Praying in the Darkness
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT Many prayers in the Psalms are offered by people going through difficult times; but most of them express a measure… Read More »Praying in the Darkness
Gems from the Old Testament
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT “I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm… Read More »How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone,
O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
(Psalm 4:8)
“I will both lie down in peace, and sleep.”
Our first reaction to these words may be, “Well, of course David slept in peace. He was the king of Israel; powerful, popular, wealthy. He lived in a palace. People referred to him as David the Giant Killer. He had no real worries.” However, when David wrote Psalm 4, he was not living in a palace or even in Jerusalem. Instead, he was fleeing for his life from his own son Absalom. Yet, amid such hardship and heartache, David was still able to sleep in peace. How? Psalm 4 provides the answer.Read More »How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Preparing A Chamber
Circuit-riding should not be totally unknown to us. Modern competition cowboys ride circuits as well as horses and bulls. Judges in the sparsely populated Old… Read More »Preparing A Chamber
The Value of Rest and Quietness
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT
“Don’t just sit there—do something!”
This familiar adage applies in many situations. The crops won’t plant themselves in the spring. The cereal spilled all over the floor isn’t going to clean up itself. “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:10)
This axiom, however, does not apply at all to our being saved. Our ego finds that hard to swallow. This goes beyond the commendable inclination to be responsible and clean up after ourselves; it’s also a sinful pride thing. We would like to be able to take at least a little credit for saving ourselves—or perhaps more than just a little.
In the challenges they faced with their enemies, Israel sought security through making alliances with other nations. Maybe swift horses would be the answer!Read More »The Value of Rest and Quietness
Frankincense
“And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 As a boy, I often puzzled over… Read More »Frankincense
The “Who, Me?” Syndrome
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT When I was attending grade school, some of the biggest infractions were chewing gum in class, throwing chalk, and running… Read More »The “Who, Me?” Syndrome
Following God with All Our Heart Begins with Repentance and Faith
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT In the history of the kings that followed King David, those kings are often compared to him. Sometimes it is… Read More »Following God with All Our Heart Begins with Repentance and Faith
“Purge Me with Hyssop”
GEMS FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT THE HYSSOP PLANT is mentioned twelve times in Scripture1—ten times in the Old Testament and twice in the New. The… Read More »“Purge Me with Hyssop”
God-Centered Worship
It has been correctly observed that genuine, God-centered worship is not limited to worship services. With their entire lives, God’s children worship the God of… Read More »God-Centered Worship