God’s Favor Means Protection

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.

On Paying Pastors

Let this same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

The Rare Trait of Contrition

I dwell in the high and holy place, [and] with him who has a contrite and humble spirit…

Isaiah 57:15

We are prone to justify ourselves before we will admit our fault and be contrite in spirit. Efforts to make others feel…

God’s Favor

Now therefore, if I have found favor in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight.

Exodus 33:13

The idea of the Lord’s “favor” can be understood as His demonstrated delight toward an individual…

The Hidden Redeemer

I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord; heal me, for I have sinned against you.” My enemies say of me in malice, “When will he die and his name perish?”

Psalm 41:4–5

There is a hidden fact about every believer — that the Lord watches over them and…

Favor Means Fruitfulness

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

John 15:8

The Father delights to bear eternal fruit through the lives and service of those who delight in Him. He is glorified — not the…

God’s Patience at an End

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy.

Proverbs 29:1

The inspired author has laid down a principle in this passage: rebukes, patience, chastisements, disciplines, punishments, and…

God Is Enough

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, “Who is the LORD?” Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my…

Standing Strong in Troublesome Times

If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength!

Proverbs 24:10

We are not made spiritually strong in the Lord for no reason, so trials and challenges should not overtake us in surprise. Each life…

God’s Choosing, Our Pride

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast…

Much Assurance

For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.

1 Thessalonians 1:5

God’s Favor Means Success

For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous

Psalm 1:6

What a wonderful truth is found in these words — God is active in our affairs and watches over the way of those who trust in Him and live in His grace and in His favor.

Facing Temptation

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Ephesians 6:10

We are more correct to speak of the “secrets” of overcoming temptation, than the…

Reasons for Security

…that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.

John 17:26

Our security in our salvation is not grounded in our own achievement, but in the achievements of grace, in what Christ has done and continues to do in our…

Be Still and Know

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10

The words “Be still!” touch us each in different ways.

From Death into Life

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

John 5:24

With a View of the End

I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.

Psalm 2:6

For many Christians today, a view of the end times and of the final victory of God is missing in their personal theology. We need to replace this precious doctrine to a high…

God’s Life and Light

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9

Two principles that make life possible, meaningful, and even joyful belong to God and emanate from God: life itself and light.