What does it mean to receive the kingdom of God like a child? Jesus’ listeners in the ancient world did not have our modern, Romantic notions of childhood as an age of innocence and wonder. Instead, they were more likely to look down on children as weak: this is probably…

“Do you love me?” How would you respond if Jesus were to ask you that question? Peter insisted that he did: “You know that I love you” was his reply not once, but three times (21:15-17). So, why did Jesus keep on asking? Perhaps it’s because Peter had said something…

A weaned child, no longer desiring to nurse, but simply resting quietly in his mother’s arms. Can anyone draw a better picture of contentment? But how can we adults possibly gain such peace? Well, the first verse lists some obvious pitfalls to avoid. Wearing ourselves out by working on impossible…

Kings and rulers standing in opposition to Christ: it’s a problem as old as the psalter and as new as this morning’s headlines. And it’s easy to understand their hostility, for as verse 3 makes clear, they look at the Law of the Lord as nothing more than fetters and…

What is the secret to happiness? That’s what the word translated “blessed” means in Hebrew. And the psalmist clearly says that the way to be truly happy is to take delight in God’s law, and to study it carefully. Why is that? Let’s first remember that God’s law is divided…

It’s not always easy to sing for joy to the Lord, is it? That was certainly the case for God’s people in the days after God led them out of Egypt. Yes, God had allowed them to walk through the waters of the Red Sea while drowning Pharaoh’s pursuing army…

Hallelujah! That’s an ancient Hebrew word that has entered our English vocabulary, and it means, “Praise the Lord.” But this psalm doesn’t just begin and end with this summons. No, it summarizes so much of what the entire psalter tells us about the worship of God, and thus forms a…

“Well, that’s your truth, not my truth.” Have you ever heard anyone say that about the Christian faith? Underlying such a statement is a belief that all religious convictions are really nothing more than opinions. And if that were to be the case, then everyone would in fact be entitled…

Sing for joy! Raise a song! Worship leaders exhort us to praise God, sometimes even incorporating the sorts of percussion and string instruments mentioned in verse 2. And although many people sing along, many engage in public worship only out of a sense of duty, because God commands it (verse…

What will the world be like when Christ returns to set all things right and make all things new? John first echoes the imagery of Ezekiel, who described a river flowing from the Temple of God that would heal the waters of the Dead Sea, allowing fish to live in…