Passage, Paragraph, and Prayer

The psalmist says that he remembers the name of the LORD at night. Why does he specify that specific time of day?Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Adam’s family began bringing offerings to the Lord not long after their expulsion from the Garden of Eden. But God looked with favor on some of the offerings, but not on others. Why?Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

What do you sing, or sing along to, at home? In Psalm 119:54, the psalmist encourages us to remember that whatever we sing, we are singing in a temporary lodging-house, and to let the songs that we sing be shaped by that fact.Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Genesis 4:1–2 tells us that the first human family engaged in the pursuits of farming and shepherding. In this devotion we explore what that would have all entailed, and seek to appreciate the blessings God continues to give us through all the various godly jobs that make the world go around.Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria fro

Everyone gets angry, and even the psalmist says, and teaches children to say, “Indignation seizes me.” But what drives the anger is important, as the psalmist also makes clear.Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

Different English versions will translate Genesis 4:1 different ways. One common translation is: “I have brought forth a man with the help of the LORD.” But another possible translation (one that, for instance, Martin Luther preferred) is: “I have acquired a man—the LORD.” In this devotion, we explore what was likely behind the name Eve chose for her and Adam’s firstbor

The psalmist says he takes comfort in the Lord’s decrees from of old. What are those decrees, and how do they comfort us?Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

The first angels mentioned in the Bible are cherubim. In this devotion, we take a closer look at this particular class of angels, which are usually portrayed as standing guard.Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).

We like to be liked. That can make it difficult to remain a Christian, since God promises that those who hold to the truth will face insults, mocking, and worse.Music Credit: Johann Sebastian Bach, Trio from Brandenburg Concerto, No. 1, Movement 4

God not only proclaimed Adam and Eve banished; he had to drive them out. We, too, often have difficulty accepting the realities of a fallen world.Music Credit: J. S. Bach, “Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch emsigen Schritten,” aria from “Jesu, der du meine Seele,” BWV 78 (Leipzig, 1724).