Image of a family of refugees seeking better times during the American Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Many traveled by car or bus, but this family was photographed walking with only an old wagon and a baby stroller. Yet, their plight is far better than some refugees—the nation was not at war, after all, andContinue reading “Refugees & the Matthew Henry Commentary. Isaiah 15.”
Author Archives: Steven Wales
‘I Must Be Cruel Only to be Kind’: God is Kind to His Children and Cruel to Those Who Would Harm Them. Isaiah 13.
When I was a tiny boy, my father was tender and affectionate with me. My brother and I would run to grab him when he came in from work, and he would try to walk with one of us clinging to each leg. We would sit in his soft chair and he would gingerly sitContinue reading “‘I Must Be Cruel Only to be Kind’: God is Kind to His Children and Cruel to Those Who Would Harm Them. Isaiah 13.”
Jesus is the Shelter Through Which We See God’s Glory. Isaiah 4.
Our dog Georgie recently delivered a litter of nine puppies! These are outdoor dogs whose mother had never seen the inside of a building. And then the temperature dropped to 18 degrees—no problem when you have heat lamps, space heaters,[1] and a cozy dog house on a covered, concrete porch. But then the power wentContinue reading “Jesus is the Shelter Through Which We See God’s Glory. Isaiah 4.”
A Warning to the Beautiful. Isaiah 3:16-24.
“Beauty is meaningless, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised” Proverbs 31:30. Each of us is born with gifts: athletic gifts, artistic gifts, academic gifts, gifts of leadership, job skills, people skills, physical strength, stature, height, and even gifts of appearance. Some people are simply born beautiful, and whether it seemsContinue reading “A Warning to the Beautiful. Isaiah 3:16-24.”
The Still Pond. Psalm 148.
“Steven, are you sure you understand what do?” “It’s drawing,” I said, “I always understand drawing.” I was in the second grade. My teacher, Ms. Foster, was so nice to me. She tolerated my short attention span, my outbursts, my inability to follow directions. She had decided I was “artistic” and she loved that aboutContinue reading “The Still Pond. Psalm 148.”
Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part Two–Rescue. Isaiah 12.
Have you ever faced death? Stood on a cliff and felt the danger in slippery gravel or a gust of wind? Have you looked in the face of a mad dog or a dangerous wild animal? Narrowly escaped a terrible car accident? Or worse, faced down an angry and dangerous man, perhaps one brandishing aContinue reading “Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part Two–Rescue. Isaiah 12.”
Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part One–Provision. Isaiah 12.
Image: children celebrating a new well provided by Living Water, https://www.livingwaterwells.org/ Restore to me the joy of thy salvation—Psalm 51:12. With joy shall you draw water from the well of salvation—Isaiah 12:3. I recently watched a stand-up comic (Randy Feltface, the puppet of stand-up comedy) do some crowd work. The writing that goes into theContinue reading “Salvation is a Deep Well of Joy: Part One–Provision. Isaiah 12.”
Managing Emotions. Psalm 142.
Season 11 of the survivalist television show ALONE features a librarian by the name of Peter Albano. After about ten days of absolute solitude, Peter begins to talk to the camera about his son, whom he describes as a small child who feels big emotions. Peter, on the other hand, has perfected the skill ofContinue reading “Managing Emotions. Psalm 142.”
Night Owls and Misfits. Psalm 134.
I have a confession. I am a night owl. It’s not a small thing. I suffered insomnia from age five to thirty-five. Morning coffee cured me, leaving me sleepy at night for the first time. But old habits die hard. I remain an absolute night person—and yes, I struggle not to feel shame about it!Continue reading “Night Owls and Misfits. Psalm 134.”
Hidden Mysteries: The Devil Did Not Understand Messianic Prophecy. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8.
“Behold my servant, … in whom my soul delights;I have put my spirit upon him:he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.… A bruised reed shall he not break,and the smoking flax shall he not quench:… I the Lord … will give theefor a light to the Gentiles;to open the blind eyes,to bring out the prisoners from theContinue reading “Hidden Mysteries: The Devil Did Not Understand Messianic Prophecy. 1 Corinthians 2:7-8.”