12/1/22: I just found out that most of the commentaries on the Bible Study Tools website are no longer free. That's where most of the quotes that appear on the "Verse of the Day" and "Previous Verses" pages of my website are taken from, so from now on, many of the "Source:" links that I provide on those pages will not contain the quoted text.
I was disgusted to read about the organization's new "PLUS" membership, and the only thing I can say about it is that the Bible has this warning in 1 Timothy 6:10 for the owner of Bible Study Tools: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."
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8/8/21: Something is wrong with my Christian forum. Everything seems to be working normally (i.e., the articles are there, and the links work), but for some reason, the forum's format has changed slightly, and I am currently unable to post anything new.
I'm really sorry for the inconvenience. Hopefully, the problem is only temporay and will be fixed soon.
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verses
"Verse of the Day"
Bible Verses
Previous Month
February 2023
FEBRUARY 24-28
Wickedness and Rebellion Bring Judgment
2 Peter 2:4: "For if God spared not [had no mercy on] the angels that sinned [referring to the angels who, along with Satan, had rebelled against God], but cast [threw] them down to hell [from heaven], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved [restrained from freedom, or held captive] unto judgment [or 'until the Great White Throne Judgment, which will take place in heaven someday'];"
2 Peter 2:5: "And [God] spared not the old world [meaning everything that was alive on the earth (i.e., people, animals, birds, etc.) when the ark was built], but saved Noah the eighth person [i.e., there were seven others (family members) besides himself on the ark], [who was] a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;"
2 Peter 2:6: "And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes [by raining fire and brimstone down on them from heaven,][God] condemned them with an overthrow [meaning he condemned and destroyed those cities and all of the people in them], making them an ensample [example] unto those [people] that after[wards] should live [in an] ungodly [manner];"
2 Peter 2:7,8: "And [God] delivered just [or 'the righteous, morally upright']Lot, [who was] vexed [afflicted, oppressed, burdened] with the filthy conversation [lifestyle] of the wicked: (For that righteous man [Lot]dwelling[living]among them[the people of Sodom and Gomorrah], in seeing and hearing[the horrible things that they did and said], vexed[tormented]his righteous soul from day to day[constantly]with their unlawful deeds;)"
Regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah that is mentioned in 2 Peter 2:6, you may have heard the following quote: "It has well been said that if God spares today's cities from judgment, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah." Apparently, it was Ruth Graham who originally made that statement because, in an article dated July 19, 2012, entitled "My Heart Aches for America," Billy Graham wrote the following:
"Some years ago, [said Billy Graham,] my wife, Ruth, was reading the draft of a book I was writing. When she finished a section describing the terrible downward spiral of our nation's [i.e., the United States of America's] moral standards and the idolatry of worshiping false gods such as technology and sex, she startled me by exclaiming, 'If God doesn't punish America, He'll have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah.'
"She was probably thinking of a passage in Ezekiel where God tells why He brought those cities to ruin. 'Now this was the sin of … Sodom: She and her daughters [referring to the inhabitants of Sodom and surrounding cities] were arrogant [full of pride], overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty [stuck-up] and did detestable [hateful] things before me [God]. Therefore I did away with them as you have seen' (Ezekiel 16:49-50, NIV).
"I wonder what Ruth would think of America if she were alive today. In the years since she made that remark, millions of babies have been aborted and our nation seems largely unconcerned. Self-centered indulgence, pride, and a lack of shame over sin are now emblems of the American lifestyle …"
Also commenting on Ezekiel 16:49,50, Pastor Chuck Smith wrote:
"What was the sin of Sodom? The Lord in looking at it looks behind it, and He said it was:
"pride, [it was] fullness of bread [prosperity], the abundance of idleness was in her and her daughters, and neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy ( Ezekiel 16:49 ).
"So this is God's indictment against Sodom. The reason why Sodom was judged: pride, prosperity, idleness, and no concern for the poor and the needy. Now, these conditions of pride and prosperity and idleness of time. Men began to look for things to fill in their idle time. And in looking for things to fill their idle time, they began to indulge themselves and their flesh [or worldly desires]. And having run the gamut [complete range] of kinky flesh and not finding any satisfaction, only a greater lust, they began to burn in their lust [very strong sexual desire] for each other. And that horrible condition in which we find Sodom when the angels of the Lord came and were staying in the house of Lot and the men of the city began to knock on the door saying, 'Open unto us and send out those men that came into your house that we may know [have sex with] them.' And Lot went to the door and said, 'Go away, don't do this evil unto these men. Behold, I have a couple of daughters that are virgins, I'll turn them over to you. But don't do this evil to these men.' And they said, 'You're a stranger. You come to live with us, and now are you gonna judge us?' And they were going to grab him, and the angels said to Lot, 'Stand back.' And they smote [struck] the men with blindness so that they wearied themselves of trying to find the door. And they said, 'Get out of here.'
"But you see, behind this scene there was the pride, there was the prosperity, there was the idleness of time. Now, these are the conditions that produced this blatant [open and shameless] demonstration of these homosexual men. It was because of this kind of an environment they felt the bravado [boldness] to parade publicly. When the conditions of a nation become so corrupt and immoral that men of this character feel a forwardness in expressing themselves publicly and begin to parade in public demonstrations, you know that you are at the end of the rope. The next thing is judgment. And as I [Pastor Chuck Smith] see the things that are happening in the United States, San Francisco, Hollywood, Washington, D.C., I realize that the cup of God's indignation is about to overflow, and America will be judged of [by] God."
[5] "who hath wounds without cause[injuries caused by accidents, fighting for no good reason, etc.]?
[6] "who hath redness of eyes[i.e., bloodshot eyes]?"
And in the next verse, those six questions are answered:
Proverbs 23:30: "[Alcoholics, or drunks:]They that tarry[linger]long at the wine[referring to people who 'hang out' (and drink too much) at bars and other places where alcohol is served]; [and] they that go to seek [search for] mixed wine [alcoholic beverages]."
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Salem Bible Church has an excellent commentary on the above verses, including specific examples of ways in which drunk people can and do get hurt--physically, mentally, and emotionally.
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The end of the commentary includes an explanation of what mixed wine was in Bible times. It says:
"c. Here [in Proverbs 23:30,] Solomon speaks of the person who actively seeks out mixed wine… alcohol.
"d. Perhaps Solomon used this term [i.e., 'mixed wine'] for wine to highlight the fact that in ancient times, the Jews did not drink wine straight. That was forbidden.
"e. The Jews mixed between 3-10 parts water to one part wine. Thus, the wine they drank had a negligible [very small] amount of alcohol in it.
"f. Thus, the wine in the Bible was NOT the same as wine that is drunk today. Today people drink it unmixed. That is what the Bible writers called 'strong drink.'
"g. This is another term easily misunderstood by the modern reader today. In the Bible, 'strong drink' does not refer to what WE call strong drink: whiskey or bourbon. Distilled alcohol had not yet been invented!
"h. Strong drink in the Bible was unmixed wine and was forbidden.
"i. The only way to get drunk drinking wine mixed with 3-10 parts of water would be to 'tarry long' at the wine… to linger where it was served.
"j. Thus, the person who tarried long at the wine WANTED to become intoxicated [or drunk].
"k. The Bible did not forbid drinking alcohol altogether, because in those days the water was stagnant [not flowing or moving and often smelling unpleasant] and needed to be purified.
"l. Adding acidic wine to their alkaline water neutralized the water and prevented them [the people] from getting sick -- with stomach problems.
"m. Thus, they HAD to use wine in those days to purify their water.
"n. Hence [meaning 'that's the reason for'], all the WARNINGS in the Bible associated with wine.
"o. They [the Jews] had to USE wine to purify their water, but they were warned not to LINGER at it. Be careful.
"p. It [alcohol] results in emotional problems (distress, grief and sorrow), interpersonal relationship problems (arguments; fights; divorce; ruined homes) and physical problems (wounds; red eye… not to mention cirrhosis [severe scarring] of the liver, auto accidents; etc.)"
Regarding our planet and the process of creation, Job said:
Job 26:7: "He[God] stretcheth [stretches] out the north [referring to the heavens, since they appear to revolve around the north pole and seem to be stretched out like a curtain] over the empty place [or upon emptiness], and hangeth[hangs]the earth upon nothing[meaning it has nothing to support it]."
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In his commentary, Albert Barnes said of today's verse:
"… had Job understood all that is now known of astronomy, his language would have been appropriate to express just conceptions of the greatness and majesty of God. It is proof of amazing power and greatness that he [God] has thus 'hung' the earth, the planets, [and] the vast [immense, enormous, huge] sun [by] himself, upon nothing, and that by his own power he sustains [supports] and governs all [of them]."
Don't Judge Others; Instead, Seek Peace and Edification (In other words, we should try to lift people up, not tear them down)
In a letter to the Christian church in Rome, encouraging its members (and all other Christians as well) to overlook their minor disagreements and live in harmony, the apostle Paul wrote:
Romans 14:19: "Let us therefore [instead of judging others, because (in verses 1-18--see link below*) Paul said not to do that]follow after[do] the things which make for[or which promote (help further the progress of, actively encourage)]peace, and things wherewith[with which]one[person]may edify[instruct (teach, counsel, advise) or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift (build up)]another[person]."
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Everyone should follow Paul's advice and try to be kind and loving, not critical and judgmental.
1 Corinthians 11:8-9: "For the man is not of [made from] the woman; but the woman [is] of [made from] the man [i.e., from his rib, according to Genesis 2:21-22, which is quoted below*]. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman[was created]for the man."
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Although 1 Corinthians 11:8 refers specifically to Adam and Eve, 1 Corinthians 11:9 applies to Adam and Eve and all men and women who came after them.
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In his commentary, regarding the creation of the first woman (Adam's wife, Eve), Matthew Henry recorded these thoughts, which are commonly quoted by others:
"… the woman was made of a rib out of the side of Adam; not made out of his head to rule over him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be beloved …"
*Genesis 2:21-22: "And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he [God] took one of his [Adam's] ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And [from] the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman [Eve], and brought her unto the man."
FEBRUARY 16-18
Proverbs 16:33: "The lot[small stone, pebble]is cast[thrown]into the lap[of a man's garment (clothes), or whatever he is holding in his lap (such as a hat or some type of container), referring to a method for making decisions that was common in Bible times, which is similar to how we choose lottery winners today]; but the whole disposing thereof[i.e., the outcome, or result]is of the LORD."
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In light of the above verse, we could say that God doesn't leave anything to chance, or that our decisions are guided by God.
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Salem Bible Church has a good commentary on this verse. It includes many examples from the Bible of when God used the casting of lots to reveal his will to the Jewish people.
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In paragraph 6e of the "examples" section of his commentary, Pastor Delany says, "The world is not governed by time and chance, but by the Lord God who created, sustains, and governs the entire universe… including determining how a coin lands… and how the lot is cast."
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Pastor Delany ends his commentary with this:
Conclusion:
"1. Should the believer [born-again Christian] today cast lots to determine the will of God?
"a. Is that the message of this passage?
"b. Should we flip a coin to determine who teaches the Sunday school class?
"c. Should we roll the dice to select a new pastor?
"d. Should we draw straws to determine which job to take?
"e. Should we put out a fleece [see note below for what this means*] to see if we should opt for [or choose] surgery?
"f. I am convinced that MANY believers today put out fleeces of all stripes [all kinds] in determining God's will.
"g. I know that there is a lot of superstition used in it too.
"2. Is there ever a time when we should use such a practice? I think the answer is YES.
"a. Prov. 18:18 -- It might be used not to determine God's will, but perhaps to end a debate on a matter of no spiritual consequence.
"b. Who goes for the donuts…
"c. Or choosing a winner in a VBS [Vacation Bible School] contest when there was a tie…
"d. It is FAIR because it takes the outcome OUT OF our control… and thus removes all bias [prejudice]. It ends the debate.
"e. But it should NOT be used to determine God's will in serious matters of service, morality, or other important issues.
"3. Fleeces and casting of lots were used all throughout the Old Testament.
"a. The casting of lots was used--even in the New Testament, to who would replace Judas among the apostles… and the lot fell on Mathias. (Acts 1:26)
"b. And notice that Acts 1 is the very last occurrence of the practice in the New Testament.
"c. It is as if God had them use the lot here in determining His will and recorded in the very last verse before the church age begins…
"d. In the next verse (Acts 2:1…) we have the coming of the Holy Spirit to indwell [live in the hearts of] believers… to lead believers…
"e. And there is not one more mention of lots after this.
"f. I don't think that is an accident… it was not mere CHANCE that put verse 1:26 [i.e., Acts 1:26] immediately before [verse] 2:1 [i.e., Acts 2:1]!
"g. This was God's sovereign and providential choice [because God has the right and power to do whatever he chooses to do].
"h. Today, we have the completed canon of Scripture [which means that the Bible is complete].
"i. We are looking at 'principles to guide us in the age of grace' in Sunday school.
"j. And we are all indwelt by deity [by God--in this case, the Holy Spirit, who is the third person of the Godhead].
"k. Today, we have something much better than casting lots, drawing straws, or rolling dice.
"l. Today, sons of God [i.e., born-again Christians] are recognized by the fact that they are led by the [Holy] Spirit… not by straws, dice, or lots.
"m. 'For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.' (Rom. 8:14)
"4. And as believers, things that others might consider mere chance, we should see as the Lord [God] working behind the scenes… He is LORD of all… sovereign over every tiny event… and should be praised as such."
*The article entitled "Is it acceptable to 'lay out a fleece' before God in prayer?" explains what it means to "lay out a fleece." If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-fleece.html.
FEBRUARY 15
Genesis 2:15: "And the LORD God took the man[that he had created, referring to Adam], and put him into the garden of Eden[an earthly paradise]to dress[cultivate, care for]it and to keep[watch over]it[i.e., to guard it (protect it from harm, prevent it from being destroyed by wild animals, etc.)].
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God doesn't want us to be lazy. Even in paradise, people had jobs..
FEBRUARY 12-14
Counting the Cost of Christian Discipleship
Speaking to the multitudes (many people) who were with him, Jesus said:
Luke 14:31,32: "Or what king[or leader], going [intending, planning] to make war against another king [or leader], sitteth not down [does not sit down] first, and consulteth[consult with or ask his advisors, consider]whether he[will]be able with ten thousand[soldiers, etc.]to meet[successfully fight with, gain victory over]him that cometh[comes]against him with twenty thousand[soldiers, etc.]? Or else[if he thinks they will be defeated], while the other [king (or leader) and accompanying army or group of fighters] is yet a great way off, he[the first king (or leader)]sendeth[sends off, dispatches]an ambassage[an ambassador, diplomat, envoy (representative)], and desireth[desires]conditions of peace."
Luke 14:33: "So likewise, whosoever he [or she] be of you that forsaketh not [is not willing to give up] all [of the things] that he [or she] hath [has or loves][in order to follow me (Jesus)], he [or she] cannot be my disciple [see explanation below*]."
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Although the highlighted phrases about peace and war in verses 31-32 above are true, according to most of the commentaries that I read, those verses are actually a parable (story) about Christian discipleship (i.e., following Jesus, or becoming his disciple), and they liken the Christian life to a war against Satan and his followers.
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Note: Christian discipleship is discussed in the following articles:
*Albert Barnes, John Gill, and Charles Spurgeon have good explanations of this parable.
-- In his commentary on verse Luke 14:32, Mr. Barnes says:
"An ambassage - Persons to treat [should be 'meet'?] with an enemy and propose terms of peace. These expressions are not to be improperly pressed in order to obtain from them a spiritual signification [meaning]. The general scope of the parable is to be learned from the connection, and may be thus expressed:
"1. Every man who becomes a follower of Jesus should calmly and deliberately look at all the consequences of such an act and be prepared to meet them.
"2. Men in other things act with prudence [caution] and forethought [careful consideration]. They do not begin to build without a reasonable prospect of being able to finish. They do not go to war when there is every prospect [likelihood] that they will be defeated.
"3. Religion is a work of soberness [having a clear mind], of thought, of calm and fixed purpose, and no man can properly enter on it who does not resolve by the grace of God to fulfil all its requirements and make it the business of his life.
"4. We are to expect difficulties in religion. It will cost us the mortification of our sins [i.e., the 'putting to death' or subduing our sinful nature], and a life of self-denial, and a conflict with our lusts [sinful desires], and the enmity [hatred] and ridicule of the world. Perhaps it may cost us our reputation, or possibly our lives and liberties [freedoms], and all that is dear to us; but we must cheerfully undertake all this, and be prepared for it all.
"5. If we do not deliberately resolve to leave all things, to suffer all things that may be laid on us, and to persevere [keep going] to the end of our days in the service of [Jesus] Christ, we cannot be his disciples. No man can be a Christian who, when he makes a profession [of faith], is resolved after a while to turn back to the world; nor can he be a true Christian if he 'expects that he will' turn back. If he comes not with a 'full' purpose 'always' to be a Christian; if he means not to persevere, by the grace of God, through all hazards [dangers], and trials, and temptations; if he is not willing to bear his cross, and meet contempt, and poverty, and pain, and death, without turning back, he 'cannot' be a disciple of the Lord Jesus."
-- This is what John Gill said about the meaning of Luke 14:32:
"and desireth conditions of peace; greatly to his disadvantage and reproach: so to give out, and leave off fighting with sin, Satan, and the world, and make peace with them, is shameful and scandalous [disgraceful]; but on the other hand, such who have engaged in this war, should pursue it with rigour [strictness] and courage; considering that God is on their side; that Christ is the captain of their salvation; that the Spirit of God that is in them [i.e., the Holy Spirit], is greater than he that is in the world [i.e., Satan]; that angels encamp [set up and occupy a camp] around them; that it is a good cause they are engaged in; that they have good weapons, the whole armour of God provided for them; [that they] are sure of victory, and shall at last enjoy the crown of life, righteousness and glory."
-- And here's the meaning of Luke 14:33, according to Charles Spurgeon:
"In Christ's days, and afterwards, discipleship usually involved the absolute giving up of everything that his followers had, for those were times of persecution; and if such seasons should come to us, we must have such love to [Jesus] Christ that, for his sake, we could forsake all that we have; otherwise we cannot be his disciples."
These were God's instructions, delivered by Moses, to the children of Israel (the descendants of Jacob):
Leviticus 19:29: "Do not prostitute thy daughter[do not allow your daughter to have sex in public during religious worship, as some nations do--see note below*], to cause her to be a whore; lest[or else]the land[or country][will]fall to whoredom[meaning it will be overcome by prostitution, both physical (as in fornication, which is sexual intercourse between people not married to one another) and spiritual (meaning idolatry)], and the land [will]become full of wickedness."
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Wickedness spreads like wildfire and is caused by many things. In this case, God warns his people to avoid the sins of fornication and idolatry.
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*According to John Gill's commentary, the phrase Do not prostitute thy daughter "… refers to a wicked practice among the Phoenicians or Canaanites … whose women used to prostitute themselves in the temples of their idols …"
To the Pharisees (part of the ruling class of Israel), who had condemned (expressed strong disapproval of) him because he healed people on sabbath days (i.e., Jewish days of rest and religious observance) and who accused him of casting out devils by Beelzebub (the prince of devils) rather than by the Holy Spirit of God, Jesus said:
Matthew 12:34-35: "O generation of vipers [Jesus was comparing the Pharisees to extremely venomous (poisonous) snakes], how can ye [you], being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance [fullness] of the heart the mouth speaketh [speaks]. A good man [person] out of the good treasure [storehouse] of the heart bringeth [brings] forth good things [out of his (or her) mouth]: and an evil man [person] out of the evil treasure [of the heart] bringeth forth evil things [out of his (or her) mouth]."
Matthew 12:36: "But I say unto you [Pharisees--and everyone else in the world], That every idle word that men shall speak[everything that people say during their lives, meaningful or not], they shall give account thereof[they shall explain to God in heaven]in the day of judgment."
Matthew 12:37: "For by thy [your] words thou shalt [you shall] be justified [or be considered righteous in God's sight--by asking Jesus to come into your heart and save you so you can go to heaven when you die], and by thy words thou shalt be condemned [pronounced guilty by God] [and sent to hell]."
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At the moment of salvation, born-again Christians are cleansed from sin by Jesus' blood and are clothed with (or are covered by, receive, are given, share in) his righteousness. As a result, we will be judged by Jesus' righteousness rather than our own on judgment day. The Bible says:
-- 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For he [God] hath [has] made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, [i.e., Jesus--the one] who knew no sin; [so] that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
The above-mentioned verse is explained in detail in the following article: "Why does Christ's righteousness need to be imputed to us?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/imputed-righteousness.html.
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On the other hand, unbelievers (people who reject God's gift of eternal life) are counting on their own righteousness (good works, good deeds) to save them from hell. Unfortunately, that won't work because, according to the Bible:
-- Isaiah 64:6: "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags [in God's sight]; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities [sins], like the wind, have taken us away."
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Looking for more information about judgment day? These articles should help:
Would you like to be born again (saved from hell) and receive God's gift of eternal life?
Basically, if you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Messiah, that he died on the cross to pay for your sins, and that he was buried and rose again, all you need to do is sincerely ask him (through prayer, either silently or out loud) to come into your heart and save you so you can go to heaven when you die.
For detailed instructions on the plan of salvation, read one or more of the tracts in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
FEBRUARY 8
King David wrote this psalm, requesting people to:
Psalm 122:6-7: "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem[which, in the Bible, is often called the 'city of God']: they shall prosper that love thee [which means that the people who love Jerusalem and its inhabitants and 'pray for the peace of Jerusalem' shall also have peace]. [Pray that] Peace [will] be within thy [your] walls [Jerusalem; in this case, David was referring to the city of Jerusalem and to everything in it and to everyone who lives there], and [that] prosperity [peace, quietness, security][will be] within thy palaces [where the leaders live (reside) and rule (govern)]."
Psalm 122:8-9: "For my brethren [my brothers' (or relatives') sakes] and [for my] companions' [friends'] sakes, I [King David] will now say, Peace be within thee [within you, Jerusalem]. Because of the house of the LORD our God [referring to the temple, or place where God was worshiped when this psalm was written, which was located in city of Jerusalem,] I will seek thy [your, meaning Jerusalem's] good."
Psalm 86:3-4: "Be merciful [be gracious, show mercy] unto me, O Lord: for I cry [call out] unto thee daily [in prayer--sometimes silently and sometimes out loud]. Rejoice the soul of thy [your] servant [David, referring to himself; in other words, he wanted God to fill him with joy]: for unto thee [you], O Lord, do I lift up my soul [or sincerely make my request][in (or through) prayer]."
Psalm 86:5: [Why David believed God would answer his prayer:] "For [because]thou[you], Lord, art[are]good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in[overflowing with]mercy unto[or filled with compassion for]all them that call upon thee[you][in prayer]."
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As it was for King David, prayer should be a daily habit in the lives of all born-again Christians.
FEBRUARY 1-6
Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah
During Old Testament times, the city of Sodom was filled with wickedness and immorality and was scheduled to be destroyed by God. This story took place after God promised that he wouldn't destroy Sodom if Abraham could find at least ten righteous (morally right) people there.
Genesis 19:1,2,3: "And there came two angels to Sodom at even [in the evening, after visiting Abraham]; and Lot [Abraham's nephew] sat in the gate of [at the entrance to][the city of] Sodom: and Lot seeing them [the angels] rose [stood] up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground [to show respect]; And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray [beg] you, into your servant's house [i.e., Lot's house], and tarry [stay] all night, and wash your feet, and ye [you] shall rise up [get up, arise] early, and go on your ways. And they said, Nay [no]; but we will abide [remain, stay] in the street all night. And he [Lot] pressed upon them greatly [insisted]; and they [the angels] turned in unto [turned toward] him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread [i.e., bread made without leaven, or yeast--a type of flat bread, similar in consistency to a cracker], and they did eat."
Genesis 19:4,5: "But before they [the angels] lay down [on their beds to sleep], the men of the city, even the men of Sodom, compassed the house round [surrounded the house], both old [men] and young [men and boys], all the people from every quarter [corner][of the city]: And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where are the men[referring to the angels]which came in to thee[you, or 'who came to your house']this night? bring them out unto us, [so]that we may know[have sex with]them."
Genesis 19:6-7,8: "And Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, And said, I pray [beg] you, brethren [neighbors], do not[do]so wickedly[meaning do not do such an evil thing]. Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man [intimately, because they were virgins]; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye [you] to them as is good in your eyes [he either thought that this was the lesser of two evils or that the men wouldn't be interested in them]: only unto these men [referring to the angels] do nothing; for therefore [for this reason] came they under the shadow of my roof [i.e., for safety or protection, so he thought]."
Genesis 19:9,10-11: "And they [the men of Sodom] said, Stand back. And they said again, This one fellow [referring to Lot] came in to sojourn [stay here temporarily], and he will needs be a judge: now will we deal worse with thee [you--Lot], than with them [the angels]. And they pressed sore [pushed hard] upon the man, even Lot [in other words, they beat Lot up], and came near to break [down] the door. But the men [the angels] put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door. And they smote [struck] the men that were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great [i.e., all of the men--young and old]: so that they wearied themselves [they grew tired or exhausted trying] to find the door."
Genesis 19:12,13,14: "And the men[the angels]said unto Lot, Hast thou [have you] here any [relatives] besides [yourself]'? [your] son in law, and thy [your] sons, and thy daughters, and whatsoever [whatever][relatives] thou hast [you have] in the city, bring them out of this place: For we will destroy this place[the city of Sodom], because the cry of them [the people living there] is waxen great before the face of the LORD [which means their evil deeds had greatly offended God]; and the LORD hath [has] sent us to destroy it [the city of Sodom]. And Lot went out, and spake [spoke] unto his sons in law, which married [or soon would marry] his daughters, and said, [Get] Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city [Sodom]. But he [Lot] seemed as one that mocked [made jokes] unto his sons in law [who thought that he was kidding and, consequently, didn't heed his warning]."
Genesis 19:15,16,17: "And when the morning arose [i.e., at daybreak (dawn), when the sun came up], then the angels hastened Lot [or urged him to hurry], saying, Arise[get up], take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou [or you will] be consumed in the [punishment for the] iniquity [immorality] of the city. And while he [Lot] lingered [was reluctant to leave], the men [the angels] laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the LORD being merciful unto him [Lot]: and they brought him forth [out of Sodom], and set him without [outside of] the city. And it came to pass, when they [the angels] had brought them [Lot and his family] forth abroad [out of the city], that he [one of the angels] said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee [don't look behind you--an important command that Lot's wife will either forget or ignore], neither stay thou [and don't you stay] in all the plain [of Jordan]; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed[or you'll be burned up]."
Genesis 19:18,19,20,21,22-23: "And Lot said unto them [the angels; in particular, the angel of the Lord], Oh, not so, my Lord: Behold now, thy servant [Lot, referring to himself] hath [has] found grace [favor] in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed [showed] unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: Behold now, this city [Bela] is near to flee unto, and it is a little one [a little city]: Oh, let me escape thither [there], (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. And he [the angel of the Lord] said unto him [Lot], See, I have accepted thee [you, or 'granted approval'] concerning this thing [Lot's request/prayer] also, that I will not overthrow this city [Bela], for the which thou hast spoken. Haste thee[hurry], escape thither [there]; for I cannot do any thing till[until]thou be come thither. Therefore the name of the city was called Zoar. The sun was risen upon the earth when Lot entered into [Bela, which was renamed] Zoar."
Genesis 19:24-25,26: "Then the LORD[God]rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone[sulfur]and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And he [God] overthrew [destroyed] those [two] cities, and all [of] the plain [of Jordan], and all the inhabitants of the cities [that were located there (i.e., Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, but not Zoar, where Lot had gone)], and [God also destroyed] that which grew upon the ground [e.g., trees, herbs, plants]. But his[Lot's]wife[who was following her husband]looked back from behind him [Lot][in disobedience to God's command], and she became a pillar of salt[see note below*]."
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The place where this happened is now called the Dead Sea, or Salt Sea.
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Among other things, this story shows that:
1. God eventually gets fed up with sin and punishes it.
2. The Lord protects Christians and answers their prayers.
3. Like Lot's sons-in-law and wife, people who ignore warnings suffer the consequences.
4. "… The very presence of good [godly] men in a place helps to keep off judgments …"
Commenting on Genesis 19:16, in part, Bishop Ryle wrote:
"I. WHAT LOT WAS HIMSELF.
"1. Lot was a true believer--a converted person--a real child of God--a justified soul--a righteous man [all of which mean he was a born-again Christian]. Is any one of my readers a traveller in the narrow way which leads unto life? So also was Lot.
"2. Before we pass on, let us remember that a true Christian may have many a blemish, many a defect, many an infirmity, and yet be a true Christian nevertheless. We do not despise gold because it is mixed with much dross [impurity]. We must not undervalue grace because it is accompanied by much corruption.
"II. WHAT THE TEXT TELLS US ABOUT LOT'S BEHAVIOUR. 'He lingered.' Now, there are many Christian men and Christian women in this day very like Lot. There are many real children of God who appear to know far more than they live up to, and see far more than they practise, and yet continue in this state for many years. Wonderful that they go as far as they do, and yet go no further I They hold the Head, even Christ, and love the truth. They like sound preaching, and assent to [approve of] every article of Gospel doctrine, when they hear it. But still there is an indescribable something which is not satisfactory about them. They believe in heaven, and yet seem faintly to long for it; and [they also believe] in hell, and yet seem little to fear it. They love the Lord Jesus; but the work they do for Him is small. They hate the devil; but they often appear to tempt him to come to them. They know the time is short; but they live as if it were long. They know they have a battle to fight; yet a man might think they were at peace. They know they have a race to run; yet they often look like people sitting still. They know the Judge is at the door, and there is wrath [extreme anger] to come; and yet they appear half asleep. Astonishing they should be what they are, and yet be nothing more! And what shall we say of these people? They often puzzle godly friends and relations. They often cause great anxiety. They often give rise to great doubts and searchings of heart [which means that their Christian friends and relatives wonder if these people are really born again, or saved]. But they may be classed under one sweeping description--they are all brethren [brothers] and sisters of Lot. They linger."
*Concerning the statement in Genesis 19:26 that Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, a GotQuestions.org article says:
"Lot ran, his daughters close behind. 'But his wife , from behind him [Lot], looked back, and she became a pillar of salt' … She lagged behind. She turned and watched the flaming sulfur fall from the sky, consuming everything she valued. Then it consumed her. The Hebrew for 'looked back' means more than to glance over one's shoulder. It means 'to regard, to consider, to pay attention to.' The Scriptures don't say whether her death was a punishment for valuing her old life so much that she hesitated in obeying, or if it was a simple consequence of her reluctance to leave her life quickly. Either she identified too much with the city [of Sodom]--and joined it--or she neglected to fully obey God's warning, and she died."