In Psalm 51, we see the response of David to what is likely the most notorious sin he ever committed. Not only did he commit adultery with Bathsheba, but he also ensured the death of her husband in war. It’s hard to believe that these are the actions of someone who is described as “a man after God’s own heart.”
Verse 4 gives us a fascinating glimpse into the heart of David.
Read More sin, forgiveness, humility, relationship with God, brokenness
I just had my morning shower. Nothing special about that – daily showers are the social norm. But they haven’t always been the norm. Step back a century and the weekly bath was the norm. Step back a thousand years and a bath was a semi-annual event. With this lack of personal hygiene is it any wonder that epidemics ran rampant …
Read More sin, forgiveness, cleansing, spiritual hygiene, Jesus' blood
In the previous chapter, on the first day of that same month the people had celebrated because they understood the Word of God, which strengthened them to obey that Word. Now as the month drew to a close, the time had come for a further action in response to understanding God’s Word: confessing their sins.
Read More Creator, forgiveness, confession, worship, praiseWhat an incredible passage: light, sin, darkness, and honesty! In John 8, Jesus tells the woman caught in adultery and everyone standing there that he is the light of the world. What does this mean? The religious people were trying to cover up and hide their sin, acting dishonestly.
Read More light, honesty, forgiveness, cover upMalachi’s harsh words of judgment now fall on the common people. His complaint is that they have been unfaithful in their spiritual and human relationships. They have gone after other gods, worshipping them, even disgracing the temple recently rebuilt. Even when they worship, it is not with the heart.
Read More judgment, covenant, forgiveness, faithfulness, marriage“Roman slaves and workshop owners were not used to sitting down at table and praying with Torah-observant Jews, and kosher Jews were not used to reading Scripture with prostitutes or migrant workers – and Paul thought this was the greatest vision of God’s way of living!”
Read More forgiveness, judgment, loveThis passage is difficult because John does not explain the heresy that he is refuting, a heresy which would have been known to the recipients of the letter. There have been numerous attempts to explain what is meant in these verses by “water” and “blood.” (The CEV opts for one interpretation.
Read More evil, forgiveness, being born againI’m afraid it’s getting darker by the day. As the fifth trumpet sounds we move from natural disasters to direct satanic attack. John sees a vast bottomless pit belching out smoke and fire which darkens the sun. Then, emerging from the black hole, he sees locusts who morph into horses with human faces.
Read More idolatry, fear, forgiveness, satanic attack, dark forces, threats