Passage, Paragraph, and Prayer

Have you ever taken a walk with the intent of observing as much evidence of the Lord’s mercy as possible? It’s everywhere. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

After Cain has ignored the Lord, murdered his brother, and falsely accused the Lord of being too harsh, why does the Lord still keep him alive—and even protect him? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

On what ground do you connect with others? Sports? University? Hobbies? In this verse, the psalmist speaks of the greatest bond we can have with others. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

“My punishment is too great to bear!” Cain told the Lord. Was it too harsh and unfair? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

You’ve maybe heard a guy tell a girl, or vice versa, that he would cross the ocean for her, or got to the moon for her. In other words, he loves her so much he would do anything for her. How much do we love God? To what lengths would we go to worship him? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

In Genesis 4:11, we hear God specifically tell a human that he is “cursed” for the first time. Why? And what did the curse consist of? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

Many Christians are frustrated with the direction our country has been heading for a while. While some of that is righteous disgust, could some of our frustrations also reflect a fear that if the wicked cords tightening around us get tight enough, our faith might actually cave? The psalmist addresses these worries and fears. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No....

Abel's blood cried out to God against his brother Cain. How many people have blood that is crying out to God against me? Is there any blood that cries out *for* me that is stronger than that crying out against me? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

The church father Augustine  famously prayed in his early years, “Give me sexual purity and self-control, but not yet.” Psalm 119 tells us to take the opposite approach—not to delay the keeping of God’s commands. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

“Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground,” God told Cain. In this episode, we listen to Martin Luther tell us what a comfort this is. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

One way to think of the purpose of God’s law is to think of it flooding the course of our life with rain, so that all of our tracks, everywhere we have been, is now visible in the mud. What should we do when we see how often we have gone astray, and where it has led? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

When we read of Cain murdering his brother Abel, we are confronted for the first time, historically speaking, with the mystery of why God allows such unspeakable evil to occur on earth, even to people who are faithful to him. 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 verse, the psalmist portrays us as peasants entering the massive, ornate throne room of the King of kings. How should we do so? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

God had already warned Cain before he murdered his brother, but Cain had gone and done it anyway. But God still didn’t give up. He came to call Cain to repentance after he murdered his brother. No sin is too great for God’s grace. 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 episode, we begin looking at the eighth stanza of Psalm 119. As the psalmist has regularly done, the first verse of this stanza connects us back to the last verse of the previous stanza. In Psalm 119:56, the psalmist talked about what we truly cherish. In this verse, he talks about our true portion. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

It didn’t take long after Adam and Eve’s fall into sin for the new sinful condition of humanity to reveal itself in a shockingly deceptive and horrifying way. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

What do you cherish? Chances are that it’s what you jealously say, “Mine!” about, what you jealously guard. Is that something earthly or heavenly? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

When someone points out your wrong, how do you react? Do you get angry, or do you seek to remedy what is wrong? God pointed out Cain’s wrong, and warned him of the consequences if he didn’t master sin in his life. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

The psalmist says that he remembers the name of the LORD at night. Why does he specify that specific time of day? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Adam’s family began bringing offerings to the Lord not long after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. But God looked with favor on some of the offerings, but not on others. Why? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

What do you sing, or sing along to, at home? In Psalm 119:54, the psalmist encourages us to remember that whatever we sing, we are singing in a temporary lodging-house, and to let the songs that we sing be shaped by that fact. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Genesis 4:1–2 tells us that the first human family engaged in the pursuits of farming and shepherding. In this devotion we explore what that would have all entailed, and seek to appreciate the blessings God continues to give us through all the various godly jobs that make the world go around. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine...

Everyone gets angry, and even the psalmist says, and teaches children to say, “Indignation seizes me.” But what drives the anger is important, as the psalmist also makes clear. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Different English versions will translate Genesis 4:1 different ways. One common translation is: “I have brought forth a man with the help of the LORD.” But another possible translation (one that, for instance, Martin Luther preferred) is: “I have acquired a man—the LORD.” In this devotion, we explore what was likely behind the name Eve chose for her and Adam’s firstborn. Music Credit: J. S. Bach,...

The psalmist says he takes comfort in the Lord’s decrees from of old. What are those decrees, and how do they comfort us? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4