Category: Weekly Word of Encouragement

No one who hopes in youwill ever be put to shame. (Psalms 25:3, NIV) It is interesting how fear unconsciously and semi-consciously influences our lives. Is it not true that one of the reasons we do not trust God for difficult things is that we fear it will not turn out well? We fear he doesn’t hear us, or that he won’t act, or that we won’t like the way he acts. We fear giving up our attachment to something in order to trust God in that area. We even fear that he won’t keep his promise to reward us in the next age for our sacrifices now. Yet God promises in his word that if we put our trust and hope in him then we will not be put to shame. In the Old Testament, this often meant that God will give faithful believers material blessings, prosperity or victory Continue Reading →

Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord?Who may stand in his holy place?The one who has clean hands and a pure heart. (Psalms 24:3-4, NIV) The Psalmist here speaks of hiking up Mount Zion to visit the temple, which is the “holy place” of God. This reminds me of Hebrews 10:22 which directs us to “draw near to God with a sincere heart” (NIV) just after mentioning that we have the privilege of entering the holy of holies (the innermost room of the temple where the presence of God dwelt) through the blood of Jesus. Also, remember Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God” (NIV). So God promises that those who come to him in sincerity and holiness will have the privilege of “standing” in his presence. We will see God better; we will have more participation in his nature; we will drink Continue Reading →

“The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the Lord will praise him.” (Psalms 22:26, NIV) In the later Old Testament writings, the “poor” not only lacked physical resources but also depended on Yahweh. Knowing that food and housing were limited they turned to God for help. So the Psalmist of this psalm declares the Lord’s intention to give to the poor the food they need. And those who live in dependence on Yahweh will praise him because of his provision. And so, if we are in need God wants to help. In general, the physical things we need God will provide (Matt. 6:33). But under the new covenant the “poor”, those who seek God, have even more. Jesus promised: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,for they will be filled.” Matthew 5:3, Continue Reading →

“He asked life of you; you gave it to him,length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through your salvation;splendor and majesty you bestow on him. 6 For you make him most blessed forever;you make him glad with the joy of your presence. (Psalms 21:-4-6, ESV) In this Psalm the king of Israel, presumably David, is thanking God for the blessings he has given to him. The king asked for life and God gave him a long life. God brought glory to the king by saving him and clothed the king in splendor. God became present to him and gave him joy and even blessed him forever. What does this have to do with us? Remember that we are a royal priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9) and that God repeatedly promises in the New Testament that we will rule with Jesus. So we will be royalty like King Continue Reading →

Psalms 20:6 Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. (ESV) Whether it is Coronavirus or some other circumstance that is causing distress in our lives, it is important to remember to keep our focus on God in Christ. Many of us will be disrupted by Coronavirus for months to come. Parents with school-age children will struggle to find child care. Poorer children who won’t have access to free lunches from schools will wonder where their meals will come from. Businesses will see a decline in revenue and some will lose their jobs. Retirement accounts will be worth much less than they were. Many of us will no longer be able to join Continue Reading →