There’s a great deal of unrest in our country and around the world. Some might wonder why a God of power allows evil to run rampant. I can think of two reasons: 1) He gives us free will—He doesn’t pull our “strings” and force us to follow Him; and 2)…
Charles Wesley wrote many hymns, and “And Can It Be” is one of my favorites. It really makes me think of how blessed I am. 1 And can it be that I should gain An int’rest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me,…
God is just. He is unable to be anything but just. Lamentations 3:22-23 tells us, “Because of the Lord’s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!” He is long-suffering and patient. He bestows mercy when He believes…
This is a short verse, but I have a lot to say about it. 🙂 It seems after every major tragedy—such as a mass shooting, a natural disaster, or a rampant virus—the question is raised: “If God loves us, why did this happen?” I understand the query comes from a…
I get weepy when I read this section. These word pictures pierce my heart in all the best ways. Read these words out loud: My God is with me. My God saves me. My God rejoices over me with gladness. My God delights in me with singing. Now, is there…
Zephaniah was still looking ahead to a glorious day when God would bless His followers. All fear is gone! The instructed, “do not let your hands grow weak,” paints a unique picture. Have you ever thrown your hands in the air and declared, “I give up!” After those words, our…
HYMN DAY! Caroline W. Sandell Berg is known as the “Fanny Crosby of Sweden.” She wrote hymns partly to cope with seeing her beloved father, who was a Lutheran pastor, die in a drowning accident. The hymn, “Children of the Heavenly Father,” speaks of her trust in the Father she…
Even though the events mentioned in verse 15 hadn’t yet happened, they’re presented in the past tense. When it comes to God’s promises, they are so certain, it’s as if they’ve already occurred. We can trust Him to come through. The judgment sentence the Lord passed on the nation is…
Zephaniah is considered one of the minor prophets—“minor” because the book presents a brief message, but it’s certainly not minor in importance! Zephaniah delivered a message of judgment, but some passages carry hopeful optimism that speak of God’s great ability to forgive and restore. Zephaniah speaks of “the day of…
I confess, there are some days I don’t much feel like praising. When disappointment or discouragement or heartache strikes, praise is the last thing on my mind or heart. But you know something? When I begin lifting His name, my dark mood lifts. My situation might not change, but my…
