Category: Insights (Page 8 of 13)

Romans 13:7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Commentary:

The Apostle Paul leaves little doubt as to how God would like us to honor our obligations. He says that they must be paid. Note that our obligations go beyond just monetary obligations.

1 Samuel 17:37-40 Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you.” Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them. “I cannot go in these,” he said to Saul, “because I am not used to them.” So he took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand, chose five smooth stones from the stream, put them in the pouch of his shepherd’s bag and, with his sling in his hand, approached the Philistine.

Commentary:

David and Goliath is one of the better-known stories of the Bible. Here we see quite an obstacle for both Saul and David to overcome, a nine foot giant that was an experienced warrior. When David volunteered to go, he had told Saul of this experience as a shepherd. David had killed lions and bears in order to protect his flock. Saul welcomed David and immediately gave him armor and a sword. David knew, however, that God had already equipped him with the skills to do God’s work. David set out using only his experience with a slingshot and his experience as a shepherd to defeat this insurmountable obstacle. When we step out in faith to do God’s work, we do not need more than we already possess. Don’t look for armor. God equips each of us in His own way and it is all we will ever need to do God’s work.

Psalm 27:13-14 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Psalm 37:7 Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when the carry out their wicked schemes.

Isaiah 30:18 Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Commentary:

Time is a concept created by man for man. God has no need for time. God asks us each to wait upon Him. Why? Because our God is a god of fairness, compassion and generosity.

Ecclesiastes 7:20 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.

Commentary:

To consider man perfect is man’s folly. To accept man’s imperfection is God’s grace. Righteous is defined as one who fears God and even righteous men sin. The difference is righteous men repent of sin.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Commentary:

The Apostle Paul paints such a vivid image of the impact of sin on our lives and our ability to accomplish our goals. Imagine a runner, entangled in a net or ropes, trying to run. Too often we think of sin as something that stops us from accomplishing something. While that is true, sin also is an encumbrance, forcing us to use much more energy.

Matthew 14:22-32 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “Its a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.  Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Commentary:

Everyone knows this story. Jesus walks on water. There is much more to this story in the details. First consider these things:

• Jesus had sent the disciples out on their own; but He was watching them.  He knew they were in trouble.  He came to them because of their trouble, even before their fear.
• When disciples called out to Jesus, He answered them.  That is the nature of our God.
• Was it fear that made Peter sink, his lack of faith?

Read closely. The detail in these verses is that Peter began to sink, he did not actually sink. And, when, in his fear, he called out to Jesus, Jesus responded like he always does. Jesus immediately reached out and saved him. This is a wonderful story about the benefits of keeping our focus on Jesus. Not because Jesus will never let us stumble, but because when we do and respond, “Lord, save me,” He will.

Proverbs 16:9 In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord.

Commentary:

Man’s greatest folly is to believe he can overcome the eternal plan of God.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Commentary:

The key is to trust in God and His plan for each of us.

Proverbs 16:3-4 Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for his own ends – even the wicked for a day of disaster.

Commentary:

Human goals and objectives will always take second place. Even a failure achieves God’s plan.

Isaiah 3:18-23 In that day the Lord will snatch away their finery: The bangles and headbands and crescent necklaces, the earrings and bracelets and veils, the headdresses and ankle chains and sashes, the perfume bottles and charms, the signet rings and nose rings, the fine robes and the capes and cloaks, the purses and mirrors, and the linen garments and tiaras and shawls.

Commentary:

Our God does not think too much of worldly possessions. We are reminded that at judgment, all of these are taken away.

Isaiah 49:14-16 But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; Your walls are ever before me.”

Commentary:

In prayer, we often describe our solutions to God and wait for His response. When there is no response, human nature is to blame it on God. However, it is not God who is forgetful. His memory is described as exceeding all human understanding. Therefore, we should focus our prayers on the will of God and His plan, standing in faith that we do not forsake Him.