“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:7) These are words from Moses to Israel just prior to his death on Mount Nebo (Deuteronomy 34). The phrase “be strong and courageous” occurs two more times in the chapter (v. 7,Continue reading “Be Strong and Courageous!”
Tag Archives: David
Rainy Nights and Dark Caves
Years ago, Brooke Benton recorded a song called, A Rainy Night in Georgia. As you might guess from the title, it was a melancholy tune that told the story of a man who had fallen on hard times. As the song began, it was late in the evening and he was “tryin’ to find aContinue reading “Rainy Nights and Dark Caves”
Be Warned And Live Wisely
The man who had all he wanted (2 Samuel 12:7-8), decided he wanted something he couldn’t have. This says something profound about the deceitful nature of both sin and the human heart (Hebrews 3:13; Jeremiah 17:9). After all, David was no spiritual slacker. He fought giants and composed psalms. He survived being pursued by King Saul and his 3,ooo troops—his conscience notContinue reading “Be Warned And Live Wisely”
It’s A God Thing (1)
It’s a done deal that David is to be the next king of Israel. He is a man after God’s “own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). No less than Samuel the prophet showed up at his house to anoint him. It doesn’t get any more definite than that! Of course the current king, Saul, is none too happy about thisContinue reading “It’s A God Thing (1)”
A Recipe For Thanksgiving
David wanted to do something for God. He proposed building a house (temple) for Him (2 Samuel 7:1-2), but God had a better idea. Instead of David building a house for Him, God would build a house (family), for David! This meant his family would rule forever. It was realized first through his son Solomon, then through his descendants,Continue reading “A Recipe For Thanksgiving”
The Genesis Of Jesus
Matthew offers us several beginnings regarding Jesus in the introductory portion of his gospel (1:1-4:16). There’s the beginning of the preaching concerning the kingdom Christ is bringing in the work of John the Baptist (3:1ff). Then there’s the beginning of Jesus’ public life marked by His baptism (3:13ff) and the beginning of His ministry inContinue reading “The Genesis Of Jesus”
The Army And The Armor
There are a couple of things Paul says in Ephesians 6:10-18 that really ought to ring our bell. One is fairly obvious, but I think the other lies below the surface. The truth we’re more familiar with in his emphasis on us relying on the Lord and His power (as opposed to our own). “Be strong in the LordContinue reading “The Army And The Armor”
The Ever Given and the Forgiven
Well, that was interesting, wasn’t it? On Tuesday morning, March 23, 2021, the nearly ¼ mile long, 200,000-ton Japanese container vessel, Ever Given, was making its way through the Suez Canal when a blinding sandstorm struck. The ship was turned sideways, and it ended up getting wedged into opposite banks in a narrow portion ofContinue reading “The Ever Given and the Forgiven”
The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His
The scepter will not depart from Judah Nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, Until He to whom it belongs shall come And the obedience of the nations shall be His. (Genesis 49:10) It’s not difficult to look at the first part of this blessing that Jacob gives to his son Judah and recognize thatContinue reading “The Obedience of the Nations Shall be His”
A Better Idea
Psalm 132 does more than look back—it also points forward. And just as David is the subject of the backward look, he is also the subject their future hopes. Sort of. No sooner had David successfully relocated the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, then he embarked on another project—to build a house (temple) forContinue reading “A Better Idea”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 