My Refuge, My Portion
Any traveler in a vast and scorching desert must be keenly aware of the locations of its every oasis. Knowledge of such a refuge is essential to survival in a desert. Send article as PDF
Author: jchowning
Cave Praying
The Bible does not require a specific posture or place for prayer. Jonah, for example, prayed in the belly of a great fish. Jesus prayed face down in an olive garden. According to the superscription of Psalm 142, David prayed in a cave. …
Importunity
When His disciples asked Him, “Lord, teach us to pray” in Luke 11, Jesus’ instructions addressed two essential areas—the verbal component (vv. 2-4) and the spiritual component (vv. 5-13) of prayer. To engage in genuine prayer, both components are essential. Send article…
Peace in a World of Injustice
A corrupt legal system that dispenses injustice as frequently or more often than it does true justice is nothing new in our world. David prayed against the deeds of the wicked and their judges who legally aided and abetted their evil and left…
How the Righteous Rebukes
According to Psalm 141:5, the rebuke of the righteous is a kindness, like an excellent oil (think of one that has the perfect combination of optimal medicinal healing and pleasing aroma). David would know such to be true, because the righteous prophet Nathan…
The Rebuke of the Righteous
Blind spots. Send article as PDF
Purity
To some, denying ungodliness and worldly lust and living soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age is of nominal concern. For them, it is simply a hobby, not a holy obsession. Clearly, David was not of this mindset, for he writes: “Set…
As Incense
In heaven there are no refrigerators with magnets. There are no filing cabinets with files in them. There are no “Post-It” notes. So, how can you illustrate the lingering, long-term effect on God that the prayer of a righteous man has? Send…
Certain Knowledge
Because of our finite nature, every human has some things he knows and some things he does not know. When facing the vicious desires and evil intentions of the wicked as David did in Psalm 140, he found great comfort in what knowledge…
Abhorring Evil and Praying for Your Enemies
One of the greatest challenges of godly living is keeping the proper balance of abhorring evil while loving and praying for those who do evil. Only Jesus did this perfectly throughout His entire life. Send article as PDF