The first psalm describes the man blessed by God. He is like a tree planted by streams of water. But the wicked are like chaff blown away by the wind
Speaking the Truth in Love
Speaking the Truth in Love
Sermons on Comfort and Hope
It felt like the worst day in their lives. Cleopas and his companion walked along the road to Emmaus, discussing the cross and looking sad. And then Jesus himself joined the two disciples (Luke 24:13-35)
Paul was in a Roman dungeon. Soon he would be executed. So he wrote a letter to his young friend Timothy and encouraged him to remain strong in spite of the persecution threatening the church. In the postscript of that letter, Paul made his final request.
If you were on death row for an unjust reason, what would you need from your friends? I’d need lots of encouragement. But in the opening lines of his final letter, a letter written in a Roman dungeon, Paul is the one giving the encouragement.
David says that men and women are weak, sinful, and transient. Sounds sort of depressing. But David isn’t depressed. His reflections on human frailty lead him to exuberant praise (Ps. 103:1-22).
The Bible tells us that the peace of God stands guard over our hearts and minds through Jesus Christ (Phil. 4:7). What are the three ways that we experience God’s peace, and how do we receive it?
Elijah witnessed a great spiritual victory on Mount Carmel. But immediately afterward he was in the dumps and ready to give up his prophetic ministry. The Lord didn’t blame the prophet for his depressed feelings, but neither did he permit Elijah to wallow in self-pity (1 Kings 19:9-18).
Satan tells God that no one serves him for nothing. A God-worshiper is merely manipulating heaven, praising the Lord to keep the blessings coming. But Job’s beautiful faith argues otherwise (Job 1:20-22).
The oldest psalm in the biblical collection is a prayer written by Moses (Ps. 90:1-17). He soberly considers the brevity of life and asks God for wisdom to live his few years well.