To do righteousness and justice is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 NASB Righteousness and justice – Jewish religion in the Old Testament (yes, I know that’s a Christian denotation) is all about sacrifice, right? At least that’s what most of us were taught (along with the classification “Old” Testament). And sacrifices—all that killing and blood…
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 NASB Man – In one of the strangest verses in Scripture, no clue is provided about the identity of the “man” who wrestles with Jacob. He suddenly appears. No history. No motivation. No name. We are immediately cast into the world…
Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. Genesis 32:24 NASB Left alone – “Man is meaningless without God,”[1] wrote Abraham Heschel. He could have written, “Man is totally alone without God.” That’s more than just man is alone. We all know we are alone. Yes, of course, we have friends,…
Then the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9 NASB Where are you? – Hey, it’s Friday. You have some time to actually study this verse. So I’ve collected a few pointers about the importance of God’s question. Can I make a suggestion? Review each of these before you…
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14 NASB Frame – God knows we are dust, but I wonder if we do. We read the words. We know the story from Genesis 2, but I don’t think we’ve let the truth sink in. Well, maybe you have. Maybe you’ve really come…
It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1 NASB Teach us to pray – Before we read the refracted brilliance of Heschel’s remarks about prayer, we should…
For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 103:14 NASB He Himself – Does God know you? All about you? Everything? “Of course, He does,” you answer. “He’s omniscient. He knows everything.” If that’s true, then why does the Psalmist use a construction that effectively underlines the point? Why doesn’t he write,…
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. Isaiah 40:8 NASB Stands forever – If Isaiah is right, then one of the really important questions is, “What does God’s word say?” What are these words that will stand forever? For the answer we turn to the Bible. Well, actually, we…
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. 1 John 4:18 NASB Perfect love – “Perfect” is a terrifying word. It’s not so ominous when it comes to things like true and false exams or Lego constructions, but try…
Remembering Freedom Won
