You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. The Passage Explained With verse 5, Psalm 23 seems to shift its central metaphor from that of shepherd and sheep to one that more prominently pictures YHWH as the master of a […]
Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters – Psalm 23:1-2 Psalm 23 is perhaps one of the best loved passages in the entire Bible, and yet it’s important for the post-Calvary reader to recognize that the green pastures and
Colossians 1:4-5, “…we heard of your FAITH in Christ Jesus and of the LOVE that you have for all the saints, because of the HOPE laid up for you in heaven.” God-given faith in Christ secures the unshakable hope of Christ which frees us to love like Christ.
1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God…casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” When God’s mighty hand ordains painful trials for us, we humble ourselves under it by pouring out the trial-born anxieties to Him, because He cares for us. And if we doubt the
Galatians 5:6, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.”
Galatians 3:1, “It was before your own eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified.” By grace-given faith, may the unbelieving world see and receive their Lord and God in Christ Crucified and risen.
Romans 11:17, “some of the branches were broken off, and you…now share in the nourishing root.”
Psalm 130:6, “My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.”
Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith…it is the gift of God.” God’s grace enables our faith.
Psalm 9:10, ” those who know your name put their trust in you…” Trust in the Name made known at the cross.
Mark 2:4,”And when they could not get near Him…they removed the roof above Him…” Faith is desperate for Christ.
Jeremiah 17:5,7,”Cursed is the man who trusts in man…Blessed is the man who trusts in YHWH, whose trust is YHWH.”
This picture was drawn for a supporter of the ministry who asked for an illustration based on the hymn “Will Your Anchor Hold.” The idea of Christ as our anchor in this song was almost certainly drawn from Hebrews 6:19-20, so I incorporated that passage into the picture. A stanza from hymn, the text
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
And when he had taken counsel with the people, he appointed those who were to sing to the LORD and praise Him in holy attire, as they went before the army, and say, “Give thanks to the LORD for his steadfast love endures forever. 2 Chronicles 20:21 (ESV) The Passage Explained 2 Chronicles 20:21ff
2 Chronicles 20:21 Read More »
“Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and waves have gone over me.” Psalm 42:7 The Passage Explained Psalm 42/43 is a poem of lamentation and hope comprised of 3 stanzas. The first stanza establishes that the Psalmist is in spiritual agony because he is far from the
The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7 ESV) Explaining the Text For all
Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true
