The distress of my heart has grown great. From my straits bring me out. Psalm 25:17 Robert Alter translation Distress – What binds you? What hems you in? What makes you feel as if you have no options, no choices? What propels you into the narrow straits? All of these things are tsarot, the plural…
seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature,…
Turn to me and grant me grace, for alone and afflicted am I. Psalm 25:16 Robert Alter translation Turn – We just want to see a smile. We want to look on the face of the Lord and see Him smiling. Growing up under the Roman idea of God as Judge, we have buried deep…
Between March 21 and March 30 I will have three conference dates in England. Here are the posters and the contact info. I hope all of you in the UK will be able to make one or more of these. Thanks. Skip
My eyes at all times to the LORD, for He draws my feet from the net. Psalm 25:15 Robert Alter translation At all times to – David’s declaration raises some significant questions. Did he always look to the Lord? Do we? Who among us can say that our eyes are always looking toward God? Who…
“Alas, sinful nation, people weighed down with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, sons who act corruptly!” Isaiah 1:4 NASB Weighed down – What burdens do you carry? Debt? Past mistakes? Children from divorce? Broken contracts? Public shame? Write them down, as painful as it might be. See what a long list you have to carry. Then…
Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; For the LORD speaks, “Sons I have reared and brought up, but they have revolted against Me.” Isaiah 1:2 NASB Revolted – God speaks to Israel and Judah, but His words have the same condemning impact on us. “They have revolted” is the Hebrew pashoo. The truth is…
“I, even I, am the LORD, and there is no savior besides Me. Isaiah 43:11 NASB No savior – Isaiah’s proclamations concerning the Servant of the Lord are favorite verses among believers. But the context makes these cherished statements much more difficult. YHWH isn’t speaking to the Church. He quite clearly states that His audience…
The LORD’s counsel is for those who fear Him, and His pact He makes known to them. Psalm 25:14 Robert Alter translation Makes known – God keeps secrets. He just doesn’t keep them from those He calls His own. The counsel of YHWH is the Hebrew word sod. You will recognize it as the last…
