"study to be quiet". Being quiet does not come naturally to most of us - not for any length of time anyway! It calls for application or study to perform the exercise. Our desire must not be to be known for our much speaking. And we do not want to meddle in other's affairs - ... Read more

"this house was finished". The temple of the Lord was completed in spite of all the opposition and hindrance the returned exiles had faced. The workers had been made to stop and when at last the dispute was resolved and a new command to build received from Darius, the workers began to work with great ... Read more

"But who do you say that I am? ". When we have examined all the evidence, listened to all the opinions, noted the behaviour of everyone we meet, the need is for us to decide. Jesus listened to the disciples tell of the various things others had said about Him, but the question that mattered ... Read more

"You are talking like a foolish woman". Job is not suggesting it is only women who are foolish! He is chastening his wife for her thoughtless suggestion that he 'curse God and die'. Such words show a lack of moral judgment or respect for a righteous God. As Job points out, 'Shall we accept good ... Read more

"there are many adversaries". This is the second half of Paul's statement that a great and effectual door has been opened for him. We think of great doors opening to great opportunities and blessings and so they do. But with every blessing there will be a collection of stumbling blocks and temptations and a host ... Read more

"Behold, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord". The servants of the Lord are called to bless or worship the Lord. Those about whom the Psalmist was writing were expected to readily do this. Rather, their calling to serve in the house of the Lord was a great honour. It delighted their heart: ... Read more

"This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he sent". Jesus had told His hearers they should not labour for the food which perishes - labouring for feeding this life to the exclusion of labouring for everlasting life. They then asked Him what they needed to do that they may work ... Read more

"many … wept … and many shouted aloud for joy". So you could not distinguish between the crying and shouting for joy as those returned from exile completed the laying of the foundation. Life is often like that! The same event can conjure either feeling in the heart. The one weeps as he remembers the ... Read more

"faith in his name". God the Father has highly exalted His Son Jesus and given Him a Name that is above every other. At that Name all creation will one day bow: in that Name now the followers of the Lord have great promises. Faith in His Name is essentially believing that what God says ... Read more

"when I was brought low, he saved me". All have the experience of being brought low sometime in life. If not outwardly, yet within we feel very rotten and low because of our failure or the failure of the world around us. But being brought low gives us the opportunity for the Lord to lift ... Read more