Psalm 48

Verses 4-7 tell of an attack that was planned against Jerusalem; a plan that was providentally thwarted by God. It was a plan witnessed by the sons of Korah who penned this song in commemoration of the wonder of God's work in that battle that never was. Whether this was the siege of Hezekiah's day or some other invasion I don't know. What I do know is that it is one more situation where God displayed his power in a way that strengthens the faith of believers while leaving the skeptics baffled.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 33-34

As Moses spoke his parting blessing over Israel he stated the value of God’s Law as being the nation’s most treasured possession (33:4).  How valuable do I, does the church, see God’s word?  Am I guilty of ignoring it?  Are we guilty of neglecting our time in it?  Do we look for God’s written revelation to be confirmed in his creation?  Do we figuratively, or literally, write it on our door posts and wear it on our foreheads?  Do we carry the Word with us so that no one can take or damage our treasure?  Do we recognize its endless warehouse of riches and freely share them with everyone who we meet and fellowship?  Do we pour it out on each other like Mary poured out her expensive nard on Jesus? (John 12:1-3)  What do we do with this treasure?

Stuart

Psalm 47

Our God is like a great king; greater than any king who has ever ruled on earth. The psalmist refers to him as the "ruler of nations". That is very different from the contemporary idea of a god. They were normally considered to be connected to one people or nation. But the God of Israel is God of all the earth and every nation. What was true in the time of the sons of Korah is still true today.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 31-32

In 31:19 God commanded Moses to write down the song that he would teach him.  Unless I misunderstand the meaning of this word for song it would imply two components; words and music.  It should not come as a surprise that God is the one who wrote the first songs and continues to write them today.  He gave Moses the words for this song and then taught he and Joshua how to sing it.  I wonder if singing is God’s primary form of speaking?  Since much of the Hebrew scriptures are poetic is construction I wonder if there was a tune that God had in mind as he shared his revelation with his people?  Since scripture never mentions angels singing I wonder if their creation, and maybe ours, was to be the audience for God’s song?

Stuart

Deuteronomy 27-30

As Moses was explaining the blessings and curses of God's Law to Israel he made this mysterious statement in 29:29-
"There are other things that the Lord our God has kept secret...."(TEV). Since Paul later spoke about God's revelation of all thing through Christ (Eph. 3:2-5) I wonder if this is the opposite end of Paul's statement to modern believers?
Stuart

Psalm 46

Since God is our shelter we can set aside fear and anxiety. When nature or culture turn violent God's people can know that in him will reside a peace that passes understanding. It may not be revealed at times as a physical peace. But it may be much greater, more profound, with greater premenance than anything this world will offer us.  That is the key to life that we seek anyway.
Stuart

Psalm 45

The writer of this psalm offered it as a wedding song to honor the king of Israel. Whoever the king mentioned really was doesn't matter at this point. What does matter is that the psalmist reminds the king that it was God who placed him on the throne. It was God who established the kingdom this ruler had inheritited in the first place. It was not through armies and military skill that this king had a throne on which he could sit. God's hand of power and providence made the way for this man to rule over God's people. He needed to be reminded of that truth. I need to be reminded that God has given me all that I have like wise.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 17-19

In 17:7 God made it clear that the first stones of an execution were to be cast by the witnesses of tha capital crime.  So what is Jesus doing in John 8:7 when he charges the sinless to throw the first stones? Was he changing the Law? Was he accusing the woman's accusers of false testamony? Maybe he was pointing out to the Pharisees that their focus should have been on reforming the woman's life instead of rushing to condenm her.
Stuart

Psalm 44

This psalmist sounds much like Job. He sees no reason to be facing God's hand of judgment. But like Job he doesn't whine that God is being unfair. His focus is on God's mercy. That God would withdrawn his judgment arm and pour out his mercies. The psalmist takes all of the insults and pain because he is waiting on God to redeem him.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 14-16

The beginning of chapter 14 explains some pagan mourning ritual. It involves cutting and shaving. Though Moses didn't include the history behind this process he did make it clear that this was the practice of other people. God's people are to be different from other people. People of faith are to allow God to distinguish them from the pagans around them. Mourning the loss of a loved one provides a picture of the culture's deepest sorrow and fear. God's people should not mimick their actions because their loss is measured differently then those who have no hope.
Stuart

Psalm 43

If God is the source of our happiness how do we connect to him? The psalmist makes the connection of our happiness through the altar of God. The altar served one function; to receive sacrifices. So our connection to God comes when we offer sacrifices to him. But not because he want to take away what we have. He ask for sacrifices so that we can show him his value to us. If we give him our sustinance then we display our dependance upon him to keep us alive. If we give him our time we display that he is more valuable than our schedules. The altar of the temple was the place where the very best of Israel was surrendered for God's work. I need to examine what I put on God's altar.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 11-13

There have always been people who want to change God’s words.  That is what Satan did in the Garden of Eden, and when God revealed the Law to Israel he knew that there would be people who followed Satan’s plan of attack.  God could have destroyed every person who spoke against him, or he could have never allowed them to be born, but then where would be the opportunity for repentance?  When would they be able to turn away from their rebellion?  How would a believer ever be tested if there were no opportunity to fail?  In 13:3 God says that the rebels are in our midst to present the test of how much we love God; more or less than a lie.  Those are harsh words from an all knowing and all powerful God.  While he wants us to love him completely he also wants that love to be freely motivated by our passion for a relationship with him.  When we pass the test we display that free flowing love to him.

Stuart

Psalm 42

The psalmist points out that exile is a place of sorrows and heart breaks. But God's omnipresence means that it doesn't have to be a lonely place. God will always be with his people regardless of where they dwell. If we are in the center of his will then God is nearby. If we rebel against his commands it does not mean that God is far away. Since God is always at work in our lives we must vigilently watch for the fruit of his labor. From that harvest we can sing songs of joy as we lay down to rest.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 8-10

In Deuteronomy 8:16 Moses explained why Israel faced hardships in the desert wandering. They were all tests. To pass the tests meant that Israel would be blessed by God.
Stuart

Psalm 41

When we are sick we find oursleves facing many trials. To learn that people all around seek to hasten your death would be an awful truth. David takes the calloused wished of his detractors to God; seeking for God to display his favor. It is our attitude toward the weak and helpless that indicate out connection with God. God's heart is always close to the displaced and rejected. His eyes will forever be on those who are forgotten. But he will also bless those who reach out in compassion to those rejects.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 5-7

In chapter 7 Moses goes into great detail about how Israel should destory the idolatry that proliferated the land of Caanan. Just as God had separated them from their position of slavery in Egypt now he desired for them to choose a similar separation for themselves in their new home. Obliterate would be a good word to describe the action God desired for his people toward the idols that would encounter. That is an excellant picture of how God has worked in the lives of Christians and the desire he has for Christians to live. When we encounter new experiences in our life in Christ we must always evaluate how it will impact our relationship with God. Will it distract me from God's Law? Will it pull my attention away from God's praise? Will it seek to define why I am? I must always ask how this new situation will challege God's position in my life. That is where Israel failed. That is where I have failed.  The good news is that God is always ready to help us come back to him.
Stuart

Psalm 40

What has God done for you? David expresses his inability to answer this question in verse 5. God has already done an uncountable number of things for his people. But he didn't stop there. God has also planned what seems like an unending list of additional things that he desires to do for us through out our days. David says the quantity of God's outpouring graciousness exceeds our ability to count them all. To put this in perspective; the breadth of God's work from creation to this point do not exceed the number of blessings that he has in store for his people of faith.
Stuart

Deuteronomy 1-4

In 4:15 Moses pointed out to the people that when God spoke to them he showed them no form. We still serve that God who cannot be define in physical terms. Even though he created everything physical the entire collection of the physical create is not big enough to explain who God is. There is nothing in creation to which we can compare God. That can be frustrating, but it is also liberating. When God makes an unbelievable promise we can rest assured that he is able to bring it to fulfilment. That was true when Moses spoke on the plain East of Jericho and it is till true today.
Stuart

Psalm 39

Life is short and all that we gain will go to someone else. If Solomon heard his father speak these words then the words he recorded in Ecclesiastes were a slight exageration of David's hopelessness. But David had an answer for all of his unfullfilled hope; focus it on God. David trusted that God would provide for his needs even while he was punishing him for his sins. God is loving and just. But he is also very faithful to his people.
Stuart

Galatians 4-6

What defines our passions and purpose in life?  There are two “people” in us that struggle, battle may be the more accurate word, to define us.  There is our flesh and our spirit.  Only one of them will lead us at any one time.  The leader may change, but there will only be one at a time.  In 5:17 Paul describes these two as enemies.  Following one will always offend the other who will fight against the leader.  God gave Israel the Law so that they could identify the working of the flesh person inside of them.  We still have the Law for the same reason; to expose the enemy of God who dwells with us.  In 5:19-21 Paul describes the evidence of a life controlled by the flesh.  Even non-believers would be opposed to the ugly realities that these traits produce.  In 5:22-26 Paul describes not only the evidence of a life controlled by the Spirit but also the assurance that to live under God’s Spirit frees us from any concerns about the Law.  When we live in accord with God’s Spirit we have life, and show the evidence that our fleshly desires are dead or dying.

Stuart

Psalm 38

The foolishness of sin affects us in more ways than just spiritually. Allowed the fester the spiritual works of death begin to manifest themselves in our physical bodies. David recounts his infected wounds, draining fever, and chronic pain that had left him exhausted. Though we don't know the sin he comitted that led to this illness we do see his confession in verse 18 along with his plea for God to stay near.  Both are examples of how we should bare our sins to God.
Stuart

Galatians 1-3

The first few chapters of the Galatian letter remind me that Paul cut his spiritual teeth on the writings of Hebrew scripture.  He probably spent his life committing God’s word to memory.  God used the efforts of young Saul to shape the ministry of older Paul to teach and build up the young church of the first century.  We could even say that Paul’s training has been a useful discipleship training instrument for the church for 20 centuries.  It is amazing how God can take our best human efforts, which are pitifully poor when compared to the power of the almighty, and  give them eternal significance.  We may never know if our efforts lead to anything more than hard work for us, but if God set up the apostle Paul as an example for us to follow then we should always remember the power of God working through the words of a first century tent-maker and Pharisee.

Stuart

Psalm 37

There is one message that the psalmist repeats to his reades; do not trust in wicked men and put all of your trust in God. Over and over the message is stated. I know that I need to hear good news when all I see is bad news. The more the bad newd is repeated the more frequently I need to hear the words of reassurance. Maybe that's what this psalmist is attempting; encouraging those who are facing repeated set backs at the hands of the wicked. The message from God is that he has not abandoned those who hold fast to God.
Stuart

Numbers 34-36

The creation of the cities of refuge are one of the most gracious acts of God in the Law. The people were charged with creating a justice system that not only reflected God's holy nature but also his merciful nature. I also think it was a foreshadow of what Jesus, the great high priest, would do for the worst of sinners; protect them from God's vengence.
Stuart

Psalm 36

It is wonderful the way God repeats the same message to different generations of his people. In verses 5 and 6 of this psalm David proclaims the immeasurable size of God's love.  It covers the breadth of the heavens, the length of the skies, the heights of the mountains, and the depths of the oceans.  Many generations later a less poetic believers sought to convey the same truth about God's love in the Ephesian letter (3:18-19). Paul wrote about defining the breadth, length, heigth, and depth of God's immeasurable love.
Stuart

Numbers 31-33

When the leaders of the tribes of Reuben and Gad first spoke to Moses surely the old prophet rolled his eyes and thought, "Not again!" The children of the rebels had learned nothings from the parents' failures. But as they continued to speak Moses saw the faith of the people of Reuben and Gad. They sought not to defer God's promise but to enlarge his promise. They were willing to leave their heritage, their families and flocks, in God's care to battle with their brothers for their inheritence. They were willing to risk loosing all so that the rest of the covenant community could gain God's promise. God honored their faith and expanded his inheritence to both sides of the Jordan.
Stuart

Psalm 35

David learned young what it meant to truely be a follower of God Almighty. It mean not repaying evil for evil, but rather extending grace to those who pour out abuse. In verses 11-14 of this psalm David spelled out some of those expressions of grace. From those who made his life miserable he joined them in their suffering and interceeded for their healing. Not only did Jesus leave us an example of grace but so did his ancestor; king David.
Stuart

Numbers 28-30

Chapters 28 and 29 summarize the regular offerings that the nation of Israel was required to give. These offerings were not the price to purchase for them a position in God's kingdom. Rather these gifts we're freely given to God in recognition of what he had accomplished in their lives. They were like birthsday cake. It was a time to celebrate the wonderful work that God had already completed in the life his people.
Stuart

Numbers 25-27

The execution of Zimri and Cozbi is a very shocking situation (Numbers 25:6-17). And it was the tip of the iceberg of those men whom God killed with a plague because of their rebellion. There had already been 24,000 to die. But Phinehas' action pleased God. Not that he killed two people but because he sought to honor God's name. Phinehas' action was not motivated by anger but by his love for God. It was not an act to earn God's favor but an action of an obedient heart by one already in fellowship with God. It was a display of surrender; a display that we offer as we interact with the spiritual realm. Since that is where our enemy works.
Stuart

Psalm 34

This psalm challenges my notion of what is "good". Verses 19 and 20 offer the guidance for us to hold fast to God. Troubles may befall the follower of God but I don't call that good. God looks at things from a different perspective than I do. He looks at the end result; the picture when the good man in troubles it brought safely out of the trouble. God doesn't stay focused on the pain before the rescue if he did then Jesus would not have gone to the cross. The fact that Jesus chose that path is the example that he embraced the suffering so that he could fully liberate us from this life.
Stuart

Numbers 22-24

Why is it that I fight against God’s word?  When something doesn’t fit what I want there is a struggle.  I don’t like to give in.  It’s not that I want to beat up on God, but I will push back. I think that I share a mindset with Balaam and Saul of Tarsus.  All three of us push back on God’s direction.  Now I haven’t had a light blind me, or a donkey speak to me, but I’ve “heard” God speak very plainly in various circumstances.  He has reminded me to tell other people “Thank you” for the impact that they have had on my life.  I’ve been sporadic at best in executing this, but God wants me to be aggressive in my pursuit of appreciation.  So I need to get on the ball.  And I’ll keep an eye on any nearby donkey.

Stuart

Psalm 33

Our God is the one true God and he is a reigning king. Verses 13 and 14 drive this point home. As a ruling God he is active in all that we plan and do. He will allow us failures but his plan will ultimately be carried out in this world and in our lives. Yet even with such a close watch over our lives he still permits the opportunity to express ourselves and make our own choices. God will never violate our free will. And he is our source of strength for victory.
Stuart

Numbers 18-21

God explained to the tribe of Levi that they would receive no inheritance in the Promised Land.  They would not have to labor like the rest of Israel because they were dedicated to the work of God’s tabernacle.  In the last part of Numbers 18:20 God makes the statement, “I, the LORD, am all you need.”  Looking back at these words from a Christian perspective we can see that God was preparing an object lesson in the lives of the Levites.  They had been given a holy occupation; attending to the work of the worship of God.  That was to be their livelihood.  A son would learn the tasks that his father in the worship of God.  To understand how to worship God is an inheritance more valuable to pass on that property or a house.  For such experiences cannot be stolen by bandits or foreign armies, it is truly a life-long inheritance.  Modern believers have received that part of the inheritance of Levi.  We have also been given the task of passing it on to future generations of believers.  Like the Levites we need to see the honor and value in such a prize.

Stuart

Psalm 32

God is the embodiment of love, life, and truth; among a multitude of other traits. What he wants from the people that love him is truth. When we fail to live up to his standards he wants us to admit it. He doesn't want excuses or repayment plans; he wants our confession. The words of psalm 32:5 are echoed in 1 John 1:9; confess your sins and God will forgive you. How can he do that? God also embodies grace.
Stuart

Numbers 15-17

God wanted to help the people remember to keep his commands. So he created a reminder for them. Just like the reminder he created for Noah it was not only unique but also stylish and unobstusive. It wouldn't stand out as something rigid, but rather a gentle reminder of what God wanted from his people. I don't know if tassles existed before this time, but I wouldn't surprise me if they were something new that God created just for us.
Stuart

Psalm 31

The call of David that ends this psalm is a phrase from God that has echoed through the ages. Be strong and courageous. Most notably this was the first message that God spoke to Joshua after he assumed the leadership of Israel after Moses' death. It is a message that we need to hear as we face a world that seeks to disappoint and disillusion us. But these diversionary tactics are soley intended to move us off target; the goal on which God intends for us to put our focus. Be strong and courageous.
Stuart

Numbers 11-14

I know just how the Israelites felt. I have questioned God before, been convicted of my rebellion and sought to carry out his initial plan. Only to find the original way blocked. Then I have wandered learning of his love and grace but wondering what I would have seen if I had been faithful the first time. The consequnces of our rebellion differ between generation. Those who fled Egyptian slavery were condemned to 40 years of wandering for their disbelief. King Saul was stripped of God's annointing. But David's repentance after his adultry and murder  brought him closer to God.  I take comfort that God knows my heart and weaknesses so he deals with me as the loving father that he is. But he wants me to enter his rest with out being a rebel.
Stuart

Psalm 30

I know how David felt as he gave thanks to God. I have been saved like David. My enemies have been so defeated that they do not gloat over me. When I cried out to God he poured out his healing. He build a wall to protect me from the grave. Through Jesus, God has given me life abundantly. Everything that David claimed was seen physically. The ways God has worked in my life have been mostly spiritually. But which reality holds the greater truth?
Stuart

Numbers 8-10

The consecration of the Levites concludes in Numbers 8:22 with the statement, “And so the Levites were qualified to work in the Tent under Aaron and his sons.”  What had been done to qualify the Levites?  God called them, the leaders of the people recognized God’s selection, and the Levites submitted to God’s selection.  Aaron sprinkled water on them, they shaved all the hair off of their bodies, and they washed their clothes but it was not these physical actions that qualified them.  If they had refused to obey then God would have rejected them but it was primarily God’s selection that made them his special servants.  I believe that the same is true for Christians today.

Stuart

Psalm 29

There is no scriptural record that David audibly heard God's voice. Yet this psalm makes multiple references to God's voice. It is possible that David was basing his psalm on the record of Moses left in the Law. David could have had a vision where God spoke. Maybe David was one of the privledged few to hear God speak. Whatever means David captures the power of God's voice and spares it with believers through history.
Stuart

Numbers 4-7

The seperation of the holy things from the people was very obvious. Even when the tabernacle was moved the people were visibly seperated from the furniture the depicted God's presence. The Levites who were charged with carrying the furniture were forbidden to look at it. That is why the work of Jesus was so profound. The seperation that was at one time so complete has been taken away. There is no longer any separation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Stuart

Psalm 28

Verse 7 presents an interesting quandry: which comes first God's protection or a believer's trust in God? This is more perplexing to me than the chicken and the egg. God spoke the chicken into existence with the abilitiy to lay eggs; problem solved. But Psalm 28:7 is not so clear cut. God wants us to trust in him but how can we initially trust is someone we cannot see? Bases upon my belief that God knows us very well, and his history of reaching out to people before we reach out to him, I think that God always acts first. After he acts it is up to us to respond. God may act a number of times in many ways before we even acknowledge him. And trust will come and grow the longer we see his protection and provision at work in our life.
Stuart

Numbers 1-3

The scene of Israel's encampment was to be a picture of the life of every believer. God's presence is to be at the center of everything. His presence is to be surrounded by a cooperative effort by every member of his assembly. There is to be order in the ranks but not segregation of worth.  Each person, every tribe had a function in the movement of God's people as they advanced toward the blessed hope; their eternal inheritence. The same is true of the church.
Stuart

Psalm 27

David acknowledged in verse 8 that he had heard God speak. The message God said to David was, "Come worship me." This is the invitation that God has extended to all people since Adam took his first steps. How will I respond? David's answer to God was, "I will come, LORD." How many times will I stop and listen for the invitation? When does he call me to worship him? Only when I have or make a quiet time? I heard his invitation yesterday when I stopped by to help a widowed saint with her mail. That outreach to the least of these in Jesus name was a time of worship. I think that sometimes the invitation to worship comes at the same time he invites us to serve someone.
Stuart

Hebrews 11-13

In chapter 12 beginning in verse 7 the writer begins to offer direction on the persecution that the believers were facing.  His instructions were focused on a change in attitude on their behalf.  If I view persecution as being directed by God then my attitude toward it should change.  I know that God loves me and seeks to strengthen me for the spiritual journey I am walking.  So if he brings something into my life I must take the stand that it will be for my benefit.  That is how I am to approach suffering; not something to tear me down, but something that will build me up in him.  I can only speak as someone who has never faced persecution; that does not make sense to me.  But if I wait to act on God’s commands until they always make sense then aren’t I judging God’s wisdom as inferior to mine?

Stuart

Psalm 26

In verse 6 David uses the picture of freshly washed hands to display the innocence in his life. That passage brings to my mind Pilate's actions as Matthew recorded them. (27:24) He too washed his hands to symbolize that he was innocent in Jesus' death. Yet that attempt to transfer guilt failed. Pilate was co-conspiritor with the Jewish leader in Jesus' murder. David's washed hands were not only a reflection of his heart but also a perfect picture of the life of the son of David; Jesus of Nazareth. His entire life was one of innocence.
Stuart

Hebrews 7-10

The Hebrew writer refers to a will as a legal document held in reserve until the death of the one who wrote it.  I don’t know if God initiated the concept or merely used this human legal invention to teach us a truth about the way he works.  We know that the purpose of the will is to provide an inheritance for the beneficiaries.  Under the covenant given to Moses God identified the beneficiaries of his will as the people of faith based around the nation of Israel.  I’m wondering if Christians fall under that list of beneficiaries?

Stuart

Psalm 25

Verse 11 hold a promise for all of God's covenant people; forgiveness of sins. It is our sins that keep us separated from God. God promised to forgive the people who follow him in faith. That is a promise that he kept with ancient Israel and continues to keep with the people of faith under the blood of Jesus. Oh what a promise.
Stuart

Hebrews 4-6

God has frequently refered to his people as a field. In Isaiah he compares them to a vineyard. But the fruit of that vineyard is bad grapes. I wonder if that is the same thinking that the Hebrew writer uses in 6:7-8. In both cases the fault is one of unfaithfulness.
Stuart

Psalm 24

What are the words used in this psalm to describe the greatness of our Lord, King, and God? Strong, mighty, and victorious in battle. These three traits were the determining factors of great kings in Old Testament times. Today's leaders still seek to portray the same attributes, though not as militaristically. But we would agree that is what makes a great king. The last verse describes God as triumphant and great. Similar words that convey the same meanings of indefeatable and able to defend and protect all who follow. When we understand how this applies to the spiritual realm we will join the psalmist in proclaiming God's greatness.
Stuart

Psalm 23

It has always been good to know that I have an open invitation to my parents house. They don't even have to be there (but that would require me to borrow a key). It is the house where I grew up, it has never been owned by anyone else. And when I think of "home" that is the first place my thoughts focus. I know the structure of the house very well, and I know the memories built there even better. Having an open invitation to a house is the closing thought of psalm 23. And though David might have been thinking about the tent were God's ark was housed he also knew that there was an eternal home to which he had been invited. That is the same house ih which I hope to dwell forever just like David.
Stuart

Hebrews 1-3

Suffering in this life is inevitable.  When we face suffering we will also face temptations that we may not face outside of those trials.  There are two points of good news for us when we suffer; Jesus has also suffered.  He faced persecution, terrible pain, he struggled for breath, and every movement caused terrible pain in his body.  He felt hunger and thirst, and the loss of those close to him.  (I wonder if he felt the sorrow of Judas’ suicide?) And in each of these painful situations he was attacked by the same fleshly desires that we encounter.  The temptations to flee, fight back, scream in anger, and call down curses on his oppressors ravaged his tasked spirit.  The second point of good news is that since Jesus suffered and was tempted JUST AS WE ARE he knows what strength we need to persevere.  And he will give us exactly what we need, but not necessarily what we want, to get through the pain we must face.

Stuart