Devotional Readings and Prayers
Lent, 2009
Sunday, March 1 FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT
Read Genesis 9:8-15, seeing the evidence of God’s commitment to work salvation in the earth despite the rebellion of sinful man. Give thanks for His great love and mercy, and pray for repentance to come upon our land in this day.
Read Psalm 25:4-9, calling upon the Lord to extend His mercy to us in this time, that we might humbly receive His ways.
Read 1 Peter 3:18-22, giving thanks for the death of Jesus, Whose resurrection released the power to be cleansed from a guilty conscience. Give thanks to the Father for that!
Read Mark 1:12-15, considering this Lenten season in the light of the testing of Jesus, and His obedience that defeated our enemy, the devil. Give thanks for the victory that you have been given in Christ.
Monday, March 2
Read Leviticus 19:1-2,11-18, considering the commands of God to His people.
Read Psalm 19:7-14, setting your mind and heart to follow the ways of God’s Word that brings life and goodness to those who are led by it.
Read Matthew 25:31-46, considering that in this scenario given by Jesus, the determining factor in the judgment has to do with one’s involvement in serving the needs of the poor. Ask the Lord about this for you this year.
Tuesday, March 3
Read Isaiah 55:10-11, considering the weight that God puts upon His Word as He speaks it to our hearts. Be encouraged that He will accomplish His purposes in your life.
Read Psalm 34:3-6,15-18, considering that salvation and restoration await those whose hearts are broken over their sin. Give thanks to Him for this.
Read Matthew 6:7-15, confessing any sin that the Holy Spirit brings to mind, and focusing on forgiving anyone against whom you may have an offense. Then receive the Lord’s forgiveness of your soul and spirit.
Wednesday, March 4
Read Jonah 3:1-10, considering the blessing that comes to a nation whose leaders repent and seek God. Pray for our governmental leaders, that they will seek God with all their hearts.
Read the following from Psalm 51, allowing again the Holy Spirit to break your heart concerning sin, and the pain that it causes us and especially our Father. Turn from sinful ways, and receive the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Ps 51:1-2, 10-11, 16-17 (1) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. (2) Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. (10) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (11) Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. (16) For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; you do not delight in burnt offering. (17) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise. (NKJ)
Read Luke 11:29-32, considering the importance of responding to the light and knowledge that we have. Determine that you will respond to the Lord as He leads you during this time.
Thursday, March 5
Read the following from the Book of Esther as a model of warfare prayer (notice that this section was removed from Protestant Bibles in the 16th Century because it is not found in the oldest manuscripts. It is, however, a beautiful prayer of intercession.)
Queen Esther, seized with mortal anguish, had recourse to the Lord. She prayed to the Lord, the God of Israel, saying: “My Lord, our King, You alone are God. Help me, who am alone and have no help but You, for I am taking my life in my hand. As a child I was wont to hear from the people of the land of my forefathers that You, O Lord, chose Israel from among all peoples, and our fathers from among all their ancestors, as a lasting heritage, and that You fulfilled all Your promises to them.
“Be mindful of us, O Lord. Manifest Yourself in the time of our distress and give me courage, King of gods and Ruler of every power. Put in my mouth persuasive words in the presence of the lion, and turn his heart to hatred for our enemy, so that he and those who are in league with him may perish. Save us by Your power, and help me, who am alone and have no one but You, O Lord. You know all things.”
Read Psalm 138:1-8, giving thanks for the ways and times that the Lord has answered your prayers for help, and how He has rescued you. Give Him praise for His faithful love.
Read Matthew 7:7-12, thanking God for the good things He gives you as you ask Him.
Friday, March 6
Read Ezekiel 18:21-28, considering how the Lord looks upon one who turns from evil and pursues the life of God, as well as the retribution to those who forsake the truth to do evil. Choose obedience again today, and rejoice in God’s favor.
Read Psalm 130:1-8, giving thanks to God that He hears the cries of the penitent, and forgives our sins when we call upon Him.
Read Matthew 5:20-26, considering the need for a new heart of obedience, that we might live according to the demands of God’s perfect holiness. Give thanks that in Jesus, that new heart is given to us.
Saturday, March 7
Read Deuteronomy 26:16-19, and make an agreement with God to walk in His ways as one of His very own people.
Read Psalm 119:1-8, considering the promise of happiness that comes to those who obey His Word.
Read Matthew 5:43-48, thanking God for the grace to live in a new realm of mercy and grace, even as you have received such from His hand.
Sunday, March 8 SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
Read Genesis 22:1-18, considering the importance of personal sacrifice before the Lord. Understand that we do not bribe God with such offerings, but demonstrate our trust and confidence in His goodness to meet our needs.
Read Psalm 116:10-19, seeing that a sacrifice of worship and praise involves death to self and trust in the Lord’s goodness, and that this kind of sacrifice is most pleasing to the Father. Give thanks for this season of entrusting yourself to His care in new ways.
Read Romans 8:31-34, seeing that God has already granted us all good things in Christ, and that sacrificial prayer is simply about joining Him in the work that He joyfully does in the Father’s Presence.
Read Mark 9:1-10, considering this blessing of the Father in the life of Jesus that prepared Him for the act of sacrifice that He was about to embrace. Wait upon the Father for your strength today, that you might know His power and love in your life.
Monday, March 9
Read Daniel 9:4-10, considering Daniel’s prayer of repentance for the nation, even though he himself was innocent. Ask for the grace to repent for the sins of the church that prevent the blessings of God from coming to His people.
Read Psalm 79:8-13, calling out to God to forgive the sins of the church and our nation, that He might once again pour out blessings upon us from His hand.
Read Luke 6:36-38, understanding that to repent is to embrace a lifestyle of mercy and grace, that pardon may be poured out upon us all.
Tuesday, March 10
Read Isaiah 1:10,16-20, considering the call of God even to the pagan nations to repent, that He might bless them with mercy and grace.
Read Psalm 50:8-9,16-17,21-23, considering that God desires of life of praise rather than mere religious rituals done in His Name. Pray that God will enable us to deeply enjoy Him, and to trust in His future care and provision for us.
Read Matthew 23:1-12, considering the importance of humbly coming into partnership with Jesus by serving one another. This is true holiness.
Wednesday, March 11
Read Jeremiah 18:18-20, and notice how the people of Israel simply disregarded the Word of the Lord, claiming that Jeremiah had no true message for them. See that they did the same thing later to Jesus. Commit yourself to hearing God’s Word by His Spirit, even if it is uncomfortable to do so.
Read Psalm 31:4-5,13-15, choosing to place yourself into the hands of the Father in every kind of situation, trusting Him for your protection and rescue.
Read Matthew 20:17-28, considering the contrast between Jesus’ servant heart, and the ambition of the disciples and their mother. Ask the Father how He would have you lay down your life as a servant in partnership with Him today.
Thursday, March 12
Read Jeremiah 17:5-10, considering the stability that comes to those who trust the Lord. Notice that trouble does come, but the person who trusts God is unshakable even in trouble.
Read Psalm 1:1-6, and consider the same things, that God rewards those who delight in His Word by granting them steadfastness in hard times.
Read Luke 16:19-31, giving thanks that the Father has different values than the world does. His heart is for those who simply trust Him, and their reward is eternal.
Friday, March 13
Read Genesis 37:3-4,12-13,17-28, and see the picture of the betrayal of Jesus in the story of Joseph. See that God uses human pictures to communicate the truth of His love, and of the deliverance that comes through suffering servants.
Read Psalm 105:16-22, again realizing that in the historical example of Joseph, God was setting the stage for the True Deliverer, our Lord Jesus, Who would give His life that all people might be set free.
Read Matthew 21:33-46, considering how determined the religious leaders were to ignore the Word of God through Jesus. Draw near to the Father, and ask Him for wisdom to hear His Word, and then receive and obey it.
Saturday, March 14
Read Micah 7:14-20, giving thanks to God that He is the good and gracious Shepherd Who forgives and forgets our sin.
Read Psalm 103:1-12, thanking and praising Him for His love and mercy that washes our sin and its penalty far from us.
Read Luke 15:1-3,11-32, and meditate on the mercy of the Father as He received His sons who had left Him, both physically and emotionally. Give thanks to the Father for His mercy toward you.
Sunday, March 15 THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
Read Exodus 20:1-17, remembering that the revelation of the Word of God was the high point of the 40 years that His people spent in the wilderness. During this season, give thanks for the revelation of the Word, personified in Jesus, the Son of God.
Read Psalm 19:7-10, considering the blessing of the knowledge of God’s Word, and give thanks to the Father that He has made His ways known to us.
Read 1 Corinthians 1:22-25, seeing how the wisdom and power of God, revealed in His Word, is fulfilled in the person of Jesus.
Read John 2:13-25, considering the total commitment that Jesus has to making His Father’s House exactly what God desires it to be. Understand that we are His House, and that the purposes of God will be fulfilled in our lives by the commitment of Christ.
Monday, March 16
Read 2 Kings 5:1-15, realizing that blessing comes from God to those who humble themselves, obeying His Word even when it seems foolish to do so. Remember, Naaman got confirmation from those around him that God had truly spoken!
Read Psalm 42:1-2, and Psalm 43:3-4, and allow the Holy Spirit to draw you into the Father’s Presence to worship and adore Him as your heart’s desire.
Read Luke 4:24-30, considering that God gives His mercies to those who will receive from Him, even if they are outside the boundaries of any human requirement. Ask for wisdom to obey and understand God’s will.
Tuesday, March 17
Read the following from the Prophecy of Daniel, an ancient book of history, seeing how the sacrificial servanthood of the righteous brings salvation to the people:
Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud: “For Your Name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever, or make void Your covenant. Do not take away Your mercy from us, for the sake of Abraham, Your beloved, Isaac Your servant, and Israel Your holy one, to whom You promised to multiply their off-spring like the stars of heaven, or the sand on the shore of the sea. For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other nation, brought low everywhere in the world this day because of our sins. We have in our day no prince, prophet, or leader, no holocaust, sacrifice, oblation, or incense, no place to offer first fruits, to find favor with you.
“But with contrite heart and humble spirit let us be received; as though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in Your Presence today as we follow You unreservedly; for those who trust in You cannot be put to shame. And now we follow You with our whole heart, we fear You and we pray to You. Do not let us be put to shame, but deal with us in Your kindness and great mercy. Deliver us by Your wonders, and bring glory to Your Name, O Lord.”
Read Psalm 25:4-9, giving thanks that God is merciful, that He teaches His ways to those who desire
to know them.
Read Matthew 18:21-35, considering the sober truth that those who wish to receive forgiveness must also forgive those who have offended them. Ask the Father to reveal any such situations to you, that you might give mercy.
Wednesday, March 18
Read Deuteronomy 4:1-9, asking the Lord for wisdom to receive His commands, to remember and live by them, and to pass them on to the next generation. Thank Him for His Word that gives us life.
Read Psalm 147:12-20, thanking God for the privileged place He has given to us, that of hearing and receiving His Word. Pray for the wisdom to obey His Word, and to share it with those around you.
Read Matthew 5:17-19, considering that Jesus came to fulfill all the Old Testament commands. Give thanks that through Jesus we have the grace and power to obey the Word of God, not just externally, but from the heart.
Thursday, March 19
Read Jeremiah 7:23-28, considering the broken heart of the Father toward those who hear His Word but choose not to obey. Understand that out of His love, the Father sends discipline to those who do not obey, that they might repent.
Read Psalm 95:1-11, worshipping the Lord, and allowing the Holy Spirit to soften your heart that you might obey His Word and know His ways.
Read Luke 11:14-23, giving thanks that through His death and resurrection, Jesus plundered the Satan’s house and brought back those who were captive there. Pray for those the Father would rescue through your sacrificial love.
Friday, March 20
Read Hosea 14:1-9, considering the great mercy God extends to His people, who, like Hosea’s wife, had prostituted themselves before the world’s systems. Give thanks that He rescued you from your sin.
Read Psalm 81:6-17, considering the tests the Lord has allowed you to face, and ask for wisdom to hear Him and walk in His ways, that you might be blessed.
Read Mark 12:28-34, considering that loving God and loving our neighbor is the sum total of obedience to God. Ask for His wisdom in how to express His love today.
Saturday, March 21
Read Hosea 6:1-6, giving thanks for the certainty of God’s blessing, and seeing that the essence of obedience is love.
Read Psalm 51:1-2,16-19, meditating on the fact that what God desires is a broken heart, and a willing spirit. Receive those realities from Him, and give Him thanks.
Read Luke 18:9-14, considering this example of God’s pleasure in those whose hearts are contrite, rather than in those who take pride in their religious correctness.
Sunday, March 22 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Read 2 Chronicles 36:14-23, considering this summary of the extreme discipline which the Lord allows His people to experience when they refuse to hear His warnings, and how even then His heart is to restore and renew them. Pray for this renewal in our time.
Read Psalm 137:1-6, allowing your heart to identify with the agony of captive Israel. Pray that God would restore liberty to His Church, that the songs of joy might flow from her heart once again.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10, seeing that the mercy of God, for which we have prayed, has been accomplished in Christ, and is now available through Him to all who ask. Give thanks for that!
Read John 3:14-21, giving thanks to the Father for His great love, that He would send Jesus for us. Live in His Presence today, with thanksgiving for His wonderful gift of the Light.
Monday, March 23
Read Isaiah 65:17-21, thanking God for the promise of the new day that is coming because of what Jesus did on the cross.
Read Psalm 30:1-12, giving thanks that the darkness lasts but a short time, and that our mourning will be changed to dancing because of the goodness of God.
Read John 4:43-54, giving thanks for the signs and wonders that help people believe in Jesus. Ask the Lord to pour out signs and wonders in our day, that the lost may come to Him.
Tuesday, March 24
Read Ezekiel 47:1-12, giving thanks for the growing and deepening river of the Holy Spirit that brings life everywhere it goes. Give thanks for the fresh outpouring of the Spirit being released in our time that brings life to those around us.
Read Psalm 46:1-11, seeing that this River of Life is the Presence of God in the Holy Spirit. Give thanks for His life, and worship Him for His goodness.
Read John 5:1-16, seeing how Jesus fulfills the picture of the healing waters. Give thanks for His Presence in this time, and ask Him to “stir the waters” for those who need to know His loving and healing touch.
Wednesday, March 25
Read Isaiah 49:8-15, giving thanks for the day of salvation, when the Lord says to those in need that He will heal them. Rejoice, for today is the day of salvation!
Read Psalm 145:8-21, worshipping and giving thanks to God for His faithful and compassionate love.
Read John 5:17-30, giving thanks for the selfless and loving obedience of Jesus that resulted in our healing and salvation. Ask the Father how you may obey today in loving and sacrificial servanthood.
Thursday, March 26
Read Exodus 32:7-14, considering the tendency God’s people have to set up idols even when God’s Presence has been with them. Ask the Father to show you any idols in your life, and with His help, tear them down.
Read Psalm 106:19-23, and consider any ways that you have exchanged your glory, which is the Presence of God with you, for something else of no value. Repent, receive forgiveness, and ask for wisdom to walk in His Presence today.
Read John 5:31-47, considering the accountability that is upon people who have seen the Lord at work. Pray for wisdom to receive and obey the Word of the Lord today.
Friday, March 27
Read the following from the ancient Book of Wisdom, and consider the error of the ways of the wicked in their persecution of the righteous man:
The wicked said among themselves, thinking not aright: “Let us beset the just one, because He is obnoxious to us; He sets Himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law, and charges us with violations of our training. He professes to have knowledge of God and styles Himself a child of the Lord. To us He is the censure of our thoughts; merely to see Him is a hardship for us, because His life is not like other men’s, and different are His ways. He judges us debased; He holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is His Father. Let us see whether His words be true; let us find out what will happen to Him.
For if the just one be the son of God, He will defend Him and deliver Him from the hand of His foes. With revilement and torture let us put Him to the test that we may have proof of His gentleness and try His patience. Let us condemn Him to a shameful death; for according to his own words, God will take care of Him.”
These were their thoughts, but they erred; for their wickedness blinded them, and they knew not the hidden counsels of God; neither did they count on a recompense of holiness nor discern the innocent souls’ reward.
Read Psalm 34:15-22, considering the Presence of the Lord that is with the just, and how He hears and answers their call. Give thanks that Jesus was the Righteous One, and that the Father has answered all His prayers for us.
Read John 7:1-2,10,25-30, considering how in the foolishness of their human wisdom and understanding, the people failed to recognize Jesus as being sent from God.
Saturday, March 28
Read Jeremiah 11:18-20, considering the picture of how righteous men entrust themselves to the Lord in times of difficulty. Pray for the wisdom to do the same.
Read Psalm 7:1-11, and join the writer in calling out to God for His rescue and vindication of the righteous. Give thanks that God is the shield of the upright.
Read John 7:40-53, realizing that the knowledge of Jesus does not come through human understanding, but through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. Ask for wisdom to recognize the Presence of Jesus in your life today, and to serve Him.
Sunday, March 29 FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34, giving thanks that this New Covenant has been given us in Christ, and that by His blood and the presence of the Holy Spirit we are made clean and empowered to live in intimate obedience with the Father. That’s good news!
Read Psalm 51:1-13, allowing the goodness and mercy of the Father to cleanse you once again as He hears your prayers of repentance. Wait in the Presence of the Lord as the Holy Spirit comes to restore and refresh you.
Read Hebrews 5:7-9, understanding that through His suffering, Christ’s perfection was demonstrated on earth, that through His suffering we might be made holy and free. Give thanks for that!
Read John 12:20-33, contemplating once again that it is the death and resurrection of Jesus that gives us life as His children. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you fresh understanding of the power of His sacrifice, that freedom may be more fully yours.
Monday, March 30
Read Psalm 23:1-6, giving thanks that God is your Shepherd, and that He has provided for your feasting in the presence of your enemies.
Read John 8:1-11, considering the life-giving mercy that Jesus showed to the woman. Let His Holy Spirit touch and area of shame in your heart, that healing, freedom, and holiness might come to you, and pray that He would minister to many in this condition.
Tuesday, March 31
Read Numbers 21:4-9, seeing the picture of deliverance coming by looking at that which was raised up on a pole. See the picture of Christ here, and give thanks that through His being lifted up in death, we have been given life.
Read Psalm 102:1-2,15-20, giving thanks to the Lord for His mercy in hearing the cries of the prisoners and bringing them release.
Read John 8:21-30, giving thanks for the Holy Spirit Who helps us understand that Jesus is the One Who brings life. Renew your commitment to believe in Him today, and to follow Him with all your heart.
Wednesday, April 1
Read Daniel 3:8-30, considering the Presence of God that is with those who determine to be obedient to His will. Give thanks for His Presence with you, and set your heart to obey Him today.
Read the following from the Prophecy of Daniel (originally part of the Book of Daniel, but edited out in the 16th Century), and let your heart join in the praise the three men sang when they were delivered:
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever;
And blessed is Your holy and glorious Name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.
Blessed are You in the temple of Your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.
Blessed are You on the throne of Your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
Blessed are You Who look into the depths from Your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.
Blessed are You in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever!
Read John 8:31-42, realizing that it is relationship and obedience, not family history that makes us children of God. Let the Holy Spirit renew your love for the Father, and set your heart to obey Him today.
Thursday, April 2
Read Genesis 17:3-9, giving thanks for the heritage of godly families into which we have been grafted by the blood of Jesus. Praise the Lord for your new heritage in Christ!
Read Psalm 105:1-11, reflecting on God’s goodness in bringing you into His inheritance. Thank Him for the specific ways He brought you to Himself.
Read John 8:51-59, seeing that Jesus firmly establishes Himself as the Lord of Abraham, and as one with the I AM (the Old Testament holy name for God). Worship Him, for He is your Lord and God.
Friday, April 3
Read Jeremiah 20:10-13, considering that even God’s faithful servants must endure difficulty and treachery. Give thanks that God is with you, and that He will rescue you, no matter what the circumstances.
Read Psalm 18:1-6, acknowledging the greatness of the Lord as your defender, and calling out to Him concerning those things that are not yet established in His perfect will.
Read John 10:31-42, seeing that Jesus claimed validation for His ministry by the works that the Father did through Him. Give thanks that He has given us the same right and power through the Holy Spirit to do the works of Jesus that validate the message of the gospel.
Saturday, April 4
Read Ezekiel 37:21-28, worshipping God for His great promise of complete salvation for His people. Pray that this reality be ours in our time, that the glory of God may shine forth in the earth.
Read Jeremiah 31:10-13, rejoicing in God’s wonderful deliverance and restoration that He has planned for His people. Call out to Him, that He might bring this to pass quickly.
Read John 11:45-57, seeing that the greatest miracle of Jesus (raising Lazarus from the dead) gave rise to the greatest opposition. Pray for strength for the Church, that as God’s power comes, we will have the grace to stand in the testing that will follow.
Sunday, April 5 PALM SUNDAY
Read Isaiah 50:4-7, considering this prophecy concerning Jesus, and how attentive He was to the words of the Father. Ask the Lord to give you this same heart, that you might walk in His full power.
Read Psalm 22:6-8,16-24, considering the sufferings of Jesus, and how He fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies completely. Thank Him for His passion, that He would endure this so that we could know the Father.
Read Philippians 2:6-11, giving thanks for the humility of Christ that provided for us our salvation. Worship Him as the gracious and loving God.
Read Mark 14:1-15:47, allowing the story of Christ’s humiliation to strengthen your heart. Remember that He endured all this so that you might be restored to relationship with the Father, Whose love for you is without measure.
Monday of HOLY WEEK, April 6
Read Isaiah 42:1-7, giving thanks for the gentle servanthood of the Lord Jesus, and for His certain plan to deliver those in bondage and death.
Read Psalm 27:1-14 aloud, declaring the victory of God over death and sin. Give thanks that He is your Father, embracing you even when you are abandoned by others. Rejoice in His love!
Read John 12:1-11, considering the loving gift given to Jesus by Mary of Bethany. Ask the Lord how you may extravagantly express your love for Him today.
Tuesday of HOLY WEEK, April 7
Read Isaiah 49:1-6, rejoicing that salvation has been God’s plan from the beginning. Call out to Him in intercession, that He would bring His glory to the earth in our time.
Read Psalm 71:1-6, 15-17, reading aloud to declare your dependence upon the Lord. Pray that He would pour out His Holy Spirit even more, that the fullness of His life may come upon us.
Read John 13:21-38, seeing that Jesus willingly laid down His life, fully knowing the unfaithfulness of His disciples. Rejoice in the knowledge that His love is greater than your failure. Give thanks for that!
Wednesday of HOLY WEEK, April 8
Read Isaiah 50:4-9, considering the humility of Jesus in His obedience to the Father. Set your heart to wait upon the Father today, that you might hear His words and respond as Jesus did.
Read the following from Psalm 69, considering these prophecies of Christ’s suffering, and giving thanks for His love for you and the hope it brings:
Ps 69:8 10 (8) I have become estranged from my brothers, and an alien to my mother’s sons. (9) For zeal for Thy house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach Thee have fallen on me. (10) When I wept in my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. (NAS)
Ps 69:21 22 (21) They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink. (22) May their table before them become a snare; and when they are in peace, may it become a trap. (NAS)
Ps 69:31 34 (31) And it will please the LORD better than an ox or a young bull with horns and hoofs. (32) The humble have seen it and are glad; you who seek God, let your heart revive. (33) For the LORD hears the needy, and does not despise His who are prisoners. (34) Let heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. (NAS)
Read Matthew 26:14-25, seeing that God had even the treachery of Judas under His hand, to use even that to accomplish His purposes. See also the consequences of unbelief that came upon Judas. Consider how you may affirm your loyalty to the Lord today by serving Him with all your heart.
HOLY THURSDAY, April 9
Read Exodus 12:1-14, joining with the Hebrew tradition of the Passover, and giving thanks that even as the Jews celebrated this feast, our Lord Jesus was living out the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Praise Him!
Read Psalm 116:12-19, giving thanks for the sacrifice of praise to God that Jesus offered - His own life. See that this sort of death to self is precious to the Lord, and results in the salvation of many.
Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, giving thanks for the Bread and the Cup, which are His body and blood, and by which we receive grace to live in His power and love. Consider soberly what He has done, that we might return His love.
Read John 13:1-15, considering the loving service of Jesus that was borne out of the certainty of His own identity and purpose (see verse 3). Seeing that you, too, are a child of the Father, how may you serve His people today?
GOOD FRIDAY, April 10
Read Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12, considering carefully the suffering sacrifice of our Lord. Worship Him, and give thanks for His life, given for you.
Read Psalm 31:1-24, considering that this word was without doubt a vehicle of strength to Jesus as He fulfilled the Father’s purpose for His life. Give thanks that God is faithful to you, even as He requires difficult things of you.
Read Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, giving thanks to the Lord for the intercession of Jesus, Who stood in our place that we might stand in His place. Rejoice for the perfecting power of suffering, seeing it as the resource for healing the sufferings of others.
Read John 18:1-19:42, allowing the Holy Spirit to impact you in a fresh way with the power and passion of the sacrificial death of Christ. Give Him thanks for His wonderful mercy and love.
Saturday, April 11 HOLY SATURDAY
Read Genesis 22:1-18, giving thanks for this powerful Old Testament picture of the sacrifice of Jesus. See how the promise that God Himself would provide the sacrifice sets us free to worship Him and receive His life.
Read Psalm 16:1-11, joyfully considering that death is not final, and that resurrection is certain for those who love the Lord. Thank Him for His sacrifice that makes this possible.
Read Exodus 14:15-15:1, understanding that our deliverance from death is like that of Israel - it comes by the miraculous intervention of the Spirit of God through the blood of Jesus. Praise Him for that!
Read Romans 6:3-11, giving thanks that through the death and resurrection of Jesus, we have been given power to overcome sin. Thank Him for the power of baptism, by which we are raised again to new life.
EASTER SUNDAY, April 12
Read Acts 10:34-43, rejoicing in the resurrection of Jesus that gives life to the world.
Read Psalm 118:1-24, and declare aloud the glory of the Lord and of His salvation. Rejoice that the power of sin and death is broken by the mighty work of our God through His Son Jesus Christ.
Read Colossians 3:1-4, receiving with power the truth that your life is in Christ in the Presence of God. Set your heart and mind to live according to that truth this day.
Read 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, giving thanks that His sacrifice was the pure bread of sincerity and truth, by which we are saved and continue to be saved until He comes again.
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