You cannot betray a friend without, in the end, finding that you have stabbed your own heart. As with the last psalm, so with Psalm 55—David finds it soothing to have his thoughts accompanied by the strings section of the orchestra, especially when his nerves could be jangling because of those who “bring down trouble” on him […]
CHRIST the MESSIANIC HOPE: “We have found the Messiah” (Jn 1:41). How did Andrew know? The portrait of the Christ was so detailed and the Lord Jesus would match it at every point. He was the “seed” of the woman (Gen 3:15; Isa 7:14), born of the virgin Mary; from the tribe of Judah and […]
“The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (Jas 5:16). It is not admired prayers we need, but availing ones; not expansive, but effective. We can do without the fancy kind, but not without the fervent kind. William Law writes: “It is not the arithmetic of our prayers, how many they are; nor […]
John Berridge, a contemporary of Whitfield and the Wesleys, was ordained in 1745 but was unfit for the Lord’s service until in late 1756, as he was having a time of Bible study, the command, “Cease from thine own works, only believe,” was laid on his heart. At last he saw that striving to earn […]
We ordinary folk sometimes assume that the rich and famous are mostly missed when it comes to the gospel. But take a closer look at the New Testament and what do we see? The Number 1 persecutor of the church, Herod’s half-brother, several from the Sanhedrin, the treasurer of the city of Corinth, one of […]
We ordinary folk sometimes assume that the rich and famous are mostly missed when it comes to the gospel. But take a closer look at the New Testament and what do we see? The Number 1 persecutor of the church, Herod’s half-brother, several from the Sanhedrin, the treasurer of the city of Corinth, one of […]
The believer has instant access to Information Control—the One who sees all, knows all, and can do all. Psalm 54 is another Biographical Psalm. “To the Chief Musician. With stringed instruments. A Contemplation of David when the Ziphites went and said to Saul, ‘Is David not hiding with us?’” Ziph has been identified as a tell just […]
CHRIST the INTERVENTIONIST: “all forsook me…But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me” (2 Tim 4:16-17). Caroline Talbott in the middle of the night was deeply impressed with the message, “Go to the Devil’s Pit tomorrow night at 11 to rescue a soul.” This outpost of hell in the worst part of New York […]
“Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness” (Ps 143:10). Here the word “will” is the Hebrew retsonecha, “pleasure.” How can we know what pleases Him? Ah, the Spirit of God is standing by. He can lead us into the right […]