“…but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 The word “hope” entails a confident expectation or active hope in the Lord – never passive resignation. “Soar … run ……
“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.“ Psalm 121:7-8 We are pilgrims on a journey to our heavenly home. Psalm 121 is a psalm of trust and is considered the second song of ascent. While…
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1 Psalm 91 is a strong confession of faith and an example of a life entrusted to God’s protective safety. It urges readers to seek the Lord’s refuge when fearful times arise. “Shelter” and “shadow” are metaphors…
“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” Romans 8:36 God’s people (in Rome and throughout the early church) were troubled, almost to despair, by the suffering they endured – a temptation familiar to us today to a much lesser degree of severity. When following Christ brings distress,…
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word…” Ephesians 5:25-26 In contrast to the culture of the time, the husband is told not to rule his wife, but to love her self-sacrificially. Husbands…
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4 Roman fathers had absolute power over their children. So, here the Apostle Paul urges restraint in imitation of God. “Do not exasperate” means to avoid moving them to anger or despair. “Training and instruction” implies…
“Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him – his name is the Lord. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Psalm 68:4-5 The Psalm seems to be an “order of service” for a procession at…
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear (honor, respect, love) Him.” Psalm 103:13 How many times do we need God’s forgiveness? It’s impossible to count. Day after day, our sins should bring His anger. But over and over again, He removes our sins. Where are…
“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…
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ…” Philippians 3:20 “Our citizenship is in heaven” means believers are born from above by God’s Word and Spirit. We belong to heaven as children of our heavenly Father. We also live with a consciousness of belonging to…