DAY 110    Read Psalm 78; 1 Chronicles 3 and 4.

Today's reading:  These long lists of names can become more readable if we realize the importance Hebrew people attached to names and genealogies.  Try to think of the names as people.

Memory gem:  "That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments"  (Psalm 78:7).

Thought for today:
In Bible times, a name really meant something, usually about the person named.  It would be interesting to know how our names originated.  Our ancestors in many cases were named after their trades; so we have our Smiths and Carpenters and Masons and Taylors and Hoopers, and many others.    Some were the sons of distinguished fathers, and so we have the Johnsons, Williansons, and scores of others.  Some took their names from the place where they were born, so we have the Dutch van and the German van prefixed to names, indicating the town or family from which the child came.  Indians sometimes named their children after some incident of their own experience or of the child's in its early surroundings.  We have such names as Black Hawk, Laughing Water, Crying Thunder, White Eagle, etc., from some incident connected with the day of the child's nativity.

So names were given, and are given, for various reasons; but sooner or later they all come to stand for the personality of the persons bearing them.  It is a fine thing when boys and girls really like their names, for a person will bear his name as long as he lives.  It will be written on his marriage certificate, on the church register, and in a dozen other important records.  It will be engraved on his tombstone, and may it also be written in the Lamb's book of life!  (see Revelation 21:27).

DAY 109    Read 1 Samuel 27 through 30.

Today's reading:  David, in desperation, seeks refuge in Philistine territory--and almost finds himself warring against his own people.  Saul consults a witch and hears his doom.

Memory gem:  "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil"  (Ephesians 6:11).

Thought for today:
According to the Bible, who are the spirits of the unseen world?  The Holy Scriptures describe spiritual powers of two classes: first, the good, called angels, whom God uses for the protection of believers; and second, evil ones who voluntarily departed from their original loyalty to God and have become rebels.

The Bible is a book of angels.  It is filled with the stories of angel guardianship, angel care, angels communicating with the prophets of old in their holy ministry.

If the spirits who contact men in psychic and occult manifestations are not the returned dead, can they be good angels?  No.  These spirits claim to be the spirits of dead human beings and in doing so they tell a falsehood.  They are imposters; therefore they cannot be the good angels of God.

The supernatural manifestations at the present time, as well as of ancient times, have three distinguishing characteristics.
1. They are invisible spirit beings, and only occasionally materialize, even then in an elusive form.
2. They are liars, imposters, for they claim to be the spirits of the dead who, according to the Holy Scriptures, cannot return to this world  (see Ecclesiastes 9:5, 6).
3. They are powerful, intelligent, and capable of performing feats impossible for man.  Scientific investigations have proved that many occult manifestations are unexplainable within the framework of known natural laws, and should be included among the phenomena called "miracles" in religious language.

The Bible says that Satan and his demonic spirits will act "with all power and signs and lying wonders"  (2 Thessalonians 2:9), especially just before the end of this age at the second coming of Christ  (see Revelation 13:13, 14).

It is our duty to stand against Satan's wiles, to "put on the whole armour of God," in preparation for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, who overcame the evil principalities and powers.

DAY 108    Read 1 Samuel 25; Psalm 120 and 121; 1 Samuel 26; Psalm 16; 42; and 43.

Today's reading:  Still David flees from one hideout to another, but he waits for the Lord to work out his deliverance--even when he could have killed his relentless enemy.

Memory gem:  "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance"  (Psalm 42:5).

Thought for today:
Turn now to the forty-second psalm and read the eight verse:  "Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life."  That's what I call happy living--loving-kindness all day long, God's song in the night, and prayer without ceasing.

Friends, we ought to fill our hearts with the Bible.  We ought to memorize large sections of the Word of God so that in times of trouble, or when we are alone at night, these great words will come uncalled into our hearts and we can sing, not our song, but God's song.  It will be with us in the darkest night.

Life is made up of tears and gladness, sunshine and shadow.  Both have a part in our lives.  When we find ourselves in the shadows, in the night, it is good to do what the psalmist did, as we read here in Psalm 77:5, 6:  "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.  I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and in my spirit made diligent search."

Remember what God has done for you in the past.  Think about His great mercies to others, to His own people.  That will give you courage and faith for the future.  David goes on to say, "I will remember the words of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old"  (verse 11).  That's what we need to do.  That will give us faith even in the night, so we can sing our song and His song in the darkest place.

DAY 107    Read 1 Samuel 23; Psalm 11; 31; 54; and 61; 1 Samuel 24; Psalm 142 and 143.

Today's reading:  One amazing characteristic of David was his ability to maintain his trust in the Lord despite all the trouble that dogged his steps.

Memory gem:  "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord"  (Psalm 31:24).

Thought for today:
"Move forward courageously, assured that the Lord will be with those who love and serve Him.  He will work in behalf of His covenant-keeping people.  He will not suffer them to become a reproach.  He will purify all who yield themselves to Him, and will make them a praise in the earth.  Nothing in this world is so dear to God as His church.  He will work with mighty power through humble, faithful men....

"Difficulties will arise that will try your faith and patience.  Face them bravely.  Look on the bright side.  If the work is hindered, be sure that it is not your fault, and then go forward, rejoicing in the Lord.  Heaven is full of joy.  It resounds with the praises of Him who made so wonderful a sacrifice for the redemption of the human race.  Should not the church on earth be full of praise?  Should not Christians publish throughout the world the joy of serving Christ?  Those who in heaven join with the angelic choir in their anthem of praise must learn on earth the song of heaven, the keynote of which is thanksgiving.

"Never let your courage fail.  Never talk unbelief because appearances are against you.  As you work for the Master you will feel pressure for want of means, but the Lord will hear and answer your petitions for help."--Testimonies, vol. 7, pp. 242-244.

DAY 106    Read 1 Samuel 21; Psalm 34 and 56; 1 Samuel 22; Psalm 27; 52; and 57.

Today's reading:  David, in his flight, receives help from the priests at the tabernacle and then goes on to live in a cave.  Saul learns of the aid and orders the priests executed.

Memory gem:  "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living"  (Psalm 27:13).

Thought for today:
A town in England had been bombed one night by the German Luftwaffe.  When the workers were clearing away the debris in the days that followed, they found on top of a pile of rubbish a sailor's prayer book opened to Psalm 27.  There verse 13 was marked: "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."  This incident was published widely in Britain at the time, for it seemed to show the secret of endurance of that nation during the worst days of her trial and affliction.

The victory of life is not won by air fleets and armies.  It must be won through faith, through repentance and turning back to God.  And so, friend, do not faint.  Have faith in God!  The Christ who could forgive and love Peter and make him a great tower of strength in the service of the Lord will do the same for you and for me.  Oh, be the man who cried out loud!  Be the man who sorrows for sin.  Be the man who repents with strong crying tears, and you will be heard.  Sincerity, wholeheartedness in forsaking the wrong and turning to God is what the Lord is looking for.

My dear friends, let us come back to hope, back to trust, back to prayer, back to faith, back to the Bible, back to Christ, back to the cross, back to salvation.

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Difficult or obscure words:
1 Samuel 22:6.  "Ramah"--The Hebrew word here is not a place name; rather, it means "height" or "high place."  Saul could not be in two towns at the same time; he was in Gibeah (his capital city), sitting under a tree in the high place.

DAY 105    Read 1 Samuel 19 and 20; Psalm 58; 59; and 64.

Today's reading:  David flees for his life from the insanely jealous Saul, and the darkness of despair engulfs him.  Through this gloom shines the sustaining light of true brotherly love.

Memory gem:  "I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble"  (Psalm 59:16).

Thought for today:
In a southern city, a bright young mother was loving her little girl one afternoon--and that same night the mother was dead. A child of six years was left without a mother.  The young husband was heartbroken over his loss.  The neighbors tried to comfort him and the child.  They said, "Joe, you can't stay there tonight."  But Joe said, "No, I'm going back to the room where she left me and fight it out tonight."

Soon after the father heard the sobbing of his child, and he reached over, patted her in her little bed, and said, "Go to sleep, dear, Daddy is here--he loves you."

The father thought she was asleep, when he heard her little voice, "Oh, Daddy, it's so dark tonight."  He tried to calm her; he told her he was with her.  Pretty soon he heard that soft voice again, and again he told her to go to sleep--he loved her.

She said, "Daddy, I tried to because you wanted me to.  But, Daddy, it is so dark tonight; it's never been so dark as this."

The father took the little child in his big arms and carried her right over to his bed.  He tried to comfort her as her mother would have done, and pretty soon she was sound asleep on her father's breast.

Then the father started to talk to the heavenly Father above.  Through blinding tears he said, "Oh, Father, it is dark, it's never been so dark before; but You love me, even if it is dark, don't You, Father?"  And he felt a great peace in his soul, that was never born on land or sea, a peace that can be found nowhere but in Jesus.  He found peace and rest in Jesus, the great Consoler, the Light of the world.

Dear friend, is it dark tonight?  Do you want to step over the line and find Jesus before the final sounding of the trumpet?  Do you want to say, "Father, it is dark, but You love me"?

DAY 104    Read 1 Samuel 17 and 18.

Today's reading:  The well-known story of David and Goliath describes the first public action to draw the people's attention to the talented shepherd boy.

Thought for today:
As David slew Goliath with the sword of Goliath, so Jesus slays Satan with the sword of Satan and delivers His people forever.  Let us this day come to Him in faith, believing.  Let us look and live.  "Is not this the son of David?"  (Matthew 12:23).  Indeed it is.  By faith, His victory is ours.

At last the great controversy between good and evil, the war of the ages, will be over, and the liberation of the world will come when our King returns in His glory.  Then all men and angels will bow before Him, David's great Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who is "God blessed for ever"  (Romans 9:5).  But are we the King's men now?  Are we waiting and watching and preparing the way for Him?

DAY 103    Read 1 Samuel 15 and 16; Psalm 23.

Today's reading:  Saul's second great sin of open disobedience results in his turning from the Lord.  God then indicates His choice of a shepherd boy to be the next king.

Memory gem:  "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams"  (1 Samuel 15:22).

Thought for today:
Consider the story of Saul from 1 Samuel 15--you all know it.  God said, "Don't keep anything taken from the wicked Amalekites; none of their cattle, sheep, silver, gold--nothing."  Saul goes.  He keeps some of the best--he keeps this; he keeps that.  He comes back.  Samuel, the prophet, asks, "What does this mean, the bleating of the sheep?  What did God tell you?"

Saul answers, "But, you see, to help God, I just kept some of the best stuff to offer, to put in the church collection.  See?  I am going to give it to God.  That purifies it, giving it to God!"  Not when you disobey God to get it, my friends.

When God eventually departed from Saul, he went--as many thousands have done; as one of my own relatives did--from a spiritualist's seance to a suicide's grave out on those dark hills of Gilboa, where he fell upon is sword when the Philistine archers pressed him in the heat of battle.  Yes, my friends, God means what He says.  "The way of transgressors is hard''  (Proverbs 13:15).

DAY 102   Read 1 Samuel 12 through 14.

Today's reading:  Israel's first king, Saul, soon brings trouble upon himself by his headstrong impatience.  First he acts as priest when Samuel does not appear as scheduled; then he almost executes his own son because of a rash vow.

Memory gem:  "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way"  (1 Samuel 12:23).

Thought for today:
Do you know, Christian friends, that we are actually sinning against God if we do not pray for one another?

How often wandering boys are held back from ruin by mothers' prayers.  Dr. James McCosh, president of Princeton, had the custom of praying with members of the senior class before he bade them good-bye when they went out into the world.  But a certain young graduate said to him, "I don't believe in God or prayer."  The president was surprised and hurt, but he shook hands with the young man and wished him success.

Some years later, when Dr. McCosh was delivering a series of lectures in Cincinnati, a man came to him and said, "What is this I hear, Dr. McCosh, about your turning out infidels at Princeton?"  Dr. McCosh was surprised and asked what he meant.  The man gave the history of this student who had refused to pray with the doctor, saying that he had advanced to an important post in the schools of Cincinnati and was sowing the seeds of unbelief and infidelity everywhere.  "But," the man added, "he has a holy, praying mother, and I believe that in the end she will win."

A year or two later Dr. McCosh was in his study in Princeton one day when a young man and his wife came to see him.  The man said: "You don't remember me, but I am the student who refused to pray with you.  I thought I was an unbeliever, and everywhere I went I spread unbelief.  But all the time my mother was praying for me.  Her prayers have won at last, and here I am to enter the seminary and prepare for the ministry.  Before I go I want you to kneel down with me and my wife and offer that long-postponed prayer."  Like thousands of others, he could say, "And though I wandered far away, my mother's prayers have followed me the whole world through."

DAY 101    Read 1 Samuel 8 through 11.

Today's reading:  Weary of foreign oppression and convinced that a monarch would solve their dilemmas, the Israelites demand a king.  Samuel reluctantly yields, but he solemnly warns of the consequences.

Memory gem:  "The king shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!"  (Psalm 21:1).

Thought for today:
During the reign of Queen Victoria a Zulu king came to London to visit the "Great White Mother," as the Africans affectionately called her.  The queen took him through London and showed him the great city and the treasures of the empire.  When, toward evening, they returned to the throne room in the palace, this giant king stood before the queen with his hand upon his spear, and through his interpreters asked her for the secret of the greatness of her kingdom.  He said: "White Mother, when I return to Africa and go back to my people and tell them of the things that I have seen here, they will not believe me.  I would not have believed them myself had I not seen them.  I would have said that they were impossible.  You are just a woman, and your people are just men and women as my people are.  We have taller, stronger, and perhaps even braver men that you have.  We have more land; we are a large people.  But tell me, What is the secret of your greatness, of your power?"

Taking her Bible from a small table beside her, Queen Victoria arose and, holding the Book out toward the Zulu chief, said: "This Book, O king, contains in its pages the foundation, the secret, the key to all the greatness and wealth and power of my empire.  Take it as my gift to you."

And, friends, this Book which presents to us religious liberty in Christ, this holy Book of God, makes men great and nations great when they honor it.  Yes, the price of heaven is Jesus.  The price of soul freedom is the Saviour.  Accept Him, the Son of God and Redeemer of mankind, who gives peace and liberty of soul.  That is the message of this hour, the message that the poor, tired world needs.