Old Testament

The Ten Commandments are an important part of our faith. Though we live in an age of Christ's grace, Christ emphasized that He came not to destroy the old law, but to fulfill it. The commandments form the first coded "law" - a set of values explaining just who God is and what He expects of us. Note: this song is from the King James Version

Deborah and Barak's ancient song gives all the glory to God in a time of national revival and victory; it proclaims the sovereignty of God over all rulers of earth. Notice too: "when the princes in Israel take the lead and the people willingly offer themselves..." - what a beautiful model of servant leadership and harmonious submission. One that we can apply in the Church today.

David cries out in exultation - give thanks to the Lord, call on His name. We are to make known among all peoples what he has done! We rejoice with David and follow his advice to "sing to Him, sing praise to Him"

Nehemiah 9 describes quite a worship service as the exiles returning to rebuild Jerusalem gave their attention and hearts to God. Culminating their week-long feast to the LORD, they started with a quarter of the day in study of the Law, then confessed their sin and attested to God's glory. The priests told everybody to "stand up and praise the LORD your God." From there we have a resounding list of His creative majesty in general, followed by a remembrance of His goodness towards them in particular. That's a great example we could follow!

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy." This psalm is one of peace, resolution, trust in God. We can certainly praise Him for other reasons - for who he is, for His mighty acts in general. But as you sing this song, dwell a little longer on the "praise be to the LORD," and contemplate how He has answered your calls for mercy - then join with the psalmist and say, "my heart leaps for joy!"

In this beautiful psalm of comfort, the psalmist points out three faith actions and their sweet rewards: trusting in the Lord fosters security; delighting in the Lord leads to deep satisfaction; and committing your way to him builds a pure life that shines like a long-awaited dawn. Commit to the Lord in these things, and your security, your desires, and your testimony will increasingly align with Him. No matter what life throws at you, He'll satisfy your needs and your actions and attitudes will glow with His truth.

Wow! We may say, "I'd rather be a lowly doorkeeper in the house of my God, than dwell (presumably richly) in the tents of the wicked." Or prefer to taste a single day with God's presence rather than a thousand elsewhere! The Psalms and Proverbs tell us why we may count this as true: the wicked may seem to prosper, but they live with internal strife, uneasiness, and adversity. That life is no match for the "sun and shield" protection and embrace of the Lord Most High!

We can respond to God's claim on our lives (it is he who made us and we are his), with joyful, ecstatic praise and adulation! This psalm reminds us of four praise acts - Shout for joy, worship with gladness, come before him, and know that he is God.

This is the passage that inspired this ministry, and remains its central theme. We memorize scripture because it prepares us, protects us from sins of ignorance - with our lips we retell the story to glorify God and refresh our minds.

Psalm 119 exalts in the beauty and protection to be found in God's word and His laws. This section, which continues to verse 96, praises God's faithfulness demonstrated in his unchanging, eternal word. We also see God's sovereignty - for "all things serve you" - an acknowledgement that despite what the situation, God is ultimately in control. Our hearts can rest, like David's, in ultimate submission expressed in verse 94 - "save me, for I am yours".

God's laws - his statutes and precepts and commands - are wonderful! His word lets us know Him, and so it gives freedom, life, and light. How eagerly we should long for God's word - the Psalmist goes as far as to say "I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands." Laws, commands, and limits are not a popular subject these days, but how important they are - they show us God's character and His love for us, and they prompt us to live in His light.

Ever have times when you feel like your circumstances are eating you alive? King David sure did! He describes feeling so anxious that if the LORD didn't answer quickly, he'd be as good as dead - and for good reason: his enemies were closing in on him. Yet through all this, David's faith brings hope and expectation that a new day will bring him word of God's unfailing love. And that's a faith we can share in our times of difficulty!

"To us a child is born, to us a son is given..." It's a frequently repeated passage during the Christmas season. This joyful anticipation of Christ is a great reminder both of prophesy past, and the supremacy of Christ in the present and future as well.

Isaiah's original wording implies that everybody should indeed know, and have heard, of the majesty of the LORD! And what a wonderful message - because God is the very ultimate in unfailing strength, He has it to offer to us who are weak and tired. Do you trust in the vigor of youth, or are you discouraged because it seems to have left you? We're reminded that our source of strength from God is far superior - it'll never fail!

Here is a touching and compelling account of our Saviour's sacrificial life and death for us, written a full 700 years in advance! The awesome truth is that Jesus came to give his life, a perfect life that deserved no punishment. It was our punishment, the price of our sin, that he took upon himself. The only allowable price - death - was paid on our behalf on the cross. His wounds bought our peace with the Father and with our risen Savior!

"The spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me", prophesies Isaiah of the coming Christ. The works Isaiah lists are the ministry of God through his grace throughout the ages - release from spiritual poverty, blindness, bondage. We sing this primarily of our Lord Jesus and the redeeming work He's done in us. But let's also sing it as a reminder that, via the priesthood of believers and because of the consistency of God's character, it's become our message as well. Let those who are in the Messiah proclaim His freedom to those who seek Him.