Meanwhile God isn’t trying to deprive people of delight, he’s trying to draw us toward real delight. He’s trying to draw us toward a solid foundation that doesn’t eventually evaporate. I’m reminded of Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-29. Psalm 36 takes it up to an even more worshipful notch though. It lays out the path of the sand, the path that evaporates, and it lays out the path of the rock. The path that holds up when life’s trials come. The path that holds up for all of eternity. But then it uses these two paths to lead us into worship. It leads us to praise God for his love and faithfulness that reaches to the skies, his righteousness that’s like the highest mountain, and his justice that is deeper than the ocean. What imagery! What beauty. It leads us to his unfailing love. His priceless, unfailing love. There is no better picture than this in all of Scripture. God loves you so much. His love for you is worth more than all the money, gold, and treasure in the world. And his love for you never, ever fails.
Psalm 10 Devotional – God of the Oppressed, Part 2
Only God knows why he sometimes answers these prayers in the moment and other times, like with the Hebrews’ enslavement in Egypt, or blacks’ enslavement in the United States, it takes centuries. But the psalmist rests in the truth that God is King for ever and ever and that these wicked nations will perish from the land. God is more powerful than the wicked nations who oppress and enslave and exploit. He was more powerful than Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Rome. And he’s certainly more powerful than the United States and the rest of today’s world powers.
I would like my friends who smoke marijuana to read this
I live in a poor neighborhood. A lot of people smoke marijuana in my neighborhood. By “a lot” I mean I can smell it pretty much whenever I’m out for a walk, and I often see it being smoked openly at the park where I play basketball. Smoked, rolled, dealt, etc. Everyone I know who […]
Choose this day whom you will serve: The Republicans, The Democrats, or Jesus
Quick, what’s your take on immigration? Well that depends if you’re a Republican or a Democrat. What’s your take on abortion? Again, it depends on if you sport the elephant or the donkey. On helping the poor. On Syrian refugees. On systemic racism. Even on sexuality. Of these many hot button issues, where do you […]
From the Gospels: trending Bible verses on money, the poor, & “consumer church”
Let the Scriptures speak… What trend do you see? Is it the same trend or a different trend than you see in America? In the American Church? Matthew (Jesus, Mary and Joseph were immigrants / refugees) Matt. 2:13-15 When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. […]
How to Live a Purposeful, Not-Boring Life
How to Live a Purposeful, Not-Boring Life: Don’t spend all your money on yourself, your kids and your grandkids. If you tithe / give to your church, don’t act like the rest of your 90% is meant for you to hoard. Like it’s all yours because you earned it. (Where did this mindset ever come from?) Make […]