How A Book about The Book Can Make All The Difference

Posted on November 2, 2022 by Wayne Davies

I’m reflecting on how God has provided gifted Bible teachers to help me understand the Bible.

One of those teachers – Gordon Fee – died last month. He co-wrote (with Douglas Stuart) two books that have had a tremendous impact on the way I read the Bible and what I look for to better comprehend it:

How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
How to Read the Bible Book by Book

I return to these books again and again.

 

Thank you, Dr. Fee, for writing these books. And thank you, Lord, for giving us this gifted teacher of your Word.

You can check out this blog post that explains further how these two books changed my approach to reading and understanding Scripture.

The Bible’s One Big Story (When Reading the Bible, Are You Missing It?)
https://godwrotethebook.com/the-bibles-one-big-story/

There have been a handful of other books about The Book that have had a significant effect on me.

Knowing God, by J.I. Packer
The Gospel According to Jesus, by John MacArthur
God Is the Gospel, by John Piper
The Holiness of God, by R.C. Sproul
Women of the Word, by Jen Wilkin
Basic Christianity, by John Stott

Looking for help in your comprehension of Scripture? The eight books listed above are a great place to start.

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How to Read the Bible Like Billy Graham

Posted on October 24, 2022 by Wayne Davies

My latest book has been published. How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 42-72 is now available on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback formats. (The Kindle version is on sale this week at the introductory price of 99 cents.)

While writing it, I did some research on Billy Graham. (The following is an excerpt from the new book.)

How Billy Graham Read the Bible

Many years ago, someone told me that Billy Graham read five psalms every day.

I thought, “Wow! Really?” So I decided to check it out.

According to biographer John Pollock, here’s how Billy Graham read the Bible.

“Every day he reads five Psalms, covering the psalter in a month, and one chapter of Proverbs . . . He reads through a Gospel each week, using commentaries and modern translations, and constantly returns to the Acts of the Apostles. He annotates throughout the Bible.”

Whoa! He read the books of Psalms and Proverbs (in their entirety) every month.

Why would he do that? Graham explains why: “The Psalms will tell you how you get along with God, and the Proverbs will tell you how to get along with your fellowman.”

Oh, and he also read all four gospels (in their entirety) every month.

And he didn’t just read the Bible. He also studied it, using commentaries and different translations, taking notes, and writing down his thoughts.

We also know the effect Scripture had on him. In Graham’s own words: “Sometimes His word makes such an impact on me that I have to put the Bible down and walk around for a few moments to catch my breath.”

Does that ever happen to you? Do you find the Bible breathtaking?

Billy Graham and His God

May we learn from Billy Graham the importance of spending time alone with God — in the Word, prayer, and meditation. This was the foundation of his life and ministry.

John Akers elaborates on the answer to the age-old question, “What was the secret of his success?” Look no further than “Graham’s deep commitment to a consistent, thoughtful devotional life. Without it, Graham never would have become the person he was, nor would he have had the worldwide impact he did. It kept him humble, reinforced his integrity, expanded his vision, and enabled him to keep his focus. Most of all, as he often said, it kept him close to the One he sought to serve.

“The elements of Graham’s devotional life were simple: the Bible, prayer, and reflection. In his view, each was essential and bound to the others. Graham learned early on the value of setting aside a definite time each day (preferably in the early morning) to be alone with God, a practice he sought to maintain even in the midst of overwhelming pressures, disruptions, and frequent travel. To the end of his life, Graham maintained the practice of setting aside a daily time for Bible study and prayer, which was not restricted to once a day.”
https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/billy-graham/

If you have a desire, like Billy Graham, to reach people with the gospel of Christ – to see your friends and loved ones repent of their sin and trust Jesus for salvation – the key is to cultivate an intimate relationship with God through quality time in the Word, prayer, and meditation.

Such an intentional intimacy with God will kindle your love and compassion for people. The deeper you grow in your knowledge of God (from the Word of God), the more you will become like Jesus. And according to Scripture, Christ-like holiness is the evidence of true saving faith: “By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked” (1 John 2:5-6). Or, as Paul wrote, “we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). To become increasingly like Jesus requires the life-changing power of God, and this transformation occurs while we are “beholding the glory of the Lord.” And where do we go to see the glory of God? The Word of God.

Billy Graham read five psalms a day because he wanted to see God and be sanctified by God. His ministry was the overflow of that supernatural transformation. May that be our experience, too. And may that be the reason I wrote How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 42-72 (Volume 2).

You can read more excerpts from the book here:
https://godwrotethebook.com/31-reasons-to-study-the-psalms/

 

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What the Bible Says about Holiness in Marriage

Posted on October 19, 2022 by Wayne Davies

Scripture has much to say about holiness.

God is holy. “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” (Isaiah 6:3; see also Revelation 4:8).

And we are commanded to be holy. “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

This is a daunting task, for sure. But it is our calling. The God who justified us by his grace is also able to sanctify us (make us holy) by that same grace, for he “is able to keep you from stumbling” (Jude 24).

According to Jesus, the pursuit of righteousness is to be a top priority for every believer: “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

Paul puts it quite succinctly: “this is the will of God, your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3). (The word sanctification” can also be rendered “holiness.”)

Personal holiness (an increasing measure of Christ-likeness) is critical to our assurance of salvation, for our sanctification is one of the evidences of genuine saving faith. “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Where do we begin in this pursuit of Christ-likeness? You don’t have to go far. Start at home. If you are married, loving your wife or husband is a wonderful expression of the pursuit of holiness. To love is to be like God, for “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Husbands are commanded to “love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25). Wives are instructed to both submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22) and to love them (Titus 2:4).

What does loving our spouses look like, practically speaking?

I highly recommend The Exemplary Husband: A Biblical Perspective, by Stuart Scott. He provides a list of practical ways that husbands can love their wives:

By being with her and involving her:
Plan time to spend with her alone.
Develop common interests with her.
Let her know how she can help you and/or work along side you.
Call her from work.
Tell her about what you do.

By seeking to understand her and help her:
Ask what she did today and then listen.
Inquire as to her well-being and then pay attention.
Plan a regular time to talk about her concerns and then pray about them together.
Pray with her about other family matters.
Assist her when she needs it.

By appreciating her:
Thank God for her.
Think and verbalize specific qualities or deeds that you are thankful for.
Speak well of her to others.
Leave her a note of appreciation.

By treating her special compared to others:
Open doors for her.
Plan dates.
Put her needs and desires above others.
Show her non-sexual affection.

By revealing yourself to her:
Communicate your thoughts, perspectives, and goals to her.
Let her know how she can pray for you.

Men, I trust you find the above list helpful. When we love our wives this way, we are pursuing holiness for the glory of God.

Focus Publishing has a complementary book entitled The Excellent Wife: A Biblical Perspective, by Martha Peace. Here’s a list of practical ways that a wife can love her husband:

Ask your husband, “What are your goals for the week?”
Ask your husband, “How can I help you to accomplish these goals?”
Think of specific ways you can help him accomplish his goals.
Save some of your energy every day for him.
Put him first over the other people in your life.
Talk about him in a positive light to others.
Do not slander him at all.
Be warm and gracious to his family and friends.
Make your commitment to him obvious to others.
Do and say things that build him up instead of tearing him down.

Certainly, both lists contain loving acts that both husbands and wives can apply.

Of course, loving your spouse involves more than checking off items on a things-to-do list. Much more. But I still find these lists beneficial. I suggest reading them regularly to “spur [yourself] on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24).

Take these ideas to heart. If there’s something you see on either list that you haven’t done lately (or maybe have never done), pray about it and ask God to enable you to do it as a genuine expression of love.

Be holy by loving your spouse. This is God’s will for you!

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One Great Question, Five Life-Changing Truths about Jesus and His Father

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Wayne Davies


A good question can be the key that opens the door of understanding to the Word of God. I recently experienced this myself.

I’m a member of Broadway Christian Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. We are currently doing a 12-week study entitled “Steadfast Worship.” Lesson 3 is about “God the Son” and the passage we examined is John 17, in which we get a glorious glimpse into the prayer life of Jesus. Just hours before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father and we are privileged to know exactly what He requested.

Amanda Campati, our church’s Administrator, wrote questions about this passage for our small groups to reflect on and discuss. Here is Question #1:

How would you describe the relationship between God the Father and God the Son in this text?

I love this question. It caused me to dive deeply into this passage in a way I would not have thought of otherwise. This is an excellent example of how an insightful question can be the catalyst for deeper study of the Word. Thank you, Lord . . .  and thank you, Amanda!

The following comments are my thoughts in response to this question.

There is no other relationship like the one that exists between God the Father and God the Son. It is the most unique relationship in the universe, and it has always existed – from eternity past, the Father and the Son have loved each other in a perfect union of joyful fellowship. We have much to learn from this relationship. Here are five life-changing truths to ponder when we think of Jesus and his heavenly Father.

1-This is a relationship of mutual glorification. It is a relationship that is focused on and exists for the glory of God.

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (v. 1)
Jesus tells the Father (as if He needed to be reminded!) that “the hour has come.” What hour? The hour of Jesus’ death. And what is the purpose of Jesus’ death? That God be glorified, for Jesus’ first petition is that God the Father and God the Son would both be glorified through the coming of this hour.

In the death of Christ, the Father glorifies the Son so that the Son may glorify the Father. In other words, one purpose (or arguably, the primary purpose) of Jesus’ death is the Father’s glorification of the Son, and through the Son’s glorification, the glorification of the Father. Through the crucifixion, the Father honors the Son and the Son honors the Father. It’s not a case of “either/or” but “both/and” – hence the phrase “mutual glorification.”

“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do.” (v. 4)
Jesus has already glorified the Father by living a perfect life for 30+ years. Within a few hours, the ultimate display of His holy obedience will be displayed on the cross. Everything Jesus did was an act of loving submission to His Father’s will. “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). In a few hours He would say that this work “is finished” (John 19:30). And what was the purpose and result of the Son’s work on earth? The glory of the Father.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me” (v. 22)
Jesus is fully God, and therefore, from eternity past, has always been God. At the same time, in some mind-bending way that is beyond my comprehension, Jesus refers to His glory as a gift from the Father to him. Even more amazing is that this divine glory that the Father gave to the Son has, in turn, been passed on from the Son to us. Paul echoes this incredible truth in Romans 8:30, for “those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” (v. 24)
John Piper wrote a book, Seeing and Savoring Jesus Christ, because the primary purpose of the Christian life, both now and forever, is to see and savor the glory of God in Christ Jesus. What will heaven be like? We don’t go to heaven primarily to “have a good time,” enjoying all the earthly things that make us happy now. Jesus said that we are going to heaven to “be with me” and “to see my glory.” Let that take your breath away! Heaven will be an experience of eternal and infinite joy beyond our wildest dreams – all because we will be in the presence of Jesus and His glory.

2-This is a relationship of submission, obedience, and authority.

“You sent me into the world” (v. 18)
Note how often Jesus mentions that He was “sent” to earth by the Father – five times! (v. 3, 18, 21, 23, 25). Jesus came to earth because the Father sent him. Did Jesus want to come? Of course. But He also came because he willingly submitted to His Father’s will. He obeyed the Father’s command to “go,” because Jesus demonstrated perfect respect for His Father’s authority.

Furthermore, the Father gave the Son work to do, and He did it with joy and to perfection, as indicated in John 17:4.

3-This is a relationship of unity and oneness.

 “We are one . . . you in me” (v. 22-23)
We may not be that surprised to hear Jesus say to the Father, “we are one” (v. 22). We’ve heard that from his lips before. “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). But let’s not let the familiarity of this statement lessen our amazement at its truth. This is a mind-boggling reality. Here we enter the mystery that is the Trinity – one God in three Persons, who have existed in perfect harmony from all eternity. The eternal Son Jesus came to earth and took on human flesh, without ceasing to be God! And while He was here, He continued to experience unbroken fellowship with His Father. Again, let it take your breath away!

4-This is a relationship of love and giving.

“You loved me before the creation of the world.” (v. 24, 26)
The Father and the Son have had a love relationship forever. Long before God spoke the universe into existence, they were experiencing perfect love.

A loving person is compelled to give. Such is the case here. To demonstrate His love for His Son, the Father gave the church to the Son. We are God’s love gift to Jesus. Surely that takes your breath away!

Note the repeated references to this truth:
Jesus refers to recipients of eternal life as “those you have given him” (v. 2)
Jesus has revealed the Father to “those whom you gave me out of the world” (v. 6)
Jesus told the Father, “you gave them to me” (v. 6)
Jesus said, “I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours” (v. 9)
Jesus prayed, “I want those you have given me to be with me where I am” (v. 24)

“For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them” (v. 8)
Jesus saw the Father as the source of the words He spoke, “For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken” (John 12:49). All the words that Jesus spoke were a gift from the Father to the Son.

5-This is a relationship of intimacy.

“I know you.” (v. 25)
Jesus’ knowledge of the Father, and the Father’s knowledge of Jesus, is perfect. That is why Jesus said that “No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son” (Matthew 11:27).

At the same time, all believers know God, for “this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent” (John 17:3). We should strive for a deeper knowledge of God in this life, and by the grace of God, we can experience greater intimacy because Jesus has made the Father known to us. “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them” (John 17:26).

How to Apply These 5 Truths

  1. Since the Father and the Son have a relationship of mutual glorification, my primary goal in life should be to glorify the Father and the Son. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). I have known that verse for years, but seeing it realized in the relationship between Jesus and His Father gives it a whole new meaning. If Jesus died and finished the Father’s work for the glory of the Father, and if the Father glorifies the Son through His crucifixion, this motivates me to take my focus on God’s glory to another level.
  2. Jesus’ coming to earth was an act of willing submission to the Father’s authority. This relationship of loving obedience motivates me to obey my Father. If Jesus obeyed the Father, so must I.
  3. Since the Father and Son have a relationship of unbreakable unity, I, too, can strive for unity in all my relationships, both vertical and horizontal. Their perfect harmony is an example for me to follow.
  4. Their relationship of love and giving is also the model and pattern for all my relationships. The gift of the church, from the Father to the Son, came at great cost to both Father and Son. Likewise, genuine love for others should be costly for me. To love people will, at times, be hard and even painful. It is a call to suffering for the good of others. It was for the Father and the Son, so why should it be any different for me?
  5. The level of intimacy between the Father and Son is humanly impossible to attain (at least in this life). And rightly so. They have a perfect relationship! Yet we can still have a life-giving and soul-satisfying connection to the Father, through the Son, that is beyond human understanding. I cannot know God flawlessly, but I can know Him intimately, because Jesus has chosen to reveal the Father to me, and He has given me His Spirit who draws me ever closer. A close relationship with God is the supernatural work of the Trinity. It begins in this life and will be consummated to perfection in the next.
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7 Tips to Help You Refocus on God & His Word

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Wayne Davies

Life can get in the way of our plans. We have good intentions to spend time with God in the Word and prayer, and then before we know it, the day is gone and it didn’t happen.

In her October newsletter, my friend and author Heather Erdmann reflects on this tendency to lose our focus:

“Life is hard. We are pulled in so many directions. There are so many distractions. We have so many challenges, from physical ailments, to mental or emotional distresses, financial burdens, or even social or relational issues.

“Personally, I know I get easily overwhelmed with ‘all the things.’ I recently have begun to ‘hate’ that often overused phrase. But, then I realized that maybe God was using it so often in my daily life to get my attention because I have been letting ‘all the things’ distract me from what is most important–HIM.”

She concludes with an immediately actionable answer to the question,

What do you do to refocus yourself on God rather than on self and all our earthly cares?

7 Tips to Help You Refocus on God & His Word

1. Pray and ask God to help you prioritize Him above all things.

2. Turn my phone onto “focus mode” or “do not disturb”.(Check your phone settings, as you can set it to temporarily turn off all notifications and certain apps so that you can work without distractions.) This one is HUGE for me!

3. If I’m still having trouble knowing what to pray about or how to turn my attention to talking with God, I use prayer books with scripted prayers on different topics. This helps me get into a more prayerful mindset and focuses my heart on Him. I’ve listed a few of my favorites on my website. Click Here if you are interested.

4. Keep a notepad and pen nearby to write down anything that pops into your mind to distract you, and then get right back to your prayer and Bible reading time.

5. Keep praying for help to refocusif your mind starts to wander.

6. Listen to an audio Bible or worship music with your eyes closedto help keep out both visual and audible distractions.

7. Use a Bible reading plan or Bible study journal or guide to keep you focused on the Word.

This is the type of practical, Bible-based advice you can expect from Heather.

To subscribe to her monthly email newsletter, visit
https://www.goodportionpromises.com/subscribe

And while you are there, check out her free “Bible Studies for Busy Days.”

Bible Studies for Busy Days are small everyday Bible studies that you can do in 5-7 minutes per day. They allow you to have the nourishment of God’s Word no matter how time-crunched you may be. They are not meant to replace your regular deeper study of the Bible but instead are small “snacks” to use as a supplement on days when you might otherwise go without opening His Word at all. Plus, you can access them on your phone or mobile device anywhere or anytime you find a few spare moments.

To get your free copy, visit
https://www.goodportionpromises.com/about-bible-studies-for-busy-days

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The Stupidity of Sin (and How to Overcome It)

Posted on September 29, 2022 by Wayne Davies

When I tell people that I am a prodigal son, and that, as an arrogant twenty-something, I decided to quit my job as an Assistant Pastor and leave the faith, I am usually asked,

“Why did you do that?”

 

The short answer is, of course, my sin. I wanted to do my own thing. I followed my heart, which was telling me to make this my mantra: “I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.”

Here’s another way to say it . . .

Like Pontius Pilate and the Jewish religious leaders, I wanted to get rid of Jesus.

Oh, the stupidity of my sin!

I’ve been reading John Stott’s book, The Cross of Christ. (What a great book!)

It contains an in-depth analysis of the humans involved in the death of Jesus, such as Pilate and the Jewish Sanhedrin.

For various reasons, they wanted to get rid of Jesus. He was, and still is, as C.S. Lewis wrote in Surprised by Joy, “a transcendental interferer.”

Here’s how Mr. Stott explains this determined assault on the authority of King Jesus:

“We resent his intrusions into our privacy, his demand for our homage, his expectations of our obedience. Why can’t he mind his own business, we ask petulantly, and leave us alone? To which he instantly replies that we are his business and that he will never leave us alone. So we too perceive him as a threatening rival, who disturbs our peace, upsets our status quo, undermines our authority and diminishes our self-respect. We too want to get rid of him.”

I read the above paragraph a few days ago and thought, that’s it! That is exactly the way I felt back in 1983. John Stott described perfectly my attitude toward Jesus. I had an intense desire to get rid of Jesus because he was invading my space, sticking his nose into my business, and disturbing my peace (according to my depraved way of thinking).

“Leave me alone! Get out of here! I don’t want you in my life anymore!”

How sad, ironic, and infinitely stupid is this – that what is best for us, we can view as what is worst for us. A fool believes there is no God. An even greater fool hears the truth about God and rejects it.

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12). What a boatload of truth we find in that verse!

And oh how grateful I am today that God continued to love me even though I hated him. How precious to me now are these words from Psalm 103.

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

God had every reason to treat me as my sins deserve and send me to hell. He could have repaid me according to my iniquities, locking me up and throwing away the key forever. But he didn’t. He was “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love.”

Do you ever think about the amazing grace of God? Undeserving sinners like us receive exactly the opposite of what we deserve. Is this not incredible?

We deserve his justice; instead, we get his mercy.
We deserve his wrath; instead, we get his forgiveness.
We deserve his condemnation; instead, we get his justification.

“Thank you, Lord. Thank you for your amazing grace that saved a wretch like me. How grateful I am that the stupidity of my sin has been overcome by the lavish outpouring of your mercy through Jesus Christ. How I praise you, Lord, that my sin is no match for your love.”

Have a blessed day, my friend, and please let me know if you benefit from anything in this post by leaving a comment below. I welcome your feedback.

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31 Reasons to Study the Psalms

Posted on September 21, 2022 by Wayne Davies

I just finished my latest book, How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 42-72 (Psalms Bible Study Guides, Volume 2).

(Volume 1, How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 1-41, was released in February 2022 and is also available on Amazon here.)

Why these 31 psalms?

Because the book of Psalms is organized into five “books,” or groups. And Book 2 happens to contain these 31 psalms, Psalms 42-72.

Here are 31 reasons to study these 31 psalms. By reading this book, you will learn:

What to Do When You Get Discouraged or Depressed
3 Compelling Reasons to Rejoice in God
4 Biblical Ways to Glorify God
How to Pray Like David (about Your Sin)
2 Simple Questions that Unlock the Meaning of Any Psalm
10 Great Truths about Our Great God
3 More Ways to Pray Like David
How to Experience Victory through Defeat
How to Find Rest in God
How to See Our Invisible God
What to Do When Reading a Difficult Psalm
3 Characteristics of a Godly Petition

You can read excerpts from the book here:

How to Read the Bible Like Billy Graham (from the Introduction)
https://godwrotethebook.com/how-to-read-the-bible-like-billy-graham/

How to Flourish Like David (Thoughts on Psalm 52)
https://godwrotethebook.com/how-to-flourish-like-david-thoughts-on-psalm-52/

The #1 Reason to Pray for God’s Blessing (Thoughts on Psalm 67)
https://godwrotethebook.com/the-1-reason-to-pray-for-gods-blessing-thoughts-on-psalm-67/

Containing one chapter for each psalm, this book provides insights I have gleaned by studying these sacred hymns for the past 18 years. Ideal for both individual and small group study, each chapter also contains “Questions for Further Study, Reflection, and Discussion” that will guide you into a better comprehension of the psalms by prompting you to interact with the text and apply it to your own life.

Enjoy!

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How to Flourish Like David (Thoughts on Psalm 52)

Posted on September 17, 2022 by Wayne Davies

David wrote about half of the Psalms. He was a gifted writer and musician, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, he wrote a host of hymns that have resonated with the hearts of God’s people for centuries.

Psalm 52 is no exception. It ends with these words:

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
I will praise you forever for what you have done;
In your name I will hope, for your name is good.
I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”
Psalm 52:8-9 (NIV 1978)

David experienced much pain and suffering in his life. In his early years, before becoming Israel’s king, he was the victim of undeserved abuse at the hand of King Saul. And after taking the throne, he brought much turmoil on himself as a result of his adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah.

Yet through it all, he maintained a life of devotion to God. He is described twice as a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22). And here in Psalm 52 we see David reflecting on his life and saying, “I am like a green olive tree” (ESV). Like any tree, a healthy olive tree should have green leaves and bear fruit. This is what a tree is made to do. This is what it means for it to flourish and thrive.

After comparing himself to a mature, fruit-bearing olive tree, David then proclaims what that kind of life looks like. He takes a personal inventory and sees the evidence of God’s power at work in his attitudes and actions.  And while David praises God for his provision, we get a firsthand account of five characteristics which enabled him to pursue and maintain a godly life no matter what.

Characteristic #1: Acceptance of God’s Forgiveness

“I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God.” Note that David says he is like a fruitful tree in the house of God. The temple wasn’t built yet, so this is a reference to the tabernacle, the place where repentant sinners came to acknowledge their sins and offer an animal sacrifice to symbolize the provision of God’s grace through his forgiveness. A godly life starts here, with the recognition of our rebellion against God and our need for his mercy. When we repent, God is more than willing to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). To live a God-pleasing life, David knew that he needed God’s forgiveness, as evidenced by his writing of Psalms 32 and 51.

Characteristic #2: Faith in God’s Love

“I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.” David was a firm believer in the never failing, steadfast love of God. He had a confident conviction in God’s unwavering commitment to His people. This faith was based on a profound understanding that God knows what is best for us. He can be trusted because He is trustworthy. We can rely on him to take care of us through thick and thin, good times and bad. Just like us, David had plenty of both.

Characteristic #3: Praise for God’s Work

“I will praise you forever for what you have done.” At any point in time, David could look back on his life and see what God had done for him. David recognized God as the ultimate source of all he had experienced in life, and he continued to worship God regardless of his circumstances. The beginning of verse 9 can also be translated, “I will thank you forever, because you have done it” (ESV). David was a thankful man, filled with gratitude for the grace and mercy of God to him, an undeserving sinner.

Characteristic #4: Hope in God’s Goodness

“In your name I will hope, for your name is good.” David was a man of hope. Because of the goodness of God, he had a positive outlook on the future. In Scripture, the word “hope” is not the wishful thinking that says, “I hope I win the lottery.” Instead, it is the strong expectation and certain assurance that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28).

Characteristic #5: Fellowship with God’s People

“I will praise you in the presence of your saints.” David did not trust God in isolation from others. His faith and hope were bolstered by a close relationship with other believers. He lived for God with the people of God. This is one of the indispensable marks of genuine faith — identification with and involvement in the body of Christ. The genuine Christian life is not a solo flight. It is lived out in the context of the local church — the family of God, the household of faith.

Reality Check

As you reflect on these key characteristics of David’s life, I urge you to take an inventory of your own life. How are you doing in each of these areas?

Do you regularly and genuinely confess and forsake your sins, going to God directly to express heartfelt sorrow over your faults, as well as the need for God’s power to overcome them? Then, while looking to the death of Jesus as the sole basis for God’s forgiveness, you experience the sweet joy of reconciliation with your Savior.

Do you believe in the sovereign, never-changing love of God? To increase that faith, it is essential that you spend much time in the Word, knowing that “faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ” (Romans 10:17).

Do you offer praise and thanks to God for His work on your behalf? A true Christian is increasingly enthralled by God’s work of salvation on our behalf through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. We never tire of hearing the good news of the gospel of Christ. It is sweeter than honey and more precious than gold!

Do you find hope in the goodness of God? You do not have to travel far or spend much money to experience God’s kindness. Simply open the Bible and you’ll find evidence of His grace on every page. Then take a look at your own life and you’ll see the same God extending that same grace to you.

Are you actively involved in a local church? Do you enjoy spending time with God’s people, worshipping King Jesus together, serving Him together, and becoming increasingly like Him together? If not, something is amiss and you are living outside the will of God.

By the grace of God and the strength provided by the Spirit of God, every believer can flourish by living in the presence of God. May this be my experience, and yours as well.

Questions for Further Study, Reflection, and Discussion

  1. According the heading, David wrote this psalm “When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: ‘David has gone to the house of Ahimelek.’” This incident involving David, Ahimelek, Doeg and Saul is found in 1 Samuel 21 and 22. Take time to read that passage to better understand the background of Psalm 52.
  2. How does David describe Doeg in Psalm 52:1-8, and why? What did Doeg do that caused David to use such strong language?
  3. According to this psalm, what will be Doeg’s ultimate destiny?
  4. In verses 8-9, David testifies to the greatness of God, even after the tragedy involving Doeg, Saul, and Ahimelek. Please take these five characteristics to heart and answer the question posed above: “How are you doing in each of these areas?”

#1 – Acceptance of God’s forgiveness
#2 – Faith in God’s love
#3 – Praise for God’s work
#4 – Hope in God’s goodness
#5 – Fellowship with God’s people

As you evaluate yourself in these five areas, which one(s) do you view as a strength? Which one(s) do you view as a weakness? How can others pray for you as you seek to cultivate these characteristics?

NOTE: The above is excerpt from my forthcoming book, How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 42-72 (Psalms Bible Study Guides, Volume 2)

Volume 1 of this series is available on Amazon: How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 1-41 (Psalms Bible Study Guides, Volume 1)

 

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This Free Bible Study Will Take You Deep into the Word

Posted on September 16, 2022 by Wayne Davies


What a treasure chest of truth we have at our fingertips. The Bible is an inexhaustible goldmine of divine instruction, “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Why do we read and study the Bible? Why do we strive to understand and believe the Word of God? The passage above tells us – so that God can teach us how to pursue holiness. This assumes our need for God’s loving rebuke, gracious redirection, and merciful discipline, all for the goal of spiritual growth and maturity. Only then can we do the good works “which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

To that end, I’m writing to tell you about a free 11-week Bible study on the book of James that can help you dive deep into the Word in order to be holy, for the will of God is nothing less than your sanctification (see 1 Thessalonians 4:3).

It’s entitled:

James: Living a Life of Genuine Faith
by Jen Wilkin

Here’s where you’ll find it:

https://www.jenwilkin.net/downloads

This Bible study contains the following resources, suitable for both individuals and small groups:

91-page PDF, written by Jen Wilkin. It contains study questions for each of the 11 lessons. Also contains an Appendix with the ESV translation of James.

If you take the time to answer these study questions, you will benefit greatly. I highly recommend that you write out your answers. Print out the PDF and write your answers on each page, or use your word processor or other device to record your thoughts.

My wife and I did this Bible study in the summer of 2020. Oh, what a meaningful time it was for both of us! We did the homework each week on our own, then got together and shared our answers. It was a rich time in the Word that I will never forget. It brought us closer to the Lord and each other.

You can also listen to Jen Wilkin’s teaching sessions on each of the 11 lessons.

The audio files (approx. 50 minutes each) can be accessed from the following websites:

https://jenwilkin.podbean.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/flower-mound-womens-bible-study/id503752876

NOTE: Jen Wilkin is a prolific author, speaker, and Bible teacher. The target audience of her ministry is primarily women, but I find all her materials to be edifying. My wife and I read her book, Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds, which I have recommended before and I am recommending it again, whether you are female or male.

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This No-Cost Bible Study Tool Has 40 Million Users

Posted on September 9, 2022 by Wayne Davies

Here’s an excellent Bible study resource for your PC.

It’s a free software called e-Sword and you can download your copy here:
www.e-Sword.net

I’ve used it for years and have always been amazed that it continues to be offered as a free download. Since the year 2000, it has been downloaded over 40 million times.

 

There’s a boatload of excellent Bible reading and Bible study resources available in this program: various Bible translations, commentaries, dictionaries, and helpful tools that can enhance your time in the Word.

There are also free Christian books by many of my favorite authors: Charles Spurgeon, A.W. Pink, Andrew Murray, F.B. Meyer, R.A. Torrey, John Calvin, A.W. Tozer, E.M. Bounds, and D.L. Moody.

I could go on and on about e-Sword.

I recommend you take the time to download and install the program (which takes less than 5 minutes) and dive in and learn how to use it. Click on “HELP” and then click on “TRAINING” and learn how to use e-Sword through online demos. These tutorials show you how to:

  • Learn the basics for getting started with e-Sword
  • Download additional resources
  • Do Biblical word studies
  • Search the Bible for a specific phrase
  • Search for all occurrences of a specific Hebrew or Greek word
  • Use the Scripture Memory tool to memorize the Word
  • Use the Prayer Requests tool for a consistent prayer life
  • Create a Bible reading plan to encourage you to read the Bible daily

Sure, there are more sophisticated Bible study software programs out there. But they are not free.

That’s what distinguishes e-Sword. You will be hard-pressed to find a resource like this at no charge.

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