Reading 1 - Genesis 17 & 18

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18:12 In laughing and calling Abram 'Lord' in her heart Sarah was demonstrating that her respect for her husband was not simply an outward show. It was a way of life. This attitude is presented to sisters today - 1 Peter 3:6.
Peter Forbes

ch 17 - Another mark of the passage of time at 99 we are now 24 years on from when Abraham left Haran - and he receives the covenant of circumcision.

18:13-14 We may think that Sarah laughed because she did not believe the words of the angel and see 'Is anything too hard for the Lord' as a rebuke from the angel. However Hebrews 11:11 indicates that Sarah actually believed what the angel said. So is it that the phrase 'Is anything too hard …' Sarah's response on hearing what the angel said?
Peter Forbes

Genesis 17 - Marvellous things happen in Abram's life now. Five times in this chapter, God speaks to Abram in words that indicate that He and Abram are going to work together, not only to produce the Promised seed, but to create a multitudinous family. Remember Ishmael is now 13 years old, Abram is 99, Sarah is 89. Twenty four years have passed since Abram entered the land. [How long have you been walking with God?] In v2, 4, 7, 10, 11, God informs Abram of their joint co-operation - "me and thee" or "me and you". It is also at this point in Abram's career that God changes Abram's and Sarai's names by including the 5th letter of the Hebrew alphabet into both their names - making them now Abraham and Sarah. I have a note in my Bible [you may like to check it for yourself] that the numerical value of Abraham = 248, and Abraham appears in the Bible 248 times.

v4 - "thou shalt be a father of many nations" - Such a prospect is a human impossibility. Should a man father a family, he could only possibly father one nation. He may even father a multitude, but God tells Abraham, that by Grace ["5"] God is going to make Abraham a "father of many nations." How?

v11 - "you shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin" - God certainly works in mysterious ways! Abraham knows that he can father children - Ishamel is testimony to that fact. He knows that Sarah is barren and well past the age of child bearing. And now God tells him [at the age of 99] that he must indulge in a private, painful operation on the very member that is used father children! Surely this operation will render that member useless for the purpose! But what a man of Faith. Not only did Abraham submit to this painful rite, but Ishamel at age 13, and every other male member in the compound underwent the same operation. Remember, there may well have been around 1,000 males travelling with Abraham by this time - we know that he had at least 318 trained young men with him - and they had been "born in his compound" - Gen 14:14. Is it not likely that Abraham had at least that number [or more] older men also camped with him at this time? And their wives, and young maidens - possibly around 2,000 people camped with Abraham and shared his faith. See the comment written in Gen 18:19.
Cliff York

Reading 2 - Psalms 19, 20 & 21

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Psa 20 - This is a prayer that God will listen to and care for others. Consider the pronouns 'thee' 'thy'. And then the psalmist joins in praising and remembering God himself :5 'We'

21:4 In speaking of 'length of days for ever and ever' the Psalmist is echoing 'Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.' [Psalm 16:11]
Peter Forbes

19:13 We might ask 'what are presumptuous sins?' Well there is one clearly shown in Scripture. 'But they presumed to go up unto the hill top' (Numbers 14:44) when God had told the people that He would not give them the land. A presumptuous sin, then, is a sin where one disregards what has been said by God with the presumption that it will be alright to do that thing.

20:2 In asking God to act 'out of Zion' the Psalmist takes the fact that God is dwelling in Zion as a visible indicator that He will act. That David sees God 'in Zion' means that this Psalm was written after the ark had been taken to Zion by David.

21:2 David tells us that he had one desire - to dwell in the house of the Lord (Psalm 27:4). This he did when he went and 'sat before the Lord' (2 Samuel 7:18) so we can conclude that this Psalm was written after David had brought the ark to Zion.
Peter Forbes

Psa 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God" - Literally, - 'The heavens number out the glory of the strong God.' A first view of the starry heavens strikes every beholder with astonishment at the power by which they were made, and by which they are supported. To find out the wisdom and skill displayed in their contrivance requires a measure of science: but when the vast magnitude of the celestial bodies is considered, we feel increasing astonishment at these works of the strong God. And the more so, as with modern inventions like the Hubble Telescope, we are told that there are easily as many stars in the known universe, as there is sand on every seahore around the world. And yet that very work of creation is described, almost as a throw away line, in Gen 1:16- "and He made the stars also."

The firmament - The whole visible expanse; not only containing the celestial bodies above referred to, but also the air, light, rains, dews, etc., etc. And when the composition of these principles is examined, and their great utility to the earth and its inhabitants properly understood, they afford such matter of astonishment to the wisest mind, and of adoration and gratitude even to the most unfeeling heart.

Psa 19:7 - "The law" - The doctrine delivered to his people, whether by Moses, or by other prophets. Having discoursed hitherto of the glory of God shining forth in, the visible heavens, he now proceeds to another demonstration of God's glory, which he compares with and prefers before the former. "Perfect" - Completely discovering both the nature and will of God, and the whole duty of man, what he is to believe and practice. Whereas the creation, although it did declare so much of God, has left all men without excuse, yet it did not fully manifest the will of God, nor bring men to eternal salvation. "Converting" - From sin to God, to whom all men must turn if they are to live forever. "Testimony" - His 'law', so called because it is a witness between God and man, what God requires of man. "Sure" - Heb. 'faithful or true', which is most necessary in a witness: it will not mislead any man, but will infallibly bring him to happiness. "Simple" - Even persons of the lowest capacities can understand the message of the Almighty.
Cliff York

Reading 3 - Matthew 11

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Matthew 11:1 - "And it came to pass" - 396 times the Bible tells us that "it came to pass..." - which is very comforting, because that means in this life "nothing comes to stay!"

Matthew 11:28 - "All ye that labor and are heavy laden" - The metaphor here appears to be taken from a man who has a great load laid upon him, which he must carry to a certain place: every step he takes reduces his strength, and renders his load the more oppressive. However, it must be carried on; and he labors, uses his utmost exertions, to reach the place where it is to be laid down. A kind person passing by, and, seeing his distress, offers to ease him of his load, that he may enjoy rest.

The Jews, heavily laden with the burdensome rites of the Mosaic institution, rendered still more oppressive by the additions made by the scribes and Pharisees, who, our Lord says, (Matthew 23:4), bound on the people heavy burdens; and laboring, by their observance of the law, to make themselves pleasing to God, are here invited to lay down their load, and receive the salvation procured for them by Christ. Sinners, wearied in the ways of iniquity, are thus invited to come to Christ, and find speedy relief. Believers, sorely tempted, and oppressed by the remains of the carnal mind, may come and, purified from all sin, and powerfully succored in every temptation, find uninterrupted rest in this complete Savior. All are invited to come, and all are promised rest. If few find rest from sin and vile affections, it is because few come to Christ to receive it.
Cliff York