Read slowly. Read deeply. Let these words sink in. Obey what you have learned. And see how this psalm leads us to our Savior. Jesus visited the temple as a 12 year old and surprised the learned and aged with the depth of his understanding. Surely it is because of vss. 99–100. “I have more understanding than all my teachers…I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.” Jesus obeyed. Shouldn’t you?
Read MorePsalm 119 unpacks for us what Psalm 1 puts so succinctly. In Psalm 119 the psalmist mediates on God’s word, not only day and night, but through all seasons of life both good and bad.
Read MoreA wise saint (Spurgeon?) once said, “He who has a bible that is falling apart has a life that isn’t.” In other words, the believer whose frequent study and mediation of God’s word has left his bible worn and tattered, will be known by the quality of his life. He makes wise decisions. People trust his character and word. There is an integrity about his life that is very attractive. God’s Word has produced good fruit for him.
Read MoreThe psalmist who penned the words of Psalm 118 could only dimly understand what the Holy Spirit was inspiring and guiding him to write. So how blessed are we that we can see far clearly than he did? If so, how much more willing and eager should we be to join the psalmist, and say, “Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Indeed, we say, Amen and Amen!
Read MoreAnd it is on Christ’s account that we, as representing all nations, gather and worship our covenant LORD. And we worship with a longing for all nations and all people to know the LORD. May we not be a dam, withholding God’s grace from flowing freely. Instead, may we be wide open channels of God’s grace to many people. For our God is worthy of praise by all nations and peoples.
Read MoreUnbelievers often argue that the presence of suffering (what they call “evil”) proves Christianity false. After all, if God is loving, why does he not prevent suffering? And if he could prevent suffering but does not prevent it, then he is not good.
Read MoreWhat gives you the hope that things will go well for you? Where do you find comfort when life is chaotic and heartbreaking? Our only comfort is in God’s steadfast love and faithfulness.
Read MoreIt is so easy to love the gifts more than the Giver of the gifts. How absurd is that? It makes about as much sense as a woman who loves her engagement ring more than her fiancé. We would certainly say that this is indicative of a deep problem. Sadly, however, this was the repeated fault of the Old Testament Israel.
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What is wisdom? It is knowing that when our life is done and over with, the only things of our lives that will endure are what we have built upon God. How terrible it will be to see on that day that nothing we have loved and adored matter, because we have loved and adored the things that are ultimately less than nothing? And how sweet our joy and how glorious our reward will be when we see our service to God is remembered forever by him!
Read MoreJesus the light has come. We look with wonder the light that pierces the gloom of darkness with beauty. We find safety in his light, for by his light, and only in his light, we have a safe passage way through life.
Read MoreA reading list for the year 2018.
Read MoreIndeed, in time God’s Love became a human baby. The birth of Jesus Christ brings to the sinful and fallen mankind the love that overcomes all sin. Jesus’ birth brings to us that faithfulness of God. That is why when we celebrate Christ’s Advent, we celebrate God’s love.
Read MoreChristmas is the season when believers and unbelievers alike speak often of joy. But it is only the believers who understand and experience this joy.
Read MoreWhen man raises a battle cry against God, what peace can we know? So the fallen man lives his whole life in fear and steps into eternity filled with dread.
But God has given us a gift of Peace.
Read MoreOur celebration of Christ’s first advent is much the same. We gather as God’s family, and retell the stories that have shaped us and continue to mold us. So as we enter into the Advent season, we remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Read MoreThe transcendent God who is not immanent would leave us in despair of ever knowing him. The immanent God without transcendence would leave us unsatisfied and bored. But God is both, and fills us with both awe and comfort. Indeed, this psalm gives us a written description of Jesus Christ, the exalted God over all creation who became a man. The transcendent God has drawn near us in Jesus Christ, and he is the friend of all in need, who humbly seek his gracious presence.
Read MoreWe know in our own lives God-fearing people who grieve for their children, who toil through difficult life. In view of such realities Psalm 112 seems to overpromise and underdeliver. What is to be done about this, then?
Read MoreAre you wise or are you a fool? How we participate in corporate and public worship of God is the answer to this important question.
Read MoreMaking Christ central in our worship and life is the only way we can truly honor the legacy of the Protestant Reformation and be the heirs of its legacy.
Read MoreWhen Scripture says God remembers, it means he acts in keeping with what has either been promised or done. Thus when people pray, “Remember me,” they are asking the LORD to act in keeping with his promises. Likewise, when the psalmist prays “Remember not the sins of my youth” or when we read “I will not remember your sins,” it does not mean the LORD’s mind somehow blanks out, but rather that he will not act in accordance to what we have done.
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