"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

"Who can understand the human heart? ". The prophet says that there is nothing else so deceitful as the human heart: it is too sick to be healed. We can find instances on every hand to support this. Because deceitful, it is unpredictable and is involved in all kinds of intrigue. Yet while the human ... Read more

"Pilate marvelled". So did the crowd that witnessed His miracles but later supported the cry 'away with him, we demand the release of Barabbas'. I think Herod marvelled too when he heard how the wise men had been led by a star, but he engineered to destroy the baby born to be King. The inhabitants ... Read more

"making melody in your heart". The song of the Lord is not to be compared with the jingle of an empty spirit. The well that Jesus promised would spring into ever-lasting life bubbles forth with joy and gladness. Even in its minor tones the song of the Lord has a blessedness all of its own. ... Read more

"Take up your son". This was the son whom God had given this woman in answer to Elisha's prayer and yet who had died as she nursed him when he was carried home sick from the fields. That devastating experience made her angry that the prophet had deceived her - giving her a son to ... Read more

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom". Many years ago I heard a man pray, 'I thank you God you are my pal'. I've often wondered where that man is now! If the Almighty is your 'pal' you will need someone greater to see you through the rigours of life. If the ... Read more

"he blessed them". If the Son of God gave thanks, should not we? Many of us might have thought it unnecessary to give thanks for so small a meal. The food was distributed only after the Lord had blessed it. It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich and multiplies what we do. ... Read more

"they do not ask the Lord for guidance. This is why they have failed". The Lord is ready to answer all who will call upon Him and give guidance at every crossroads in life. Those who love and serve Him could have no greater Saviour, Lord and Friend. It is sad when those who could ... Read more

"to be rich in good deeds". Paul has been playing on the word 'rich', speaking of the uncertainty of worldly riches compared with the eternal reward that comes from a rich and generous spirit. Good deeds will be the evidence of a generous heart. This is not a one-off action done out of guilt or ... Read more

"Why do we need any more testimony? ". If power is in the hands of those whose minds are made up, no further evidence is needed. The elders of the people, the chief priests and the scribes, decided that Jesus of Nazareth was safe enough in their custody for some sort of case to be ... Read more

"Behold, I am here, Lord". It was as though Ananias was just waiting for the Lord to give him instructions. It would come as no surprise that the Lord spoke to him by a vision. We wonder whether he would have been so ready to be told if he had known he was to be ... Read more

"But now bring me a harpist". Several times in the Bible we find an instrumentalist playing to soothe or inspire the troubled mind. In this case Elisha was disturbed to face the evil king of Israel who had come for advice along with the king of Judah. In the early days of his employment in ... Read more

"men ought always to pray, and not to faint". Prayer, an antidote to fainting, brings relief as follows: First, by the knowledge that there is an Advocate who will attend to one's need. Secondly, that any who are overwhelmed are invited, indeed, welcomed, to take advantage of this offer. Thirdly, as a result of prayer, ... Read more

"Is there not a warfare to man upon the earth? ". Life is not easy, or it might be better to say that those who have things easy do not get very far in this life. One translation of this verse says that life is like forced army service. We are certainly conscripted into it ... Read more

"but her husband Manoah was not with her". Manoah's wife could be trusted. This was the second time that the angel of the Lord had appeared to her without her husband present but she was entrusted with the news of what was to come. Given that she was unable to have children, the news of ... Read more

"What good will it be …? ". Jesus speaks to us all. What good will all that you are doing today be when the final tally is taken? There is so much of eternal value we can do in following truth and justice, relieving the oppressed and helping our brother in need. Sadly, much time ... Read more

"faith comes by hearing". This shows the need to proclaim or make known the gospel if folk are to believe. The heart is touched when the gospel is preached. There is a reaction - either to accept or reject. Acceptance means that the hearer believes and places their faith in it. They are able to ... Read more

"he brings them out of their distresses". Nowhere does the Word of God try to minimise the distress that men bring upon themselves. Usually as a result of unbelief or distrust, the heart finds itself carried to a place where no way out can be found. The Lord has a gracious way of taking His ... Read more

"he called her to him". She may never have dared to approach Jesus herself: the nature of her infirmity caused her to be judged unwholesome. However, she was found in the synagogue and probably had desires for godliness at least equal to other worshippers. Her condition - a curved spine - attracted the attention of ... Read more

"Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude". The follower of the Lord must not be daunted by the size of the opposition. This is the lesson Jehoshaphat sought to teach Judah as they went out to meet the opposing forces. More important than the number of the enemy is that you ... Read more

"he was wounded for our transgressions". The scourging and beating, the torturous march carrying the Cross, the crucifixion and painful death are known to us all. Yet not all by any means recognise or accept that Jesus was wounded for their transgressions. It was my sin that impaled the Son of God to the Cross. ... Read more

"out of his heart will flow rivers of living water". The spiritual heart is the innermost being of a person. Faith in Christ - accepting Jesus and believing He is all He promises to be to you - makes a change within. Becoming a Christian is not applying a truth to the surface and allowing ... Read more

"at home in the body". The body is a comfortable home for some, for others it is racked with pain or disabled with infirmity. For all who love the Lord and look for His appearing there should be the knowledge that this home is temporary. Don't get too comfortable or the Lord may put a ... Read more

"You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God". What has God been doing with you all these years? Fed and clothed you while others wasted away? Given you health while others suffered? Protected you while others were exposed to all kinds of adversity? Moses reminded the Children of ... Read more

"windows in heaven" Letting the sunshine of God's love into our darkened hearts and lives. Showering upon us untold blessings and gifts from our loving heavenly Father. Opened to grant us a glimpse of the things God has prepared for those that love Him. A welcome break in the leaden skies that seem to cover ... Read more

"God has revealed them to us through his Spirit". The Apostle Paul writes about the hidden wisdom of God - something that the rulers and nobility of this world knew nothing of, or they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. In another passage he tells us that not many wise or mighty are ... Read more

"and I don't know". Never hesitate to use these words. Mary uttered them on one of the greatest occasions in history and certainly the most amazing days in her life. They relate to Mary's search for Jesus on finding the tomb empty. When you don't know, say so! Pretending to know gets nowhere. It is ... Read more

"you have cast all my sins behind your back". From these words it seems that Hezekiah recognised it was his sins that had made his house disorderly and caused God to issue an ultimatum to him. He further recognised that when he repented of his sin God had cast these transgressions away and given him ... Read more