Author Archives: jgarrott

Unknown's avatar

About jgarrott

Born and raised in Japan of missionary parents. Have been here as an adult missionary since 1981.

Righteousness; November 12, 2017


Psalm 85:13 Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps. There’s an interesting difference in tenses between the NIV and the Japanese here. The first half of the verse is in complete agreement, but in the second … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Depending on God; November 11, 2017


Psalm 81:10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. This is the simplest of interactions, bringing to mind baby birds in a nest, opening their … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Honesty; November 10, 2017


Psalm 78:36-37 But then they would flatter him with their mouths, lying to him with their tongues; their hearts were not loyal to him, they were not faithful to his covenant. Human beings have a remarkable capacity for putting on … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Trusting God; November 9, 2017


Psalm 78:21-22 When the Lord heard them, he was very angry; his fire broke out against Jacob, and his wrath rose against Israel, for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance. When you think about it, … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transmitting Faith; November 8, 2017


Psalm 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands. This Psalm says it’s “a maskil of Asaph,” and nobody is positive what that means, but my impression is … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Trusting God’s Control; November 7, 2017


Psalms 75:2-3 You say, “I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. It’s interesting to have another reference to earthquakes. There … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Resentment; November 6, 2017


Psalm 73:21-22 When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. This Psalm is a very interesting exposition of the dangers of resentment. Verses 25 and 26 have … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Omniscience; November 5, 2017


Psalm 71:15-16 My mouth will tell of your righteousness, of your salvation all day long, though I know not its measure. I will come and proclaim your mighty acts, O Sovereign Lord; I will proclaim your righteousness, yours alone. It … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 3 Comments

Salvation; November 4, 2017


Psalm 68:20 Our God is a God who saves; from the Sovereign Lord comes escape from death. There is a very small difference in nuance in the Japanese translation of this verse: “God is to us the God of salvation.” … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Daily; November 3, 2017


Psalm 68:19 Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. The “daily” here immediately calls to mind what Jesus said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his … Continue reading

Posted in Christian, encouragement, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment