This side of heaven, Christians are not immune from evil things or evil people and evil spirits. Those who pursue evil plans are constantly drawing near. What does this mean for us?

Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

The Canaanites were descended from Noah’s son Ham, and inhabited the Promised Land before the Israelites. Where did they settle, and what were they like?

Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

The trial the psalmist introduced at the beginning of this stanza is continuing and is sapping his strength. But his devotional regimen provides him with bold and confident petitions to set before God.

Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

On the surface, the descendants of Mizraim just look like a lot of unpronounceable names. But these peoples would noticeably factor into the history of God’s people, for good and (more often) for ill.

Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In Psalm 119:148, the psalmist leads us to think about why evening is a good time for devotion and prayer.

Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Moses continues telling us about the Israelites’ very distant relatives. But he is also showing us how it didn’t take long for people after the Flood to become like people before the Flood—Nimrod the hunter being a prime example.

Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In Psalm 119:147, the psalmist leads us to think about why morning is a good time for devotion and prayer.

Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Ham and his sons are identified primarily with Arabian and African territory. In this devotion, we attempt to locate more precisely where Ham’s sons and grandsons settled. We also consider how much we have in common with them, in spite of our cultural differences.

Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

In verse 145, the psalmist lamented his failure in the Christian struggle. In verse 146, the psalmist tells us what kept him from despairing and gave him the strength to keep fighting the good fight.

Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Japheth and his sons are identified primarily with European territory. In this devotion, we attempt to locate more precisely where Japheth’s sons and grandsons settled.

Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).