy ways.

  Horatius Bonar, 1808–89

JANUARY 14

Christ, our rock

I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!

  Psalm 40:1–4, ESV

But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith.

  Romans 3:21–25, NKJV

My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ Name.

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand

All other ground is sinking sand.

  Edward Mote, 1797–1874

Martin Manser, ed., Daily Guidance (Martin Manser, 2015), 15–21.