July

July 1st

“I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth.” Isaiah 58:14.

As we study the word of God we see how the Lord has used mountains through out the scriptures to reveal Himself to men. God brought Abraham to the top of Mount Moriah to test his faith. Moses was taken to the mountain top to give him the pattern of the tabernacle. Elijah was taken to the mountain top to help him to hear the still small voice f God. Our Lord Himself was transfigured on the mountain before His disciples, so that they might see His full glory.

The best honey like Kashmir honey, is obtained from high rocks. Oil from the flinty rocks is the best. The oil spoken of here is not petrol, but the oil needed for cooking, and the passage is a tribute to the fertility of even the mountains of the promised land. In the same was the best the best sheep are found on high mountains (v.14). The best calves are found on the high mountains of Switzerland, and the best milk and butter are from Switzerland.

Isaiah, the prophet gives us details of the birth, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The book of Isaiah is a description of salvation at different angles. We need to go from peak to peak as we read the Word of God. As we read chapters 24 to 66 of Isaiah, i.e. 40 chapters we have a description of the great mountain peaks of salvation and if we are made to jump from mountain peak to peak or from one chapter to another in these 40 chapters, then we are made to rise upon high places and see what a great and glorious salvation we have in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “They look unto Him and… their faces were not ashamed.” Psalm 34:5.

July 2nd

First peak

“O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” (Isaiah 24:1- 3; 25:1).

Judgment is surely coming upon the earth, and to save us from that wrath to come, and the coming judgment, the Lord Jesus Christ took the punishment upon Himself. He gave His own feet to be pierced, His face to be spat upon and His body to be broken. Even though we speak about the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ again and again, we can never fully realized how much He suffered, and what a high price He had to pay, to redeem us and to forgive us. That is the first great mountain peak.

Second peak

“He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth; for the Lord hath spoken it.” (Isa.25:8).

Only a true believer can say: “Oh death, where is thy sting, oh grave, where is thy victory?” With perfect peace he can face death. When our loved one are taken away there comes the thought again and again, that we shall meet them again, never to part, in glorified immortal bodies.

The strongest man in the whole world cannot be delivered from the fear of death. But the believer knows by experience that this is only a temporary separation, and that we shall meet again. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us complete victory over death, and now we can say, “Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?”.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He shall be as a tree planted by the waters ... her leaf shall be green. er 17:8.

July 3rd

Third peak “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isaiah 26:3).

This is the mountain peak of inward peace. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.” As long as you do God’s will and try to do what He tells you, then nothing on this earth can keep you away from that peace, neither sickness, nor suffering, nor hardship. Even the enemy cannot take this peace away. It is perfect peace (Isa. 26:3). This peace is only the portion of those who know the Lord Jesus Christ by experience. It is peace like a river. As in a river water increases, so this peace increases day by day.

Fourth peak “I the Lord do keep it; I will water it every moment: least any hurt it, I will keep it night and day.” (Isa.27:3).

This mountain peak is the inward assurance that my Lord will look after me. God’s promise is: “I will keep it.” Let there be earthquake, famine, many persecutions or wars, the Lord will protect. The Lord Himself says, “I the Lord will keep it and water it every moment.” i.e. He will keep us fresh and green and fruitful because of His grace and love.

Fifth peak “This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” (Isa.28:29).

All of us are in need of advice sometimes. We have to make many decisions, regarding many plans and in many matters. At such a time we want the advice of some man of experience and go to him for advice; but for believers the Lord Jesus Christ is their Counseller. The Lord Jesus is our Advisor. For all our personal problems, future problems, marriage problems, or any other problems, we have only to go and consult Him and the advice He will give is the very best advice. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.”(Isa. 66:13).

July 4th

Sixth peak “They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.” (Isaiah 29:24).

Even though you may be extremely learned in worldly things, yet according to Matt. 13:17, you can be taught many deep heavenly mysteries. As you wait upon Him and call upon Him by faith saying: “Lord, teach me Thy ways,” He will lead you into all truth.

Seventh peak “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.” (Isa.30:21).

This is a great mountain peak which we need to climb day by day, and step listening to hear the voice of God behind us saying: “This is the way, walk ye in it.” We can easily take a wrong step, but by this means the Lord saves us from many dangers unknown to us. So long as we keep our ears attentive, and keep saying: “Lord teach me the right path,” He will direct us. Thus we are made to ride on high places, and to go on jumping from peak to peak, in our enjoyment of this great salvation.

Eighth peak “As the birds flying, so will the Lord of Hosts defend Jerusalem; defending also he will deliver it; and passing over he will preserve it.” (Isa.31:5).

The Lord will protect us from unseen danger. I met a friend in Holland who told me he was driving his car after dark one night and he suddenly saw another car coming forward. To save that man from accident, he turned his car round, and doing so it hit against a tree. The whole car was smashed but he was thrown out without any injury. We are continually being protected from many seen and unseen distresses and dangers around.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Then shalt thou have thy delight in the Almighty, and shall lift up thy face unto God. (Job 22:26).

July 5th

Ninth peak “And a man shall be an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, and the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.” (Isaiah 32:2).

The Lord says, ‘After I have saved you, I will be your hiding place.’ What a privilege! Many in danger will come to you and seek your help and will say: ‘Please pray for me’! Many in calamity and sorrow will come to you, and it is your privilege to be a source of comfort and strength to all those who are in great need. When you are saved by His grace He becomes your shelter, and makes you a shelter to others.

Tenth peak “Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty: They shall behold the land that is very far.” Isaiah 33:17.

Our hope is that we will see our Lord in His glory, that our eyes shall see the King of Glory. Our Lord Jesus Christ is called ‘King of Kings and Lord of Lords’ in three places. When He comes the second time, with His mighty angels and with His saints, then we shall see His full glory.

Eleventh peak “And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine and as a falling fig from the fig tree.”

We are reminded here how the Lord has made us His possession. The sun, moon and stars are His, but He has not made them His portion. Before God however we are very precious. By receiving the Lord Jesus Christ we can say truthfully, joyfully and boldly, we shall live forever with glorified, immortal bodies in heavenly kingdom which will not pass away. This is another peak of salvation. We are being prepared now for that new creation, for something which is eternal and which will not pass away.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The God of all grace… make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” I Peter 5:10.

July 6th

Twelfth peak “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice even with joy and singing” Isaiah 35:1-2.

God says “the wilderness and the desert… shall blossom as the rose”. Before we came to the Lord Jesus Christ we were like a desert with not the least hope of bringing forth fruit. There are no flowers in a desert, not even ordinary flowers. The Lord is saying here, that even though you have become so barren and worthless, yet I will make to blossom one day like a rose garden. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself is our gardener as we have seen in Isaiah 27:3, God says; “With my own hands I will water you and will look after you”.

Roses require watering at least three times a day, but the Lord says of His own:” I will water it every moment”. Not only three times a day, but every moment. The Lord knows our private life, and how much we have grieved Him, by thought and word and deed. But by the precious blood we can be cleansed as we go to Him again and again. In heaven none of these things will be remembered, but God’s glory alone. Even now weak believers can be strengthened by being filled with the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. Isaiah 35:4 is our only hope as we keep ourselves ready for His coming. It is only the life of Lord Jesus Christ, the living Person who rose again, and whom we have received as our Savior that can make us holy. He is our Holiness.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I… will do better unto you than at your beginnings” Eze 36:11.

July 7th

Thirteenth peak “But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king’s commandment was saying, answer him not.” (Isaiah 36:21).

The enemy comes up against us also like a threatening flood. We think there is no hope of any victory and we fall. But King Hezekiah said: “Don’t speak a word” (ch. 36.21). Our king says: “Answer him not”. That is our weapon! We do not need worldly weapons to defeat the enemy. Many are deceived by trying to defeat the devil with worldly weapons (2cor. 10:4). Instead, very quietly wait upon the Lord and get the answer.

The Lord is telling us here: “Do not use worldly weapons to conquer the devil. It is only by hearing the voice of God, going upon your knees, that He will tell you what to do, and you will be able to defeat the enemy day by day.” No matter how the enemy may rise up against you, pray with faith and say: “Lord! I am depending upon your Strength and victory. Now tell me Lord, how to use my weapons.” Somehow God will give you Scripture verses to encourage you and strengthen you, and it is a wonderful thing how the devil can be defeated by a few verses.

You will find when you go through serious temptation that either a small verse comes to your memory, or while you are reading the Bible, He speaks. Take heed for the devil can deceive you into using worldly weapons. Maintain your peace, for it is peace only that can defeat the devil. (Rom. 16:20). Inward peace is given by hearing the voice of God, and we will be able to defeat the devil when he comes upon us either like a flood, or as a roaring lion, or as an angel of light. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.” (John 11:22).

July 8th

Fourteenth peak “And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up unto the house of the Lord and spread it before the Lord.” (Isa. 37:14).

Here the King of Assyria is seen threatening and warning God’s people. At the same time he sent a letter to Hezekiah. After reading it, Hezekiah went up into the temple. (v.17). He and his people were in extreme difficulty, but they knew that God would answer. Even though humanly speaking there was no hope of deliverance because the Assyrian king had come with a very strong army to threaten them with defeat other nations, Hezekiah was confident in the Lord, and went to the temple and the Lord answered and delivered him.

Hezekiah prayed, and though he did not know what was going to happen, God knew, see Isa. 37:36. In the morning the great Assyrian army were all dead bodies. From this we learn that when the enemy attacks us in different ways we have a weapon, and that is, to go upon our knees. If only we knew how to use our knees sufficiently, we would find heaven opened, and the storms that come up against us from the enemy would be confounded.

Fifteenth peak “Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord.”(Isa. 38:2).

I know of many occasions when the Lord came with His healing touch. He has His own power, but we have to call upon Him with simple faith as Hezekiah called upon Him and the Lord hearkened to his voice. When we call upon Him with childlike faith, He answers. Every experience which we pass through gives us a stronger faith. God can teach us when we take hold of Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will betroth thee unto me for ever; … in loving kindness.” (Hos. 2:19).

July 9th

Sixteenth peak “He shall feed his flock like a shepherd; he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” (Isa. 40:11).

The shepherd will stay with his flock night and day. At the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ at Bethlehem many shepherds were watching their flocks out side at night, when the angel appeared to them. The Lord Jesus Christ says: “I will be like a shepherd watching over you day and night.” Every morning the shepherd takes his sheep out to different pastures. The sheep will not eat dirty or dry tough grass. It wants tender, green grass, Psa. 23.

Again the sheep requires clean water. They will not drink dirty water like pigs do. The Lord Jesus Christ knows exactly what kind of food we need to satisfy our hunger and thirst, His words are our pasture. Every morning He gives us His Word, at midday and in the evening. In the morning we are given the heavenly plan for the day. In the afternoon we are given strength for the remaining part of the day. In the evening we are searched by God before we go to bed. Thus we get refreshed every day and are protected from every danger seen and unseen. He is our loving and faithful Shepherd, and is with us all the time. Sheep have the gift of recognizing the voice of the shepherd. Even though they are so stupid in many ways, yet thye can recognize the voice of their own master.

The Lord Jesus Christ says “they will not follow strangers,” because their ears are sensitive to the voice of their own masters. It is the privilege of the believer to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ and follow Him. Wherever He goes we should follow without question. One of the high mountain peak is to hear the Voice of the shepherd every day and follow Him, fully trusting Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Why are so fearfull, o ye of little faith?” (Matt.8:26).

July 10th

Seventeenth peak “Behold all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded; they shall be as nothing and they that strive with thee shall perish.” (Isa. 41:11).

As human beings we are full of fears and have to face many obstacles in our Christian path. Every fear or difficulty appears as mountain, whether we receive it as a temptation, a trail or a suffering, but the promise is in Vs.16 “Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away. “ Every obstacle, however hard can be fully overcome by the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ. Weak believers become mighty, by claming God’s promises they go on conquering every obstacle in their life.

The disciples were threatened by the High Priest and high powers, but as they prayed, the place was shaken(Acts 4:31,33). They were few in number, but as they depended upon God to help them, and prayed, their prayer shook the word. All the beauty and the glory of Jesus can be seen in a believer who is prepared to be possessed by God.

Isa. 42:16. Now the blind cannot find their way, but here the Lord is saying, to those who are blind spiritually, “I will lead you by a way that you do not know. Let me lead you and you will find your way. It is wonderful experience to be able to hold God’s hand and walk safely everywhere. In life there are many experiences in which God shows you the way in a wonderful way. In your life there may be many hard situations and you feel puzzled. You don’t know what to decide. Call upon the Lord and say: “Lord you promised to lead me and show me the way”, and suddenly you will find light shining on your path. By simple faith take hold of Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. Pro. 23:17.

July 11th

Eighteenth peak “But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee O Israel, Fear not: I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isa. 43:1.

When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior He has a double claim upon us. First the Lord is our creator, and secondly our Savoir He undertakes to protect us from every harm and danger, though we may have to go through many hardships, sufferings, temptations and difficulties, for without exceptions, everyone of us must go through some hardships, trails and sufferings of some kind. When Israel came out of Egypt they had to go through the red sea, Exodus. 14:6 to 29, tell us how the Lord brought them safely through. One day you will see the enemy swallowed up by the power of God Himself.

Even though enemy comes up against us to deceive us spiritually, they will not succeed in doing any harm. They may do some harm materially sometimes, but they cannot succeed in doing spiritual harm to believers. The Lord Jesus Christ paid a very high price to redeem us. In Matt. 13:44-46, to buy us as His treasure He sold all that He had. We are bound to make mistakes because of our poor wisdom, but the Lord is saying to us, “Unto me you are very precious,” and He will make every possible provision to help us to overcome our follies.

It is wonderful how He sends us messengers from many parts of the world. In the same way, people are now praying for us in many part of the world. We are being upheld by prayer by God’s people everywhere, and thus protected from many dangers, because we are precious to Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. John. 3:36.

July 12th

Nineteenth Peak “For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon th dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thy offspring: And they shall sping up as among the grass, as willows by the water courses.” Isa. 44:3-4.

The Lord is saying in Vs 3 and 4 that like a flood He wants to give us Holy Spirit. This is God’s desire to make our lives more abundantly fruitful. We have seen how thieves and murderers after being born again become mighty men of God. Through simple faith, rivers of living water can flow through us to others, and through our transformed lives many may be blessed. That is how the Lord is pouring out His Spirit even today, in many parts of the world. Through a simple man, He can do great things (1 Cor. 1:26-28, 29).

In North India in a small village there was a poor illiterate man, who heard the gospel and was born again. The village people all hated him and took away his things and did not allow him to take water from their well. He had to go a neighboring village and drink dirty water. But he began to pray for them, and one by one, the villagers came to him, and asked him to pray for them in their troubles. They knew that he was a man of God and asked his forgiveness, requesting him to come back to his village. God can change the foolish illiterate and despised and fill them with His Spirit, that through their ministry many lives may be changed.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I… will do better unto you than at your beginnings. I am the Lord.Eze.36:11.

July 13th

Twentieth Peak “I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron: And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the Lord, which call thee by thy name, I am the God of Israel.” (Isa.45:2-3). God promises to go before us, when He commands us to go anywhere in His name, He says, “I will go before thee and make the crooked paths straight.” In many cases, our mighty God has broken many barriers before His servants. Today the Gospel is taken to people speaking 1,055 languages. As god’s servants obey God’s word the mountains before them roll away. When they obey Him, the mountains flow, the gates of brass are broken and the bars of iron are cut asunder. God has opened many other strong doors before His servants in many part of the world. It is only by faith that we can see mounts melt away before us. See for example Gen.22:71. Abraham’s faith in God was tested. In obedience to God he offered his only son on Mount Moriah. He was about to slay his son, when God spoke to him, v.12. “Abraham turned around and he saw a ram caught in a thicket,” and the Lord asked him to offer that ram instead of his son. God was thou saying, “Now Abraham you have fully obeyed me. You have not withheld your son from me. Now I am bound to you; just as the ram, I am bound to you. Now you command me and I will obey you. Ask me of thing to come.” If you obey Him whole heartedly, without questioning or murmuring or doubting, you can command God, but we must first learn to offer what He wants wholeheartedly.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Thou shalt hearken delligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God”. (Deut.28:1).

July 14th

Twenty-First Peaks “Even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you; I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you.” (Isa.46:4).

Here is another mountain peak of salvation by which our Lord is assuring us very strongly, through the prophet Isaiah, that throughout our life-time He will carry us through. We as human beings are full of fears. Even though we have enjoyed God’s goodness in abundance for many years, and have seen Him working on our behalf mightily on many occasions, and have seen answers to our prayers, yet we find we are full of fears and keep saying: “What about this, and what about that?” “What about tomorrow, or next month, or next year?” Our minds are full of fear and anxiety and we are always worrying about the future, about our health, about our old age, about our children or something even less important. But one verse is sufficient to take away worry and anxiety of every kind. The are not the words of man but the words of the living and loving God saying to us who have become His heavenly possession: “Even to old age I will carry you”. In other words “I am responsible till you die”. He says He will deliver us from seven trouble (Job 5:19) The number seven in scripture stands for completion, which means that whatever our troubles or trails or sufferings or afflictions may be He will deliver us. When the Lord’s people thank God for their food, they find that even the poorest kind of food becomes tasty when the Lord Jesus Christ fed the multitude, He did not feed them with rich food but our Lord Jesus Christ used barley loaves. This is the poor man’s food. The Lord Jesus Christ choose barley bread and multiplied it and when He blessed it became so tasty. We have found this truth by experience. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The Labor of the righteous tendeth to life. Pro. 10:16

July 15th

Twenty-Second Peak “Behold I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” (Isa.48:10).

This verse is not a very happy one to begin with, for nobody likes to go through affliction. The Lord says: “I will refine thee” because He wants us to be holy, as He is holy. The highest aim of God is to make us partakers of His own holiness. That is why we have to go through many refining fires. Gold can only be refined by fire. What is more, the fire must be beneath and above. In the same way, silk, pearls and diamonds, have all to go through much pressure and suffering to make them what they are. When God chooses us, He sets us a very high standards because He wants us to be holy and without spot, or blemish of any kind. He wants us to be far more glorious then even the angels, so He takes us through a furnace of affliction.

Such is God’s way of preparing us for our high vocation. God uses different ways and different times to refine each of us, but all of us must be refined in God’s standard of holiness. It was through afflictions that Paul became a mighty vessel. I don’t think God used anybody as He used this man of God. The Lord accomplished a very deep work in Paul and it was through all those refining fires, that the Lord refined him and taught him many deep truths. First the Lord took him to a desert, and then through refining fires, and through these things He was able to pour into him divine revelations and mysteries.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God,to walk in his ways. (Deut 8:6).

July 16th

Twenty-third peak:

“And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me; And said unto me, thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified” (Isa.49:2-3).

The Lord hath called you and me from our mother’s womb and we are chosen by Him. Jeremiah 1:5, Galatians 1:5. It does not matter whether we are born into a rich or poor family. As children of God, we are chosen before we are born. Any plan of His is a perfect plan; God wants us to be His servants, and these words are not meant only for preachers but for every believer. Every man or women should be God’s servant, because we have been chosen to do something for Him.

Every one of us can be used in giving God’s word, if we believe that God can use us as His mouth-piece to help someone in difficulty, to encourage them, or to save them. We may use the Word in prayer if we cannot say anything of ourselves. You can be used among your friends by passing on a few words from the Bible which will benefit somebody in sorrow, tears and distress. Tell the Lord to give you a message for somebody and ask Him to use you as His mouth-piece. The words of a believer, in the hands of God, are like polish shafts, that, and let us not use idle words. When we go here and there, we must pass on God’s words as a testimony. When ever we go into His presence, let us say: “I am thy servant, Lord teach me, so that I may be used to pray or to witness for Thee, and to help others by encouraging and strengthening them.”

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them despite-fully use you. Luke 6:28.

July 17th

Twenty-fourth peak:

“The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to Him that is wary; he worketh morning by morning, He wakeneth my ear to hear as the learned” (Isa.50:4).

It is possible that, however foolish we are, we can have the tongue of the learned? When you pray say this, Lord “Gove me the tongue of the learned” and he will do so. Say to Him “Lord, Gove me a message for somebody”. Matt 10:20, Luke 12:12, Acts 6:10. By faith claim these promises and He will give you the right word for your friends or enemies. Isaiah 50:4 “He awakens me morning after morning”, -- without the alarm, the Lord wakes us up. Say to Him, “Lord, wake me up at 5:00 clock and give me a message for the day”. You will be surprised how the Lord wakes us up and prepares us for the whole day. That is our privilege. You can tell Him: “Lord, I have no alarm to get up early in the morning and thus find time to prepare me for the day”. All of us can and should speak to Him early in the morning and enjoy His presence and that will keep us fresh for the whole day. Many people do not attend daily morning prayer. They waste their time. Go upon your knees early in the morning and get the Lord’s message and say “Lord, teach me and speak to me, and give thy word for my enemies, friends, teachers and co-workers”. That is how we enjoy our salvation and become more use full to God.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Man’s goingsare of the Lord’s, how can a man then understand His one way” Prov 20:24.

July 18th

Twenty-fifth peak:

“{51:1} Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness,ye that seek the LORD:look unto the rock [whence] ye arehewn, and to the hole of the pit [whence] Ye are digged. {51:2} Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah [that] bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, andincreased him.

{51:3} For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” (Isa.51:1-3).

The Lord Jesus is that Rock ( I Corinthians 10:4 ). When we repent of our sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal savior, we become partakers of His very nature ( II Peter 1:4 ). By nature we were sinners, and God could not see in us any goodness as Paul testifies in Romans 7:18. There is “No good thing in our nature as human beings, and in the eyes of God there is also nothing good in us spiritually. There is nothing in our life which God can accept for His use.

But the moment we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior, and believe that He died in our Stead, and rose again for our justification, His very life is poured into us and we are made partakers of His nature. The prophet tells us; ‘Let us not look at ourselves, but at the Rock whence we have been hewn, because He himself has become our righteousness’. All the virtues of Lord Jesus Christ and His qualifications are poured into us day by day as we keep on looking unto Jesus. He is our example and our life.

If you want to be humble, say to Him, “ Lord, make me meek and lowly like yourself”. If you want to love your enemies, say to Him, “Lord give me the same love with which you loved your enemies, when you said forgive them, they know not what they do”. We can ask Him to give us His love, long-suffering, patience and joy. Then one day, we shall be like him. With that life, we will be given immortal, glorified bodies ( I John 3:2 ). “Oh Lord, give me a greater measure of Thy life to overcome my failures and shortcomings”. In that way we shall become over-comers.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause”. Job 5:8.

July 19th

Twenty-sixth peak:

“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” Isaiah 52:7.

What a privilege it is to have beautiful feet! Of all the members of the body, our feet are the least beautiful. But we can get beautiful feet, as we convey the message of salvation to our friends and neighbors. Every believer should be a witness to Lord Jesus Christ. We need not be trained as a speaker or a teacher to give the Word. A few words to somebody by His help can bring salvation. It is indeed an honor to convey the good news to many people and in many places and the Lord often uses foolish and weak vessels to convey His message and to save souls.

Do you have beautiful feet? Then ask the Lord to give them to you. We can give the message of the living and true God to all those who are round the world about us, who are going through trials, sufferings and hardships. No body can wipe the tears of those who are going through sufferings but we can go to them and say, “Trust in the Lord Jesus, He wipe your tears. He will heal you if you are sick. He will give you all you want and protect you”. Thus you find many have become the feet of the Lord Jesus Christ. We can give the message of the living God, to all people with all power for all their need. It does not need much knowledge and wisdom to do that. What about you? Have your ugly or beautiful? Are you ashamed of your feet? God says, that ugly feet can become beautiful by giving the word of salvation to others.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “My words… shall be fulfilled in their season. “ Luke 1:20.

July 20th

Twenty-seventh peak:

“{53:4} Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. {53:5} But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”.

The prophet Isaiah prophesied in detail how the Lord Jesus Christ would bear our judgment and sin. (V.4). He bore the grief caused by our sinful thoughts, words and deeds. He had to pay the full price. Because of our sinful thoughts our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for our sakes.

He took it upon Himself to suffer for our thoughts, words and deeds because we commit sin in the threefold area of thought, word and deed. The Lord Jesus Christ has borne the punishment for our three-fold sin. For our sinful thoughts He was spat upon; for our sinful words, He was reviled; and for our sinful deeds, His hands and His feet were nailed, and His side pierced and His body scourged. He bore this for our sake, that we might be absolutely righteous and just before God. This gives us liberty and boldness in God’s presence, and takes away the memory of our past sins. The devil tries to make us remember past sin, but we can say: “Lord, the devil is reminding me of my sin, but Lord, for my sake., you have been scourged, pierced and spat upon and have removed my condemnation, and made me righteous in your righteousness.” This gives us perfect liberty and boldness to go into His presence and encouragement to get up again and again when we fall. ( Psa. 37:24; Mich. 7:8; II Cor. 4:9). It does not matter how shameful and humbling our sin may be, we can claim the atoning blood for washing and cleansing by sample faith, and enjoy full liberty in God’s presence.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Blessed is the man, whose strength is in thee”. Psa. 84:5.

July 21st

Twenty-Eighth peak:

“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” (Isa.54:17).

What a precious promise we have in this passage of God’s Word and what a wonderful peak of salvation. How many of us suffered and are unhappy because of somebody standing against us. Some times the weapons are from our own family, our own mother, brother, sister or neighbour. They try to bring many things against us. Others will speak ill and do damage against those who wants to grow spiritually and obey God’s word but we have a promise in Isa.54:17. it does not matter what kind of weapon enemy uses, whether letters, false stories, scandals (which are a special ministry with some people, and a pleasure to them), God in His Word says: “No weapon that is formed against you, shall prosper”. Yes, even the tongue weapon—it will be condemned. This is the inheritance of the servants of the Lord, those who have become righteous in the site of God. Keep on saying, “I believe in Isa. 54:17.” Say it by faith, for this is God’s treatment for you; He is the living God and whatsoever He says He will do, Num. 11:23; 23:19. there is no need for us to defend ourselves, but only to believe in the promise of Isa.54:17.

We fully believe the wonderful promise in Isa. 54:17. As long as we are in Him, He will defend us. God will keep us. He will not allow any weapon of any kind to prosper against us provided we go on praising and trusting Him and claiming His promises.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward”. Isaiah 58:8.

July 22nd

Twenty-Ninth peak:

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

For he shall go out with joy, and be let forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Instead of the thron shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.” (Isa. 55:11-13).

“My word shall not return unto me void” v.11. whatever God has spoken to any of us, will one day be fulfilled. If you have received the word of God by faith, though it may take many years for its fulfillment, yet a day will come when it will bring forth fruit.

(v.12) “For ye shall go out with joy”. When we receive the Word of God by faith we not only rejoice ourselves but we are able to share that joy with others. We go out with joy because of the word we have received. We take the same word to those who are rejected or discouraged and say to them. “When I was discouraged the Lord spoke to me through these few words and I have been strengthened and encouraged”. Thus wherever we go we will be spreading the joy and happiness which God has given us, and more souls will be brought to the Lord.

According to the Lord’s promise the Jews recently began to return to Palestine, from ninety different countries. In the second world war Hitler killed more than 6,000,000 Jews in Germany. In Palestine today thousands of trees are being planted in memory of the six million Jews that were killed. Thus the promise of God have been literally fulfilled, v.13. Palestine was barren and the land was full of thorn bushes and briers, but the Jews who return to Palestine from the scattered countries have already planted 4,000,000 trees beside myrtle trees and fig trees. Spiritually we too are full of thorns and briers in our thoughts, words and deeds. But here God promises that all these can be taken away and replaced by the graces and virtues of the Lord Jesus Christ, that one day we may be like Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psalm 91:11

July 23rd

Thirtieth peak:

“Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the Lord, speak, saying, The Lord hath utterly separated me from among His people; neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree. For thus saith the Lord unto the eunuchs that keep my Sabbaths, and chose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant: Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. “ Isa. 56:3-5.

All classes of people with any handicaps are welcomed into the house of God we read in v.3 that even eunuchs can enter into God’s house. In the olden days they were not even allowed into the Jewish temple. But God says in this passage that everybody will be there (v3, 5-7) all with no exception, will be welcomed into the house of God. They can have the same privilege of sins forgiven and can become members in the house of God.

We read about Onesimus who become so useful to Paul (Philemon. Vs. 10, 13). Evidently, Onesimus robbed a large amount of money, or something very valuable, because he left their home with loot, for Rome. When Onesimus spent all the money he had robbed from his master he thought of Paul the apostle. Through many hardships and trouble he was born again like many people, who, when they are in trouble and difficulties, go to the Lord. Paul wanted someone to take an epistle or letter to Philemon. Paul had a purpose in sending Onesimus first of all to apologize to Philemon for robbing him. Also he wanted Onesimus to be received as Philemon would receive Paul. In the house of God many can be changed like Onesimus from living a life of sin and shame, to a deep understanding of God’s will and purpose. Throughout the world, God has chosen men, despised, murderers, and thieves who in the end become great men of God. God can pick up such human beings and transform them into saints of God.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “How precious also are thy thoughts unto me.” Ps.137:17.

July 24th

Thirty-First peak:

“For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth the eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and the Holy place, with him also that is of a contrite heart and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa. 57:15.

Men of all classes through many hardships and sufferings tried to find God, but could not, for it not by knowledge, ritual or ceremony that one can find God. Many nuns and monks have spent all their lifetime in lonely places. They even slept on the floor, and ate ordinary food in order to find God, but were disappointed. One cannot se God that way. Only those who are humble and contrite heart can see God or receive him. God dwells in a high and holy place and also with him who has a contrite and humble heart. That is the secret. It does not require much knowledge, but true inward humble spirit.

It is inward humility that is required of God. Note, what Paul, says about himself in Gal.2:20: “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live.” That is true humilty. In every circumstance such can say:” Lord not my will but thine; not my desire but thine; not my way but thy way.” Even for small things, they will pray like this. Humility comes by dying daily. Then you can truthfully and honestly: not my way but thy way; not my will but your way.” For this we need to appropriate the power of Christ, for nobody of himself can die to himself. Paul was able to say “I am crucified with Christ,” for he had learned to daily (1Cor. 15:31, 2Cor. 4:10, 12). This is how we can enjoy salvation, as God has promised, I will cause you to ride upon high places of the earth.” Do not live life of barrenness and defeat.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live. Amos 5:14.

July 25th

Thirty-Second peak:

“And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in the draught, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” (Isa. 58:11)

This is very precious promise of our loving and living God. Though we fail and make many mistakes, when we look into His face for guidance for our problems and activities, He helps and guides us. When we seek to do things of our own we fail, but here is God’s promise: “And the Lord shall guide thee continually” Isa. 58:11. he undertakes to guide us at every step, and even in the smallest thing, God’s promise is to guide us continually, and to satisfy our soul in the draught. Even though there may be lack of food due to famine, God’s people have no need to starve. He will bless every of food He gives you. Learn to be thankful for whatever is given to you. “Thou shalt be like a watered garden.” A garden has to be watered everyday the whole year long, if it is to be always beautiful.

Believers can be gardens in the barren desert. You can give the word to those who come to you and yourself remain fresh and healthy spiritually. God himself waters us by His living word, and through prayer and meditation thereon we learn how to comfort those around us. The same verse mentions “springs of waters whose water fail not”. Our spiritual life can become like a spring whose water never dries up. The secret if that we have to delight ourselves in the Lord. Thus the waste place can be built up and we can show other people what the living church is.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The ways of the Lord are right and the just shall walk in them”. Hos. 14:9.

July 26th

Thirty-Third peak:

“As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord: My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from hence forth and forever.” (Isa. 59:21)

Whatever the Lord hath given unto us is for eternity, and He will never take it away from us. He may rebuke us, chastise us and punish us when we fail Him, but He is not going to take away from us which He gave us and He says: “I gave you my spirit which is upon you”. How many times are you spoken to by the Spirit? Those who are truly born-again, often began to back slide due to worldly friendship, and attractions, and constantly hear a voice saying”Come my daughter, and my son, comeback to me, come back to me.” That is how the spirit strives with us. Remember this is God’s promise, “My spirit will not depart from you.” What you learnt in your meeting or quiet time, that becomes your everlasting possession.

When we are given glorified bodies we shall be given perfect knowledge and when we see our Lord face to face then shall we know, even also we are known.(1Cor. 13:12). Because of that perfect knowledge we shall be able to understand what is going on in the whole heaven, but while upon the earth our knowledge remains imperfect.

In heaven we shall have perfect knowledge and shall know everybody by name. we shall know every part of heaven and where ever we want to walk in heaven we shall walk. There is no question of how to find the way. You will know the way and your knowledge will be perfect. What you are now learning on the earth through suffering and trail is a preparation for the ministry in heaven. Then our knowledge will be perfect.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “I will bless thee and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing. Gen.12:2.

July 27th

Thirty-Fourth peak:

“A little one shall become a thousand and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in its time.” Isa.60:22. It does not matter how weak we are physically and intellectually, we can become spiritually string in heaven. God can use even foolish people. The Lord may chastise or rebuke us, but He can use us, however foolish we may be. He does not always use great men or educated men, but often through even foolish and the weak He does great things. (1Cor. 1:31). It is through the despised vessel that He turns the world upside down.

We had a meeting in certain place in North India many years ago. There was a boarding school for girls nearby and the girls were attending the meetings. But I told the lady in-charge that little girls cannot sit too long in meetings that go on for five hours, so the children were sent out. After the meeting Mrs. Lal said: “Give me a few minutes, I want to say a few words. I am the Head Mistress of the school, and I went around to the hostel for a few minutes to see whether things were all going on well. But to my surprise I saw all small children from age of 13 to 14 on their knees and praying with tears one by one: “Lord forgive me; I am a great sinner.” I asked them why they were weeping and they said: “Because of sin”. Sister Lal testified how she came to the meeting and said to the Lord: “Lord I am a Head Mistress, and graduate and yet not born-again. “These small children are far better than I. I also want to be born-again.” And she was born-again and satisfied in the meeting, and one by one her whole staff were also born-again.

It began with the simple faith of children. That is God’s promise. It is a wonderful mountain peak.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “The most high ruleth in the kingdom of men”. Dan.4:32.

July 28th

Thirty-Fifth peak:

“But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” (Isa.61:4-6). Ye shall be named the Priests of God. Now a priest has a double privilege. The liberty to call upon God in any need; and then to convey God’s message to the people. The priest could come into God’s presence to find God’s message for other people according to their need. Now believers are the priests of God. Every believer has the right and privilege to enter into the presence of God at any time for any need. We do not require another Mediator. The liberty is given to us as god’s priests. We can enter into the presence of God at all times (Heb. 10:10). We as priests of God have liberty and boldness to enter into His Holy Presence at any time, for any matter, and for any problem. Spiritually we, as priests of God, have the privilege on behalf of those who are in sin. First, we saved by God’s grace and then we can pray for unconverted friends. Whether father, mother, brother, sister, husband, wife or children, and God will wonderfully change their lives. Remember, somewhere, your mother or somebody is praying for you. I went to a meeting in Canada. I went on praying for a long time for I had no message. When I turned my Bible I came across these words: “I am poor and needy”. After the meeting I appealed. One man came to me and said “I want to be born again this evening.” After I had prayed for him, his sister came and said: “you don’t know, but I have been praying for him for many years.” Many ruined lives are changed by persistent prayer. Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way.” Exo. 23:20.

July 29th

Thirty-sixth peak:

“As the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:3-5. What a wonderful mountain peak of salvation. In our sinful condition we brought reproach and shame, and yet God says: “Thou shalt be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord”. A diadem shows authority. Our authority will be manifested thru us in heaven when we judge the angels. Our Lord wants us to be like a bride and bridegroom. If they are joined together by the Lord, they must be entirely cast on the Lord and must learn to love each other under all circumstances and as they do so, they develop a mutual likeness to each other. God is saying to us, “I will make you a crown in my hand”. He wants us to be His crown, and fit into His heavenly plan. The royal diadem is like a crown which is for beauty. The thought is that the glory and beauty of Jesus which has not been seen by angels will be seen in that day. We are being fully prepared by the Lord Jesus for that glory. We are also called the signet of the Lord Jesus (Hagg 2:23). Just as a crown is worn by the King to show the greatness of the king, and the kingdom, so also do great princes have signet rings on their hand. God’s authority is to be finally revealed to those who are now being saved by Him, and not by angels. We shall become His crown, His diadem and His signet; a crown to show His glory, a diadem His beauty, and a signet is His authority.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way.” Exo. 23:20.

July 30th

Thirty-seventh peak:

“In all their afflictions He was afflicted, and the angel of His precence saved them, in His love and in his pity He redeemed them; and He bare them, and carried them all the days of old”. Isaiah 63:9. “In all their afflictions He was afflicted”. This is another high peak of salvation. Whatever our afflictions, hardships, sorrow and sufferings are, Lord suffers with us. As believers if we suffer with His, we shall reign with Him and He also shares and bears our burden. That is why He said: “You bear my yoke upon you”, as in Matt. 11:29. “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.” Our Lord wants us to be like a bride and bridegroom. If they are joined together by the Lord, they must be entirely cast on the Lord and must learn to love each other under all circumstances and as they do so, they develop a mutual likeness to each other. God is saying to us, “I will make you a crown in my hand”. He wants us to be His crown, and fit into His heavenly plan. Generally two bullocks are used to drag a cart, and the bull on the right hand side has to carry the weight, and bear the burden, which is a great strain. When a field is to be ploughed the bull that has to bear the weight and strain is put on the right side. Likewise with our Lord Jesus Christ, the weight of our burden is borne by Him, so we are yoked together to bear the yoke. Whenever we suffer the Lord suffers. Whenever you are sorrowful, He bears your sorrow. When you are weeping, He weeps. Whenever you are hungry, He is hungry. What a ministry! Our Lord says “In all their affliction, He was afflicted”. For the very same reason our Lord Jesus refused to take part in the heavenly feast unless we were with Him. (Matt 26:29). Here the Lord says: “I will wait for you and I will suffer with you: do not think you are suffering alone”. Because of this, while upon the earth we can bear any suffering or trouble joyfully. His unseen angels protect us from many unseen attacks of the enemy. This is wonderful peak of salvation.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of troubles. Psalms 59:16.

July 31st

Thirty-eighth peak:

“For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, Oh God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for Him that waiteth for Him”. Isa 64:4.

Here is another peak of salvation. These “things prepared” include all those heavenly mysteries which you can imagine are going to be revealed to you in due course, some upon earth and some in heaven. Upon the earth the Lord is giving us some knowledge, but when we go to heaven we will be given perfect knowledge, to know many heavenly mysteries, when the work of God in us on earth is complete.

Thirty-ninth peak:

“The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; and lion shall eat straw like the bullock; and dust shall be the serpent’s meat. They shall not heart not destroy in all my holy mountain, sayeth the Lord”. Isa 65:24-25.

This speaks of the millennium reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, when thorns and thistles and poison will be removed. There will be no sickness and no sorrow. There will be no sign of the curse anywhere. We are being prepared now for that kingdom.

Fortieth peak:

“For thus sayeth the Lord, behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and glory of the gentiles like a flowing stream: …and the hand of the Lord shall be known toward His servants, and His indignation towards His enemies”. Isa. 66:12-14.

Finally with the last mountain peak, our peace and joy will be completed. All our sufferings will be forgotten and we shall be given abundant reward for all past sufferings and hardships. Our peace shall be like a river and the glory of God will be flowing as a stream. Surely then, even upon the earth, we may ride upon heavenly places, for we are formed to be His everlasting possession, and all these glorious purposes will be fully accomplished as we accept and obey Him.

Today’s calendar’s Bible verse: “Therefore will I deliver him: I will set Him on high, because he hath known my name. Psa 91:14.