CHRIST the SIN-OFFERING: “…You make His soul an offering for sin” (Isa 53:10). Years ago, I was leading a tour to Israel and we had arranged to spend a day working with some archeologists excavating a Roman villa at Gilo. After we were done, I asked if we could sing a psalm to them. Graciously, […]
“When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer become sin” (Ps 109:7). What a haunting request! This psalm provides a vivid example of an imprecation, the opposite of a benediction. There are at least 21 other Imprecatory Psalms calling down God’s judgment on His enemies. And while this doesn’t seem […]
“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7). Ravi Zacharias addresses an increasingly common complaint: “‘Why can’t we leave everybody alone to follow the religion within which they were born? Why all this proclamation and propagation?’ Once again, this demand challenges the very core of the Christian faith, […]
Of course Scripture speaks of being still and of quiet contemplation. But sometimes loud is good! You may have grown up, as I did, where a loud sound was acceptable—as long as it was harmonious music and not just noise! I recall the thrill of being at Bible conferences with more than a thousand voices […]
CHRIST our INSTRUCTOR: “You call Me Teacher and Lord,” He said as He resumed His place among them at the table; “and you say well, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher…” (Jn 13:13-14). We notice at once the change in the order of the words. In thinking and speaking of […]
“A broken and a contrite heart—these, O God, You will not despise” (Ps 51:17). Sometimes tears are liquid prayers, heard in heaven. Publius Statius, 1st Century Roman poet, wrote of an “Altar of Pity” in the Athenian Agora. He says: “There was in the midst of the city an altar belonging to no god of […]
John Townsend had been visiting a prisoner on death row. One day he said to his daughter Abbie, “This man will be executed tomorrow. He always welcomes me, but shows no interest in his soul. Would you have the courage to visit him?” Arriving at his cell, Abbie held out her hand, but he did […]
Thank God for holy women! How signally blessed we are when we have them in our lives. Psalm 46 was written for those who can hit the high notes. The Hebrew word ‘ălâmôt in the title means it was written for the sopranos, or for female voices. We might find special blessing if we would hear the […]
CHRIST the HEART’S OCCUPANT: “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith” (Eph 3:17). John Tauler, preaching priest in the Roman Catholic Church in Strasbourg, Germany, was converted under the ministry of Nicolas of Basel in 1340. He was filled with the Holy Spirit just in time—the Black Death struck Strasbourg and Basel within […]