Gems from the Old Testament

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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?

Many seek refuge in all the wrong places. But because God is our refuge and strength, we can confidently say, “We will not fear—anything.”
Psalm 46:1-3 describes a scene of chaos and upheaval: the earth removed, mountains cast into the depths of the sea, waters roaring and troubled. This may be a cataclysmic event in nature, or the images may symbolize the chaos and upheaval of life. The phrase “though the earth be removed” is more literally “though the earth change.” Read More »Refuge

GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT In my younger days I worked for the US Soil Conservation Service. One of my tasks was to check on… Read More »Counterintuitive Healing