Savoring the Scripture

Courage in Times of Deep Water Psalm 69 I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. Psalm 69:2 In our psalm today, David expresses his hardships in vivid language. We can sense his desperation when we read the first few verses that describe his difficulty with phrases like “the waters come up to my neck,” and “I sink in deep mire.” He continues, “I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.” He’s weary with his crying. His throat is parched  because of his continual cries. He is weary with waiting on God. We do not know the circumstances that have brought David to this place where he feels like he is drowning in affliction, but I’m thankful we do not have all the details. In his commentary on the Psalms, Longman says, “The troubles are not specific, which is in keeping with the purpose of the Psalms to provide templates of prayers for later worshippers who have similar, though not identical, issues.” Without specifics, we are able to insert ourselves ...

The Persevering Valiant Pilgrim Psalm 60 Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. Franklin D. Roosevelt In Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress , Christian reaches the house of the Interpreter, and the Interpreter shows him many things in order that he may be instructed. Interpreter shows Christian a scene in which is a beautiful castle where he can see people clothed in gold walking there. Christian sees many men who desire to gain entrance to the castle and yet lack the courage, as there are armed men near the entrance who will assail any man who tries to enter the castle. But then Christian sees another man approach, a man Bunyan describes as determined to enter and resolute in appearance. This man, though opposed with deadly force when he tries to enter the castle, does not get discouraged, but rather he applies himself fiercely to the fight. And though he receives many wounds, he also gives many. With courage, this perse...