There is no soundness in my flesh because of your anger; nor is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. Psalm 38:3 Soundness – Modern life compartmentalizes. A box for work, another for play, one for family, one for social relationships, one for church, one for other things. The name of the…
And the salvation of the righteous is of YHWH; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39 Of YHWH – Who owns your salvation? Not you! Salvation is me-YHWH. Many English translations render this “from the LORD,” as if the deliverance is ours but HE is the source. But the Hebrew expression…
And the salvation of the righteous is of YHWH; He is their strength in the time of trouble. Psalm 37:39 Salvation – What time is it in your life? Is it a time of trouble? If it is, then the psalmist has a perfect word for you: teshu’ah – deliverance! Let’s slow down for a…
Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace. Psalm 37:37 End – “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever.” So says the Shorter Catechism of the Westminster Confession. In order to align this with David’s insight, we must recognize that glorifying God…
The great day of YHWH is near; it is near and rushing greatly, the sound of the day of YHWH. Zephaniah 1:14 (J. P. Green, literal translation) Day Of YHWH – Did you see the movie “2012”? A typical disaster flick, it works off the supposed end of the world predicted by the Mayan calendar. …
Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Acts 17:11 (NIV) To See If – Are you Berean? Are you willing to examine the Scriptures every day to see if…
For God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Genesis 3:5 (my translation) Knowing – Adam opened the door. That’s the way Paul puts it in his letter to the Roman congregation. “As by one man sin…
For the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. Deuteronomy 30:14 Do – “Evil is not man’s ultimate problem. Man’s ultimate problem is his relation to God.”[1] We might need to read this line from Heschel a few more times. It underscores the difference…
He that oppresses the poor blasphemes his maker, but he who is gracious unto the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31 (translation A. Heschel) Blasphemes – What would you think of someone who curses God? You might be shocked, dismayed or disturbed. Who would do such a thing? You might understand the circumstances that would lead…
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. Genesis 3:7 Naked – Why did Adam and Havvah realize they were naked? Were they in such a joyous stupor prior to eating from the Tree that they just…
