The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, Nahum 1:7 NIV Nahum, the prophet, wrote these words of encouragement, but in what context were they given? Nahum was writing about the judgment of the wicked. God, being good, judges righteously. If we live in his...
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17 NIV Have you ever felt that God was not listening when you cried out to him? These words from Psalm 34 make clear that the Lord hears the cry of the righteous. When we live by the will of God,...
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 WEB Do you have the joy and love that comes from a relationship of trust with God? Hope comes from our faith in Jesus Christ. Joy, and peace are fruits...
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV The key to understanding scripture is context. How does the...
All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say, “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.” Psalm 22:7-8 NIV It is impossible to read these words without feeling the anguish of the writer. Attributed to King David,...
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV What a wonderful promise. Jesus is not necessarily talking about physical rest. He is speaking about the impossible task of bearing our own sin. He is referring to the false notion that salvation comes from...
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV (Friends and Brothers) True friendship and devotion are displayed in the life, love, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. In John 1:12 we read, “But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become...
Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. This is eternal life, that they should...
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV So many things can cause distress in this world. There is disease and war. We may have challenges at work or in school....
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV When we interpret a scripture, it is necessary to understand the context of its creation. In this text, the prophet Jeremiah was dealing...
The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10 NIV There is power and eternal durability in the name of the Lord. God is good, merciful, patient, mighty and so many other great things. In this proverb, Solomon calls the Lord a fortified tower. This...
The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 WEB With these words, Christ explains to Nicodemus the mystery of rebirth in the Spirit of God. The Greek word “pneuma” means both...
