Nathan Whitley's Blog, page 9
July 11, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 36-39
Scripture is quite practical. As you frequent yourself with the Bible, the more you will notice the obvious imperatives that produce blessings. Psalm 37 is just one of those instances. This psalm presents David’s concern with the prosperity of evildoers. We can certainly relate to David’s quandary in our own day. Wickedness, and lawlessness is increasing, and yet there seems to be little justice. If you don’t know what I mean just turn on the local news, or scroll through Twitter. Corruption, ha...
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalm 32-35
The blessed person is a forgiven person. “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile” (Ps. 32:1–2). This is the second Psalm to begin with “blessed.” The first time was in Psalm 1: “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Ps. 1:1). There the blessed man is one who refus...
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalm 26-31
In the Old Testament, the Temple was considered the “house” where the Spirit of the Lord dwelt (2 Chr. 7:1-3; Ezek. 43:4-5; 44:4). David said, “Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, And the place where thine honour dwelleth” (Psalm 26:8). David loved the house of God. This desire was contrasted against gathering with the ungodly: “I have not sat with vain persons, Neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; And will not sit with the wicked” (Psal...
July 9, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 21-25
Psalm 23 has been labeled the “Pearl of the Psalms.” This wonderful psalm has the aroma of continuous peace, secure tranquility, jubilant trust, and assured calm. Not even the shadow of death troubles the psalmist. Psalm 23 has dried many tears and supplied much hope.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The opening verse of the twenty third Psalm is a profound commitment to the Lord as the source of security in the midst of many dangers without any other assistance. Without hesitation, ...
July 8, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalm 17-20
Psalm 19 records that God has revealed Himself in two distinct ways. First, creation has revealed God. “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard” (Psalms 19:1-3). All of creation speaks of the power of God. The apostle Paul wrote that God has revealed Himself to everyone through creation (Rom. 1:17-20). In theology we call thi...
July 7, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalms 9-16
“The fool hath said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good” (Ps. 14:1). We might think the word “fool” means a weakness in intellect. And while that might be true, the word “fool” in the Hebrew means moral perversity. Certainly it’s foolish to not believe in God, but living like there is no God is far worse.
A life that rejects God always lives as if there is no God. This isn’t just mental denial in the existence of God, ...
July 3, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Psalm 1-8
The book of Psalms opens with what has been called the gates of the Psalms. Before you can understand the depth of the Psalms you must meet the requirements. These two requirements are one way or the other. Two paths are laid out before use as we approach the Psalms. We will either adhere to the counsel of the Word of God or we will listen to the counsel of the ungodly.
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of sc...
July 2, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Job 40-42
The Lord spoke to Job from the whirlwind. Once He had finished speaking, Job said, “I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3). Job repented for the foolish things he had said. But the Lord wasn’t done speaking. For He took Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar to the woodshed: “for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right” (Job 42:7-8). They were commanded to offer sacrifices for their unwise counsel.
Four times God called Job “my servant.” Job was ...
July 1, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Job 38-39
After everyone had their say concerning Job’s predicament, things took a drastic turn. “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1). Elihu, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Job all had their time to say something. But until the Lord spoke, it was all for nought. The Lord asked, “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge” (Job 38:2)?
People like to analyze and talk. They offer their opinions and proudly proclaim their point of view. Social media has given everyone a...
June 30, 2020
Daily Readings in the Bible Job 35-37
Elihu said of God, “He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous” (Job 36:6). What a comfort that may have been to Job. Here was a man who felt as if God had forsaken him. It seemed as if Job was going through his sufferings without the assistance of the Lord. But God had kept his eyes upon Job through the traumatic events that had overtaken him.
Through the course of a pandemic, job losses, economic distress, and social upheaval it may seem as if God is far away. But we have comfort that G...
