Proverbs 3

Solomon points out in verse 31 that when we interact with evil people we will face at least two temptations. We may look at the gains they are making and be tempted to desire what they have. Then we may be tempted at begin acting the same way that they are; seeking to acheive godly ends through selfish means. Following either temptation will never meet with God's approval. In verse 7 Solomon lays out the plans for our lives; obey God and refuse to follow evil.
Stuart

Exodus 21-24

Chapter 21-23 are filled with the words of the covenant that God gave to Israel. After God had spoken them to Moses, Moses repeated them back to the people. God surely gave his prophet perfect recall when he spoke the words. Then Moses wrote down the same words he had spoken to the people. This is the first mention of written scripture. This example of writting what God had spoken laid the foundation for God's word that we still cherish today.
Stuart

Proverbs 2

Solomon mentions two types of people who have abandoned righteous living. There are men who gain pleasure from practicing evil, and there are women who search after young men for casual physical intamacy. Both of these types have abandoned God's plan in order to satisfy their own selfish appitites. Solomon points out that the wisdom from God, which James says is available to all who ask, will provide protection from the traps set by these two types of people. That wisdom of God builds up our faith and helps us either avoid the attacks, flee from the temptations, or stand unmoving in a position of righteous obedience. That wisdom provides a power that we need and has its origins in God's heart.
Stuart

Exodus 18-20

Sensational news has always traveled fast.  It amazes me how cultures that were divided by distance, language, and other information barriers shared the news of events.  Geographically the Sinai peninsula and two bodies of water separated Egypt from Midian.  But those obstacles were no hindrance to the message of God’s wonders that he had worked in Egypt.  Jethro must have picked up the tidbits of information from traders or those who dealt with them.  Maybe it was the fact that the name Moses was repeatedly mentioned that he even listened to the story.  Zipporah must have carried back confirmation of what God had done and that convince Jethro that he had to come and see firsthand the evidence of God’s handiwork of redemption.  I wonder what he thought when he caught a glimpse of the massive encampment of the nation of Israel.  Tens of thousands of tents spread across the land with herds and flocks all around.  Larger than any gathering Bedouin site he had ever witnessed.  The evidence was convincing and convicting.  Jethro hosted a celebration with the leaders of Israel to worship the God who had delivered them.

Stuart

Proverbs 1

When I read verse 19 the phrase sounded very familar to the words Jesus spoke to Peter on the night of his arrest; "All who live by the sword will die by the sword." (Matthew 26:52) When we understand who Jesus has always been in eternity then we realize that he is the one who taught Solomon this piece of wisdom.
Stuart

Exodus 15-17

In chapter 16 we are told of Israel's introduction to manna; the bread from heaven that God provided. God supplied this food to teach Israel a number of lessons. I believe one of those lessons was that our relationship with God is not based upon any ritual. From Sunday to Thursday of that first week the people developed a new morning ritual. Get up early enough to gather enough food for today.  On Friday God gave them a different expectation; gather enough food for two days. Then on Saturday morning the people were told to sleep in. They were to rest. God had provided enough from the previous day and they did not need to gather or cook. We also must be careful not to focus too much attention on doing things exactly the same every day. Our focus should be on watching God provide for our needs and giving him thanks.
Stuart

Psalm 23

I'm not sure that people who have never lived in the rural areas can catch the meaning of David's early illustrations. Green fields, quiet waters, and good paths may all be unknown to city dwellers. But then he offers comparisons that city dwellers understand better. Banquets, over flowing cups, and close by dwellings are more evident in the cities. This wise shepherd understood God's fellowship in ways that he could describe to his rural and urban subjects.
Stuart

Exodus 12-14

Remembering a significant milestone or event in life is seldom difficult.  Remembering the reason that it occurred may not be as easy.  I remember the day I walked through graduation for high school and college.  All I really understood about both of those events was that the struggle was over.  The hard work, and homework, were finished.  I had completed the formal aspect of my education.  I was ready to start using all that I had learned.  But I didn’t understand the importance of the English classes in which I merely “did the work”.  So I was surprised when people didn’t understand the words that I wrote.  God displayed his mighty power as he brought Israel out of the bondage of slavery in Egypt.  I think he knew the generations would remember the events of Israel’s liberation.  But God wanted them to know why he delivered them.   He didn’t want the generations to be ignorant of the work that he did and the plans that he had for those whom he had set free.  Passover was intended to be a celebration of liberation from slavery through their dependence upon God.  For the Christians the celebration of the Lord’s Supper has the same meaning.

Stuart

Exodus 9-11

God has always been in a position that would permit him to destroy every evil doer. Maybe Moses had asked God why this stubborn pharaoh was allowed to live. Maybe the king of Egypt had challenged God's greatness by pointing to his continued life and rule over a faltering Egyptian empire. God helps us understand why evil people are allowed to live. In Exodus 9:15-16 God explains his mercy to pharaoh and Moses; so that they will see God's power and acknowledge who he is. Maybe that understanding would bring some evildoers into submission to God. God's love implies that such mercy  is worth the risk.
Stuart

Psalm 22

What are the emotions that David and Jesus shared when the recited this psalm. (NOTE: I am assuming that David composed this psalm when Absalom drove him from Jerusalem)
Humiliation.
The appearance of utter defeat and helplessness.
Oppression of those who taunted him.
Everything pointing to hopelessness.
The threat of death.
The loss of earthly possessions.
The rejection of the people and the leaders
The anger and sorrow at the sin that lead to this situation.
Many of these expressions are still encountered when people live through similarly aweful experiences.
Stuart

Exodus 5-8

While reading through this passage I saw this four point lesson of the things which keeps us from responding to God’s word:

1.      Ignorance of who God is.  Ex 5:2

2.      Blindness to how God is working.  Ex 6:9

3.      Focusing only on our abilities.  Ex 6:30

4.      Stubbornness.  Ex 7:13

Stuart

Exodus 1-4

The slaves of Israel had been lifting up their pleas for deliverence to God for years. But they never heard back from God. For at least 80 years the rulers of Egypt had oppressed God's people and there was no relief visible upon which the people of Israel could continue to base their faith. But they did not give up. Maybe it was the stories of oppression that Jacob had faced under Laben for 20 years that caused them to hold on to God's promise. Perhaps it was the memory of Joseph's faithfulness that strengthened their faltering faith. Maybe whenever they became down because of their situation someone would mention the promise of a nation for themselves, a place like the Garden of Eden. And the thought of living in paradice sustained their faith. Regardless of why they held on to their faith they did not give up asking for God's deliverance. And one day an old man named Moses showed up sharing the message: "God has heard your cries.  He has seen your misery.  It is time to leave Egypt and claim the inheritence of Abraham." The people bowed in worship of the God who truely sees. 
Stuart

Psalm 20

I would love to hear a leader offer this prayer on my behalf. It would be wonderful if a political leader would not only speak these words but live them. But it is also a prayer that I need to begin offering to people that I know. For when those for whom I pray understand that it is by God's hand that their plans suceed then God will receive the glory he is due.
Stuart

Mark 13-16

As Jesus was leaving the place of the last supper his thoughts must have been consummed with questions about the next 20 hours; the last day of his physical life. On their way to the place of prayer they passed by the tample complex. Jesus might spend part of his time in prayer looking over the place where David had first offered a sacrifice on the ancient threshing floor. Herod's temple was a testament to contemporary architecture. At one of his followers was overwhelmed with its magnifcance on this fesative night. "What a wonderful place." I picture Jesus stopping and looking at the majestic building. Pondering the time he spent there as a young man of 12. The he received a picture of what Rome would do the attempted second Macabeeian rebellion. With a lump in his throat and sorrow in his voice Jesus slowly shared the future with those followers, "Not a single stone here will be left in its place." Jesus turned away from the old edifice that Herod remodled and began to look forward to the next temple he would enter; the eternal  heavenly temple.
Stuart

Mark 10-12

Why is it so hard for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God? The foundational principle of being rich and being in the Kingdom are incompatible with each other. The key to being wealthy is accumulation. Whether it is accumulating dollars or animals or even land. If you violate that principle by giving away some of what is accumulated there is the risk of becoming poor. The principle of God's Kingdom is focused on giving away. Jesus is our example. He gave away heavenly glory, he gave away his divine authority, he even gave away his fragile physical life. He wants his followers to do the same. If we begin accumulating while we are in the Kingdom we risk becoming independent of God.
Stuart

Psalm 19

The perfection of God's word is what brings us strength. His word also grants us wisdom, joy, and understanding.  And when life bears down on us with the worst that it can give us we need all of these gifts from God to survive. These tools of God will allow us to realize that our hope is in serving Jesus only will bring us true satisfaction.
Stuart

Mark 7-9

In Mark 8:11-13 some Pharisees came to Jesus and began arguing, demanding to see a miracle as proof of his teaching.  Shortly thereafter Jesus warned his followers to be on the watch for the “yeast of the Pharisees”.  But looking at this situation what was that yeast?  It could be an argumentative spirit.  They didn’t come to Jesus to listen to what he was saying or to consider what he was teaching, they came to argue with him.  It could be their judgmental attitude.  They wanted to determine for themselves if they thought Jesus was teaching God’s word.  It could be their pride in what they knew that lay behind their offensive attitudes.  Yeast has the trait of consuming that which surrounds it to reproduce itself.  Any of these attitudes have the tendency to be “passed on” to those who learn from us and imitate our behavior.  I take Jesus’ charge to watch out personally because I have seen myself express these same traits.  So I know that I am a carrier of that ancient and selfish yeast.  Maybe Jesus’ call to watch out was so that we would all understand our fleshly tendency to respond as those Pharisees did.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 18

God desires to have fellowship with every person. Yet when one person responds in faith God continues to draw them closer. And there is a recipricatory faithfulness. Not because it is earned but because of his love for us. David recognized that God was protecting him. But he did not grow lax in his faith because of the protection. Instead David pursued his protector more fervently.  Because he had a relationship with his God. And like his friendship with Jonathan David sought to grow deeper in those love relationships.
Stuart

Mark 4-6

Chapter 4 begins with the description of Jesus sitting in a boat in order to separate himself apart from the crowds in order that he can teach them.  Then he begins to teach them by speaking in parables.  I learned early, and often, that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.  But they can also be explained as words that carry a meaning deeper than the story in which they are presented.  In Mark 4:3-8 Jesus’ story is about a farmer, his grain field, and the crops.  However, I know from all of the teaching that I have received that the meaning of the story is much greater than one man, one field, and that year’s harvest.  The story carries an eternal message that explains not only how we respond to Jesus’ message to repent and submit to the God’s Kingdom but also the joy that will be ours as we allow God to harvest his work in us.  If all of that makes sense then it is not a far-fetched idea that all of the history that God providentially recorded in the Hebrew and Greek text of our Bible tell much deeper stories then walls felled by trumpets, lepers cleanse by bathing, and God-man dying on a cross.

Stuart

Psalm 17

Because of our sin and our separation from God there will always be some level of dissatisfaction in everyone's life. Our missing fellowship with God will flicker all through our lives; even among those who reject God's grace. For those of the faith our realization of the alienation from God should build in us an ever growing hunger for more of God. That hunger will make us stumbling blocks to those people who have quenched the flame of God's image in us. They will become annoyed by our piety and angered by the righteous heart that God creates within us. In verse 13 David points out that he needs God's rescue from those who find their satisfaction in the emptiness of this life. Jesus faced the same situation from the same group of people in his day. We too will encounter similar people and attitudes.
Stuart

Mark 1-3

A leper came to Jesus seeking to be healed of his disease (1:40-45).  Jesus healed him then sternly instructed him to submit to the Law by going to the priests so that he could be pronounced clean.  Then he should offer the sacrifice prescribed in the Law.  This man’s healing was just as much the work of God as the healing given to Miriam or Naman.  Mark does not indicated whether the man obeyed the Law, but I would presume that he was so caught up in the wonderful experience that he did.  He probably told all of the other lepers about Jesus’ work of pity.  But had he understood the two key points of Jesus’ message; obey the Law and the Kingdom of God is here?

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 16

God described the man he had chosen king after Saul to the prophet/judge Samuel. He said that he was a man seeking after God's heart (1 Samuel 13:14). How could David live up to such a claim? Verse 8 gives a glimpse into David's heart and see that he had a healthy obession about God. David saw God at work all around him. He recognized the fingerprints of his maker on every aspect of the creation that surrounded him. Whether he was shepherding the sheep, his warriors, or the nation of Israel where ever David looked he saw an arrow pointing back to God. I know that is a devotion that I have not yet developed.
Stuart

Psalm 15

"Lord, who may enter your sactuary?" That is a question I know that I have asked repeatedly over the years. Too often I took David's words as requirements to enter into God's presence. But I have since learned that if those were the requiements then God's places of worship would be void of all people. I believe that there is only one requirement and David doesn't mention it. Yet his writing presumes that everyone who read, or sang, his psalm would acquire that: faith in the God of Israel. Without faith there would be little hunger for entering God's presence.  Without faith we would not know how to enter his glorious presence. Once we have received the faith that God gives then we allow him to create in us those traits that David mentions. When God has completed that work in us then we can know that we will "always be secure."
Stuart

Genesis 43-46

Too often I have pictured Joseph's time in Egypt as a type of solitary confinement. He was ordered about and spoke to no one about his faith in the one true God. But reading this passage chapter 43 verse 23 changed that perception. The servant who brought his brothers into Joseph's house spoke of the work of God in their lives. Joseph must have told his family and his servants the same story that he relayed to his brothers in 47:4-8. Surely his wife, his sons, his servants, and many in Pharaoh's service had heard the aweful and heartwarming story of a God who will use the worse traits of selfish men to bring about such a wonderful work of saving lives. I don't know if the servant was parroting Joseph's words or speaking from his own faith. It seems like he believed that God was blessing Joseph's brothers.
Stuart

Psalm 14

I wonder if the corrupt evildoers whom David observed were the Philistines? Those pagan people who clung to the shores of the sea in eastern Israel. Oppressors of God's people into David's reign. I wonder if part of Goliath's taunt of Israel included the claim that there are no deities, let alone the God of Israel? Surely the Philistines had witnessed a difference in the strange Jewish customs and practices. Surely they saw a devotion in many Jews to their invisible God. A faith that had to impress at least a few of those ruthless overlords. Maybe some seeds of faith grew in those who tried to keep Israel down when under king David God lifted them up from their misery.
Stuart

Genesis 40-42

Joseph had been in Egypt 10 years.  Though he had earned his master’s favor treachery landed him in prison. But he had not forgotten his life with his brothers.  Then two royal officials came under his care.  He served them while they were in prison. He noticed their downcast spirits and learned they had dreamed.  Maybe the memory of his far off dreams came to him.  Joseph knew that God was the giver and the revealer of messages in dreams.  He understood the confusion that they offer, but he trusted in the God who could reveal their mystery.  The dreams were described and God provided Joseph with the insight to explain them.  Three days later the message from God came to pass.  Joseph’s hope for release must have grown as he heard of the restoration of the cup bearer.  But God’s timing was not complete.  So Joseph continued to serve his undeserved sentence in the prison of pharaoh.  Had the cupbearer spoke at that time Joseph might have been released from prison.  But God was preparing for more than Joseph’s release he was working on Israel’s salvation.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 13

There are times when life falls apart. In those times we dispair. What makes those trials wosre is when those who oppose us taunt us. When their words feel like a knife digging into our flesh. We will recoil from the pain, but what can we do? The psalmist explains that he waits for God to act. To redeem our name. To free us from the attack of the oppressors.
Stuart

Genesis 37-39

What was it about Joseph that captured God’s attention?  When he was given the dreams as a young man it was a confusing picture into the future.  It was a picture that Joseph didn’t understand but it did raise Jacob’s suspicions.  Surely the older prophet knew that God was up to something in the life of his second youngest son.  But God’s plans for Joseph were beyond his father’s wildest dreams.  It was so amazing that God used the jealousy, anger, and selfishness of Joseph’s brothers to make a way for the physical salvation of Abraham’s covenant line.  As we Christians know today God used the same human sins in the lives of Jesus’ “brothers”, those of the physical lineage from Joseph’s brothers, to make a way for the spiritual salvation of every person of faith who ever lived.  Just as God used the greed of the ancient Judah to bring Joseph to pagan Egypt so he used the greed of a first century Judah, who’s Greek name was Judas, to bring Jesus to pagan Rome.  There is no way such similarities could be in place except that God was in them.

Stuart

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Paul of Tarsus

Psalm 12

As Christians we have all heard many of God's promises. They have been repeated to us in sermon, skit, script, and song. They are plastered on our greeting cards and murals on the wall. But their true worth is seldom realized until we grasp them while we are in a trial. The furnace of pain reveals the truth of God's promises. The greater to trouble the brighter is the shine of God's promises. The purity of divine hope is found when the smelter burns away all of the dross of our traditions and limited understanding. Sin contaminates our understanding of God's life giving words in the same way that junk devalues the worth of a precious metal. We may not want trials but the faithful discover the fruit of God's grace in the midst of physical loss.
Stuart

Genesis 33-36

When Jacob and Esau met again after 20 years apart there were many tears of joy.  Scripture doesn’t say what motivated the tears in each brother but I can’t help to think that each man cried for a different reason.  Esau cried because of the overflowing joy of seeing his brother again.  We only know two stories from the younger years and neither is complementary of the character of the brothers.  But I can’t help to think that they both had many fond memories of the years growing up.  They were twins and must have shared many good times when they were young.  Jacob probably shared some of that same joy, but he was also happy because God had come through for him again.  Esau not only spared Jacob’s life but Jacob saw how God answer his prayer for protection, and the blessings for his brother while they were apart.

Stuart

Psalm 11

This psalm seems to be written for the modern age. There is world-wide turmoil and continual strife. Culture around the world are fragmenting and disintegrating. Everything seems to be falling apart. There are many faithless people, and even some who believe in God, who are bemoaning the terrible state of the world. How there is nothing that can stop evil, the destruction, and it seems that the end of mankind is at hand. The righteous are told to pack their bags and head to the hills. But such a reaction would indicate that the faithful don't believe that God is in control. If we really believe that he is where should we be? Where should we take our stand? Shouldn't we be in the very thick of the turmoil? Shouldn't we live a life of serenity so that if someone in the mad-house world glances our way they will see something different? Something worth investigating? How much do we believe that God IS in control? How do we show the world what we believe?
Stuart

Genesis 30-32

Genesis chapter 32 describes the final preparations that Jacob made before his reunion with Esau.  There were probably many lingering questions in Jacob’s mind but the most prominent one had to do with Esau’s wrath.  Twenty years earlier Jacob had left his family in fear of his brother’s anger.  Had the 20 years brewed a stronger hatred or softened the heart of the oldest brother of Isaac?  Had Esau grown to see his brother through his parents’ hearts or was he still holding on the vengeance?  Would Esau seek to reclaim his birthright and his blessing by taking Jacob’s life?  God had made a promise to Jacob 20 years earlier; would he still hold to that promise?  All of these questions would be answered when Jacob and Esau met.  Jacob made his request to God.  He prepared a gift for his brother, and he divided his family into two parties.  But he did not stop following God’s command to return home.  Unlike Abraham who had made a similar journey long before him Jacob walked into an unknown that held a memory of hatred.  Jacob must have been wondering what work had God done in his absence? 

Stuart

Psalm 10

The author of this psalm began complaining that God did not protect the weak from those who oppress them. Then between verses 13 and 14 something happened. The eyes of the complainer were opened to the reality of God's nature. Maybe as he penned his complain his saw an oppressor caught in his own trap. He witnessed justice prevail. Or maybe God pointed out what he had been missing. Very quickly the psalmist learned the most powerful lesson about God's compassion: he is always ready to help the needy.
Stuart

Genesis 27-29

In 28:13-15 God repeated the promise of blessing to the third generation of the men of faith. It was an important message so God not only repeated it to each generation he continued that practice through the generations. Abraham may had first heard that promise at least a century earlier but neither the promise or the God who spoke it had changed. It is the same way with God's message of the Gospel. He had made a promise of enduring grace that has not changed over the generations. And in reality it is the fulfillment of the promise God had made to Abraham those thousands of generations earlier.
Stuart

Psalm 9

So many times we focus on the relationship between God and the righteous. This psalm mentions another group of people who dwelt in Israel; the oppressed and suffering. David passes on two promises for the people caught by ugly circumstances. God will be a refuge for them. He will provide them the shelter that they need. There may be times when they don't see that protection, but they have God's assurance that it is there. The other promise is even greater; God will remember them. And in his remeberance he prepares punishment for the oppressors. Those are two promises that modern believers need to pray to God on behalf of persecuted Christians.
Stuart

Genesis 24-26

Chapter 24 focuses on the journey of Abraham's servant to find a wife for Isaac. When he arrived in Nahor's city he lifted up a prayer for God's provision. God heard the servants prayer years before. He had prepared Rebecca's life for that very moment. He had trained her in hospitality, compassion, and humility. He also developed in her a faith in God so that when she heard of all that God had done for Abraham she responded obediently. God still hears and answers our prayers in the same manner.
Stuart

Psalm 8

In all of the vastness of creation why did God place such honor in the frailty of humanity? That is not only the question that David asked but also the question we should all be asking. There is no timeframe given for this psalm but I wonder if an older king David might have penned this after he sought God's forgiveness for a sin he comitted as leader of Israel?  Was he walking around one night marveling at the moon and stars and the authority over man and beast he had as king. Armies ran from those whom David commanded. Animals were slaughtered by the dozens as he brought the ark of God into the city of David. Yet he knew his own weaknesses. And he realized that God knew them as well. How could God entrust such power in weak and sinful man? The only answer I can see is that God gave man that power so that those who sough out the divine create would offer to him the greatest glory that he could.
Stuart

Genesis 21-23

Moses didn't say how old Isaac was when his father heard the command to sacrifice him. He was old enough to carry a load of wood and he was probably accustomed to obeying his father's command. When Abraham commanded Isaac to put his hands behind his back there may have been little concern. As his hands were tied together he surely was wondering what was happening. But there had to be fear in his eyes as he saw old Abraham raise the knife. Just three days earlier those arms had cut up the wood the Isaac carried. There could be no question Abraham had the strength to hold down his son and cut his throat. But the the angel spoke. I wonder if Isaac heard the conversatiopn. I think he did. I'm convinced that he heard the compassion of heaven and the devotion of his father. And the promise of many children through the boy lying on the altar. Through that conversation Isaac received a promise for his life.
Stuart

Psalm 7

Accusations can tear away at our souls if we let them. As believers we have the same option that David had; to turn our lives over to God for his judgment. I am confident that in my past I wronged people, that I betrayed a friend, or even responded violently to someone who oppressed me. For these sins I deserve the death of a rebel.  But I trust in God who shows his mercy and justice; Jesus paid the price for every believer. That included David and it includes me as well.
Stuart

Genesis 18-20

From our perspective of the 21st century it is very difficult for us to understand God's motivation for the wholesale genoside described in the pages of the Hebrew scriptures. Entire cities and nations are put to the sword or devoured by divine disasters. We struggle to understand how God could justify such death. But Genesis 18:16-33 introduces an aspect of God's nature that helps us understand these acts of judgment were not unwarrented. Through the conversation between Abraham and God we see the depths of God's mercy. If there were 6 more righteous people in Sodom the city might still be standing today. Nineveh must have lacked anyone with righteous characteristics to receive the warning through Jonah. Jerusalem may have been  at least 8 people shy of receiving the same pardon offered to Gomorrah. God has always displayed his willingness to extend mercy. Too often the people who are visited by his judgment simply want their own destructive ways.
Stuart

Psalm 6

"I am worn out." I know that when I a worn out I make mistakes and have a greater propensity to fail. I also forget to do and say things. Often my tired body cannot fulfill the promises that I have made. So I think I can understand David's plea for God to without his punishment upon that exhausted soul. So what message can we glean from king David's plea? That God understands our physical limitations and is willing to cover over our failities with his grace. He will also rescue us from those same enemies.
Stuart

Genesis 15-17

Verse 6 of Genesis not only describes Abraham's faith but is a pivital stage for the history of believers throughout time. In this brief statement the depth of Abraham's faith is revealed. Abraham was an old man in his eighties married to a woman only ten years younger. He had been given a name of renown in his time, substantial wealth, but no son. Though he may have known about the great age at which his ancestors had children Abram must have lnown that and Sarah were we exempt from that blessing.  When Abraham heard God's promise of a son the old man discarded his concern with the circumstances in which he saw himself. He adjusted his life's expectations to match God's promise. He began looking foward to his son.
Stuart

Psalm 5

How did David learn that his God despises wrong-doing? That he is not pleased by those who are wicked? Such truths would be difficult to discern from trial and error or observation of other people. Surely these were the words that Jesse taught from the Law, or that David had heard from Samuel as he traveled through the area. I wonder how many lives were lived out before David to re-enforce this truthful teaching? Did David catch a picture of God's graciousness as he with-held his immediate judgment from the guilty?
Stuart

Genesis 12-14

After the defeat of the kings who had captured Lot Abram was offered two gifts. Two kings offered him a reward at the end of the battle. Bera, king of Sodom, was so thankful for the victory that he saw Abram attain that he offered him all of the spoils of the campaign. Bera felt that Abram had earned that prize. The offer from Melchizedek was a memorial meal, a blessing in God's name, and a proclamation of God's victory through Abram's effort.  Abram assessed the gifts he was offered and considered them in light of God's earlier promises. The gist that gave all the glory to God  and demonstrated his grace he chose to accept. He refused the gift that was the best of this world. Even though Abram had seen only a small portion of God's promises fulfilled he held fast to that which is eternal over the temporary things of this world.
Stuart

Psalm 4

I have witnessed God's answers to my prayers and those of other believers. Some answers were clear others became apparent in hindsight. But there is no question in my mind that God responded to the requests of his people. Not neccessarily of those who wear his name but always of those who walk in confidence of his authority. When others oppose we can take solace in knowing that God hears us. So we should include him in every situation. That is what David said he would do.
Stuart

Genesis 10-11

Anyone who has read through the Bible has encountered two ancient believers within the Hebrew text. Abram and Job were both commended for their righteousness. Abram was the father of the people of Israel but also all people of faith in God. Job's righteousness is well known also, even though his descendants are not. In addition to their faith they share another common point; they both claim a heritage is Shem son of Noah. It is apparent that Shem mimicked his father's righteousness before God and passed that on to his children. All that scripture clearly tells us about Shem is his age and the names of his sons. But the naming of Uz, which was the name of the land of Job, and Abram in his lineage indicates to me that Shem also created a priority of faith that he passed on to his generations as well.
Stuart

Psalm 3

The title of this psalm attributes it to the pen of king David as he fled from Absalom's rebellion. The narrative in 2 Samuel details the soldiers who aligned themselves with David's son. Yet David says he slept at night in peace. He depended upon God's supernatural protection to bring him through this rebellion. How could he be sure that God would deliver him from the trechary of Absalom's generals? He couldn't be sure. But he left the details to God. David was confident that regardless of his personal outcome God would bring about a true victory. Which is exactly what history proves happened.
Stuart

Genesis 6-9

The story of Noah offers the first picture of God's punishment of people because of their sin. With the explanation of a murderer's punishment being the loss of his own life (Genesis 9:5-6) God shows the value he has set on human life. This becomes the basis for understanding not only God's nature but also the punishment for the sins of the people in Caanan. A people whose murderous and immoral ways are described later in Moses' writtings.
Stuart

Psalm 2

Why do the nations plan rebellion? Why do we desire that which is bad for us and reject that for which we were created; to fellowship with God? Innately we do the things and feel the emotional swings that align with God's nature. We show compassion to the hurting and lost, we seek to promote justice, and we show love to those connected closely to us. Why do we persist in selfish living? I wish I had an answer. Since the psalmist asked the same questions then it only makes sense that this is a struggle as old as sin.
Stuart

Genesis 3-5

Something unique happened during the lifetime of Enosh son of Seth. The descendents of Adam were quickly perverted in their attitudes toward God.  Somehow the people of Seth began to distinguish themselves from other people. They honored the God of creation and call out his name. Maybe Adam had passed on the truth of God to his grandchildren. Maybe God revealed his name to Enosh. But two generations from the fall there was a flame of faith among some people that sought to restore fellowship between God and men. They did by conscience choice what the Law would later command; they served no other God but Yahweh.
Stuart

Psalm 1

Where will your life lead you? That is a question that is often asked of those who pursue evil. The answer to that question is found in the words of ancient Hebrew poetry. Contrary to what many people believe there are only two destinations at the end of our physical life. We will enter God's presence by his grace or we will be cast out of God's presence by his judgment.
Stuart

Genesis 1-2

There were a few things that the people first hearing the first chapters of Genesis knew but didn't understand their origins. Like why was there a sun and a moon? (To give light to the day and night and to define the seasns). Why do couples marry and move out of their parent's homes? (They are immitating the union of Adam and Eve). Have people always been shamed when they are unclothed? (No, that shame came with sin). There are many other unwritten questions that God addresses in the opening dialog of this book. God doesn't answer all of our questions but he does reveal his wisdom with regard to human nature and his insight of ancient history. Both of which are attributes we need to associate with God in order to lay a foundation of faith in God's position of reigning creator.
Stuart