“And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher” (Isaiah 30:20 ESV). Isaiah spoke to a people who had turned away from God, chasing after false alliances and idols. Because of their rebellion, the
Chapter: 30
THE BIBLE IS TESTED AND TRUE
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5 ESV). The phrase “proves true” reminds us that Scripture is trustworthy because it originates from a trustworthy God. His Word has been tried and found faithful in every generation. The Hebrew word translated “proves true” literally
LET JESUS TURN YOUR MOURNING INTO DANCING
“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness” (Psalm 30:11 ESV). David knew what it meant to mourn a loss or grieve a disappointment. He had sat weeping in sackcloth to express his repentance for sin, crying out to God for forgiveness. David knew
GOD’S PROTECTION AND CORRECTION
“Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep” (1 Samuel 30:4 ESV). In the time when David was on the run from King Saul, he allied himself with King Achish of the Philistines. Yet, on the eve before they went into
JESUS IS THE ANSWER
“Who but God goes up to heaven and comes back down? Who holds the wind in his fists? Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak? Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know!” (Proverbs 30:4 NLT). Proverbs 30 contains the sayings of Agur,
THE GRAYNESS OF GRIEF ABSENT THE LORD
“My harp plays sad music, and my flute accompanies those who weep” (Job 30:31 NLT) The grief that covered Job like a cloud affected even his ear for music. The harp, a stringed instrument, was often employed by David to lighten the mood of King Saul. It was an instrument used in worship and in
LEARNING TO ENCOURAGE YOURSELF IN THE LORD
“But David found strength in the LORD his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6 NLT). When David and his 600 men returned to their hometown of Ziklag, they found it burning and their families taken captive by the Amalekites. David and his troops wept loudly until they were without strength. His men were so distraught that they
MEDITATIONS ON THE TABERNACLE
“Then make another altar of acacia wood for burning incense” (Exodus 30:1 NLT). The Lord gave Moses specific instructions for the furnishings inside the Tent of Meeting. Among these instructions were detailed plans for the making and use of an altar for burning incense. Meditation on these furnishings are a worthy pursuit for the Christ-follower.
PUT ON YOUR NEW CLOTHES OF JOY
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy” (Psalm 30:11 NLT). When we receive God’s comfort, He not only wipes away our tears, He strengthens our weak knees and sagging spirits, so that our “mourning is turned into dancing.” This comfort flows
“My lyre is used for mourning and my flute for the sound of weeping” (Job 30:31 HCSB).
THE GRAYNESS OF GRIEF ABSENT THE LORD The grief that covered Job like a cloud affected even his ear for music. The lyre, a stringed instrument, was often employed by David to lighten the mood of King Saul. It was an instrument used in worship and in times of celebration. Yet, to Job’s ear, the