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 speak to us of divine requirements for daily living. The… “Commandment”

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 King Zedekiah fled from the city. “But the army of… Your Word Has Given Me Life

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 a changing thing. But as Christians, we never face change… 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 for this cause I have come into the world, that… 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. 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 father Jesse, and as such, he clearly understood the importance… 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 movie Pinocchio and heard the song therein. Neither did my… 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 mind. How is it with God’s memory? In Psalm 25:6-7,… 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.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 tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to… Beautiful . . . Feet?