INTRODUCTION:Nothing about this world comes as a surprise to God. He knows what is in the heart of man, and He knows what His Spirit can do to the dry earth of sinful disobedience. As we look around us, let us never forget that God has the situation (our situation) well in hand. He governs …
Growling Over a Text
“The basic meaning of the Hebrew words translated into English as meditation is ‘a low sound, characteristic of the moaning of a dove (Is. 38:14; 59:11) or the growling of a lion over its prey (Is. 31:4).’ To meditate is to ‘growl’ over a text as a lion would over the carcass of its prey” …
Poetic Justice
INTRODUCTION:The child’s retort about “sticks and stones” is entirely misguided. Words really can hurt; words can be cruel, and words can be savage. One of the things we must do is learn how to guard our own tongues (in the first instance), and learn how to deal with the slanderous accusations of others. This is …
A Shield Against Doubts
Paul says that, “above all,” we are to take up the shield of faith. “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Eph. 6:16). This passage tells us a great deal about the nature of our spiritual conflict. When two adversaries clash …
Peace When God Stikes the Blow
So if we have the belt of truth tied around us, we should not think of it as a bit of string — this is a belt that is part of our full armor. We should not be surprised at this; the Scriptures describe the truth of God as enduring forever. O praise the Lord, …
Arma Dei
The whole armor of God is an image that is pretty familiar to us. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh …
The Marrow and the Fat
INTRODUCTION: John Donne says of this psalm that it is one of the imperial psalms—suitable for every occasion, and one with universal applications. Christians can resort to it under all kinds of circumstances, and according to Chrysostom, a portion of the ancient church would not let a day pass without singing it. All the various …
No Blank Screens
“A text cannot mean what it never meant” (Haddon Robinson, as quoted in Murray, Deep Preaching, p. 80).
A Sermon to the Governor and Legislature of Idaho
Introduction:It may seem unusual to preach a sermon to someone who is not present, and this would be odd if the church were contained and enclosed by her four walls. But Scripture teaches that the church is a city on a hill, with the whole world invited to look on, and that there are times …
Low and High Degree
INTRODUCTION:Most psalms of affliction begin with the problem and work through to the solution of faith—there is a story arc to the psalm. One of them is grim and gray from beginning to end (Ps. 88). But this psalm is all confidence, from the first words to the end of the psalm. The troubles are …