And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB Know – Paul says that we know God is working in everything to bring about His purpose. That’s great for Paul, but what about you and me? Do you…
Cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. Genesis 3:17b NASB The ground – Let’s clear up a common misunderstanding. God does not curse Adam and the woman. Human beings are not cursed because of Adam’s deliberate disobedience. Augustine’s idea that Adam’s disobedience resulted…
for God Who protects and rescues us are You; for God, the gracious and compassionate King, are You. Siddur, Maariv for Weekdays, Shema and Its Blessings, p. 291. Protects and Rescues – “Being obedient does not require understanding God’s reasoning.”[1] Yes, that’s so true. Frankly, I don’t understand God at all. I don’t understand how…
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 KJV Faith – We don’t have to revisit the modern dilution of this text. That’s already been done. But just a reminder. When the NASB and the NIV and others choose to render this verse something like, “Now…
“All the earth will worship You, and will sing praises to You; they will sing praises to Your name.” Selah. Psalm 66:4 NASB Worship – Okay, I don’t like to be controversial (at least not too much), but some things just eat at you. I’ve spent a good deal of my academic life investigating the influence of…
Say to God, “How awesome are Your works! Because of the greatness of Your power Your enemies will give feigned obedience to You.” Psalm 66:3 NASB Feigned obedience – Why do you obey the laws of the land? Specifically, why do you pay taxes? Why obey speed limits (sometimes)? Why don’t you steal from the grocery…
Sing the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Psalm 66:2 NASB Sing the glory – Are you finished shouting (Psalm 66:1)? Great! Got that one out, didn’t you? Now pick up an instrument and play. Oh, it could be your voice, of course, but the verb is equally at home with playing an instrument. So,…
Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Psalm 66:1 NASB Shout joyfully – Don’t you just want to scream? The world is such a mess. Tragedy surrounds us on all sides. Nothing seems fair. Even our best days are tinged with past sorrows. Wouldn’t it help to just yell? To howl towards heaven? Ah, that’s…
Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Psalm 25:16 NASB Lonely – Look up this verse in Hebrew and you will immediately be surprised. The word translated “lonely” is yāḥîd. It means “only,” as in “only begotten son.” Its root is yāḥad, a verb that means, “to be united,…
Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. Matthew 25:2 NASB Foolish – But of course they were foolish. They didn’t come prepared. Is that it? Is this parable of the kingdom simply about making sure we have enough provisions to wait out the return? Hardly! In Greek, the term translated “foolish” is moros. It’s…
