Category: Bible (Page 368 of 425)

Deep comfort and encouragement spring from David’s words in Psalm 27. The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold in my life – of whom shall I be afraid?

After returning to their home base in a town called Ziklag, David and his small army of men found their homes burned to the ground and their women and children stolen.

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

Remarkably, in the midst of such a crisis, David looked to the Lord. David wrote this psalm not in the safety of a cathedral, but in the ruins of a burned-out village. David turned to the Lord for strength, then turned his mount toward the raiders who carried off his family.

David’s words spring from loss, pain, frustration and hope – which is why they carry such power.

I turn to Psalm 27 often during times of grief and loss. After the sudden death of my father years ago, I memorized verses 13 & 14, and they’ve percolated through my heart and mind many times since:

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

I Samuel 30 & Psalm 27 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Simon Berger

Is to remind the man behind the whip where your nationality lies. In Paul’s case, the Roman empire.

Paul appealed to his citizenship often, especially the fact that he was born a citizen. Many purchased their citizenship into the empire. Paul’s status as a citizen opened doors, caught the attention of important people, and stayed the hand of those dealing out punishments.

While my American passport opens lots of doors for me around the world, these days a Canadian passport opens even more (Canada hasn’t made as many enemies as the US lately). As a missionary, I use the tools at my disposal, and my U.S. citizenship serves well in that regard.

It makes me wonder – what else has the Lord placed in my hands that’s advantageous to helping others understand and embrace the Christian faith?

Varied aspects of my life come to mind – where I’m from, my education, my family, my experiences, my struggles and failures and strengths and victories.

God weaves all this together as I set out to serve others and communicate my faith, preferably with no flogging involved.

Acts 22 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by ConvertKit

After the death of King Saul, David began to consolidate power at his base in Hebron. Men from across the nation joined him, prepared to fight to install David upon the throne of Israel.

Most are described as brave warriors and skilled fighters. One band, however, stood out for their wisdom – from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do.

Every leader of every nation in every corner of the world at every moment in history needs people who understand the times and know what to do.

Every politician who’s ever run for office claims to understand the times and know what to do. But in my experience, few people truly fit in this category.

The artwork in the photo above represents the value placed, in certain regards, on wisdom. Wisdom and knowledge will be the stability of thy times is a quote from Isaiah 33:6. This at Rockefeller Center, a building housing a variety of television studios, hardly a medium known for wisdom or knowledge. How ironic that purveyors of inane distraction walk under these words every day.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). The men of Issachar started there, then melded that wisdom into their lives and nation. More than ever, we need to pray for people like them, both to bless our lives and to bless the world around us.

1 Chronicles 12:32 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by David Vives

Paul arrived in Jerusalem and immediately confronted a problem. Local Jewish leaders claimed Paul undercut the law of Moses. In order to prove the rumors false, and help people listen to the gospel message, Paul underwent a Jewish purification ritual (shaving his head in the process).

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

The haircut failed to pacify the haters, and the next day they rioted. The mob beat Paul and would have killed him, if not for the quick action of the commander of the Roman regiment. His soldiers waded into the crowd and rescued Paul. On his way out, Paul surprised the Roman leader by addressing him in Greek.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

Paul asked to speak. The commander allowed it, so Paul motioned for quiet. In the silence, Paul addressed the people in their own language, Aramaic.

I have become all things to all men, that by all means I might save some.

These words of Paul’s, written to the church members in Corinth (I Corinthians 9:22), weren’t just a theory. Paul sought the lingua franca, the common language that everyone around him understood. Be it through their heart language, like Greek or Aramaic, or important actions, like a purification ritual, Paul went out of his way to relate to people on their turf.

Paul broke down barrier after barrier after barrier, so that by all means He might save some.

Acts 21 in week nineteen of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Soner Eker