The Lord Is Near 2023 calendar

Cover page

Foreword

Let your gentleness be known of all men. The Lord is near. Philippians 4:5 JND

Many things have been changing in the past few years in this world. This is no surprise to us—except maybe the speed at which they are happening—for we know that things are relentlessly moving toward the consummation of all things, of all that has been revealed by God.

This expression of Philippians 4:5, “the Lord is near,” brings two precious truths to our hearts. First, the Lord is always near us. He knows very well what is going on in this world, what is going on with His people overall, and also all that concerns each one of His own. He is neither far nor distant nor insensitive; but, because He became a man just like us except for sin, He truly can and does sympathize with us.

The second truth that keeps our hearts warm is that His coming to take His Church, His beloved bride, to Himself is also near. This blessed truth, when presented afresh to us by the Holy Spirit, produces various positive effects in our hearts. Among others, it gives us a renewed desire to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and speak of our coming Lord, so that many may come to faith before that solemn moment, the rapture and coming judgment. It also renews our desire daily to be useful in His hands, since tomorrow is not guaranteed. But above all these excellent things—and may we abound in these!—may it deepen in our hearts not only the desire to have more fellowship with Him in prayer, and in being occupied with Him through His Word; but may it also add to our faith the necessary virtue so that it will be so. This transformative and blessed occupation will make our gentleness be known to all men.

It is our prayer that these daily meditations be a blessing in accompanying such times in the Word of God, and in keeping our hearts looking to Him, whose voice we will soon hear calling us to Himself, “and thus we shall be always with the Lord” (1 Th. 4:17).

The Compilers and Editors:

Lucas Harriman
Alexandre Leclerc
Brian Reynolds
Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.

Table of content

(Click on the table's header to change the sorting order.)

Date Title
01/01 A New Year’s Meditation—My Angel
01/02 Abiding in Christ
01/03 Sin Can Be Forgiven—But There Are Always Consequences
01/04 Be Like a Locust
01/05 The Preeminence of Worship
01/06 The Purpose of Tests
01/07 The Bridegroom and the Bride (1)
01/08 The Priest Who Never Dies
01/09 Showing Forth Christ’s Praises in Our Life
01/10 Valuing Your Inheritance
01/11 Serving the Lord Together (1)—Barnabas
01/12 Spiritual Encouragement From David (1)
01/13 Spiritual Encouragement From David (2)
01/14 How Good Is Your Vision?
01/15 The Destroyer and the Lamb
01/16 The Purpose of Wilderness Trials
01/17 Serving the Lord Together (2)—Paul
01/18 Jesus Only
01/19 The First and Last Words of Jacob
01/20 Beware of Turning Loose the Jackals
01/21 Serving the Lord Together (3)—John Mark
01/22 Jacob a True Worshiper
01/23 Coming Out and Gathering Together
01/24 Salvation Even in Judgment
01/25 The Remedy for Carnal Christians
01/26 The Bridegroom and the Bride (2)
01/27 Eliashib’s Testimony
01/28 God’s View of Usefulness
01/29 Christ Is Our Righteousness
01/30 Separation From Sinful Associations
01/31 Are We in Tune With Him?
02/01 Care for the Member
02/02 Do Not Receive False Teachers
02/03 The Table of Showbread
02/04 A New Creation—Not According to the Flesh
02/05 Things Seen at the Cross
02/06 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (1)
02/07 The Bridegroom and the Bride (3)
02/08 Scruples of Conscience (1)—Foods
02/09 Don’t Neglect the Instruction of Proverbs
02/10 The Christian Is an “Epistle of Christ”
02/11 The High Priest’s Breastplate
02/12 When the King Is at His Table
02/13 Scruples of Conscience (2)—(Holi)days
02/14 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (2)
02/15 What Else Do You Need?
02/16 A Good Question
02/17 Dependence Upon God—A Constant Necessity
02/18 The First and Last Words of Moses
02/19 The Throne of God and Our Feet
02/20 Our Strong Tower
02/21 Paul’s Benediction to the Corinthians (3)
02/22 In the Word and on Your Knees
02/23 Waiting Upon God by Faith
02/24 What Can We Learn From Job? (1)
02/25 The Urim and Thummim
02/26 They Talked About His Decease
02/27 The Bridegroom and the Bride (4)
02/28 Treasure in Earthen Vessels
03/01 The Importance of Prophecy
03/02 The Day of Vengeance
03/03 A New Nature That Does Not Change
03/04 What Can We Learn From Job? (2)
03/05 Do You Miss Me?
03/06 God’s Call (1)—From the Beginning
03/07 Don’t Quit
03/08 Catching People
03/09 A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (1)
03/10 A Word of Comfort From Isaiah (2)
03/11 The Joy of Sharing the Gospel
03/12 Christ Alone on the Cross
03/13 What Can We Learn From Job? (3)
03/14 God’s Call (2)—The Call to Service
03/15 There Is Nothing Good in the Flesh
03/16 The Bridegroom and the Bride (5)
03/17 Our Heavenly High Priest
03/18 Every Heir and Every Hair
03/19 Remember His Love
03/20 The First and Last Words of David
03/21 Christian Intimacy
03/22 Blinded Minds
03/23 What Can We Learn From Job? (4)
03/24 Christ the Standard and Touchstone
03/25 The Spiritual Sense of “Hearing”
03/26 Christ’s Obedience in Fulfilling God’s Will
03/27 The Waters of Marah
03/28 Living in the Light of the Judgment Seat
03/29 The Importance of Faithfulness in God’s Work
03/30 God’s Call (3)—All Things Work Together for the Called
03/31 The Bridegroom and the Bride (6)
04/01 A Mighty Man of Wealth
04/02 The Cross Is Too Vast to Comprehend
04/03 The Way of Peace
04/04 A Home in Glory
04/05 God’s Call (4)—The Effective Call to Blessing
04/06 Phinehas and the Holiness of God
04/07 Consider Him
04/08 Whom Are You Seeking?
04/09 Resurrection and the New Creation
04/10 The First and Last Words of Nicodemus
04/11 The Authority of Christ
04/12 Obedience and Dependence
04/13 The Bridegroom and the Bride (7)
04/14 The Christian’s Attitude in a Troubled World
04/15 God’s Call (5)—Not of Our Works
04/16 Remember Me (1)—A Request
04/17 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (1)—Persecuted
04/18 Power for the Faint
04/19 Making a Beginning
04/20 Following the Master
04/21 You Have Been Heard—The Answer Will Come
04/22 Digging Into the Word of God
04/23 Remember Me (2)—Victory in Death
04/24 God’s Call (6)—God Will Not Change His Mind
04/25 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (2)—At Philippi
04/26 Apostasy Then and Now
04/27 The Bridegroom and the Bride (8)
04/28 You Must be Born Again—A Gospel Message
04/29 At the Feet of Jesus
04/30 Remember Me (3)—A Man of Sorrows
05/01 God’s Call (7)—Called into Fellowship
05/02 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (3)—At Jerusalem
05/03 Gideon’s Faith
05/04 Are You Ready to Be Used?
05/05 Pouring Out Your Heart
05/06 God’s Call (8)—Called by Grace
05/07 Remember Me (4)—A Remnant Remembers
05/08 Eternal Life
05/09 The Bridegroom and the Bride (9)
05/10 Life for Overcomers
05/11 Gideon’s Altars
05/12 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (4)—Endangered
05/13 God’s Call (9)—Called by the Gospel Unto Glory
05/14 Remember Me (5)—The Joy of the Lord
05/15 Love Divine
05/16 A Balm of Healing
05/17 The First and Last Words of Paul
05/18 Gideon’s Test
05/19 Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (1)
05/20 Paul’s Prayer for the Saints (2)
05/21 Remember Me (6)—Make Use of the Opportunity
05/22 Christian Service and Its Motivation
05/23 God’s Call (10)—Called Out of Darkness
05/24 Gideon’s Weapons
05/25 How Do We Receive the Word?
05/26 Beware of Ritualism
05/27 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (5)—Before Felix
05/28 A Faithful Saying
05/29 God’s Call (11)—Suffering Now, Eternal Glory to Come
05/30 Gideon’s End
05/31 The Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ
06/01 Influence (1)—Abraham
06/02 Abiding in the Sunshine
06/03 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (6)—Before Festus
06/04 Christ’s Greatness
06/05 Appreciation for God’s Dwelling Place
06/06 The Comfort of Grace in a Cold World
06/07 Influence (2)—Lot
06/08 That No Flesh Should Glory
06/09 God’s Gentleman
06/10 Two Sons of Shaphan
06/11 Creator and Redeemer (1)
06/12 Christianity in a Nutshell (1)—Grace Has Appeared
06/13 Christianity in a Nutshell (2)—Grace Teaching Us
06/14 Christianity in a Nutshell (3)—The Glorious Appearing
06/15 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (7)—Before Agrippa
06/16 The First and Last Words of Peter
06/17 The Perfect Expression of God’s Thoughts
06/18 Creator and Redeemer (2)
06/19 Influence (3)—Simon Peter
06/20 Agur’s Prayer (1)
06/21 Agur’s Prayer (2)
06/22 Lessons on Ahaz (1)—Adding Faith to God’s Word
06/23 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (8)—Underway
06/24 Influence (4)—Jonathan
06/25 Grain Offering Prepared at Home
06/26 The Kingdom Appointed and the Flesh Revealed
06/27 Trusting the Creator
06/28 Hated By the Religious World
06/29 Lessons on Ahaz (2)—Vain Is Man’s Deliverance
06/30 Influence (5)—The Levites
07/01 The Lord Knows the Difference
07/02 Remembrance of the Ultimate Sacrifice
07/03 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (9)—On to Rome
07/04 Job’s Wife Reconsidered
07/05 Lessons on Ahaz (3)—We Become Like What We Occupy Ourselves With
07/06 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (1)—Joseph
07/07 The Truth Stands Firm
07/08 A True Ambassador for Christ
07/09 The Peace Offering
07/10 Converted to Wait for the Son
07/11 Lessons on Hezekiah (1)—Diligent in the Lord’s Work
07/12 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (10)—Giving Thanks
07/13 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (2)—David
07/14 Does He Care?
07/15 Isolation—False and True
07/16 The Fat of the Peace Offering
07/17 Job’s Children—On Earth and in Heaven
07/18 Lessons on Hezekiah (2)—Deliverance and Praise
07/19 God for Us
07/20 Ruled by Impulse
07/21 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (3)—The Lord Jesus
07/22 Martha Served
07/23 A Pleasant Aroma for God
07/24 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (11)—Godly Helpers
07/25 Pain or Joy?
07/26 Lessons on Hezekiah (3)—Deficient in Giving Glory
07/27 Do Not Fret
07/28 Responding to Hurts and Injuries (4)—Paul
07/29 Job’s Friends
07/30 The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (1)
07/31 The Father’s Business
08/01 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (12)—Still Pursuing
08/02 Lessons on Manasseh (1)—The Objective of God’s Discipline
08/03 What Is Worship?
08/04 Are We Disciples?
08/05 From Top to Bottom
08/06 The Psalm of the Burnt Offering (2)
08/07 Job’s Words Written in Stone
08/08 Christ’s Appreciation of Family
08/09 Paul, Prisoner of Christ Jesus (13)—Last Words
08/10 Lessons on Manasseh (2)—A Bad Start
08/11 When Laws Are Ungodly
08/12 Paul’s Admonishment—Practice Based on Position
08/13 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (1)
08/14 True Christian Experience
08/15 Job’s Darkest Day and His Best Day
08/16 Zacchaeus: A Story of Grace
08/17 Jonah’s Strange Complaint
08/18 A Priest at the Right Hand of God for Us
08/19 Lessons on Manasseh (3)—The Fruit of the Light
08/20 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (2)
08/21 The Power and Centrality of Christ
08/22 Christ and the World Contrasted
08/23 Spiritual Formation
08/24 Judge, Lawgiver, and King
08/25 The Beast Versus the Son of Man
08/26 God Keeps His Promises
08/27 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (3)
08/28 Lessons on Amon (1)—A Way That Seems Right
08/29 The Present Place of Christ
08/30 Gideon and the God of Patience
08/31 The Call to Simplicity
09/01 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (1)—Elizabeth the Mother of John
09/02 Are You Washed?
09/03 The Psalm of the Sin Offering (4)
09/04 Christ Is Sufficient
09/05 Waiting
09/06 Called by the Physician
09/07 Lessons on Amon (2)—Multiplying Sin
09/08 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (2)—Mary Magdalene
09/09 Prayer and Confession
09/10 An Overflowing Heart
09/11 Our Abiding Home
09/12 God Uses Sufferings for Our Good
09/13 Rooted in Christ
09/14 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (3)—Thomas Called the Twin
09/15 Lessons on Amon (3)—Tomorrow Is Not Ours
09/16 Watching and Doing
09/17 Who Is Worthy?
09/18 Refreshing the Lord Jesus
09/19 Riches of Liberality—Riches in Glory
09/20 Believers Today Can Learn From Job’s Example
09/21 Four People Who Said “My Lord” (4)—Paul the Apostle
09/22 Lessons on Josiah (1)—To Resolutely Follow the Lord
09/23 Holding Fast to the Head
09/24 The Privilege of the Lord’s Supper
09/25 The Ram in Scripture (1)—The Promise Secured
09/26 Great Is His Faithfulness
09/27 A Prayer for God’s Will
09/28 As a Man Carries His Son
09/29 As a Man Disciplines His Son
09/30 As a Man Spares His Own Son
10/01 The Ram in Scripture (2)—The Substitute
10/02 Making the Most of What We Have (1)
10/03 Lessons on Josiah (2)—To Continue in Spite of All
10/04 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (1)
10/05 A Perfect Man and a Perfect Work
10/06 Heavenly Things in Hebrews
10/07 Learning From the Master
10/08 The Ram in Scripture (3)—Devotion
10/09 Making the Most of What We Have (2)
10/10 Don’t Be Afraid, Timothy
10/11 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (2)
10/12 Lessons on Josiah (3)—Want to Make a Difference?
10/13 Praise the Lord
10/14 Only Five Words
10/15 The Ram in Scripture (4)—Trespass Offering
10/16 Finding Strength in God When Things Are Dark
10/17 Making the Most of What We Have (3)
10/18 Lessons on Jehoahaz (1)—The Form of This World Is Passing Away
10/19 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (3)
10/20 Teach All the Children
10/21 Paul and Barnabas (1)—A Great Team
10/22 The Ram in Scripture (5)—The Consecration of the Priests
10/23 Paul Unhindered
10/24 Noah, Daniel, and Job
10/25 Hannah: A Vessel Broken by Sorrow (4)
10/26 God’s Love Displayed (1)—Christ Rejected By the World
10/27 Paul and Barnabas (2)—When Godly Motives Clash
10/28 Lessons on Jehoahaz (2)—When the World Has Its Say
10/29 He Sat Down
10/30 We Have a Savior
10/31 God’s Love Displayed (2)—Christ Rejected by His People
11/01 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (1)—Abigail’s Wisdom
11/02 Paul and Barnabas (3)—Who Was Right and Who Was Wrong?
11/03 Lessons on Jehoahaz (3)—Losing Our Wealth to This World
11/04 The Qualifications of Our High Priest
11/05 God’s Love Displayed (3)—Christ Forsaken by God
11/06 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (2)—Abigail’s Grace
11/07 Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (1)
11/08 Some Basic Principles Underlying the Study of Prophecy (2)
11/09 A Hand Full of Rest
11/10 Paul and Barnabas (4)—Failure Is a Teacher
11/11 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (3)—Abigail’s Endurance
11/12 A Divine Love
11/13 Lessons on Jehoiakim (1)—Rejection of the Messenger
11/14 Christ Praying About His Mission—Despite Opposition
11/15 Being Where God Wants Us to Be
11/16 Heaven Opened on Christ and on the Believer
11/17 Gleanings From the Life of Abigail (4)—Abigail’s Warning
11/18 Paul and Barnabas (5)—The Ministry of Reconciliation
11/19 Christ Bore Our Condemnation
11/20 Lessons on Jehoiakim (2)—Rejection of the Word
11/21 The Godly Preserved in the Last Days
11/22 The Strength and Warmth of Christian Fellowship
11/23 Thanks Be to God
11/24 The Lord Jesus Went Out (1)
11/25 The Lord Jesus Went Out (2)
11/26 The Lord Jesus Went Out (3)
11/27 Lessons on Jehoiakim (3)—Rejection of God
11/28 God Hates and Punishes Pride (1)
11/29 God Hates and Punishes Pride (2)
11/30 A Love That Is Irrevocable, Undeniable, and Unsurpassable
12/01 Following Mentors or Living by Faith
12/02 Midnight, Twilight, and Daylight
12/03 Outside the Camp
12/04 Paul’s Tears (1)—In Service
12/05 Paul’s Tears (2)—In Warning
12/06 Paul’s Tears (3)—Our Resource
12/07 Call Upon the Lord
12/08 Lessons on Jehoiachin (1)—Humility and Deliverance
12/09 Paul’s Example of “First Love” for Christ
12/10 Revel in Him
12/11 Recorded for Eternity
12/12 Prophecies of Christ (1)—Who He Would Be
12/13 God Has Visited His People
12/14 Does God Hate Sinners?
12/15 Lessons on Jehoiachin (2)—Humility and God’s Care
12/16 The Flesh and the Spirit in a Believer
12/17 God’s Estimate of the Blood, Not Ours
12/18 Prophecies of Christ (2)—His Virgin Birth
12/19 To Serve and Follow Him
12/20 Practical Exhortations From the Apostle Paul
12/21 The Divine Comforter
12/22 Joy to the World (1)—Do Not Be Afraid
12/23 Joy to the World (2)—Good News
12/24 Prophecies of Christ (3)—Where He Would Be Born
12/25 Joy to the World (3)—Joy Inexpressible
12/26 Lessons on Jehoiachin (3)—To Do You Good in the End
12/27 Let Us Begin Where Samson Ended
12/28 Abraham and the God of Glory
12/29 Christ the Morning Star
12/30 Keep Building
12/31 The Three Appearings of Christ