Steadfast Love

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faithfulness, God, Hope, Love, Pandemic, Peace

“I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place” (Psalm 31:7-8, ESV).

            These verses follow David’s declaration in verse 6 that he is loyal to God, and has enmity towards idolaters.  The people of God trust in God, and find the Lord faithful to His own.  Thus the emphasis follows naturally upon God’s “steadfast love” and faithfulness.  He redeems His people from danger, and gives them peace.            

God sees the suffering of His people.  God cares for His children, and lifts them up in His way, in His time.  When you are bearing a heavy load, lift up your soul to the Lord; entrust your cares to Him, and wait for His deliverance.  May the redeeming love of God Most High bless His people with peace.

Embrace Peace

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, God, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Security, Trust

“For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me; you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God” (Psalm 31:3-5, ESV).

In this psalm, David moves between pleas for God’s deliverance and recognition of God’s protecting power.  He begins with the petition that God would save him, making particular use of the image of a fortress or place of defense (vv.1-2).  The following verses carry a tone of confidence, recognizing that God is indeed his place of safety, his protector—and so he entrusts himself to the Lord’s care.

Entrust yourself to God.  He cares for His children; for them, He is a stronghold of safety, a trustworthy guide, a mighty deliverer.  Against the dangers and uncertainties of the world, God is the faithful defender of His own.  Let us rest ourselves in Him, and embrace the peace that comes from praying to God, “Into your hand I commit my spirit”.

Tuesday Tea-ology, 10/27/20

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Authority, Bible, Christianity, God, Gospel, Hope, Revelation, Scripture, Theology, Truth, Tuesday Tea-ology

On today’s Tuesday Tea-ology, we continue the doctrine of Scripture. God’s Word is necessary and sufficient. We should be grateful for this wonderful gift.

Joy Comes with the Morning

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Forgiveness, God, Grace, Hope, Kindness, Love, Mercy, Pandemic, Peace, Redemption, Salvation

“Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.  For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5, ESV).

            Psalm 30 lifts up praise to God for His wonderful mercy.  David reflects gratefully on God’s gracious deliverance in the past, in protection and healing and salvation from death (vv.1-3).  The following verses urge all of God’s people to join the praise, with a focus on the gracious character of God (vv.4-5).  The latter half repeats these same themes, recalling God’s deliverance and rejoicing in His kindness (vv.6-12).  Verses 4-5 set the focus of the whole thing firmly on the divine mercy.            

God is loving and merciful.  In the midst of trouble, God’s people can still praise Him and declare the wonders of His grace.  Marvelous is His mercy, wonderful His love.  When we have turned away into temptation and sorrow, we can return with good hope, and find welcome again in the loving arms of our heavenly Father.

Enthroned over the Flood

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Divine Sovereignty, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Peace, Strength

“The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.  May the LORD give strength to his people!  May the LORD bless his people with peace!” (Psalm 29:10-11, ESV).

            From beginning to end, Psalm 29 declares the majesty, supremacy, and awesome power of God.  After beginning with the call to proclaim His glory (vv.1-2), the heart of the psalm praises the power of God’s voice (vv.3-9), which echoes through creation.  These last verses (vv.10-11) settle on God’s reign, even over the wild chaos of the world.  This focus on God enthroned leads to the triumphant petition that He would strengthen and bless His people.

            When we see the swirling chaos of the floods of life, we can take confidence in our God, who “sits enthroned over the flood”.  The LORD is King!  His people can trust Him and keep joyful hope in every circumstance.  Make this your prayer, in troubles and uncertainty: may God give us strength, and pour out upon us the blessing of His peace.  He is able.  He is King.

Tuesday Tea-ology, 10/20/20

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Authority, Christianity, Faith, God, Scripture, Sin, Theology, Trust, Tuesday Tea-ology, Word of God

On today’s Tuesday Tea-ology we drink Thistle tea, and talk about the authority of God’s Word. You don’t want to miss it!

The Majesty of the Almighty

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Christianity, Comfort, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Glory, God, holiness, Pandemic, Power, Strength

“Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness” (Psalm 29:1-2, ESV).

            Psalm 29 begins with this call to worship, summoning the angels (and, by implication, all of God’s servants) to declare the majesty and might, the sheer glory of God.  The psalm goes on from here to declare the power of God’s voice, or word, and the sovereignty of His reign.  It is a song of exaltation to the Almighty.            

God is worthy of all worship and praise.  When we face the fears of this world, when we must bear the burdens of this life, we can find comfort and strength in turning our eyes to the glory of God.  Our God is mightier than any who can oppose us, and more splendid and majestic than anything this world can offer.  Fix your eyes on the glory of God, and walk with Him today.

The Saving Refuge

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Pandemic, Security, Strength

“The LORD is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed” (Psalm 28:8, ESV).

            The psalmist repeats the meditation of the previous verse, generalizing it to all the people of God.  This proclamation precedes a final exuberant petition that God would, indeed, be the deliverer of His people (v.9).  The images in this verse are “strength” and “refuge”, both of which signify protection.  God is a champion and a fortress for His people.

            Those who belong to Jesus Christ have an invincible refuge and strength.  If God is our protector, there is nothing we need to fear.  Have you taken refuge in your Savior with the troubles you are facing today?  Take shelter in Him, and lean upon His Almighty strength.

Exult in His Strength

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Christianity, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Devotional, Faith, God, Hope, Joy, Pandemic, Security, Strength

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him” (Psalm 28:7, ESV).

            David calls out to God, confident that He will be heard because of God’s steadfast love.  Yet again we read words of confidence coming at the end of a petitionary passage.  For the first five verses of this psalm, David has cried out to God for deliverance and for judgment upon the wicked.  But at length he turns to assurance, and blesses God, who hears his pleas (v.6).  God is his protection, and he knows that in the Lord he will find help; praise results (v.7).            

Do we take refuge in God, and find the comfort and delight of those who know His deliverance?  God’s strength is a great comfort to His people, for He is their strength and protection against harm and trouble.  Trusting in Him, we will be able to sing songs of grateful praise, even in the midst of danger.  The thanks of the faithful begins with expectation, and rejoicing in God our Deliverer.

Tuesday Tea-ology, 10/13/20

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Bible, Biblical Interpretation, Christianity, God, Inerrancy, Scripture, Truth, Tuesday Tea-ology

Continuing discussion of the doctrine of Scripture, today focuses on infallibility and inerrancy. What do these terms mean? What’s the difference? Bottom line: God’s Word is true.