But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases. Psalm 115:3 NASB Whatever – Richard Nisbett’s book, The Geography of Thought, is a contemporary study of ancient differences in worldviews. Contrasting the Western Greek view with that of the Chinese, Nisbett’s analysis demonstrates that our “world” is hardly uniform in conception or observation….
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering. Psalm 51:16 NASB Do not delight – Does David declare the end of sacrifices? Does he state that God is not interested in slaughtered animals on altars? If we read this verse as it is translated,…
Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him, doing His will. Psalm 103:21 NASB Will – What does it mean to do God’s will? We often think it must mean fulfilling His commandments and ordinances or listening to the guidance of the Spirit or acting in righteous ways. But I’m not so…
I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word. Psalm 119:16 NASB Delight – Moses Luzzatto published Mesillat Yesharim in 1740. His insights into the relationship between righteous acts, joy and obligation are just as important today as they were two hundred and fifty years ago. Luzzatto argued that human beings are…
“Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled ourselves and You do not notice?” Behold, on the day of your fast you find your desire, and drive hard all your workers. Isaiah 58:3 NASB Find your desire – This evening we begin Yom Kippur. Fasting is appropriate on the day…
If Your law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. Psalm 119:92 NASB Delight – How do you show your desire for God? What do you do that marks you as one who pursues Him? Don’t give me a generalized principle of ethical attitude. Don’t tell me that you just…
“But let the man who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows me. For I am Yahweh who acts in steadfast loyalty, justice, and righteousness upon the earth; for in these things I delight – Yahweh’s word.” Jeremiah 9:24 J. A. Thompson translation. Delight – How would you answer this question: What are…
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NASB Delight – This word (‘anag) is used for a garment that is delicate or luxurious. Here it means to feel great favor toward something. But notice carefully the object of our delight. It is not His forgiveness. …
Only this, I have found, as a real good: that one should eat and drink and get pleasure with all the gains he makes under the sun, during the numbered days of life that God has given him; for that is his portion. Ecclesiastes 5:17 NJPS Real good – There are two views of what…
“The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly.” John 10:10 Abundantly – A few days ago Oswald Chambers’ devotional provided some sobering questions: “Is our attitude today an attitude that springs from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to…
