Passage, Paragraph, and Prayer

In this devotion, we begin looking at the twelfth stanza of Psalm 119. In the first three verses of this stanza (vv. 89–91), the psalmist praises the Lord’s word by going back to its first use, the creation of the universe, and noting how we can still see the effects of that first use to this day. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

The Lord says of mankind before the Flood that “every formation of the thoughts of their hearts was only evil all the time.” But before we think that humans were somehow extra corrupt during that time, we need to remember that the Lord says the exact same thing about humans *after* the Flood (Gen. 8:21), when only Noah and his family were on the earth. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schw...

By the time we get to the end of the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119, we're probably left with two impressions: 1) Being a Christian can wear a person out, and 2) the psalmist has nearly superhuman resilience. But the psalmist himself makes it clear in the final verse of this stanza that the resilience he has does not originate with himself. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Branden...

When interpreters go astray in interpreting Genesis 6:1–2, they also go astray in identifying the people that Moses calls “the Nephilim.” In this episode, we explore who the Nephilim were and see how they continue to be a cautionary example to us. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In Psalm 119:87, the psalmist acknowledges the harm that persecutors can do and have done to him. But he also makes clear that they are incapable of actual destroying him. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Two of the toughest traits of good parenting to put into practice are setting consequences for wrongdoing and enforcing them. The Lord does both, because he cannot just wink at sin, both because it would be contrary to his nature and because it would not be good for us. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzi...

In Psalm 119:86, you can almost see the psalmist clenching his fists or wringing his hands in frustration at what is happening in his life. He is asserting and doing what is right, but is getting persecuted for it. Who can help a person in such situations? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Even many Christians see Genesis 6:1–4 as describing spirit beings having intimate relations with human women and producing children that are sort of half-spirit, half-human. Having already seen that this interpretation cannot be correct, in this devotion, we consider what the only correct interpretation can be. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from...

“The proud dig pits for me that are not in keeping with your law,” the psalmist writes. So is it possible to dig pits for others that *are* in keeping with God’s law? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Apart from the creation account, Genesis 6:1–4 are probably the most scrutinized verses in the book of Genesis. Even many Christians see these verses as describing spirit beings having intimate relations with human women and producing children that are sort of half-spirit, half-human. In this devotion, we finish seeing from the Scriptures why that interpretation cannot be correct. Music Credit: J....

Sometimes the authors of Scripture highlight the brevity of our lives, how quickly we pass away and are gone. But when we are in the middle of persecution and hardship, the author of Psalm 119 acknowledges that time seems to crawl. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Apart from the creation account, Genesis 6:1–4 are probably the most scrutinized verses in the book of Genesis. Even many Christians see these verses as describing spirit beings having intimate relations with human women and producing children that are sort of half-spirit, half-human. In this devotion, we begin considering why that interpretation cannot be correct. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir e...

In Psalm 119:83, the psalmist compares himself to a wineskin in thick smoke. What does that mean? And what does it mean for us? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Apart from the creation account, Genesis 6:1–4 are probably the most scrutinized verses in the book of Genesis. Even many Christians see these verses as describing spirit beings having intimate relations with human women and producing children that are sort of half-spirit, half-human. In this devotion, we introduce these verses and ask God to guide us in interpreting them. Music Credit: J. S. Bach...

Have you ever heard of talking eyes before? The psalmist mentions talking eyes in Psalm 119:82, but he uses this metaphor to teach us how and where to seek God’s comfort. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

On the surface, Genesis 5 just looks like a boring genealogy. In this devotion, Pastor Biebert discusses the fourfold purpose of the chapter, and also uses its information to give us an idea of the age of the earth and the universe. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

Verse 81 begins the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119, a stanza that has a fairly well-defined theme of being worn out, tired, and on the brink of ruin as we wait for God to keep his word to us and to bring the wicked to justice. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Just like with Eve and her firstborn, Cain, Lamech may have thought that his son Noah was the promised Messiah, and named him accordingly. Even though he was not, God does still continue to bring Christians comfort through Noah’s life and ministry. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In the closing verse of the tenth stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist reminds us of the kind of blamelessness God is looking for—a blamelessness that should always prevent us from claiming we have the innate ability to keep God’s commandments. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

There isn’t a lot we can say about the meanings of the names in Genesis 5, because we don’t even know for sure if they are Hebrew names (was Hebrew around before the Tower of Babel?), and even if they are, we aren’t entirely sure what most of them mean. But we can note what appear to be some general trends, and some interesting details about Enoch’s and Methuselah’s names. Music Credit: J. S. Bach...

”You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” Randy Newman sang for the "Toy Story" movies. In Psalm 119:79, the psalmist leads us to pray that our fellow believers would see us as a friend they can turn to in need. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

In Genesis 5, the refrain “and he died” repeatedly rings out like a funeral toll. We do well to figuratively walk past the graves of these deceased men, to ponder the consequences of sin, and to consider our own impending death. Are we ready for death? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In this devotion we cover the three predominant worldviews (guilt-innocence, fear-power, honor-shame), so that we can answer the question: What is the psalmist leading us to pray for when he says, “Let insolent people ashamed”? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

When people read in the Bible about early men routinely living over 900 years, they often can’t help but wonder if a different time scale isn’t being used. Pastor Biebert discusses this question in this devotion, but also reminds us that a 900-plus-year life is still a limited life. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” B...

In this devotion, we review the way this psalm uses various synonyms for God’s word. We then apply that to a verse might initially seem to be saying that God gives us compassion and life in exchange for our obedience to his law. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4