Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

1 John 1:1-2: For Real

1 John 1:1-2: That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us. [1]

If you were to write a letter to help a friend who was making a bad decision, what would your letter say? 1 John is a letter to remind Christians of the Gospel’s truth and keep them from making the very poor decision of leaving the church. [2] The author, John the apostle, starts his letter by affirming that he and the other apostles are eyewitnesses to the “Word of life.” [3] This Word of life is not an “impersonal” force, but the Son of God incarnate—the person of Jesus Christ. [4]

Clear truths and application flow from these facts. Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, is alive and is Lord as taught by His witnesses, Scripture, and history. [5] Because Christ reigns, His statements about being the exclusive way to salvation are true, which means everyone must follow Him or face the consequences. [6] But serving Jesus is not impersonal. He cares for us, understands our trials, and intercedes for us. [7] Christ’s loving kindness is enough to keep anyone in the church and sustain them for all of life. Are you willing to trust Him today by the power of His Holy Spirit?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016). All Scripture References will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Colin G. Kruse. The Letters of John. General Editor: D.A. Carson. (Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2000), 51.

[3] Kruse, The Letters of John, 52-53.

[4] Kruse, The Letters of John, 57.

[5] Luke 24:36-53; John 19:35; Acts 4, 5:27-32, 26; 1 Corinthians 15:3-9; Hebrews 11-12:3; 1 Peter 5:1; 2 Peter 1:16.

[6] John 14:6; Ephesians 1:3-2:16; Philippians 2:5-11; Colossians 1:15-2:15; Hebrews 1:1-3:6; 1 Peter 1:13-23; 1 John 2:1-3, 3:1-10; Revelation 21:1-8.

[7] Psalm 34:18; John 11:5, 35, 17:1-26; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 4:14-16.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Psalm 63:9-11: Future Reality

Psalm 63:9-11: But those who seek to destroy my life

shall go down into the depths of the earth;

10     they shall be given over to the power of the sword;

they shall be a portion for jackals.

11     But the king shall rejoice in God;

all who swear by him shall exult,

for the mouths of liars will be stopped. [1]

When we started studying Psalm 63, we observed how this Psalm highlights God’s past, present, and future help. [2] As we finish Psalm 63, David’s future hope shines through. [3] Verses 9-10 show that David’s “unquenched” faith rests on God Who will bring justice, which the Lord providentially did in 2 Samuel 18. [4] Verse 11 teaches that those who “swear” (pledge their “loyalty to”[5]) God will be vindicated because the Trinity will bring justice. [6]

God’s coming justice should give us reverential pause. Because of our sins, Scripture describes all humanity like those who opposed David—as insurrectionists. [7] The only way we can receive God’s graciousness rather than His rightful wrath is to believe that Jesus alone bore the wrath we deserve. [8] If you do believe, when Christ returns He will justify you before God and your enemies, and welcome you to paradise. [9] May God use this future hope to call those who lack it to Himself and to sustain those who believe.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software 7. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] James Montgomery Boice. Psalms, Vol. 2: Psalms 42-106. (Grand Rapids, MI: Bake Books a division of Baker Book House Co, 1996), 518.

[3] Alec Motyer. Psalms By the Day: A New Devotional Translation. (Geanies House Fearn, Tain Ross–shire IV20 1TW, Scotland, UK: Christian Focus Publications, 2016), 165.

[4] C.H. Spurgeon. The Treasury of David, Containing An Original Exposition Of The Book Of Psalms; A Collection Of Illustrative Extracts From the Whole Ranger Of Literature; A Series Of Homiletical Hints Upon Almost every Verse; And Lists Of Writers Upon Each Psalm In Three Volumes, Vol., 3: Psalm LVIII To CX. (Peabody, Mass: Hendrickson Pub, 1876), 79.

[5] Motyer, Psalms By the Day, 165.

[6] Spurgeon, The Treasury of David, Vol. 2, 80.

[7] Genesis 6:5; 1 Samuel 15:23; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Malachi 1; Romans 3:9-23, 8:7-8; Ephesians 2:1-10, Titus 3:1-7; 1 John 3:8, etc.

[8] Isaiah 53:4-12; John 3:16, 14:6; Acts 4:12, Ephesians 2:11-22; etc.

[9] Revelation 6:9-11, 19, 21:1-8, 22:1-5.

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Worship During War

Psalm 63:7-8: for you have been my help,

and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.

8  My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me. [1]

As we continue memorizing and studying Psalm 63, we repeatedly see David’s confidence and worship of God. [2] David’s assurance and devotion are seen in his trusting and clinging (v.8) to the Lord. [3] While the Trinity is David’s hope, he also fulfills his duty of pursuing and trusting. [4] We also see David is thinking of formal worship in the LORD’s temple. [5] The language of the Almighty having “wings” can signal tender protection, but may also point to the cherubim wings on the ark of the covenant. [6] Despite being far from the temple, David still longs to worship and keeps his faith exclusively in the Triune God. [7]

While we may not face the specific challenges David did, we all are daily engaged in worship wars. In all circumstances, we are tempted to turn from Christ to idols. [8] How do you want to do battle? Without the Creator who made you or with His help that has sustained His people like David throughout the centuries? May the Holy Spirit help all of us to cling to Christ more and more.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Logos Bible Software 7. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Willem A. VanGemeren The Expositor’s Bible Commentary with the New International Version of the Holy Bible in Twelve Volumes: Vol. 5 (Psalms-Song of Songs). General Ed. Frank E. Gaebelein. (Grand Rapids, MI: The Zondervan Corporation, 1991), 427. See also The Reformation Study Bible. General Editor R.C. Sproul. (Lake Mary, FL: Ligonier Ministries, 2005), 789-790.

[3] VanGemeren, Psalms, 427.

[4] VanGemeren, Psalms, 427.

[5] The Reformation Study Bible, 790.

[6] The Reformation Study Bible, 789.

[7] The Reformation Study Bible, 790.

[8] Ecclesiastes 1:8; Jeremiah 2:13; Jonah 2:8-9; Ezekiel 36:25; Matthew 6:21-23, 33; Acts 20:24; Philippians 4:10-14; 2 Timothy 3:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-17; 1 John 2:15-17, 5:4.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

Treasuring God's Truth in Your Heart

Suffering in Hope

Psalm 63:5-6: My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food,

and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips,

6  when I remember you upon my bed,

and meditate on you in the watches of the night. [1]

When we are anxious, two desires we may have are food and sleep. Both of these are desires David may have had, and both could be denied him because he was fleeing his conniving son. [2] Food can be hard to find when fleeing in the desert. Sleep can be illusive when life is in danger. Yet, David does not feast on worry but on God’s soul-satisfying favor that sustained him each moment. [3] When David knew he might struggle to sleep, he committed himself to thinking on Who the Triune LORD is rather than his circumstance. [4]

Please understand: David’s behavior is not escapism, and ours should not be either. David understood that “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” [5] The God Who created David sustained and suffered with David. This is especially true for the elect because of Christ’s earthly sufferings and crucifixion. [6] We as believers suffer with hope because Jesus has endured the greatest trials and has given us the Holy Spirit to comfort and sustain us. [7] If you suffer apart from Christ, there is every reason to fear because your hopes lack eternal benefit. [8] Turning to Christ as your only Savior from sin will not end suffering.[9] However Jesus gives you the hope of maturing and guarantees eternity without suffering. [10] Why suffer without hope?

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016). Logos Bible Software &. All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] John Calvin & J. Anderson. Commentary on the Book of Psalms, Vol. 2. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software 7, 2010), 438-440.

[3] Calvin, Psalms, Vol. 2, Logos Bible Software 7, 438-440.

[4] Calvin, Psalms, Vol. 2, Logos Bible Software 7, 438-440.

[5] Psalm 34:18.

[6] Isaiah 53; Matthew 8:17; Romans 4:13-25; 1 Peter 2:18-25.

[7] John 14-17; Romans 8; Hebrews 4:14-16.

[8] Psalm 16:4, 118:8-9, 146:3; Jeremiah 17:5-6; Jonah 2:8; Micah 7:5; John 14:6; Acts 4:12, etc.

[9] Genesis 39-40; 2 Timothy 3:12-17.

[10] Romans 5:1-5, 15:1-7; Colossians 1:3-14; James 1:2-4; etc.

Treasuring God's Truth In Your Heart

Psalm 63:3-4: “The Whole Church Says, “Amen!”

Psalm 63:3-4: Because your steadfast love is better than life,

my lips will praise you.

4  So I will bless you as long as I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands. [1]

What an incredible statement of faith from an exiled king! [2] These verses reflect the church’s heart, especially for martyrs. [3] Holding God’s love in Christ as more precious than anything is core to Christianity. [4] Also, verse 4 shows David’s private devotional life “was completed by what was outward and corporate, as verse 2 has shown, the one reinforcing the other.” [5] “Lift up my hands” refers common actions in congregation worship. [6] This language is in the New Testament, and shows the mutual relationship between personal and “corporate” worship. [7]

What is the application from these verses? First, God’s love is superior to everything. We know this because of the Trinity’s love toward us in Christ. [8] Consequently, every other love is secondary. If we love finances, personal security, other beliefs, other people, etc. more than the Triune God, we sin. Here is where all can fall. May we repent and turn to Christ. For the unbeliever: you must turn because eternal life is at stake. [9] For sinners and saints: suffering is worsened when we distrust Christ—may He spare us from false hopes. [10] Lastly, if we claim to follow Christ, our private devotion must be reflected in our corporate worship. If we lack in one, we might also lack in the other. Complete your worship by having both.

This blog was written by Seth Dunn

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016). All Scripture references will be ESV unless noted otherwise.

[2] Derek Kidner. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms 1-72, An Introduction and Commentary on Books I and II of the Psalms. General Ed: D.J. Wiseman. (Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 1973), 224.

[3] Kidner, Psalms, Vol. 1, 225.

[4] Job 13:15; Proverbs 14:32; Matthew 19:38-30; Mark 10:29-31; Philippians 3; Hebrews 10, Revelation 6:9-11, 20:4, etc.

[5] Kidner, Psalms, Vol. 1, 225-226.

[6] Kidner, Psalms, Vol 1, 226.

[7] Kidner, Psalms, Vol. 1, 226.

[8] John 3:16; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 John 4:7-11.

[9] John 14:6; Acts 4:12.

[10] Psalm 16.