One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Luke 2:21, “And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.” Jesus’s name means “one who saves,” and he certainly lives up to that name. He lives perfectly under the law (signified by circumcision), so that he might redeem us from the law. Praise God!

This episode looks at Psalm 11:7, “For the LORD is righteous; he loves righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” God himself is righteous, so he loves righteous actions, and those who walk according to his standard (by his forgiving and transforming grace) will receive his blessing here on earth and forevermore.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:6, “Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” We can rightly plea to God to judge wickedness. As we do so, we should remember with gratefulness that Christ took our cup of judgment and drank it to the dregs for us.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:5, “The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” God does not play with his people, but he does bring us through times of refinement by fire. May he give us grace to persevere as he purifies us from wickedness and violence.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:4, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven.” Yahweh sits enthroned in the heavens, and from there he watches over the earth and all that happens in it. In light of this, we repent of our sins and ask God to judge evildoers as well.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:3, “if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?” If our foundations are only in society, that is shifting sand. But if we put our refuge in God, we will last through the storms of life and any calamity from the wicked.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:2, “for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.” The strategy of the wicked is terror and calamity. May our hearts be still even in the face of such tactics.

Due to sickness and vacation, I will be taking a one week break from the podcast.

This episode looks at Psalm 11:1, “To the choirmaster. Of David. In the LORD I take refuge; how can you say to my soul, “Flee like a bird to your mountain.” David does not take the challenge of the wicked seriously because he knows in whom he takes refuge. May we do so as well.

This episode looks at Psalm 10:18, “to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.” We know that God will enact justice, so as we wait for him to do so we pray for confidence in the face of wickedness.