Author: Rachel Jones

Surrender Day 10 True Joy: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 10 True Joy: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

February 3, 2023

Enough,Faith,Freedom,Generous,Giving,Glory,Greed

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "True Joy"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Matthew 6:16-24

“Whenever you fast, don’t be gloomy like the hypocrites. For they disfigure their faces so that their fasting is obvious to people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 19 “Don’t store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 22 “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness! 24 “No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
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The Original Intent

1) How does the Father reward those who fast in secret? (verse 18)

In Matthew 6:17-18, Jesus gave these instructions about fasting, “But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that your fasting isn’t obvious to others but to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” When Christians fast, they demonstrate to God how much they love him and how they want to draw closer to Him.

As Andrew Murray explains, “Fasting helps express, deepens, confirms the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves, to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God.” Jesus instructed His disciples to fast in secret so they would not gain recognition from others for being pious. Instead, God would reward them.

Scripture tells us that fasting is the humbling of the soul (Psalm 35:13), and God promises to reward this humility. Hebrews 11:6 tells us God rewards those who seek Him. Sometimes when we seek God through fasting, God rewards us with what we are practically seeking through prayer. He did this with Anna, who prayed and fasted for the Messiah to come and was blessed to see Him before she died. (Luke 2:36-38) But, as David Mathis points out, “He rewards it not just with what we’re asking for with our fast, but ultimately with who He is as our desire, enjoyment, and satisfaction.”

When we fast, God rewards us with more of Him and with a greater understanding of how He satisfies our deepest hunger and thirst. (John 6:35) What we give up for God in secret He rewards in greater intimacy with Him. Taking less for ourselves brings us more of God. (John 3:30)

The Everyday Application

1) How does the Father reward those who fast in secret? (verse 18)

When election-day rolls around in the United States, you know it’s coming—the obligatory posting of “I Voted” stickers on social media. That tiny adhesive flag becomes a status symbol for a few days every year. While it encourages the privilege of voting, which is admirable, it also demonstrates that you are one of the “good guys” as a responsible, upstanding citizen who exercised your right to vote. Even children at the polls with their parents snag a sticker so they, too, can be cool, though everyone knows they didn’t actually vote.

There was certainly no “I Fasted” sticker back in Bible times, but Jesus did warn against showing off that you had been fasting in Matthew 6:17-18, when He admonished His followers to fast in secret and expect to be rewarded by God. Fasting focuses believers on what God has for us and what He longs to do in us. This is one way He rewards our fasting; He uses our time of devotion to Him to pour Himself into us.

Susan Gregory writes, “I knew what it was like to be so hungry for more of God that the only way to be fed was to fast.” God uses our offering of fasting to capture our attention so we can focus on His plans and purposes and carry them out in our lives. David H. Roper asserts, “God always rewards hidden spirituality. He hears every private prayer; He recognizes every secret gift; He notes and richly rewards each unseen act of devotion. You will be strengthened, and the Lord will make you all that He wants you to be.”

Fasting in secret, with God as our only witness, feeds us in a way no food ever could.

The Original Intent

2) Why does the heart disclose our treasure? (verse 21)

In Matthew 6:20-21, Jesus urged His disciples, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” He was teaching them that what was valuable were the eternal, spiritual things that could not be damaged or lost. He wanted them to cherish the things of God above the things of the world. (Colossians 3:2)

One way we lay up treasures in Heaven is by giving God the treasures we have on earth. John Piper suggests that “laying up treasures in heaven is giving money away for Christ’s sake rather than accumulating it.” When we care for the poor and needy (Matthew 19:21), the widow and the orphan (James 1:27), and worship God with extravagant giving (Matthew 26:6-13), we show that our hearts are set on heavenly things.

Albert Barnes explains that “To have treasure in heaven is to possess evidence that its purity and joys will be ours. It is to be heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. (1 Peter 1:4)” When we care more about money and what it can bring us than we care about God’s kingdom, we risk heartache and pain as we elevate these idols above the Lord in our heart. (1 Timothy 6:10) When we concentrate our time, money and attention on God, then our heart will rejoice in the things of God. (Psalm 16:11)

The Everyday Application

2) Why does the heart disclose our treasure? (verse 21)

One look at credit card statements from our time as DINKS (Double Income No Kids) shows you where our priorities lay at that time: dining out, weekends away, antique store shopping and furniture purchases indicate we were busy building a relationship and a home. After we had 2 kids and I became a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom), the credit card statements told a different story: diapers, braces, and sports team fees indicated we were focused on the care and raising of children. We spent our time and money on the things that mattered most to us.

Jesus taught that if you look at where your treasures lie, that is where your heart lies also. (Matthew 6:21) It is okay to spend your money on earthly treasures like antiques and vacations, but it is not okay to make them your heart’s treasure. Can you live without them? How much would it hurt your heart if you couldn’t have those things anymore?

Our hearts should treasure heavenly things, that which impacts the Kingdom of God, the most. Charles Ellicott asserts, “Men may try to persuade themselves that they will have a treasure on earth and a treasure in heaven also, but in the long-run, one or the other will assert its claim to be the treasure, and will claim the no longer divided allegiance of the heart.”

While it is okay to earn money and spend money, Jesus taught us not to value money, or anything, over heavenly things. (Matthew 6:33) Ruth Chou Simons writes, “if your treasure is Christ/You have all you need/Through the One who did all that was necessary/For you to be pleasing/To the only One that matters.” We don’t need to set our hearts on storing up earthly treasures because everything we need we have in Christ.

The Original Intent

3) How can the “light within you” be darkness? (verse 23)

In Matthew 6:23, Jesus stated, “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!” Adam Clarke writes that “An evil eye was a phrase in use, among the ancient Jews, to denote an envious, covetous man or disposition; a man who . . . loved his own money and would do nothing in the way of charity for God’s sake.”

Jesus wanted His followers to know that anyone who let love of money or greed affect their view of the world would have a dark outlook. If your eye is bad, that means your outlook and your perspective are clouded and you cannot see clearly. (Ephesians 4:18) The light of God’s Word is not illuminating your mind, and you are living in darkness. (Psalm 119:105)

David Guzik explains, “Jesus tells us that either our eye is directed at heavenly things (and therefore full of light) or it is directed at earthly things (and therefore full of darkness) […] our attitude towards material treasure will either bring great light or great darkness to our lives.” When we love money and earthly things more than God, we will live in a deep darkness that affects everything we do. We can ask God to help us see things from His perspective (2 Corinthians 5:16) so we will focus on heavenly things and have God’s light shining within us. (Matthew 5:14-16)

The Everyday Application

3) How can the “light within you” be darkness? (verse 23)

One of my favorite Christmas tales is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. After encountering the gruff, angry old miser, Ebeneezer Scrooge, at the beginning of the story, it is gripping to travel back in time to witness him as a caring young man with hope for the future and love in his life. The juxtaposition of the bitter old man next to his younger, happier self, remembering the way his heart used to feel, is sorrowful. After seeing how greed and avarice dampened the light in his life, it makes his eventual transformation into a generous, compassionate man all the more powerful.

Scrooge is an example of Jesus’ warning in Matthew 6:23, “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. So if the light within you is darkness, how deep is that darkness!” The love of money that Scrooge succumbed to sunk him into deep darkness, but be warned that any sin we put ahead of God eventually results in this same spiraling, stealthy darkness meant to steal, kill, and destroy our lives. (Romans 1:21, John 10:10) Evie Polsley writes, “God had so much He wanted to show me in His Word, but I had closed my eyes to it because it wasn’t enough for me. It wasn’t what I wanted to see. I had created my own darkness, my own blindness, because I wanted to be in control.”

There are times we find ourselves choosing things that lead us into darkness, even on an everyday basis. (John 3:19) This is when we turn to Jesus, the light of the world (John 8:12), to help us throw off darkness and walk in His light (Romans 13:12-14).

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Surrender Day 10 Journey Study

…But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your heart (read: deepest joy and delight) will also be.”

Joy is a naturally produced “fruit” of the Holy Spirit living, working, and breathing inside our surrendered souls. (Galatians 5:22-23) Therefore, true joy is a result of an ever-deepening walk with the Lord, one which grows over time with dedicated discipline to focus or hearts on the unseen and eternal.

Conversely, what enemy deadens our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s voice? A heart and mind satiated with the pleasures of this world.
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Jan 23 - Feb 10, 2023 - Journey Theme #113

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Surrender Day 7 Spilling Our Treasure: Digging Deeper

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Surrender Day 7 Spilling Our Treasure: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

January 31, 2023

Adoring,Forgiven,Gift,Worship

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "Spilling Our Treasure"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Luke 7:36-50

36 Then one of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house. She brought an alabaster jar of perfume 38 and stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to wash his feet with her tears. She wiped his feet with her hair, kissing them and anointing them with the perfume.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—she’s a sinner!”

40 Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

He said, “Say it, teacher.”

41 “A creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Since they could not pay it back, he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”

“You have judged correctly,” he told him. 44 Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. 46 You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. 47 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 Then he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 Those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
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The Original Intent

1) Why would the woman give so extravagantly to Jesus? (verses 37-38)

Luke 7:37-38 describes a woman, probably a prostitute, according to Bible student Charles Ellicott, who approached Jesus to wash His feet with her tears, dry them with her hair, and anoint them with perfume. The foot washing itself was an act of service and honor, and the perfume was an extravagance that proved her love and devotion to Jesus.

Rod Mattoon explains, “Alabaster jars of perfume were so valuable in the first century they were often purchased as investments. This box may have been extremely expensive, as costly as one year’s wages.” Though the woman sought out Jesus when she heard he was at Simon’s house, we are unsure exactly how she knew about Jesus. Heinrich August Wilhelm Meyer points out, “The woman through the influence of Jesus (it is unknown how; perhaps only by hearing His preaching and by observation of His entire ministry) had attained to repentance and faith, and thereby to moral renewal”.

This woman left a life of sin behind her when she came to Jesus, and she wanted to thank Him for the freedom that came with His forgiveness. (John 8:36) Her freedom from sin and oppression was worth more to her than the cost of the perfume in the alabaster box. (Romans 6:22) Humbling herself by washing and kissing Jesus’ feet was a way to show Him how much she loved her Savior. (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)

Liz Curtis Higgs suggests “We’ve called her silent adulation worship. What she really poured all over his feet was love. Her tears, her hair, her kisses, her perfume. Love, love, love, love.” This nameless woman’s unspeakable joy of salvation poured forth in lavish gifts of worship to the One who loved her so much that He would pay for her sins. (Titus 2:14)

The Everyday Application

1) Why would the woman give so extravagantly to Jesus? (verses 37-38)

Have you seen those stories of celebrities visiting sick or underprivileged kids, or kids who have accomplished some great feat or act of service? These kids receive extravagant gifts, visits to concerts or sporting events, and videos and selfies to memorialize the moment. These sweet accounts give me all the feels! But I rarely see stories about celebrities lavishing swag on “bad” kids; the bullies, the addicts, the misfits and losers. But this is exactly what Jesus does in Luke 7:37-38.

He treats one of the “bad girls” of the Bible with love and honor, forgiving her sins and accepting her worship, even though it was offensive to their Pharisee host, Simon. The woman couldn’t keep herself from worshipping Jesus, because He had freed her from her sins and she had to express her joy!

The religious leaders still regarded Jesus with caution, doubting His claims, and treated Him with more suspicion than respect. This woman of ill-repute honored Jesus in ways his host failed, by washing His feet. She used this humble deed as an act of worship (Romans 12:1) by pouring out tears and wiping them with her hair, though unbound hair in public was not acceptable per religious laws (F.F. Bruce). Nor could she hold back from pouring out expensive perfume on his feet, indicating her Lord was worthy of all her worship.

Lawrence Richards writes, “That was an act of love; an expression of gratitude. Her ‘many sins’ had been purged, and her tears were tears of joy.” Let’s follow this woman’s example of extravagant worship to the One who has given us everything and is worthy of everything we have. (Revelation 5:12)

The Original Intent

2) Why did Jesus point out the difference between how the woman treated Him and how the Pharisee treated Him? (verses 44-46)

In verses 44-46, Jesus pointed out how differently Simon the Pharisee treated Him than a prostitute who heard Jesus was at Simon’s house and came to see Him. Jesus asked Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she, with her tears, has washed my feet and wiped them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but she hasn’t stopped kissing my feet since I came in. You didn’t anoint my head with olive oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume.” (verses 44-46)

Matthew Williams explains there were certain rules about visiting someone’s home in Bible times. “In Jesus’ day, three rituals were common: a kiss of greeting, washing of feet, and anointing with oil. . . Simon has set up Jesus for social shame. No Pharisee who liked Jesus would have done this.” Simon already held Jesus in contempt, but the Pharisee was shocked when the sinful woman entered his home and Jesus allowed her to touch Him. He even made a barbed comment that if Jesus was a prophet He should know all about the kind of woman who was washing His feet. (Luke 7:39)

Jesus made it a point to show Simon that this sinner loved Him better than Simon. He wanted Simon to consider that the woman’s sins were not the most important thing about her, and that Simon’s education and traditions did not make him better than the sinful woman. Jesus wanted to emphasize that forgiving sinful people was the very reason He came to earth from Heaven. (1 Timothy 1:15) Jesus did not want to distance Himself from sinners; He wanted to befriend them and bring them into God’s family. (Luke 19:10)

The Everyday Application

2) Why did Jesus point out the difference between how the woman treated Him and how the Pharisee treated Him? (verses 44-46)

Everyone loves the story of an underdog who defies the odds and comes out on top. From Little Orphan Annie to Rocky Balboa, people love to cheer on those who are looked down on and misused by others. Reading about the unnamed woman who washes Jesus’ feet is reminiscent of just such a tale as the unwelcome woman defies the religious elite, Simon, when she approaches Jesus at Simon’s home. Simon thinks that Jesus’ attentiveness to the woman and her gift is inappropriate, but Jesus points out that this sinful woman has behaved better than His self-righteous host. (Luke 7:44-46)

Jared C. Wilson notes how Simon “grumbles inwardly, not just because he doubts Christ’s holiness in allowing this scandalous scene, but because he considers himself to have higher standards than Jesus has.” Jesus wanted Simon and the onlookers to recognize that He “accepted her worship, covered her with dignity, and regaled her with forgiveness.” (Ifgathering.com)

Simon the Pharisee thought he was better than this woman with a sinful past and that he was more righteous than Jesus, who associated with her. Jesus wanted Simon to know that His forgiveness made scarlet sins as white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18) In pointing out the disparity between their treatment of Jesus, Christ emphasized that all people are sinners in need of a Savior (Romans 3:23), including the woman from the street and the sanctimonious Pharisee.

Jesus pointed out how her worship, while it made the establishment uncomfortable, was more acceptable than Simon’s pious hypocrisy. Jesus lovingly forgives everyone who comes to Him in true repentance (Ephesians 1:7), and He loves the praise and adoration of those who worship Him. (Hebrews 13:15-16)

The Original Intent

3) What does it mean that the one who is forgiven little, loves little? (verse 47)

When a promiscuous woman came to Simon the Pharisee’s house and washed Jesus’ feet, Jesus explained why He considered this an act of worship by telling Simon, “Her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” (verse 47)

Jesus declared this woman’s sins, every single one, to be forgiven. David Guzik points out, “She wasn’t forgiven because of her great love; her great love was evidence that she had been forgiven, probably privately on a prior occasion and now publicly.” Simon had not shown Jesus even the common kindness of foot washing, and Jesus was associating this “little love” with Simon’s lack of awareness of his own need for forgiveness.

Kelly Barbrey notes, “In reality, both the woman and Simon are ‘debtors’ in need of forgiveness. The biggest difference, however, is the passion and awareness with which the woman confesses and the faith she has in Jesus’ forgiveness. Simon is similar to the debtor who owed the smaller sum. (Luke 7:41-42)

In denial of his own shortcomings, he haughtily looks down his nose at the woman who seems to have accumulated a lifetime of transgressions.” Simon didn’t believe he needed to be forgiven of anything because of his perceived superiority. After all, he was a Pharisee, one who studied and taught the law and the Scriptures. He thought he could learn nothing from a prostitute and a traveling teacher.

Jesus wanted Simon to see that God’s forgiveness was the great equalizer, making everyone who called on Jesus a child of God (John 1:12), blameless in His sight (Colossians 1:22), and desirous of sharing the love that had been lavished upon them.

The Everyday Application

3) What does it mean that the one who is forgiven little, loves little? (verse 47)

My friend made some disastrous choices that alienated his family. He recognized he was on a path to ruin and sought God’s forgiveness and restoration. Since then, he has lived like a man with a new lease on life. He is joyful in serving and compassionate with others who need God’s forgiveness. Even when consequences from bad choices continue to surface, he is humbly grateful for God’s forgiveness.

He reminds me of the woman who washed Jesus’ feet in Luke 7:47 of whom Jesus said, “her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” My friend loves much because he knows how much God has forgiven him. He appreciates what God saved him from and what God has graciously allowed him to do, despite his past mistakes. Dave Roper explains that “Sin can make us more appreciative of God’s forgiveness and can lead us to a deeper, more extravagant love for Him than we could otherwise attain.”

Those who don’t seek God’s forgiveness don’t have the same perspective and can only “love little.” Vance Havner suggests that today, “Few alabaster boxes are broken in tearful joy over forgiveness. Sin has been glossed over; men do not regard themselves sinners and consequently feel no burden of guilt and, of course, no relief in His pardon.”

When you realize your need for God’s forgiveness, the comfort and love you experience is overwhelming; this joy is yours every time you come to Him. Christ never responds to our repentance with, “You again?” He never says, “You had enough chances.” In fact, Jesus urges us to ask Him for forgiveness when we pray (Matthew 6:12).

Anytime your sins cause you to turn away from God in shame, remember He is waiting to forgive you and love you. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

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Surrender Day 6
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How are we able to give generously out of our poverty?
Luke 21:1-4 encourages us with the faith of a penniless widow who gave her last two coins to God.
Such generosity in surrender of our earthly treasure requires a belief that all we have belongs to God. He is our why for He will sustain us in plenty or in want.
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Jan 23 - Feb 10, 2023 - Journey Theme #113

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Whole Day 4 See The Sickness: Digging Deeper

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Whole Day 4 See The Sickness: Digging Deeper

Rachel Jones

June 23, 2022

Anger,Giving,Glory,Grace,Jesus,Love

Discover the original intent of Scripture. Make good application to our everyday lives.
Become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

This DD Connects With "See The Sickness"
Why Dig Deeper?

Read His Words Before Ours!

Jeremiah 8:18-22

My joy has flown away; grief has settled on me. My heart is sick. 19 Listen—the cry of my dear people from a faraway land, “Is the Lord no longer in Zion, her King not within her?” Why have they angered me with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols? 20 Harvest has passed, summer has ended, but we have not been saved. 21 I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me. 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?
Read More Of His Words

The Original Intent

1) Why does Jeremiah ask if the Lord is no longer in Zion? (verse 19)

For centuries, God warned the people of Judah of the dire consequences of disobedience. (Deuteronomy 28:49) Judah disregarded the prophets God sent to correct them until finally God allowed Judah to be taken captive. (2 Kings 24:14)

When the prophet Jeremiah lamented the oppression of his people in Jeremiah 8:19 he cried, “Listen—the cry of my dear people from a faraway land, ‘Is the Lord no longer in Zion, her King not within her?’” Matthew Henry explains, “The common cant was, ‘Is not the Lord in Zion? What danger then need we fear? […] Surely we shall do well enough, for have we not God among us?’ But, when it grew to an extremity, it was an aggravation of their misery that they had thus flattered themselves.”

Jeremiah grieved because his people wondered why God did not deliver them from oppression if He was still their Lord and King. God countered Jeremiah’s question with, “Why have they angered me with their carved images, with their worthless foreign idols?” (verse 19). Jeremiah lamented that his people had forsaken God to worship worthless idols. As David Guzik notes, “The problem was not that God had abandoned the land of Israel; the problem was Israel had abandoned God.”

The Lord mercifully gave Judah many opportunities to return to Him before allowing His people to face consequences for their disobedience. (2 Kings 17:13) But just as God demanded justice, He also promised hope. In Deuteronomy 30:2-4, God assured Judah that once they returned to the Lord with obedience and repentance, He would gather them and restore them. What a blessing that we can rely on the goodness and mercy of God to carry us through trials, even the ones we bring upon ourselves.

The Everyday Application

1) Why does Jeremiah ask if the Lord is no longer in Zion? (verse 19)

Sometimes I take the grace of God for granted, doing my own thing my own way, telling myself that God will forgive me (yet again) because that’s His nature.

I feel conviction to stop disobeying, and sometimes I make feeble attempts to change, but invariably I end up making the same mistakes, presuming upon God’s grace to put up with my disobedience.

Steven Lawson asserts, “Many who profess Christ today emphasize a wrong view of grace that makes it a free pass to do whatever they please. Tragically, they have convinced themselves that the Christian life can be lived without any binding obligation to the moral law of God.”

The people of Judah did much the same thing, ignoring God’s repeated warnings to stop sinning and start obeying. (Isaiah 1:17-19) When they faced God’s wrath for their disobedience, the prophet Jeremiah heard the people crying out, “Is the Lord no longer in Zion, her King not within her?”. (verse 19) The people knew God was on their side, so they took advantage of His love and favor, expecting Him to always take them back.

God did bring restoration (Ezra 9:9), but not until they faced the consequences of their actions.

In my life there was a time when I persisted in sin and disobedience, seeking forgiveness but making little effort to produce real change. Eventually, disappointed and distraught, I implored God’s mercy and forgiveness, realizing that God desired true repentance from me, not just remorse or shame. (Psalm 51:16-17) I asked Him for grace to forgive me and surrendered to the Holy Spirit to be empowered to obey Him. (Romans 1:5) I purposed to change my situation and habits out of love for my God and hatred toward my sin (Jude 23), allowing Him to guide me going forward.

How much better to rely on God‘s strength from the beginning than to presume on His goodness! (Ephesians 6:10)

The Original Intent

2) Why does Jeremiah say that he is broken, he mourns, and horror has taken hold of him? (verse 21)

This was unwelcome news. In verse 21, Jeremiah accepted that God’s impending judgment was coming and he cried out, “I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me.”

W.A. Criswell explains, “This is a lament, a sad and sorrowful cry of the prophet Jeremiah as he saw the proffered grace of our Lord refused by the nation, and as he looked upon the armies of the bitter and hasty Chaldeans as they destroyed Judea, destroyed the city of Jerusalem, destroyed the holy temple. (2 Chronicles 36:19) Jeremiah faithfully served God from childhood by urging His people to return to the Lord, warning them of the dire consequences of rejecting God, and it broke his heart to watch his people choose their own destruction.

Alyssa Roat tells us Jeremiah was known as the “weeping prophet” and he “lived at a truly terrible time in history. Not only did he experience the horrors of war, starvation, siege, and captivity, he was called upon to tell the people of it, urging them to repent. Worst of all, they didn’t listen.” The Dutch artist, Rembrandt, made a famous painting titled Jeremiah Lamenting the Destruction of Jerusalem, depicting Jeremiah’s great sorrow over his people’s sin and destruction. The book of Lamentations is filled with Jeremiah’s poetry describing his sorrow over Judah’s desolation.

Because Jeremiah loved the Lord intensely, the brokenness of God’s people grieved him. It was for broken people like these that Jesus suffered and died. (Isaiah 61:1) May we be like Jeremiah and carry God’s love to others, inviting them to find healing in Him.

The Everyday Application

2) Why does Jeremiah say that he is broken, he mourns, and horror has taken hold of him? (verse 21)

It is difficult to watch our kids make mistakes and suffer the consequences. It might be why there are so many helicopter parents who hover over their kids trying to keep them safe from everything, or maybe worse, lawnmower parents, who clear their kids’ paths of any difficulties. Although it is beneficial for children to learn from failures and navigate difficulties, it hurts our hearts to watch them suffer.

The prophet Jeremiah was not a parent, but he grieved over his people like a parent because he had God’s father heart for the people of Judah. (Jeremiah 20:9) He was no helicopter or lawnmower prophet, though. He warned God’s people of the disaster awaiting them if they continued sinning. When Jeremiah saw the desolation God’s people brought on themselves because of their sin, he mourned, ““I am broken by the brokenness of my dear people. I mourn; horror has taken hold of me.” (verse 21)

Jeremiah hated to see his people suffering the consequences they could have avoided by heeding God’s words, but he understood that Judah’s exile was essential for repentance from sin and returning to God. God’s chastisement was necessary, but it would also be useful in turning the people’s hearts back to Father God. (Jeremiah 29:10) Jennifer Rothschild notes, “We often don’t understand why God allows exile. But this you can be sure of […] even in exile, God is giving you a hope and a future. He has plans for your welfare, even when it doesn’t feel well or fair. His plan isn’t for your calamity. God’s plans are to bless and prosper you, not to harm you.”

It is a comfort to know that even God’s correction is a blessing that makes us stronger.

The Original Intent

3) What does Jeremiah mean when he asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” (verse 22)

When Jeremiah lamented the oppression of his people by the Chaldeans (also called Babylonians) he queried, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? So why has the healing of my dear people not come about?”. (Jeremiah 8:22) Philip Ryken writes, “Gilead was the land just east of the Jordan River. It was known for its healing balsams. […] Scholars have been unable to determine how the balm of Gilead was made, but it seems to have been a soothing, aromatic resin made from a tree or a plant. It might be compared to aloe vera.”

Since Gilead was well-known for its healing balm, obviously this was not an actual inquiry. Jeremiah’s rhetorical question emphasized that God had forewarned His people and allowed Judah’s oppression because of their sin and disobedience.

Charles Ellicott suggests “The question of the prophet is therefore a parable. ‘Are there no means of healing, no healer to apply them, for the spiritual wounds of Israel?’ The prophets were her physicians, repentance and righteousness were her balm of Gilead.”

Because God’s people chose not to avail themselves of the remedy God provided through the warnings of the prophets, despite the many opportunities God offered, they experienced oppression, subjugation and exile. The people had multiple invitations to avoid catastrophe, just as Gilead was replete with healing salve.

Judah had the promises of God to protect and guide them if they obeyed Him (Joel 2:18-21), yet they turned towards worshipping other gods and idols instead.

My prayer is to recognize how the Lord provides the “balm of Gilead” in my times of trouble and readily accept His grace and forgiveness whenever I falter.

The Everyday Application

3) What does Jeremiah mean when he asks, “Is there no balm in Gilead?” (verse 22)

When Jeremiah queried Judah in verse 22, he was stating the obvious to the blinded people of Judah, who were sick in their rebellion. Right in their midst, Judah had access to the remedy for their spiritual sickness at their fingertips yet refused healing. They had God’s leadership and protection, and they abandoned Him for wicked pursuits and sinful living. (Jeremiah 2:13)

Chidi Okoroafor notes, “Jeremiah’s question is, “How can a people who traded in balm be so sick?” “How can the people of God, with the Law in their midst, be so sinful?!” What was the solution for the nation of Israel? It was simply using the balm that they already had.”

Had they obeyed God’s laws and remembered His goodness to them, Judah would have avoided decades of oppression.

It is easy to read about their choices and condemn their actions, but we make the same poor decisions today. We may not worship physical idols, but we easily prioritize other things and selfish desires before God. It isn’t hard to neglect abiding in Him, and eventually we find ourselves disobeying His Word.

Our solution is the same one Jeremiah preached. We need to use the balm we have been given by the Lord to heal us, which is trusting in God and knowing Him by studying His Word.

Ann Voskamp asserts, “Jesus is your Soul Salve, your Balm of Gilead, your Wounded Healer who touches your hidden wounds [and…] absorbs all your hurt into His healing heart.”

Jesus calls aloud to heal our wounds (1 Peter 2:24) and break our chains (Romans 8:2). Jesus is our Deliverer (John 8:32) and our Refuge (Psalm 46:1), the Balm of Gilead for every hurt we suffer.

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Oppression: an unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power. (Merriam-Webster)

Often, oppression includes a cluster of feeling heavily burdened and mentally or physically troubled, which may lead to adverse conditions and anxiety.

Oppression has existed since sin first entered the world. As we read the works of Old Testament writers, we find their lament of the suffering humanity experiences.

“My joy has flown away; grief has settled on me. My heart is sick.
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Champion Day 14 The Unexpected Presence: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Unexpected Presence!

The Questions

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)

1 Timothy 2:3-7

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

Original Intent

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)
Paul, writing to his disciple, Timothy, declared “there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” (verse 5) In this passage, Paul explains the reason God sent His Son, Jesus, to the world, calling Him our mediator. Jesus came as a bridge to bring people to God after sin separated them from God in the Garden of Eden. (Galatians 3:19) Matthew Henry asserts, “Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is the Mediator who makes peace.” (Ephesians 2:14) It is Jesus who made a way for sinful man to access a Holy and sinless God (John 14:6) by coming to earth as a man and taking our sins upon Himself, though He Himself was sinless. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Erik Raymond explains that “Jesus had to be a man so that He could identify with us, suffering in our place and sympathizing with us in our weakness . . . [and] Jesus had to be truly God so that He could satisfy God’s wrath and secure for us true righteousness and life.” When Jesus came to earth and died on the cross for our sins (1 Peter 2:24), He made direct communion with God possible by becoming the “mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called might receive the promise of the eternal inheritance, because a death has taken place for redemption from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.” (Hebrews 9:15) Because Jesus mediated a new covenant between man and God, we are able to stand before God with the righteousness of Jesus (Romans 3:22) and cleansed of our sins because of His sacrifice.

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)
Paul claims in verse 6 that Jesus “gave Himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.” He refers to Jesus as a testimony to God’s redemptive plan for humans. (John 3:16) God sent Jesus to earth to reconcile humans with God by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. (2 Corinthians 5:18) It was this testimony of the Good News of Christ as Mediator and Redeemer that Paul was appointed to share with both Jews and Gentiles for the remainder of his life. (2 Timothy 1:11) The proper time to share this message of salvation to all had come. (Romans 5:6) Albert Barnes explains that the testimony was “a doctrine of revelation that redemption was to be provided for all people, and that it was intended that the testimony to this should be afforded at the proper time. It was not fully made known under the ancient dispensation, but now the period had come when it should be communicated to all.” God’s people had been waiting to hear this Good News for generations (Isaiah 9:6), and now that Jesus had come to earth and fulfilled God’s plan (Galatians 4:4), it was time for Paul and other believers to spread the Gospel message to everyone. God wants us to do the same by sharing God’s message of love and forgiveness with those we encounter in our daily lives. (Matthew 28:19) It is our joy and privilege to share Jesus and spread the Gospel to those within our reach.

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)
Paul’s letter to Timothy declares that God appointed Paul as an apostle and teacher of the Gospel, punctuating the statement with the assertion of his veracity, “For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth”. (I Timothy 2:7) He may have wanted to support his claim as a preacher of the True Gospel because he had formerly persecuted Christians until God compelled him to follow Jesus and preach the Good News. (Acts 9) Albert Barnes suggests it “probable that there were those in Ephesus who denied that he could be an apostle, and hence his solemn declaration affirming it.” God chose Paul because of his formerly violent treatment of Christians so he could testify of the life-changing power of God’s Son. Not only was it hard to believe that the staunch Pharisee could become a genuine Christian, but the content of the message was also hard to accept. (1 Corinthians 1:23) Matthew Poole emphasizes, “it was not easy to persuade the Jews that God had sent any to reveal the way of salvation to the Gentiles.” Paul makes it very clear in his letters that the freedom and forgiveness of Christ is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. (Romans 10:11-13) Charles Ellicott asserts that Paul’s words “were uttered solely in view of the surpassing magnitude of the message with which he was charged—solely to bear a weighty and imposing testimony to the truth of his assertion, which so many were ready and eager to dispute—the assertion that the gospel of Jesus Christ was a message of glad tidings, was an offer of salvation, not to a people, but to a world.”

Everyday Application

1) Why is Jesus called the mediator between God and people? (verse 5)
A friend of mine was embroiled in a property dispute with a family member over how to use land bequeathed in joint ownership to two parties. Eventually, the relationship was strained by the conflict and all communication was at a standstill. They were forced to call in a third party to mediate the terms of their dealings with the property, agreeing to accept the mediator’s recommendations. Through his work they were able to compromise about the property, repair their relationship and move forward. The apostle Paul tells us that Jesus came to earth in a similar capacity to act as Mediator between God and humankind. The sin of God’s people made a separation between God and humanity that could only be repaired by God’s Mediator, His Son. (Hebrews 8:6) Because our sin keeps us from God, Jesus made a way for us to reach the Father, taking our sins upon Himself so we could be presented as blameless before God. (Colossians 1:22) Because God’s perfect Son took our place, exchanging our sins for His holiness, He sees us as holy (Hebrews 10:10) for He has imputed His righteousness upon all who trust Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21) God still wants us to be perfect (Matthew 5:48), but not in our own strength. Kristen Wetherell suggests “God expects you to be perfect, yes. But not because you can be—because Jesus has been, is, and always will be perfect. He imputes his holiness to you as a beloved child of God.” Jesus took our punishment for sin, but not so we can continue to sin freely without consequence. He desires us to “be holy as He is holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) He gives us the grace and power to obey His commands. He does not leave us to struggle in our own strength; God Himself makes us holy as He shapes us into the image of His Son! (1 Thessalonians 5:23, Romans 8:29)

2) Why does Paul refer to Jesus as a testimony at the proper time? (verse 6)
In one of my favorite novels, Sense and Sensibility, the main character, Elinor, hides a difficult secret. She learns that the man she loves, Edward, made a regrettable engagement at an impressionable age to a woman he does not love, but his integrity compels him to honor the engagement. Elinor cannot relieve her heart by confiding in her mother or sister because she promised Edward’s fiancée to keep their secret. When Edward’s family discovers the unsuitable betrothal and publicly disinherits him, the time has finally come for Elinor to seek solace from her family for her broken heart. While she desperately wanted to discuss her pain with someone who could comfort her, she had to wait until the proper time. The apostle Paul discusses a long-awaited event that finally could be shared with the world when he declared that Jesus “gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time”. (I Timothy 2:6) The coming of the Messiah and His kingdom had been long anticipated by God’s people (Isaiah 53), and Paul was appointed to share with everyone that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies and the law as the Son of God, the Savior of the world. (Romans 8:4) Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection was the testimony Paul preached to anyone who would listen. Ephesians 1:9-10 tells us God “made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he purposed in Christ as a plan for the right time—to bring everything together in Christ, both things in heaven and things on earth in him.” (emphasis mine) God chose just the right time in history to send His Son to earth to bring freedom from sin to the whole world, and He wants everyone who knows the Truth to share this perfectly timed message!

3) Why does Paul need to assert that he is telling the truth and not lying? (verse 7)
I started a new high school my senior year. Coming from a small Christian school to a large public school, I looked like a bewildered freshman instead of a confident senior at new-student orientation. Unaware that class officers circulated to help students, I was surprised when a gregarious young man offered his assistance. He introduced himself as the senior class president, but I was incredulous. I assumed the class president would look more official, but he was just some guy in blue jeans, cracking jokes and swigging a soda. I voiced my disbelief, assuming he was joking. Flustered, he sputtered, “No, really, I AM the Senior Class President! I’m here to guide you around campus.” I declined his help that day, but it turned out he was, indeed, who he claimed. The Apostle Paul likely faced significant disbelief when he announced that God chose him, who had fiercely persecuted the Church, to proclaim the truth of Jesus to the world. (I Timothy 2:7) Paul had once “intensely persecuted God’s church and tried to destroy it. [He] advanced in Judaism beyond many contemporaries among [his] people, because [he] was extremely zealous for the traditions of [his] ancestors.” (Galatians 1:13-14) When God revealed Jesus to Paul so he could preach Christ among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:16), Paul’s entire life changed direction. Instead of persecuting Christians, He was preaching Jesus and converting people to Christianity. Some people doubted God could do this. (Acts 9:26, Acts 22:19-21) Paul wanted to convince people that He genuinely encountered the Jesus he preached, and his encounter had changed the course of his life forever. As true as this was for Paul, it is just as true for us today. We are forever changed when the Savior reveals His Truth to us and we surrender to following Him!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Unexpected Presence!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Champion Week Three!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 7 Behind The Scenes God: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Behind The Scenes God!

The Questions

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged? (verse 18)

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge? (verse 15)

I Thessalonians 5:14-18

And we exhort you, brothers and sisters: warn those who are idle, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Original Intent

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged? (verse 18)
The apostle Paul exhorted the believers in Thessalonica to help one another in their daily lives as new Christians with their eye on the coming return of Jesus. Paul was very concerned for these new believers. He and Silas fled Thessalonica because of intense persecution, and he worried about those left behind as they faced hardship. Paul sent Timothy to check on them and received good word about the faithfulness of the new believers, so he wrote to encourage and spur them on to new growth and deeper maturity. Persecution was rampant, but Jesus was worth it and he urged them to stay the course of following Christ. Hope was coming! The new believers were both Jews and Gentiles, and Paul suspicioned that false teachers were likely to come in attempting to sway them from solid truth. Paul knew the believers would need each other in order to mature, so he taught them to be on the lookout for those in need of encouragement or a reminder to work hard and do good towards each other. Paul taught God’s will is to “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in everything […]”. (verses 16-18) God’s will is unity between believers and between His people and Himself. When we cast our focus and affection on the Lord, choosing to worship Him in prayer, we are sowing unity. Paul knew if they pursued worship together, they would continue growing together as a community of believers with one central focus: God. To pursue God, they would need help and encouragement from their brothers and sisters in Christ. In the case of Esther, her story was woven with community as her cousin, Mordecai, and all the Jews prayed to the Lord together bringing unity and glorifying God.  

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?
The Thessalonians had much to contend against between the time Paul led them to believe in Jesus and the time Paul sent Timothy back to check on them a few months later. They dealt with ongoing, intense persecution that caused Paul and Silas to flee Thessalonica. Some of their members died, and they were dealing with grief and the confusion about what would happen to their departed friends when Jesus returned. They also wondered what would happen to those alive at the 2nd coming. Some members were being lazy and living off of the generosity of wealthier Christians, while some were struggling with forsaking all of their pagan ways. The church in Thessalonica was dealing with struggles particular to their time and culture, but the intensity of need and the desire for answers is relatable for each generation. Esther stood at a crossroads for her people as they faced extermination. She interceded for them with bravery and humility, but for every step she took, it was the Lord God leading her. We don’t face the same challenges Esther or the Thessalonians did, but our culture screams just as loud to abandon our faith, choose self over intercession, and apathy over zeal for the Lord. The Thessalonians were eager for Paul’s presence, but his letter was welcome instruction on how they should proceed in his absence. Paul wanted them to keep rejoicing, keep praying, and keep thanking God for everything. This would help them focus on God and grow in their faith despite the tumult of the times.

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge? (verse 15)
Paul may have instructed the new Christians in Thessalonica to resist revenge because they were being intensely persecuted by the Greeks in their culture. Their natural, human instinct would be to get even with those harming them, but Paul counseled them that Christianity does not work that way. Even in the Old Testament, God commanded that the faithful “do not take revenge, or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.” (Leviticus 19:18) Not only were they to resist revenge, but they were to pursue the good of everyone, even their persecutors. Paul was intent on emphasizing God’s character as their Champion to the new Christ-followers; He gives generously of Himself to His enemies by sacrificing Himself in their place. Since Paul himself had zealously persecuted Christians before his conversion, his admonition held particular significance. We are not to take revenge on others, for God Himself did not take revenge on us, instead He sacrificed for us. Mordecai particularly could have taken revenge on his arch-enemy, Haman, at any time, but he showed restraint, waiting on the Lord, trusting His ways over his own. We are to do the same.

Everyday Application

1) How do you pursue God’s will when you are feeling weak or discouraged? (verse 18)
The exhortation in these verses is important every day, but especially on those down days when we just can’t go it alone. If the command to worship through prayer brought an entire city together to beseech the Lord on behalf of the Jews, its benefits to us in our everyday struggles are immense! Prayer and worship prove effective not because of our flowery words, but because it is the Lord who hears and acts on our behalf through our faith. There is one Champion, and it is the Lord God. Paul’s writing reminds us we need to lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ who can pray on our behalf just as Mordecai and the Jews did for Esther. We should reach out for help, encouragement, accountability, and prayer from the community around us. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 reads, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” We are also reminded that prayer and praise change our perspective. If we are called to rejoice always, there is always something to rejoice over. If we pray constantly, we are communicating with God about our daily needs. Giving thanks even in the midst of hard times helps us recognize all the blessings we have that are often taken for granted.

2) How can this Scripture help us navigate a chaotic culture like Esther’s?
It is easy to get bogged down by our never-ending to-do lists and our constant busyness. We don’t always have time to take a shower or eat a full meal, let alone pray constantly or lend a hand to a friend in need. These verses call us to be both intentional and singular in our focus on God. Esther’s need was desperate, pressing, and urging, and though our challenges aren’t the same, we can relate to her sense of desperation and urgency. Consider how we respond in our urgent need moments, or even the long-term needs we’ve been agonizing over for months or years. Are we seeing these as opportunities to turn to the Lord in prayers of faith? The more we cultivate our relationship with the Lord, the more natural it becomes to “pray always” as if breathing. God calls us to invest in our fellow Christians who may need an encouraging word or some extra patience as they face a struggle. He calls us to always pursue what is good for one another, which flies in the face of our culture’s “me first” mentality. While it can be challenging, it is one of the best ways we can represent Christ to our neighbors. John 13:35 tells us, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” We are challenged to make careful choices about where we spend our time and energy, purposing to help our friends in need, to seek support when we need it, and keep our focus on God alone.

3) Why is it so important to resist revenge? (verse 15)
Paul implores us to be patient with everyone, which includes our enemies. Why is this so necessary? In a way, revenge seems like a great way to ensure that justice, at least our version of it, is served. If someone is doing evil, they deserve to get some pay back. God says, “Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to Me; I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19) God wants us to focus on forgiveness and doing good toward others, not on how we can make someone pay for their sins. We cannot champion our own stories by exacting our own revenge. James writes that, “human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent […].” (James 1:20-21) The only one worthy to judge or bring retribution is the Lord God! Romans 12:21 tells us we are able to conquer evil with good. It is vital to resist revenge because by doing so we are taking the first step to overcoming evil with good; only in this can we surrender to the True Champion. In this way, we get our enemy’s attention and turn their focus to the goodness of God instead of our own vengeance. In this way, we practice being like Jesus and trust the results to Him, just as Esther modeled!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Behind The Scenes God!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Champion Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Champion Day 4 Bold And Brave?: Digging Deeper

Leave a Comment

Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Bold And Brave?

The Questions

1) Why did God choose Moses to help set the Israelites free from Egypt? (Exodus 3:11-12)

2) What does God mean by instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that I AM had sent him to release them from Egypt? (Exodus 3:14-15)

3) What explains Moses’ reluctance to follow God’s instructions even after the promises, signs, and miracles? (Exodus 4:13)

Exodus 3:11-4:17

11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” 12 He answered, “I will certainly be with you, and this will be the sign to you that I am the one who sent you: when you bring the people out of Egypt, you will all worship God at this mountain.” 13 Then Moses asked God, “If I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ what should I tell them?” 14 God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” 15 God also said to Moses, “Say this to the Israelites: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation. 16 “Go and assemble the elders of Israel and say to them: The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, has appeared to me and said: I have paid close attention to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised you that I will bring you up from the misery of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 They will listen to what you say. Then you, along with the elders of Israel, must go to the king of Egypt and say to him: The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go on a three-day trip into the wilderness so that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. 19 “However, I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go, even under force from a strong hand. 20 But when I stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my miracles that I will perform in it, after that, he will let you go. 21 And I will give these people such favor with the Egyptians that when you go, you will not go empty-handed. 22 Each woman will ask her neighbor and any woman staying in her house for silver and gold jewelry, and clothing, and you will put them on your sons and daughters. So you will plunder the Egyptians.” 4 Moses answered, “What if they won’t believe me and will not obey me but say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you’?” 2 The Lord asked him, “What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied. 3 “Throw it on the ground,” he said. So Moses threw it on the ground, it became a snake, and he ran from it. 4 The Lord told Moses, “Stretch out your hand and grab it by the tail.” So he stretched out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand. 5 “This will take place,” he continued, “so that they will believe that the Lord, the God of their ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you.” 6 In addition the Lord said to him, “Put your hand inside your cloak.” So he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, his hand was diseased, resembling snow. 7 “Put your hand back inside your cloak,” he said. So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, it had again become like the rest of his skin. 8 “If they will not believe you and will not respond to the evidence of the first sign, they may believe the evidence of the second sign. 9 And if they don’t believe even these two signs or listen to what you say, take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground. The water you take from the Nile will become blood on the ground.” 10 But Moses replied to the Lord, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent—either in the past or recently or since you have been speaking to your servant—because my mouth and my tongue are sluggish.” 11 The Lord said to him, “Who placed a mouth on humans? Who makes a person mute or deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will help you speak and I will teach you what to say.” 13 Moses said, “Please, Lord, send someone else.” 14 Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses, and he said, “Isn’t Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, he is on his way now to meet you. He will rejoice when he sees you. 15 You will speak with him and tell him what to say. I will help both you and him to speak and will teach you both what to do. 16 He will speak to the people for you. He will serve as a mouth for you, and you will serve as God to him. 17 And take this staff in your hand that you will perform the signs with.”

Original Intent

1) Why did God choose Moses to help set the Israelites free from Egypt? (Exodus 3:11-12)
When God met Moses at the burning bush and called him to return to Egypt and free the Israelites from slavery, Moses was reluctant and baffled that God would choose him. (Exodus 3:11-12) David Guzik suggests Moses should have focused on God rather than his own shortcomings because “God’s identity was more important than who Moses was. When we know the God who is with us, we can step forth confidently to do His will.” God chose Moses because He wasn’t looking for eloquence and bravery. He was looking for faith, obedience, and willingness to follow Him. (1 John 5:3) God chose someone who was not a great speaker because He wanted Moses to rely on His power and His presence (Isaiah 41:10), not on Moses’ skill and talent. Christine Caine suggests, “There seemed to be a precedent in the Bible for God using people who considered themselves unqualified, insecure, and incapable. When they obeyed and did what He called them to do, it ensured that He received all the glory.” If a reticent stutterer could convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go, it was only because the God working through him was powerful and almighty. God performed amazing miracles through His flawed servant, Moses, and He has plans to use each one of us to do great things for His glory (1 Corinthians 2:9), no matter our imperfections. We can rejoice that God uses our weaknesses to show Himself strong! (2 Corinthians 12:9)

2) What does God mean by instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that I AM had sent him to release them from Egypt? (Exodus 3:14-15)
There are over 1,000 names for God in the Bible, but the one God instructs Moses to use when freeing the Israelites is I AM, because He says, “This is my name forever; this is how I am to be remembered in every generation.” (Exodus 3:14-15) John Piper explains how “the name Yahweh and the name I AM are built out of the same Hebrew word (hayah) […] Yahweh seems to be used here interchangeably with I AM. Contained in the name Yahweh is the first and most important truth about God: He exists.” God wanted to remind His people He had always been their God, since before Creation (John 1:1-3), and He would continue to be their Deliverer. (Romans 11:26) As David Guzik suggests, “God told Moses His name was I AM because God simply is; there was never a time when He did not exist, or a time when He will cease to exist.” Jesus uses this name for Himself in John 8:58 when He declares, “Before Abraham was, I AM.” He says something similar in John 18:4-6, when the Pharisees ask if He is Jesus and He answers, “I Am He”, and they all fall backwards on the ground. Lisa Lorraine Baker suggests, “The force of the expression of God’s name was akin to God telling Moses he was standing on holy ground.” The Almighty, Eternal God commanded Moses to make His name known to the captive nation of Israel so they would understand that the God of their ancestors could be trusted to deliver them from captivity. Jesus came to earth for the same reason, to set us free from our slavery to sin. (Romans 6:6) I AM truly is the same yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8)

3) What explains Moses’ reluctance to follow God’s instructions even after the promises, signs, and miracles? (Exodus 4:13)
God used common things in a spectacular way when He called Moses to free Israel from Egyptian captivity. He employed a burning bush, a rod that became a snake, and a hand that became diseased and then was healed. God provided the promise of Presence and more miraculous events to prove His power, but Moses replied, “Please, Lord, send someone else”. (Exodus 4:13) Moses was afraid and reluctant to obey because he focused on his own weaknesses and shortcomings instead of the Almighty God who performed miracles with amazing power. He trusted what he knew and understood about his own flaws more than he trusted God’s ability to work through his deficiencies. Karen Ehman explains that Moses “responded by using thoughts about His weaknesses instead of thoughts about God’s strength. His heart-closet contained so many ill-fitting assumptions that he was unable to quickly don the name-brand truths from his Creator and Designer, Yahweh.” Moses simply didn’t trust God could use him to do such important work. He needed to learn to see God as bigger and stronger than his weaknesses (Isaiah 40:29-31) John Piper suggests, “God’s answer to that maneuver is always the same: ‘RIGHT, you are small and weak. But WRONG, that is no excuse to cop out. Why? Because I will be with you, I will help you, I will strengthen you and will uphold you with my victorious right hand. I love to do big things through small people! How else will My name be glorified in all the earth?’” Moses needed to accept that none of God’s success was determined by Moses’ skill and prowess; everything depended on God’s ability to work through Moses’ trusting surrender. This is the faith that pleases God! (Hebrews 11:6)

Everyday Application

1) Why did God choose Moses to help set the Israelites free from Egypt? (Exodus 3:11-12)
As a new teacher, I quickly realized that no matter how good my grades were in college or how thorough my training was, a class full of high-schoolers could size me up and determine all my vulnerabilities within the first week of classes. Multiply that by 6 classes a day, and I was pouring over the help wanted ads by Christmas break my first year of teaching, looking for a career change. I thought God had led me to the profession, but I began to question, much like Moses did, who am I to do this job? (Exodus 3:11-12) I needed to learn, just as Moses did, what Christine Caine asserts, “It is never about who I am not, but rather, it is always about who He is in me.” I was not a great disciplinarian, and Moses was not a great orator, but that wasn’t the full story. When God chooses you for a task, He empowers you to accomplish the task by giving you His strength and working through you as you surrender. (Hebrews 13:21) Meredith McDaniel explains, “It was by God’s holiness and power that Moses was able to go back to the people and share with them the promises of their Creator. God provided just what he needed to do it and more. […] In the same way God equipped Moses, He provides everything we need through His mighty power and His ability to see farther down the road ahead than we can.” When you struggle in your own strength to do something God has asked of you, I encourage you to stop flailing and allow God to empower and direct your actions. He is gracious to provide everything we need to excel in what He has planned for us. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

2) What does God mean by instructing Moses to tell the Israelites that I AM had sent him to release them from Egypt? (Exodus 3:14-15)
As a teacher, I taught a trick to identify “being verbs”. By replacing the verb with an equal sign in a sentence, one could know its identity if the words were equally defined. In, “I am a teacher,”, I = a teacher, so “am” is a being verb. In, “I teach Spanish,” I [does not] = Spanish, so “teach” is an action verb. When God instructed Moses to announce Himself as “I Am Who I Am” (Exodus 3:14-15), He didn’t follow the verb Am with anything. He simply declared, “I AM.” No equivalent was needed. “There is no equivalent for God but God. If you place God on the one side of your symbol of equation (=), there is nothing to put on the other but Himself.” (F.B. Meyer) God wanted His people to recognize that He is the one true God without equal. (Exodus 8:10) The Israelites found that I AM was their Every Thing in their time of need, including Deliverer (Exodus 6:6) and Provider (Exodus 16:13-14). There exists no need that cannot be fulfilled by the Great I Am! In our humanity, we may believe we need something different in a different timeline, but God is not our genie, bending at our whim. He lovingly knows exactly what is needed and will prove Himself to be the perfect I AM every time. (Matthew 6:8) Of Himself, Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12) and “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35) to describe God as the Sovereign Lord who supplies every need. (Philippians 4:19) Our God, The Great I Am, is our complete supplier!

3) What explains Moses’ reluctance to follow God’s instructions even after the promises, signs, and miracles? (Exodus 4:13)
When my husband mentions something God may be calling us to do, I have been known to respond with, “God would need to send me a flashing neon sign before I would consider that.” When I read how Moses told God, “Please, Lord, send someone else” (Exodus 4:13), I recognize my own attitude in his reluctance and reticence. God performed miracles and gave Moses details about His guidance and direction during the exodus, but Moses was still afraid to trust God. Priscilla Shirer suggests, “Moses’ problem was that although he reverenced God, he didn’t yet know him very well. Understanding God’s attributes . . . helps us appreciate him in a deeper, more intimate way as it moves us from knowing about him to truly knowing him.” Moses needed to learn that God was faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9) and worthy of his trust (Psalm 111:7). He also needed to learn that, while God loved him and wanted to use him, God didn’t love Moses for his abilities or what he could do for God. Judah Smith said, “To solve Moses’ identity crisis, God reminds Moses who God is. […] The answer to our frequent identity crises is not first and foremost focusing on who we are, but focusing on who God is.” God used miracles to let Moses rest in truth, knowing that, when you have a powerful God on your side, you don’t need exceptional capabilities. God just wants a faithful and obedient servant to follow Him in a demonstration of faith. (1Corinthians 4:1-2) Although my own attitude is sometimes as faithless as Moses’, I am blessed that God gives grace to “bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His name”. (Romans 1:5)

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Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

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Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

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Eden Day 2 Ex Nihilo: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Ex Nihilo!

The Questions

1) How did God establish the foundations of the earth? (verse 5)

2) What is meant by God watering the mountain from His palace and satisfying the earth from the fruit of His labor? (verse 13)

3) How does God give all creatures food at the right time? (verse 27)

Psalm 104

My soul, bless the Lord!
Lord my God, you are very great;
you are clothed with majesty and splendor.
2 He wraps himself in light as if it were a robe,
spreading out the sky like a canopy,
3 laying the beams of his palace
on the waters above,
making the clouds his chariot,
walking on the wings of the wind,
4 and making the winds his messengers,
flames of fire his servants.

5 He established the earth on its foundations;
it will never be shaken.
6 You covered it with the deep
as if it were a garment;
the water stood above the mountains.
7 At your rebuke the water fled;
at the sound of your thunder they hurried away—
8 mountains rose and valleys sank—
to the place you established for them.
9 You set a boundary they cannot cross;
they will never cover the earth again.

10 He causes the springs to gush into the valleys;
they flow between the mountains.
11 They supply water for every wild beast;
the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
12 The birds of the sky live beside the springs;
they make their voices heard among the foliage.
13 He waters the mountains from his palace;
the earth is satisfied by the fruit of your labor.

14 He causes grass to grow for the livestock
and provides crops for man to cultivate,
producing food from the earth,
15 wine that makes human hearts glad—
making his face shine with oil—
and bread that sustains human hearts.

16 The trees of the Lord flourish,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
17 There the birds make their nests;
storks make their homes in the pine trees.
18 The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the cliffs are a refuge for hyraxes.

19 He made the moon to mark the festivals;
the sun knows when to set.
20 You bring darkness, and it becomes night,
when all the forest animals stir.
21 The young lions roar for their prey
and seek their food from God.
22 The sun rises; they go back
and lie down in their dens.
23 Man goes out to his work
and to his labor until evening.

24 How countless are your works, Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Here is the sea, vast and wide,
teeming with creatures beyond number—
living things both large and small.
26 There the ships move about,
and Leviathan, which you formed to play there.

27 All of them wait for you
to give them their food at the right time.
28 When you give it to them,
they gather it;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your breath,
they are created,
and you renew the surface of the ground.

31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works.
32 He looks at the earth, and it trembles;
he touches the mountains,
and they pour out smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God while I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him;
I will rejoice in the Lord.
35 May sinners vanish from the earth
and wicked people be no more.
My soul, bless the Lord!
Hallelujah!

Original Intent

1) How did God establish the foundations of the earth? (verse 5)
In Psalm 104:5, the author wrote of God’s creation when he declared, “He established the earth on its foundations; it will never be shaken.” David Guzik explains how “The psalmist understood that God was the Creator of all things, and that it was He who laid the foundations of the earth. It did not happen by chance or random events.” Before creation, there was darkness and void (Genesis 1:2), but God spoke and commanded everything into existence (Psalm 33:9). Charles Spurgeon marveled, “the earth is so placed in space that it remains as stable as if it were a fixture. (…) What power must there be in that hand which has caused so vast a body to know its orbit, and to move so smoothly in it.” It is difficult to comprehend that our amazing world, with its intricate design and complex functions, was established and maintained by Words spoken by the Creator. Yet, Scripture is very clear that every created thing was made by God (John 1:3) and is sustained by Him (Colossians 1:17). As we contemplate the wonder of God’s creation, we can rejoice with the psalmist how the whole earth is filled with the Lord’s glory! (Psalm 72:19)

2) What is meant by God watering the mountain from His palace and satisfying the earth from the fruit of His labor? (verse 13)
Psalm 104 paints a beautiful picture of Creation and the subsequent care God provides His creatures. In verse 13 David writes, “He waters the mountains from his palace; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of your labor.” While it may sound strange, this describes how God provides rain for all living things so they have the food and water necessary to sustain life. Even “The mountains themselves, even their highest tops, are not left dry. Where springs cannot reach, rain falls from God’s ‘chambers’ in the sky, and spreads equal refreshment.” (Pulpit Commentary) God provides everything the land needs to grow and thrive from the highest heights to the deepest depths. Because this Psalm also discusses Creation, some people are confused by this reference to rain when there was none during Creation. (Genesis 2:5) In fact, the Bible doesn’t mention rainfall until the Great Flood. (Genesis 7:11-12) But this account doesn’t contradict the Creation account because it isn’t referencing Creation, but instead depicts how God uses rain to sustain His Creation. Walter Zorn explains, “Following the order of creation as given in Genesis, [the psalmist] shows how God, in successive stages, was preparing for the welfare and comfort of his creatures.” In Psalm 65:9, the psalmist proclaims God visits “the earth and waters it abundantly, enriching it greatly. God’s stream is filled with water, for you prepare the earth in this way, providing people with grain.” In Acts 14:17 God “did what is good by giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons and filling you with food. . .” Every rainy day is a reminder of God’s provision, just as every dry season points to our need for reliance on God in everything.

3) How does God give all creatures food at the right time? (verse 27)
When David asserted all created beings “wait for [God] to give them their food at the right time” (verse 27), he described God’s provision for everything He had made. Philip Harrelson suggests David “is portraying a direct dependence of all things, all life, upon the active presence of God, in every moment, for all time.” God created all living things and made provision for them to grow and develop by giving the food they need when they need it. (Psalm 136:25) God gives all creatures food, but He also supplies all the needs of His people. (Philippians 4:19) Andrew Murray explains how “It is the very place and nature of God to be the continuous supplier of the creature‘s every need. Likewise, the very place and nature of the creature is only this—to wait upon God and receive from Him what He alone can give, what He delights to give.” God longs to give us good gifts when we seek Him and wait upon Him. (Matthew 7:11) He lovingly provides us with strength (Philippians 4:13) and grace (James 4:6) in our everyday lives. God wants us to turn to Him for everything we need (Isaiah 45:22) because He is everything we need. (Psalm 16:5) God supplies our physical needs by assuring our food grows as we need it, and He supplies our spiritual and emotional needs so we grow in His grace and the knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:18) God wants us to have what we need so = we can do all the good works He set out for us to accomplish in His strength. (2 Corinthians 9:8) What a relief knowing that everything we need, from the food we eat to the plan for our lives, comes from the gracious hand of God!

Everyday Application

1) How did God establish the foundations of the earth? (verse 5)
According to Nasa.gov, Earth has the nickname “the Goldilocks planet. In the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears, a little girl named Goldilocks liked everything just right. (…) On Earth, everything is just right for living things. It’s warm, but not too warm. And it has water, but not too much water.” How is it that earth happens to be “just right” for life? Surely no accident or happenstance could produce a planet capable of sustaining life for animals, plants, and humans! Scripture tells us it exists this way because of its Creator. The Lord God formed the earth and set its place in the heavens. Colossians 1:16 informs us “everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities— all things have been created through Him and for Him.” Astronauts who have witnessed what earth looks like from space report feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of the “blue marble” and the sight of it suspended in space. Astronaut, Michael Massimino, described his mission with the shuttle Atlantis as “I felt like I was almost looking at a secret . . . It’s too beautiful. There’re no words to describe how beautiful things are out there.” This sentiment echoes the words of David in Psalm 19:1 who announces, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands.” The order, beauty, and design of Earth and all creation declares the handiwork of a Divine Creator, whether your view is from the plains of Kansas, the mountains of Ethiopia, or the window of a shuttle whirling through space.

2) What is meant by God watering the mountain from His palace and satisfying the earth from the fruit of His labor? (verse 13)
Looking back over the 50 Midwest summers I have enjoyed, many of them have included hot, dry months without enough rain. Kids weren’t allowed to run through the water hose or fill the wading pool because water needed to be conserved. My farmer-Grandpa watched the weather forecast and worried over the continued drought. I remember prayer meetings where the saints all cried out to God to make the rain fall. I also remember the joy and relief when precious raindrops finally pelted the dry ground! The psalmist David blessed the Lord for His provision of rain, recognizing the simplicity of rain as part of God’s plan for life on earth to flourish. David Guzik notes how “The psalmist considered how the water, plants, and animals of the earth each find their place in God’s plan and order. (…) He saw a good, harmonious world in nature and knew Yahweh was responsible for it.” Because we require rain to water the vegetation that feeds people and animals, God waters the earth so it can sustain us. (Isaiah 55:10) When we consider how it’s God who “gives the seasonal rains, both autumn and spring, who guarantees to us the fixed weeks of the harvest” (Jeremiah 5:24), we should be thankful and wonder at God’s goodness and power.

3) How does God give all creatures food at the right time? (verse 27)
I loved visiting my Grandpa’s farm as a little girl. I chased chickens, rode horses, traveled in the cab of his tractor, and even watched baby pigs being born. I jumped at every chance to visit the farm. But one Christmas, as I watched Grandpa pull on his boots to set out for the farm, I asked him why he was farming on Christmas. He laughed, saying the cows want to eat every day, even on Christmas! That memory of Grandpa feeding his cattle reminds me of the psalmist David’s words that all created beings “wait for [God] to give them their food at the right time.” (Psalm 104:27) Like a farmer caring for his livestock, God makes sure His creatures are cared for as needed on a daily basis. The Bible tells us God feeds the birds, and since we matter more to Him than they do, we shouldn’t worry because God knows what we need (Matthew 6:32) Jesus proved this care for people’s physical needs when He fed a crowd of more than 5,000 who had come to hear His teaching. In blessing 2 loaves of bread and 5 fishes, Christ fed the masses. (Matthew 14:19-21) More than just providing food for us, our loving God “richly provides us with all things to enjoy.” (1 Timothy 6:17) Alexander Maclaren asserts, “So manifold are the aspects of God’s infinite sufficiency, that every soul, in every possible variety of circumstance, will find there just what will suit it.” No matter who we are or what we need, God has us covered! He ensures our physical needs are met, and He invites us to ask Him for our “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11), which refers to all the needs we depend on God to satisfy.

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Ex Nihilo!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Eden Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Sacrifice Day 7 The Blood Path: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out The Blood Path!

The Questions

1) Why would Jesus say the bread is His body? (verse 22)

2) Why would Jesus refer to the wine as His blood of the covenant? (verse 24)

3) What does Jesus mean that the blood is poured out for many? (verse 24)

Mark 14:22-24

As they were eating, he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take it; this is my body.” 23 Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 He said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.

Original Intent

1) Why would Jesus say the bread is His body? (verse 22)
Mark 14 depicts two Jewish feasts, The Feast of the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, commonly celebrated together as one 8-day holiday. Passover commemorates when God “passed over” the homes of the Hebrews who covered their doorposts with the blood of a lamb, saving their firstborn children from death. (Exodus 12:12-13) The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:17-20) commemorates Israel’s exodus from slavery in Egypt. David Guzik explains, “When the bread was lifted up at Passover, the head of the meal would say, ‘This is the bread of affliction which our fathers ate in the land of Egypt. Let everyone who hungers come and eat; let everyone who is needy come and eat the Passover meal.’” At the Passover just before His crucifixion, which we call the Last Supper or the Lord’s Supper, Jesus “took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, ‘Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22) Jesus explained the bread of Passover as representing the sacrifice He was about to make in taking the world’s sins upon Himself at the cross. Jesus associated the bread with His body to symbolize what we learn in Colossians 1:22, that “now He has reconciled you by His physical body through his death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him.” Kenneth Wuest suggests “the bread symbolized Him as the spiritual nourishment upon which a sinner may feed and have eternal life.” Jesus called Himself “the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live forever. The bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” (John 6:51) Whenever you take bread at Communion, remember the incredible sacrifice Jesus made on the cross for us all!

2) Why would Jesus refer to the wine as His blood of the covenant? (verse 24)
As part of Jesus’ observance of and participation in the Passover, He lifted a cup of wine. Brian Bell explains that Passover “requires 4 cups of wine, 2 before the meal and 2 after. (…) The cup of wine that would have been raised during the meal that is now remembered when one commemorates the Lord’s Supper was the cup of redemption.” Raising the cup, Jesus said, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” (verse 24) The “blood of the covenant” referred to the way the Jews made covenants with one another and God. (Exodus 24:6-8) Kevin Williams explains, “In the [first five books of the Bible] and throughout the ancient world, covenants were sealed and confirmed with blood. This is no less true in the Gospels. Symbolically with the cup and literally through His blood shed at the crucifixion, the Messiah proclaimed the beginnings of a new covenant predicted by the Jewish prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:31-34)” Jesus’ shed blood on the cross would mark a new covenant with those who would place their full faith in Him. Through faith, Christ forgives sins (Ephesians 1:7), indwells believers with the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19) and guarantees eternal life (John 3:16). His blood poured out in sacrifice demonstrated the loving commitment He made to redeem the world. Hebrews 9:22 declares, “According to the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” By shedding His own blood to make a new covenant with us, Christ paid the price to cleanse us from our sins and present us blameless to His Father. (Ephesians 5:27)

3) What does Jesus mean that the blood is poured out for many? (verse 24)
When Jesus raised the Passover wine and stated, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many” (verse 24), He was signifying the sacrifice He was about to make for the whole world to be reconciled to God. Just a short time after this declaration at the Last Supper, He would hang on a cross, pour out His blood, and take on the sins of all humanity. ”The idea of poured out implies a violent outpouring as did in fact occur on the Cross. For many speaks of the millions and millions of souls who have placed their faith in Christ and His fully atoning blood shed on Calvary” (Preceptaustin.org) Father God’s rescue plan to vanquish sin and death was to make Jesus the sacrificial lamb, effectively atoning for the sins of every person on the planet. (John 1:29) However, only those who embrace Christ as their personal Lord by faith and surrender can experience the benefits of total atonement and eternal forgiveness. The prophet Isaiah foretold that God would punish Jesus for the “iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6) and the Messiah would bear the sins of many when He came (Isaiah 53:11-12). Jesus said of Himself that He came to seek out the lost and save them by giving His life as a ransom for many. (Luke 19:10) 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us, “Christ died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves, but for the one who died for them and was raised.” Jesus’ blood was shed so we could live a life free from sin and death! (Romans 6:23) I rejoice to be “one of the many” set free by His sacrifice, and I purpose to let others know the Good News!

Everyday Application

1) Why would Jesus say the bread is His body? (verse 22)
In my childhood church, the Lord’s Supper consisted of grape juice and tiny wafers, passed down the pew by an usher. I looked forward to taking communion from the shiny silver tray as it passed by me. I understood we were thanking God for dying on the cross for our sins, but the idea of the little square of bread symbolizing Christ’s body (Mark 14:22) didn’t really impact my young mind as we gave thanks for the elements. Once I grew older I would grapple with the concept of the Word (Jesus) becoming flesh and dwelling among us. (John 1:14) It’s astounding that God would send Jesus to earth as fully God and fully man (Colossians 2:9), especially knowing the pain and suffering Jesus would endure in His body and spirit when God’s plan of salvation unfolded at Calvary. (Luke 23:44-49) D. Edmond Hiebert notes, “The bread which had been given them, after being broken, stood symbolically for His body, or rather the sacrificial giving of Himself for them.” Understanding more about this sacrifice, this willingness of Him who knew no sin to be made sin for us (Romans 8:3) makes taking communion more impactful for me as an adult. Author Ann Voskamp, in her book One Thousand Gifts, says of the Lord’s Supper, “In a very tangible, physical act, aren’t I enacting my thanksgiving for His pain? In a very real way, in a digestible, consuming-oneness way, I’m celebrating greater gain through great loss”. (pg 37) Though I may never fully comprehend the depth of God’s love and the greatness of His sacrifice on this side of Heaven, these days I give deep thanks for His saving grace when I stop to observe the Lord’s Supper.

2) Why would Jesus refer to the wine as His blood of the covenant? (verse 24)
I am a bit squeamish about blood. I cover my eyes when there is a surgery on TV, and I look away during blood draws for lab work. I feel blessed to buy meat at the grocery without needing to butcher animals myself. Given my aversion to blood, reconciling myself to the idea of a blood covenant in the Bible proves challenging. I sing about the blood of Jesus, but do I understand what it signifies? In the Bible, making a blood covenant was a serious matter. “In covenant, the shedding of blood demonstrated as nothing else could the intensity of the commitment. By cutting covenant the two parties were bound for life. Thus, the shedding of blood in the cutting of covenant established the gravity and binding nature of this transaction.” (Preceptaustin.org) By pouring out His blood for us, Jesus evidenced His great love and enduring faithfulness. Making this sacrifice was no easy thing. Twice Jesus asked His Father to “let this cup pass from Me”. (Matthew 26:39) Not only did He know the physical horrors He would face on the cross, but the perfect, sinless Savior was about to be made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21); this was the real agony of the cross. However, Jesus chose God’s will over His own and embraced God’s plan of sacrificing His only Son to reconcile sinful people to God. (John 3:17) That precious blood He spilled was given out of a love so deep I cannot fathom. I can only happily and humbly accept the grace He gives, love and trust Him in return, and share about His great gift with those I encounter.

3) What does Jesus mean that the blood is poured out for many? (verse 24)
One criticism against Christianity is that it’s too narrow with too many rules and requirements. The argument is that all roads (should) lead to Heaven, not just the narrow way of the Bible. (Matthew 7:14) I argue that Christianity is probably the least narrow religion because literally everyone is welcome. Jesus poured out His blood to save many, not just a select few. True, not all will accept His offer of total forgiveness and new life, but their decision doesn’t negate His offer. While there are commandments and directions on how to live like Jesus in the Bible, salvation is a free gift to anyone who believes the message of Christ. (Ephesians 2:8) Acts 10:34 tells us God doesn’t show favoritism. He doesn’t invite just one gender, race, or nationality to become children of God, but He gives that right to all who receive Him and believe His name. (John 1:12) 2 Peter 3:9 assures us the Lord “does not want any to perish but all to come to repentance.” Romans 10:13 promises salvation to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord. Ann Voskamp suggests “Christ rises with His scars because your name is written right into His scars and He can’t bear to leave you behind—He means for you to rise too.” Besides inviting anyone and everyone to follow Him, maybe the most amazing thing is that Christ gave His life for us to become His children while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8) He died to redeem every person on the planet, whether or not they would ever choose to accept His amazing gift. This kind of love is staggering and should be shouted from the rooftops!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with The Blood Path!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Sacrifice Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Studies

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
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Wilderness Day 4 Job’s Wilderness & My Own: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Job’s Wilderness & My Own!

The Questions

1) Why does Job assert he will emerge from his testing as pure gold? (verse 10)

2) Why does Job say that God terrifies him? (verses 15-16)

3) Why does Job say he is not destroyed by the darkness that covers his face? (verse 17)

Job 23:10-17

Yet he knows the way I have taken; when he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold. 11 My feet have followed in His tracks; I have kept to His way and not turned aside. 12 I have not departed from the commands from His lips; I have treasured the words from His mouth more than my daily food. 13 But He is unchangeable; who can oppose Him? He does what He desires. 14 He will certainly accomplish what He has decreed for me, and He has many more things like these in mind. 15 Therefore I am terrified in His presence; when I consider this, I am afraid of Him. 16 God has made my heart faint; the Almighty has terrified me. 17 Yet I am not destroyed by the darkness, by the thick darkness that covers my face.

Original Intent

1) Why does Job assert he will emerge from his testing as pure gold? (verse 10)
In Job’s biblical account, the Lord tested His servant by allowing him to lose his children, possessions, and health (Job 1:13-19, Job 2:7) John Piper explains that in testing Job, “God chooses to get an open victory over Satan for His own glory. A test will show that in the heart of Job God Himself is more highly esteemed than any possession or any family member.” God knew Job was a man of integrity who feared God (Job 1:8) and wouldn’t turn away from the Lord because of trouble. In fact, Job avowed, “When He has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.” (verse 10) Although he wavered and struggled because of his difficulties, Job ultimately honored God with his actions and responses to the trials he faced. Job knew that just as gold comes out of intense fire pure and refined, he would come through the Lord’s testing better, wiser, and more steadfast in faith. (Job 42:1-7) Eugene Peterson remarks that when we go through suffering, our “lives are often transformed, deepened, marked with beauty and holiness, in remarkable ways that could never have been anticipated before the suffering.” Although Job was frustrated and discouraged, he did not curse God or give up, as he was encouraged to do. (Job 2:9-10) He complained and protested, but he held no anger against God at his great loss. (Job 13:15) Job knew God was worth more to him than everything else on earth. (Psalm 73:25-26) He respected God’s sovereignty and trusted His perfect will and plan. When we experience trials and troubles, we can follow Job’s example of trust in God and come through the struggles wiser, closer to God, and deeper in our faith.

2) Why does Job say that God terrifies him? (verses 15-16)
Job declared he was terrified of God (verses 15-16) because he witnessed the extremes of the Lord’s decrees for his life. God blessed Job with great wealth and happiness, but He also allowed Satan to test Job with multiple calamities that shook his faith. Because of this, Job developed a healthy fear, or deep awe-filled respect, of God and His power. Albert Barnes declares that God, “who has an eternal plan, and who is able to accomplish all that He purposes, and who makes known none of His dealings beforehand, should be an object of veneration and fear.” Job knew God held everything in His hands and can change everything as He sees fit in the blink of an eye. Job was awed by the sheer magnitude of God’s might. He realized that just as God can be amazingly gracious, He can also allow everything to be taken in an instant. This caused him to declare himself afraid of the Almighty. Job’s fear of God was not like the fear of man, which the Bible calls a snare. (Proverbs 29:25) God actually instructs the whole earth to fear the Lord. (Psalm 33:8) Scripture informs us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 9:10, Psalm 111:10) Having a reverential respect for God makes us happy (Psalm 112:1) and is a fountain of life to help us avoid the snares of death. (Proverbs 14:27) Job was in awe of God’s greatness and sovereign power, which kept him from sinning against the Lord and allowed him to accept the good and the bad that came into his life. Job accepted that God knew more than him, and that God’s ways were better than his own; this reverence blessed Job’s life.

3) Why does Job say he is not destroyed by the darkness that covers his face? (verse 17)
After Job suffered from the testing God allowed, he declared himself “terrified of God and faint of heart”. (verse 16) Even so, he proclaimed he wasn’t destroyed by the “thick darkness that covers my face”. (verse 17) Job announced that though he was down for the count, he was not out. He endured the testing of the Lord and lived to tell the tale. He suffered immense loss, but he did not die and neither did he lose his faith. He survived to rebuild and thrive in the aftermath of the Lord’s dealings with him. Interestingly, Paul expressed something similar in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, when he wrote, “We are afflicted in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed.” James also wrote about troubles, “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:2-3) When God allows suffering, it is never without cause. Suffering produces endurance, like for Paul and James. Or like for Job, it can draw us closer to God. Ann Voskamp suggests, “That which tears open our souls, those holes that splatter our sight, may actually become the thin, open places to see through the mess of this place to the heart-aching beauty beyond. To Him. To the God whom we endlessly crave.” Thanks be to God for redeeming the painful tragedies of our lives and using them to bring us close to Him!

Everyday Application

1) Why does Job assert he will emerge from his testing as pure gold? (verse 10)
When I read Job’s belief that he will “emerge from his testing as pure gold” (verse 10), I think of the saying “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. In Job’s case, he hoped he would be killed, or had never been born. (Job 3) Times could not have been harder for Job. He lost everything except his relationship with God. Through his trials he learned God was all he really needed, and that God was more important than anything. Eric Ortlund asserts that “When God puts us into a position where we must hold onto our relationship with God for God’s sake only—in which we stand to gain nothing but God—we start to receive him more fully than we ever had before.” When Job was tested, he clung to God. He questioned and complained and lamented, but he never turned his back on God. He recognized that whatever reason God had for testing him, he would come through the trials “as pure gold” because he trusted and hoped in God. Today our culture holds this hope that some good will come from going through hard times. The apostle Paul tells us that God works “all things together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purposes”. (Romans 8:28) Eventually, God blessed Job with more than he ever lost, working everything out for Job’s good and God’s glory. (Job 42:12) May we also see our hardships as opportunities to lean into God and realize He is truly all we need. (Philippians 4:19)

2) Why does Job say that God terrifies him? (verses 15-16)
I recently saw something I wanted; a 5-year planner. I love knowing what to expect; mapping out the next five years would be reassuring, even if it’s not realistic. Not knowing what to expect is slightly terrifying. It is so easy to expend time and energy trying to figure out what the future holds. Dread of the unknown also frightened Job. He went from having ten children and a valuable estate at the beginning of the day to having nothing by the end of the same day. Knowing God could change things so drastically at any time made Job realize how powerfulness and finite he was compared to God. He feared this All-Powerful God who could give and take away, but it was a righteous fear, a reverent respect for a God so far above his own ways and thoughts. (Isaiah 55:9) Although God’s ways are “unsearchable and untraceable” (Romans 11:33), we do have some idea of what to expect as God’s child. He doesn’t spell out His specific plans for us, but He proclaims they are good. He will give us a hope and a future in Him when we trust Him as our Savior. (Jeremiah 29:11) He also declares we will encounter struggle in this world, but He has overcome the world. (John 16:33) God lets us know what He wants us to do no matter what lies ahead; He created us to do good works (Ephesians 2:10), which include being fair, faithful, and humble. (Micah 6:8) The truth giving me the most peace when facing the unknown is that no matter what happens, God is in control (Isaiah 14:24) and I can trust Him (Isaiah 25:1) As I continue facing uncertainty, I purpose to trust the God who gives, takes away, and is lovingly in control of everything.

3) Why does Job say he is not destroyed by the darkness that covers his face? (verse 17)
When something sorrowful happens, like the death of a loved one or the abuse of a child, people sometimes get angry with God or doubt His existence, questioning why He would allow such tragedy. For some, the pain and grief cannot be overcome and they sink into sorrow and despair. This could have happened to Job after losing his children, his possessions, his health, and his friendships. He had nothing left to lose but his life and his faith. Still, Job was not “destroyed by the thick darkness that covers my face”. (verse 17) He learned through the course of his trials that even through heartache, God could be trusted. Hannah Hurnard writes, “The High Places of victory and union with Christ can be reached by learning to accept, day by day, the actual conditions and tests permitted by God, by laying down of our own will and accepting His. The lessons [are] of accepting and triumphing over evil, of becoming acquainted with grief, and pain, and of finding them transformed into something incomparably precious.” When we endure suffering, we are drawn closer to God (Psalm 23:4, Psalm 34:18) and are made more like our Lord (Hebrews 12:10). No matter what God allows to enter into our lives, we know He is true and trustworthy. (Psalm 33:4) Suffering is “producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17), a reward in heaven that will be so much better than anything we could imagine on earth!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Job’s Wilderness & My Own!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Wilderness Week One!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.