Before I was afflicted I went astray,but now I keep your word. Psalm 119:67 ESV A painful reality is expressed by the psalmist in this verse. God afflicts His people for their own good. A strain of hedonistic thought has wormed its way into the church that if God is truly good then He will …
Continue reading Before I Was Afflicted I Went Astray | Psalm 119:67
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 ESV Life is one gigantic string of endless possibilities. We all make plans, but none of them are set in stone. Someone may desire to live a long, healthy life …
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,for I believe in your commandments. Psalm 119:66 ESV Having begun stanza teth by rejoicing in God’s good dealing with him, the psalmist now continues his prayer by making a petition: teach me good judgment and knowledge. This is a petition that all of God’s people ought to make alongside …
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If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2 ESV Paul is writing here to Corinthian believers who are still "infants in Christ" (3:1) yet confidently trust in their knowledge. They apparently think that Paul had no reason to write to them about eating …
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Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32 ESV After being visited by the shepherds, Luke …
Continue reading Depart in Peace: The Song of Simeon | Luke 2:29-32
Glory to God in the highest,and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased. Luke 2:14 ESV The story continues in chapter two of Luke's Gospel with the birth of Mary's son, Jesus. She journeyed with Joseph to Bethlehem for Caesar's census, and upon their arrival, they could find no place to stay …
Continue reading Glory to God in the Highest: The Song of Heaven | Luke 2:14
And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited and redeemed his people and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David, as he spoke by the mouth of the prophets …
Continue reading Blessed Be the Lord: The Song of Zechariah | Luke 1:67-79
Whenever Crossway released Be Thou My Vision toward the end of last year, I noted it with interest yet always had more pressing books to buy. Then in April, I grabbed a copy while meandering through the Together 4 the Gospel bookstore, and it has been without a doubt one of my most valuable purchases …
I am a companion of all who fear you,of those who keep your precepts. Psalm 119:63 ESV Given the psalmist’s previous statements that he considers how his ways deviate from God’s testimonies, hastens to obey God’s commandments, devotes himself obedience even when the wicked ensnare him, and rises at midnight to praise the LORD, we …
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At midnight I rise to praise you,because of your righteous rules. Psalm 119:62 ESV Having meditated upon his ways and resolved to keep God's law even though the cords of the wicked ensnared him, the psalmist now turns again to praising God for His righteous rules. Praise is fittingly the theme not only of this …
B. C. Newton 