March 23

Alexander Marshall, the great pioneer of the gospel in the northeastern U.S., told of an old man he knew from East Anglia, England who used to say: “It took me forty-two years to learn three things: 1) That I could do nothing to save myself; 2) that God did not ask me to do anything; 3) that Christ did it all.” Forty-two years is a long time to learn this, but definitely better late that never. And what verses of Scripture can we use to help people learn these three important facts now? 1) “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law” (Rom 3:28); “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law” (Gal 2:16; see also Titus 3:5; Eph 2:8). 2) When some asked Jesus, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent” (Jn 6:28-29). 3) It’s too late to do anything; it’s all done. The Lord cried, “It is finished,” and it was. Isaiah 53:5 describes it beautifully.

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 29-31; 2 Samuel 1-2  Memorize: Isaiah 45:5
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