The Wonderful Wonder of Jesus

Posted on December 9, 2024 by Wayne Davies

About 700 years before Jesus was born, Isaiah wrote this about him:

“His name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor.”
(Isaiah 9:6 ESV)

 

As we celebrate the coming of Jesus to earth to be the Savior of the world, here are some insightful and Christ-exalting thoughts on the meaning of the word “wonderful” from a sermon by Dr. Joel Beeke.

“The word “wonderful” used here (the Hebrew word is “pele”) literally could be translated as “wonder” or as “wonderful.” Usually, when the Bible uses this word, it’s referring to God in his historic saving actions, his acts that he performs on behalf of his people, the people of Israel.

“The root of this word refers to things that are unusual, things beyond human capabilities, things that awaken in us a sense of astonishment, a sense of wonder. Something wonderful is not just a remarkable happening but it’s a miraculous happening . . . that moves us because it shows us God’s amazing, loving care, a divine intervention, and his lovingkindness, his covenant loyalty to his own people.

“Someone has described this word “wonder” as “God’s marvels of love” . . .  and it makes you think of the Psalms, where Psalm after Psalm is telling you about the wonderful works of God to his people.

“But here in this case, God is setting before us through Isaiah the most wonderful wonder of all time, the greatest miracle of all miracles, because this wonder doesn’t just refer to an action of God but a person of God, the second person of the holy Trinity becomes man, “unto us a child is born.” Immanuel. “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).

“He is God’s lovingkindness personified. He is his names. He is Wonder with a capital “W.” Jesus is eternal Wonder, divine Wonder, glorious Wonder. There’s no wonder like this.

“Unto us a son is born and a child is given and he’s the Son of God. He became the Son of Man. Samuel Rutherford said, “My salvation is my Lord’s second greatest miracle.” Then he went on to say, “His first greatest miracle is the Incarnation in Bethlehem.”

“Who’s ever been like Jesus? There’s no one like him. His character is distinguished, unique, miraculous, separate from sin, separate from others. Who has ever established a kingdom that is not of this world — without arms and without fame and without wealth? As Lord of lords and King of kings, he builds a kingdom that has never perished from a handful of fishermen and other unknown men whom he calls to be his apostles.

“What a wonder Jesus is. He’s one-of-a-kind. He’s in a class by himself. What a wonder Jesus is. He’s in a class by himself.” (End of sermon excerpt)

To access the entire sermon, “Jesus Christ: Wonderful!”, click here:
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/125202211335643

To access all five sermons in Dr. Beeke’s series on Isaiah 9:6, visit:
https://godwrotethebook.com/the-meaning-of-isaiah-96

Yes, Jesus is wonderful in a way that nothing else is. His wonderfulness is “off the charts.”

When you think of Jesus as wonderful, what comes to mind, specifically?

What has Christ done for you that is “beyond human capabilities” or “that awakens in you a sense of astonishment, a sense of wonder”?

I’d love to hear how you have experienced the wonder of Jesus, so please leave a comment below and share whatever is on your heart.

Posted in Attributes of God, Christmas, Jesus Christ, Thoughts About God | Leave a comment

The Meaning of Isaiah 9:6

Posted on December 3, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Do you have a favorite Bible verse that thrills your heart with the good news that Jesus Christ has come to earth?

I do.

It’s Isaiah 9:6.

 

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Here’s a free resource I’ve been using to immerse myself in the truths of this verse.

A 5-Sermon Series on Isaiah 9:6
https://www.sermonaudio.com/series/142382

For a deeper dive into Isaiah 9:6, I highly recommend these sermons by Dr. Joel Beeke, delivered in December 2020 at Heritage Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Joel Beeke (PhD, Westminster Theological Seminary) is the chancellor and professor of homiletics and systematic theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has served as a pastor since 1978.

I started listening to these sermons last week and they contain delightfully profound explanations of each name of Jesus in Isaiah 9:6, with practical advice on how to apply these truths to your life.

Each sermon is available in audio, video, and written (downloadable PDF) formats. Here are the links, along with the main points of each sermon.

Sermon #1 – Jesus Christ: “Wonderful!”
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/125202211335643

What does “Wonderful” mean?
Why do we need Him as “Wonderful”?
How is He “Wonderful”?

Sermon #2  – Jesus, Our Wonderful Counselor
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/12132002030797

Jesus is . . .
A given and Word-based Counselor
A listening and all-knowing Counselor
A teaching and exemplary Counselor
A sympathetic and successful Counselor

Sermon #3 – Jesus, Our Mighty God
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/1219202027171129

Where is the proof He is Almighty God?
Why did He come and end up on the cross?
How does His divine power help me today?

Sermon #4 – Jesus, Our Everlasting Father
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/122620162212925

Jesus is . . .
Father of eternity
Everlasting Father
Father forever
Father of the ages to come

Sermon #5 – Jesus, Our Prince of Peace
https://www.sermonaudio.com/sermons/123020226276176

Peace in a princely Person
Peace through Jesus’s stupendous work
Peace from Jesus’s blessings

I pray that you’ll find these resources edifying. Leave a comment below to let me know how God uses them to enhance your understanding of the greatness of Jesus Christ.

Posted in Attributes of God, Free Books & Other Resources, Jesus Christ, Sermons | Leave a comment

What the Bible Says about Faith

Posted on November 26, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I love the simplicity of Ephesians 2:8.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.”

God saves us by His grace. And He also saves us through, or by means of, our faith in Him and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Only those who believe “in him” (Jesus) have eternal life instead of eternal death (see John 3:16).

This begs the question, “What is the meaning of faith in Christ?” Fortunately, God has answered this question in Scripture.

God’s Definition of Faith

Hebrews 11:1 provides what is arguably the best teaching on the meaning of faith in the Bible:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (ESV, NASB)

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain about what we do not see.” (NIV 1978)

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (NIV 2011)

By looking at four translations of Hebrews 11:1, we can enhance our understanding of faith, for here we find five synonyms: assurance, conviction, sureness, certainty, and confidence. To have faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord means that I am thoroughly persuaded that He is who He claimed to be and will do what He has guaranteed to do.

To believe in Jesus means that, like Abraham, we are “fully convinced that God was [and still is] able to do what he had promised” (Romans 4:21).

Aren’t you glad that Jesus commands us to “believe in the gospel” and then He goes to great lengths to explain what that means in His Word?

Two Illustrations of Faith

God also raises up godly and gifted Bible teachers to help us understand the meaning of biblical faith.

In his book All of Grace, Charles Spurgeon provides several “word pictures” that capture the meaning of faith. Here are two illustrations from the human body.

“Faith is the hand that grips. When our hand takes hold of anything for itself, it does the same thing that faith does when it takes hold of Christ and the blessings of his redemption. Faith says, “Jesus is mine.” Faith hears about the pardoning blood and cries, “I accept it to pardon me.” Oh friend, take that which grace has provided for you. You will not be a thief because you are the rightful heir and have been given divine permission to receive it. The one who is allowed to have a treasure simply by taking hold of it will be foolish indeed if they remain poor.”

“Faith is the mouth that feeds on Christ. Before food can nourish us, it must be received into us. Eating and drinking are simple matters. We willingly receive food into our mouth and then give consent for it to pass down into our stomach where it is absorbed into our body. Paul says, in his Letter to the Romans, that “The word is near you, in your mouth.” So then, all that needs to be done is to swallow it, to allow it to go down into the soul. Oh, that people had an appetite!”

God has prepared a Thanksgiving feast for our souls – a cornucopia of salvation blessings that await our reception and consumption, such as the forgiveness of sins and the infinite joy that accompanies it. By faith, we can come to the table and partake.

The invitation to believe has been extended to all:

“Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.”
Isaiah 55:1-3

The Divine Prescription for Greater Faith

God desires and expects our faith to grow. I certainly covet more faith. How about you?

What can we do to pursue and cultivate a stronger faith? Start with these two practices:

  1. Ask God to provide the gift of faith. According to Philippians 1:29, belief is “granted” to us; God gives it to us. Therefore, like the man in Mark 9, we should cry out, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Pray this prayer every day with desperation and expectation. Acknowledge your need for greater faith and cling to the One who can meet that need.
  2. Spend much quality time in the Word. “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). Feed your mind with God’s truth about Himself. The more deeply you know your God, the more deeply you will believe Him, because “those who know your name put their trust in you” (Psalm 9:10).

May God answer our prayers, and by the power of the Spirit and the Word, may He supply the faith we need to satisfy our souls in Him and His Son.

Posted in Faith, What the Bible Says | Leave a comment

How to Find the Meaning of Any Word in the Bible

Posted on November 22, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Here’s a verse I’ve been meditating on:

“Great is the LORD,
and greatly to be praised,
and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Psalm 145:3 (ESV)

This verse teaches me that God is great.

What does that mean? What is the meaning of the word “great”? I would like to know that.

So I keep reading and learn that God’s greatness is “unsearchable.”

Hmm. Now I’m really intrigued. What does that mean? What is the meaning of the word “unsearchable”?

There are several viable ways to find the meaning of a word in the Bible. I’ll share two of them.

Method #1. My favorite method is to use a software program that provides Hebrew and Greek dictionary definitions for every word in the Bible. It’s a pretty slick program. I often spend 15-30 minutes (or more) looking up dictionary meanings for a particular word and recording my findings in a Word document. This is time well spent, for sure.

If you have that kind of resource already, great. I hope you’re using it! But this kind of software isn’t cheap. For a free online option, check out www.BlueLetterBible.org – they have some good Hebrew and Greek dictionaries.

Method #2. Here’s a second approach. I go to www.Biblegateway.com and look up the verse in my favorite literal translation, which is the ESV. Lately, that’s been my “go-to” Bible version.

Once I get the verse on my screen from BibleGateway.com, I click on this link:
Psalm 145:3 in all English translations.

And like magic, this verse appears on my screen in 50+ Bible versions (both literal translations and paraphrases).

How cool is that? Like I said, this is magic. This is technology at its finest!

If you want to do this right now to see for yourself, click on this link:
https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Psalm%20145:3

OK. Now start reading all the various versions. Many of them are similar. But if you slow down a bit, so you can smell the roses, you’ll find several different renderings of the word “unsearchable.”

Here are some of them:

incomprehensible
can’t be grasped
beyond all searching out
much greater than anyone can understand
no limits to it
beyond understanding
indescribable
beyond discovery
no boundaries to it
no one can fathom it, i.e. unfathomable
no one can measure it, i.e. immeasurable

[NOTE: My favorite “literal translations” are ESV, NASB, LSB, HCSB, Mounce, NET, and NIV. My favorite “paraphrases” are AMP, AMPC, TLV, and MSG. I always start with literal translations. Stay tuned for a future email re: the difference between a literal translation and a paraphrase; that’s important to understand.]

[ALSO: Method #2 has its pros and cons. It can be faster and easier than Method #1, but not necessarily better, especially if you don’t discern the differences between a literal translation and a paraphrase.]

Ok, back to Psalm 145:3.

What does the psalmist mean when he says that God is so great, his greatness is “unsearchable”?

His greatness is beyond our comprehension. His greatness is off the charts. We don’t have a category for it. He’s in a league of his own and a class by himself. He has no equal. No one even comes close to measuring up to the greatness of God.

Who is like God? (a question asked repeatedly in the Bible).

The obvious answer: No one. That is how great God is.

And this immeasurably great God is my God. And if you know him through faith in his Son Jesus, he is your God, too.

This is why we study the Bible – to know God.

Once we get just a glimpse of his unfathomable greatness with our pea-sized brains, we are overwhelmed and find ourselves lost in the wonder of his impeccable, unmatched splendor.

This is why taking time to look up the meaning of one word can send our spirits soaring. We are compelled to worship this God because this great God is worthy of being praised “greatly”!

The study of the Bible is the study of God. And the study of God is the most uplifting, soul-satisfying endeavor you can ever undertake.

Have you ever researched the meaning of a specific word in the Bible? If so, how do you do it? Let me know by leaving a comment below.

If you’ve never done this before, give Method #2 a try and let me know how it goes. I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted in Bible study, Free Books & Other Resources, Thoughts About God | Leave a comment

Am I Really A Christian? (Part 4)

Posted on November 13, 2024 by Wayne Davies

Thomas Boston has written a compelling little booklet entitled Am I Really A Christian? Eight Doubts Answered. (For a free copy, see below.)

Here is DOUBT #7: “Temptations”

“I have never read in the Bible or known about a true child of God who was as tempted or as without God as I am. Since I do not know of any Christian who has ever been in my condition, I can only conclude that I must not be a believer.

“Answer: This doubt comes from ignorance both of the Bible and of the actual experience of Christians. Those who have this doubt should try speaking with a mature Christian friend or a godly minister. Doing this has brought peace to some when they realize that their case is not exceptional and that many Christians have had the same struggle.

“The Bible provides many examples of Christians suffering with horrible temptations.

“The devil tempted Job to blaspheme (Job 1:11-12; 2:3-9). Asaph was tempted to think religion was vain and to throw it off (Psalm 73:13). Christ Himself was tempted to cast Himself down from a pinnacle of the temple and to worship the devil (Matthew 4:5-9).

“Many Christians have not only been attacked with temptations, but they even have been overcome by them and fallen into gross sin for a time. Peter denied Christ, and cursed and swore that he did not know Him (Mark 14:71). Some Christians were compelled to blaspheme under persecution by Paul, before he was converted (Act 26:10-11).”

I like how Mr. Boston states the cause of this doubt plainly: ignorance of both Scripture and experience.

Then he provides the antidote to this ignorance: good Bible teaching.

He concludes by mentioning two other passages that directly address this issue (i.e. thinking that I’m the only person who has ever experienced these temptations):

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one (Jesus) who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.”
Hebrews 4:15

I thank God for Bible teachers like Thomas Boston.

Am I Really A Christian? Eight Doubts Answered, by Thomas Boston, is available for free in multiple formats here (PDF, ePub, Mobi, Audio):
https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/aira/am-i-really-a-christian-bostonthomas

NOTE: This booklet contains selected sections from Human Nature in Its Fourfold State, by Thomas Boston, modernized for easier understanding by today’s reader. Jeffrey T. Riddle, pastor of Christ Reformed Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia, provided the abstraction and modernization. Copyright 2015 Chapel Library. www.ChapelLibrary.org

Please let me know if anything in this post is of benefit to you by leaving a comment below.

Posted in Free Books & Other Resources, Salvation | Leave a comment

The Greatest Knowledge of All

Posted on November 8, 2024 by Wayne Davies

What is “the greatest of all knowledge . . . the most important and most essential knowledge that a person can possess?”(Paul Washer).

Futhermore, what is “the best thing in life, bringing more joy, delight and contentment than anything else?” (J.I. Packer).

The answer to both questions is the same: the knowledge of God.

How do we know that? This is what Scripture teaches. Jesus said so:

“And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

Jesus defined eternal life as the knowledge of God. In other words, if I possess eternal life, I know God. Consequently, this also means that if I don’t know God, I don’t have eternal life. Without the knowledge of God, I am spiritually dead. If I do know God, I am alive because I have been born again, from above, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and have been brought into a relationship with the living God through faith in His Son.

Paul also defined salvation as the knowledge of God:

6 God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels 8 in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, 10 when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.
2 Thessalonians 1:6-10

When Christ returns, He will punish non-believers with eternal destruction by Jesus. These non-believers are described as “those who do not know God” (v. 8).

These are sobering words.

Knowing God is serious business. It is a matter of eternal life and eternal death. If I know Him, I will spend forever with Him. And if I don’t, I won’t.

“It should be obvious that knowledge of God is the most important knowledge that we can possess. As Christians, we should devote our lives to knowing God and making Him known.” (Paul Washer)

Yes, there is nothing more important than knowing God.

To that end, I highly recommend Paul Washer’s Bible study, Knowing the Living God. To get your free copy, click here:
https://heartcrymissionary.com/books/knowing-the-living-god

Posted in Attributes of God, Bible study, Book Reviews, Free Books & Other Resources, Knowing God, Thoughts About God | Leave a comment

How to Pray Like David (Volume 3)

Posted on October 30, 2024 by Wayne Davies

I’ve been on a journey of spiritual growth for the past twenty years, and a big part of that journey has been spent reading, studying, and praying through the Psalms.

Like many believers, I have come to love the Psalms. They are a bottomless treasure chest of divine wisdom and humble exaltation.

Like all Scripture, they are Spirit-inspired, “breathed out by God,” and “profitable for teaching” (2 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, they are an indispensable and breathtaking part of God’s glorious self-revelation we call the Bible.

Through the joys and sorrows of men who were “carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21), in the Psalms I can encounter the God of David, Solomon, and Moses, some of the world’s best-known poets.

This is one of the Bible’s primary purposes – to reveal the one true God. As Jen Wilkin succinctly wrote: “The Bible is a book about God” (Women of the Word).

The Psalms are no exception; they accomplish this task perfectly because these sacred hymns are the “pure” (ESV) and “flawless” (NIV) words of God (Psalm 12:6). Like the rest of Scripture, their objective is to unveil the attributes and actions of God.

Only Scripture can disclose the character and conduct of our Creator impeccably.  Therefore, through these songs, God has communicated inerrant and authoritative truth about himself so we can know him intimately and eternally.

Is there anything more essential and exhilarating than knowing God? To know God is to have life, for Jesus said “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3).

Without the knowledge of God, we are doomed to a life of spiritual ignorance and darkness both now and forever. But once the eyes of our hearts are enlightened “in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17), like Paul we realize “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” and consider everything else as “rubbish” (Philippians 3:8-9).

This is why J.I. Packer wrote:

“Knowing God is a relationship calculated to thrill a man’s heart” (Knowing God).

By the grace of God, I have been experiencing this knowledge of God through the Psalms and I now want to invite you to join me on this journey. It is a privilege and a delight to share with you what God has been teaching me about himself.

My new book, How to Pray Like David: A Bible Study on Psalms 73-106, is now available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. The Kindle (eBook) version is on sale this week for $0.99. You can get your copy here:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKJX3SFT

And please let me know how God uses His Word in your life by leaving a review on Amazon. Thank you!

To read an excerpt from the book (the first chapter — on Psalm 73), click here:
https://godwrotethebook.com/the-greener-grass-of-god-thoughts-on-psalm-73

 

Posted in Thoughts on the Psalms | Leave a comment

Why the Bible Makes Life Make Sense

Posted on October 22, 2024 by Wayne Davies


Heather Erdmann, author at www.TheBibleBasedLife.com, has just released her latest book,

Why the Bible Makes Like Make Sense:
Pursuing a Purposeful Life with a Biblical Perspective

It’s available on Amazon in paperback and eBook formats.

The Kindle version is on sale this week at the introductory price of $0.99, so be sure to get your copy today at

Why the Bible Makes Life Make Sense

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJ4MWPKQ

By reading this book, you’ll learn:

  • How the Bible answers all of life’s big questions
  • Your significance and identity in a world sorely suffering from an identity crisis
  • God’s orderly design for marriage, families, and friendships as the key to more meaningful relationships
  • How to make wise and Godly decisions
  • Motivation to get up in the morning as you fulfill God’s plan for your vocation
  • And much more!

Most of all you will have a master plan for your life when you better understand the Master’s plan!

Without hesitation, I gave this book a 5-star review on Amazon this morning.

The author has a “high view” of Scripture. She treats the Bible as what it truly is — the very Word of God — the inspired, authoritative, infallible, and all-sufficient Word — which is exactly how Jesus viewed Scripture. He said “The Scripture cannot be broken” (John 10:35). This approach to the Bible is sorely needed today.

By reading this book, my faith in God has been strengthened and my joy in God has increased. I pray that God will do the same for all who read it.

Posted in Book Reviews | Leave a comment

The Greener Grass of God (Thoughts on Psalm 73)

Posted on October 20, 2024 by Wayne Davies

The following post is from my new book, available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKJX3SFT

How to Pray Like David:
A Bible Study on Psalms 73-106
Psalms Bible Study Guides, Volume 3

Here’s the chapter on Psalm 73, entitled
“The Greener Grass of God”

 

“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”

This proverb has been around for centuries.

The Roman poet Ovid, who was alive when Jesus was born, wrote, “The harvest is always richer in another man’s field.”

Our modern version may trace its origin to the 1924 American folk song, “The Grass Is Always Greener in the Other Fellow’s Yard.”

Here’s an excerpt:

The grass is always greener
In the other fellow’s yard.
The little row
We have to hoe,
Oh boy that’s hard.
But if we all could wear
Green glasses now,
It wouldn’t be so hard
To see how green the grass is
In our own backyard.

This proverb communicates exactly what Asaph experiences in Psalm 73. Here we see what happens to a believer when he looks around and compares himself to the wicked, who appear to have a better life.

“For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (v. 3). “Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches” (v. 12).

It is human nature to think that other people’s lives are superior to our own. We are prone to see the negative in our situation and therefore become dissatisfied with what we have. When this discontentment is readily joined to jealousy, anger and bitterness are bound to follow. We are convinced that the unbeliever has greener grass. One bad attitude leads to another, and before you know it, we stop counting our blessings and soon forget the goodness of God. If this is what my life is going to be like, what’s the point of following Christ? “All in vain have I kept my heart clean and washed my hands in innocence” (v. 13).

Such is the downward spiral of a distorted perspective.

Fortunately, Asaph doesn’t remain in this condition. Verses 16 and 17 describe the turning point:

“But when I thought how to understand this,
it seemed to me a wearisome task,
until I went into the sanctuary of God;
then I discerned their end.”

By spending time in “the sanctuary of God,” the psalmist is reminded of the truth of God regarding the final fate of the wicked, and this makes all the difference. In verses 18 and 19 he reflects on what happens to an unbeliever when he dies. More specifically, he recounts what God will do to the wicked on Judgment Day,

“Truly you set them in slippery places;
you make them fall to ruin.
How they are destroyed in a moment,
swept away utterly by terrors.”

What a difference an eternal perspective can make! Oh, that we would spend more time in the presence of God, hearing the Word of God and its teaching on the ultimate destiny of the wicked . . . and the righteous.

This psalm is a gripping reminder that the so-called “prosperity of the wicked” is temporary while their misery will last forever. Furthermore, it is a breathtaking reminder that no matter what our lot in this life, we have an infinitely brighter future. We have God and the joy of his presence — today, tomorrow, and for eternity. What could be better than that?

We have access to the “green glasses” of Scripture. Let us be like Asaph and wear them every day. Otherwise, our perspective will be twisted and the lies of the devil will hold sway in our hearts.

Instead, may the truth of the Word fill our minds and cause us to sing:

24 You guide me with your counsel,
and afterward you will receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
Psalm 73:24-26

Psalm 73: Questions for Further Study, Refection & Discussion

1. Let’s take a close look at the people in this psalm. The main characters are Asaph, the wicked, and God. Read through the psalm and identify all references to each of these characters. One way is to print out the psalm on a sheet of paper and mark all occurrences of each person. You can highlight each occurrence with three different colors, or use three different shapes (for example, a circle for Asaph, a rectangle for the wicked, and a triangle for God.) Be sure to mark all the various words used to designate each character, including the pronouns (I/me/my for Asaph; they/them/their for the wicked; you/your for God).

You can see how I’ve done this exercise here:
https://godwrotethebook.com/psalm-73-main-characters/

After doing this exercise, look at the overall structure and flow of the psalm. What do you see? What is the progression of thought here? Note the frequency with which the author mentions the main characters in the successive sections of the psalm.

2a. How does Asaph describe the attitudes, behaviors, and final destiny of the wicked? What is true and what is merely his perception?

2b. How does Asaph describe the attitudes, behaviors, and final destiny of himself? How does his attitude change, and why?

In your descriptions above, be sure to include what the psalm says about the heart of Asaph and the wicked. See verses 1, 7, 13, 21, 26.

3. What does this psalm teach us about God and the way He relates to the Asaph and the wicked?

4. What does this psalm teach us about the relationship between our perception of others and the origin of envy?

5. How have you dealt with the temptation to be envious of others, especially non-Christians? How can others pray for you in this regard?

6. Do you ever experience envy of other Christians? How can others pray for you about this?

7. Verses 23-28 contain one of the most precious professions of faith found in Scripture. Which sentences resonate most with you, and why?

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How to Understand Difficult Bible Passages

Posted on October 16, 2024 by Wayne Davies

What can we do when reading a difficult passage of Scripture? Here are ten suggestions:

  1. Pray for God to provide understanding.
  2. Read the passage multiple times.
  3. Read the passage in different translations. My favorites are: the NIV (for ease of readability); and for a more literal rendering, I like the ESV and the NASB.
  4. Discuss the passage with your pastor and other Christian friends.
  5. Consult commentaries or study guides or a study Bible.
  6. Get the big picture of the passage by creating an outline.
  7. Focus on the verses that do make sense. Don’t fret about the hard ones, and don’t obsess about understanding every verse in-depth. After reading the passage several times and keeping the outline in mind, you will probably find verses that you do understand.
  8. Is there a particular verse that you find especially meaningful? Spend time meditating on it and memorizing it.
  9. Work through the four questions of the CRAM method of Bible study:
    C – What does this passage teach about God’s character – his attributes and actions?
    R – What does God require from people in this text?
    A – What does this passage reveal about my attitudes and actions?
    M – How does this passage direct me to trust and treasure Christ?
    For more on the CRAM method, see Erik Raymond’s article here:
    https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/a-tool-for-reading-the-bible-devotionally/
  10. Utilize the principles and practices of the inductive Bible study method, as presented by Kay Arthur in her book How to Study Your Bible. There are three key steps involved — Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Many Bible students ignore or minimize the first step, and that can make all the difference. https://www.amazon.com/How-Study-Your-Bible-Life-Changing/dp/0736953434

Can you think of anything else to add to the list? Leave a comment below.

I take comfort in this: even the Apostle Peter encountered difficult Bible passages. “His (Paul’s) letters contain some things that are hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:16).

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