Psalm 31:14-15

But I trust in you, O LORD;
I say, "You are my God."
My times are in your hands…
(Psalm 31:14-15a NIV)

A while ago I read this verse in a devotional reading I was doing and it really jumped out at me. I decided to memorize it immediately, and I find myself often repeating this verse in my head. It’s proven to be a verse of great comfort!
So, as I usually do when I have a verse that I particularly find myself mulling over, I read as much about it as possible to grasp its fullness.
This passage had quite a bit of commentary on it, and here’s what I all learned about it:

Verse 14a – “But I trust in you, O LORD”…
Paraphrasing John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible: this verse focuses on the fact that David’s faith was revived again and was set upon the Lord, after all of the discouraging views he had of things. He committed himself to Him, believing He was able to help him and deliver him in his time of trouble.
Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary on the Bible expounds this, saying, “everything looked black and dismal round about [David], and threatened to drive him to despair: “But I trust in you, O LORD” and was thereby kept from sinking. His enemies robbed him of his reputation among men, but they could not rob him of his comfort in God, because they could not drive him from his confidence in God.”
Spurgeon comments that, “notwithstanding all afflicting circumstances, David's faith maintained its hold, and was not turned aside from its object.” He makes this applicable to us reminding us that “so long as our faith, which is our shield, is safe, the battle may go hard, but its ultimate result is no matter of question.”

Verse 14b – “I say, You are my God”…
This phrase has so much confident power in it… as Matthew Henry looked at it, it’s as though David is saying here, “I have chosen you for me, and you have promised to be mine.” Henry’s commentary continues: “and, if he be ours and we can by faith call him so, it is enough when we can call nothing else ours.” What a comfort, and what a wonderful truth to have such confidence in!
Spurgeon explains this further as he says, “[David] proclaimed aloud his determined allegiance to Jehovah. He was no fair weather believer, he could hold to his faith in a sharp frost, and wrap it about him as a garment fitted to keep out all the ills of time.” What a great way of wording it… “determined allegiance” – that is exactly what we see here in this short, yet powerful phrase.

Verse 15a – “My times are in Your hands”…
To start very simply, the word “times” is here translated as being one’s “course of life” (Jamieson, Faussett and Brown). To make this phrase personal, one can say:
“Whatever changes come, you govern them by your providence” (Geneva Study Bible); or “My times - all the affairs and events of my life, are wholly in thy power” (John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible).
Matthew Henry really brings this verse – “my times are in Your hands” – to the believer’s life as he expands on it further, saying, “If God has our times in his hand, he can help us; and, if he is our God, he will help us; and then what can discourage us? It is a great support to those who have God for their God that their times are in his hand and he will be sure to order and dispose of them for the best, to all those who commit their spirits also into his hand, to suit them to their times, as David here. The time of life is in God's hands, to lengthen or shorten, embitter or sweeten, as he pleases, according to the counsel of his will. Our times (all events that concern us, and the timing of them) are at God's disposal; they are not in our own hands, for the way of man is not in himself, not in our friends' hands, nor in our enemies' hands, but in God's.”
Spurgeon gives a beautiful word picture of this, stating that the “sovereign arbiter of destiny holds in his own power all the issues of our life; we are not waifs and strays upon the ocean of fate, but are steered by infinite wisdom towards our desired haven. Providence is a soft pillow for anxious heads, an anodyne for care, a grave for despair.”

Luke 2:19

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

Today I want to look at one simple phrase found in Luke 2:19 – “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I had always been curious about that statement… why was it included? What is the significance of her “pondering them in her heart”? What does this tell us about Mary?
There’s no earth-shattering answer to those questions, but different commentaries about this verse did point out some interesting observations I’d like to share.

First, in McGarvey and Pendleton’s commentary, it is pointed out that “the silence of Mary contrasts with the talkativeness of the shepherds. But it is the duty of Christians both to ponder and to publish.” This commentary also notes an interesting thing that is that only Mary could have known the fact stated here (that she pondered these things in her heart) – therefore, the statement indicates that Luke got these parts of his gospel from Mary herself.

Mary had much to think about. “The angelic messages to Zacharias, to herself, and to the shepherds were full of significance, and her mind would search diligently to comprehend the fullness of their meaning.” It was pointed out that she said nothing of these things to others, “lest she should be thought an enthusiast, or a vain boaster; and therefore left things, till time should make a discovery of them in a proper way, and in the best season.” One commentator said that “in her quiet thoughtfulness the beauty of the virgin’s character shines forth.”

Another point drawn out was the fact that Mary’s name was most likely quite “smeared” at that time… living in a small town and showing to be pregnant before she was allowed to be with Joseph, there’s no doubt that people talked and gossiped about this. And yet she “silently left it to God to clear up her virtue, when that was suspected, so she silently leaves it to him to publish her honour, now when it was veiled; and it is satisfaction enough to find that, if no one else takes notice of the birth of her child, angels do.”
Matthew Henry also notes a point of application to be found in this, which is that “the truths of Christ are worth keeping; and the way to keep them safe is to ponder them. Meditation is the best help to memory.”

Angelic Proclamation

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests."

- Luke 2:13-14

Today I simply want to look at different commentary quotes about Luke 2:13-14. The angelic proclamation is so powerful and such a beautiful thing to envision, so I couldn’t help but look up what is all said about these verses…

First of all, looking at the words “great company” – or as some translations word it, “a multitude” – we see, as McGarvey and Pendleton’s commentary says, “the event was too important to be heralded by any one angel. All heaven was interested in the departure of its Prince, and marvelled at the grace of the Father who sent him.”
John Gill points out that it is “said here to be a multitude, for the angels are innumerable; there are thousands, ten thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand of them: it may be rendered "the multitude," and may intend the whole company of angels, who were all of them together to sing the praises of God, and glorify him at the birth of the incarnate Saviour, as well as to adore him.” What a picture!

Then, looking at the words “heavenly host” there are a couple of descriptions that give further explanations of who these “heavenly hosts” were:
First, they are called simply, “God’s army” – but, though an army, they have come to announce and celebrate the coming of eternal peace! Another wording is “the militia of heaven” or “the ministers of God.” As “ministers of God” they wait upon Him, and do His pleasure; and are sent forth here to minister to His people.

As mentioned above, the angels announced peace… and there was also more to that – for they were “praising God on account of the birth of Christ, and the redemption that was to be obtained by him, for elect men; which shows their friendly disposition to them, and how much they rejoice at their spiritual and eternal welfare. And thus, as at the laying of the foundation of the earth, these "morning stars sang together, and all these sons of God shouted for joy," they did the same when the foundation of man's salvation was laid in the incarnation of the Son of God.”
John Welsey points out that “with the Redeemer’s birth, peace, and all kind of happiness, come down to dwell on earth: the overflowing of Divine good will and favour are now exercised toward men.”

What a reason to praise God and glorify Him! And what a perfect way to welcome the Saviour!

Isaiah 7:9b

If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all. (NIV)

If you will not believe, you surely shall not last. (NASB)

If you are not firm in faith,you will not be firm at all. (ESV)

If your faith is not strong, you will not have strength enough to last. (NCV)

Isaiah 7:9b has always been one of my favourite verses of the Bible. It’s one that I turn to in my head often. I suppose you could say it’s my “life verse” as some people word it. I’d read the book of Isaiah before, but in this section Isaiah is talking about King Ahaz and the Assyrians and war, and I reckon I just didn’t take much notice of this particular verse. But re-reading it again several years ago, this little part in verse 9 jumped out at me:
“If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all” (NIV). What a powerful truth in so few words!
Now, I know that quoting just these two lines might result in many people telling me I’m taking it out of context… but even though these words were directed to King Ahaz and the nation of Israel being established, I think these words are true for us today – no matter the context.

We may not be facing an army and trusting in Assyrians rather than on God… but we do face all sorts of things every day of our lives. Throughout the Bible we are told countless times to “stand firm”: 1 Corinthians 16:13 says “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong,” Ephesians 6 talks about the armour of God and tells us to “stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place…” James 5:8 reminds us to “be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” Isaiah 7:9b is yet another verse which, to me, reminds me of the utter importance of standing firm in our faith as it is followed by a warning that tells us that if we don’t, we will not stand at all.

Thinking of this – standing firm in faith – there are a few quick commentary references I’d like to point out taken from Isaiah 7:9…
Jamieson, Faussett and Brown bring out the fact that there is a play on words here… in Hebrew this can be translated as: “If you will not confide, you will not abide.” And this is a very true warning that Ahaz needed to hear. Unfortunately he didn’t listen, and brought distress on himself by distrust in the Lord and trust in Assyria. He was warned that his shaken and distorted state would not be established; that though the things that were told to him were very encouraging, they would not be so to him unless he believed them and would be willing to take God at His word. This is so true of us today, who, when facing trials, attempt to fix things or produce results on our own or in other things other than God. Who, rather than taking God at His word and remembering His promises and love, decide to trust in the world or others for protection or comfort.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary states that “Faith is absolutely necessary to quiet and compose the mind in trials.” How absolutely true this is! And as this was true for the Israelites at the time this was written, it’s also true for us today.
John Darby writes about this verse saying that it was a reminder to the people of the time that they were not to be troubled by the fear of the people, but rather that they were to “sanctify Jehovah of hosts Himself, and give Him all His true importance in their hearts. He will be their sanctuary in the day of their trouble.”

This is why this verse is so applicable to us all each and every day. If we stand firm in our faith – if we give Him all His true importance in our heart – He will be our comfort, our protection, our everything. If we do not stand firm in our faith – if we give way to fear, to the world, to distress and distrust – then we will not stand at all.

1 Peter 1:13-16

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV)

I was particularly drawn to this verse today as I thought about what it meant to be “obedient children” and to “not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” and of course, how to be “holy in all you do.” So I started going through different commentaries to see what they had to say. Most of them were based on the wording of this text in the KJV, so as I look at this verse by verse, I’ll note both versions.

First, let’s look at the first bit – verse 13:

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary outlines it, saying, “Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves. A strong and perfect trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in our duty.”

And into the phrase “obedient children” – John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible defines “obedient children” as “Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” who “ought to be followers of him, and imitate him in holiness and righteousness, and show themselves to be obedient ones to his Gospel and ordinances, as children ought to honour, and obey, and imitate their parents.”
An interesting way to think of it is also to look at what Barton W. Johnson says, when he explains that “the divisions between God's children and the children of this world turns on obedience to God.”

Continuing, the verse says that as obedient children, we are not to “conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance” (NIV) – or as the KJV puts it – “not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.”
John Darby’s Synopsis of the Bible puts it simply, saying that we are “…to walk as obedient children, no longer following the lusts that had led them in the days of their ignorance.” The Geneva Study Bible explains this command as consisting of two things, which are mainly the ‘putting off’ of, or renouncing, our lusts, and ‘putting on’ of godly living. John Gill points out the connection between this phrase, and that in Romans 12:2: “be not conformed to this world.” And here it gets detailed! He says, “to be conformed, or fashioned to the world, is to be fashioned to the lusts of it; and to be fashioned to the lusts of it is to indulge them, to make provision for them, to obey them, to live and walk in them; which should not be done by the children of God, and who profess themselves to be obedient ones to the Gospel, which teaches otherwise; and that because they are lusts, foolish, hurtful, and deceitful ones, ungodly ones; the lusts of the devil, as well as of the world, and of the flesh, and which war against the soul; and because they are "former" ones, which they served in a time of unregeneracy, and were now convinced and ashamed of, and therefore should no longer live to them.”
That they were “lusts in ignorance” means that they were “those which they had indulged in a state of ignorance… when they knew not God, especially in Christ, and were ignorant of his righteousness, and of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, as committed against a law that was holy and spiritual; nor did they know Christ, and the way of salvation by him. But now they were made light in the Lord, and had knowledge of all these things; and therefore, as their light increased, and the grace of God, bringing salvation, appeared unto them, and shone out on then, it became them to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and not to walk as they had done before.”
To sum up this particular section, Barton W. Johnson brings it all together simply as he says, “The spirit of obedience would cause [believers] to turn away from their former sinful life when in ignorance of the gospel,” and Matthew Henry notes that these words “may be taken as an argument to press [believers] to holiness from the consideration of what they now are, children of obedience, and what they were when they lived in lust and ignorance.”

Then we move on to the last command: “But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy” – or – “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation...”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary introduces this wonderfully as he notes:
“Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves.”
John Gill digs into this command and states that to be holy is to be like God the Father, “who had called them, not merely in an external way, by the outward ministry of the word; but internally, powerfully, and efficaciously, by his Spirit and grace; and who had called them to holiness of life and conversation, as well as in calling had implanted principles of holiness in them, and therefore is said to call them with an holy calling; and who himself is holy, naturally, perfectly, and originally, and in such sense as no creature is, angels or men; and is glorious in holiness, and is the source and fountain of holiness in others.”
He explains this type of holiness as this: “To be holy in this sense is an imitating of God, a copying after him, though he is far from being equalled by a sinful creature, or even by an angel in heaven; however, the arguments to it, taken from the nature of God, and of his effectual calling to grace and holiness, are very strong and powerful; for it is walking worthy of him, who has called us to his kingdom and glory; and walking worthy of that calling wherein we are called; and a following of God, as dear and obedient children; and what is according to his will, and what he directs unto, and requires, as appears from what follows.”
Barton W. Johnson says this in a straightforward manner, stating, “We must not only submit to God's commands but seek to imitate his holiness.” And Jamieson, Faussett and Brown point out the fact that “God is our grand model” and that as “Christians are already holy unto God by consecration; they must be so also in their outward walk and behaviour in all respects. The outward must correspond to the inward man.”

Matthew Henry then brought out the exact thing that I had been mulling over… How can we be holy? Or as Henry puts it, “Who is sufficient for this? And yet it is required in strong terms.”
John Gill points out that internal holiness is “God’s work, and not the creature’s act; it is the sanctification of the Spirit, of which he is the author.”
Jamieson, Faussett and Brown further point out that “God, in giving the command, is willing to give also the power to obey it, namely, through the sanctifying of the Spirit.”

In conclusion of mulling over this all, I want to point out several things that the Matthew Henry Bible Commentary discussed as areas of which to learn and apply:

1. The children of God ought to prove themselves to be such by their obedience to God, by their present, constant, universal obedience.
2. The best of God's children have had their times of lust and ignorance, but when converted, differ exceedingly from what they were formerly. They are people of another fashion and manner from what they were before; their inward frame, behaviour, speech, and conversation, are much altered from what they were in times past.
3. The grace of God in calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness. It is a great favour to be called effectually by divine grace out of a state of sin and misery into the possession of all the blessings of the new covenant; and great favours are strong obligations; they enable as well as oblige to be holy.
4. Complete holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. We must be holy, as God is holy: we must imitate him, though we can never equal him. He is perfectly, unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should aspire after such a state. The consideration of the holiness of God should oblige as to the highest degree of holiness we can attain unto.
5. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way.