"And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come." Previously we had a look at the first part of what Jesus said. Let's now look at the second. What was it that Jesus was offering to those listening? He was offering a key of understanding. 'This is Elias' is a... Continue Reading →
Ecclesiastes 1:10 – Why History Matters
"Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us." I was asked once by someone what it was that I found so interesting about studying history (incidentally, I quite enjoy history, especially ancient Rome, but a great variety of other... Continue Reading →
Matthew 11:14a – The Will of Man
" And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come."Matthew 11:14 Jesus has been talking in the preceding verses concerning John the Baptist with some high praise of his ministry. After stating that all the law and prophets had prophesied until John, He makes a short statement that if one... Continue Reading →
Psalms 80:19 – Intimacy
"Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." The end of the prayer is now here. And for the third time, this request is uttered: Turn us again, O God, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved!' Needless to say, as a... Continue Reading →
It was Good for Me – Psalms 119:71
Psa 119:71 It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. In the longest chapter of the Bible is found this fascinating statement: it was good for me that I have been afflicted. In our hedonistic, self-centered world, what a strange thought that must be! If only we... Continue Reading →
Psalms 80:18
"So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name." The word for 'So will we not go back' is 'sug' meaning properly, to flinch, that is, to go back, retreat. In this we see an important aspect of the heart of the Psalmist. He understands that if... Continue Reading →
Why They Leave – Matthew 24:12
Mat 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. As someone who grew up in a church, I've personally watched as an overwhelming number of my generation have drifted away from their faith. There was a time when it struck me as a puzzle as to why you would leave... Continue Reading →
Psalms 80:17
"Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself." We are now approaching the end of the prayer. It is here we find the final plea of the Psalmist to the God of Israel. "Let thy hand"The hand of God is referenced... Continue Reading →
Psalms 57:7
"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." The word for 'fixed' can also be translated as 'prepared' or 'made ready'. If anything, probably conveys the Psalmist's words better in English. It fits neatly with Hosea 10:12 where the Lord directs His people to break up their... Continue Reading →
Psalms 80:16
"It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance." After the recollection of the days of old, of the wondrous works God did to establish the nation, now the Psalmist brings us back to the current state: the nation, the vine, is burnt with fire and cut... Continue Reading →
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