“The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.” Proverbs 23:24 Good parents rejoice when they see their children growing wisely. This brings them more joy than if their children become rich or successful in school or work. But when those parents have faith in…
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2 All of creation including the heavens reveals God’s glory and majesty. The vast expanse we see is testimony to the craftsmanship of God. From the…
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 This section of the Psalm provides a picture of final judgment. “Be still” is a call for stillness to a restless, raging world that must obey, just as wind…
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Colossians 3:13 “Bearing with each other” means that as we each struggle with our own temptations, we understand the struggles of others. “Forgive one another” echoes the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s…
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 “Wide … broad” indicates the vast majority of people in…
“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.” Habakkuk 3:19 “The Sovereign Lord” … here the divine name Yahweh is tied to the term Adonai, which means “Lord.” “Strength” is…
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 “Therefore” transitions the reader to this summary verse of Paul’s teaching concerning the future glory of those who have died in Christ. Paul then proceeds to tell the Thessalonians about the coming Day of Judgment (Jesus…
“Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” 1 Chronicles 29:11 The purpose of the temple was to exalt the Lord and to acknowledge the universality…
“…so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:28 As people die once, so “Christ died once” – not like the repeated sacrifices of the Levitical system. But…