One Verse at a Time

This episode looks at 2 John 1:3, “Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.” Lavish riches, respite from suffering and punishment, and completeness all flow from a right relationship with God. May God help us to walk in truth and love so that we experience these sweet blessings.

This episode looks at 2 John 1:2, “because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:”. We love because God, who is love, dwells in us by the Holy Spirit. We love those in the Church especially, and we invite others to join us in this body of believers as well.

This episode looks at 2 John 1:1, “The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth.” When we know the truth we love others. When we know the truth, we love others who know the truth—in this case, God’s people in his Church. May God give us grace to do this.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:10, “All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled; they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.” This verse warns the wicked that God is just and will reverse all suffering, trials, and sins of his people—but he will judge those who don’t know him. May we be a people who calls others to repentance and who faces sorrow and suffering with confidence because our God hears our cries.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:9, “The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer.” We have a God who knows us and who hears us when we pray. Why wouldn’t we pray to him? Let’s thank God together for the blood of Christ, which purchases our bold entrance into the throne room of heaven.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:8, “Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.” When we call out to God, we know that we need to leave a life of sin behind. As we do this, we know that God hears the sound of our weeping. Oh, what sweet joy to have a Father who hears us.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:7, “My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows weak because of all my foes.” There is a level of sorrow that causes our bodies to waste away. We need to admit our need for mercy—both from sin and from suffering. Thankfully, we have a God who loves to answer that prayer.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:6, “I am weary with my moaning; every night I flood my bed with tears; I drench my couch with my weeping.” The depth of sorrow David feels toward his sin, suffering, and trials is enormous. May God give us grace to come to him with this level of emotion and to feel appropriately about these things in our lives.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:5, “For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?” David appeals to the glory of God as grounds for his salvation. God is worthy of glory and praise, so he should save David so that he can praise him. No one praises God in death. However, there is an idea that the righteous will be raised from Sheol to be with God forever.

This episode looks at Psalm 6:4, “Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love.” The very return of God’s felt presence to a situation is the deliverance we seek in distress. So we pray for his presence to be known in times of trial. We also pray for salvation from distress not on account of our worthiness, but on account of God being a God who keeps his promises.