Category: Genesis to Revelation

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Rahab depended for her preservation upon the promise of the spies, whom she looked upon as the representatives of the God of Israel. Her faith was simple and firm, but it was very obedient. To tie the scarlet line in the window was a very trivial act in itself, but she dared not run the…

  • BOLD REQUESTS

    Connect The TestamentsDeuteronomy 30:1-31:29; 2 Corinthians 8:1-7; Psalm 44 Psalm 44 is bold. Who asks the Lord to “wake up”? Who asks Him why He is sleeping? The psalmist doesn’t stop with these questions. He makes claims regarding God that seem like accusations: “you have rejected and disgraced us,” “you have given us as sheep for…

  • HOW TO BRAG LIKE AN ISRAELITE

    Reflections on Joshua Childhood lessons about the consequences of bragging have stuck with me. As I learned about humility and modesty, I became afraid of being seen as conceited. When presenting myself at a job interview, I was hesitant to speak of my successes. I was especially careful when I talked about my faith or…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Standing at the foot of the cross, we see hands, and feet, and side, all distilling crimson streams of precious blood. It is “precious” because of its redeeming and atoning efficacy. By it the sins of Christ’s people are atoned for; they are redeemed from under the law; they are reconciled to God, made one…

  • I’LL TAKE THE ARROW

    Connect The TestamentsDeuteronomy 29:1-29; 2 Corinthians 7:8-16; Psalm 42:1-43:5 “Better is an arrow from a friend than a kiss from an enemy.”When I first heard this saying, I was struck by what a truism it is. It wasn’t until years later, though, that I began surrounding myself with wise friends who would tell me the…

  • REMEMBERING TO REMEMBER THE GOODNESS OF GOD

    Reflections on Deuteronomy I must confess that sometimes I read about the forgetfulness of Bible characters and chide them in my mind. I think, “If God showed me a burning bush, I would never doubt him again.” But I would. And so would you. God knows our propensity to forget. That is why he is…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    God’s people need lifting up. They are very heavy by nature. They have no wings, or, if they have, they are like the dove of old which lay among the pots; and they need divine grace to make them mount on wings covered with silver, and with feathers of yellow gold. By nature sparks fly…

  • TEARING DOWN TO BUILD UP

    Connect The TestamentsDeuteronomy 28:1-68; 2 CORINTHIANS 7:2-7; PSALM 41 It’s difficult to take rebuke, especially when it’s unsolicited. We feel exposed and embarrassed when our sin is brought to light. And if we don’t have the humility to accept rebuke, the experience can leave us at odds with the brave soul who assumes the task.…

  • FINDING HELP

    Reflections on Numbers I say, “Help comes from God.” I tell people, “You’re not alone.” Both are empty phrases if I don’t live like I believe them. The book of Numbers shows us that as the Israelites traveled through the wilderness, they, too, struggled to live out these words. After 40 years of wandering, they…

  • MORNING & EVENING

    Mockery was a great ingredient in our Lord’s woe. Judas mocked him in the garden; the chief priests and scribes laughed him to scorn; Herod set him at nought; the servants and the soldiers jeered at him, and brutally insulted him; Pilate and his guards ridiculed his royalty; and on the tree all sorts of…