Isaiah 25:1 O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure. John Piper comments: God is a planning God. He gives forethought to what he does. He is wise. And if you believe that he is all-knowing, … More God never “gets lucky!”
John Piper, in a sermon, “Pray for Kings and All in High Positions” No king, no president, no premier, no Ayatollah can stay the hand of the Lord when he has purposed to do a thing. “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he … More Presidents and Prayer
As we approach some days of long readings in Isaiah, let’s just pause to understand Isaiah’s purpose in writing. Isaiah was a well-educated man, married with two sons and called to preach in Jerusalem during the period of 740 BC until after 701 BC. This was the period after King Uzziah died (ch6) and the succeeding … More The Sovereign God of Isaiah
Proverbs 20:24 A man’s steps are from the Lord; how then can man understand his way? Indeed, how can we understand our life, our steps? As Christians, we believe the Bible, which speaks of the providence of God in every area of our lives. God directs our steps, as “in him we live, and move, … More Our steps are from God…All by Grace…
Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. This reminds me of Proverbs 16:9 that we read last month: The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Our planning, our thinking and reasoning will never … More God’s Purposes Never Fail
“God’s dice always have a lucky roll,” said Sophocles, one of classical Athens’ three great tragic playwrights. Here’s what Charles H. Spurgeon has to say, in Morning and Evening: “The lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord.” Proverbs 16:33 If the disposal of the lot is the … More “God’s dice always have a lucky roll”
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on Esther 5-7 at Bible.org: Esther 6:1 On that night the king could not sleep. The Book of Esther reminds us that God does what we cannot do, thereby using our actions to achieve His supernatural purposes. As I read these chapters in the Book of Esther, I am more impressed with what … More Sleepless in Susa
2 Chronicles 22:7 “But it was ordained by God that the downfall of Ahaziah should come about through his going to visit Joram.” ESV Study Bible: 2 Chron. 22:5–9 Ahaziah’s decision to join Jehoram (a variant spelling of Joram), king of Israel, in his bid to recapture Ramoth-gilead from Hazael, king of Syria, comes at the behest of his “Ahabite” counselors. … More “But it was ordained by God…”
1 Chronicles 5:20 And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him. 21 They carried off their livestock: 50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and 100,000 … More God’s character and our trust in Him
Philippians 2: 23-24….. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 24 and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. Alec Motyer says, “Paul’s doctrine taught him that a sovereign God ruled all things: whether freedom or imprisonment, comfort or discomfort, sickness … More Trust in a sovereign God
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 