Month: July 2018

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A God Merciful and Gracious

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 86:14–17 (ESV) 14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me; a band of ruthless men seeks my life, and they do not set you before them. 15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant, and save the son of your maidservant. 17 Show me a sign of your favor, that those who hate me may see and be put to shame because you, Lord, have … Continue reading A God Merciful and Gracious

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Teach Me Your Way, O Lord

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 86:8–13 (ESV) 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours. 9 All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever. … Continue reading Teach Me Your Way, O Lord

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I Call on You, O Lord

Tim Farley

  Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include a suggested reading for the day. Please subscribe to this page so you can follow along as we read through the Book of Psalms in 2018. Reading the Word Psalm 86:1–7 (ESV) 1 Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my life, for I am godly; save your servant, who trusts in you—you are my God. 3 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry … Continue reading I Call on You, O Lord

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Salvation Is Near

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 85:9–13 (ESV) 9 Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. 10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other. 11 Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky. 12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. 13 Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. Understanding and Applying the Word Righteous is near to those who fear God. Through this salvation there is restoration. Verses 9-13 describe … Continue reading Salvation Is Near

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God Speaks Peace to His People

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 85:1–8 (ESV) 1 Lord, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. 2 You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah 3 You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger. 4 Restore us again, O God of our salvation, and put away your indignation toward us! 5 Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations? 6 Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you? 7 Show us your steadfast love, O Lord, … Continue reading God Speaks Peace to His People

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Better Is One Day in Your Courts

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 84:9–12 (ESV) 9 Behold our shield, O God; look on the face of your anointed! 10 For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. 11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. 12 O Lord of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in you! Understanding and Applying the Word There is a well-known … Continue reading Better Is One Day in Your Courts

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The Pilgrimage to God

Tim Farley

  Reading the Word Psalm 84:5–8 (ESV) 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 As they go through the Valley of Baca they make it a place of springs; the early rain also covers it with pools. 7 They go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah Understanding and Applying the Word The words in these verses describe a pilgrimage to the temple. The opening verses (vv. 1-4) described … Continue reading The Pilgrimage to God

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Longing for the Presence of God

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 84:1–4 (ESV) 1 How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord of hosts! 2 My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God. 3 Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, at your altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house, ever singing your praise! Selah Understanding and Applying the Word In these verses, the psalmist speaks about beauty of … Continue reading Longing for the Presence of God

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That They May Know

Tim Farley

Reading the Word Psalm 83:14–18 (ESV) 14 As fire consumes the forest, as the flame sets the mountains ablaze, 15 so may you pursue them with your tempest and terrify them with your hurricane! 16 Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. 17 Let them be put to shame and dismayed forever; let them perish in disgrace, 18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth. Understanding and Applying the Word This psalm calls for God to destroy the enemies of Israel. … Continue reading That They May Know

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Give It to the Lord

Tim Farley

Shaped by the Word is a daily Bible-reading devotional. I do not publish devotional content on Sundays, but I do include a suggested reading from Scripture. You can follow along as we read through the Book of Psalms in 2018 by subscribing to this page. Thanks for reading! Reading the Word Psalm 83:9–13 (ESV) 9 Do to them as you did to Midian, as to Sisera and Jabin at the river Kishon, 10 who were destroyed at En-dor, who became dung for the ground. 11 Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb, all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna, 12 … Continue reading Give It to the Lord

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