For Friday, July 3, 2026

Week Twenty-six, 

FRIDAY. 

Morning.

     Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?

     For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. 

     Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 

     For God is the King of all the earth; sing ye praises with understanding. 

     God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness. 

     Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Exod. xv. 11.   

1 Chron. xvi. 26.    

Ps. xxx. 4.     

Ps. xlvii. 7,8.    

Ps. xlvi. 10. 

Evening. 

     Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

     As new-born babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; 

     If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

     And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 

    I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it. 

Ps. viii. 2. 

1 Pet. ii. 2,3.

1 Cor. iii. 1, 2. 

July 3.

"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."  

— Luke ii. 19.

While the shepherds made known abroad all that was told them concerning the infant Saviour, his mother kept these things in her heart. Both did right: the shepherds were called to bear witness at the time to the wonders they had seen; Mary's was a time of silence and patient waiting on her Lord, who was also her Son, till He should reveal Himself. Never had woman so much to ponder in her heart as she had, for never was woman so highly favoured; but the favour shewn did not turn her from her simple course, and from the quiet fulfilling of her duties. It was not for her to become a preacher; she had to minister to an infant, and that infant her Lord! "Well might she ponder that great mystery of godliness! The Lord gives various duties to His people: some are to preach — others are to ponder. May I seek to know His will, and to do it, whatever He may call me to. May I so meditate on the marvellous work of God in sending His own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, that my heart may be filled with love, and praise; and, if not called to declare His wonders abroad among men, like the shepherds, may I, by my whole life and conversation, declare that I have received Christ the Lord as a Saviour born to redeem me.

"Yet, Lord, Thou wilt my dwelling share,

And for Thyself a couch prepare,

To rest for ever in my heart,

That I from Thee may never part."

July Third.

"As Jesus prayed the heavens were opened."  
-- Luke 3:21. 

     O LORD our Heavenly Father, as Thou hast graciously spared us to the light of another morning, accept Thou our glad thanksgiving for this and all Thy countless mercies to us. Pardon us wherein we have grieved Thee in the past. 

     Grant unto us, we humbly beseech Thee, all such benefits for body, mind and spirit as Thou seest best for us this day. Show us Thy will, and may it be our pleasure. 

     Impart unto us such faith in Thee that we may successfully meet all the testings that await us. May ours be the patience, the courage, and the joy of those who know Thy love and have learned the secret of the Lord. Make Thy blessings to us to be, through us, Thy gifts to our world. 

     Remember in Thy mercy, our loved ones in their especial needs. Comfort and heal the afflicted. Bless all who toil. 

     Give through Thy Church, salvation to our Nation and to all people, and speed the time when earth shall be done with evil and over all shall be established the sceptre of Thy Son, our blessed Saviour. Amen.