“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Psalm 119:18 “Open my eyes” … Psalmist asks that God would enlighten his eyes to see the goodness that God declares, His goodness out of evil, and His mercy from His Law. Paul prays similarly for the Ephesians (Eph 1:18). I am a…
“Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight.” Psalm 119:143 Even though trouble and anguish had taken hold of the psalmist, he still delighted in the commands of God. His simple prayer to God is that Yahweh may give him full understanding of His commandments, their depth, their breadth, and…
“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.” 1 Peter 3:18 “Suffered once for sins” may need a little explanation. Our sufferings and good works do not atone for our sin; Christ…
“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’” Job 37:5-6 “Beyond our understanding” is a summary statement pertaining not only to storms, but also to the following verses, which speak of God’s…
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 “Settle the matter” is a phrase that means “to come to a legal decision”. Inherently, it says Israel is…
“But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 Joshua’s…
“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:1-2 Here Paul elaborates on what will build up the church. In these verses, Paul uses…
“…he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.” Ephesians 1:9-10 “The mystery” is not a puzzle to solve, or knowledge…
“This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.” Romans 13:6 “Pay taxes” is a command that Jesus also provides in Matthew 22:15–22. “God’s servants” is a priestly term that elevates both the source of authority and the responsibility of those in power. Paul…
“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:6 The letter is a reference to the old covenant … that is, the Ten Commandments, written on stone. “Ministers” is a Greek word meaning “slave”…