Once again “mercy and truth have met together” (Ps 85:10). Mercy makes us promises; truth keeps them. Just about at the middle of our Bible, we have the shortest psalm. Psalm 117 has just two verses, composed of 17 words in Hebrew, unless “Praise the Lord!” is left as “Hallelujah!” But what a glorious subject! Two ideas are presented: the Occupation of Heaven […]
The SON and the BREATH of GOD: Even the breath of the Lord has power in it! We know the Son was the Creator of everything (Jn 1:3). How did He do it? “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth” […]
“I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel” (Ps 31:12). Supposedly designed to look like a stairway to heaven, Wat Arun (“Temple of Dawn”) dominates the western side of the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. The Buddhist holy site is noted for its colorful, glazed ceramic […]
Don’t the following verses teach that all people will ultimately be saved? Col 1:20; Eph 1:10; 1 Tim 2:4-6; 4:10; 1 Cor 15:22-28; Phil 2:9-11. This is the teaching of Universalism. Note that both Col 1:20 and Eph 1:10 speak of reconciliation, but only of things in heaven and earth, not things under the earth. […]
For centuries Jews have broken bread and taken the cup of salvation without knowing the real reason. Let’s take one more look at Psalm 116. It plays a strategic role in history. Recall that this psalm is included in a collection of six psalms (Ps 113–118) known as the Egyptian Hallel, sung by the Jewish people on […]
CHRIST the MAKER—and REMAKER: “All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made” (Jn 1:3). But our Lord was not finished MAKING when the world was finished! Through His precious sacrifice, “He has MADE US ACCEPTED in the Beloved” (Eph 1:6). And as a result, “now in Christ Jesus […]
“Look upon me and be merciful to me, as Your custom is toward those who love Your name” (Ps 119:132). The Lord has a long history of coming to the aid of His friends. They are described as “those who love Your name.” What exactly does that mean? His name is descriptive of His character. […]
It is indifference, not honest opposition, that is the enemy of salvation. Multitudes who have taken God’s Word in hand to disprove it have been won by its winsome power and light. One example is Christian Gerson (1569-1622), a Jewish scholar who bought a copy of Luther’s translation of the New Testament for eight schillings. […]
God wants us to be real with Him. “For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Ps 103:14). Here is a simple outline of Psalm 116. 1. The Psalmist’s Cry (vv 1-2). Every prayer should have a point, and this one certainly does. The psalmist needs the help only God can give. 2. The Chance to Die (vv […]