“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 Paul emphasizes the preeminence of all Scripture. Given by inspiration is literally “God-breathed.” In this verse, Paul teaches that God was actively involved…
“…speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 Here “foolish talk” (from earlier in verse 4) is replaced by wholesome words of…
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 “Fear of the Lord” is the central theme of the Book of Proverbs. The only appropriate way to approach the Lord is with fear, that is, reverence. The “fear of the Lord” is reverence for…
“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 The term “burdens” specifically means “loads” that temptations and sin bring upon fellow Christians, but in principle could include all burdens. However, the Greek word for “burdens” refers to something beyond the normal capacity to carry, as opposed…
“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply – and how good is a timely word.” Proverbs 15:23 Words are powerful since they can either build up or destroy. Solomon devoted many of his proverbs to the consequences of speech. Just as foolish words can bring about a person’s own destruction, a wise word…
“I desire to do your will, my God; your law is within my heart.” Psalm 40:8 “Desire” is to find pleasure in one’s inmost being by hearing God’s Word and doing His will. What brings pleasure to God will also bring delight to His people. “Law” literally means “instruction” or “direction,” including God’s Commandments as…
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Psalm 51:11-12 “Your presence” is a phrase where David is acknowledging that to be denied access to the earthly tabernacle of God’s mercy is…
“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 Do not fret is the theme of this psalm. When the wicked seem to prosper, the psalmist calls for patience, a renewed sense of dependence on the Lord, and a new sense of pleasure in knowing Him. Early…
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 To “wait for the Lord” is to demonstrate confident expectation. The Hebrew word for wait may also be translated “hope.” To hope in God is to wait for His timing and His action. Though we request many things from…
“The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.” Psalm 25:14-15 “Confides” implies that those who have faith live in a close, personal relationship with God. “Fear Him” means those who fear…