Now and then I’ve been writing about how frustrated I am with Greek and that I’m not sure if I really want to do it. This last time around I did a lot of thinking and realized that part of it may be I just don’t know what I’ve ‘learned’ well enough. It’s like college where they go too fast (for me). I was never good in a classroom.

I enjoy everything more the better I am at it and the more I know whether it’s a hobby or profession. I usually treat hobbies almost like they’re a career. I’ve gone back and read through Black’s book, my main one, from the beginning a couple of times, but that’s not enough.

Someone, I can’t remember who, said to be sure to get out that workbook I have. So I decided to start over yet again and this time use the workbook. There are a lot of exercises. But I think that’s what I need. So now I’m starting Chapter 6 after having done it for a few weeks and I’m a little more positive about it, even though it will set me way back time-wise. I was originally about 4/5ths of the way through the book.

I also want to do a little learning by immersion by reading passages I have memorized in English in the Greek NT, unless some of you think that’s a bad idea for some reason.

So I hope by the time I get back to where I was, along with reading Mounce and Croy again along with it, that I’ll have a much better understanding and not feel lost because I wasn’t really learning the material like I should. There are no deadlines or semesters for me.

I’m not so sure exactly what the first quote is meaning when it comes to wearing the cross as jewelry. Obviously there are people who wear it and have no idea what it means or even use it sacrilegiously. For a while I was rather against using the cross as adornment, although not having a problem with others who know what it means wearing it, but this second quote makes me think. Let me know what you think. (Scripture added)

The cross has become a piece of jewelry, a beautiful decoration in a church, a symbol of faith. It is difficult for us to pass back through the centuries of tradition to see crucifixion as a form of capital punishment so horrible that polite people would not so much as mention it… If the idea of crucifixion was abhorrent to decent people in the ancient world, imagine the difficulty of trying to convince them that a god—indeed, the God—had willingly endured such a punishment.

– Thomas Schmidt (from A Scandalous Beauty)

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Once a Muslim expressed to me his disbelief and even scorn at the idea of Christian wearing crosses: “How can Christians wear with pride the instrument of torture and humiliation? If your brother were killed in an electric chair, would you wear an electric chair around your neck?” I replied that it depends: “If my brother happened to be Jesus of Nazareth and his death in an electric chair brought about my salvation and was the means by which evil was defeated and creation renewed, then he would have transformed a symbol of shame and punishment into something glorious.”

–Paul Copan, Is God A Moral Monster?

Colossians 2:13-15
You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

When someone has cancer or other chronic ailments, there are often people who care deeply about them and don’t shy away from asking the person with that condition how they are doing and wanting to hear details so they can pray and be updated on their condition. This is a great thing. But many times the discussion can get stuck on the physical (or mental) illness and spiritual matters are pushed to the side. This can be a little frustrating if the condition is not changing and might be something that won’t change. (Can you imagine if a blind person constantly gets asked if they can see yet? Not that it can’t happen.) Sometimes it’s the spiritual aspect that the person would like to talk about, or what God is using the illness for. Here is a quote by David Powlison from the book Don’t Waste Your Cancer by him and John Piper that I read in the book If God Is Good by Randy Alcorn.

People will often express their care and concern by inquiring about your health. That’s good, but the conversation easily gets stuck there. So tell them openly about your sickness, seeking their prayers and counsel, but then change the direction of the conversation by telling them what your God is doing to faithfully sustain you with 10,000 mercies. Robert Murray McCheyne wisely said, ‘For every one look at your sins, take ten looks at Christ.’ He was countering our tendency to reverse that 10:1 ratio by brooding over our failings and forgetting the Lord of mercy. What McCheyne says about our sins we can also apply to our sufferings. For every one sentence you say to others about your cancer, say ten sentences about your God, and your hope, and what he is teaching you, and the small blessings of each day.

Grace is God’s work to deliver us from the full extent of our depravity, and its full punishment. By underestimating depravity and denying eternal hell, Satan tries to lower redemption’s price tag, cheapening the grace that paid the price. ‘For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves’ (Col. 1:13).

–Randy Alcorn, The Grace and Truth Paradox

You may be at a loss to know why He does no more to deliver you from some sin, or why He does not make you more successful in your efforts to aid others, or why, while He so liberally prospers you in one part of your condition, you get so much less in another that is far nearer your heart; but God does what He will with His own, and if you do not find in one point the whole blessing and prosperity you think should flow from such a mediator as you have, you may only conclude that what is lacking there, will elsewhere be found more wisely bestowed. And is it not a perpetual encouragement to us that God does not merely crown what nature has successfully begun, that it is not the likely and the naturally good that are most blessed, but that God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the world to confound the things that are mighty ; and base things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are?

–Marcus Dods, The Book of Genesis, pg 424 approx., as quoted in Creation and Blessing by Alan Ross, pg. 695

Genesis 48:17-22 NRSV
When Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he took his father’s hand, to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head. 18 Joseph said to his father, “Not so, my father! Since this one is the firstborn, put your right hand on his head.” 19 But his father refused, and said, “I know, my son, I know; he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great. Nevertheless his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.” 20 So he blessed them that day, saying, “By you Israel will invoke blessings, saying, ‘God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.’” So he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh. 21 Then Israel said to Joseph, “I am about to die, but God will be with you and will bring you again to the land of your ancestors. 22 I now give to you one portion more than to your brothers, the portion that I took from the hand of the Amorites with my sword and with my bow.”

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 NRSV
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, 29 so that no one might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

More Info on the Common English Bible

Dave Moser has created a campaign for ReformedAudio to record Jonathan Edwards’ greatest work – A History of the Work of Redemption:
Jonathan Edwards’ “History of the Work of Redemption” and Turn Down Princeton With Jonathan Edwards

Scripture Zealot blog has been listed in Devotional Christian blogs. The owner of that site also has a site called MINISTRY-TO-CHILDREN.COM.

I’ve been laying low for a while.

If I could only always remember this, not to mention doctors and well-meaning friends.

Evening Devotion
Sunday, August 14, 2011

“I know their sorrows.” (Exodus 3:7 KJV)
The child is cheered as he sings, “This my father knows”; and shall not we be comforted as we discern that our dear Friend and tender soul-husband knows all about us?

1. He is the Physician, and if he knows all, there is no need that the patient should know. Hush, thou silly, fluttering heart, prying, peeping, and suspecting! What thou knowest not now, thou shalt know hereafter, and meanwhile Jesus, the beloved Physician, knows thy soul in adversities. Why need the patient analyze all the medicine, or estimate all the symptoms? This is the Physician’s work, not mine; it is my business to trust, and his to prescribe. If he shall write his prescription in uncouth characters which I cannot read, I will not be uneasy on that account, but rely upon his unfailing skill to make all plain in the result, however mysterious in the working.

2. He is the Master, and his knowledge is to serve us instead of our own; we are to obey, not to judge: “The servant knoweth not what his lord doeth.” Shall the architect explain his plans to every hodman on the works? If he knows his own intent, is it not enough? The vessel on the wheel cannot guess to what pattern it shall be conformed, but if the potter understands his art, what matters the ignorance of the clay? My Lord must not be cross questioned any more by one so ignorant as I am.

3. He is the Head. All understanding centres there. What judgment has the arm? What comprehension has the foot? All the power to know lies in the head. Why should the member have a brain of its own when the head fulfils for it every intellectual office? Here, then, must the believer rest his comfort in sickness, not that he himself can see the end, but that Jesus knows all. Sweet Lord, be thou for ever eye, and soul, and head for us, and let us be content to know only what thou choosest to reveal.

Psalm 34:8-14 TNIV
Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed are those who take refuge in him.
9 Fear the Lord, you his holy people,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
11 Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Whoever of you loves life
and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from telling lies.
14 Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

Psalm 147:10-11
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse,
nor his delight in the power of human legs;
11 the Lord delights in those
who fear him,
who put their hope
in his unfailing love.

Lamentations 3:25
The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble;
he cares for those who take refuge in him.

See the context for the second two which isn’t as pleasant sounding as they are by themselves but I think they still stand.

Psalm 144:3-4 HCSB
LORD, what is man, that You care for him,
the son of man, that You think of him?
4 Man is like a breath;
his days are like a passing shadow.

Daniel 4:35
All the inhabitants of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does what He wants with the army of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth. There is no one who can hold back His hand or say to Him, “What have You done?”

Psalm 103:13-14
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
14 For He knows what we are made of,
remembering that we are dust.

Matthew 6:9b
Our Father in heaven

Matthew 7:11
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

Another ranty, possibly unfocused post without a clear point to it.

There are the stereotypical (having some truth) old Calvinists like John MacArthur, recently slinging his guns, and the stereotypical ‘New’, or ‘Young, Restless and Reformed’, who got shot at. (Let’s say Calvinist and Reformed are synonymous.) Then there are those in between, which is where I am, but don’t yet know where on the spectrum I lie. It probably doesn’t matter a whole lot, as long as I’m headed in the right direction. But it sure can be frustrating and I would like to briefly write about some things I’m wrestling with, especially near the end of the post.

Erik Raymond knows first hand what it’s like to be in MacArthur’s sights, even if it’s indirectly, and he isn’t the type MacArthur is referring to. We’ve both learned so much from John MacArthur. MacArthur and John Piper (another one who is getting a little weird) were instrumental in the beginning of my path to learning so much about God’s sovereignty at a very difficult time in my life. It has been life changing to start to really learn about God’s character as revealed in the Bible.

John MacArthur referenced Erik Raymond (the very first link in the post, unfortunately), who has a blog called Ordinary Pastor (the link is his ‘rebuttal’ of sorts, which is excellent), formerly Irish Calvinist. This was very unfair and I doubt MacArthur went on his computer (if he has one–seriously, he might not, which is OK) and sought out this link himself. MacArthur’s ministry, Grace To You, has now issued a followup to MacArthur’s blog post. He said he did it out of love but he never seems to say that the first time.

Among the old guard there are also sometimes things like this:

In recent church history, earth-toned paisley ties fell off the necks of pastors and were replaced by mock turtlenecks and open-collared shirts of every color in the rainbow.

Open-collared shirts–God help us! I have always hated suits and ties. Why do some people think pastors and churchgoers have to look like corporate executives when we’re supposed to be separate from the world? Some of you will vehemently disagree and say that we should respect God by what we wear when hearing His Word. I still hate dress clothes.

On the other hand: I didn’t come from Arminianism to Calvinism quickly or easily  by listening to a few sermons by “famous” pastors or by reading some blog posts. It was with kicking and screaming (in my head). Although it was without having read Calvin’s Institutes of the Christian Religion, which should probably be a prerequisite, I have read quite extensively, including a couple of overview type books, too many articles and posts to count, and I especially have a knowledge and liking of the Heidelberg Catechism and the Belgic Confession. I have the Institutes in my possession and will read them most likely next year. I also went back and read more about Arminianism from good sources, which means material not written by Calvinists, just to make sure I knew both as best I could. I’ve read completely through the Bible, sometimes even trying to see things from the Arminian perspective, but the extent of God’s sovereignty, among many other aspects of God’s character, and doctrine that happens to line up with Calvinism, just keep coming through everywhere. So I know I am a Calvinist.

I’m also not into the stereotypical (which is in the minority, I hope) Young, Restless and Reformed style of boasting about drinking beer, watching MMA (because I’m a real man who believes in a Jesus who could ‘take me’ and not one with flowing blonde hair who always speaks soothingly), and just wanting to be  ’other’ than the typical evangelical. I’m not going to comment on those things at this point. I’m not saying they’re wrong or I do or don’t participate or believe those things. What I’m saying is I’m not constantly talking about it to brag about how different or manly I am. I used to think this way about some other things and it’s very arrogant. I think this is what John MacArthur was trying to get at in his abrasive way.

So I’m not into suits and ties, at all, I don’t like the stodgy old guard, I don’t shun everything new, I don’t like the ESV, and I think the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood is kind of creepy even though I’m a complementarian of sorts. And as mentioned in the last paragraph I’m also not into the stereotypical young, [N]ew Calvinist thang. (Do they say that anymore?) So I don’t know exactly what kind of Calvinist I am. And you may notice, I’m not even talking doctrinal stuff, although that is a big factor I’m just not writing about here.

This has been my quandary for a while: I feel like if I didn’t read blogs and material from unproven sources on the webternet, I might be in a better position to just learn, without all the labels and infighting and outfighting and all the peripheral stuff. On the other hand, I have learned a lot from blogs and very much appreciate my blogging friends. It’s lonely being someone who likes to read a lot, studying theology, knowing the difference between a Calvinist and Arminian etc. My blogging friends can help fill that void a little.

Just between us, because it can sound arrogant, here is a great quote on that, found in a comment on a blog post:

jangulat says:
May 22, 2011 at 6:46 pm
Nathan, oftentimes the path to greater learning is a lonely one. We humans are generarally content to possess a breadth of knowlege a mile wide [that's pretty wide though] and an inch deep.

Dig only slightly deeper and the crowd thins out dramatically.
You are apparently past digging and now mining. Hence, your travel companions on the path you’ve chosen will likely be few and far between.

So I’m not about to leave my friends. But when you get on that interwebz machine, even if you’re at a legitimate place of higher learning, it often takes you to the places that suck you in and you don’t realize you just wasted time until after you’ve wasted it (like this blog post?).

So I will keep on trying to keep in step with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25), trying to figure out which blogs to follow and which to not, try to spend less time on the internet in general–which I’ve improved on–and more time reading proven authors, including the inspired ones, and try to keep my eyes on things above.

I’m not intending to teach or tell people what to do with any authority, but I want to add some value to this post by listing some things I think are important. I hope I’m not embarrassed about this five years from now. Take it for what it’s worth.

• As I’m learning in Genesis right now, God’s purposes will be done no matter how much we think we may mess things up. We don’t need to defend God for how people act other than to let people know who God really is. We need to let people think what they will. Many people hate God and hate Christians and this is how it will always be. (Matthew 10:22)
• If you want to be a Calvinist, make sure to know what it is. Make sure you also know what Arminianism, Open Theism and Universalism are, especially if you want to defend your views. People are misrepresenting each other all the time and it’s maddening to see. I’m not an apologist for Calvinism so I don’t get into that very much. If you’re not very sure about what something is, don’t say anything about it. (This is also why I don’t talk much about politics and economics.)
• Don’t pester those who are solid Christians by trying to convert them to Calvinism unless they have an interest. They’re already Christians! They are in God’s hands now whether you like it or not. (Rom 14:8)
• Lift up Christ, not Calvin. We are a Christians first. If I’m thinking about Calvinism more than Christ and basic Biblical doctrine, I’ve gone off the path.
• If you are a hyper-Calvinist, stop it right now. (Two links there)
• When interacting with other Calvinists, bear with one another. (Colossians 3:13) Realize that we have freedom in Christ, to a point, and not quibble about a beer or open-collared shirts unless alcoholism or addiction to open-collared shirts is involved. There are all kinds at many different levels of maturity. It’s hard enough for Christians to be united. Can we at least as Calvinists show some love towards each other in addition to all kinds of believers? (Galatians 6:10) I’ll try my best to bear with those who don’t like open-colored shirts.
• My only hero is Jesus. The rest are too flawed.

This is not directed in any way towards my blogging friends and those who have blogs devoted to Calvinism. The good ones have been very helpful to me and the people have been great in backing me up here and helping me along. If you disagree with any of this, feel free to continue sharpening in the comments. (Proverbs 27:17)

Colossians 3:1-3 NRSV
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, 3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Also see:

• “What does the Bible say about drinking alcohol / wine? Is it a sin for a Christian to drink alcohol / wine?” – explains possible alcohol content too
• New to Reformed Theology

New to me:
The Lexham English Bible

Available in:

• Logos Bible Software (2.04 MB)
• Plain Text – TXT (1.5 MB)
• Extensible Markup Language – XML (2.1 MB)
• Electronic Publication – EPUB (641 KB)
• The SWORD Project version (608 KB)
• CROSS (2 MB)

and online at Biblia.com

Comparison Chart – you may need to scroll down

• The London Riots: The Whole Truth With No Ifs And No Buts! – a terrible subject but I think a well-written perspective on it
• G.K. Beale’s Magnum Opus: A New Testament Biblical Theology – looks interesting
• Bible: Sola Scriptura – by Peter J. Leithart
• Is Philippians 4:19 a Promise You Can Claim? – I plan to compile a post on another one of these–Jeremiah 29:11
• I cried out to the Lord for healing. – an excellent post on healing that will make you think

I’m not an expert in what I’m writing about in this post. Please forgive any mistakes in the details.

Most people seem to use Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon if they want to look up some definitions in the original languages, which isn’t very helpful for definitions because the lexicon (dictionary), is very brief. The current lexicon that most modern commentators would use is the BDAG, which costs about $150, although there is an abridged version for about $80 which may be adequate for lay people.

But there are in-between resources, one of them called Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Hebrew Definitions for the Hebrew. As with Strong’s, these can be found to be used free in e-Sword and some other Bible software.

I rarely use these and find it much more helpful to look at 6-8 different translations and see what they did with it. If there are diversions, it can be helpful to try to find out why, or just to see which words or phrases the translation committees chose.

If one would want to look up some definitions and see the range of words that might be used, Thayer’s may be a better choice if you’re looking for a free resource.

Also see:
How NOT To Use Strong’s Concordance
How NOT To Use Strong’s Concordance – Part 2
How To Properly Use Strong’s Concordance
Strong’s Concordance – A Good Example

With a bonus – Unusual translation of the day:

Psalm 119:120 REB
The dread of you makes my flesh creep;
I stand in awe of your decrees.

My flesh hath trembled for fear of thee. ^[1] At first sight the prophet seems to contradict himself. He had just now said, that, by Godﾒs severity, he was gently drawn to love his testimonies; now he declares, that he was seized with terror. But although these two effects differ widely from each other, yet, if we consider by what kind of discipline God forms us to reverence his law, we will perceive that they entirely harmonize. We require to be subdued by fear that we may desire and seek after the favor of God. Since fear, then, is the beginning of love, the prophet testifies, that he was awakened by a heart-felt fear of God to look well to himself. Nor is the mortification of the flesh so easy a matter, as that every one should consent to enter upon it, without the constraint of violent means; and, therefore, it is not wonderful if God struck his servant with terror, that, in this way, he might bend his mind to a holy fear of him. It is an evidence of no common wisdom to tremble before God when he executes his judgments, of which the majority of mankind take no notice. We are then taught by these words of the prophet, that we ought to consider attentively the judgments of God, that they may not only gently instruct us, but that they may also strike us with such terror as will lead us to true repentance.

^[1] The verb rmo, samar, rendered hath trembled, denotes being seized with horror, so that the hair stands on end. It occurs in Piel in Job 4:15. This state of horror was produced on the mind of the Psalmist by a contemplation of the divine judgments executed on the wicked, who are rejected like dross; and he was thus brought to fear God.

–John Calvin, Calvin’s Commentaries

The Fear of the Lord is a subject of interest of mine. Also see:

• The Fear of the Lord – more links at the bottom

Do you think it’s OK to exposit a single verse in this manner? I could go on and on about his going on and on but I wonder what you think.

I think this man is sincere and not a false teacher but I’m not sure about getting this much from one verse and ignoring the context. I’m looking for more helpful ways to either explain what the verse means and some possible applications, or how to go about teaching the other things he said using relevant Scripture, if there is criticism. Or maybe you think it’s OK.

Also see:
Psalm 118:24 — scroll down for commentaries

Here is a photo I took and collaborated with Alondra, a friend on Facebook who added the text. I will be doing these in the future but sometimes have trouble knowing what Scripture to put with what picture for some reason. Click on it for a larger one. See all of the Free Photos under the Categories in the right sidebar.

These images may be used for the web for non-profit use. If you use an image directly to sell a product, it would be nice to be compensated in a small way. If so, contact me using the address listed in the sidebar to the right. If you have banner ads on your blog or affiliate programs, that doesn’t matter. If in doubt, don’t worry about it.

Below is a fantastic quote from the free chapter of Joni Eareckson Tada’s book, A Place of Healing. I have three of my own comments inserted in there between brackets [] and in italic where there are similarities.

I wish everyone who was determined to get someone healed or think it’s their loved one’s right to be healed because they’re a ‘good’ Christian would read this. I’ve been very blessed in that I haven’t been in a position where people have told me I don’t have enough faith or say that I must be doing something wrong or not claiming God’s promises. My blogging friends have also been great. But I do get the feeling that many people think it’s just wrong for people to suffer chronically, especially with more than one condition as I do (and she is now also dealing with cancer in addition to paralysis, fatigue and chronic pain), and if they just pray long enough and hard enough, or give the right advice, that amazing healing and happiness and success is just around the corner.

We believe that God can use healing and/or suffering to glorify himself and change us into his image. In addition to praying for outright healing, which we know God will do for his people in his own timing, in this life or at the end, please don’t do people a disservice by not praying for spiritual growth of all kinds. We can find this in prayers in the Bible and know that this is God’s will for everyone. Sticking with them over time is much more difficult and rewarding than praying for them once, finding them not healed and just end up disappointed. Pray for coping, provision and endurance. Don’t miss this opportunity to participate in their spiritual growth by leaving this out.

Continuing to mature through trials gives us hope as God changes our character. (Romans 5:3-4)

It was a beautiful Sunday morning, and services were over. I was wheeling across the church parking lot toward my van when a handsome young man, who introduced himself as David, stopped me.

“Are you Joni?” he asked.

I smiled, nodding yes.

“Oh great!” David exclaimed. “I’m a visitor here, and I was hoping I would run into you today. I’ve really been praying for you.”

My eyes got wide. “Really? What about?”

“Your healing. I’ve been praying for you to get out of your wheelchair.”

At that point, my spirit hesitated. David was a visitor. He came to church hoping to see me, and he wanted to see me healed. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met over the years who’ve done the same thing. In churches, on street corners, in convention centers, and in busy shopping malls. Some of those encounters have been a little overwhelming-almost frightening.

But not on this day, with this young man.

Still, I had to fight off eerie feelings. Several times, years ago, a group of men showed up at our farmhouse door in Maryland, all having been led there by the Holy Spirit to either heal me … or marry me! So perhaps you can understand my reticence.

“Well, I never refuse a prayer for healing,” I assured David. [I sincerely say the exact same thing.]

This guy wasted no time in getting down to business, launching into what sounded like a prepared speech. “Have you ever considered that it might be sin standing in the way of your healing? That you’ve disobeyed in some way?” Before I could answer, David flipped open his Bible-both of us still in the middle of the parking lot and read from the gospel of Luke, “Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus” (Luke 5:18-19).

He closed his Bible and reminded me that the paralyzed man in the story was healed. And I could be, too, if only I would but confess my sins and have faith to believe. He added, “Joni, there must be some sin in your life that you haven’t dealt with yet.”

I told him that my conscience was clean before the Lord (he looked a little skeptical about that) and reiterated that I always welcome prayers for healing. I thanked him for his concern but told him I didn’t think this was a matter of faith.

For David, that just didn’t add up. According to what he had been taught, if I was a Christian, and if there was no known sin in my life, and if I had faith that God could heal, well, then … I would be healed. Didn’t God want everyone healed? Didn’t Jesus want everyone well? Of course He did! It was so obvious!

“Joni, you must have a lack of faith. I mean, look at you. You’re still in your wheelchair!”

I thought for a moment about the biblical account he had just read me and asked him to open up his Bible again to that same passage, Luke 5. “Okay,” I said, “you’re right about one thing, David. Right after they lowered the paralyzed man through the roof and to the floor in front of Jesus, he was healed. But look at verse 20. It says that when Jesus saw the faith of those four friends, the man was made well.”

“So?”

“Don’t you see? He didn’t require anything at all of the disabled man. What He was looking for was faith in those men who had lowered him through the roof. God doesn’t require my faith for healing. But He could require yours. The pressure’s off me, David. If God has it in His plan to lift me out of this wheelchair, He could use your faith! So keep believing, friend; the pressure’s on you!” [I also rely on others to have faith for me.]

David didn’t like that point of view. Again, it wasn’t according to his script. It wasn’t what he had been taught. According to all his teachers, if a person wasn’t healed, it had to be a problem with him, with his faith.

Faith, however, is not the focus.

The focus is always on Jesus Christ and His will for those who suffer. [God has been teaching me this more and more which is very difficult to explain to some people.] To possess great faith is to believe in a great Savior, and Scripture welcomes the faith of anyone who believes in Jesus’ will to heal. In the days to come, that “anyone” could well be David.

I’m probably biased because I love this Psalm but it seems like this beginning portion is one of the heights of the Psalms. Certainly in poetry regarding the words of God, in addition to a portion of Psalm 19. I seem to like a lot of the translations that are off the beaten path for this one, like REB, ISV, GNB and NJB. I have God’s Word (that’s the name of the translation) displayed below. I’m not sure where “written instructions” comes from in verse 2, but that’s not for me to know much about. None of the other translations I looked at have written and I’m sure much of it was passed on orally at that time. They must have their reason.

I may keep spending time mulling over this part before I move on. It was fun looking at all the translations with their similarities and differences.

See below for book related info.

Psalm 119:1-17 GW
Blessed are those whose lives have integrity,
those who follow the teachings of the LORD.
2 Blessed are those who obey his written instructions.
They wholeheartedly search for him.
3 They do nothing wrong.
They follow his directions.
4 You have commanded
that your guiding principles be carefully followed.
5 I pray that my ways may become firmly established
so that I can obey your laws.
6 Then I will never feel ashamed
when I study all your commandments.
7 I will give thanks to you
as I learn your regulations, which are based on your righteousness.
8 I will obey your laws.
Never abandon me.
9 How can a young person keep his life pure?
He can do it by holding on to your word.
10 I wholeheartedly searched for you.
Do not let me wander away from your commandments.
11 I have treasured your promise in my heart
so that I may not sin against you.
12 Thanks be to you, O LORD.
Teach me your laws.
13 With my lips I have repeated
every regulation that comes from your mouth.
14 I find joy in the way shown by your written instructions
more than I find joy in all kinds of riches.
15 I want to reflect on your guiding principles
and study your ways.
16 Your laws make me happy.
I never forget your word.
17 Be kind to me so that I may live
and hold on to your word.

I have the book Psalm 119 for Life by Hywel R. Jones that I will be reading soon.

I will refer to Psalm 119 – An Exposition by Charles Bridges. His exposition of Proverbs is excellent. Since it’s from earlier 1800′s it can be found for free or at low cost in electronic form:

• Free PDF (large)
• Amazon Kindle format for .99 cents

Psalm 112:1, 7 NLT
1 Praise the LORD! How joyful are those who fear the LORD
and delight in obeying his commands.
7 They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the LORD to care for them.

I love this quote:

Every time we look at the cross Christ seems to say to us, “I am here because of you. It is your sin I am bearing, your curse I am suffering, your debt I am paying, your death I am dying.” Nothing in history or in the universe cuts us down to size like the cross. All of us have inflated views of ourselves, especially in self-righteousness, until we have visited a place called Calvary. It is here, at the foot of the cross that we shrink to our true size.

–John Stott

HT: Tim Challies – click the link for comments about him.

His book on the Cross has been on my list for a while. Other books of his that I’ve read have been so helpful. He has a style that’s concise but not lacking and eloquent but not flowery, always expositing in a way that most everyone can benefit.