Verse 81 begins the eleventh stanza of Psalm 119, a stanza that has a fairly well-defined theme of being worn out, tired, and on the brink of ruin as we wait for God to keep his word to us and to bring the wicked to justice. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

Just like with Eve and her firstborn, Cain, Lamech may have thought that his son Noah was the promised Messiah, and named him accordingly. Even though he was not, God does still continue to bring Christians comfort through Noah’s life and ministry. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du …

In the closing verse of the tenth stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist reminds us of the kind of blamelessness God is looking for—a blamelessness that should always prevent us from claiming we have the innate ability to keep God’s commandments. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

There isn’t a lot we can say about the meanings of the names in Genesis 5, because we don’t even know for sure if they are Hebrew names (was Hebrew around before the Tower of Babel?), and even if they are, we aren’t entirely sure what most of them mean. But we can note what appear to be some general trends, and some interesting details about Enoch’…

”You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” Randy Newman sang for the "Toy Story" movies. In Psalm 119:79, the psalmist leads us to pray that our fellow believers would see us as a friend they can turn to in need. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

In Genesis 5, the refrain “and he died” repeatedly rings out like a funeral toll. We do well to figuratively walk past the graves of these deceased men, to ponder the consequences of sin, and to consider our own impending death. Are we ready for death? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der…

In this devotion we cover the three predominant worldviews (guilt-innocence, fear-power, honor-shame), so that we can answer the question: What is the psalmist leading us to pray for when he says, “Let insolent people ashamed”? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

When people read in the Bible about early men routinely living over 900 years, they often can’t help but wonder if a different time scale isn’t being used. Pastor Biebert discusses this question in this devotion, but also reminds us that a 900-plus-year life is still a limited life. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen S…

In this devotion, we review the way this psalm uses various synonyms for God’s word. We then apply that to a verse might initially seem to be saying that God gives us compassion and life in exchange for our obedience to his law. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

Many Christians will say that all humans are still made in the image of God. While that is true in a limited sense, such people have not sufficiently grappled with what Moses writes in Genesis 5:1–5. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).…

Last week we grappled with the uncomfortable thought that sometimes God decrees affliction for us. The psalmist immediately follows up that truth with a prayer for the comfort of God’s—a prayer that also assures us that God will give us what we are asking of him. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

Genesis 5:1 begins the second of the ten “accounts” that make up the book of Genesis (2:4ff; 5:1ff; 6:9ff; 10:1ff; 11:10ff; 11:27ff; 25:12ff; 25:19ff; 36:1ff; 37:2ff). Its name, “the written account of Adam,” might initially appear to be poorly chosen, but in this episode we’ll consider why it’s a perfect title. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen…

In this devotion we grapple with an uncomfortable thought, but one the psalmist makes believers come to grips with: Sometimes God decrees affliction for us. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Have you ever wondered when the first church services were held? In this devotion, we not only look at the first church services, but also consider why they were not held until about 150 years after the creation of the world. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (L…

Those who are loyal to God and his Word above all don’t just have haters. They also have supporters, admirers, and cheerleaders, who derive great admiration and joy from their godliness. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

After losing a son to a violent murder, many mothers would shake their fist at God. Eve did not. She charged her son’s murder to her other son who committed it, but she ascribed to God the new life God gave her to help heal the wound of loss. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine …

God made us for himself, but we are no longer inclined to live for him and we do not naturally understand what he says. We need to be reprogrammed. We need to be restored. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

In Genesis 4:23–24, Lamech uses poetry and music to threaten abuse to his wives and to force them to “love” him. In this devotion, we look at the third (and final) couplet of his poem, where he basically tells his wives they should fear him more than God. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, …

In the final verse of the ninth stanza of Psalm 119, the psalmist says that God’s word is better for him than lots of money. That statement both teaches a straightforward truth about God’s word and implies something about those who think little of it. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

In Genesis 4:23–24, Lamech uses poetry and music to threaten abuse to his wives and to force them to “love” him. In this devotion, we look at the second couplet of his poem, where he tells his wives why they had better listen to him. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” B…

We already saw how Psalm 119:67 was one of the most important and straightforward Bible passages about affliction. Psalm 119:71 qualifies too, in which the psalmist stresses how affliction prompts us to learn more of God’s word. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

In Genesis 4:23–24, we learn where Jubal and Tubal-Cain got the inspiration to be pioneers in their various fields—from their father, who used poetry and music to threaten abuse to his wives and to force them to “love” him. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Lei…

In Psalm 119:70, the psalmist uses a unique expression to describe the hearts of the insolent people who smear him with lies. It’s a comparison that could be used to describe our own hearts, were it not for the grace of God. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

In the last two Genesis devotions, you may have caught the detail that Lamech, the great-great-great-grandson of Cain, took two wives. In this devotion, we take a closer look at this perversion of God’s institution of marriage. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 …

Early mankind was not as commonly depicted—wearing crude loincloths, dragging their knuckles along the ground with protruding foreheads, and communicating in monosyllabic grunts. In fact, it didn’t take long for mankind to make significant advances in nomadic ranching, music, and tools for war, work, and play. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen m…

The psalmist talks a lot about affliction in this stanza. In verse 69, he identifies what seems to have been one of his special afflictions—being smeared with lies by insolent unbelievers. But with God’s word and promises in view, he is not discouraged by their smears, but encouraged to continue to lead a life of sincere conviction. Music Credit: J…

In this devotion we explore the concept of God’s goodness. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Moses records that the first technological advances—in nomadism, ranching, music, and metallurgy—were all made by unbelievers. Why? And does that mean that they’re sinful? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).…

Psalm 119:67 is one of the most important and straightforward Bible passages about affliction. In this devotion we explore how God uses affliction to teach attention to, and retention of, his word, at times in our life when we’re lacking in either or both. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

We often take comfort in the fact that God knows us better than we know ourselves, and thus sympathizes with us (when appropriate) and knows how to help us. But God also intimately knows his, and the Church’s, enemies, which should also be a tremendous comfort to us. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria …

In Psalm 119:66, the psalmist asks God to teach him good taste (or judgment) and good knowledge. In this devotion, we pursue what exactly he is asking to be taught. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

There’s a lot to consider in Genesis 4:16–17. In last week’s Genesis devotion we looked at the where and the when. In this devotion, we look at the who and the what. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).…

The psalmist concluded the previous stanza by talking about the big picture of the Lord’s mercy. He now begins a new stanza by talking about it on an individual level. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

There’s a lot to consider in Genesis 4:16–17. In this devotion we look at the where and the when. In next week’s Genesis devotion, God willing, we’ll look and the who and the what. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).…

Have you ever taken a walk with the intent of observing as much evidence of the Lord’s mercy as possible? It’s everywhere. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

After Cain has ignored the Lord, murdered his brother, and falsely accused the Lord of being too harsh, why does the Lord still keep him alive—and even protect him? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).…

On what ground do you connect with others? Sports? University? Hobbies? In this verse, the psalmist speaks of the greatest bond we can have with others. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

“My punishment is too great to bear!” Cain told the Lord. Was it too harsh and unfair? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

You’ve maybe heard a guy tell a girl, or vice versa, that he would cross the ocean for her, or got to the moon for her. In other words, he loves her so much he would do anything for her. How much do we love God? To what lengths would we go to worship him? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4…

In Genesis 4:11, we hear God specifically tell a human that he is “cursed” for the first time. Why? And what did the curse consist of? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

Many Christians are frustrated with the direction our country has been heading for a while. While some of that is righteous disgust, could some of our frustrations also reflect a fear that if the wicked cords tightening around us get tight enough, our faith might actually cave? The psalmist addresses these worries and fears. Music Credit: Johann Se…

Abel's blood cried out to God against his brother Cain. How many people have blood that is crying out to God against me? Is there any blood that cries out *for* me that is stronger than that crying out against me? Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724…

The church father Augustine famously prayed in his early years, “Give me sexual purity and self-control, but not yet.” Psalm 119 tells us to take the opposite approach—not to delay the keeping of God’s commands. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

“Listen! Your brother’s blood is crying out to me from the ground,” God told Cain. In this episode, we listen to Martin Luther tell us what a comfort this is. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

One way to think of the purpose of God’s law is to think of it flooding the course of our life with rain, so that all of our tracks, everywhere we have been, is now visible in the mud. What should we do when we see how often we have gone astray, and where it has led? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Moveme…

When we read of Cain murdering his brother Abel, we are confronted for the first time, historically speaking, with the mystery of why God allows such unspeakable evil to occur on earth, even to people who are faithful to him. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (L…

In this verse, the psalmist portrays us as peasants entering the massive, ornate throne room of the King of kings. How should we do so? Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church

God had already warned Cain before he murdered his brother, but Cain had gone and done it anyway. But God still didn’t give up. He came to call Cain to repentance after he murdered his brother. No sin is too great for God’s grace. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV …

In this episode, we begin looking at the eighth stanza of Psalm 119. As the psalmist has regularly done, the first verse of this stanza connects us back to the last verse of the previous stanza. In Psalm 119:56, the psalmist talked about what we truly cherish. In this verse, he talks about our true portion. Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio…

It didn’t take long after Adam and Eve’s fall into sin for the new sinful condition of humanity to reveal itself in a shockingly deceptive and horrifying way. Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).By Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church