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VERSES DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND
I've found that there's a lot of truth in saying that the Bible is generally easy to understand. Most of it is pretty straightforward, you know? But, yeah, every now and then you stumble across a passage that really makes you scratch your head. Figuring out what those tricky parts mean can be a real challenge.
Thankfully, I'd say 99% of Scripture is clear as a bell. And that's the stuff we really need to focus on living out. The Bible itself talks about how God's word is meant to be understandable, accessible to everyone.
But let's be real, sometimes we run into those verses that feel a bit murky. Even with all the great commentaries and resources we have available today, including stuff online, even theologians will tell you some passages are just tough nuts to crack.
But I believe that with God's help, and by digging a little deeper with the tools available to us, we can gain a better understanding of even those difficult verses. He'll give us the wisdom we need if we seek it.
Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.”
The godly cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles.
The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.
The Lord is indeed going before you – he will be with you; he will not fail you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged!”
Though you have allowed me to experience much trouble and distress, revive me once again! Bring me up once again from the depths of the earth!
Raise me to a position of great honor! Turn and comfort me!
Certainly the Lord will console Zion; he will console all her ruins. He will make her wilderness like Eden, her desert like the Garden of the Lord. Happiness and joy will be restored to her, thanksgiving and the sound of music.
For his anger lasts only a brief moment, and his good favor restores one’s life. One may experience sorrow during the night, but joy arrives in the morning.
Shout for joy, O sky! Rejoice, O earth! Let the mountains give a joyful shout! For the Lord consoles his people and shows compassion to the oppressed.
Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me.
Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
At that time you will say: “I praise you, O Lord, for even though you were angry with me, your anger subsided, and you consoled me.
I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble and suffering, but take courage – I have conquered the world.”
Therefore keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will be just as I have been told.
I have called on your name, O Lord, from the deepest pit.
You heard my plea: “Do not close your ears to my cry for relief!”
You came near on the day I called to you; you said, “Do not fear!” ר (Resh)
Don’t be afraid, for I am with you! Don’t be frightened, for I am your God! I strengthen you – yes, I help you – yes, I uphold you with my saving right hand!
“Go back and tell Hezekiah, the leader of my people: ‘This is what the Lord God of your ancestor David says: “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears. Look, I will heal you. The day after tomorrow you will go up to the Lord’s temple.
Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cry for help! Do not ignore my sobbing! For I am dependent on you, like one residing outside his native land; I am at your mercy, just as all my ancestors were.
The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases; his compassions never end.
They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant!
The Lord gives sight to the blind. The Lord lifts up all who are bent over. The Lord loves the godly.
For sadness as intended by God produces a repentance that leads to salvation, leaving no regret, but worldly sadness brings about death.
And you will be secure, because there is hope; you will be protected and will take your rest in safety.
No one will be able to resist you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone.
I will find delight in your commands, which I love.
I will lift my hands to your commands, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. ז (Zayin)
Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope.
If only I were predisposed to keep your statutes!
This is what comforts me in my trouble, for your promise revives me.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in him, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
For the Lord will not reject us forever.
Though he causes us grief, he then has compassion on us according to the abundance of his loyal kindness.
For he is not predisposed to afflict or to grieve people. ל (Lamed)
O God, hear my cry for help! Pay attention to my prayer!
From the most remote place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!
Indeed, you are my shelter, a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.
For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.
Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be distressed or lacking in courage.
When you pass through the waters, I am with you; when you pass through the streams, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not harm you.
Your conduct must be free from the love of money and you must be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.”
O God, hear my cry for help! Pay attention to my prayer!
From the most remote place on earth I call out to you in my despair. Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!
And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,
My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.
I look up toward the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, the Creator of heaven and earth!
You keep completely safe the people who maintain their faith, for they trust in you.
Trust in the Lord from this time forward, even in Yah, the Lord, an enduring protector!
Therefore we do not despair, but even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.
For our momentary, light suffering is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison
because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.
But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.
The name of the Lord is like a strong tower; the righteous person runs to it and is set safely on high.
God is our strong refuge; he is truly our helper in times of trouble.
He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”
The Lord who commands armies is on our side! The God of Jacob is our protector! (Selah)
For this reason we do not fear when the earth shakes, and the mountains tumble into the depths of the sea,
when its waves crash and foam, and the mountains shake before the surging sea. (Selah)
And let us take thought of how to spur one another on to love and good works,
not abandoning our own meetings, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and even more so because you see the day drawing near.
Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.
Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed; he provides safety in times of trouble.
Certainly O Lord, you are kind and forgiving, and show great faithfulness to all who cry out to you.
He gives strength to those who are tired; to the ones who lack power, he gives renewed energy.
A voice cries out, “In the wilderness clear a way for the Lord; construct in the desert a road for our God.
Even youths get tired and weary; even strong young men clumsily stumble.
But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.
The Lord is near all who cry out to him, all who cry out to him sincerely.
He satisfies the desire of his loyal followers; he hears their cry for help and delivers them.
to strengthen those who mourn in Zion, by giving them a turban, instead of ashes, oil symbolizing joy, instead of mourning, a garment symbolizing praise, instead of discouragement. They will be called oaks of righteousness, trees planted by the Lord to reveal his splendor.
For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,