Daniel contains the memoirs of a young Jewish captive taken to Babylon in 605 B.C. He with other youthful members of the Judean nobility were trained for posts as civil servants in Nebuchadnezzar’s administration. The incidents and prophecies recorded in this little book span Daniel’s 70-year career as a high government official. The first half of the book tells stories of Daniel’s relationship with the rulers of the Babylonian and Persian Empires. The second half reports prophetic visions given Daniel of the near and distant future. The Book of Daniel contains many lessons for the believer. Daniel’s life illustrates the power of prayer, and how to live by faith in a hostile society. Daniel’s powerful images of the future continue to remind us that God is fully in control of history.
April 19 HOSANNA, LOUD HOSANNA Jennette Threlfall, 1821–1880 Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest. (Matthew 21:9) The week preceding Easter Sunday is known as Holy or Passion Week. These seven days have been described as the most intense and important week of history. The dramatic events that occurred during Christ’s final days on earth are recorded in all four gospels (Matthew 21; Mark 11; Luke 19; John 12). Palm Sunday: John 12:12–15— The only day of triumph known by Christ in His earthly ministry. A fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Zechariah 9:9). The Lord’s Holy Anger: 1. At a fig tree that bore no fruit (Matthew 21:18–19). 2. At the moneychangers who were misusing the temple (Matthew 21:12, 13). The Last Supper: Matthew 26:26–28— Observed on Maundy Thursday. The Foot Washing: John 13:1–10— An object lesson taught by Christ regarding the basic qualities of true discipleship: humility, purity, and servanthood. The Song of Victory: Matthew 26:30— This last song was likely one of the imminent Hallel Psalms, Nos. 115-118. Gethsemane: Matthew 26:36–46— Three times Jesus prayed, while His disciples slept, “O Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt!” The Kiss of Betrayal: Mark 14:44; Luke 22:48— “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” The Perverted Trial: Matthew 27:11–26— Christ charged with blasphemy and sentenced to die as a criminal against Rome. The Crucifixion: Matthew 27:33–38— Most Christians believe He was crucified on what is now known as Good Friday. The church color for this day is black. “Hosanna, Loud Hosanna” was written by Jennette Threlfall, an invalid English woman who was known for her cheery disposition as well as her many published poems. This text first appeared in the author’s volume Sunshine and Shadow, in 1873. Hosanna, loud hosanna, the little children sang; thru pillared court and temple the lovely anthem rang; to Jesus, who had blessed them close folded to His breast, the children sang their praises, the simplest and the best. From Olivet they followed ’mid an exultant crowd, the victor palm branch waving, and chanting clear and loud; the Lord of men and angels rode on in lowly state, nor scorned that little children should on His bidding wait. “Hosanna in the highest!” That ancient song we sing, for Christ is our Redeemer, the Lord of heav’n our King; O may we ever praise Him with heart and life and voice, and in His blissful presence eternally rejoice!
For Today: Matthew 21:1–11; Mark 11:9, 10; John 12,13
April 18 JESUS PAID IT ALL Elvina M. Hall, 1820–1889 “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18) It has been stated that all religious systems can be spelled with just two letters—D O. The gospel of Christ, however, is spelled with four letters—D O N E! This hymn text, written by a lay woman named Elvina Hall, speaks pointedly to this basic truth, which is the very basis of our Christian faith. Mrs. Hall wrote these words one Sunday morning while seated in the choir loft of the Monument Street Methodist Church in Baltimore, Maryland, supposedly listening to the sermon by her pastor, the Rev. George Schrick. One can imagine a conversation something like this following the service: Pastor Schrick, I must confess that I wasn’t listening too closely to your message this morning. Because, you see, once you started preaching about how we can really know God’s love and forgiveness, I began thinking about all that Christ has already done to provide our salvation. Then these words came to me, and I just had to get them down on paper. And the only paper I could find at the time was the flyleaf of this hymnal. So I scribbled the words on that. The pastor recalled that the church organist, John Grape, had just previously given him a copy of a new tune that he had composed, which he had titled “All to Christ I Owe.” To the amazement of all, they soon discovered that John Grape’s tune fit perfectly with Elvina Hall’s words scribbled on the flyleaf page of the hymnal. Since its first published appearance in 1874, this hymn has been widely used in churches, especially for the communion services. I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small! Child of weakness, watch and pray; find in Me thine all in all.” Lord, now indeed I find Thy pow’r, and Thine alone, can change the leper’s spots and melt the heart of stone. For nothing good have I whereby Thy grace to claim—I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. And when before the throne I stand in Him complete, “Jesus died my soul to save,” my lips shall still repeat. Chorus: Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain—He washed it white as snow.
For Today: Romans 3:24-26; 1 Corinthians 6:11; Ephesians 1:7–9
Breathe a prayer of thanksgiving even now that our eternal standing with God is dependent only on the redemptive work of Christ. Seek to share this good news with someone who may be confused about this.
April 17 BURDENS ARE LIFTED AT CALVARY Words and Music by John M. Moore, 1925– Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28) Today’s featured hymn was written in 1952 by one of our contemporary song writers, John M. Moore, currently a Baptist pastor and evangelist in Toronto, Canada. The hymn was prompted by an experience that Dr. Moore had while serving as the assistant superintendent of the Seaman’s Chapel in Glasgow, Scotland, one of that area’s outstanding evangelistic centers. He recalls: I wrote “Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary” after a most interesting experience. The company secretary of a large shipping firm telephoned the Seaman’s Chapel and requested that I visit a young merchant seaman who was lying critically ill in a Glasgow hospital. After getting permission from the nursing sister, I went in to visit the young sailor. I talked for a few moments and then put my hand in my case for a tract, not knowing which one I would pull out. It happened to be a tract based on Pilgrim’s Progress, with a color reproduction of Pilgrim coming to the cross with a great burden on his back. I showed the young seaman this picture and told him the story in brief, adding that Pilgrim’s experience had been my experience too. I explained that when I came to the cross of Christ, my burden rolled away and my sense of sin and guilt before God was removed. He nodded his head when I asked him, “Do you feel this burden on your back today?” We prayed together and never shall I forget the smile of peace and assurance that lit up his face when he said that his burden was lifted! Later that night, sitting by the fireside with paper and pen, I could not get the thought out of my mind—his burden is lifted! I started writing, but never for a moment did I imagine that this little hymn would become a favorite throughout the world. Since that time, I hear of people all over the world who are being blessed and saved through the singing of this hymn.
Days are filled with sorrow and care; hearts are heavy and drear; burdens are lifted at Calvary—Jesus is very near. Cast your care on Jesus today; leave your worry and fear; burdens are lifted at Calvary—Jesus is very near. Troubled soul, the Savior can see ev’ry heartache and tear; burdens are lifted at Calvary—Jesus is very near. Refrain: Burdens are lifted at Calvary, Calvary, Calvary. Burdens are lifted at Calvary; Jesus is very near.
For Today: Psalm 147:3; John 6:35; John 20:31; Colossians 1:20
Reach out to someone who is deeply burdened by sin and earthly cares and share your testimony of faith in Christ and the truth of this song.
April 16 BENEATH THE CROSS OF JESUS Elizabeth C. Clephane, 1830–1869 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18 KJV) There is no neutral ground when we face the cross: Either we accept its atoning work and become a new person, or we reject it and remain in our sinful self-centered state. When we take our stand with Christ and His redemption accomplished at Calvary, we are compelled to make two profound confessions: “The wonders of His glorious love and my own worthlessness.” This hymn of commitment was written by a frail Scottish Presbyterian woman of the past century, Elizabeth Clephane, who, despite her physical limitations, was known throughout her charming community of Melrose, Scotland, for her helpful, cheery nature. Among the sick and dying in her area she won the name of “Sunbeam.” “Beneath the Cross of Jesus” was written by Miss Clephane in 1868, one year before her early death at the age of 39. She wrote eight hymns, all published posthumously. Besides this hymn, only one other has endured—“The Ninety and Nine,” made popular by the tune composed for it by Ira D. Sankey. It is obvious that Elizabeth, like most Scottish Presbyterians of her day, was an ardent Bible student, for her hymn is replete with biblical symbolism and imagery. For example: “the mighty Rock” is a reference from Isaiah 32:2 “the weary land” is a reference from Psalm 63:1 “home within the wilderness” is a reference from Jeremiah 9:2 “rest upon the way” is a reference from Isaiah 28:12 “noontide heat” is a reference from Isaiah 4:6 “burden of the day” is a reference from Matthew 11:30 Beneath the cross of Jesus I fain would take my stand, the shadow of a mighty rock within a weary land; a home within the wilderness, a rest upon the way from the burning of the noon day heat and the burden of the day. Upon that cross of Jesus mine eye at times can see the very dying form of One who suffered there for me; and from my smitten heart with tears two wonders I confess—the wonders of His glorious love and my own worthlessness. I take, O cross, thy shadow for my abiding place—I ask no other sunshine than the sunshine of His face; content to let the world go by, to know no gain nor loss, my sinful self my only shame, my glory all the cross.
For Today: Psalm 22:7; Matthew 27:33, 37; Luke 9:23; Galatians 6:14
“My glory all the cross.” Determine to live the truth of this phrase. Reflect on these musical expressions—
This is my personal collection of thoughts and writings, mainly from much smarter people than I, which challenge me in my discipleship walk. Don't rush by these thoughts, but ponder them.
Milo 