Sermon Tone Analysis

Day 91

Numbers 31:25; Luke 8:40-9:9; Psalm 40:1-8

In Moses’ time, the people of God were to “arm themselves before the Lord for battle” (Numbers 32:20).

In Jesus’ time, His disciples were given “power and authority to drive out all demons …” (Luke 9:1).

In every generation, the Lord’s people are to sing “a new song … a hymn of praise to our God” so that “many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord” (Psalm 40:3).

Day 92

Numbers 33:1-34:29; Luke 9:10-27; Proverbs 8:22-31

The sheer dimensions of what God was doing with His people, Israel, are most impressive.

This was no small thing.

This was a mighty work of God.

The feeding of the 5,000 was a mighty miracle.

It was impressive because of the sheer numbers involved in it.

When we think of such mighty miracles, we know that their origin lies in God the Creator.

He created the world out of nothing, His mighty work of creation is described in Proverbs 8:27-29.

Day 93

Numbers 35:1-36:13; Luke 9:28-56; Psalm 40:9-17

To come to the end of the book of Numbers is to sense the great significance of the man, Moses.

To read the transfiguration of Jesus is to realize that the glory of “Moses and Elijah … in glorious splendour” is nothing compared with the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Of Christ alone, the Father says, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him” (Luke 9:35).

We give thanks for men of faith who have played an important part in carrying forward God’s purpose of salvation.

It is concerning the Lord alone that Scripture says, “may those who love Your salvation always say, ‘The Lord be exalted’” (Psalm 40:16).

Day 94

Deuteronomy 1:1-2:23; Luke 9:57-10:24; Psalm 41:1-6

We are to make progress in the life of faith.

There can be no looking back.

In Deuteronomy 1:6-8, the Lord calls His people to press on.

In Luke 9:62, the Lord Jesus emphasizes that we must keep going forward.

It will not be easy.

There will be opposition.

Nevertheless, the Lord gives His promise of blessing (Psalm 41:2).

Day 95

Deuteronomy 2:24-4:14; Luke 10:25-11:4; Psalm 41:7-13

When the people of Israel were brought to the promised land, this was a great fulfilment of God’s purpose.

When Jesus teaches us to pray, “Father … Your Kingdom come”, He is teaching us to pray for an even greater fulfilment of God’s purpose.

The Lord sets us in His presence for ever (Psalm 41:12).

The song of the redeemed will be “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting.

Amen and Amen” (Psalm 41:13).

Day 96

Deuteronomy 4:15-5:33; Luke 11:5-32; Proverbs 8:32-36

In Deuteronomy 5, we have the Ten Commandments.

In Luke 11:28, we have Jesus’ words: “Blessed … are those who have the Word of God and obey it.”

“Blessed are those who keep My ways” (Proverbs 8:32).

There is no blessing apart from obedience, and there is no obedience apart from Christ.

He says to us, “Whoever finds Me finds life” (Proverbs 8:35).

Day 97

Deuteronomy 6:1-8:20; Luke 11:33-54; Psalm 42:1-6a

God’s people were called to enter the promised land.

They were called to live in obedience to the Lord who had brought them into the promised land.

To those who refuse to enter into God’s land of blessing, God says, “Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge.

You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering” (Luke 11:52).

There is a better way – “My soul thirsts for God, the living God” (Psalm 42:2).

Day 98

Deuteronomy 9:1-10:22; Luke 12:1-34; Psalm 42:6b-11

As they entered the promised land, the people of God received this reminder of the undeserved grace of God – “It is not because of your righteousness that the Lord your God is giving you this land to possess” (Deuteronomy 9:6).

In His free grace, God gave the land to Israel.

To us, He has graciously given the Kingdom – “Your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

To Israel, the Psalmist says, “Put your hope in God” (Psalm 42:11).

To us also, this comes as a Word from the Lord and, with the Psalmist, we make our declaration, “I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God” (Psalm 42:11).

Day 99

Deuteronomy 11:1-12:32; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 43:1-5

The people of God lived in a situation where there was much idolatry.

For them, there could be no compromise.

We are to be watchful as the Lord’s Return draws near.

We dare not live as the world does.

We are to live in the Lord’s way.

In the midst of “an ungodly nation”, we are to pray, “Send forth Your light and Your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You dwell” (Psalm 43:3).

As we look at this “ungodly nation”, it is easy to become “downcast.”

We must learn to say to ourselves, “Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

Day 100

Deuteronomy 13:1-14:29; Luke 13:1-30; Proverbs 9:1-12

In our day, there are many who say, “Let us follow other gods.”

God says, “You must not listen” to such people (Deuteronomy 13:2-3).

To follow the Lord’s instruction is not popular.

Nevertheless, this is what we must do: “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door” (Luke 13:24).

Whatever the world may say, we must stand by the truth of God’s Word: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).

Day 101

Deuteronomy 15:1-16:20; Luke 13:31-14:14; Psalm 44:1-12

The people of God had been blessed by God.

They had much to celebrate.

The Lord had brought them out of the land of bondage.

He was about to bring them into the land of promise.

As we celebrate the love of God, we give the place of highest honour to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Lord.

Why did God give Israel the promised land?

It was because He “loved them” (Psalm 44:3).

We know the love of God in Christ.

Concerning Christ, we say, with thanksgiving, “You give us victory over our enemies” (Psalm 44:7).

In Him, we rejoice – “In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise Your Name for ever” (Psalm 44:8).

Day 102

Deuteronomy 16:21-18:22; Luke 14:15-35; Psalm 44:13-26

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet …” (Deuteronomy 18:15).

This prophecy has its greatest fulfilment in Christ.

Jesus is more than a prophet.

He is the substance of the prophecy concerning God’s Kingdom.

The coming of God’s Kingdom is the coming of Christ – both His first coming (our foretaste of heavenly glory) and His second coming (the fullness of heavenly glory).

In Christ, there is redemption – a redemption we have begun to know, a redemption which we will enjoy in its fullness when Christ returns.

Then, we will know the full answer to the prayer of Psalm 44:26 – “redeem us because of Your unfailing love.”

Day 103

Deuteronomy 19:1-20:20; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 45:1-9

Above all men, it can be said of Christ: “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever” (Psalm 45:2).

When we read the parable of the prodigal son, we are reading the words spoken by the perfect Son.