https://open.spotify.com/episode/2x9M2CiyCB4xKNSMJ2kMgu?si=zxCwkOUaT4Spr6Odvjozeg Even though conspiracy theories are nothing new, they certainly seem to have heightened during and following the Covid-19 pandemic. As is usually the case, most involve a group of nefarious elites pulling strings behind the scenes of world events. Epstein's island, the World Economic Forum, the Great Reset, the Illuminati, chemtrails, flat-earth, and many …
2023 was a fun year. Our third daughter was born in April, and I preached through Hebrews in less than a year. Both have been inexpressible blessings, yet the Lord has used both to set my hip out of joint, leaving me with a metaphorical limp to remember this year’s wrestlings. I do have a …
Let your steadfast love comfort meaccording to your promise to your servant. Psalm 119:76 ESV As we have already seen, the psalmist is clearly writing from a place and time of affliction. His enemies encircle him like wolves, taunting him. Yet, like Job, he has not cursed God; rather, he has pointedly declared his absolute …
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I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Psalm 119:75 ESV The psalmist is speaking with a Job-like spirit in this verse. Of course, the premise of the book of Job is set up in the first two chapters. Satan appears with all the heavenly hosts before …
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Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,because I have hoped in your word. Psalm 119:74 ESV I recently wrote a reflection on the first question of the New City Catechism, which asks, “What is our only hope in life and death?” The answer is a thoroughly biblical statement: “That we are not our …
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Your hands have made and fashioned me;give me understanding that I may learn your commandments. Psalm 119:73 ESV This week my daughter took for her class presentation a neckless that I brought back for her from doing some mission work in Mexico, and she explained to her classmates the great difficulty in making by hand …
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The law of your mouth is better to methan thousands of gold and silver pieces. Psalm 119:72 ESV The psalmist has already expressed a variation of this idea in verse 14, saying, "In the way of your testimonies I delight, as much as in all riches." He will also return to this theme in verse …
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It is good for me that I was afflicted,that I might learn your statutes. Psalm 119:71 ESV The psalmist here draws together and makes explicit what the first four verses of this stanza implied. Recall that he began by rejoicing that the LORD has dealt well with him in accordance with His Word. He then …
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Their heart is unfeeling like fat,but I delight in your law. Psalm 119:70 ESV This verse is a continuation of the previous verse, making the subject of the first half the insolent who smeared the psalmist with lies. Now the psalmist explains that they hurl their lies at him because of their unfeeling hearts. We …
The insolent smear me with lies,but with my whole heart I keep your precepts; Psalm 119:69 ESV The insolent in this verse are those who lord themselves over God's Word. Like scoffers, they mock and belittle the testimonies of the Most High, rejecting His authority over them as their Creator. Indeed, like the fools that …
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B. C. Newton 