Psalm 079

Introduction This is another lamentation where the psalmist cries to the Lord because of the trouble which he and God's people are facing. It's also another psalm of Asaph. I've said before that Asaph was appointed by David to provide music for the worship of God. However, today's psalm seems to be about the destruction … Continue reading Psalm 079 →

Psalm 078

Introduction I think this is the first of the long psalms. When I started to preach on the psalms I wondered what I would do when I reached the long ones. One approach is to divide a long psalm into different parts and to study the parts over several weeks. The problem with that approach … Continue reading Psalm 078 →

Psalm 077

Introduction Psalm 77 is another of the psalms of Asaph and it's a kind of lamentation, where the psalmist cries out to the Lord because of the trouble he’s in. However, it also contains thanksgiving and confidence. And the psalm is in two parts. In the first part, verses 1 to 9, the psalmist laments … Continue reading Psalm 077 →

Psalm 076

Introduction Today's psalm is another psalm of Asaph. The title says it's for the director of music and it's with stringed instruments. It also says it's a psalm and a song. So, this is a psalm which the people were to sing and which was accompanied with strings. There's an ancient Greek translation of the … Continue reading Psalm 076 →

2 Kings 04

Introduction Our narrator is once again taking a break from telling us about the kings of Israel and Judah and he's focussing instead on Elisha who succeeded Elijah as the Lord's prophet in those days. And in today's chapter he records for us four stories of the miracles which Elisha performed. And it almost feels … Continue reading 2 Kings 04 →

Colossians 4(02–18)

Introduction We've been learning from Paul that believers have taken off Adam's old humanity which has been corrupted because of sin; and we've put on Christ's new humanity; and we're being renewed throughout by his Spirit. Since our old sins still linger on and make an appearance in our lives, we need the help of … Continue reading Colossians 4(02–18) →

2 Kings 03

Introduction Last week we read about the time when Elijah the prophet was taken up alive into heaven; and Elisha succeeded him as the Lord's prophet. From that time on, Elisha would proclaim the word of the Lord to the Lord's people. That chapter was, in a sense, an interlude, because none of the kings … Continue reading 2 Kings 03 →

Colossians 3(18)–4(01) Part 3

Introduction Paul has been teaching us that believers have taken off Adam's old humanity which was corrupted because of Adam's sin in the beginning; and we've put on Christ's new humanity. And we need to work this out in practice in our daily lives. And that means getting rid of the old sins which linger … Continue reading Colossians 3(18)–4(01) Part 3 →

Colossians 3(18)–4(01) Part 2

Introduction Paul has been teaching us that believers have taken off Adam's old humanity and we have put on Christ's new humanity. Adam's old humanity was corrupted because of Adam's sin the beginning. And so, when we're born, we're born into the world as sinners and sinning comes naturally to us. Disobeying God is natural … Continue reading Colossians 3(18)–4(01) Part 2 →

2 Kings 02

Introduction Today's passage tells us the true story of how Elijah the prophet was taken up to heaven. The first time we heard of Elijah was back in chapter 17 of 1 Kings, when he burst on the scene without any introduction to announce in the name of the Lord that there would be no … Continue reading 2 Kings 02 →