“Commandment”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT It is likely that every person reading this article has studied the Ten Commandments in Luther’s Small Catechism. These Ten… Read More »“Commandment”
Gems from the Old Testament
Your Word Has Given Me Life
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT 2 Kings chapter 25 tells of how Nebuchadnezzar and his army laid siege to Jerusalem. The situation became so desperate that… Read More »Your Word Has Given Me Life
In the Midst of Change, a God Who Doesn’t
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Read Psalm 27) Change is a part of life. In a real sense, change defines life. Every living thing is… Read More »In the Midst of Change, a God Who Doesn’t
TRUTH
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “What is truth?” So spoke Pontius Pilate. He was responding to Jesus’ declaration: “For this cause I was born, and… Read More »TRUTH
Relief in Troubled Times— Worship the Lord!
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
King David did not have a carefree life. He often wrote of sorrow, tears, and loneliness in his psalms. Those same psalms, nevertheless, reveal deep faith. Whatever the circumstances of his troubled times, however intense and prolonged, David trusted God.
David praised and thanked God in troubled times as well as on occasions of celebration. Giving thanks may be the last thing we feel like doing when something unpleasant comes our way. Focusing on how miserable we are, however, has never provided us with answers or solace, and it never will. Read More »Relief in Troubled Times— Worship the Lord!
The Lord is My Shepherd
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT (Read Psalm 23) Before David was the king of Israel, he was a shepherd who tended the flocks of his… Read More »The Lord is My Shepherd
Elisha’s First Request and Last Miracle
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Although I saw some as a kid, I never wished upon a shooting star. Probably because I never saw the… Read More »Elisha’s First Request and Last Miracle
REMEMBER
Human beings, young and old, forget. We forget promises, events, names, and locations. Then, something happens to trigger a long-forgotten memory. It comes back to… Read More »REMEMBER
Elisha’s Bears vs. Judah’s Lion
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
Most people seem fascinated by contests, whether they be athletic games, car races, or spelling bees.
TV programming has brought us fight-to-the-death encounters between mongooses and cobras, alligators and Burmese pythons. They once even showed a fight between a bear and bull. The poor bull didn’t last long. Holy Scripture also references many animals, including bears and lions. Who would win in a contest between these two opponents?
In one corner are Elisha’s bears. As the prophet was traveling up from Jericho to Bethel (2 Kings 2:23-25), he was met by a gang of young men. They mocked Elisha saying, “Go on up, baldy!” Their mockery was not based on Elisha’s uphill walk, but rather was a reference to Elijah’s recent ascension. Thus, they were challenging God’s prophet to follow suit, as if the ascension were a joke.Read More »Elisha’s Bears vs. Judah’s Lion
Beautiful . . . Feet?
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad… Read More »Beautiful . . . Feet?