“Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people…. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight” (2 Sam 10:12). Here is a rare bright spot in Joab’s life. David’s army was surrounded by Syrians to the north and Ammonites to the south. Joab enjoined his two divisions to […]
Regeneration means to be born anew. It is the imparting of divine life from above, instantly transferring the soul into the realm of the eternal. It is only used once in this sense: “according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5). But the […]
Job is a shadow of Jesus at the heart of our gospel, displaying “the best man in the worst fortune.” In the next few verses (Job 33:23-26) we have a veil lifted on the climax of human history. We read: “If there is a messenger for him, a mediator, one among a thousand, to show man […]
CHRIST the ONE in whom WE STAND: “Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast IN THE LORD, beloved” (Php 4:1). In spite of many adversaries, the Lord “is able to keep you from falling” (Jud 24). Nonetheless we are to take personal responsibility to “Watch, stand fast in the […]
“I cry out with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord! I will keep Your statutes. I cry out to You; save me, and I will keep Your testimonies. I rise before the dawning of the morning, and cry for help; I hope in Your word” (Ps 119:145-147). Do grown-ups cry? Evidently! Three times here […]
Archibald Brown wrote: “The gospel is a fact; therefore tell it simply. The gospel is a joyful fact; therefore tell it cheerfully. The gospel is an entrusted fact; therefore tell it faithfully. The gospel is a fact of infinite moment; therefore tell it earnestly. The gospel is a fact of infinite love; therefore tell it […]
CHRIST the FULLNESS (Col 2:9). In his book, In the Arena of Faith, Erich Sauer writes, “About thirty years ago I took part in a Christian conference in England and have never forgotten a Bible exegesis which one of the speakers gave. He spoke of the words “according to the riches of His glory…” (Eph […]
“O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed…” (Ps 25:2). It has been noted that human beings, of all God’s creatures on Earth, are the only ones that can blush. And, as humorist Mark Twain added, we’re the only ones who need to! Shame should be the response when the conscience […]
“Men…suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made…so that they are without excuse” (Rom 1:18-20). Harvard biology professor Richard […]