Jeremiah now focuses on Judah’s enemy, the empire of Babylon. Babylon sinned in proudly destroying Judah. God is not pleased with those who rejoice in destroying others and brag about it. Because of this he vowed to disgrace Babylon by destroying it so completely that those …
Because of Paul’s chains, Christ was known (v. 13), because of his critics, Christ was preached (v. 18), and because of his crises, Christ was magnified (v.20). Paul’s main purpose in living was to glorify Christ and yet he knew that if he was martyred he would also glori …
In this passage, Jeremiah accuses God of not helping him when he really needed it (vv. 15-18). Keep in mind God had promised ultimately to deliver and vindicate Jeremiah (v. 11), but he wanted God to avenge him of his persecutors. Though God was long-suffering, Jeremiah hoped for …
After 14 days of drifting on the Mediterranean Sea the sailors realized that they were getting near land (v. 27). In the middle of the fourteenth night of the storm, the crewmen tested the waters and discovered that they were approaching land (v. 28). So, in the darkness of the night, they dropped …
The Israelites failed to enter the Promised Land because they did not believe in God’s protection, and they did not believe that God would help them conquer the giants in the land. The writer in this passage is warning the people of the danger of unbelief: This danger demands im …
This book is compiled by Solomon, David’s wise, wealthy and famous son who was his successor to Israel’s throne (v. 1). He was David’s 10th son. Its purpose in general is to help us acquire and apply God’s wisdom to the decisions and activities of daily life. Proverbs was written so that you …
In today’s passage, David continues his imprecatory (cursing) prayer, in full confidence that God will destroy his enemies (vv. 11-15). He prayed that his enemies would be made poor by an extortioner and plunderer (v. 11) and that he and his children would be pitted by no one (v. 12)…
To younger people, change is a treat, but to older folks, change is often a threat. We like to relax in our comfort zone and resist the dramatic changes going on around us. But when we do, we fail to grow spiritually, and we may miss the opportunities God has for us to reach others with the …
We are living in a day when it is hard to trust people. Promises are often made with very little intention of their being kept. It seems that lying has become the norm in much of society. In fact, even in the Church people promise to do things and then never show up. The question …
Even though Nehemiah took the shortest route possible, the journey to Jerusalem would have taken at least two months. The king appointed captains and horsemen to go with him, both for his protection and to show that he was a man who had the king’s stamp of approval (v. 9). As soo …