Seeing the sovereign hand of God in the life of Abimelech

 Pastor Kim Riddlebarger comments on Judges 9: The story of Abimelech points us in two directions. On the one hand, we see in Abimelech the sovereign hand of God. In order to remove Gideon’s sham dynasty, YHWH allows Abimelech to do in sixty-nine of Gideon’s sons (save one) and then become the leader over much of Israel. The people … More Seeing the sovereign hand of God in the life of Abimelech

How often also has the Lord’s chastising hand been removed from us when our waywardness called for heavier strokes!

You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! —Psalm 85:3-4 C.H. Spurgeon, in “The Treasury of David” comments: How often did the longsuffering of God take away from Israel the punishments which had been justly laid upon them! How … More How often also has the Lord’s chastising hand been removed from us when our waywardness called for heavier strokes!

Gideon is the perfect example to us of how not to take for granted God’s work in our lives

Pastor Kim Riddlebarger on Judges 8:  In 1 Timothy 6, the apostle Paul warns us of many of the same things that Gideon brought upon Israel. He speaks of men who “teach a different doctrine[which]does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness.” Ironically, Gideon did this … More Gideon is the perfect example to us of how not to take for granted God’s work in our lives

We can never be too much on our guard against unbelief

J.C. Ryle on Mark 6:5-6 And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. Two remarkable expressions are used in teaching this lesson. One is, that our Lord “could do no mighty work” at Nazareth, by reason … More We can never be too much on our guard against unbelief

Desperate for God

Sam Storms comments on Psalm 84 (our passage for today) and Psalm 63: Some people are terrified of appearing needy. Obsessed with their public image and how they are perceived, they put on a false front of self-sufficiency and self-reliance. Not David! That’s one of the things I admire most in the author of so many … More Desperate for God