When I read about Jonah, or the Israelites in the wilderness, my first instinct is to think: “What a bunch of stubborn boneheads! Don’t they ever learn?” Just about the time I start to congratulate myself on what a fine example of obedience I demonstrate, compared to others, the Lord sees fit to humble me. …
In this wonderfully uplifting Psalm, we find our two themes of praise and remembrance again. It seems that when I get focused on myself and my problems, that I forget to praise God and remember his blessings. We also find in verse 8 the remarkable thought that God is a forgiving God, though he punished …
The Psalmist must have found great comfort in God’s house. He delighted being there among others who were offering their praises up to the Lord. The passion of the Psalmist for God’s house and presence is truly amazing. His flesh cries out for the living God! He desires a place near the alter. He wants …
There is hardly any place in Scripture that conveys such passion and exuberance for God as Psalm 103. Words can hardly describe the praise we would give to the Lord from our inmost being, from the depths of our soul. Even Mr. Billy Goat seems to be quite excited in the picture, as if he …
As you read the Psalms, it becomes clear that God defends and protects the poor. Psalm 14 indicates that restoration and better days are ahead. In fact, if you are responsible for oppressing the poor, God takes note of it, and is not pleased. Poor in terms of possessions is not the only thing that …
There is perhaps no more beautiful expression of a desire to seek God than “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” Once the image is in your mind, you can never forget it. Musicians have crafted it into their melodies (see Sons of Korah below) so …
For many people, gazing at the heavens brings questions about the existence of a Creator to their mind. The distances are so vast that travel between planets can take multiple lifetimes at the speed of light. Looking at the stars, it becomes possible to imagine infinity – eternity. But a vague belief in God isn’t …
I saw an interesting quote the other day: Nietzsche is dead. – God Of course Nietzsche is the 19th century philosopher who famously proclaimed that “God is dead.” His life was a sad life, and those who embraced his philosophy left hope behind. Those who lose hope will be “overwhelmed by dread,” as the Psalmist …
In the midst of a difficult trial or physical sickness, I ask the question, along with the Psalmist: “Where is my God.” Unbelievers love to press that same question since they know that God doesn’t exist in this physical realm, in the sense that we don’t see him with our eyes or hear him with …
