In this eleventh section of Psalm 119, the psalmist poignantly compares himself to a wineskin in the smoke (83, ESV). A wineskin repeatedly exposed to smoke would shrivel and harden until it lost its flexibility and became useless. What a fitting picture for the way chronic cares shrivel the spirit! As noted in my previous … Continue reading Wineskin in the smoke, Psalm 119, Kaph
Last Chance!
Today is your last chance to save $5 off the regular price and order "Life in Christ" catechism materials at the pre-publication price of only $10 per book! Perhaps you, like many Christians, are concerned about recent studies that indicate an alarming number of young adults have left the Christian faith in which they were raised. … Continue reading Last Chance!
Don’t miss this opportunity!
Only three days left to save big money on the "Life in Christ" catechism curriculum! You and your church can save $5 per book (that's a third off the regular price of $15) by taking advantage of the $10 per book price during the pre-publication special offered at the Reformed Fellowship website. Churches who begin catechism … Continue reading Don’t miss this opportunity!
Creation and humility in Psalm 119, Yodh
What anomaly exists in the tenth section of Psalm 119, named after the Hebrew letter Yodh? We shall see. According to the "Yod" page on the Hebrew for Christians website, Yodh is the smallest letter of the Hebrew alphabet and conveys connotations regarding creation and humility. I write this on the day following the American celebration … Continue reading Creation and humility in Psalm 119, Yodh
The treasure of affliction in Psalm 119, Teth
Do you treasure affliction? I don't! But Psalm 119 shows me that affliction turns us more wholeheartedly to the riches of God's word. In the ninth section of Psalm 119, named after the Hebrew letter, Teth, the psalmist focuses on affliction. God sometimes uses affliction as punishment, and he always uses it as instruction. The psalmist begins by … Continue reading The treasure of affliction in Psalm 119, Teth
The covenantal promises of Psalm 119, Heth
According to what I've read this morning, the eighth letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Heth (or Cheth) stands for the chesed (loving-kindness) of the Lord. It's a concept often translated as "steadfast love" in the ESV (English Standard Version). It appears frequently in the psalms, including the conclusion of this section of Psalm 119. The section begins with a … Continue reading The covenantal promises of Psalm 119, Heth
Songs in the sojourn, Psalm 119, Zayin
"Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning," writes the psalmist in verse 54. Meditating on the portion of Psalm 119 constructed around the Hebrew letter Zayin reminds me of this weekend's retreat reflections on telling the old story while singing a new song. We may feel as if we know nothing, … Continue reading Songs in the sojourn, Psalm 119, Zayin
Yvonne, Edna, Susan, Angela, and meA writers' retreat this weekend was a shot in my writing arm. My writing friend, Susan Lawrence, planned the refreshing retreat and prepared fabuous food. Angela Dunston Johnson, my longtime friend, critique partner, and NaNoWriMo buddy, also attended. And I met two other sisters in Christ, Yvonne Anderson and Edna Allen, … Continue reading
Speaking in the wide place of Psalm 119, Waw
As I struggle this morning to write something that absolutely, positively must be written within the next two hours, the sixth section of Psalm 119 reminds me that God will not take the word of truth from my mouth and he will make me walk in a wide place. I believe most writers struggle with … Continue reading Speaking in the wide place of Psalm 119, Waw
The way of life in Psalm 119, He
The fifth section of Psalm 119, titled after the Hebrew letter, He (or Hei), emphasizes that God's law is the only way of life. The psalmist begins this section with a prayer and a promise: Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, … Continue reading The way of life in Psalm 119, He
Glenda Faye Mathes 