Not Quite What You Thought

Train up a child [a]in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it.  Proverbs 22:6  NASB In the way he should go – Did you see that little footnote before this phrase?  In the margin, the NASB says, “according to his way.”   It’s not quite the same idea, is…

Toil and Trouble

For behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and no razor shall come upon his head, for the boy shall be a Nazirite to God from the womb; and he will begin to save Israel from the hands of the Philistines.  Judges 13:5  NASB From the womb – Is the story of Samson…

The Destiny Question

And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”  Esther 4:14b  NASB Who knows – Yesterday we noticed that Mordecai’s remark implies alternative pathways to divine fulfillment.  Life is not cast in stone.  Our choices alter the direction and outcome of the universe.  Things change.  Today we see that…

One Cog in the Wheel

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not imagine that you in the king’s palace can escape any more than all the other Jews.  For if you keep silent at this time, liberation and rescue will arise for the Jews from another place,  Esther 4:13-14a  NASB From another place – A few days ago my bicycle stopped working…

No Crystal Ball for Us

For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him.  Ecclesiastes 9:1 NASB In the hand of God – Michael Fox clarifies Koheleth’s comment: “Literally, ‘in God’s hand.’  This means that…

The Hidden You

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is. 1 John 3:2 NASB Not appeared – Is John right? Is it really true that you and…

Drops of Jupiter

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NASB He has told you – Worried about the destiny of your life? Wondering how all of it can fit into His…

The Hebrew Bill of Rights (1)

The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot. Inheritance/Lot – Personal rights are a big deal in our world. If you listen to the contemporary political rhetoric, it would seem that everyone has a “right” to just about everything. Apparently life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are…