The Midwives Feared God

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. … So God was kind to the midwives … And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own (Exodus 1:17, 20a, 21 NIV).

Who is to be … Read the rest

You Have Too Many Men

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her … (Judges 7:2 NIV).

The world has great confidence in numbers. So they have coined terms like “vast majority,” “overwhelming majority,” … Read the rest

Let Us Press On to Acknowledge Him

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth (Hosea 6:3 NIV).

PRESS ON. These two words hold in them the essence of effective Christian living. … Read the rest

There Above It Stood the Lord

There above it stood the Lord …. (Genesis 28:13a NIV).

Jacob’s dream of a ladder or stairway is famous.

To kids, the ascending and descending angels on the ladder holds great fascination. Even when they grow old, the childhood memories are not forgotten. That is the reason why so many people remember the angels when … Read the rest

He Brought Her to the Man

Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man (Genesis 2:22 NIV).

“He brought her to the man.” This is a simple truth to be remembered. It was God who brought the woman to man. There is a solemnity about … Read the rest

Not to Look Lustfully at a Girl

I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a girl (Job 31:1 NIV).

There are many agreements made in this world. It is usually between two or more parties. But here Job is making an agreement with himself. That sounds strange but it is true. He made an agreement with his … Read the rest

Messenger, Prepare the Way

See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me (Malachi 3:1a NIV).

This verse clearly refers to John the Baptist who came to prepare the way for Jesus Christ. It is especially significant because Malachi is the last book of the Old Testament and he was the last prophet.

The next … Read the rest

Did Not Draw Back the Hand, Until

For Joshua did not draw back the hand that held out his javelin until he had destroyed all who lived in Ai (Joshua 8:26 NIV).

This was crucial. Because they had been defeated in the previous battle against Ai. Then God had shown them the cause of defeat as sin in their midst. They then … Read the rest

Despite Their Fear

Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices (Ezra 3:3 NIV).

It is not surprising that a people who returned from exile and captivity to their own land now lying in ruins are … Read the rest

Do Not Think Evil of Each Other

This is what the Lord Almighty says: `Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other’ (Zechariah 7:9,10 NIV).

Thoughts are powerful. For actions are powered by thought. Good thoughts therefore … Read the rest

Stormy Winds that Do His Bidding

Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding (Psalm 148:7,8 NIV).

Observe the words: “stormy winds that do his bidding.” We often think on God’s merciful dealings toward us. But we do not see God in “stormy … Read the rest

Search Me, O God

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23,24 NIV).

Can you pray this prayer with an honest and earnest heart? If you can do so you can be assured that … Read the rest

Speak, for Your Servant is Listening

The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ Then Samuel said, ‘Speak for your servant is listening'(1 Samuel 3:10 NIV).

This chapter opens with a very important statement. It tells us that during the times described here “the word of the Lord was rare.” And it is also added … Read the rest

Sow for Yourselves Righteousness

Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, until he comes and showers righteousness on you”(Hosea 10:12 NIV).

There is a description about the sins of Israel given in this passage. Yet in the midst of it there is … Read the rest

If I Had Cherished Sin in My Heart

If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me” (Psalm 66:18,19,20 NIV)!

The psalmist is here calling people to come and listen to … Read the rest