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In: Bible and Theology, Idols, Lament, Prayer and Devotions

“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:25-26) Most of us can confidently say we only have one God in Heaven. I wonder if anyone besides Asaph can honestly say we desire nothing on the earth besides God. Of course, this is a lament, so he’s just dumped out before God all of his baggage, in his case a rather frustrated envy of the wicked who prosper while the innocent are stricken. So weRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's promises, Lament, Prayer and Devotions, Suffering

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:35,37) Paul is long winded, so for the full scope of what he is saying, we need to read chapters seven and eight of Romans in one sitting, or at least 8:26-39. The most crucial context to these verses appears to be, “If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, howRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Lament

“But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress.” (Psalm 59:16) For the full impact of this verse, we need to place it in context. In the first seven verses of Pslam 59, David is lamenting. He opens with a prayer for deliverance, while decrying Saul and his men, who are lying in wait for David to kill him and stirng up strife against him even though he has done no wrong. In verses six and seven, he complains,: EachRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Gospel, Grace, Lament, Prayer and Devotions

What keeps us from praying and abiding with God? Sometimes, we like to claim we’re simply busy, but we make time in our busy schedules for the things and people we love, don’t we? So why do we avoid God? What are we afraid of? What are we hiding? Is it just God, or do we draw back from close, intimate relationship with others for fear of being exposed? Even the Lord Himself did not entrust himself to men, for he knew what was in the hearts of men, but we were created for fellowship and communion with God and our brothers and sisters inRead More →

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In: Bible and Theology, God's Character, Lament, Prayer and Devotions

Abba Father, Sorrow comes, you are God. Happiness comes, you are God. Anger comes, you are God. Peace comes, you are God. Poverty comes, you are God. Riches come, you are God. Pain comes, you are God. Pleasure comes, you are God. Whatever our physical or emotional condition, you are God, and we are your children, the sheep of your pasture, and you hold us in your hand. Nothing can separate us from your love. May we love you and serve you, and pour our hearts out to you today, whether we have joy or sorrow to lift up to you. May we trust inRead More →