Psalm 132 does more than look back—it also points forward. And just as David is the subject of the backward look, he is also the subject their future hopes. Sort of. No sooner had David successfully relocated the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, then he embarked on another project—to build a house (temple) forContinue reading “A Better Idea”
Category Archives: Opening the Bible
Life at the Tomb
If you want to have some fun, ask a husband and wife to tell you about something memorable—their wedding, the birth of a child, a vacation story, etc. Then just back away and enjoy the moment. It doesn’t matter who starts telling the story, they won’t get too far before the other breaks in toContinue reading “Life at the Tomb”
A Passion for God
The first half of Psalm 132 recounts David’s desire to “find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob” (v. 5). Although this sounds like a reference to building the temple (something he would express a longing to do later), it isn’t. It has to do with relocating theContinue reading “A Passion for God”
Something to Sing About
When you look at a series or a group of anything, there are usually one or two that don’t quite fit into the category as neatly as the others do. They’re not outliers, but they stand out a bit. That’s Psalm 132. It is different from the other psalms of ascent in at least aContinue reading “Something to Sing About”
State of the Heart
Psalm 131 consists of a mere fifty-nine words parceled out over three verses (NIV). Because of this, there is the temptation to treat it like a headline—grab the central thought and move on. We’d be poorer for doing so though because the psalms aren’t spiritual fast food. They are not meant to be gulped downContinue reading “State of the Heart”
Morning Always Comes!
When the psalmist writes in 130:1, “out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;” he is speaking as someone who is utterly overwhelmed by life—and acutely aware of it. He is despondent, despairing, and desperate. He is “where death prevails instead of life as prospect and power” (Mays). He doesn’t need to get inContinue reading “Morning Always Comes!”
Meeting God in the Depths
God is deeper than the deepest depth in man. He is holier than our deepest sin is deep. There is no depth as deep to us as when God reveals His holiness in dealing with our sin . . . think more of the depth of God than the depth of your cry. The worstContinue reading “Meeting God in the Depths”
The power of silence
Pilate is clearly a conflicted man when Jesus is brought to him. He understands that the Jewish leaders have an agenda in wanting to see Jesus crucified (see Matthew 27:18). On the other hand, he has a responsibility to maintain the Pax Romana (Roman peace) established by Augustus and maintained by his successor Tiberius. WhateverContinue reading “The power of silence”
A Relationship with Jesus
That’s an expression used commonly to answer the question, “What does it means to be a disciple of Jesus?” It’s a phrase that’s been around for quite a while so people use it assuming everyone understands it. That can be a dangerous assumption because over time, even the most clearly defined words or phrases tendContinue reading “A Relationship with Jesus”
Jesus, John and Mary
“Here is your son” (v. 26), Jesus said to His mother. In contrast to Pilate’s abdication of his responsibility to Jesus and justice (“Here is the man” – v. 5, “Here is your king” – v. 14), Christ took control regarding His mother’s care. It’s an interesting situation we don’t know as much about asContinue reading “Jesus, John and Mary”
A Taste of Grace with Bruce Green 