“The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Ps 14:1). Is the Bible being unkind or painfully truthful in making this statement? The story is told of a Christian and an atheist who were debating the question of the dependability of the Bible. The atheist asked, “Can you prove to me that an […]
“How blest are they whose trespass has freely been forgiven, whose sins are wholly covered before the sight of heaven.” This psalm is called a Maschil or “Contemplation,” and we do well to follow the author’s suggestion. If you recall how Psalm 1 began, it has a certain familiarity with Psalm 32. Listen: “Blessed is the man who […]
CHRIST the REWARDER: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me” (Rev 22:12). It cannot be mercenary to labor for rewards if the Lord Jesus offers them as an incentive. Paul writes: “There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me […]
“I cling to Your testimonies; O Lord, do not put me to shame! I will run the course of Your commandments, for You shall enlarge my heart” (Ps 119:31-32). Notice the strong verbs that David uses here. There is nothing passive or half-hearted about his commitment. When it comes to the Word of God—especially the […]
I was at a friend’s in Vancouver when two Mormons approached. As we engaged in conversation, I felt led to ask the older of the two, who was carrying the discussion, if he could say he loved the Lord Jesus. “I don’t know what you mean,” he replied. “Do you mean, do I admire him?” […]
“The psalm is like an April day, in which sunshine and rain chase each other across the plain.” —A. MacLaren In Psalm 31, David seems to play every note, both in the major and minor keys. In verses 1 and 2, we have David’s plea for help. “Deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear […]
CHRIST our FRIEND: “No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends” (Jn 15:15). In difficult times, when the days are dark, we know He is with us and we know He has His purposes! Andrew Murray, born in South […]
“The very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore…” (Lk 12:7). Dr. Helen Roseveare tells of a young woman who died at a Congolese mission hospital, leaving a premature baby and a two-year-old daughter. They had no incubator. A midwife went to fill the hot water bottle, but it burst! The […]
Robert Candlish (1806-1873), renowned Scottish preacher, was described thus by his biographer, William Wilson: “Destitute of natural oratorical gifts and somewhat ungainly in his manner,” he nevertheless “riveted the attention of his audience by a rare combination of intellectual keenness, emotional fervor, spiritual insight and power…of character and life.” In his book, Prayer of a […]