One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at Luke 1:40, “and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.” Mary has a single focus: seeing God’s work according to his word. May we have the same focus on Christ, his words, and his works.

This episode looks at Luke 1:39, “In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah.” Mary does not waste any time to leave her home and to see Elizabeth. We desire the same eagerness to see God’s word proved true.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:11, “And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” God is merciful and gracious, and he has created all things. He has the right to show mercy to whomever he desires, and so we should praise him when he does so. We should also desire to spread the news of who God is to all who need to hear it.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:10, “And the LORD said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night.” We desire mercy, but too often we think it is deserved. May God (gently) remind us of our own sin, weakness, and inadequacy so that we turn to him for undeserved mercy.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:9, “But God said to Jonah, “Do you do well to be angry for the plant?” And he said, “Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die.” Jonah’s anger is actually justified: God is gracious and merciful, so when his mercy (the plant) is stripped away leaving only judgment (worm/wind/sun), Jonah had a reason for anger. The irony is that the Ninevites should feel the same if Jonah had his way.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:8, “When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, “it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah wants judgment without mercy all the way until he receives it himself. May we not have his heart, and instead may we rejoice at the sight of God’s mercy for sinners in Jesus.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:7, “But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered.” When judgment comes, it makes the prior mercy only shine brighter. We should pray for an accurate view of the coming judgment so that we turn from sin and worship God for his patience and mercy.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:6, “Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort.” May our hearts rejoice with great joy at the sight of God’s mercy to us—and to others as well.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:5, “Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.” Jonah goes out and watches to see if God will act according to his own will. Instead, we should sit and wait for God to act according to God’s own will.

This episode looks at Jonah 4:4, “And the LORD said, “Do you do well to be angry?” It is for our good that we feel how God feels. So, may it be so.