Category Archives: love
oasis of consistency
Psalm 117 We live in a world where everything changes, so drastically and quickly that our visions of the future cannot keep up. Is there anything that is constant? Yes, says the psalmist. The steadfast love of the LORD toward … Continue reading
times of threshing
Isaiah 21. The punishment that God’s people would face under the oppressor (in this case, Babylon) for their disobedience was like grain, which is crushed to separate it from its chaff, and then violently thrown to the wind for … Continue reading
steadfast love
Psalm 36 The threats the psalmists calls to our attention are very real, because there are people who are deeply invested in transgression. They do not fear God, and are constantly plotting trouble for others. But God’s steadfast faithfulness and … Continue reading
trial by implication
Job 31 Job’s therapists had not brought formal charges against him, but he fully understood their implications. In his final appeal, Job answers those implied charges: marital unfaithfulness – not guilty (1-4) theft of conspiracy to steal – not … Continue reading
the kindness of God
2 Samuel 9 Jonathan was dead and gone, but his kindness to David was still alive, as David sought to repay him by showing good will to Mephibosheth and Ziba. That is how the kindness of God works. Your acts … Continue reading
self-destruct mode
2 Samuel 2 Saul’s death brought about the first political division of the people of Israel. While the men of Judah accepted David as their king, General Abner made Saul’s son Ish-bosheth king instead. The result was that men who … Continue reading
ear of corn
Judges 12 The animosity that appeared to have been abated by Gideon in chapter 8 has reared its ugly head again. Now every time an Ephraimite seeks to cross over at the fords of the Jordon, he is met with … Continue reading
in retrospect: relationship
Deuteronomy 10:12-11:32 Moses encouraged the Israelites to obey God and keep the commandments, but that was not the primary challenge. The first and most important thing was for them to love and fear God – to have a relationship with … Continue reading
Posted in discipleship, faith, fear, love, relationship with God
Tagged Deuteronomy 10, Deuteronomy 11
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in retrospect: love and fear
Deuteronomy 6 Moses reflects on those ten commandments, and narrows them down to one: love the LORD with all your heart, soul and might (4). Out of that love will come a fear and respect that will prevent idolatry and … Continue reading
Jacob’s ladder
Genesis 28:10-22. It was either a ladder or a set of steps. What matters is that it reached to heaven, and vice-versa. Jacob saw it in his dream, and he saw God’s angels ascending and descending on it. The LORD … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, dependence upon God, Jacob, love, relationship with God
Tagged Genesis 28
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Devotions 