“Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice.” Psalm 112:5 Psalm 111 and 112 are both acrostic, or alphabetical where each line begins with a sequential letter of the Hebrew alphabet. The phrase “generous and lend freely” is simply meant to describe a broad behavior pattern,…
“Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 Children must trust and receive the care of others, and only in that same way does the kingdom of God come to us. Jesus welcomes children and makes it…
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16 The word “you” is plural here, which means Peter is a representative of the entire assembly of apostles. Christ is not just asking Peter. Jesus’ point in pressing…
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on Your laws.” Psalm 119:30 “I have chosen” indicates that the Psalmist chooses God’s way because God shows Himself to be trustworthy and gracious. “Faithfulness” means “to be steady, faithful, true,” from which our term “Amen” comes. This is an attribute of God…
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear” is a phrase God spoke often to His servants of old (for example Abraham, Isaac, and…
“I will praise you with an upright heart as I learn your righteous laws.” Psalm 119:7 It is difficult to date this Psalm as no author is given. However, the Law’s central role in the author’s life and the opposition he faced fit well with the sixth or fifth century BC, so King David could…
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” Romans 1:16 “Not ashamed of the gospel” implies that the Gospel is foolishness to the world, which may ridicule or persecute Christians, but Paul (and…
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” John 15:10 Jesus’ obedience to God the Father is a central theme of the Gospel of John. Christ loves believers unconditionally. As believers obey Christ’s Word and abide in His love,…
“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11…
“Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4 The phrase “it is written” is used by Jesus often to emphasize the Word of God. Here, Jesus quotes Moses’ explanation to Israel of why God had let them hunger…