Pilgrimages to Worship

       Ritual that is meaningless to the worshiper is also meaningless to God.  Genuine, acceptable worship must be in spirit and in truth (John 4:24).  It does not automatically happen simply because your body is in a certain locale at an appointed time.   …

The Lord is my Helper and Keeper

       The setting of Psalm 121 is of a pilgrim some distance from Jerusalem who can lift up his eyes and see the hills which encircle the temple (v. 1).  With this view on his horizon, he asks, “From whence comes my help?” (v….

The Blessings of Worship

       Attendance and worship are not the same.  Not only does God expect His children to be in the habit of attending worship services (Hebrews 10:25), He also requires that such a habit results in acceptable worship—done in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). …

The Value of God’s Word in Trials

       Over twenty verses in Psalm 119’s tribute to God’s Word refer to diverse trials faced by the author.  He was reproached (vv. 22-23, 51, 69), mistreated (vv. 61, 78), plotted against (vv. 95, 110), and had continuous opposition from his enemies (vv. 98,…

The Blessings of Affliction

       Physical and emotional hedonism are wildly popular philosophies in our world.  Anything that feels good or that gives me pleasure is believed to be desirable; everything that does not ought to be avoided.  Psalm 119:67 clearly contradicts this mindset.  “Before I was afflicted,…

The Best Life

     Without a doubt there has always been a distinct difference between the carnal definition of the best life and God’s.  Psalm 119:11 encapsulates quite nicely God’s description of the best life possible.  Here, it is written, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart…

What to Do When the Inevitable Happens–conclusion

       From Psalm 7, it has already been noted that David did the following things in response to the vicious persecution and slander of Cush the Benjamite.  First, he declares his unwavering faith in Jehovah and his confidence in God’s deliverance (v. 1);…