“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.” Psalm 33:12 “Blessed” means to be manifestly happy; those who listen to God’s counsel will be happy. “Nation” is “the people He chose” for His heritage. Israel was God’s chosen people. The tribes of Israel were each given a…
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.” Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness” means blamelessness, honesty, justice, and is an attribute of God praised in the Psalms. The expression “in Your righteousness deliver me” describes the psalmist asking God to keep His promise of salvation. He is the source of righteousness, which is the basis for…
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” Romans 12:3 This verse is part of a set of instructions that…
“The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and his name the only name.” Zechariah 14:9 “King over the whole earth” means that all earthly government will cease, and the Lord will reign as King. This will be the answer to the prayers of all those…
“The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 This is a psalm of David, who revels in how God delivered him from one of the many crises he endured. “The Lord will vindicate me”, which means He will fulfill His purpose for…
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 “Repentance” leading to faith and salvation is the issue for the Lord, not times or timing. He is patient, wanting all to…
“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Matthew 16:25 This verse contrasts earthly and eternal life. Clinging to earthly life forfeits eternal life, but losing one’s life for Christ’s sake gains life with Christ for eternity. Talk of suffering and death, taking…
“Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.” Leviticus 19:18 God pays back evildoers, so thoughts of personal “revenge” are prohibited. Perhaps vengeance belongs to God only because human vengeance often is carried out too zealously, whereas God’s vengeance is…
“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?” declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24 In this section of Jeremiah God condemns the spiritual leaders of Judah for misleading His people. They should have warned sinners of the impending judgment, but they did…
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians 3:3 Although the Apostle Paul was aware that the Thessalonians might be tempted and prove themselves unfaithful, he was confident that God would strengthen and protect them. In the previous verse, he had warned them concerning…