Learning to wait on a God for whom “one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Pet 3:8). There is debate about the historical setting for Psalm 74. Some say it couldn’t be the Asaph of David’s time, because the psalm pictures the destruction of the temple. Notice that this […]
CHRIST the TRUE ONE: “Teacher, we know that You are true…” (Mt 22:16). He is the True Illuminator: “That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world” (Jn 1:9). He is the True Life-Giver: “…My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is […]
“Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Lk 22:42). If ever there were an example to follow in prayer, it is our Master. He chose never to act in self-will, even though that will was in alignment with His Father’s. We can’t […]
Having given a stirring appeal to every believer to engage in a ministry of gospel reconciliation on behalf of God Himself, the apostle Paul then paints a portrait of such a servant/ambassador. His description includes these lines: “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God […]
Instead of fussing and fuming over life’s inequities, “it is good for me to draw near to God” (Ps 73:28). We’ve been considering Asaph’s Dilemma (Ps 73:1-12). Notice that his problem isn’t really with these ungodly people; it’s with God Himself. He just can’t see why the Lord allows the wicked to prosper and to defy God in the […]
CHRIST the TENDER-HEARTED: “Through the tender mercy of our God, with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Lk 1:78-79). Make no mistake, William Booth believed in the gospel. He […]
“Let, I pray, Your merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to Your word to Your servant. Let Your tender mercies come to me, that I may live; for Your law is my delight” (Ps 119:76-77). Certain words roll over the tongue like tasty morsels. Such are “merciful kindness” and “tender mercies.” Some have translated […]
Edward Hoare, son of a London banker, was a well-respected evangelical preacher in Tunbridge Wells at the end of the 19th century. One day a businessman requested a tour of the graveyard so he could select a spot for his “final resting-place.” After he had made his choice, Hoare turned to him and asked, “You […]
There seems to be something wrong with the equation of life. Isn’t it obedience = blessing? Our general outline of Psalm 73 is simple: Asaph’s Dilemma (vv 1-12) and Asaph’s Deliverance (vv 13-28). Asaph could have begun the psalm with the words, “Don’t panic! There’s definitely a problem here, but there’s a solution as well. So keep reading.” Instead, […]