“A Redeemer will come to Zion, and to those who turn from transgression in Jacob,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 59:20 NASB Turn from– David A. Lambert’s book, How Repentance Became Biblical: Judaism, Christianity, & the Interpretation of Scripture, opens the door for a reconsideration of the role of repentance in the socio-religious communities that arose from ancient Israel. We…
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” Hebrews 13:5 NASB Forsake – Yesterday I went to see a movie called Leave No Trace. I just picked this movie because I had nothing else to do. …
Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24 NASB Take courage– In the end, faith seems to be about perseverance. It seems to be “going on” when “going on” seems impossible. In the end, the kind of faith found in biblical characters is not the proclamation of doctrines or creeds. …
O love the Lord, all you His godly ones! The Lord preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer. Psalm 31:23 NASB Proud doer– There’s a problem here. The Hebrew ‘ose(h) gaʾăwâ can be translated as “proud doer” (NASB) or as “the one who acts in pride” (ESV). The NIV reorders the words as “the proud he pays back in full.” …
As for me, I said in my alarm, “I am cut off from before Your eyes”; nevertheless You heard the voice of my supplications when I cried to You. Psalm 31:22 NASB My alarm– So scared you can’t move. Petrified by fear. Traumatized. Ah, when did that happen to you? Maybe it was so bad that you really…
Blessed be the Lord, for He has made marvelous His lovingkindness to me in a besieged city. Psalm 31:21 NASB To me– What matters most to you? When you have only one thing to hold on to, what makes the real difference between living or giving up? David’s poem provides us with his answer. What matters most is not just…
You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. Psalm 31:20 NASB Secret place– Now that we’re searching for the hints of those promised elements of ṭôb, where is the first place to look? David’s song doesn’t leave us in the…
How great is Your goodness, which You have stored up for those who fear You, which You have wrought for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men! Psalm 31:19 NASB Have stored up– Do you like treasure hunts? Does finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow appeal to you? Well, according…
Let the lying lips be mute, which speak arrogantly against the righteous with pride and contempt. Psalm 31:18 NASB Arrogant– Some years ago (quite some years ago) I received a card from a dear friend. On the outside it read: “I used to be conceited, but I got over that.” On the inside: “Now I’m perfect.” 🙂 Arrogance is…
Let me not be put toshame, O Lord, for I call upon You; let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol Psalm 31:17 NASB Silent– Did you notice David’s poetic parallelism? First, don’t let me be put to shame for I call upon You. Implication: those who are exonerated by God have something to say in the…
