Psalms
Potential
The transition of power from the reign of David to Solomon, his son, had proven challenging, but through the diligence of Bathsheba and Nathan, Solomon took his place on the throne, ultimately reigning for forty years (1 Kings 1:1-53; 11:42-43). Shortly after the responsibilities of sovereignty fell upon him, Solomon sacrificed at Gibeon, and the […]
Read MoreNo Limits
Airplanes have always fascinated me. Perhaps this has its roots in the model airplanes my Grandpa, a former naval aviator, built and kept around his house. It might have come from my early reading of books about the Wright Brothers. It is even possible that it grew out of watching James Stewart star as Charles […]
Read MorePoor and Needy
Investigating the background of various psalms to give them greater context can provide quite a challenge at times. While some offer a descriptive heading to the reader, most do not. Moreover, since the psalms represent a collection written by a number of poets spanning generations, with many unattributed, this only complicates the problem. Then, occasionally […]
Read MoreZeal for Your House
Of all the words used to describe faithfulness, commitment, conviction, and dedication to the Lord, one rarely used today is zeal. Oddly enough, in the current environment of postmodern fervor and emotional excess—both of which have affected people’s religious views—few would describe themselves, or anyone else, as zealous spiritually. Perhaps this reflects a mere shift […]
Read MoreCaptivity Captive
David regularly wrote psalms during the challenging times of his life. His heart provoked him to reflect on his relationship with God when running from Saul. The king cried out in anguish after realizing the depth of his sin with Bathsheba. He expressed a quiet grief throughout the rebellion of Absalom. Therefore, when one of […]
Read MoreMore Than Enough Reason for Praise
When was the last time you took the opportunity to meditate deeply on all God has done for you? Surely every worship assembly, Bible class, or private devotional should encourage such to some extent, but a deeper consideration requires sustained concentration. Thus, God’s people should regularly move beyond the generalities of thankfulness to more specific […]
Read MoreRich Fulfillment
Everyone has a story. You probably will have to ask. And you may need to ask some questions. But everyone who has lived for a reasonable time upon this earth has a story. All of us have endured heartache at some time. All of us have faced adversity. All of us have borne injustice in […]
Read MoreThe Privilege of Providence
We take far too many things for granted today. We wake up in the morning and do not consider how that can even happen—and be refreshed. We enjoy running water, easy access to food of all kinds, indoor plumbing, instant communication around the world, advanced warning of and preparedness for many natural disasters, personalized music […]
Read MoreFrom Fear to Fear
Christianity is under attack. Of this there can be no doubt. While some Christians remain oblivious to this or somehow believe they are immune to its effects, the growing reality in the world and in this country warns of dark days ahead for all those who seek to be true to the cause of Christ. […]
Read MoreSpiritual Maturity
Most of us have been there. Pushed to the edge of our ability to cope, emotionally and physically exhausted, and feeling overwhelmed from the pressure, we lose our cool and lash out. Or perhaps we just grow frustrated and impatient with the process. However, the self-control, perspective, and peace that spiritual maturity offer grow us […]
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