Psalm 69:1-37

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 69:1-12

Having shared with us the conviction that God is good, the psalmist now proceeds to tell us what caused him to move away from that belief so that his soul became filled with such desolating doubt: "But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the...

For Reading and Meditation:     James 1:2-8

We continue meditating on the first verse of Psalm 73: "Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart." The psalmist has gone through an experience of crippling doubt but the great thing is this: he has emerged from it spiritually enriched and with a deeper...

For Reading and Meditation:     Psalm 139:1-24

We continue meditating on the right way to handle our negative feelings. We said yesterday that the two wrong ways to handle hurting emotions are to deny them or express them. Denial pushes them down inside us, while expression dumps them on to other people or things. Neither of these, in my view, is a Biblical way of...

The speaker in Psalms 69:1-36 is the Lord Jesus. In verse 4 He is saying that in His glorious work of redemption, He made restitution to God for losses that had been caused by man's sin. No doubt He is picturing Himself as the true trespass offering.

When a Jew stole from another Jew, the law of the trespass offering required him to repay the amount that was stolen and to add one-fifth of that value.

Now God was robbed through man's...

John 2:13-25

Over and over again in the Gospels, we read of Jesus going to the feasts of the Jews and to their synagogue services. In this He set an example for us. We are to follow Him, putting our feet into the prints of His shoes. One of the things we may learn from Him, is the habit of attending Christian worship. He was always faithful in attending religious meetings. He began at the age of twelve to go to the Passover, and went...

My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” § And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.The pains of death surrounded me, and the pangs of Sheol laid hold of me; I found trouble and sorrow. § Reproach...

I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing; I have come into deep waters where the floods overflow me. § Waters flowed over my head; I said, “I am cut off!” I called on Your name, O LORD, from the lowest pit. You have heard my voice: “Do not hide Your ear from my sighing, from my cry for help.” You drew near on the day I called on You, and said, “Do not fear!”Will the LORD cast off forever? And will He be favorable no more? Has His mercy ceased forever? Has His promise failed...

It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master.He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. § In the world you will have tribulation. § Because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none. § At my first defense no one...

This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise. § I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth. § Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His...

I was a little angry, and they helped—but with evil intent.Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.He who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. § Comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.Let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a...