A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and before Yahweh pours out his complaint. Psalm 102:1 (in the Hebrew text) Prayer – What is prayer? There is no doubt that the Hebrew word tephilla means “prayer”, but what does “prayer” mean? What does it look like? Hebrew has more than a dozen words…
A prayer of the afflicted when he is faint and before Yahweh pours out his complaint. Psalm 102:1 (in the Hebrew text) Afflicted – Oh the history in this word! It knows no ethnic borders. Hagar, the Egyptian, is afflicted by Sarah. It knows no relational privilege. Leah was afflicted (not loved) by Jacob. It…
Worship the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Psalm 2:11 Trembling – What a strange combination? Joy is supposed to be accompanied by contentment and peace, not a protective adrenaline rush. We tremble when fear grips us. But the Biblical accounts paint a different picture. “Woe is me” says Isaiah. He trembles before the…
I am afraid that when I come again my God may humiliate me before you, and I may mourn over many of those who have sinned in the past and not repented of the impurity, immorality and sensuality which they have practiced. 2 Corinthians 12:21 Repent – Too often we become “Max Factor” Christians. We…
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Luke 5:13 I Am Willing – Thelo. Greek for “I choose”. Certainly the most important words we could ever hope to hear. Without them, we are lost. It makes no difference that God is able to save. It matters…
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean! ” Luke 5:13 Touched – Jesus does not tackle sin like we do. He grips it by the throat and casts it aside. He seizes it and deals with it. He exerts pressure on the problem and forces it…
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Luke 5:13 Reached Out His Hand – The gospel writers paint New Testament pictures with Old Testament colors. If you aren’t looking for it, your appreciation of the stories about Jesus will be color-blind. You just won’t see the…
And Delilah said to Samson, “Please reveal ( the secret of) your great strength to me, and with what you may be bound to afflict you.” Judges 16:6 Bound – Do you feel sorry for Samson? Or do you consider him foolishly duped? An incredibly strong man, favored by God, reduced to a blind slave…
“For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9 Strongly Support – When the seer Hanani came to Asa, the king, he had good news and bad news. The good news is that God not only seeks…
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me“ Matthew 11:29 Learn from me – Today we are unaware of the audacity of Jesus’ invitation. We no longer hear these words in their context. They don’t cause scandal or outrage. But maybe they should. Maybe we have become too familiar with Jesus to feel the…
