Category Archives: Uncategorized

Tears Before Joy; September 30, 2022


Psalm 126:5-6 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. This is a justly famous passage, and it … Continue reading

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Gathering to Worship; September 29, 2022


Psalm 122:1 I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” I don’t remember how old I was, but I was quite young when I first memorized this verse (not in the … Continue reading

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Human Weakness; September 28, 2022


Psalm 119:176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. After this great long Psalm in which the writer comes across as a great Bible scholar, he ends with this humble, … Continue reading

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Praise and Obedience; September 27, 2022


Psalm 119:108 Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws. Verse 105 is insightful and has been set to music numbers of times, but this verse strikes me this morning. The word that stands … Continue reading

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Companions; September 26, 2022


Psalm 119:79 May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. I chose this verse from reading it in the NIV, but then I read it in Japanese and noticed an interesting distinction: where the NIV … Continue reading

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Spiritual Growth; September 25, 2022


Psalm 119:5-6 Oh, that my ways were steadfast in obeying your decrees! Then I would not be put to shame when I consider all your commands. I’m not sure I had noticed before that the Psalmist is confessing that his … Continue reading

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Inner Peace; September 24, 2022


Psalm 118:17 I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done. I think that probably countless saints down through the centuries have been encouraged by this verse, and probably will be until the Lord’s return. … Continue reading

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Deep Grace; September 23, 2022


Psalm 109:21 But you, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. Reading the last third of this Psalm I was sure it was by David, even before … Continue reading

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Love; September 22, 2022


Psalm 107:43 Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the Lord. Once again where the NIV says “love,” the Japanese says, “grace.” The Japanese term is also used for blessings in general, so … Continue reading

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God’s Word; September 21, 2022


Psalm 107:20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Like Psalm 106, this Psalm is a recounting of Israel’s history, but rather than tying in specific events, it describes generic situations that happened … Continue reading

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