"And I say unto you, Ask and it shall be given you". This promise of Jesus was given after Jesus had related the parable of the 'Friend at midnight'. Strength of friendship may not get a person out of bed to help, but continual asking will secure the desired aid. So we should know that ... Read more

"Why do you say … 'My way is hidden from the Lord' ". Isaiah answers this question for all who cannot or will not believe God is at work in their lives. The Lord is the everlasting God, Creator of all things: there is no-one greater than He. He does not grow weary or disinterested ... Read more

"As for God, his way is perfect". In whatever man says or does there will be a flaw, it will not be perfect; some aspect or fact of it will let you down. Not so the Lord. "Trust Him wholly, and find Him wholly true", as the line of the hymn says. So you can ... Read more

"workers together with him". God could manage without us but chose not to do so! He could have saved those He had chosen and placed them safely in His display case called heaven for all to marvel at without any one of them doing anything. But He didn't. He called His servants, the Patriarchs and ... Read more

"how can we know the way? ". More than just listening to the words of Jesus, we need the illumination of the Holy Spirit upon the words. Thomas lacked this. He should have known that when he saw Jesus he saw the Father. He should have believed that the Father was in the Son and ... Read more

"The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul". This is especially so when it is a noble desire. There is no satisfaction like the job well done. God's plan extends to the smallest things in life and is undertaken by the humblest of persons. Patient perseverance is a valuable addition, for the greater the task ... Read more

"if this come to the governor's ears". Did the chief priests and elders really think the Resurrection could be kept secret? The tale about 'stolen while the guards slept' must have worn very thin! Jesus appeared to His disciples after the Resurrection. That He was alive was attested by many infallible proofs. The launch of ... Read more

"a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in mercy and truth". A poor soul indeed that cannot find help here! Compassion looks upon us with an appreciation of our need and a readiness to help in situations where no one is doing anything. Graciousness conveys love and concern; it is a quality ... Read more

"no room left". It was worth going to hear Jesus and they did so until the house was full. "No room" happened then because the words of Jesus were localised into one place. Today the words of Jesus are proclaimed by His followers the world over. "No room" even though they did not really know ... Read more

"Abdon … had forty sons and thirty grandsons, who rode on seventy donkeys". This is an unusual way to describe Abdon who judged Israel for eight years. Yet it emphasizes the importance the Lord attaches to families. And in a day when the family is under threat this is a good reminder. It must have ... Read more