Tag: hope
-
The Delivered Soul
1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?…16For dogs encompass me;a company of evildoers encircles me;they have pierced my hands and feet—17I can count all my bones—they stare and gloat over me;18they divide my garments among them,and for my clothing they cast lots.19But you, O LORD, do not be far off!O you my help, come…
-
The Humble Need God
27For You save a humble people,but the haughty eyes you bring down.28For it is You who light my lamp;the LORD my God lightens my darkness.–Psalm 18 Fugitive David had been delivered from the hand of King Saul and he wrote this psalm in response. He presents two contrasts. I will list them as 4. 3 are proclaimed…
-
The Glad, Secure Heart
8I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11You make known to me the path…
-
Four Arrows for Your Self-Talk Quiver
Let’s take these line by line from Psalm 9:1-2. I used bold type for the verses. I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart I need to respond to my situations with thanksgiving. Gratefulness is one of the best motivating attitudes. My whole inner person needs to be involved in this. This gratefulness influences…
-
Outside-In or Inside-Out?
6There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O LORD!” 7You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.–Psalm 4 David pictures some party goers grumbling about God. They were most likely many cups of wine…
-
The End of the Matter
13The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.–Ecclesiastes 12, with emphasis Those of you who have been following the last two weeks, we have slogged through…
-
7 Hopes for the Living
4But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.–Ecclesiastes 9 Qoheleth’s point is easy. You who are still alive can do things. Even the greatest of the dead is still dead. So what are seven hopes to do good things we still have?…
-
Funeral Perspective
2It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart.3Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. 4The heart of the wise is in…
-
Don’t Live for Your Appetite
7All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.–Ecclesiastes 6 I remember a time when my wife took me to a sushi buffet. It was expensive and so I ate until I was stuffed. I was so full that it hurt. I thought I even was going to get…
-
The Justice Perspective
16Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.–Ecclesiastes 3 It’s easy to look…