“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.” Psalm 62:7 “My salvation and my honor” may be rephrased “my glorious salvation.” David’s honor and reputation rested in God’s hands just as his life and throne did. Psalm 62 is a wisdom psalm that eloquently urges silent confidence in…
“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him,” Philippians 1:29 Believing in Christ is more than just knowing and liking what He did for you. Believing in Christ means devotion to His purpose, which will always include suffering at…
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 Though John uses we primarily to refer to himself and the other apostles as eyewitnesses of Christ, here the term includes all believers who confess or acknowledge sin. If a…
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 God’s Law declares that all people are guilty of sin and deserve to die. Death is the just punishment for sin. Here Paul concisely summarizes God’s reverse declaration for those in Christ: “Not…
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12 The believer who “perseveres” trials demonstrates that he or she loves Jesus as Lord and Master, and therefore, “will receive the crown…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Ephesians 6:10-11 “Be strong in the Lord” means to not rely on your own strength. However, “be strong” may also be translated “be made strong,” which…
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and…
“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2:2-3 As a newborn baby craves its mother’s milk, so Christians crave God’s nourishing Word. New converts may have a minimal knowledge of Christian teachings,…
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23 “The fruit of the Spirit” is a description of a life led by the Holy Spirit. Since the word “fruit” is singular, it implies that the subsequent list of…
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 This is Paul’s prayer for those who read this Letter, and it concludes Paul’s exhortations. We are able to fulfill God’s will…