Divine sovereignty and divine freedom in Romans 9-11

On March 10, 2021February 12, 2021 By charlieIn Berkouwer, divine freedom, divine sovereignty, Romans1 Comment

Relating his understanding of divine sovereignty and divine freedom to the interpretation of Romans 9-11, Berkouwer wrote, "Words like 'sovereignty' ought not to be approached abstractly via a formal concept: this can only create the impression that we are capturing our own understanding or words in transparent definitions and then applying them directly to God …

Continue reading Divine sovereignty and divine freedom in Romans 9-11

2 Samuel 17-18 – “The peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

2 Samuel 17:1-29 – Here, we have a tragic train of events. Ahithophel’s advice was ‘not good’. His advice ‘was not followed’. He ‘hanged’ himself (7,23). Without going into detail about this particular suicide, we may make some general comments about coping with life’s difficulties. Things don’t go according to plan. Our hopes are dashed. […]

Only one Way makes sense – Christ.

PROVERBS 12:1-14 – The Word of God shows us the way we are not to go as well as the way we are to go. We are told that ‘the root of the righteous stands firm’ (12). We are warned: ‘he who follows worthless pursuits has no sense’ (11). Do you have any sense? Here’s […]

Our words are to be an echo of God’s Word.

Numbers 23:1-30 – Our words are to be an echo of God’s Word. We are to speak only what God says (8,12). Before we can speak for God, He must speak to us. ‘God’s Word is truth’ (John 17:17). God does not lie. He does not change His mind. What He says, He does. He […]

In the Cave of Adullam

Originally posted on MUSINGS and ROSES:
I cry out to the Lord; I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn. Wherever I go, my enemies have set traps for me. Then I…

It was a valley of dry bones. Then, the Lord changed everything.

Ezekiel 37:1-28 – It was ‘a valley of dry bones’ (1-2). Then, the Lord changed everything – ‘I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live’ (5). What a difference the Lord makes! ‘Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew’ (Church Hymnary, 103). What happens when the Spirit of […]

Praise and Worship Time — quietmomentswithgod

This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm […] via Praise and Worship Time — quietmomentswithgod

Taking a look at the Old Testament: Exodus

Originally posted on Learning From God's Word:
“Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1). Who let the people of Israel go? Was it Pharaoh, the king of Egypt? or Was it more than Pharaoh? Was it God? Who led the people of Israel out of Egypt? Was it Moses? or Was it more than Moses?…

There is a great difference between human popularity and divine approval.

2 Samuel 15:1-37 – There is a great difference between human popularity and divine approval. Here, we have human popularity – ‘The conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing’ (12). In Acts 5:14, we have divine approval – ‘More than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and […]

Overcoming Temptation And Giving All The Glory To God

Genesis 40:1-42:38 Genesis 40:1-23 God gave Joseph power to overcome temptation (chapter 39). Now, He gives him power to interpret dreams. Here, Joseph the dreamer (37:5-11) becomes Joseph the interpreter of dreams. Joseph may be viewed as a prophet: ‘Surely the Lord does nothing, without revealing His secret to His servants the prophets’ (Amos 3:7). […]

You are beautiful beyond description, too marvellous for words, too wonderful for comprehension.

Exodus 26:1-37 – From the outside, it was a ‘tent’. On the inside, the tabernacle was a place of great beauty. Many look at Christ, and see ‘no beauty that we should desire Him’ (Isaiah 53:2). The believer looks at Christ, and says, ‘You are beautiful beyond description, too marvellous for words, too wonderful for […]

Hearing, Rejoicing, Worshipping — Learning From God’s Word

via Hearing, Rejoicing, Worshipping — Learning From God’s Word

Matthew 1:1-17

Matthew 1:1-1t From the beginning of the Old Testament, we move to the beginning of the New Testament. This may be the beginning of the New Testament, but it is not the beginning of God’s revelation. It is not the beginning of His redemption. The birth of Christ is the continuation of the history of […]

Yesterday’s victories can become today’s defeats, if we do not keep close to God.

Genesis 9:20-29 What a sad episode this is! It teaches us that yesterday’s victories can become today’s defeats, if we do not keep close to God. We read, in Hebrews 11:7 of Noah the man of faith, but here we have a very different picture. The lesson is clear – ‘The arm of flesh will […]

Deuteronomy 7:1-26

Enter, Destroy, Possess (1-2). Don’t try to jump straight from entering to possessing. Don’t forget to destroy. We enter the Christian life through faith in Christ. We will not ‘take possession of’ a fuller enjoyment of His salvation if we refuse to ‘destroy’ the obstacles to His blessing in our lives. Sin is like a […]

From Abram… to Jesus

Genesis 17:1-18:33; Matthew 6:25-7:23; Proverbs 1:8-19 Following Abram’s rash action of fathering a child, Ishmael, by his maidservant, Hagar, we see, in Genesis 17, God’s determination to bless him and to make him a blessing to many people. God will not be put off by our objections (Genesis 17:15-19). To such objections, He gives this […]

Living as a new creation

How are we live as a “new creation” (Galatians 6:15)? Paul speaks to us about “faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). What does it mean to have faith? How are we to live a life that is inspired, controlled, motivated and directed by love? Paul speaks about the beginning of the life of faith: […]

Triumphant hope, glorious hope, eternal hope

via Triumphant hope, glorious hope, eternal hope

Deuteronomy 6:1-25

‘Hear’ and ‘do’ (1-3; James 1:22-25). In our obedience to God, there is to be the fear of the Lord and love for the Lord (2,5). Fear and love: the two belong together. God is holy – fear Him. God is love – love Him. This is for every generation: ‘you and your son and […]

The sower, the reaper – and the God who gives the increase

Numbers 27:12-29:11; Luke 8:1-18; Psalm 38:13-22 In the parable of the sower, Jesus speaks of the seed and the fruit. In Numbers, we read of Moses and Joshua. The seed had been sown by Moses. The fruit would be given to Joshua. The important thing is this: It is not the sower or the reaper […]

Looking forward to something very wonderful

Psalm 16:1-11 ‘Thou wilt show me the path of life; in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore’ (11). In this earthly life, there are many difficulties. For all of God’s people, there is something better still to come. We must look not only at the things […]