PSALM 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits (Ps. 103:2). Many interpreters agree that David wrote Psalm 103 when God forgave him for his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. Oftentimes, the greatest expressions of thanksgiving come on the heels of some great sin. Psalm 103 serves as … Continue reading “EVERLASTING MERCY”
COMFORT IN ETERNITY
PSALM 102 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure (Ps. 102:25–26a). No matter what your distress, Psalm 102 provides a healing balm to soothe your troubled soul. The writer of this psalm found himself in grave circumstances. … Continue reading “COMFORT IN ETERNITY”
STRANGERS ON EARTH
ROMANS 12 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Rom. 12:2a). The world, our flesh, and Satan stand in opposition to the Christian who wants to please God. The world is contrary to God’s ways; it hates the things of heaven and seeks to trap Christians … Continue reading “STRANGERS ON EARTH”
FIGHTING THE FLESH
ROMANS 8 So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God (Rom. 8:8). When we speak of the Christian life as a battle, who are we fighting? While we certainly oppose the world and the minions of Satan, our chief war is waged against ourselves, against the remaining corruption in our souls. Even … Continue reading “FIGHTING THE FLESH”
BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY
MATTHEW 5 “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:20). In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul addressed them as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all … Continue reading “BEWARE OF HYPOCRISY”
PLEASING GOD
HEBREWS 13 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased (Heb. 13:16). Since we discussed “behaving wisely” in Psalm 101 yesterday, through next week we will examine how we can please God in our lives. At the end of every daily study, we provide application … Continue reading “PLEASING GOD”
BEHAVING WISELY
PSALM 101 I will behave wisely in a perfect way.… I will set nothing wicked before my eyes (Ps. 101:2–3). Psalm 101 shows us something of why David bore the praise of being a man after God’s own heart. Here we discover a king who desired to be conformed to God’s standards of holiness not … Continue reading “BEHAVING WISELY”
ENTER WITH THANKSGIVING
PSALM 100 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name (Ps. 100:4). Paul exhorts all believers in 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 to “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (niv). One … Continue reading “ENTER WITH THANKSGIVING”
FOR GOD IS HOLY
PSALM 99 Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool—He is holy (Ps. 99:5). On Psalm 99 Calvin noted that God’s holiness should strike an awe in us as it does in the angels themselves. When Isaiah stood before the heavenly throne, the angels circled above, singing, “holy, holy, holy” to the Lord … Continue reading “FOR GOD IS HOLY”
SALVATION OF OUR GOD
PSALM 98 His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory. The Lord has made known His salvation (Ps. 98:1b–2a). Today we return to the Psalms. Psalm 98 illustrates God’s glory manifest to all nations through the salvation He brings forth by His own hand. God has relied on no means other … Continue reading “SALVATION OF OUR GOD”