John Piper on Psalm 135: The psalm begins by calling us to praise the Lord: “Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord.” Then, starting in verse 3 the psalmist gives us reasons for why we should feel praise rising in our hearts toward God. It says, for example, “Praise the Lord, for the … More God does whatever he pleases
Paul’s closing line in Colossians is “I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.” Sam Storms on Colossians 4:18 ….But why call on them to “remember” his “chains”? Certainly he’s not asking for pity. The last thing he wanted was for them to shift their focus from … More Grace be “with” you
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. They carried off their livestock: 50,000 of their camels, 250,000 sheep, 2,000 donkeys, and … More Character-Trust Connection
Philippians 2: 23-24….. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, 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, … More Paul’s trust was in the sovereignty of God.
John Piper: Paul’s response in Galatians 3:15–18 is this: There are among men (v. 15) and between God and man unalterable pacts. God made one with Abraham and his offspring. The pact was that the inheritance of salvation would come, not to all Abraham’s descendants, but to the seed, which is ultimately the Christ, and … More Promises, pacts and pride
We come now to Mark’s account of Jesus’ arrest and betrayal. J.C. Ryle comments on Mark 14: 43-52 Let us notice, secondly, in these verses, how all things in our Lord’s passion happened according to God’s Word. His own address to those who took Him, exhibits this in a striking manner–“the Scripture must be fulfilled.” There was … More No accident or chance, but God’s plan!
The reading for today, 1 Samuel 29-31, brings us to the end of this book. Bob Deffinbaugh offers this encouraging commentary at Bible.org- This text reminds us of the faithfulness of God, even when we lack faith. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself (2 Timothy 2:13). God anointed David … More Seeing our faithful, merciful, sovereign God in 1 Samuel
Pastor Coty Pinckney, in a sermon on Mark 13, “Living in the Last Days” Jesus’ command is found in verse 9. Literally, this reads: “You all take heed to yourselves.” The Greek is quite emphatic here, and not quite captured the usual translation, “Be on your guard.” Jesus says to look after ourselves — our … More Luther: What can the devil do more than slay us?
Bob Deffinbaugh comments: For David, the events of this chapter are a high water mark for David’s grasp of God’s truth, and for the application of it in his life. David stood tall outside that cave in [1 Samuel] chapter 24, but he stands even taller here in chapter 26. He is confident of God’s … More David’s Re-test
Have you ever read Psalm 105 and counted how many times either God says, “I DID___” or how many times the Psalmist says, “HE (God) DID ______” Try it today! Here is one example from Psalm 105:16-17 When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead … More God MEANT it for good
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 