April 21, 2020
GOD’S UNBREAKABLE NEW COVENANT THROUGH JESUS Men may break their covenants, but God never will. He is a promise-making and a promise-keeping God. The covenant spoken of here is not the one made at Sinai, but the covenant of grace made with Christ. For the Lord is speaking here through the psalmist, describing the new
April 20, 2020
FEARING GOD WE FEAR NOTHING ELSE There are many types of assemblies. Men gather for government and for business. They meet for weddings and funerals. Families gather for birthdays and holidays. Yet the assembly of the saints is unique. For they gather in the name of the Lord. Certainly there is formality and respect on
October 20, 2017
The throne of a human king or judge is elevated by wood or stone and often ornamented by images and symbols to suggest their authority and judgment. But the foundation of the Lord’s throne is “righteousness and justice.” His throne is elevated by His character, which is pure and unchanging. He looks upon us with a face that is the perfect balance of “mercy and truth,” so that neither grace is diminished, but both fully demonstrated in word and deed. So, God sent His Son to go “before” His “face,” as the perfect embodiment of His “mercy and truth” and to fully satisfy both in His death on the cross. As a result, those who have placed their faith in Christ are now able to approach the Lord as “face to face,” to know Him and to be fully known by Him (1 Cor. 13:12).
October 19, 2017
Who is this promised “seed?” Isn’t this seed which the Lord promised to David, also the same seed promised to Abraham? Surely, it must be. The apostle Paul identified it as Jesus, saying, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, ‘And to seeds,’ as of many, but as of one, ‘And to your Seed,’ who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). As today’s Jeremiah reading (Jer. 33:19-22) reminded us, this was an unconditional promise, a covenantal promise. And it was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, whose throne is established forever.
April 20, 2017
The physical fulfillment of this promise was unbroken until the Babylonian overthrow of Judah in 597 BC. Yet, the spiritual fulfillment always pointed to Christ, who is the “Seed of the woman” who would crush Satan’s head (Gen. 3:15), the “Seed of Abraham” through whom all nations of the earth shall be blessed (Gen. 26:4), and the “Seed of David” whom God will raise up to reign forever.
As the apostle Paul wrote, “Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ” (Gal. 3:16). Jesus Christ is the promised Seed.
April 21, 2016
The Lord sits on His throne of “righteousness and justice,” yet He has sent Christ, so that He is able to look upon us with “steadfast love and faithfulness.” It was at the cross of Christ that both God’s justice and love were satisfied. The penalty for sin that God’s righteousness and justice demanded was meted out upon Christ. And God’s “steadfast love” (Hebrew: “chesed” – “covenantal love.” Similar to “agape” love in the NT) and “faithfulness” were expressed in that God provided a way for us to be saved through Christ’s sacrifice of love. God is seated on a throne of righteous justice, yet His faithful love has gone before His face, so that He looks upon us through Christ.
October 19, 2015
I have joined the psalmist whom the Spirit inspired to write this. The Lord’s mercy has caused me to sing of Him. He has given me eternal life, so that in spite of worldly woes, my singing need never cease. He has filled my mouth with His Word, so that I desire to proclaim God’s faithfulness to my children, grandchildren, and to every generation He allows me to see. Have you joined this chorus that sings and speaks of God’s mercy and faithfulness?
October 20, 2013
A Messianic psalm fulfilled in Jesus, Son of David. King David was promised that one of his sons would always sit on the throne. Yet, his royal line was removed from power by Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzer and has not led since. However, Jesus has come in the line of David as both Son of Man and Son of God. He has inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven and all who believe in Him have become His offspring. This Kingdom is an everlasting one. This King and His people will endure forever.
April 21, 2012
Worship is not for us. It’s for the Lord. Yet, to those who answer the call to worship, God Himself inhabits their praise.
October 19, 2011
Shouldn’t the One who made man’s mouth receive our songs and praise? What words and songs fill your mouth? Have you taught your children and grandchildren to sing “Jesus Loves Me?” Their mouths only repeat what they hear from ours.