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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 desire of the humble. You will prepare their heart. You will cause your ear to hear,
He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain any more. The first things have passed away.”
The righteous cry, and the LORD hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
The LORD himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”
You, who have shown us many and bitter troubles, you will let me live. You will bring us up again from the depths of the earth.
Increase my honour and comfort me again.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit.
For the LORD has comforted Zion. He has comforted all her waste places, and has made her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found in them, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
For his anger is but for a moment. His favour is for a lifetime. Weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes in the morning.
Sing, heavens, and be joyful, earth! Break out into singing, mountains! For the LORD has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his afflicted.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
who comforts us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, the LORD; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me.
I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Therefore, sirs, cheer up! For I believe God, that it will be just as it has been spoken to me.
I called on your name, LORD, out of the lowest dungeon.
You heard my voice: “Don’t hide your ear from my sighing, and my cry.”
You came near in the day that I called on you. You said, “Don’t be afraid.”
Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
“Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘The LORD, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Behold, I will heal you. On the third day, you will go up to the LORD’s house.
“Hear my prayer, LORD, and give ear to my cry. Don’t be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.
It is because of the LORD’s loving kindnesses that we are not consumed, because his mercies don’t fail.
They are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness.
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD raises up those who are bowed down. The LORD loves the righteous.
For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world produces death.
You will be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you will search, and will take your rest in safety.
No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.
I will delight myself in your commandments, because I love them.
I reach out my hands for your commandments, which I love. I will meditate on your statutes. ZAYIN
Remember your word to your servant, because you gave me hope.
Oh that my ways were steadfast to obey your statutes!
This is my comfort in my affliction, for your word has revived me.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
“Come to me, all you who labour and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.
and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?”
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
For the Lord will not cast off forever.
For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.
For he does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.
Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.
For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin.
Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need.
Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burnt, and flame will not scorch you.
Be free from the love of money, content with such things as you have, for he has said, “I will in no way leave you, neither will I in any way forsake you.”
Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.
From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.
I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.
You will keep whoever’s mind is steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.
Trust in the LORD forever; for in the LORD, the LORD, is an everlasting Rock.
Therefore we don’t faint, but though our outward person is decaying, yet our inward person is renewed day by day.
For our light affliction, which is for the moment, works for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory,
while we don’t look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted amongst the nations. I will be exalted in the earth.”
The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Therefore we won’t be afraid, though the earth changes, though the mountains are shaken into the heart of the seas;
though its waters roar and are troubled, though the mountains tremble with their swelling. Selah.
Let’s consider how to provoke one another to love and good works,
not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, abundant in loving kindness to all those who call on you.
He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.
The voice of one who calls out, “Prepare the way of the LORD in the wilderness! Make a level highway in the desert for our God.
Even the youths faint and get weary, and the young men utterly fall;
but those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings like eagles. They will run, and not be weary. They will walk, and not faint.
The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.
He will fulfil the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them.
to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.
being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,