betransformed78

Then I Went into the Sanctuary

So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked…. I was so foolish andignorant — I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; youContinue reading “Then I Went into the Sanctuary”

Forgive Them?

Their insults have broken my heart, and I am in despair. If only one person would show some pity; if only one would turn and comfort me. But instead, they give me poisonfor food; they offer me sour wine for my thirst. Let the bountiful table set before them become a snare and their prosperityContinue reading “Forgive Them?”

Clean and Unclean

You are to distinguish between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean, and you are to teach the people of Israel all the statutes that the LORD has spoken to them by Moses.” Leviticus 10:10-11 ESV In the pagan cultures surrounding Israel, there was great concern over what was cleanContinue reading “Clean and Unclean”

For He is Good

Praise the LORD! Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 106:1 NLT The Greek philosopher Plato imagined that there was an ultimate which he called The Good. This is the Ideal that all things have declined from, and to which all things aspire. But it is entirelyContinue reading “For He is Good”

Innocent but Redeemed

Give order to my life, Lord, because I have walked before you completely and have trusted you and never wavered…. There are wicked schemes in their hands; in their right hands are bribes. But I have walked before you with my whole heart; be gracious to me and redeem me. Psalm 26:1, 10-11 (author’s translation)Continue reading “Innocent but Redeemed”

God’s Word and Ours

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NLT Psalm 19 seems disarmingly simple on the surface. It also seems to have a split personality. It starts out talking about nature, and then suddenly moves toContinue reading “God’s Word and Ours”

Religion and Ethics

Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill? Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right, speaking the truth from sincere hearts. Those who refuse to gossip or harm their neighbors or speak evil of their friends. Psalm. 15:1-3 NLT Those of us whoContinue reading “Religion and Ethics”

Forgiveness

And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12 NLT Someone asked me if it was necessary to forgive someone who did not repent of the wrong he or she had done to you. The answer is yes. Forgiveness is all from the offended person’s side; what theContinue reading “Forgiveness”

Resting

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 100:4-5 NIV I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he itContinue reading “Resting”

Order

Let the rivers clap their hands in glee! Let the hills sing out their songs of joy before the LORD. For the LORD is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world with justice, and the nations with fairness. Psalms 98:8-9 NLT In her novel The Bird in the Tree theContinue reading “Order”