“Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love” (Psalm 6:4 ESV). David wrote this psalm as a prayer during a season of deep distress when he felt the weight of God’s discipline and the threat of his enemies. He cried for the Lord to “turn” toward him, expressing
“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you” (Psalm 5:11 ESV). David wrote this psalm as a morning prayer while he was still surrounded by enemies and facing real opposition. Yet instead
“These were born to him in Jerusalem: Shimea, Shobab, Nathan, and Solomon, four by Bath-shua, the daughter of Ammiel.” (1 Chronicles 3:5 ESV). The Chronicler wrote to the returned exiles to remind them that God’s covenant promises had not failed despite the nation’s exile and the apparent collapse of David’s kingdom. What appeared to be
A man’s spirit will endure sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?” (Proverbs 18:14 ESV). The book of Proverbs taught that a healthy inner spirit could sustain a person through bodily illness, but when the spirit itself was broken, it asked who could bear such a burden. The implied answer to this rhetorical question
“I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, ‘You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.’” (Psalm 2:7–8 ESV). David declared God’s royal decree concerning His anointed King. While these words originally
“Then he said, ‘What is that monument that I see?’ And the men of the city told him, ‘It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel.’” (2 Kings 23:17 ESV). The book of Kings reminded readers that
“And I will add fifteen years to your life. I will deliver you and this city out of the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city for my own sake and for my servant David’s sake” (2 Kings 20:6 ESV). The book of 2 Kings recorded God’s gracious response to
“Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Your prayer to me about Sennacherib king of Assyria I have heard.’” (2 Kings 19:20 ESV). This verse is the turning point of the narrative. Until this moment, the spotlight had rested on the overwhelming power of
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28 ESV). As Paul concluded his farewell address to the Ephesian elders, he first urged them to pay careful attention to
“He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel. He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the LORD!” (Psalm 147:19–20 ESV). The psalmist concluded his hymn of praise by celebrating God’s greatest gift to Israel. While all nations witnessed God’s power in creation