Promises for the Battle
Humility
God’s Awareness #6—Weighty Vision
Yahweh reigns powerfully forever; his eyes keep watch on the nations. The rebellious should not exalt themselves. Psalm 66:7 We are not the first to wonder if the bad guys “get away with it.” The prophet Habakkuk cried out, “How long must we wait for your salvation?!” One psalmist despaired that the wicked continued to … Continue reading
Godliness #4—Sustained Godliness
Yahweh kills and preserves alive; he brings down to the grave and he raises up. Yahweh impoverishes and makes wealthy; he humbles and he exalts. He will watch over his godly ones, but the wicked he will silence in terror; for “it is not by might that a person prevails.” 1 Samuel 2:6–7, 9 Solomon … Continue reading
Civility #3—Despicable Me
Why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. … All of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Romans 14:10–12 The waitress asked Descartes if he’d like another cup of coffee. He said, “I think not.” Then he disappeared. Our self-perception colors … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About Patiently Following the Plan
Shortly before the day that we now call Palm Sunday, Jesus walked into the village of Bethany and raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. This event did not go unnoticed. Word spread. This sign, as John’s gospel labels Jesus’ miracles, was the capstone of a series of signs that began when he turned water … Continue reading
Courage #7—Courageous Humility
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6–7 Here’s the trouble: hanging on to our anxiety feeds our sense of self-sufficiency and our commitment to self-exaltation. Since pride actually goes before … Continue reading
Prayer #5— Private Answers
When you pray, go into your closet, and once you’ve shut your door, pray to your Father who is in private and your Father who sees in private will give to you. Matthew 6:6 Prayer is not a performance. God prefers to answer private prayers because private prayers are humble and honest prayers. He does … Continue reading
Prayer #2— Forgiving Answers
The tax-gatherer said, “Be merciful to me, the sinner!” I tell you, this man went down to his house justified … for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:13–14 This is the simplest of the prayers that elicit the forgiveness of God. While it does … Continue reading
Grace #2—Grace for Service
Toward scorners Yahweh is scornful, but to the humble he gives grace. … Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Peter not only knew the Scripture he had been taught, he also learned from the example … Continue reading
Thinking #7— Insightful Consideration
Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you insight into it all. 2 Timothy 2:7 God’s hope for Bible readers: If we exert ourselves to think carefully about what he has said in Scripture, he will bless us with insight into how to apply his wisdom to our lives; we will be able … Continue reading
Encouragements to Love #5—Worthy Love
Live worthily of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and meekness, patiently tolerating one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1–3 Embarrassing God is foolish. We do this is when we misrepresent our claim of allegiance to … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 