JULY 8
Job 4:8-9 - Eliphaz Offers His Opinion on the Reason for Job's Suffering
Eliphaz the Temanite was with his friend Job while he was being attacked by Satan. Eliphaz thought that Job was "reaping what he had sown" (being punished for something he had done wrong), but that wasn't true. The real reason for Job's suffering was to test Job's faithfulness to God. This is what Eliphaz said:
Verse 8: "Even as I [Eliphaz] have seen [observed or noticed], they that plow iniquity [people who devise evil plots, or plan to cause trouble], and sow wickedness [do bad things], reap [harvest, receive--as a consequence of their actions] the same [things (iniquity and wickedness, based on or similar to the trouble or harm that they cause to others) as punishment]."
Verse 9: "By the blast [judgment] of God [which comes suddenly, like violent winds in a tornado,] they [those who 'plow iniquity and sow wickedness'] perish [are destroyed], and by the breath of his [God's] nostrils [comparing God's anger to the smoke and flames that come from the noses and mouths of fire-breathing dragons] are they [the aforementioned bad people] consumed [i.e., quickly, as by fire]."
As Eliphaz noted, in most cases (but not always!), suffering is caused by sin.
JULY 7
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Keeping Our Promises to God
Verse 21: "When thou shalt vow a vow [when you make a promise] unto the LORD thy God [to do something for him and/or give something to him--see examples below*], thou shalt not slack [you shall not delay] to pay it: for the LORD thy [your] God will surely require it of thee [you]; and it [i.e., not keeping your promise] would be sin in thee."
Verse 22: "But if thou shalt forbear [refuse, decline] to [make a] vow [in the first place], it shall be no [not be] sin in thee."
Verse 23: "That which is gone out of thy lips [i.e., your promises to God] thou shalt keep and perform; even [including] a freewill [voluntary] offering, according as thou hast [you have] vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."
In other words, don't make promises to God unless you intend to keep them.
For more information about making vows and promises (to God and/or people), read one or both of the following articles:
-- "What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/vows-God.html
-- "Should a Christian make a promise?'
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-promise.html
_________________________
*Examples of promises that people might make to God are that they will:
-- Obey his commandments.
-- Read the Bible.
-- Pray.
-- Go to church.
-- Preach the gospel (i.e., do street preaching, become a pastor).
-- Hand out tracts, tell others how to be saved.
-- Become a missionary.
-- Offer sacrifices (as they did in Bible times).
-- Give money to help support God's work and/or church.
JULY 6
Isaiah 40:28 [In message to the Jews, the prophet Isaiah reminds everyone (especially born-again Christians) why God is always able to guide and protect his people]: "Hast thou not known [don't you know]? hast thou not [haven't you] heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth [i.e., the whole earth], fainteth not, neither is weary [does not become weak or tired]? there is no searching of his understanding [intelligence, insight] [by us, because his wisdom is so great]."
Concerning Isaiah's statement that God "fainteth not, neither is weary," Bible commentator Joseph S. Exell wrote that there is:
"A great contrast between God and all His living creatures on this earth. They all need rest, but He has no need of it, for He is never weary. We shall find this declaration full of comfort; but before we consider the senses in which it is true, we shall do well to remember that we are plainly taught in His Word that there are certain things of which God is weary.
"I. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS WEARY.
"God is weary,
"1. Of the obstinacy of sinners …
"2. Of the backsliding of His professing people …
"3. Of heedless praises and hypocritical prayers …
"4. Of our cruelty to each other …
"II. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS NOT WEARY.
"1. He is not weary in continuing and preserving His creation. The extent of this task; the multitude and minuteness of its parts. Neither its vastness, nor its complexity, nor its duration have availed to weary Him. We rest sometimes by changing the mode of our activity, but there is no cessation possible in God's work …
"2. He is not weary of caring for His people, supplying their temporal wants, guiding their affairs, removing unknown hindrances out of their way, solacing them in sorrow, strengthening them against temptation, educating them for time and eternity …
"3. He is not weary of hearing prayer. This is a special labour, additional to the work of preservation, and even to the care of His people. Remember the multitude of the prayers that are constantly ascending to Him. The folly of many of them! Yet still He listens to us!
"4. He is never weary in punishing sin; never so weary as to desist from it. There are cases in which we leave incorrigible offenders alone--we will not trouble ourselves any more about them; but it is never so with God. Not because He loves punishment, but because He loves righteousness. To a tender heart it is always a pain to punish; yet God, whose tender mercies are over all His works, age after age requites all who do wickedly.
"5. He is never weary of pardoning penitent sinners. How many He has pardoned! How often He had to pardon every one of those who are now 'the spirits of the just made perfect!' How often we have tried His patience! Yet He still waits to be gracious; He does not say, 'Here comes another sinner; drive him away!' nor, 'Here comes that sinner again; refuse him access to my throne.' He is as ready to pardon now as He was when Christ hung on the cross. He looks upon sins, not only as crimes, but as diseases; and, like a physician, is ready to minister to every plague-stricken one. Come, then, to Him now …
"This view of God should--
"1. Awaken our admiration of Him. It is good to admire His works; better to admire Him …
"2. Strengthen our trust in Him. Our human friends fail us, but God will never fail us …
"3. Deepen our love for Him. He is unweariable, not in strength merely, but in affection. His love outlasts that of many mothers …"
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/40-28.html, "Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary," "The Unwearied God")
JULY 5
Galatians 6:3 [Regarding pride, the apostle Paul wrote]: "For if a man [or woman or child] think himself [or herself] to be something [great or extraordinary, as does someone who is full of pride], when he [or she] is nothing [great or extraordinary, or 'is not better than others'], he [or she] deceiveth [deceives, fools] himself [or herself]."
In his commentary, Matthew Henry summarized the above verse as follows: "Self-conceit is but self-deceit …" (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/galatians/6.html, "Verses 1-10," "v. 3")
And according to Albert Barnes (another Bible commentator), a person who is full of pride "… does not accomplish what he expected to do; and instead of acquiring reputation from others, as he expected, he renders himself contemptible in their sight." (Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/galatians-6.html, "Verse 3")
JULY 4
John 8:36: "If the Son [of God--Jesus] therefore shall make you free [from bondage to sin (so you're no longer a 'slave' to it, or under its control), which happens when you are 'born again' according to the Bible (and consequently are saved from hell)--see note below*], ye shall be free indeed [or 'you shall be truly free']."
Regarding the above verse, one Bible commentator wrote:
"The Son of God also has the authority to liberate spiritual slaves from their bondage to sin and its consequences. Real freedom consists of liberty from sin's enslavement to do what we should do. It does not mean that we may do just anything we please. We are now free to do what pleases God, which we could not do formerly. When we do what pleases God, we discover that it also pleases us. Hope for real freedom, therefore, does not rest on Abrahamic ancestry but Jesus' action."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/8-36.html, "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable")
_________________________
*We're "born again" when we believe that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly suffered and died an extremely painful death on the cross to pay for our sins, and then rose from the dead, and when, through faith, we receive him into our hearts as our personal Savior.
For a detailed explanation of the plan of salvation, please read one or more of the gospel tracts in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
JULY 3
Psalm 147:3: "He [God] healeth [heals] the broken in heart [referring to broken-hearted people, who have become overwhelmed by grief (great sorrow or sadness), disappointment, or despair (feelings of hopelessness)], and [he] bindeth [binds] up their wounds [like doctors do when they apply ointment and bandages to injuries for healing and protection]."
JULY 2
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath [God's preference was for us not to endure punishment in hell due to his anger at sin], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who [referring to Jesus] died for us [on the cross, to pay for our sins], [so] that, whether we wake or sleep [whether we are awake or asleep (or 'are alive or dead') when the rapture (or second coming, or 'day of the Lord,' as some commentators believe) occurs--see note below*], we should live together with him [Jesus] [in heaven]."
_________________________
*The terms rapture and second coming refer to two different events and are described in the following article: "What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Rapture-Second-Coming.html.
JULY 1
Psalm 34:17: "The righteous [referring to born-again Christians, who receive Jesus' righteousness the moment they get saved] cry [out--to God for help], and the LORD heareth [hears] [their prayers], and delivereth [rescues] them out of all [of] their troubles [some of which are listed below--see note*]."
_________________________
*According to John Gill, examples of troubles that people may need to be rescued from include: "… their inward troubles, through the workings of corruption in their hearts; through the violent assaults of Satan [the devil], the blasphemous thoughts he [Satan] injects into them, and his [Satan's] solicitations of them to sin; and through divine desertions, and their outward troubles; through afflictions of body, losses of estate and friends, and the reproaches and persecutions of men; out of all these the Lord sooner or later delivers his people who cry unto him."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/34-17.html, "John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible")
Job 4:8-9 - Eliphaz Offers His Opinion on the Reason for Job's Suffering
Eliphaz the Temanite was with his friend Job while he was being attacked by Satan. Eliphaz thought that Job was "reaping what he had sown" (being punished for something he had done wrong), but that wasn't true. The real reason for Job's suffering was to test Job's faithfulness to God. This is what Eliphaz said:
Verse 8: "Even as I [Eliphaz] have seen [observed or noticed], they that plow iniquity [people who devise evil plots, or plan to cause trouble], and sow wickedness [do bad things], reap [harvest, receive--as a consequence of their actions] the same [things (iniquity and wickedness, based on or similar to the trouble or harm that they cause to others) as punishment]."
Verse 9: "By the blast [judgment] of God [which comes suddenly, like violent winds in a tornado,] they [those who 'plow iniquity and sow wickedness'] perish [are destroyed], and by the breath of his [God's] nostrils [comparing God's anger to the smoke and flames that come from the noses and mouths of fire-breathing dragons] are they [the aforementioned bad people] consumed [i.e., quickly, as by fire]."
As Eliphaz noted, in most cases (but not always!), suffering is caused by sin.
JULY 7
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Keeping Our Promises to God
Verse 21: "When thou shalt vow a vow [when you make a promise] unto the LORD thy God [to do something for him and/or give something to him--see examples below*], thou shalt not slack [you shall not delay] to pay it: for the LORD thy [your] God will surely require it of thee [you]; and it [i.e., not keeping your promise] would be sin in thee."
Verse 22: "But if thou shalt forbear [refuse, decline] to [make a] vow [in the first place], it shall be no [not be] sin in thee."
Verse 23: "That which is gone out of thy lips [i.e., your promises to God] thou shalt keep and perform; even [including] a freewill [voluntary] offering, according as thou hast [you have] vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."
In other words, don't make promises to God unless you intend to keep them.
For more information about making vows and promises (to God and/or people), read one or both of the following articles:
-- "What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/vows-God.html
-- "Should a Christian make a promise?'
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-promise.html
_________________________
*Examples of promises that people might make to God are that they will:
-- Obey his commandments.
-- Read the Bible.
-- Pray.
-- Go to church.
-- Preach the gospel (i.e., do street preaching, become a pastor).
-- Hand out tracts, tell others how to be saved.
-- Become a missionary.
-- Offer sacrifices (as they did in Bible times).
-- Give money to help support God's work and/or church.
JULY 6
Isaiah 40:28 [In message to the Jews, the prophet Isaiah reminds everyone (especially born-again Christians) why God is always able to guide and protect his people]: "Hast thou not known [don't you know]? hast thou not [haven't you] heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth [i.e., the whole earth], fainteth not, neither is weary [does not become weak or tired]? there is no searching of his understanding [intelligence, insight] [by us, because his wisdom is so great]."
Concerning Isaiah's statement that God "fainteth not, neither is weary," Bible commentator Joseph S. Exell wrote that there is:
"A great contrast between God and all His living creatures on this earth. They all need rest, but He has no need of it, for He is never weary. We shall find this declaration full of comfort; but before we consider the senses in which it is true, we shall do well to remember that we are plainly taught in His Word that there are certain things of which God is weary.
"I. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS WEARY.
"God is weary,
"1. Of the obstinacy of sinners …
"2. Of the backsliding of His professing people …
"3. Of heedless praises and hypocritical prayers …
"4. Of our cruelty to each other …
"II. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS NOT WEARY.
"1. He is not weary in continuing and preserving His creation. The extent of this task; the multitude and minuteness of its parts. Neither its vastness, nor its complexity, nor its duration have availed to weary Him. We rest sometimes by changing the mode of our activity, but there is no cessation possible in God's work …
"2. He is not weary of caring for His people, supplying their temporal wants, guiding their affairs, removing unknown hindrances out of their way, solacing them in sorrow, strengthening them against temptation, educating them for time and eternity …
"3. He is not weary of hearing prayer. This is a special labour, additional to the work of preservation, and even to the care of His people. Remember the multitude of the prayers that are constantly ascending to Him. The folly of many of them! Yet still He listens to us!
"4. He is never weary in punishing sin; never so weary as to desist from it. There are cases in which we leave incorrigible offenders alone--we will not trouble ourselves any more about them; but it is never so with God. Not because He loves punishment, but because He loves righteousness. To a tender heart it is always a pain to punish; yet God, whose tender mercies are over all His works, age after age requites all who do wickedly.
"5. He is never weary of pardoning penitent sinners. How many He has pardoned! How often He had to pardon every one of those who are now 'the spirits of the just made perfect!' How often we have tried His patience! Yet He still waits to be gracious; He does not say, 'Here comes another sinner; drive him away!' nor, 'Here comes that sinner again; refuse him access to my throne.' He is as ready to pardon now as He was when Christ hung on the cross. He looks upon sins, not only as crimes, but as diseases; and, like a physician, is ready to minister to every plague-stricken one. Come, then, to Him now …
"This view of God should--
"1. Awaken our admiration of Him. It is good to admire His works; better to admire Him …
"2. Strengthen our trust in Him. Our human friends fail us, but God will never fail us …
"3. Deepen our love for Him. He is unweariable, not in strength merely, but in affection. His love outlasts that of many mothers …"
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/40-28.html, "Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary," "The Unwearied God")
JULY 5
Galatians 6:3 [Regarding pride, the apostle Paul wrote]: "For if a man [or woman or child] think himself [or herself] to be something [great or extraordinary, as does someone who is full of pride], when he [or she] is nothing [great or extraordinary, or 'is not better than others'], he [or she] deceiveth [deceives, fools] himself [or herself]."
In his commentary, Matthew Henry summarized the above verse as follows: "Self-conceit is but self-deceit …" (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/galatians/6.html, "Verses 1-10," "v. 3")
And according to Albert Barnes (another Bible commentator), a person who is full of pride "… does not accomplish what he expected to do; and instead of acquiring reputation from others, as he expected, he renders himself contemptible in their sight." (Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/galatians-6.html, "Verse 3")
JULY 4
John 8:36: "If the Son [of God--Jesus] therefore shall make you free [from bondage to sin (so you're no longer a 'slave' to it, or under its control), which happens when you are 'born again' according to the Bible (and consequently are saved from hell)--see note below*], ye shall be free indeed [or 'you shall be truly free']."
Regarding the above verse, one Bible commentator wrote:
"The Son of God also has the authority to liberate spiritual slaves from their bondage to sin and its consequences. Real freedom consists of liberty from sin's enslavement to do what we should do. It does not mean that we may do just anything we please. We are now free to do what pleases God, which we could not do formerly. When we do what pleases God, we discover that it also pleases us. Hope for real freedom, therefore, does not rest on Abrahamic ancestry but Jesus' action."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/8-36.html, "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable")
_________________________
*We're "born again" when we believe that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly suffered and died an extremely painful death on the cross to pay for our sins, and then rose from the dead, and when, through faith, we receive him into our hearts as our personal Savior.
For a detailed explanation of the plan of salvation, please read one or more of the gospel tracts in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
JULY 3
Psalm 147:3: "He [God] healeth [heals] the broken in heart [referring to broken-hearted people, who have become overwhelmed by grief (great sorrow or sadness), disappointment, or despair (feelings of hopelessness)], and [he] bindeth [binds] up their wounds [like doctors do when they apply ointment and bandages to injuries for healing and protection]."
JULY 2
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath [God's preference was for us not to endure punishment in hell due to his anger at sin], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who [referring to Jesus] died for us [on the cross, to pay for our sins], [so] that, whether we wake or sleep [whether we are awake or asleep (or 'are alive or dead') when the rapture (or second coming, or 'day of the Lord,' as some commentators believe) occurs--see note below*], we should live together with him [Jesus] [in heaven]."
_________________________
*The terms rapture and second coming refer to two different events and are described in the following article: "What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Rapture-Second-Coming.html.
JULY 1
Psalm 34:17: "The righteous [referring to born-again Christians, who receive Jesus' righteousness the moment they get saved] cry [out--to God for help], and the LORD heareth [hears] [their prayers], and delivereth [rescues] them out of all [of] their troubles [some of which are listed below--see note*]."
_________________________
*According to John Gill, examples of troubles that people may need to be rescued from include: "… their inward troubles, through the workings of corruption in their hearts; through the violent assaults of Satan [the devil], the blasphemous thoughts he [Satan] injects into them, and his [Satan's] solicitations of them to sin; and through divine desertions, and their outward troubles; through afflictions of body, losses of estate and friends, and the reproaches and persecutions of men; out of all these the Lord sooner or later delivers his people who cry unto him."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/34-17.html, "John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible")
Previous Verses
July 2020
JULY 8
Job 4:8-9 - Eliphaz Offers His Opinion on the Reason for Job's Suffering
Eliphaz the Temanite was with his friend Job while he was being attacked by Satan. Eliphaz thought that Job was "reaping what he had sown" (being punished for something he had done wrong), but that wasn't true. The real reason for Job's suffering was to test Job's faithfulness to God. This is what Eliphaz said:
Verse 8: "Even as I [Eliphaz] have seen [observed or noticed], they that plow iniquity [people who devise evil plots, or plan to cause trouble], and sow wickedness [do bad things], reap [harvest, receive--as a consequence of their actions] the same [things (iniquity and wickedness, based on or similar to the trouble or harm that they cause to others) as punishment]."
Verse 9: "By the blast [judgment] of God [which comes suddenly, like violent winds in a tornado,] they [those who 'plow iniquity and sow wickedness'] perish [are destroyed], and by the breath of his [God's] nostrils [comparing God's anger to the smoke and flames that come from the noses and mouths of fire-breathing dragons] are they [the aforementioned bad people] consumed [i.e., quickly, as by fire]."
As Eliphaz noted, in most cases (but not always!), suffering is caused by sin.
JULY 7
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Keeping Our Promises to God
Verse 21: "When thou shalt vow a vow [when you make a promise] unto the LORD thy God [to do something for him and/or give something to him--see examples below*], thou shalt not slack [you shall not delay] to pay it: for the LORD thy [your] God will surely require it of thee [you]; and it [i.e., not keeping your promise] would be sin in thee."
Verse 22: "But if thou shalt forbear [refuse, decline] to [make a] vow [in the first place], it shall be no [not be] sin in thee."
Verse 23: "That which is gone out of thy lips [i.e., your promises to God] thou shalt keep and perform; even [including] a freewill [voluntary] offering, according as thou hast [you have] vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."
In other words, don't make promises to God unless you intend to keep them.
For more information about making vows and promises (to God and/or people), read one or both of the following articles:
-- "What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/vows-God.html
-- "Should a Christian make a promise?'
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-promise.html
_________________________
*Examples of promises that people might make to God are that they will:
-- Obey his commandments.
-- Read the Bible.
-- Pray.
-- Go to church.
-- Preach the gospel (i.e., do street preaching, become a pastor).
-- Hand out tracts, tell others how to be saved.
-- Become a missionary.
-- Offer sacrifices (as they did in Bible times).
-- Give money to help support God's work and/or church.
JULY 6
Isaiah 40:28 [In message to the Jews, the prophet Isaiah reminds everyone (especially born-again Christians) why God is always able to guide and protect his people]: "Hast thou not known [don't you know]? hast thou not [haven't you] heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth [i.e., the whole earth], fainteth not, neither is weary [does not become weak or tired]? there is no searching of his understanding [intelligence, insight] [by us, because his wisdom is so great]."
Concerning Isaiah's statement that God "fainteth not, neither is weary," Bible commentator Joseph S. Exell wrote that there is:
"A great contrast between God and all His living creatures on this earth. They all need rest, but He has no need of it, for He is never weary. We shall find this declaration full of comfort; but before we consider the senses in which it is true, we shall do well to remember that we are plainly taught in His Word that there are certain things of which God is weary.
"I. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS WEARY.
"God is weary,
"1. Of the obstinacy of sinners …
"2. Of the backsliding of His professing people …
"3. Of heedless praises and hypocritical prayers …
"4. Of our cruelty to each other …
"II. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS NOT WEARY.
"1. He is not weary in continuing and preserving His creation. The extent of this task; the multitude and minuteness of its parts. Neither its vastness, nor its complexity, nor its duration have availed to weary Him. We rest sometimes by changing the mode of our activity, but there is no cessation possible in God's work …
"2. He is not weary of caring for His people, supplying their temporal wants, guiding their affairs, removing unknown hindrances out of their way, solacing them in sorrow, strengthening them against temptation, educating them for time and eternity …
"3. He is not weary of hearing prayer. This is a special labour, additional to the work of preservation, and even to the care of His people. Remember the multitude of the prayers that are constantly ascending to Him. The folly of many of them! Yet still He listens to us!
"4. He is never weary in punishing sin; never so weary as to desist from it. There are cases in which we leave incorrigible offenders alone--we will not trouble ourselves any more about them; but it is never so with God. Not because He loves punishment, but because He loves righteousness. To a tender heart it is always a pain to punish; yet God, whose tender mercies are over all His works, age after age requites all who do wickedly.
"5. He is never weary of pardoning penitent sinners. How many He has pardoned! How often He had to pardon every one of those who are now 'the spirits of the just made perfect!' How often we have tried His patience! Yet He still waits to be gracious; He does not say, 'Here comes another sinner; drive him away!' nor, 'Here comes that sinner again; refuse him access to my throne.' He is as ready to pardon now as He was when Christ hung on the cross. He looks upon sins, not only as crimes, but as diseases; and, like a physician, is ready to minister to every plague-stricken one. Come, then, to Him now …
"This view of God should--
"1. Awaken our admiration of Him. It is good to admire His works; better to admire Him …
"2. Strengthen our trust in Him. Our human friends fail us, but God will never fail us …
"3. Deepen our love for Him. He is unweariable, not in strength merely, but in affection. His love outlasts that of many mothers …"
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/40-28.html, "Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary," "The Unwearied God")
JULY 5
Galatians 6:3 [Regarding pride, the apostle Paul wrote]: "For if a man [or woman or child] think himself [or herself] to be something [great or extraordinary, as does someone who is full of pride], when he [or she] is nothing [great or extraordinary, or 'is not better than others'], he [or she] deceiveth [deceives, fools] himself [or herself]."
In his commentary, Matthew Henry summarized the above verse as follows: "Self-conceit is but self-deceit …" (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/galatians/6.html, "Verses 1-10," "v. 3")
And according to Albert Barnes (another Bible commentator), a person who is full of pride "… does not accomplish what he expected to do; and instead of acquiring reputation from others, as he expected, he renders himself contemptible in their sight." (Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/galatians-6.html, "Verse 3")
JULY 4
John 8:36: "If the Son [of God--Jesus] therefore shall make you free [from bondage to sin (so you're no longer a 'slave' to it, or under its control), which happens when you are 'born again' according to the Bible (and consequently are saved from hell)--see note below*], ye shall be free indeed [or 'you shall be truly free']."
Regarding the above verse, one Bible commentator wrote:
"The Son of God also has the authority to liberate spiritual slaves from their bondage to sin and its consequences. Real freedom consists of liberty from sin's enslavement to do what we should do. It does not mean that we may do just anything we please. We are now free to do what pleases God, which we could not do formerly. When we do what pleases God, we discover that it also pleases us. Hope for real freedom, therefore, does not rest on Abrahamic ancestry but Jesus' action."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/8-36.html, "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable")
_________________________
*We're "born again" when we believe that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly suffered and died an extremely painful death on the cross to pay for our sins, and then rose from the dead, and when, through faith, we receive him into our hearts as our personal Savior.
For a detailed explanation of the plan of salvation, please read one or more of the gospel tracts in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
JULY 3
Psalm 147:3: "He [God] healeth [heals] the broken in heart [referring to broken-hearted people, who have become overwhelmed by grief (great sorrow or sadness), disappointment, or despair (feelings of hopelessness)], and [he] bindeth [binds] up their wounds [like doctors do when they apply ointment and bandages to injuries for healing and protection]."
JULY 2
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath [God's preference was for us not to endure punishment in hell due to his anger at sin], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who [referring to Jesus] died for us [on the cross, to pay for our sins], [so] that, whether we wake or sleep [whether we are awake or asleep (or 'are alive or dead') when the rapture (or second coming, or 'day of the Lord,' as some commentators believe) occurs--see note below*], we should live together with him [Jesus] [in heaven]."
_________________________
*The terms rapture and second coming refer to two different events and are described in the following article: "What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Rapture-Second-Coming.html.
JULY 1
Psalm 34:17: "The righteous [referring to born-again Christians, who receive Jesus' righteousness the moment they get saved] cry [out--to God for help], and the LORD heareth [hears] [their prayers], and delivereth [rescues] them out of all [of] their troubles [some of which are listed below--see note*]."
_________________________
*According to John Gill, examples of troubles that people may need to be rescued from include: "… their inward troubles, through the workings of corruption in their hearts; through the violent assaults of Satan [the devil], the blasphemous thoughts he [Satan] injects into them, and his [Satan's] solicitations of them to sin; and through divine desertions, and their outward troubles; through afflictions of body, losses of estate and friends, and the reproaches and persecutions of men; out of all these the Lord sooner or later delivers his people who cry unto him."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/34-17.html, "John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible")
Job 4:8-9 - Eliphaz Offers His Opinion on the Reason for Job's Suffering
Eliphaz the Temanite was with his friend Job while he was being attacked by Satan. Eliphaz thought that Job was "reaping what he had sown" (being punished for something he had done wrong), but that wasn't true. The real reason for Job's suffering was to test Job's faithfulness to God. This is what Eliphaz said:
Verse 8: "Even as I [Eliphaz] have seen [observed or noticed], they that plow iniquity [people who devise evil plots, or plan to cause trouble], and sow wickedness [do bad things], reap [harvest, receive--as a consequence of their actions] the same [things (iniquity and wickedness, based on or similar to the trouble or harm that they cause to others) as punishment]."
Verse 9: "By the blast [judgment] of God [which comes suddenly, like violent winds in a tornado,] they [those who 'plow iniquity and sow wickedness'] perish [are destroyed], and by the breath of his [God's] nostrils [comparing God's anger to the smoke and flames that come from the noses and mouths of fire-breathing dragons] are they [the aforementioned bad people] consumed [i.e., quickly, as by fire]."
As Eliphaz noted, in most cases (but not always!), suffering is caused by sin.
JULY 7
Deuteronomy 23:21-23 - Keeping Our Promises to God
Verse 21: "When thou shalt vow a vow [when you make a promise] unto the LORD thy God [to do something for him and/or give something to him--see examples below*], thou shalt not slack [you shall not delay] to pay it: for the LORD thy [your] God will surely require it of thee [you]; and it [i.e., not keeping your promise] would be sin in thee."
Verse 22: "But if thou shalt forbear [refuse, decline] to [make a] vow [in the first place], it shall be no [not be] sin in thee."
Verse 23: "That which is gone out of thy lips [i.e., your promises to God] thou shalt keep and perform; even [including] a freewill [voluntary] offering, according as thou hast [you have] vowed unto the LORD thy God, which thou hast promised with thy mouth."
In other words, don't make promises to God unless you intend to keep them.
For more information about making vows and promises (to God and/or people), read one or both of the following articles:
-- "What does the Bible say about keeping your vows / oaths?"
https://www.gotquestions.org/vows-God.html
-- "Should a Christian make a promise?'
https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-promise.html
_________________________
*Examples of promises that people might make to God are that they will:
-- Obey his commandments.
-- Read the Bible.
-- Pray.
-- Go to church.
-- Preach the gospel (i.e., do street preaching, become a pastor).
-- Hand out tracts, tell others how to be saved.
-- Become a missionary.
-- Offer sacrifices (as they did in Bible times).
-- Give money to help support God's work and/or church.
JULY 6
Isaiah 40:28 [In message to the Jews, the prophet Isaiah reminds everyone (especially born-again Christians) why God is always able to guide and protect his people]: "Hast thou not known [don't you know]? hast thou not [haven't you] heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth [i.e., the whole earth], fainteth not, neither is weary [does not become weak or tired]? there is no searching of his understanding [intelligence, insight] [by us, because his wisdom is so great]."
Concerning Isaiah's statement that God "fainteth not, neither is weary," Bible commentator Joseph S. Exell wrote that there is:
"A great contrast between God and all His living creatures on this earth. They all need rest, but He has no need of it, for He is never weary. We shall find this declaration full of comfort; but before we consider the senses in which it is true, we shall do well to remember that we are plainly taught in His Word that there are certain things of which God is weary.
"I. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS WEARY.
"God is weary,
"1. Of the obstinacy of sinners …
"2. Of the backsliding of His professing people …
"3. Of heedless praises and hypocritical prayers …
"4. Of our cruelty to each other …
"II. THINGS OF WHICH GOD IS NOT WEARY.
"1. He is not weary in continuing and preserving His creation. The extent of this task; the multitude and minuteness of its parts. Neither its vastness, nor its complexity, nor its duration have availed to weary Him. We rest sometimes by changing the mode of our activity, but there is no cessation possible in God's work …
"2. He is not weary of caring for His people, supplying their temporal wants, guiding their affairs, removing unknown hindrances out of their way, solacing them in sorrow, strengthening them against temptation, educating them for time and eternity …
"3. He is not weary of hearing prayer. This is a special labour, additional to the work of preservation, and even to the care of His people. Remember the multitude of the prayers that are constantly ascending to Him. The folly of many of them! Yet still He listens to us!
"4. He is never weary in punishing sin; never so weary as to desist from it. There are cases in which we leave incorrigible offenders alone--we will not trouble ourselves any more about them; but it is never so with God. Not because He loves punishment, but because He loves righteousness. To a tender heart it is always a pain to punish; yet God, whose tender mercies are over all His works, age after age requites all who do wickedly.
"5. He is never weary of pardoning penitent sinners. How many He has pardoned! How often He had to pardon every one of those who are now 'the spirits of the just made perfect!' How often we have tried His patience! Yet He still waits to be gracious; He does not say, 'Here comes another sinner; drive him away!' nor, 'Here comes that sinner again; refuse him access to my throne.' He is as ready to pardon now as He was when Christ hung on the cross. He looks upon sins, not only as crimes, but as diseases; and, like a physician, is ready to minister to every plague-stricken one. Come, then, to Him now …
"This view of God should--
"1. Awaken our admiration of Him. It is good to admire His works; better to admire Him …
"2. Strengthen our trust in Him. Our human friends fail us, but God will never fail us …
"3. Deepen our love for Him. He is unweariable, not in strength merely, but in affection. His love outlasts that of many mothers …"
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/isaiah/40-28.html, "Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary," "The Unwearied God")
JULY 5
Galatians 6:3 [Regarding pride, the apostle Paul wrote]: "For if a man [or woman or child] think himself [or herself] to be something [great or extraordinary, as does someone who is full of pride], when he [or she] is nothing [great or extraordinary, or 'is not better than others'], he [or she] deceiveth [deceives, fools] himself [or herself]."
In his commentary, Matthew Henry summarized the above verse as follows: "Self-conceit is but self-deceit …" (Source: https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/galatians/6.html, "Verses 1-10," "v. 3")
And according to Albert Barnes (another Bible commentator), a person who is full of pride "… does not accomplish what he expected to do; and instead of acquiring reputation from others, as he expected, he renders himself contemptible in their sight." (Source: https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/galatians-6.html, "Verse 3")
JULY 4
John 8:36: "If the Son [of God--Jesus] therefore shall make you free [from bondage to sin (so you're no longer a 'slave' to it, or under its control), which happens when you are 'born again' according to the Bible (and consequently are saved from hell)--see note below*], ye shall be free indeed [or 'you shall be truly free']."
Regarding the above verse, one Bible commentator wrote:
"The Son of God also has the authority to liberate spiritual slaves from their bondage to sin and its consequences. Real freedom consists of liberty from sin's enslavement to do what we should do. It does not mean that we may do just anything we please. We are now free to do what pleases God, which we could not do formerly. When we do what pleases God, we discover that it also pleases us. Hope for real freedom, therefore, does not rest on Abrahamic ancestry but Jesus' action."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/8-36.html, "Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable")
_________________________
*We're "born again" when we believe that Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, willingly suffered and died an extremely painful death on the cross to pay for our sins, and then rose from the dead, and when, through faith, we receive him into our hearts as our personal Savior.
For a detailed explanation of the plan of salvation, please read one or more of the gospel tracts in the "Printable Gospel Tracts" section of my website. Here's a direct link to that page: https://www.mansioninheaven.com/PrintableGospelTracts.html.
JULY 3
Psalm 147:3: "He [God] healeth [heals] the broken in heart [referring to broken-hearted people, who have become overwhelmed by grief (great sorrow or sadness), disappointment, or despair (feelings of hopelessness)], and [he] bindeth [binds] up their wounds [like doctors do when they apply ointment and bandages to injuries for healing and protection]."
JULY 2
1 Thessalonians 5:9-10: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath [God's preference was for us not to endure punishment in hell due to his anger at sin], but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who [referring to Jesus] died for us [on the cross, to pay for our sins], [so] that, whether we wake or sleep [whether we are awake or asleep (or 'are alive or dead') when the rapture (or second coming, or 'day of the Lord,' as some commentators believe) occurs--see note below*], we should live together with him [Jesus] [in heaven]."
_________________________
*The terms rapture and second coming refer to two different events and are described in the following article: "What is the difference between the Rapture and the Second Coming?" If you want to read it, here's the link: https://www.gotquestions.org/difference-Rapture-Second-Coming.html.
JULY 1
Psalm 34:17: "The righteous [referring to born-again Christians, who receive Jesus' righteousness the moment they get saved] cry [out--to God for help], and the LORD heareth [hears] [their prayers], and delivereth [rescues] them out of all [of] their troubles [some of which are listed below--see note*]."
_________________________
*According to John Gill, examples of troubles that people may need to be rescued from include: "… their inward troubles, through the workings of corruption in their hearts; through the violent assaults of Satan [the devil], the blasphemous thoughts he [Satan] injects into them, and his [Satan's] solicitations of them to sin; and through divine desertions, and their outward troubles; through afflictions of body, losses of estate and friends, and the reproaches and persecutions of men; out of all these the Lord sooner or later delivers his people who cry unto him."
(Source for above quote: https://www.studylight.org/commentary/psalms/34-17.html, "John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible")
Verse of the Day
Archives
Archives
__________
(Earlier years are
on a separate page.
Click here to view
them: Archives)
on a separate page.
Click here to view
them: Archives)
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
│
