"they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar". The old hymn goes, "What can wash away my stain? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!" There is no reason to think the position has changed. Science and education have made clever sinners, the comforts of our age, contented sinners. Rebellion against God has produced wayward ... Read more
"none might enter into the king's gate clothed with sackcloth". Was this edict designed to keep grief and mourning away from the palace area? If so, it failed. Rather than banning sorrow, we need to carefully tend it. Remember the gracious way that Elijah dealt with the woman whose grief was beyond words at the ... Read more
"there was a division among the people because of him". Some accept while others reject: Jesus said He would divide those of a household. He came and lived and died and rose again that those who believe might not perish but have eternal life. But there are those who will not believe. Jesus said to ... Read more
"the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha". I have always been attracted to this widow's behaviour. She was not too proud to ask for help when she needed it. Her situation was desperate and she quite rightly called for assistance from the circle of godly men in which her ... Read more
"Accept the one whose faith is weak". The weak brother needs supporting. It may be for this very reason that he crosses your path. Weak faith is infinitely greater than no faith and strengthening the weak may be just your ministry. Accept those weak in faith but don't get embroiled in other's doubting and disputings. ... Read more
"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God". Natural birth only carries a lease for duration of life on earth. No one born into this world has any entitlement to life beyond the grave. Only God has immortality. Man forfeited any hope of qualifying or earning any extension of life ... Read more
"Seek the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while he is near". Now is the accepted time. A day may come when God cannot be found. Remember Esau who for a morsel sold his birthright and afterward when he would have inherited the blessing was rejected, though he sought it with tears. ... Read more
"she said,The glory is departed from Israel". These last words of Phinehas' wife as she died in childbirth were prophetic. God through her pronounced judgment upon Israel and Ichabod, the name of her son, bore witness to this. Gods' glory shines in the hearts of those who obey and fear Him. It leaves when sin ... Read more
"when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out". Three factors contributed to his startling behaviour. First, he believed that Jesus could do something for him: second he was advised that Jesus was passing by and thirdly he knew that Jesus did not turn away anyone in need. This made ... Read more
"the temple was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power". This is vastly different from the Temple area on earth when Jesus visited it and found it a den of thieves and echoing with the rattle of money rather than prayer. It is a picture of what every sanctuary should ... Read more