I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness, for you have exalted above all things your name and your word. (2) This Psalm of King David is especially touching. In it, he remarks on God’s transcendence, how He Read more
You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the Lord your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert justice. You shall not show partiality, and you shall not accept a bribe, for a Read more
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed… Therefore let those who Read more
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. (v. 9) This book of Ecclesiastes is the jaded musings of the aging King Solomon. It is filled with truth and wisdom, but you can Read more
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek Read more
“The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.” (v. 21) It is difficult to respond with grace and kindness when people criticize you. Many times, people fall to the temptation of jealousy or anger because of the hurtful words Read more
Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. (42-43) Sadly, Read more
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the Read more
For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (v.5) Sometimes, when we read the ancient works of the Lord in Israel or in the days of the early church, we are tempted to think God was more active back then than He Read more
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion. (vs. 2) We have all debated with someone more interested in winning an argument than finding the truth. Perhaps we have all been that person from time to time. There are some telltale red flags that can Read more