Welcome to Day 2501 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Bizarre Visions for the Worst of Times – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2501 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2501 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the thirtieth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today’s lesson is: Bizarre Visions for the Worst of Times. We are prone to make assumptions about God and His favor when life has us down due to sin, mistakes, or incomprehensible circumstances. Of all the Scripture passages we might turn to during these times, the bizarre vision that opens the book of Ezekiel would not register high on our list. However, reading this passage with its original ancient context in mind reveals a powerful message for its original recipients and for every believer. The Babylonian Context Ezekiel had his vision in Babylon as one of the captive exiles (Ezek 1:1- 3). Comparing his vision to Babylonian iconography reveals that Ezekiel saw a divine “throne chariot” of the heavens—widely described in the ancient biblical world. Just as human kings had chariots, so did deities. A deity would traverse the heavens in his chariot throne, inspecting his domain and exercising authority over it. In Ezekiel’s vision, this throne sits atop the “expanse” (vpl, raqia, 1:26)—the same word used in Genesis 1:6-8 for the heavens (see also Psa 29:10) and to describe God’s abode (Psa 150:1). Wheels supported the chariot throne, along with four unusual creatures (identified as cherubim in Ezek 10:4). Each creature had four faces: human, lion, eagle, and ox (Ezek 1:10).- Next to each cherub were four gleaming wheels (Ezek 1:15-16). These wheels were set on edge, since they are described as “tall” (Ezek 1:18). They had wheels within them—that is, each one had at least one concentric circle within it. The vision describes the outer edge, or “rim,” of each wheel as having “eyes” (py, ‘ayin). The prophet Daniel, who was also in Babylon, described the very same blazing throne with wheels (Dan 7:9). The Vision in Context The four faces of the four animals or cherubim correspond to the iconography of the Babylonian zodiac. Each represents a seasonal constellation in Babylonian astrology, and each face or constellation also represented one of the four directions (N, S, E, W) or quadrants of the sky. Babylonians knew that the heavens were connected...

Welcome to Day 2500 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2500 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 33:13-17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2500 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2500 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’ll be exploring Psalm 33, verses 13 through 17 from the New Living Translation. These verses are filled with incredible insights into the nature of God’s watchfulness over humanity, His wisdom in assessing our hearts, and the limitations of human strength. We’re invited to recognize that while we might rely on various sources for security or strength, ultimately, God alone is our true source of help and hope. So, let’s start by reading these verses: Psalm 33:13-17 (NLT) 13 The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. 14 From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. 15 He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do. 16 The best-equipped army cannot save a king, nor is great strength enough to save a warrior. 17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory— for all its strength, it cannot save you. God’s Perspective on Humanity (Verses 13-14): Starting with verses 13 and 14, we’re given an incredible image of God’s position and His all-seeing nature. “The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne, He observes all who live on the earth.” Here, we’re reminded that God’s perspective is vastly different from ours. He sits enthroned above us, seeing everything—every action, every choice, every hidden motive. From His heavenly vantage point, He isn’t limited like we are by time, location, or understanding. When we think about God “seeing” us, it’s important to remember that His vision is not just a surface-level glance. God is fully aware of each life, each heart, and every thought. He isn’t just watching; He’s profoundly aware and invested. In our fast-paced world, it can be easy to feel unnoticed or even insignificant, but these verses remind us that no one escapes God’s attention. He’s aware of the entire human race, yet He cares about each individual person. This truth should be both humbling and comforting. To know that the Creator of the universe watches over us with care gives us assurance. We are not alone, unnoticed, or left to wander aimlessly. God sees each of us, and He is personally aware of what we face, what we need, and what weighs on our hearts. God’s Knowledge of Our Hearts (Verse 15): Verse 15 takes this even further by revealing that God doesn’t just observe us from a distance; He understands the depths of our hearts. The verse says, “He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.” This is a profound truth. Since God crafted our hearts—our innermost being—He has an intimate understanding of who we are and why we act as we do. When David says that God “understands everything we do,” it’s a reminder that God’s knowledge of us goes beyond mere observation. He sees beyond...

Welcome to Day 2499 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2499 – The Big Deal About 'Little' Things – Daily Wisdom – Colossians 4:2-6 Putnam Church Message – 11/03/2024 Jesus Christ, Our Leader – The Big Deal About “Little” Things- Colossians 4:2-6 Last week, our focus was having Christ as the center and source of our lives. Today, we move on to the third and final section of the letter to the Colossians. If you remember when we started this series, the theme is: Jesus Christ is sufficient as our Lord, our Life, and our Leader. For baby Christians under attack from false teachers who were rejecting Christ’s person and reducing His power, this message was the perfect defense. In the first section of Colossians, Paul underscored the sufficiency of Christ as our Lord (1:1–2:23). In the second section, he highlighted the sufficiency of Christ as our Life (3:1–4:1). Now, in the remainder of the final chapter of this short but formidable book, Paul emphasizes the sufficiency of Christ as our Leader (4:2–18). Paul ended the previous section by pointing out that we all have a “Master in heaven” (4:1). Now, he wraps up this letter by outlining several practical and personal ways that Christ’s leadership is to manifest itself in our lives.| Christ directs our paths, navigating us through ministry opportunities and obstacles (4:2–6).| Next week, we will learn that when we serve Him as bond-servants, we must depend on our fellow laborers, acknowledging that we all serve one Leader and have one goal: the widespread proclamation of His message, which is to build God’s Kingdom on earth (4:7–18). Only when we depend on Christ as our sufficient Leader will we be able to fulfill this goal. Today’s passage is Colossians 4:2-6 on page 1835 of your Pew Bibles. We will explore The Big Deal About “Little” Things. I am reading from the NLT.  2 Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. 3 Pray for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. 4 Pray that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should. 5 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone. In our world of information overload, where tweets, posts, pins, and texts are thrown around like empty disposable wrappers, it’s easy to believe that words are unimportant, weak, meaningless, vaporous, and hollow. This notion is completely false! Contrary to the familiar expression, ‘talk is cheap,’| talk is not cheap. Words do matter —especially spiritual words. As we’ll see in these five insightful verses from Paul’s letter to the Colossians,...

Welcome to Day 2498 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2498 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 33:6-12 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2498 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2498 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’re exploring Psalm 33, verses 6 through 12. These verses are rich with awe, reminding us of the power and sovereignty of God in creation, in the direction of human history, and in the lives of those who trust Him. David, the psalmist, calls us to look beyond ourselves and into the greatness of God, whose plans and purposes are solid and unchanging. I’ll start by reading Psalm 33:6-12 from the New Living Translation. Psalm 33:6-12 (NLT) 6 The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born. 7 He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. 8 Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of Him. 9 For when He spoke, the world began! It appeared at His command. 10 The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. 11 But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; His intentions can never be shaken. 12 What joy for the nation whose God is the Lord, whose people He has chosen as His inheritance. God’s Power in Creation (Verses 6-7): Let’s dive into verses 6 and 7, where David speaks about God’s role as Creator. Verse 6 begins, “The Lord merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.” Here, we’re reminded that God’s power is unmatched. Creation wasn’t a struggle or a lengthy process for Him—God simply spoke, and everything came into being. In a single breath, all the stars in the heavens burst into existence, vast and uncountable, each one a testament to His power and glory. This speaks to the ease with which God can do things that, to us, are utterly incomprehensible. Imagine the scale of this. Every star, every planet, every galaxy—God created them effortlessly. His words have the power to shape reality. This is a powerful reminder for us to trust His word. When He speaks, it carries weight, authority, and the power to bring things to pass. Verse 7 continues: “He assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs.” God not only created the world but also established its boundaries and order. The seas, powerful and relentless, obey Him. He has set the boundaries for the oceans and keeps them within their limits. This detail isn’t just about the physical boundaries of creation; it’s a reminder that God’s power is vast, yet precise. He governs every detail of the universe, large and small. In a world that often feels chaotic, it’s comforting to remember that God has ordered creation with care and intention. He is in control, not only over the great expanses of the universe but also over the smallest details of our lives. When we feel overwhelmed or out of control, we can look to...

Welcome to Day 2497 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2497 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 33:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2497 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2497 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we dive into Psalm 33, specifically verses 1 through 5. In these opening verses, we find a powerful call to praise, a reminder of the beauty of God’s word, and a celebration of His love and faithfulness. This psalm begins with exuberance, inviting all who trust in God to lift their voices and celebrate His goodness. It’s a psalm filled with joy, urging us to recognize the beauty of God’s work and His unfailing love. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 33:1-5 together in the New Living Translation: Psalm 33:1-5 (NLT) 1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him. 2 Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for Him on the ten-stringed harp. 3 Sing a new song of praise to Him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. 4 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything He does. 5 He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. A Call to Praise (Verses 1-2): We begin in verse 1 with a beautiful call to worship: “Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise Him.” This verse is an invitation, almost a command, for the people of God to lift their voices in joy and celebration. The term “godly” here refers to those who seek to live in harmony with God’s will, who aim to walk in righteousness and humility. For these individuals, it is “fitting” to praise the Lord. David reminds us that singing and praising God isn’t just an obligation; it’s the natural response of a heart in tune with Him. Think about it: when we experience something amazing, don’t we feel an urge to share it with others? It’s similar with our relationship with God. When we truly recognize His goodness and faithfulness, our hearts naturally overflow with gratitude, and we want to express it. This is what David is encouraging us to do—to let our lives be an offering of praise to God. In verse 2, he urges us to “praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre; make music for Him on the ten-stringed harp.” Music has a powerful way of expressing emotions that words alone often cannot. The psalmist here mentions instruments—the lyre and harp—encouraging us to make our praise as expressive as possible. God delights in our creativity, and using music, song, and even art as expressions of our gratitude and love is a wonderful way to connect with Him. This invitation isn’t just about organized worship or a specific style of music; it’s about authenticity in our praise. Whether we have musical talent or not, the important thing is that our hearts are sincerely focused on God. God is honored when we lift our praise to Him with a genuine spirit. A New Song of Joy (Verse 3): Verse 3...

Welcome to Day 2496 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – He, Him, Me, Myself, and I – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2496 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2496 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the twenty-ninth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today’s lesson is: He, Him, Me, Myself, and I. How strange would it sound if a friend described what they did this morning like this? “After she got out of bed, she took a shower and then made a quick breakfast for herself—just some coffee and a bagel. I was in such a hurry that I didn’t even finish my bagel and just took the coffee with me!” Be honest. You would probably wonder if your friend needed medication. Although your friend was describing what she did this morning, the first few details sounded like she was talking about someone else. If the information was about her and spoken by her, why not use “I” and “my”—what we call “first person” pronouns in grammar? Why would she refer to herself in the third person? We just don’t talk or write like that. Neither would the biblical writers—but that is exactly what we read in many biblical passages. Consider the first four verses of the book of Ezekiel: On July 31[a] of my thirtieth year,[b] while I was with the Judean exiles beside the Kebar River in Babylon, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. 2 This happened during the fifth year of King Jehoiachin’s captivity. 3 (The Lord gave this message to Ezekiel son of Buzi, a priest, beside the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians,[c] and he felt the hand of the Lord take hold of him.) 4 As I looked, I saw a great storm coming from the north, driving before it a huge cloud that flashed with lightning and shone with brilliant light. There was fire inside the cloud, and in the middle of the fire glowed something like gleaming amber.[

Welcome to Day 2495 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2495 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 32:6-11 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2495 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2495 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we continue through Psalm 32, focusing on verses 6 through 11. In the previous verses, David laid out the blessing of forgiveness and the power of confession. Now, in verses 6 through 11, he shifts to address what this forgiveness leads to: the assurance of God’s protection, the joy of being guided by His wisdom, and the steadfast love God extends to those who trust in Him. Psalm 32 is a “maskil,” a teaching psalm, and here, David instructs us on how to respond to God’s grace. These verses encourage us to draw close to God, to lean on Him during difficult times, and to trust in His faithfulness. Let’s read these verses together in the New Living Translation, then unpack them individually. Psalm 32:6-11 (NLT) 6 Therefore, let all the godly pray to You while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. 7 For You are my hiding place; You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. 8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” 10 Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. 11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey Him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! A Call to Prayer and Protection (Verse 6): Verse 6 opens with an invitation and a sense of urgency. David says, “Therefore, let all the godly pray to You while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.” The phrase “while there is still time” implies that we shouldn’t take for granted the opportunity we have now to come to God. In a world full of distractions, David calls the godly—the faithful, those who seek God’s heart—to pray and stay close to God. When David speaks of the “floodwaters of judgment,” he’s referring to the overwhelming consequences of living apart from God’s wisdom and protection. He uses the image of floodwaters as a symbol of the chaos, difficulty, and, sometimes, the natural consequences of our own choices. But David’s message is one of hope and urgency: we’re encouraged to seek God and to do so while we have the chance. In the New Testament, we see this echoed in Jesus’ call to abide in Him, to come to Him for refuge and peace. David’s plea here reminds us that God is always near, ready to hear us when we call on Him. It’s never too late to pray, to ask for forgiveness, or to seek His wisdom. We should make the most of this grace and seek God’s guidance while we can. God as Our Hiding Place (Verse 7): In verse 7, David continues,...

Welcome to Day 2494 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2494 – Wherever, Whatever, Whenever, However...Christ – Daily Wisdom – Colossians 3:15-4:1 Putnam Church Message – 10/27/2024 Jesus Christ, Our Life – Wherever, Whatever, Whenever, However…Christ - Colossians 3:15-4:1 Last week, we learned that guided experience is the best teacher, as our mentor, the Apostle Paul, taught us to take off our old, dirty, stinking habits and put on the new, fresh habits of a new life in Christ. Today’s passage is Colossians 3:15-4:1 on page 1835 of your Pew Bibles. Our focus today is having Christ as the center and source of our lives. I am reading from the NLT. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. 20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. 23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.[e] 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites. 4:1 Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven. In English, a brief but meaningful expression helps us characterize a person’s values, loves, priorities, and passions, telling us what that person is all about. If a person dearly loves music, we say, “Music is his life.” If someone finds fulfillment in training and motivating athletes, we say, “Coaching is her life.” For a woman whose work means everything to her, who finds great joy in her career, we might say, “Her job is her life.” Of a prolific author who cranks out one book after another, we might say, “Writing is his life.” Since I enjoy almost everything I do, I would say that life is my life! This idiom is clearly a hyperbole—an exaggerated claim not intended to be taken...

Welcome to Day 2493 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2493 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 32:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2493 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2493 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we’re diving into the richness of Psalm 32:1-5. This passage reveals a heartfelt message from David about the profound joy of forgiveness and the relief that comes from confessing our sins to God. Psalm 32 offers a close look at the nature of repentance, confession, and the freeing power of God’s forgiveness. In these first five verses, David’s words are clear and transparent as he recounts the blessings of forgiveness and the weight lifted when we openly turn to God with our sins. Let’s read these verses together in the New Living Translation and then explore each of them to grasp the life-giving truths they hold. Psalm 32:1-5 (NLT) 1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night Your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. The Joy of Forgiveness (Verses 1-2): David opens Psalm 32:1 by celebrating the “joy” that comes from forgiveness: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!” Here, David doesn’t just mention forgiveness; he emphasizes the deep happiness, peace, and liberation that follow it. The word “joy” tells us that there’s something more to forgiveness than just a clean slate—it’s an experience that brings a renewed sense of freedom and wholeness. This joy, David says, is for those “whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight.” He uses two distinct terms—disobedience and sin—to cover the range of human failings. Disobedience reflects deliberate actions against God’s law, while “sin” represents falling short, missing the mark of what God intends for us. David shows us that, whether intentional or unintentional, God can completely forgive any wrongdoing. In verse 2, David continues, “Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!” This is a beautiful reminder that God doesn’t just forgive us in a surface-level way; He clears the entire record of our guilt. It’s as if our wrongs were never recorded, never held against us. This isn’t a license to live as we please but rather a call to embrace honesty. David says the blessed life is marked by “complete honesty.” True joy comes when we bring everything into the light, not hiding...

Welcome to Day 2492 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2492 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 31:19-24 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2492 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2492 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, as we continue our exploration of Psalm 31. Today’s passage, Psalm 31:19-24, takes us from a place of distress to one of praise and confidence in God’s goodness. In the previous verses, we saw how David poured out his heart to God, pleading for mercy and rescue amid his pain and danger. In these final verses of the psalm, David shifts his focus. He celebrates God’s goodness, faithfulness, and protection, encouraging all who trust in the Lord to take courage and place their hope in Him. Let’s read Psalm 31:19-24 from the New Living Translation, and then we’ll break it down verse by verse. Psalm 31:19-24 (NLT) 19 How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 20 You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in Your presence, far from accusing tongues. 21 Praise the Lord, for He has shown me the wonders of His unfailing love. He kept me safe when my city was under attack. 22 In panic I cried out, “I am cut off from the Lord!” But You heard my cry for  mercy and answered my call for help. 23 Love the Lord, all you godly ones! For the Lord protects those who are loyal to Him, but He harshly punishes the arrogant. 24 So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord! The Goodness of God (Verses 19-20): David begins this final section of the psalm with a powerful declaration of God’s goodness: “How great is the goodness You have stored up for those who fear You. You lavish it on those who come to You for protection, blessing them before the watching world” (verse 19). After pouring out his heart in the earlier verses, expressing his fears, pain, and distress, David now turns to praise, acknowledging the abundant goodness of God. God’s goodness isn’t something that’s merely experienced in the abstract or on rare occasions. It’s stored up, waiting for those who fear the Lord and come to Him for protection. There’s an image here of God’s goodness as a treasure, something He’s carefully reserved and prepared for those who seek refuge in Him. This isn’t a meager or stingy supply—it’s lavish, overflowing, and abundant. David also mentions that this blessing is given “before the watching world.” God’s faithfulness to His people is evident to others. When we trust in the Lord, His goodness and favor in our lives serve as a testimony to those around us. The way God cares for His people shines like a beacon, showing His greatness to the world. Verse 20 continues this theme: “You hide them in the shelter of Your presence, safe from those who...