The Difficult Verses (1)

You have rejected all those who stray from Your statutes, for their deceitfulness is useless.  Psalm 119:118  NASB Rejected – This is a verse we might want to erase, especially after a few centuries in the evangelical world.  Is it true that God has rejected all those who do not follow His ḥōq?  Remember what ḥōq means? …

That Pride Thing

You rebuke the arrogant, the cursed, who wander from Your commandment. Psalm 119:21  NASB Arrogant – We have a contemporary proverb, based on an ancient one (Proverbs 16:18-19).  It goes something like this: pride comes before a fall.  If we wanted to say it in Hebrew, we’d most likely use the word zēd.  Here it is plural encompassing…

Autopilot

With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments.  Psalm 119:10  NASB Let me wander – “The loving care of the Father in heaven is shown by the fact that he hears all prayers, that there is no seeking without finding and no knocking without opening.”[1]  Is Lohmeyer right?  Is…

Purposeful History

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Exodus 20:2 NASB Brought you out – It’s all about the evidence, right? Two important authors have some insights worth reading. First, Seth Godin. Then, Jonathan Sacks. Facts are not the antidote for doubt Drink enough water and…