Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24 NASB Tutor – According to many commentators, once we arrive at the goal of salvation by faith, school’s out. We no longer need the law because its only purpose was to prod us into recognizing our sin…
The Impossibility of Theology
The word of the Lord which came to Hosea the son of Beeri . . . Hosea 1:1a NASB Which came – Maybe we should give this little investigation a different title. You see, theology is not impossible. Theology is rational thinking about God. Men have been doing theology since the first shaman priest discovered incantation. No, what’s…
Knee Bends
God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24 NASB Worship – Have we ever made mileage with this verse! I can’t count the numbers of times it has been employed in apologetics, sermons, and intense discussions of doctrine. Most of our focus seems to be on the first…
Prediction and Control
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33 NASB Seek first – We live in a world that relies on a magnificent lie. That lie is fundamental to our way of life. It gives us the illusion of control, the expectation of a better future, the hope…
Driving God Out
but indeed, as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the Lord. Numbers 14:21 NASB Will be filled – It’s a process. The verb is an imperfect—a state not yet completed, an on-going action. But despite the biblical claim that the glory of God will eventually fill the earth, it seems like this…
Mystery Parallelism
Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne. Psalm 97:2 NASB Righteousness and justice – Do you know the mystery of righteousness and justice? Oh, we’re familiar with the Hebrew words, no doubt. ṣĕdāqâ (righteousness) and mišpāṭ (justice—but a lot more than our idea) are words we have…
The Great Timeline
The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forever. Psalm 121:8 NASB And forever – We reach the end of this short poem. The end is “forever,” an appropriate place to close our thoughts about God’s care. According to the poet, God is constantly watching over us (the metaphor…
Wishful Thinking
The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. Psalm 121:7 NASB You – I suppose there are two questions to be asked about this verse. The first is, “Who is the Lord going to protect from all evil?” Who’s “you”? The second is “When is God going to do this?” If we…
Astral Projection
The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. Psalm 121:6 NASB Smite – I understand the connection to the sun. The Hebrew verb, nākâ (strike, hit, slay, beat, kill) makes perfect sense when you’re wandering the desert. But how does this apply to the moon? Never have I thought that the…
SPF 100
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. Psalm 121:5 NASB Shade – When you live in a desert climate, your greatest enemy is the sun. It withers the plants, kidnaps the dew, and scalds your skin. Perhaps that’s why Arabs wore heavy cloaks despite the heat. Better to be hot than fried. For this…
