Gentleness is often seen as weakness, but it is a valuable trait in relationships and communication. It shows empathy and respect for others. "Let your gentleness be evident to all." - Philippians 4:5
Psalm 23 is certainly comforting when viewed as a stand-alone song. But when seen in connection with Israel’s history, its impact deepens and broadens.
Here’s but one example. In verse 1, we read, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The Hebrew verb for “want/lack” is חסר (chasar).
This same verb is used in Nehemiah to refer to Israel’s time in the wilderness during the exodus: “Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing” (9:21). They חסר nothing.
Yahweh was Israel’s divine Shepherd in the wilderness, through the valley of the shadow of death, yet they did not חסר, they wanted for nothing.
Why? He prepared a table of manna for them in the presence of their enemies. He gave them drink from the rock. Even their shoes didn’t wear out. His goodness and mercy pursued them, restoring their souls, and finally bringing them to the land of promise, where the house of the LORD was eventually built.
Rather than reading Psalm 23 individualistically, hear it in its broader, salvation-history context.
In so doing, we know with greater confidence that what the Lord Jesus did for Israel, he will also do for us.
From calming a storm to bringing a dead girl back to life, Jesus reminds us to have faith. Let's choose to trust in Him, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, and find hope in His provision.
He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Mark 4:40 NIV
Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
Mark 5:36 NIV
HE IS RISEN! 🙌🏻🌅
He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.
—Matthew 28:6a NLT
May the fulfillment of God’s promise remind us that our hope in Christ never dies.
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
A great reminder that our words have the power to harm or to heal, to build up or tear down, and to reveal the nature of our character. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of our speech and to strive to speak truth, kindness, and love, rather than falsehood, malice, or hate.
The Parable of the Weeds reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty, even when evil seems to be growing alongside good. Have patience and faith that God is always working to bring about justice and righteousness.
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you” Matthew 9:28-29 NIV
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- Matthew 5:4 NIV
Like kids run to their parents when they get hurt, we can cry out to God for comfort. God blesses the broken.
Real repentance is not just feeling sorry for your sin. Real repentance means changing your heart, and a complete change of heart requires more than a partial surrender.
The Hebrew custom of tearing one’s clothing was an expression of extraordinary emotion, usually of grief, terror, or horror. But instead of tearing your clothes, or even changing them, Joel is pleading with you to do the same with your heart.
“LOVE your neighbor as yourself.” If love was simply an emotion God wouldn’t command it. It’s more than an emotion it’s an act of the will to put someone’s well being above your own.
God can always pull us out in our blazing furnaces from afar. But his intention is not only to save us, his plan is to be with us during the entire duration of our struggle - to be close and to develop that intimacy with him.
Same with our suffering, it is here for a "limited time only". Take advantage of it, grow in faith and have that deeper relationship with God you've always wanted.
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10 NIV
12.12 today. Flash sales, limited discounts, and one-time offers everywhere. We grab this chance and take advantage to get hold of what we want - because we know it will only last for a while.