"king Ahaz … saw an altar that was at Damascus". He journeyed to Damascus to visit the king of Assyria whose help he had sought in resisting armed incursions from the king of Israel and from the Syrians. While in Damascus he saw an altar which he liked so much that he sent the pattern ... Read more

"the clay was marred in his hands”. Marred or imperfect clay did not matter when it was still in the hands of the potter. The prophet described the Master Potter remaking the vessel, not doing a repair. God does not patch up those who put themselves in His hand, He makes them anew. Anyone in ... Read more

"Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you”. Peter's third answer was to the effect that Jesus already knew the answer: he did love Jesus. It was not that Jesus should know but that Peter should know, that the question was asked three times. What the Lord had done and was yet ... Read more

"and their minds (are) closed so they cannot understand”. Whoever will form a balanced opinion must see what God's Word says and must take God into the equation. The prophet was writing about people who were religious but whose religion was nonsensical. They cut down wood - with one piece light a fire and bake ... Read more

"the disciples came together to break bread”. It was a time of spiritual refreshment and worship as well as fellowship with one another. Persecution and opposition ensured they looked forward to this occasion. The disciples would draw great strength from this act of obedience and communication: they would also eagerly anticipate the return of the ... Read more

"as the clay is in the potter's hand”. The lump of clay does not resist the potter's work upon it. If it could resist the vessel might never be made. The potter has complete control. Even when an attempt is thwarted for one reason and another, the potter will start again. So the Lord will ... Read more

"So you also must be ready”. A day is coming when Jesus will return. Repeatedly we read of this in the New Testament. Jesus said He was coming back and the disciples preached this truth. After two thousand years it is a promise nearer fulfilment than ever. No one knows when it will be and ... Read more

"I answered you in the secret place of thunder”. Thunder is at the same time both majestic and mysterious. It is frightening yet demands our attention. To the soul that is sensitive to the voice of God in the world of nature it speaks of His invisible might and power. We cannot pin-point its location ... Read more

"teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine”. There must be more to the Christian experience than being happy - more than being lost in wonder, love and praise and no longer in touch with the reality of life. Joy accompanies salvation and salvation is received by faith often without knowing very much about the foundations ... Read more

"the scarlet cord in the window”. No special merit in the cord, though it was red in colour, strong in texture and used to lower the two spies from her window on the walls of Jericho. It marked Rahab's covenant with the spies and her house did not perish when Jericho was taken. It is ... Read more