to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:25 NIV Only – Jude wrote this letter toward the end of the first century CE. By then Messianic assemblies were established in many cities of the Mediterranean world. Jude’s language shows…
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,…
It was pleasing in the sight of the Lord that Solomon had asked this thing. 1 Kings 3:10 NASB Was pleasing – Was God happy with Solomon’s choice? Before you answer, consider the circumstances. Solomon is at Gibeon, making a sacrifice. But according to the prior verses, these high places were not simply alternatives waiting…
Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 1 Kings 3:3 NASB Except – His insights were more penetrating than ours. His encyclopedic knowledge outstripped us. His success is never been rivaled. He was absolutely fabulous . . . except…
Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge. Psalm 51:4 NASB You only – Suppose you are at last confronted by your worst sin. Suddenly it comes to the light. There is no more denial,…
For the law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Hebrews 10:1 NASB Only/and – At least they had the decency to put the…
Against You, and You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight. Psalm 51:4 (NASB) Only – “What’s the problem? It doesn’t hurt anyone?” So goes the excuse for “victimless” crimes. The world’s view of ethical action begins with “Do no harm,” and as long as no one suffers, most people…
But answering He said, “It has been written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4 Alone – God delivers! But what He delivers is not just bread. Therefore, we must be careful not to insult the Great Provider by focusing our attention…
I brought you out of the land of Egypt, saying, “You only have I known of all the families of the earth.” Amos 3:2 Only – Why did God choose you and me? He did, you know. He started this plan of redemption and restoration by choosing Abraham. He continues the plan by grafting the…
