Category Archives: relationship with God
when worship makes God sick
Isaiah 1 The Israelites are continuing their worship in the temple, but there is so much wickedness in their lives that the worship makes God sick. He threatens to come as a consuming fire and destroy them. Only a few … Continue reading
Posted in genuineness, integrity, judgment, mortality, relationship with God, works, worship
Tagged Isaiah 1
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for such a time as this
Esther 4 An enemy has convinced the king to make a decree that could result in the extermination of her people. Queen Esther is in turmoil. Interceding for her people could cost her life, because the law prohibits approaching the … Continue reading
Posted in commitment, courage, Esther, obedience, plan of God, relationship with God, sovereignty of God
Tagged Esther 4
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honey from the rock
Psalm 81 One does not normally get honey from a rock. That is why this image speaks of the extent to which the LORD will go to take care of those he loves. All he asks of us is single-hearted … Continue reading
commanded to teach
Psalm 78 This psalm serves as a teaching song, which could be used by fathers to teach their children. The LORD commanded that each generation instruct the next, so that no one is ignorant of who God is, and what … Continue reading
three months trial
Ezra 10 The sin that had been committed was not simply the marrying of foreign wives. It was the the marrying women and fathering children who did not put their faith in the LORD. That was the crime which took … Continue reading
Posted in eternal life, Ezra, faithfulness, judgment, loyalty, relationship with God, second coming
Tagged Ezra 10
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our tears in his bottle
Psalm 56 David did not glide through life without challenges and troubles. He had numerous enemies, and his life was in danger constantly. He comforted himself not in the idea that God was going to help him overcome his problems … Continue reading
Posted in confidence, courage, David, future, patience, perseverance, relationship with God, trust
Tagged Psalm 56
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priority #1
Psalm 51 This prayer by David has given exegetes some trouble. David is aware of his crimes against Uriah the Hittite, whom he has killed, and Bathsheba, with whom he commits adultery. He agonizes over his sins and fears the … Continue reading
the cattle on a thousand hills
Psalm 50 It has been popular among the ranks of evangelical Christians to encourage people who have financial needs to ask God because he owns “the cattle on a thousand hills.” That quote comes from this psalm, and it was … Continue reading
Posted in dependence upon God, Jesus Christ, prayer, relationship with God
Tagged Psalm 50
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staying real
2 Chronicles 6 In essence, Solomon is calling on the LORD to be faithful to his promises to Israel – and his threatening when the nation rebels. His prayer highlights the real presence of God in the land, a presence … Continue reading
an audience of one
2 Chronicles 3 Some of the things described in this chapter would have been evident for every Israelite visiting the temple area: the massive size of the temple area, the intricately detailed workmanship. But some of the items would never … Continue reading