Tag Archives: Faith

May 20 2013

Psalm 119:145-152; Psalm 93 – The Lord Reigns

qophThis stanza of Psalm 119 begins each verse with the Hebrew letter “qoph,” the 19th letter of the Aleph-Bet.  The origin of the letter, which resembles the English letter “P,” is sometimes said to be a sewing needle.  Others say it is the human neck and head.  The focus of the stanza is on calling on the Lord  in times of trouble, and of assurance that He is near always.

Psalm 93 is a song of praise to God as King and ruler of the universe, similar to the longer Psalm 29.  It has the distinct air of having been written at a time when God’s people had been in peril from an outside enemy or enemies (the “floods” of verse 3), recognizing that God is “mightier than the waves of the sea” (verse 4).  It gives God the glory for holding the universe in stability (verses 1-2), and for the absolute truth of His word (verse 5).

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

May 9 2013

Job 17 – Where Then Is My Hope?

storm-01In chapter 17, Job is, of course, still at his lowest, and in so many words – a shadow of his former self.  His pain and immense grief having long given way to despair, he tells his friends to speak to him again (verse 10).  But he is certain that they will not offer anything better than they have already (“come on again, all of you, and I shall not find a wise man among you”).

But contrary to how it may seem, Job is not saying that he has given up hope.  Surely, he says, his days are past and his plans are broken off (verse 11).  But he pleads with God to “put up security” for him (verse 3).  Certain that he has closed the hearts of his friends to true understanding, he asks God not to allow their assessment of him to be vindicated in his death.

For then, he says in verse 15, “Who will see my hope?”  Job still has held on to one thing even at this point – his trust in the Lord, that He is just.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Apr 19 2013

Psalms 37:21-40 – The Lord Loves Justice

Eastman Johnson - The Lord is my Shepard - Oil...

Eastman Johnson – The Lord is my Shepard – Oil on wood -16.625 x 13.125 in – c 1863 – Scanned from Eastman Johnson: Painting America – fig 76 pg 141 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This entire psalm is quite elegant.  To begin with, it is an acrostic.  Verse 1 begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet, verse three with the second letter, and so on.   It is not intuitively apparent, but in addition to being alphabetic, it is an elaborate chiasmus, where verses repeat themes, ideas, etc. in an A-B-B-A structure.  in this case, the entire psalm appears to do so as in this example:

verses 1-11  The Lord is faithful to the righteous
verses 12-15 Righteousness will prevail
verses 16-20 The Lord upholds the righteous
verses 21-24 Righteousness delights the Lord
verses 25-31 The Lord upholds the righteous
verses 32-33 Righteousness will prevail
verses 34-40 The Lord is faithful to the righteous

Robert Alden suggests a much more elaborate Chiasmus within as follow (Alden, Robert l., “Everyman’s Bible Commentary, Vol I”, Moody Publishers, 1958):

“1-8    A    The righteous are exhorted to ignore
the wicked and trust God
9      B    Wait and inherit the land
10-15    C    The righteous inherit but the Lord
destroys the plotting wicked
16    D    The poor are blessed though poor
17    E    The Lord upholds the righteous
18a    F    The Lord guides the righteous
18b    G    The righteous inherit
19    H    The righteous    receive
20a    I    The wicked perish
20b    J    The wicked are like a sacrifice
20c    J    The wicked are like a sacrifice
21a    I    The wicked give not
21b    H    The righteous give
22    G    The blessed inherit
23    F    The Lord guides the righteous
24    E    The Lord upholds
25-26    D    The blessed may be poor but not forsaken
27-33    C    The Lord loves the righteous who
will live and inherit, but the plotting
wicked will die
34    B    Wait and inherit the land
35-40    A    God destroys the wicked but saves the righteous

The basic message of the psalm is the safety and blessing of those who trust in God and the insecurity of the ungodly.”

The second half of this psalm implores us to turn away from the evil ways of the world and strive to do good, give generously, wait for the Lord, and keep His way (verses 21, 27, 34).  Verse 28 says that the Lord loves justice and will not forsake his saints.  The psalmist says he was young and now is old but has never seen the righteous forsaken, or God’s children begging for bread.  There is future for the man of peace, he says.

He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
the Lord helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

Taking refuge in the Lord means more than just turning to Him in times of trouble.  It means trusting in God, not only when we are fearful, down-trodden or discouraged, but keeping that trust alive through all of the good times and the bad, the joy and the sorrow – all of the days of our lives.   A faith based solely on expectations of protection and comfort is worthless if it is not there also when we must weather the storms.  The key is to remember that He does not abandon us.  Repeated again and again the scriptures exclaim that we must often “wait for the Lord.”  It is the ability to do that with the assurance of hope that keeps us strong and carries us through difficulty.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Apr 17 2013

Psalms 54 and 56 – The Lord Upholds My Life

The superscription of Psalm 54 denotes a time when the Ziphites determined to betray David to Saul in order to gain his favor (1 Samuel 23:15-24).  It is a song of prayer to God for deliverance and praise to Him for being that one on whom we can depend in times of need.  David had just fled Keilah after he and his men had saved them from the Philistines.  The Lord had confirmed to him that even after saving them, they would give him up to Saul (1 Samuel 23:1-14).

woods-001The superscription in Psalm 56 directs the chief musician that the song is performed according to one called “the Dove.”  Adam Clarke translates the Teribinths as the “remote woods.”  We do not know what a “Michtam” is, but many suppose that it means this is “a golden psalm of David,” – golden equating to “precious.”

It also refers to the Philistines seizing him in Gath.  The scriptures do speak of David going to Gath.  One of those times was in 1 Samuel 21, but there is no record of the Philistines seizing him.  But that should not be considered cause to doubt the superscription’s accuracy.  We can be certain that there are many events in David’s life that are not chronicled in the scriptures, just as in the lives of other Biblical patriarchs.  The psalm itself is a song about trust in the Lord, even through times of great trouble and fear, and of maintaining one’s faith throughout it all.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Apr 15 2013

Psalm 119:105-112; Psalm 37:1-20 – Trust in the Lord, and do good

nunThis stanza of Psalm 119 begins each line with the fourteenth letter of the Hebrew Aleph-bet, “nun.” The most well-known part of this stanza is verse 105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”    This is the eternal truth about God’s word – it is our guiding light for life.

We have broken up Psalm 37 into two readings.  These first 20 verses are written to those of Gold’s people who are trying to live right in a land full of people who increasingly turn their backs on God’s law.  It is a hymn that calls for the righteous not to lose heart when the wicked always seem to prosper as well as seeming to be doing their best to find ways to persecute the righteous.  Christians probably can relate to this reality of living among  pagans in a pagan land much better in this decade that at any time in the last century.  It is natural for those who try to live right to be saddened at times when they see all around them the increasing acceptance of living a wicked and unrighteous life.  Verse 3 is the answer – keep doing what is right no matter what, and trust in the Lord.  The wicked will “soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb” (verse 2); and as for the righteous, “their heritage will remain forever” (verse 18).

We’ll look at the second half of this psalm, and make a slight examination of its structure on Friday.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Mar 8 2013

Psalm 34 – Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

The superscript here refers to David feigning madness in the  presence of Achish, otherwise known by the Philistine title of Abimelech in 1 Samuel 21:10-14 (not to be confused with Ahimelech, the priest of the previous few verses).   Barnes identified the following four paragraphs in the psalm: (1) thanksgiving for deliverance (Psalm 34:1-6); (2) from his experience, he invites others to join in praise (Psalm 34:7-10); (3) special instructions and exhortations for the young to trust in God (Psalms 34:11-14); (4) a general summary of the security, joys, and protection for those who truly rely upon God (Psalms 34:15-22).

Don’t misunderstand verses 17-19:

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears
and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
and saves the crushed in spirit.
Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”

Those who have a contrite heart (crushed in spirit) – those who truly repent instead of continuing to do wrong – will be delivered in the end.  God has no regard for the prayers of those who have no intention of changing their ways.   The righteous will indeed suffer, but their salvation and their comfort is promised.

Of this, Coffman wrote:

“Our Lord himself was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and he is the ever ready comforter and Saviour of those whose hearts have been broken by the soul’s tragic encounter with the wicked world in which we live.

NSRW Rudyard Kipling

NSRW Rudyard Kipling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The words of Kipling come to mind:

‘The tumult and the shouting dies;
The Captains and the Kings depart.
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget; lest we forget!’

– Rudyard Kipling (The Recessional)”

Regarding verse 8′s first half “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!, Coffman rightly stated: “God has made it possible for men to know whether or not his word is true. The person who receives it, obeys it, and trusts its promises will shortly come to know, Whom he has believed, having tasted the good Word of God and the powers of the age to come…”   Peter repeated it in 1 Peter 2:1-3.  When we dedicate our lives to serving the Lord and continue  to grow in prayer and learning from His word, our lives are better because of the goodness of the Lord and the assurance of His promises.

Of verses 9-10 (“those who seek the Lord lack no good thing”), one must not think that the scripture promises that those who fear the Lord will never have any of their earthly needs or desires lacking in satisfaction, for not all things are good for everyone – nor is what may be good for one person necessarily good for another.  Instead, we trust that the Lord will provide what we truly need.  Just come and taste for yourself!

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Mar 6 2013

Psalm 27-28 – Wait For the Lord

An early printing of Luther's hymn A Mighty Fo...

An early printing of Luther’s hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The great hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” is based upon this psalm.  It begins in verses 1-3 with confidence and trust in God.  The words of verse one bring to mind Paul’s letter to the Romans in 8:31. “If God is for us, who can be against us?”  Verse 10′s statement “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in” probably refers to their deaths, meaning “My parents were my protectors for a time; but the Lord will be my Protector always.”  Verse 14 brings a chiastic end to psalm 27, with trust as the word again:

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” 

It is not easy, but we must trust in God and have patience.  He does His work, as He sees fit -  in His time.

Kyle Yates’ commentary appropriately titled the 28th psalm “The Answered Prayer” as it has just two sections: the prayer (verses -15) and the answer (verses 6-9).  The occasion has been identified by Delitzsch as the time of Absalom’s rebellion; and he says that it is third psalm of that time of persecution.  In verse 7, David says that he trusts the Lord with his heart, not just his lips; and he closes the psalm with the image of a shepherd who often have to carry their sheep.

How many occasions in your life can you look back upon, knowing that God must have “carried” you?  It is something I seldom recognize when He is about the business of doing it.  I am quick to pray for God’s help.  But how often when things eventually worked out well have I failed to recognize that it was His work?  Too often, I fail to praise Him as I should.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Mar 5 2013

Proverbs 17 – The Lord Tests hearts

crucible

Proverbs 17:3: “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.”

A crucible is a container that is used to melt metal on a furnace. A crucible for silver would usually be made of clay/graphite, and would have to withstand extremely high temperatures, possibly ranging from 1800 – 2500 degrees Fahrenheit.  In the process of refining these precious metals, the impurities float to the surface as “dross” where they can be removed.  The extreme heat makes the precious metals better – richer, and even more pure.

The Lord does test our hearts (1 Chronicles 29:17), for He looks upon man in a different way than other men do (1 Samuel 16:7).  And James tells us that we should “count it all joy” when we encounter trials (James 1:2-4).  So what do we do when those times of trial seem too much to bear?

Ahhh… that’s the part that is most difficult to accept, at least it is for this blogger.  Let’s look closely at what James says in verses 5-8:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

Most of my life, I have failed to put verses 5-8 together with verses 4-6.  James is trying to tell us that if we do not know how to “let steadfastness have its full effect,” if we do not seem to be able to cope -to stand the heat, we should ask for God to give us the wisdom to do so.  He has promised to give it “without reproach.”  And God always keeps His promises.  That means He does not disapprove of our asking for it.  He will not chastise us for our weakness, nor will he belittle us for any ineptitude on our part.  But we must ask with faith, not just believing, but knowing that God will deliver that wisdom to us.  That is the kind of faith for which I must continually pray.  I am still working on it.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Feb 3 2013

Cancer – My Neighbor’s Hope for the Cure

Dear friends, family, brothers and sisters,

This year in April, I am joining in with Relay for life in a fundraising effort for which proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society. It is a most worthy cause, and one dear to my heart.  Most of us know of know someone whose life has been touched by cancer. In my family, my son is our latest survivor of lung cancer. In January of 2009 , I lost my father, Bob, who was also my best friend to mouth cancer. The nature of radiation treatment when necessary for the mouth or throat is such that it often requires a “feeding tube” to be surgically inserted to the stomach because the tongue, mouth and throat become too raw and the tongue itself often stops functioning correctly as a result.

On December 23, 2008 after 39 treatments of radiation to the mouth and throat, Dad suffered  a stroke that would claim his life in just a few short days after Christmas.  My mother would become a collateral casualty that same autumn, loneliness staking its claim as much as all of any of several maladies that began to afflict her.

Dad left me the most precious gift a father can give a son – to bring me up “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  And when I strayed, I thank the lord every day for my Dad’s persistence in never giving up on me as a Christian, for I was as lost I could be. God never gave up on me either, though I certainly deserved none of his grace. February 01, 2013 would have been 66 years of wedded bliss for that special couple.  By God’s grace my wife and myself have had over three decades together – and it is their example that has kept our love strong, understanding how important that union is to those who love us as well as to ourselves.

Today, I have a monument just like those who crossed the Jordan so long ago had for their children. It is a tattered envelope in a frame much too large in my Daddy’s handwriting, urging me to return to what he taught me all the days of his life. It is my most cherished worldly possession, for it speaks to me as nobody else will, and when it seems nobody else cares; and it tells me how much he cared for me. One day He will take me in his loving arms and share in the joy of knowing that at last I came home.

I cry for you sometimes Dad, though I never have fear; but Daddy, oh Daddy how I wish you were here. When last we were together, you could no longer speak.  Your mouth was so damaged, your tongue so weak.  Just one more moment would I ask of the Lord – to tell you I love you, but not ask for a word. Though you are weary no longer, and your tongue not so tired, that same twinkling in your eye is all my heart desires.

Please make a donation to support my effort in the Relay for life for the American Cancer Society.  Your donation does so much to help survivors, as well as care-givers, and it tells them that they are not alone in this fight.  You can find my page at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/bobsboy, Then please send an email message to lovethelord@withallyoursoul.com stating the amount of donation you made, in order to receive a special thank you message.

I remain,

/Bob’s boy

Matthew Chapter 22
37And He said to him, “ ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38“This is the great and foremost commandment. 39“The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40“On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

Please make your donation to this cause in support of my part in this relay at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/bobsboy, Then please send an email message to mailto://lovethelord@withallyoursoul.com to confirm your donation. In that message, you may choose whether to accept a purple “Find the cure” magnet, a purple satin pin, or simply donate the ribbon or magnet back to us out of the goodness of your heart. (pictures below).

The fruits of these efforts do so much to support weary loved ones, caregivers,survivors, and so much more.

Dear Bob’s boy,
I made a donation to in support of you in the amount of $25.00

Purple ribbon $50.00 donation

Purple ribbon $25.00 donation – This satin purple ribbon pin is perfect to give to people who make a donation. Approximately 3 inches tall by 2 inches wide. Each purple ribbon pin has a small gold ribbon in the middle of the pin.

Bob’s boy, I’m super-supporter. I made donation to in support of you in the amount of $100.00 Please send my Purple ribbon magnet to
Purple ribbon magnet - $50 donation.These purple ribbon magnets are approximately 8 inches tall. Perfect for the refrigerator or car. Each purple ribbon magnet says Find The Cure.

Purple ribbon magnet – $50 donation.These purple ribbon magnets are approximately 8 inches tall. Perfect for the refrigerator or car. Each purple ribbon magnet says Find The Cure.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
image © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog. All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility. When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com. For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.

Feb 1 2013

Psalm 10 – Why Do You Hide Yourself?

A drawing of balances, or scales, of Bible times. A standard weight was placed on one side, and the object or objects to be weighed were placed on the other side.

A drawing of balances, or scales, of Bible times. A standard weight was placed on one side, and the object or objects to be weighed were placed on the other side.

Psalm 10 is often considered to be an acrostic continuation of Psalm 9, and differences aside there is some merit in that view beginning with the fact that the psalmist in chapter 10 recounts the deeds of the wicked and speaks of his denial of God (verse 4) in the third person.  And he reminds us that the wicked who oppress the poor will “be caught in the schemes that they have devised”. – always an abomination to the Lord.  God has always cared deeply about the poor (Micah 6:9-11, Leviticus 19:9-11).

It is not the psalmist himself that believes the wicked will continue to prosper forever, nor that God himself does not know , for he says of their attitude in verse 11 “He says in his heart, ‘God has forgotten, he has hidden his face, he will never see it.’”.

But God does see and he will mete out his vengeance one day, just as HE has before in His own time”

 “O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted;
you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear
to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,
so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.”

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.