“And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!” (2 Samuel 3:39 ESV). The author of 2 Samuel recorded David’s response after Joab murdered Abner. David had sought peace and reconciliation with Abner to unite the
“Save us, we pray, O LORD! … Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD! We bless you from the house of the LORD” (Psalm 118:25–26 ESV). Psalm 118 was written as a song of thanksgiving and celebration that ultimately pointed to the coming Messiah. The cry, “Save us, we pray” came
“Out of my distress I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free” (Psalm 118:5 ESV). The psalmist wrote Psalm 118 as a song of thanksgiving for God’s faithful deliverance, calling God’s people to remember His steadfast love. In this verse, the writer testified that he cried out to the Lord
“Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’ Saul answered, ‘I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more’” (1 Samuel 28:15 ESV). 1 Samuel recorded one of the most mysterious and tragic scenes
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:27–28 ESV). In this passage, Jesus described believers as sheep who hear His voice, are known by Him, and follow Him.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11 ESV). John wrote his gospel so that people might hear and believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name. In this passage, Jesus gave His fourth great “I AM” statement, identifying
“Jesus said to them, ‘If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, “We see,” your guilt remains.’” (John 9:41 ESV). John recorded Jesus’ healing of a man who had been blind from birth and then used the miracle to reveal a deeper truth about spiritual sight. Many see an
“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32 ESV). John recorded that Jesus spoke these words to Jews who had expressed belief in Him. Jesus challenged them beyond a momentary profession of faith and called them to
“So Jesus said to them, ‘When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do nothing on my own authority, but speak just as the Father taught me.’” (John 8:28 ESV). John recorded Jesus speaking these words to a crowd that struggled to understand
“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12 ESV). John recorded that Jesus spoke these words during the Feast of Tabernacles. During this feast, giant lamps were lit in the temple courts to