A ruthless love Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause Against an ungodly people. Psalm 43:1 Read Matthew 10:34—39 Since Jesus is the very embodiment of love, the form that the love of God has taken on the earth, and the definition and delineation of what love is, I may not have expected…
The moment of panic My refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. Psalm 91:2 Read John 4:46—54 This is barely a stand-alone story. By the introduction and the conclusion the writer wants me to get something. I’m meant to connect it with the story in chapter 2 where Jesus, at the…
The marriage supper of the Lamb You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. Psalm 23:5 Read Revelation 19:6—10 If I ever get old and doddery and lose the edge of some of my drives, I really hope I don’t lose the fulfilment of the hunger drive. Good food. The smell of it.…
Cold or hot? Clap your hands, all you peoples; Shout to God with loud songs of joy. Psalm 47:1 Read Revelation 3:14—22 So am I cold? Or hot? Only one option would ever be acceptable. If I were a cold Christian, how would I look? I would rarely have followed the prompting of the…
A saint of God The faith of God’s elect and the knowledge of the truth That is in accordance with godliness. Titus 1:1 Read 2 Corinthians 6:11—18 This evening devotion requires me to comb through my life with discernment. It could have a life-changing outcome. On the one hand I am in Christ, and…
The first day of the week He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him. Luke 24:30—31 Read Acts 20:7—12 To get through to the funny story about the long-winded sermon that nearly killed a boy the narrator has brushed past a…
Bread for the morrow Give us this day Our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 Read Exodus 16:16—23 I’m pretty sure that this account of God’s provision is an abiding lesson as well. Put together with the prayer, ‘Give us today our daily bread,’ put with the space I occupy on a hungry planet, put with…
Hungry for more O taste and see that the Lord is good; Happy are those who take refuge in him. Psalm 34:8 Read Mark 6:35—44 It’s getting late. I’m in this crowd, listening to Jesus, the dark coming on. The teaching has been good, really good. None of us have wanted to leave. If…
The long-planned banquet Enter his gates with thanksgiving, And his courts with praise. Psalm 100:4 Read Matthew 22:8—14 I can take into myself many angles on God’s character, God’s generosity, from this reading. It seems a central story of Jesus: a wedding celebration, a royal bridegroom, an invitation to whoever will come, the opportunity…
Shameless Those who are ashamed of me and of my words … Of them will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes. Mark 8:38 Read Jeremiah 17:12—17 I think in this reading I have a possible insight into the psychology of the prophet. This is valuable because he has something I…