Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God – Isaiah 40:1 Have you ever noticed that parental tendency to repeat important words or phrases to our children, especially in a moment of crisis? “It’s okay, it’s okay”… “don’t be scared, don’t be scared”… “be careful, be careful.” It may be …
Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done – Luke 22:42 Someone has said that these words of Jesus are the most difficult—and most important—words that we can learn in any language: not my will, but Thine, be done. To say these words sincerely …
… how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? – Genesis 39:9 Joseph is here speaking to his boss’s wife, who is trying to seduce him to commit adultery with her. It would have been easy for him to give in. His family is far away; his life has been hard; no one need ever know of …
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompense; he will come and save you – Isaiah 35:4 This is a heartening exhortation, but all the more so because it comes from God himself. God says, “I am coming; I will save …
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed – Proverbs 13:20 There is an interesting insight within this proverb that gives hope, as well as warning. Notice the language of purposeful intimacy that is used in both the positive and contrasting negative …
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy – James 5:11 The end, or purpose, of the Lord for his people is full of pity and tenderness. When we feel deeply afflicted, it is …
Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them – Matthew 18:20 We tend to place too much emphasis on crowds, on statistics, on the size of a particular group or movement. We, every one of us, are too easily influenced by the “mob mentality” — the desire to be …
Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward – Mark 9:41 We often look for the big, splashy acts of service or devotion by which we can prove our love for God. But Jesus says even the smallest act of …
Only by pride cometh contention – Proverbs 13:10 This powerful proverb brings arguments to a sweet conclusion, lost tempers to a cool self-examination, and finger pointing to a swift end. Only by pride is there contention, or conflict. Arguments and strife do not come because one person is right …
Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies – Psalm 27:11 This is the first and vital priority in making any decision: is it God’s will, is it God’s way? The decisions God prompts us to make will always be in complete agreement with his perfect Word, the Bible. …