Author: Charlie Garrett

Downtown Richmond, across from the capitol. Click [here] to see what it looked like after civil war burning:

Sunday, 12 March 2023 

“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved in the same manner as they.” Acts 15:11

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The NKJV, following the rendering of the KJV, changes the order of the clauses, thus obscuring the intent of the wording. Young’s renders it thus

“…but, through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe to be saved, even as also they.”

One can see how dramatically different the two thoughts are. Young’s will be used for analysis. Peter had just challenged the Judaizers with the words, “Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?” With that remembered, he now says, “but through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Peter is making an absolute contrast between the law and grace. The law is of works; grace is unmerited favor. The two are mutually exclusive. The law puts a yoke on the necks of those under it; grace is burden-free. One under law attempts to be justified by works; one who trusts is saved through grace.

But even the thought of grace must be qualified to ensure that the proper means of grace that Peter is referring to is understood. Thus, he added the words kuriou Iesou Christou – “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Grace is the subject; the Lord Jesus Christ is the means. With that, Peter continues with action and its result, saying, “we believe to be saved.”

This is exactly what Paul writes about in detail in his epistles, such as –

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

Why this translational difference is important: ** One can see that the NKJV changes the formula, removing belief as part of the process of salvation. Rather, it makes it a mere hope of the subject.** Surprisingly, the Catholic Public Domain Version, though paraphrasing the verse, gives the proper sense of what is being conveyed –

“But by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, we believe in order to be saved, in the same manner also as them.”

Again, grace is the subject, the Lord Jesus Christ is the means, belief in Christ is the activator of the process, and salvation is the result. This is just what Paul conveys in Ephesians 2:8, 9. With this understood, Peter next says, “even as also they.”

Peter has been speaking as a Jew to his Jewish brethren. Not one of them was saved by law observance. And yet, they were attempting to impose law observance on the Gentiles who were not even given the law! Their thinking was twisted and perverse.

It is an amazing set of words to consider because it is the last recorded words of Peter in the book of Acts. He sets forth the gospel, the one and only gospel, that is identical in thought to that of Paul. With this, his words in Acts are ended.

Life application: In Peter’s words, several points of incorrect doctrine are laid to rest. He has proclaimed the gospel that saves. It is identical to the gospel that Paul proclaims. This refutes the heresy known as hyperdispensationalism which proclaims there are two gospels, one to the Jews and one to the Gentiles, among other errors.

Peter has proclaimed that salvation (for all) comes by grace through faith, apart from any works of the law. He has gone further with this by indicating that the Gentiles were not under the law and were not to be put under the law. This refutes the heresy of the Judaizers, today known as the Hebrew Roots movement.

Peter’s words were improperly translated by the KJV, thus showing that it is not the only infallible translation of the Bible.

The words of Peter in these past few verses implicitly help to dispel the false teachings of the Seventh Day Adventists, the Church of Christ, the Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others – especially the Roman Catholic Church – who teach a system of works leading to (or guaranteeing) salvation.

Think about the goodness of God in sending Jesus Christ to save us from our sins. And then think about how depraved the human heart is to constantly want to add to this simple offering. Be on the lookout for any teaching that would attempt to rob you of the freedom, surety, and eternal hope you can (and should) possess because of your faith in the all-sufficient work of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Yes! Lord God, we are so very thankful to You because of Your wonderful love for us in the giving of Jesus to bring us back to You. Help us to never add to the simplicity of the gospel. May we confidently trust in the full, final, and forever work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen!

The state has sure forgotten to live up to its motto.

Saturday, 11 March 2023

“Now therefore, why do you test God by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? Acts 15:10

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Peter had just said that God made no distinction between the Jews and the Gentiles, purifying the hearts of both by faith. With that, he continues with, “Now therefore, why do you test God?”

The verb is a present infinitive and gives the sense of “why are you testing God?” They were standing there and actively working against what God was doing. Because of this, Peter is reminding the people of their own history. Instead of accepting the will of God that was openly expressed to them, Israel turned and imposed their own will on a situation or matter. An example of this is recorded in Psalm 95 –

“Today, if you will hear His voice:
⁸ ‘Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of trial in the wilderness,
⁹ When your fathers tested Me;
They tried Me, though they saw My work.
¹⁰ For forty years I was grieved with that generation,
And said, “It is a people who go astray in their hearts,
And they do not know My ways.”
¹¹ So I swore in My wrath,
‘They shall not enter My rest.’’” Psalm 95:7-11

The author of Hebrews cites this psalm, directly equating it to Israel’s rejection of Christ and remaining under the Law of Moses. And now, this is just what the Pharisees were trying to impose on the Gentiles. Paul used the same terminology in 1 Corinthians 10:9, saying, “…nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.”

At that time, the people “spoke against God and against Moses” (Numbers 21:5). Paul warned against doing what is inappropriate, showing that as God was with Moses, He was now fully revealed through Christ with the introduction of the New Covenant.

Peter’s admonition concerning testing God is directly tied to a rejection of what God had done to the Gentiles in the giving of the Spirit. This testing was being accomplished “by putting a yoke on the neck of the disciples.”

The yoke he is referring to is the Law of Moses. It is the subject of the discourse, and it was the purpose for calling the council. It is what Paul says of the law in Galatians 5 –

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ² Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. ³ And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. ⁴ You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Galatians 5:1-4

Paul’s words are clear, concise, and specific. The law is a yoke, a burden, that stands against grace. So intolerable was the Law of Moses in this regard, that Peter next says it is a yoke “which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?”

It is an all-inclusive statement. Israel was given the law and no person within Israel could bear up under the weight of the yoke that rested on them because of it. The law promised that the person who did the things of the law would live (Leviticus 18:5). And yet, the people, without exception, had died. Elijah was taken out before he died, but that does not mean he was sinless under the law. No person born under the law could meet the demands of the law. Thus, all died.

Despite this, these Judaizers were standing there, rejecting the grace of the Lord Jesus. And more, they were trying to impose upon the Gentiles, who had already been accepted by God, the same yoke that they had been under and were unable to bear. The perverse nature of such an attitude could not stand.

Life application: Of the words of Peter, Cambridge says the following:

“So St Paul (Galatians 5:1) calls the ceremonial law ‘a yoke of bondage.’ Christ uses the word “yoke” for his own precepts, knowing that a yoke was needed for men’s guidance, but He calls it ‘easy’ (Matthew 11:30).” Cambridge

This is not what Paul says, nor is it what Peter is saying. Cambridge has done what far too many scholars do. They have divided the law into a moral law and a ceremonial law. No such distinction is found in the law. The Law of Moses is a codified whole. There are moral parts to the law, and there are ceremonial parts to it as well. But these are internal distinctions that form a single law.

To say that Jesus only fulfilled and set aside the ceremonial law part of the Law of Moses, and not the moral part, would mean that believers today were obligated to the entirety of the Ten Commandments, but no sound Christian or theologian would agree that we must observe the Sabbath. Paul argues against that several times in his writings. The author of Hebrews clearly signifies that the Sabbath is fulfilled, and we have entered our rest in our coming to Christ.

The law, the entire Law of Moses, is fulfilled. It is set aside, it is annulled, it is obsolete, and it is nailed to the cross. This does not mean, however, that we are not obligated to be obedient to what is morally right. Such moral precepts are stated throughout the epistles. These explain our obligations and expectations under the New Covenant.

However, in not doing these things, sin is not imputed because we are not under law but under grace. Our failure to meet the expectations of the New Covenant expectations will not result in a loss of salvation but in a loss of rewards. All of this is explained by Paul.

Be careful to not make the mistake of those who try to shove you back under “part” of the Law of Moses. It is fulfilled and it is over. We now live under a much better dispensation, that of grace. Thank God for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Yes, O God. Thank You for what You have done for us in the giving of Your Son to remove from us the curse of death and eternal separation from You. We have been granted life, eternal life, through receiving the gospel. Christ has done it all! Thank God for Jesus Christ our Lord who has brought us back to You. Amen.

Virginia State Capitol, Richmond.

Friday, 10 March 2023

“and made no distinction between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. Acts 15:9

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

Peter had just noted that God acknowledged the Gentiles who believed by giving them the Holy Spirit, having read their hearts. This was just the same as the Jews who believed, apart from any law observance. With that, he now says, “and made no distinction.”

The thought here is that of some sort of class. The Greek word is diakrinó. It signifies to thoroughly judge a matter and thus to completely separate. God makes no distinction in types or categories of men when He reads their hearts. Skin color, marital status, age, societal status, wealth, etc. are all irrelevant to Him. One human heart is just like any other. The sentiment is reflected in Acts 10, just prior to Peter beginning his speech to the Gentiles –“Then Peter opened his mouth and said: ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. ³⁵ But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.’” Acts 10:34, 35

In this case, Peter continues his words, saying, “between us and them.” The distinction being made, then, is between a Jew under the law and a Gentile not under the law. There is absolutely no distinction in God’s eyes between the two when the gospel is considered.

Despite this, there is a difference. A Jew under the law was obligated to the law. A Gentile not under the law was not. Paul addresses these things in Romans. This is why Peter will say what he says in the next verse. For now, however, the matter is one not of difference, but of distinction. The gospel is presented, the offer is thus made, and God will evaluate people based on that alone. In believing, He is then “purifying their hearts.”

The tense is wrong. The verb is an aorist participle, “having purified.” These Gentiles had their hearts searched, they had believed, and their hearts were purified. The idea is expressed well by Jeremiah –

“The heart is deceitful above all things,
And desperately wicked;
Who can know it?
¹⁰ I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind,
Even to give every man according to his ways,
According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9, 10

The wicked heart of the unregenerate that is willing to call out for cleansing through the hearing of the gospel is purified. The word used to describe this purifying, katharizó, is the same word spoken to Peter in his vision –

“But Peter said, ‘Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.’
¹⁵ And a voice spoke to him again the second time, ‘What God has cleansed [katharizó] you must not call common.’ ¹⁶ This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.”

The “unclean” Gentiles had been purified just like the supposedly “clean” Jews, thus signifying that the Jews were actually unclean. The law never purified them in the manner that is needed before God.

And this purification was, as Peter says, “by faith.” It was an internal act for the Jews who believed. It was an internal act for the Samaritans who believed, and it was an internal act for the Gentiles who believed.

God, without making any distinction, saw that they believed and He gave His Spirit. No works of the law were associated with what occurred. The words of Peter now are exactingly mirrored by Paul in Romans 3 –

“Or is He the God of the Jews only? Is He not also the God of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also, ³⁰ since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith.” Romans 3:29, 30

It is also the very thought that Paul had to correct Peter on when he made an error in his ways while in Antioch –

“We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, ¹⁶ knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:15, 16

Life application: When reading the Bible, we may come to a thought similar to what is presented in this verse and make an erroneous conclusion if we don’t stop and think through what is being conveyed. A good example of this comes from Galatians –

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29

Because of these words, it has been inferred that everyone in the church has the same rights as anyone else. For example, this verse is used to justify the ordination of women because “there is neither male nor female” in Christ. This is a failure to understand the difference between the words “distinction” and “difference.”

God has made no distinction between any of these (or other) categories, as was noted earlier. However, God still recognizes the differences. First, Paul could not have written these words if there are no longer any differences. The fact that he says there is neither Jew nor Greek means that the categories still exist.

Paul explicitly addresses Jews and Gentiles in separate thoughts in Romans and elsewhere. Likewise, Paul specifically addresses slaves and their responsibilities to their masters several times. He specifically addresses the responsibilities of men and of women elsewhere as well. He is addressing different categories of people in whom God has found no distinction for salvation.

When the differences, which are still recognized by God, are ignored, only chaos will result. It is our responsibility to always recognize what God recognizes, such as our responsibilities as males or females, and to not recognize what God has not found distinct. Thus, we are to be willing to present the gospel to all without recognizing any differences that would bias us against doing so.

Heavenly Father, may we be willing to think through what is presented in Your word and responsibly handle the duties that have been set before us. May we not allow what You have forbidden, and may we not overlook anyone because of our own biases. You have made no distinction, nor should we. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Some building in the area of the Virginia Capitol.

Thursday, 9 March 2023

“So God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, Acts 15:8

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

The translation of the NKJV is far enough off that it is not sufficient for analysis. The words are better translated, “And the heart-knowing God bore witness to them, having given the Holy Spirit as also us” (CG). This will be used for the analysis.

It is Peter speaking in his final words of the book of Acts, having arisen to address the issue of law observance for the Gentiles. Peter had just said, “that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.” With that, he now continues, saying, “And the heart-knowing God.”

It is a noun used for the second and last time in Scripture, kardiognóstés. It is not found among any other Greek writers. It is a noun literally meaning “heart knower,” coming from the words kardía, meaning “heart,” and ginōskō, signifying to “experientially know.” Thus, God is “the one who knows all the inner workings of every person’s heart, i.e. all their moral preferences (convictions)” (HELPS Word Studies).

Peter’s words reflect those of Paul’s later writings concerning the reception of the gospel –

“But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): ⁹ that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:8-10

It is God who looks upon the heart, knowing whether the word that has been heard truly was accepted or not. Further, it is the heart-knowing God who “bore witness to them.”

God was in the room with Peter, evaluating the hearts of those who were listening to his words concerning Jesus. At that time, Peter gave them the gospel concerning Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection –

“And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead.” Acts 10:39-41

The burial is implied in the words “arose from the dead.” As such, it is exactly the same gospel message that Paul states in 1 Corinthians 15 –

“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, ⁵ and that He was seen by ^[a]Cephas, then by the twelve. ⁶ After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. ⁷ After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. ⁸ Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-8

With that, Peter then clearly states how God bore them witness, saying, “having given the Holy Spirit.” The Gentiles listening to Peter were given the gospel. They heard, they believed, and they received. This is exactly what Paul will say occurs with Gentiles after hearing the exact same gospel –

“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, ¹⁴ who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14

With that, Peter states a note to confirm that what was presented to the Gentiles, and how it was received, is exactly the same as to the Jews. He finishes the thought with, “as also us.” It is the exact same idea that Paul will say in 1 Corinthians 15 –

“For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰ But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.” 1 Corinthians 15:9-11

Life application: There is one gospel, not two. The gospel that Peter (and all the apostles) proclaimed is the same gospel that Paul proclaimed. To say otherwise is heretical. Don’t be a heretic. Accept and then go forth proclaiming the one and only gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Lord God, help us to never be lured into heretical doctrines taught by unschooled, perverse, or manipulating people. May we hold fast to what is right and proper, glorifying You through how we conduct our lives in Your presence. And may we be willing to share this good news with all who come our way. To Your glory! Amen.

Virginia Capitol. Not the nicest group of folks I encountered during the travels.

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. Acts 15:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

In the previous verse, it noted that the apostles and elders came together for the purpose of resolving the matter concerning what to instruct the Gentiles. With that, Luke records, “And when there had been much dispute.”

It is the same word used in verse 15:2, zétésis. It is translated elsewhere as controversy, speculation, and so on. It signifies “a searching.” It is as if there was a formal debate of the matter, and those who were listening were thinking through what was being presented. It is during this course of events that “Peter rose up and said to them…”

Rather, as an aorist participle, it rightly reads, “Peter, having risen up, said to them.” One thing follows the other. By rising, it would indicate that he was prepared to speak. Thus, the audience would direct their eyes and attention to him, attending to what he would say.

It is of note that these are Peter’s final recorded words in the book of Acts. It is the last time the name “Peter” is used in the book, and it is for the purpose of explaining salvation by grace through faith apart from the Law of Moses. His words will continue through verse 11 and they will refer to this idea of salvation by grace not only for the Gentiles but for the Jews as well. Understanding this, once risen, he began, saying, “Men and brethren.”

This is the same formal greeting used quite a few times already in Acts. It indicates that not only are they responsible adults, but they are brethren within the faith. It implies that, as brethren, a right attitude concerning his words should be considered. Next, he continues, saying, “you know that a good while ago.”

More appropriately, it reads, “you know that from early days.” In other words, what he will present is a fact that happened early in the establishment of the church. A precedent had been set and it was not to be dismissed or forgotten. It was a lesson that would bear on answering the question that was now being investigated. From there, he continues with, “God chose among us.

The meaning is probably twofold. First, it is the selection of Peter to be the one to verify what God was doing as the church began. He was the main figure to speak to the people and witness the events of Acts 2. When the Samaritans were evangelized in Acts 8, the Spirit did not come upon them until Peter arrived to verify the matter. And then in Acts 10, it was Peter who was called to evangelize those in Caesarea.

Second, this selection of Peter to be the one to verify these things was at the mouth of the Lord Jesus –

“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’” Matthew 16:17-19

The Lord directed Peter to be the one to validate these things, Peter did validate them, and he is now reminding the church of the things that occurred. With that, he refers to the events of Acts 10, “that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe.”

This was the purpose of Peter’s designation by Jesus. It was to confirm to the church what had been witnessed. When he refers to what occurred in Acts 10, he provides essentially the same formula as stated by Paul in Romans. The Gentiles hear the gospel and then believe. Paul says –

“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? ¹⁵ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!’
¹⁶ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ ¹⁷ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:14-17

As for Peter in Acts, he will continue with his words, reminding them of a simple fact that has somehow escaped them.

Life application: Remembering that Paul was a Pharisee, a member of the group who has now been set against Paul in this dispute, it shows how deeply ingrained in us presuppositions and biases can become.

Paul had to literally be called out of that by the risen Lord. He was so adamant about law observance that he could not see beyond his own position. Once called, however, he was able to rightly process his calling. It was apart from any merit at all. Grace was bestowed upon him, and he responded accordingly.

The Pharisees are now being reminded of this as well. Until this point, they probably looked at Paul as an aberration, but their attitudes, not his, will have to be corrected. And how is that accomplished? It is through the words of Peter who witnessed the events that occurred when he was directed to the house of Cornelius.

In other words, it all comes back to the word of the Lord. That word, given to Peter, is now recorded in Scripture. We do not need a visible demonstration of the Spirit coming down upon the Gentiles. We do not need a vision from the Lord calling us to recognize Him and turn from our ways as Paul did.

These things are recorded. The precedent has been set, and the confirmation of them has come through Peter who was told that he would be the one to settle them. Even Paul’s ministry was implicitly approved by Peter as is recorded in Galatians 1 –

“Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. ¹⁹ But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. ²⁰ (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)” Galatians 1:18-20

These things are now recorded. They are sealed. And they provide our guidance and instruction in the word. If you see someone being bullheaded about their presuppositions and biases, there is no need to ask God to give him a sign. The word has been given. If you see a Muslim that doesn’t know Jesus, there is no need to believe Jesus will pop into his room at night and convert him. The word has been given and it is our job to tell him what it says. Etc.

Go to the word! This is what God has provided to us for our understanding of Him and what He expects, for our doctrine, and for our daily conduct. Be sure to go to the word!

Lord God, the world – even among Christians – is looking for a show of Your hand in things to direct us. Instead, You have already given us all we need to see that Your hand is in the events around us. The word is given, and it is sufficient. Help us to realize this and to not look to what is hyped up or sensational. May we rely on the precious word that is filled with the knowledge that You are among us. Amen.