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BE STILL AND KNOW

It is impossible to determine for certain the occasion for which the 46 th Psalm was written.  Some commentators believe that it was written after God delivered King Jehoshaphat from a great army of Moabites and Ammonites.  Others believe that it was written during King Hezekiah’s reign when the Assyrians under King Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem.  This we do know: this Psalm was written to encourage Israel to trust in the LORD Jehovah during difficult and frightening times, and Israel certainly had an abundance of those!    It is said that Psalms 46 gave Martin Luther much comfort and encouragement during the times that he faced fierce opposition to his preaching and ministry.  It is said that it was one of the portions of scripture that inspired the words to his hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God .      The psalm opens with these words of comfort and encouragement: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (...
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A SWORD AND A TROWEL

Nehemiah is an incredible figure in the Bible, and his story amazes me because of its relevance for today.   It speaks to me on many levels, but mostly about how important it is for me to know God’s will, get under the burdens that are close to His heart, and do the work that He has called me to do.   Nehemiah was among those Jews who were living in Babylon because of King Nebuchadnezzar destroying the city of Jerusalem in 593 B.C.  He was born in Persia to parents who were part of the Jewish exile.  At some point, he was enlisted into service in the palace of the King, and, so, became the King’s cupbearer - a position of importance.  While in this service, word came to him from some who had returned from Jerusalem, that the people were in great affliction, and the walls of the city were broken down, and the gates burned with fire.  The news so affected Nehemiah that he sat down and wept, and mourned, and didn’t eat for days; but, more importantly, he p...
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THE SIGN OF HIS COMING

During Jesus’ last visit to Jerusalem before His passion, His disciples were awed by the splendor of Herod’s Temple.   Jesus told them plainly that the temple in Jerusalem would be destroyed one day in the future.   He said not one stone would remain standing upon another.   It was statements such as these that offended the Jewish leaders, especially when He told them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19; see also Mark 14:58).   To the priests and doctors of the Law this sounded outright blasphemous!     Understandably, Jesus’ disciples were curious about His statement and asked Him about it privately.  They wanted to know exactly when this would happen and what sign would mark the Lord’s return.  The Lord gave a very detailed answer to His disciples, identifying the signs and events that would lead up to His final appearance.   “And as He sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him p...
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