Psalm 130 starts with a cry to God. The psalmist is deep distressed, in particular because he sees the terrible separation from God that his sin brings. He does not stay in distress however. God's word reminds him that God is a God who forgives, who does not keep a record of sins. And so the psalm ends with the psalmist longing for God and extolling God's goodness to others. This psalm is a spiritual journey that helps us understand how we too can long for God and delight to tell other how great He is.

Psalm 130 starts with a cry to God. The psalmist is deep distressed, in particular because he sees the terrible separation from God that his sin brings. He does not stay in distress however. God's word reminds him that God is a God who forgives, who does not keep a record of sins. And so the psalm ends with the psalmist longing for God and extolling God's goodness to others. This psalm is a spiritual journey that helps us understand how we too can long for God and delight to tell other how great He is.

Bible Reading: Psalm 130

The psalm begins with a question and concludes with God’s promise. He asks the question, ‘Who can be in the presence of God?’ Then he lays out the standard: perfectionism, blameless, holy 100% of the time. Why is the bar so high? Why can’t God make allowances for our imperfection? Because we’re talking about His holy hill. Because the worship in His tent is to be holy. Because He is a holy God. So, who can enter? Who is the one who qualifies? Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life and God promises that a perfect life cannot be shaken. Jesus was perfect and that is our assurance. That is our security. That is our hope. We who are joined to him by faith will not be shaken, either. We hope in Christ. Nothing in this life, no powers or persecutions or storms or swords, can ever shake us. They can’t shake us, because they can’t shake Him. We can’t enter in our own strength, but that’s also the very reason why we’re safe, because we trust in the one who cannot be shaken. What wonderful salvation.

Bible Reading: Psalm 15

The psalm begins with a question and concludes with God’s promise. He asks the question, ‘Who can be in the presence of God?’ Then he lays out the standard: perfectionism, blameless, holy 100% of the time. Why is the bar so high? Why can’t God make allowances for our imperfection? Because we’re talking about His holy hill. Because the worship in His tent is to be holy. Because He is a holy God. So, who can enter? Who is the one who qualifies? Jesus Christ. He lived the perfect life and God promises that a perfect life cannot be shaken. Jesus was perfect and that is our assurance. That is our security. That is our hope. We who are joined to him by faith will not be shaken, either. We hope in Christ. Nothing in this life, no powers or persecutions or storms or swords, can ever shake us. They can’t shake us, because they can’t shake Him. We can’t enter in our own strength, but that’s also the very reason why we’re safe, because we trust in the one who cannot be shaken. What wonderful salvation.

Bible Reading: Psalm 15

Psalm 129 is one of the psalms of ascents, the psalms that were particularly sung by pilgrims on the way to Jerusalem for religious festivals. This psalm however is a bit morbid. It deals with persecution and deliverance but also a prayer that God will deal with the persecutors. What are we to do with such a psalm? What good can come of remembering past persecution? Should we pray in the same way as the psalmist does? This psalm reminds us that taking on the name of Jesus can bring trouble and helps us to know how to find hope in Him in the midst of that.

Bible Reading: Psalm 129

When his life was in danger, David found refuge in the rocky wilderness of Judea. As he reflected on that he was able to say he has taken refuge in the Lord, his rock and fortress. With God as his rock, David found grace to say, 'I trust in you; my times are in your hands'. This is perhaps the greatest challenge to us as we face life because we don't like waiting. As we enter 2020 may we learn to trust God with our lives, commit ourselves to him, and in doing so, find rest.

Bible Reading: Psalm 31

Christmas is about the unexpected. Christmas is about a God born in a stable so that he could identify with those who are broken, those who are needy, those who don’t have life all together. It’s about a God who came not for those who are independent and self-sufficient, but for those who know that they’re sick with sin and need help.

And it’s about a God laying in a manger, waiting for that day when he would die on a cross for sinners like you and me, so that we could taste the glory of his grace and praise him forever.

Luke 2:1-21

Christmas is about the unexpected. Christmas is about a God born in a stable so that he could identify with those who are broken, those who are needy, those who don’t have life all together. It’s about a God who came not for those who are independent and self-sufficient, but for those who know that they’re sick with sin and need help.

And it’s about a God laying in a manger, waiting for that day when he would die on a cross for sinners like you and me, so that we could taste the glory of his grace and praise him forever.

Luke 2:1-21

The Birth of John the Baptist and Zechariah's Song

Luke 1:57-80

First a leper, then a paralytic, and now a tax collector! Jesus calls Levi to be a disciple and Levi responds by throwing a party. For him everything has changed, and he wants everyone to know; he wants everyone to meet Jesus. But the Pharisees get a little upset with Jesus for spending time with tax collectors and sinners. He was going to parties and taking his disciples with him. Worst of all he was calling it ministry and the Pharisees didn’t like it. This was not the way a godly man should act. Jesus responds with a couple of parables to explain to them that with Jesus around everything has and will change. The same truth of change is ours today too.