Morning, June 1
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Bible League: Living His Word
Even when I am old and gray,
    do not forsake me, my God,
till I declare your power to the next generation,
    your mighty acts to all who are to come.

Psalm 71 was written in King David's old age, as appears from several of the verses in it, including our verse for today. It was penned during a time of trouble in his later years. Perhaps it was at the time of Absalom's rebellion. It expresses some of the concerns typical of those who are advancing in years: that his weakness will lead to shame and a loss of honor; that he will become vulnerable to opposition; that he will be overlooked, passed by, and not heard.

Above all, David's Psalm expresses the concern that he might be forsaken, by man and even by God Himself. He cried out to God: "Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone" (Psalm 71:9). David had relied upon the Lord from his youth, and now in his old age he needed Him more than ever. All along the ups and downs of his journey through life he had not forsaken the Lord, and now he asks the Lord not to forsake him.

He had a reason why God should not forsake him. God should not forsake him because he had not yet finished declaring God's power and mighty acts to the next generation. Like many of his age, he did not want to pass on until he had fully accomplished his mission and calling in life. He was not simply requesting deliverance from his troubles and an extension of his life for his own sake, but so that he could ensure the next generation would realize their need for God.

David was a man of God. And like all men and women of God, he had the desire to "still bear fruit in old age" and to "stay fresh and green" (Psalm 92:14), until he had delivered himself of everything he believed the next generation needed from him in order to successfully initiate and continue their walk with God.

Perhaps the years are catching up to you and you can see the end looming up. Perhaps, like David, you believe there is still something you need to leave behind. Today, ask God to help you finish everything He has placed on your heart – and to give you peace about it.

Bible in a Year
Old Testament Reading
2 Chronicles 4, 5, 6


2 Chronicles 4 -- Temple Furnishings

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


2 Chronicles 5 -- Ark Brought into the Temple; God's Glory

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


2 Chronicles 6 -- Solomon's Prayer of Temple Dedication

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


New Testament Reading
John 12:20-50


John 12 -- Jesus Anointed at Bethany; Enters Jerusalem; Sought by Greeks; Foretells His Death

  NIV   NLT   ESV   NAS   GWT   KJV   ASV   ERV   DRB


Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library.
Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion
“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.
Insight
Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others.
Challenge
Be a beacon of truth—don't shut your light off from the rest of the world.
Morning and Evening by Spurgeon
Genesis 1:5  The evening and the morning were the first day.

Was it so even in the beginning? Did light and darkness divide the realm of time in the first day? Then little wonder is it if I have also changes in my circumstances from the sunshine of prosperity to the midnight of adversity. It will not always be the blaze of noon even in my soul concerns, I must expect at seasons to mourn the absence of my former joys, and seek my Beloved in the night. Nor am I alone in this, for all the Lord's beloved ones have had to sing the mingled song of judgment and of mercy, of trial and deliverance, of mourning and of delight. It is one of the arrangements of Divine providence that day and night shall not cease either in the spiritual or natural creation till we reach the land of which it is written, "there is no night there." What our heavenly Father ordains is wise and good.

What, then, my soul, is it best for thee to do? Learn first to be content with this divine order, and be willing, with Job, to receive evil from the hand of the Lord as well as good. Study next, to make the outgoings of the morning and the evening to rejoice. Praise the Lord for the sun of joy when it rises, and for the gloom of evening as it falls. There is beauty both in sunrise and sunset; sing of it, and glorify the Lord. Like the nightingale, pour forth thy notes at all hours. Believe that the night is as useful as the day. The dews of grace fall heavily in the night of sorrow. The stars of promise shine forth gloriously amid the darkness of grief. Continue thy service under all changes. If in the day thy watchword be labor, at night exchange it for watch. Every hour has its duty, do thou continue in thy calling as the Lord's servant until he shall suddenly appear in his glory. My soul, thine evening of old age and death is drawing near; dread it not, for it is part of the day; and the Lord has said, "I will cover him all the day long."

Daily Light on the Daily Path
Galatians 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Exodus 34:6  Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;

Ephesians 4:1,2  Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, • with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Ephesians 4:32  Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.

James 3:17  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

1 Corinthians 13:4  Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

Galatians 6:9  Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

James 5:7,8  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. • You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org.

Evening May 31
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