Psalm 37:21-40 Dear RTB’ers, The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way… (v. 23) We had an interesting discussion on the pronouns in this verse two years ago. Compare the two interpretations when we first have the Lord as HE, then again when we have the Lord as HIS: “…when …
Author Archives: Fred
November 21 / Psalm 37:1-20
Psalm 37:1-20 Dear RTB’ers, Fret not yourself because of evildoers… (v. 1a) Today’s first verse spoke to me, but in my teacher role, not in a personal way. I have a student who is weak in her economic background and is not doing well in class – but she has an obsessive concern for the …
November 20 / Psalm 36
Psalm 36 Dear RTB’ers, I can’t read today’s psalm without singing it in my mind. And the sung words say more than I could ever offer. Sing along if you know the song: Your steadfast love extends to the heavensYour faithfulness reaches to the cloudsYour righteousness is like majestic mountainsAnd your wisdom like the depth …
November 19 / Psalm 35
Psalm 35 Dear RTB’ers, Much of today’s Psalm is David speaking about his enemies, about how they are going after his life. There were, however, two verses that spoke to me differently. First, For they do not speak peace, but against those who are quiet in the land they devise words of deceit. (v. 20) …
November 18 / Psalm 34
Psalm 34 Dear RTB’ers, The header on today’s psalm reads “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away.” I went to I Samuel 21:10-15 to provide more details on this header. There, however, the person to whom David is feigning madness is King Achish …
November 17 / Psalm 33
Psalm 33 Dear RTB’ers, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, The people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance.” I feel like many/most/all of us look on the USA as a nation blessed by God. I certainly do. Two verses earlier David has this to say, “The Lord nullifies the counsel …
November 16 / Psalm 32
Psalm 32 Dear RTB’ers, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (v. 8) How do we hear from the Lord? I daresay people have been asking that question for the two millennia since Jesus ascended. Our most straightforward answer …
November 15 / Psalm 31
Psalm 31 Dear RTB’ers, I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols… (v. 6a) I could understand what David was saying about people in his day who worshiped idols. But in our 21st century world, I’m calling to mind preachers asking us, “What are your idols?” Are you seeking money? Fame? Possessions? Power? Success? …
November 14 / Psalm 30
Psalm 30 Dear RTB’ers, We have left I Corinthians behind and will spend a couple of weeks in the Psalms before returning to II Corinthians. I typically have difficulties relating to David’s psalms when he writes of deliverance from his enemies and not letting his foes rejoice over him. In my adult life I’ve been …
November 13 / I Corinthians 16
I Corinthians 16 Dear RTB’ers, I was noticing Paul’s concern for his fellow workers. First, Timothy: When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace… (vv. 10-11a) …