There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true. —Soren Kierkegaard. "…truth is true even if nobody believes it, and falsehood is false even if everybody believes it. That is why truth does not yield to opinion, fashion, numbers, office, or sincerity–it is simply true and that is the end of it" – Os Guinness, Time for Truth, pg.39. “He that takes truth for his guide, and duty for his end, may safely trust to God’s providence to lead him aright.” – Blaise Pascal. "There is but one straight course, and that is to seek truth and pursue it steadily" – George Washington letter to Edmund Randolph — 1795. We live in a “post-truth” world. According to the dictionary, “post-truth” means, “relating to or denoting circumstances in which objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief.” Simply put, we now live in a culture that seems to value experience and emotion more than truth. Truth will never go away no matter how hard one might wish. Going beyond the MSM idealogical opinion/bias and their low information tabloid reality show news with a distractional superficial focus on entertainment, sensationalism, emotionalism and activist reporting – this blogs goal is to, in some small way, put a plug in the broken dam of truth and save as many as possible from the consequences—temporal and eternal. "The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it." – George Orwell “There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn’t true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.” ― Soren Kierkegaard
For his resurrection from the dead on the third day.
I thank you that as he was delivered up for my trespasses, so he was raised for my justification, Romans 4:25(ESV) and was declared to be the Son of God in power by the resurrection from the dead. Romans 1:4(ESV)
That though he was dead, yet he is alive and lives forevermore and has the keys of Death and Hades; Revelation 1:18(ESV) and being raised from the dead, he will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. Romans 6:9(ESV)
That in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep; 1 Corinthians 15:20(ESV) that as in Adam all died, so also in Christ all might be made alive, and each in his own order. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23(ESV)
That God did not let his Holy One see corruption, Acts 2:27(ESV) but loosed the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it, Acts 2:24(ESV) and so declared to all the house of Israel that this Jesus whom they crucified is both Lord and Christ. Acts 2:36(ESV)
And that to this end Christ both died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living, Romans 14:9(ESV) and that whether I am awake or asleep I might live with him. 1 Thessalonians 5:10(ESV)
“He that believeth shall not make haste” – Isaiah 28:16
He shall make haste to keep the LORD’s commandments; but he shall not make haste in any impatient or improper sense. He shall not haste to run away, for he shall not be overcome with the fear which causes panic. When others are flying hither and thither as if their wits had failed them, the believer shall be quiet, calm, and deliberate, and so shall be able to act wisely in the hour of trial. He shall not haste in his expectations, craving his good things at once and on the spot, but he will wait God’s time. Some are in a desperate hurry to have the bird in the hand, for they regard the LORD’s promise as a bird in the bush, not likely to be theirs. Believers know how to wait. He shall not haste by plunging into wrong or questionable action. Unbelief must be doing something, and thus it works its own undoing; but faith makes no more haste than good speed, and thus it is not forced to go back sorrowfully by the way which it followed heedlessly. How is it with me? Am I believing, and am I therefore keeping to the believer’s pace, which is walking with God? Peace, fluttering spirit! Oh, rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him! Heart, see that thou do this at once!
The holiday season can bring joy, but also significant stress and overwhelm for many adults. Discover four practical strategies to protect your peace and navigate the festivities with a sense of calm.
I turned onto my street to find a pleasant surprise at the end of our cul-de-sac. “Mommy, look at the pretty lights!” my toddler squealed with excitement. The calendar had just officially flipped, daylight savings time was ending, and my social media friends were sharing their “Hello November” posts. Yet, my neighbor’s brightly lit home, adorned with Christmas lights, was a reminder that the holiday season was upon us. It wasn’t just the lights on their home; it was the countless advertisements I started receiving for shopping “deals”, invites for holiday gatherings, and the realization that I’d soon have to have “the talk” with my husband about whether we would be traveling or staying home this year.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love this time of year. The joy in the air. The festivities. The smile on my little one’s face as we start decorating our home and baking “her” version of gingerbread cookies, and, if you live in the right place, the dusting of snow that could arrive, giving you the chance for a white Christmas. However, along with the excitement the holiday brings, there also comes for some, a sense of overwhelm: the stress of feeling like you have to say yes to every invitation, the worry about not having enough, the agony of wondering if the family gathering will turn out the way you expected.
One study found that nearly nine out of ten adults reported experiencing something that caused them stress during the holiday season. An ironic contrast, for a time, typically referred to as “Happy Holidays.”
But the good news is this: it does not have to be that way for you. With a bit of intention, you can protect your peace and show up differently this year. Here are four practical ways to help you combat overwhelm this holiday season.
1. Set Boundaries.
One of the many reasons people feel overwhelmed during the holiday season is their struggle to set healthy and appropriate boundaries. Boundaries help you set limits on what you’re comfortable with -or not- in a particular situation or with a specific person. Healthy boundaries are not walls; rather, they’re protection for your emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being. If you find yourself overwhelmed during the holiday season, ask yourself- why? And start early by setting boundaries for yourself. For example, you don’t have to accept every invitation you receive. It’s ok to say no without over-explaining, for fear of conflict or people-pleasing. Setting boundaries may also mean setting physical limitations on who you invite to your home during the holiday season. If you feel overwhelmed or triggered by hosting the yearly family dinner, this might be the year to consider changing who hosts and starting a new tradition. Perhaps you need to set boundaries with your time. Accepting the invitation might mean you can only stay for a certain period, allowing you time for other commitments or obligations. What’s one boundary you can create for yourself this season? Seek wise counsel from a faith-based counselor or friend who can help you explore what this might look like. Pray and ask God to guide you in setting the appropriate boundaries. Scripture reminds us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” James 1:5
2. Plan.
Admittedly, a lot of my overwhelm during previous holiday seasons was brought on by my lack of planning. Last-minute dashes to the store only to find that the one ingredient I needed was out of stock. Standing in long lines at the post office because I told myself I’d pick up the stamps tomorrow, which came and went. The feelings of overwhelm mounted. There’s a quote my colleague used to say, “Proper planning prevents poor performance.” It’s the idea that when you plan well, you set yourself up to perform well. A lack of planning often leads to mistakes, unnecessary stress, and overwhelm. One way to prevent this is to be proactive. If you tend to wait until the last minute, try making lists early to ensure you’re prepared this holiday season. Begin by writing down all the tasks you anticipate, big or small. This could include meal planning, gift shopping, house cleaning, and scheduling holiday activities. Set realistic deadlines for each task, delegate or remove tasks that you won’t be able to complete, and tackle the remaining items one by one to avoid last-minute surprises and stress.
3. Practice Contentment & Gratitude
In a recent survey by Ipsos Research, 65% of respondents who reported being stressed about the upcoming holiday season cited concerns about paying for gifts.
But the holidays are so much more than finding the right gifts, perfectly decorated homes, and Pinterest-perfect curated meals. It’s a chance to slow down and focus on what matters. To spend quality, meaningful time with those you love and care about. To be still in the presence of God.To appreciate all He has done and cultivate a heart of gratitude. As the Psalmist declared, “…give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 9:1
Additionally, you can combat overwhelm by being content with what you have. Instead of comparison, searching for more and feeling like what you have is not enough, you can, like the Apostle Paul.
“… learn how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state [you are]” Philippians 4:11 AMP. In the New Testament, contentment means “be satisfied,” or even “make do,” to take delight. By following Paul’s example, we replace feelings of overwhelm with a grounded, steady peace that is found only in Christ.
4. Choice Peace.
While statistical studies show that the holidays may bring a sense of overwhelm with the hustle and bustle, we have a choice to embrace something far greater: the peace of God. Let the truth of God’s word anchor your heart this season and meditate on His promises when you feel a sense of overwhelm creeping in.
And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]. – Colossians 3:15 AMP
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.- 2 Thessalonians 3:16
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. – Isaiah 26:3
A Prayer for Peace and Calm this Holiday Season
Father, Thank You for the joy and peace that You give us, not just in the holiday season but every season. Grant me the wisdom to set healthy and appropriate boundaries that allow me to maintain a posture of peace. Forgive me for the times where discontentment has grown greater than contentment. Help me by your Spirit to focus on what truly matters. May I continually keep my heart and mind anchored in You and Your word. In Jesus‘ Name, Amen.
Lekeisha Maldon is a speaker, Bible teacher, and counselor who is deeply passionate about inspiring and empowering women to lead transformed lives through the power of Christ. She has authored “Pages From My Heart: A Devotional For Women” and curated a 5-day plan titled “From Worry To Worship” on the YourVersion Bible App. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Vinewords Devotions & More, Iridescent Women, and Revell Books. Lekeisha has organized several women’s ministry events, been a guest speaker for various organizations such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship campus ministries, and led domestic and international mission trips. Outside of her ministry endeavors, she is a seasoned IT Business consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. She holds degrees in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling. She is married to her best friend, Charles, and is the proud mother to her beautiful baby girl. To learn more visit her website walkthenarrowway.com or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.
Advent series in scripture photos. We are in the section of my Advent thirty day flow where we examine PROPHECY, ARRIVAL, and EARLY LIFE of Jesus.
‘He will save from sin…’ Do we even know of our sin?
Sin is the reason Jesus came. Sin is our great problem. Sin is a deep evil against a holy God.
“What we celebrate at Christmas is not so much the birth of a baby, as important as that is, but what’s so significant about the birth of that particular baby is that in this birth we have the incarnation of God Himself.” ~RC Sproul
Jesus flesh had no sin, nor was He able to sin.
Matthew Henry says of the parallel Luke 1:35 verse:
JESUS! the name that refreshes the fainting spirits of humbled sinners; sweet to speak and sweet to hear, Jesus, a Saviour! We know not his riches and our own poverty, therefore we run not to him; we perceive not that we are lost and perishing, therefore a Saviour is a word of little relish. Were we convinced of the huge mass of guilt that lies upon us, and the wrath that hangs over us for it, ready to fall upon us, it would be our continual thought, Is the Saviour mine? And that we might find him so, we should trample on all that hinders our way to him. ~Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
What is sin? “Sin is a riddle, a mystery, a reality that eludes definition and comprehension. Perhaps we most often think of sin as wrongdoing or transgression of God’s law. Sin includes a failure to do what is right. But sin also offends people; it is violence and lovelessness toward other people, and ultimately, rebellion against God. Further, the Bible teaches that sin involves a condition in which the heart is corrupted and inclined toward evil”.
What is the definition of sin? – Got Questions “Sin is described in the Bible as transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18). Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin (Isaiah 14:12-15). Renamed Satan, he brought sin to the human race in the Garden of Eden, where he tempted Adam and Eve with the same enticement, “you shall be like God.”
Matthew Henry on Matthew 1:18-25 That she had conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost; not by the power of nature. The Holy Spirit, who produced the world, now produced the Saviour of the world, and prepared him a body, as was promised him, when he said, Lo, I come, Heb. 10:5. Hence he is said to be made of a woman (Gal. 4:4), and yet to be that second Adam that is the Lord from heaven, 1 Co. 15:47. He is the Son of God, and yet so far partakes of the substance of his mother as to be called the fruit of her womb, Lu. 1:42. It was requisite that his conception should be otherwise than by ordinary generation, that so, so though he partook of the human nature, yet he might escape the corruption and pollution of it, and not be conceived and shapen in iniquity.
Henry, M. (1994). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible: complete and unabridged in one volume (p. 1613). Hendrickson.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.Read More
The pure in heart are those whose pursuit of purity and uprightness affects every area of life. they shall see God. Note the ultimate fulfillment in Rev. 22:4. In contrast to Jewish traditions that overemphasized external ritual purity, Jesus taught that purity of heart was most important.
2. Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.Read More
As salt is beneficial in a number of ways (as a preservative, seasoning, etc.), so are disciples of Jesus who influence the world for good.
3. Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Read More
The world will see the light of the kingdom through the good works done by Jesus’ disciples (and believers today), with the result that the Father who is in heaven will be glorified.
4. Matthew 5:17
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.Read More
abolish the Law or the Prophets. The “Law” or “Torah” refers to the first five books of the OT, while the “Prophets” includes the rest of the OT, all of which was held to have been written by prophets (cf. Matt. 13:35, which cites Ps. 78:2; on “Law [and the] Prophets,” cf. Matt. 7:12; 11:13; 22:40; Rom. 3:21).but to fulfill them. Jesus “fulfills” all of the OT in that it all points to him, not only in its specific predictions of a Messiah but also in its sacrificial system, which looked forward to his great sacrifice of himself, in many events in the history of Israel which foreshadowed his life as God’s true Son, in the laws which only he perfectly obeyed, and in the Wisdom Literature, which sets forth a behavioral pattern that his life exemplified (cf. Matt. 2:15; 11:13; 12:3–6, 39–41, 42; also Luke 24:27). Jesus’ gospel of the kingdom does not replace the OT but rather fulfills it as Jesus’ life and ministry, coupled with his interpretation, complete and clarify God’s intent and meaning in the entire OT.
5. Matthew 5:20
For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.Read More
Jesus calls his disciples to a different kind and quality of righteousness than that of the scribes and Pharisees. They took pride in outward conformity to many extrabiblical regulations but still had impure hearts (see Matt. 23:5, 23, 27–28). But kingdom righteousness works from the inside out because it first produces changed hearts and new motivations (Rom. 6:17; 2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22–23; Phil. 2:12; Heb. 8:10), so that the actual conduct of Jesus’ followers does in fact “[exceed] the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees.”
6. Matthew 5:30
And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.Read More
right eye . . . right hand. The right side often stood for the more powerful or important. The eye is the medium through which one is tempted to lust, and the hand represents the physical actions that result from lusting. cut it off. Jesus uses deliberate overstatement to emphasize the importance of maintaining exclusive devotion to one’s spouse. Even things of great value should be given up if they are leading a person to sin. See note on Mark 9:43–48.
7. Matthew 5:48
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.Read More
be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Scripture is a reflection of God himself as he has made his will and character known to his people. As Christians seek to live in conformity to Scripture, they are in fact pursuing the very perfection of God. This verse provides the conclusion and summary to the antithesis section (Matt. 5: 21–48), showing that all of the Law and the Prophets find their perfect (Gk. teleios) fulfillment in the perfection of the Father, which is what all Jesus’ disciples are called to pursue.
8. Matthew 6:20–21
. . . but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.Read More
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven implies that people often have a choice between activities that lead to greater earthly reward in the present (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16) and those that store up greater future reward in heaven. Elsewhere in the Gospels the consequences of making the wrong choice are shown to be eternally disastrous (see Mark 8:36; Luke 12:20–21).
Throughout Scripture, the heart refers to the center of one’s being, involving one’s emotions, reason, and will.
9. Matthew 7:12
So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.Read More
do also to them. Known as “the Golden Rule,” this verse summarizes the teaching of the Law and the Prophets. The way in which one wants to be treated should determine the way that one treats others. This should come naturally for believers who love God with all their heart and soul and mind, and who love their neighbor as themselves (Matt. 22:37–40).
10. Matthew 7:13–14
Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.Read More
narrow gate. The way to eternal life is “narrow” in that it is through Jesus alone (cf. note on Acts 4:12). Though the way is hard, those who choose the way that is easy (by seeking the approval of man rather than God) will find that the easy way only leads to destruction—ultimately to eternal punishment and separation from God.
See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. (3:1)
John was overcome with wonder by the fact that sinners by divine grace became God’s children. The opening phrase of this verse, see how great a love, reflects the apostle’s amazement. The word translated see (idete) is both a command and an exclamation that exhorts readers to give close attention to the rest of the statement. How great (potapēn) is a seldom-used term that has no precise parallel in English. Concerning this word, D. Edmond Hiebert wrote,
The adjective rendered “what manner” “how great” occurs only seven times in the New Testament and implies a reaction of astonishment, and usually of admiration, upon viewing some person or thing. The expression conveys both a qualitative and quantitative force, “what glorious, measureless love!” (The Epistles of John [Greenville, S.C.: Bob Jones University Press, 1991], 133; cf. Matt. 8:27; 2 Peter 3:11)
God loves believers with a love that is impossible to articulate in any human language and that is utterly foreign to normal human understanding and experience. This is agapē love, God’s volitional love that He, of His own free and uninfluenced choice, has bestowed on all whom He has called to savingly believe in Jesus Christ. The Lord summarized it this way: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And later in this letter, John notes,
By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (4:9–10; cf. vv. 16, 19; John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 8:39; Eph. 2:4; Titus 3:4)
Such love seeks, at a great cost to itself, but only to give freely and spontaneously for the benefit of another, even if that person is not worthy of such an expression (cf. Deut. 7:7–8). Since all of God’s attributes work in perfect harmony, His love necessarily operates in conjunction with each of His other attributes. He is lovingly holy (Rev. 4:8; 15:4), just (Isa. 30:18; Rom. 3:26; 1 Peter 3:18), merciful (Ps. 86:15; Luke 6:36; 2 Cor. 1:3), gracious (Ps. 103:8; 1 Peter 5:10), patient (2 Peter 3:9, 15), omniscient (Ps. 147:5; Rom. 11:33–34), omnipotent (Rom. 1:20; Rev. 19:6), omnipresent (Ps. 139:7–10; Jer. 23:23–24), and even wrathful (Ps. 7:11; Rev. 19:15). With regard to mankind, God’s love has a twofold expression: it is general toward unsaved humanity (common grace; Ps. 145:9; Matt. 5:45; cf. Mark 10:21a) and specific toward believers (special grace; cf. John 13:1; Rom. 5:8; 8:38–39; 9:13–15; Eph. 5:25). It is this specific and unique love of God for His own that stands as one of the unshakeable foundations of eternal hope. In other words, believers can live in hope because they have experienced God’s love in an eternal, saving way—having been adopted into His family (Rom. 8:16) and called children of God (John 1:12; cf. 2 Peter 1:4). They became His children solely because He lavishly bestowed on them a gracious, unmerited, sovereign love apart from any that has human merit. Such love is inexplicable in human terms. It is not surprising, then, that the world does not know the nature of the relationship between God and His children (cf. Heb. 11:38a), because it did not know Him. Those outside of Christ cannot fathom (1 Cor. 2:15–16; 1 Peter 4:3–4) the true essence and character of believers, which shines forth in their likeness to the heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, their Savior and Lord (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:15; 1 Peter 2:12; cf. 1 Cor. 14:24–25). Even for believers it is a challenge “to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” (Eph. 3:18–19a). Because Christians are so intrinsically different from the world around them, having been transformed by the Father who adopted them, the New Testament appropriately describes them as “strangers and exiles” (Heb. 11:13), “aliens” (1 Peter 1:1), and “aliens and strangers” (1 Peter 2:11). They are those who, in hope, “desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them” (Heb. 11:16). And having declared them righteous in justification, He is making them righteous in sanctification and will perfect that righteousness in glorification when hope is realized.
MacArthur, J. (2007). 1, 2, 3 John (pp. 114–116). Moody Publishers.
3:1 The phrase “born of him [God]” (2:29) leads the author to marvel at the wonder of God’s redemptive activity. See how great the gift of his love really is! Why he has identified us as being his very own children! And this is exactly what we have become through his acts. We have really been born of him. Clearly the author means to encourage his readers by reminding them of the grace of God they have received through the lavishness of God’s own love. Such grace and love are missing from his opponents’ lives. Love appears to be of no concern to them. They fail to recognize God’s love and feel no obligation to express it. But apart from love, there would have been no children of God. Because the believers are the children of God, the author warns them that the world is unable to recognize them or relate to them. That should not surprise them because neither did the world recognize God. The failure of the world to know God is one of the basic themes of the Gospel of John (5:37; 7:28; 16:3). Those who belong to the world live in darkness. They cannot come to the light but must inevitably hate it. This “belonging to the world” becomes also a matter of their choice; i.e., they refuse to acknowledge God in their hearts. The author wants his readers to know that approval by the world is to be feared, not desired. To be hated by the world may be unpleasant, but ultimately it should reassure the members of the community of faith that they are loved by God, which is far more important than the world’s hatred.
Barker, G. W. (1981). 1 John. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews through Revelation (Vol. 12, p. 330). Zondervan Publishing House.
3:1 The first three verses of ch. 3 elaborate the status of the person who passes the test of love at 2:29. Childhood has both disadvantages and eschatological benefits. The disadvantages are explored at 3:1 in language that echoes several passages from the fourth gospel, most notably the prologue (Jn 1:1–18) and the farewell (Jn 13–17). Jesus came to his own, but the world did not “know him” (Jn 1:10; 1 Jn 3:1) and does not know his disciples either. Because of this ignorance the world hates God and Jesus and will also hate anyone born of God (Jn 15:18–16:4; 17:14–15). The difficulties this creates for believers are, however, far outweighed by the eschatological benefits of childhood, which John explores in vv. 2–3.
Thatcher, T. (2006). 1 John. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Hebrews–Revelation (Revised Edition) (Vol. 13, p. 458). Zondervan.
God’s Love 3:1
Children of the heavenly Father
Safely in his bosom gather;
Nestling bird nor star in heaven
Such a refuge e’er was given.
—Carolina V. Sandell Berg trans. Ernst William Olson
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Note the following:
a. The love of God
In the Greek, John begins this sentence with a command: “See.” He wants the readers to observe the manifestations of the Father’s love. He introduces the subject of the love of God in the preceding chapter (2:5, 15), briefly discusses it in this chapter (3:1, 16, 17), and fully explains it in the next chapter (4:7–9, 10, 12, 16–18). The readers ought to fathom the kind of love the Father gives his children. That love is great. The Greek word translated “how great” or “what kind of” occurs only six times in the New Testament and “always implies astonishment and generally admiration.” John does not say “the Father loves us.” Then he would describe a condition. Instead, he writes, “the Father has lavished [his love] on us” and thus portrays an action and the extent of God’s love. John has chosen the word Father purposely. That word implies the Father-child relationship. However, God did not become Father when he adopted us as children. God’s fatherhood is eternal. He is eternally the Father of Jesus Christ and through Jesus he is our Father. Through Jesus we receive the Father’s love and are called “children of God.”
b. Children of God
What an honor! God calls us his children and gives us the assurance that as his children we are heirs and co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). God gives the right to become children of God (John 1:12) to all who in faith have received Christ as Lord and Savior. God extends his love to his Son Jesus Christ and through him to all his adopted children. John underscores the reality of our status when he writes that already, at present, we are children of God. “And that is what we are!” In other words, God does not give us a promise which he will fulfill in the future. No, in fact we are already God’s children. We enjoy all the rights and privileges our adoption entails, because we have come to know God as our Father.
c. Knowledge of God
God’s children experience the love of God. They profess him as their Father, for they have an experiential knowledge of God. They put their trust and faith in him who loves them, provides for them, and protects them. The hostile, unbelieving world, however, does not know the children of God. Unbelievers cannot understand us, says John, because they do not know God (compare John 16:2–3). “The world does not recognize us because it never recognized him.” The unbelieving world lives separated from God and will never know the significance of our spiritual relationship with God. If we were to become worldly, we would forfeit our status as children of God. By rejecting us, however, the world confirms our relationship with God the Father.
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953–2001). Exposition of James and the Epistles of John (Vol. 14, pp. 292–294). Baker Book House.
I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee. (Acts 18:10)
So long as the Lord had work for Paul to do in Corinth, the fury of the mob was restrained. The Jews opposed themselves and blasphemed; but they could neither stop the preaching of the gospel nor the conversion of the hearers. God has power over the most violent minds. He makes the wrath of man to praise Him when it breaks forth, but He still more displays His goodness when He restrains it; and He can restrain it. “By the greatness of thine arm they shall be as still as a stone, till thy people pass over, O Lord.”
Do not, therefore, feel any fear of man when you know that you are doing your duty. Go straight on, as Jesus would have done, and those who oppose shall be as a bruised reed and as smoking flax. Many a time men have had cause to fear because they were themselves afraid; but a dauntless faith in God brushes fear aside like the cobwebs in a giant’s path. No man can harm us unless the Lord permits. He who makes the devil himself to flee at a word can certainly control the devil’s agents. Maybe they are already more afraid of you than you are of them. Therefore, go forward, and where you looked to meet with foes you will find friends.
Theme: Testing the Spirits, True and False Revival
Revival is more than a moment, it is the ongoing work of God in the hearts of His people. False revival rises quickly and fades just as fast. True revival endures because it is rooted in the living Word of God and shaped by the indwelling Holy Spirit.
The question before us is simple and vital, “How does God continue to renew His people through His Word and by His Spirit?”
Psalm 119:25 gives us a window into this ongoing renewal. The psalmist confesses, “My soul clings to the dust, give me life according to your word.” He is honest about his weakness and spiritual weariness, yet he looks to the only true source of life. God’s Word sustains, strengthens, and restores.
Every generation faces spiritual fatigue. Churches lose clarity. Cultures drift into confusion. In every age, the Lord renews His people in the same way, He works through His Spirit and by His Word to revive the hearts of His own.
The Word Revives the Soul
God’s Word is His primary instrument of renewal. Scripture exposes sin, convicts the conscience, comforts the repentant, and leads God’s people in the truth. The Bible does not simply provide religious information, it brings transformation by the power of God.
When believers open Scripture, they encounter the very voice of God. This is why every lasting revival in church history has been marked by a renewed commitment to the authority, sufficiency, and clarity of Scripture. Where God revives His people, He brings them back to His Word.
The Holy Spirit takes the Word and presses it upon the heart. He produces faith, repentance, and renewed obedience. The Spirit does not work in contradiction to Scripture or apart from it, He works through the Word that He Himself inspired.
The Spirit Renews for Holiness and Service
Titus 3:4–6 reminds us that renewal is the gracious work of the Triune God. Paul writes that God saved us “by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.” Salvation and renewal are not earned by our efforts, they are gifts of God’s mercy.
The Holy Spirit renews believers day by day. He cleanses the conscience, strengthens the will, and enables obedience to God’s Word. Cold hearts begin to burn with love for Christ. Spiritual lethargy gives way to zeal. Indifference is replaced with worship and joyful service. True revival is not a vague mystical energy, it is spiritual vitality that flows from the Spirit’s application of the Word to the believer’s life.
Word and Spirit Together
The unity of Word and Spirit is essential. When the Word is handled without dependence on the Spirit, there is no power. When the Spirit is invoked apart from the Word, there is no truth. When the Spirit and the Word work together, there is transformation, holiness, and lasting renewal. The Holy Spirit illuminates the mind to understand Scripture and inclines the heart to delight in it. He enables believers to apply what they read, turning doctrine into devotion and theology into thanksgiving.
This is why discernment is so critical. Counterfeit revival separates what God has joined. It seeks
supposed Spirit led revelation beyond Scripture, or it treats Scripture as mere information without
dependence on the Spirit. True revival holds Word and Spirit together in perfect unity.
A Continual Revival
The Christian life is a life of continual renewal. God’s people are called to daily repentance, daily faith, and daily submission to the Lord through His Word. The same Spirit who grants new birth also sustains spiritual growth.
When believers are renewed by the Word and empowered by the Spirit, their hearts are rekindled with love for Christ, their minds are anchored in the truth, and their lives display the beauty of holiness. This is the renewal the church truly needs, not a passing movement, but a lasting work of God rooted in Scripture and animated by the Spirit of truth. As we reflect on these truths, we can join the psalmist’s prayer, “Revive us again, O Lord, that your people may rejoice in you.”
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In his service to Christ, the Apostle Paul suffered great peril and was arrested many times. In this message, R.C. Sproul introduces the letters Paul wrote from prison, highlighting the Apostle’s confidence in the supremacy of Christ over all things.
Most recently, Sean McDowell hosted a discussion with an Orthodox Jew as to why he thinks Jesus isn’t the Jewish Messiah. One thing that came up was the fact even if Jesus was resurrected, he fails ot meet the criteria for being the Messiah. This really demonstrates a different framework. Here are some reasons I think the resurrection is directly related to him being the Jewish Messiah.
The resurrection of Jesus is one of the most important doctrines for followers of Jesus the Messiah. The center of Biblical faith is not found in ethical and religious teachings. Instead, it is founded on the person and work of Jesus the Messiah. It is true there is no explicit teaching throughout the entire Tanakh (i.e., The Old Testament) that says, “When the Messiah comes, what qualifies Him to be the Jewish Messiah means that He must rise from the dead.” Eugene Borowitz discusses why the resurrection of Jesus is of relative insignificance:
Jews can see that the story of Jesus’ resurrection is told against the background of Pharisaic belief. Despite this our people has never had difficulty rejecting it. Our Bible is quite clear that the chief sign of the coming of the Messiah is a world of justice and peace. No prophet says the Messiah will die and then be resurrected as a sign to all humanity. Except for the small number of converts to Christianity, Jews in ancient times did not believe Jesus had actually been resurrected. Modern Jews, who believe in the immortality of the soul or in no afterlife at all, similarly reject the Christian claim.[1}
So with these comments in mind, let’s look at the relationship between Jesus being the Messiah and his resurrection from the dead. Remember, the issue that comes up is whether the resurrection of any specific individual is a messianic qualification. The Greek word “christos” from which we get the English word “Christ” carries the same connotations as the Hebrew word — “the Anointed One” from which the word “messiah” is derived. The Jewish Scriptures record the history of those who were anointed for a specific purpose such as priests, kings, and even prophets.
1: The Resurrection is Necessary for the Messiah to be the Davidic King
King David wanted to build a “house” (or Temple) for the Lord in Jerusalem.[1] God made an unconditional promise to raise up a line of descendants from the house of David. We find texts in the Jewish Scriptures about how the Davidic King’s rule is universal [2] and everlasting. [3]
Let’s look at Paul’s Gospel:
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for His name’s sake, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; to all who are beloved of God in Rome, called as saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:1-5). In this passage, Paul says through the resurrection Jesus is declared (by God) to be the Son of God and a descendant of David. As seen in 2 Samuel 7:12-17, the immediate prophecy given to David’s house is partially fulfilled in David’s son Solomon. However, as already said, the word “forever” shows there are future descendants to come. Remember, Davidic kings die. It is the line of these kings that is “eternal.” The promises entailed in the covenant with David are divided by the text into two: (1) those to be fulfilled during his lifetime and (2) those to be fulfilled after his death. As Peter Gentry and Stephen Wellum explain this:
The promises to be fulfilled after the death of David are also three: (1) an eternal house, (2) kingdom, and (3) throne. There are two ways in which God could give David an eternal house. It could be that every descendant would be successful in producing a male heir—something which has always created problems for every human royal house. Or it could be that someday, a descendant would be born who would never die. According to the New Testament, this is what happened: the eternal house/seed is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, a descendant of David who according to his resurrection is an eternal person.[4]
#2: The Resurrection is Needed for Jesus to be the Initiator of the New Covenant
Christians and Messianic Jews realize the importance of the new covenant and most would be familiar with the following Scriptures:
And He said to them, “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. Truly I say to you, I will never again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God (Mark 14:24-25).
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same way He took the cup also after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me (1 Cor. 11:23, 25).
There are passages in the Jewish Scriptures that speak of the coming of the new covenant. For example, Moses summons all of Israel and tells them God “has not given you them hearts to know, nor eyes to see, nor ears to hear.”[5] He goes onto tell them God “will circumcise their hearts and the heart of your offspring, so that they will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and that they may live.” [6] The Hebrew expression “the stubbornness of his/their heart” occurs ten times in the Tanakh.[7] So the need for a new covenant is the solution to this problem. The only place the words “new covenant” are seen is the following text:
Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,not like the covenant which I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,” declares the Lord. “But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days,” declares the Lord, “I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more (Jer. 31: 31-34).
Though Ezekiel never uses the phrase “new covenant,” as Jeremiah does, he mirrors the concept:
Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries among which you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.”’When they come there, they will remove all its detestable things and all its abominations from it. And I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them. And I will take the heart of stone out of their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in My statutes and keep My ordinances and do them. Then they will be My people, and I shall be their God (Ezek. 11: 17-20).
I will vindicate the holiness of My great name which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord,” declares the Lord God, “when I prove Myself holy among you in their sight. For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.You will live in the land that I gave to your forefathers; so you will be My people, and I will be your God (Ezek. 36: 23-28).
Just like the giving of the Torah (with Moses), the new covenant needs someone to inaugurate it. These passages promise the day when God will place his Spirit permanently inside people so they can walk in holiness and love. We can look forward to:
The fulfillment of Israel’s future restoration to the land.[12]
Before Jesus rose from the dead, he made a promise related to the new covenant passages. As Jesus says:
I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever;that is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you (John 14:16,17).
We can conclude with the following syllogism:
If Jesus rose from the dead, He can send the Holy Spirit and inaugurate the new covenant.
Jesus rose from the dead
Therefore, Jesus is the inaugurator of the new covenant.
Gentiles Participation in the New Covenant
It is abundantly clear the Lord made the new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (see Jeremiah31:31–34, quoted in Hebrews 8:8–12) and not with the nations of the world, which leads us to ask the question: how do Gentiles get to partake in the new covenant? In response, God’s plan for Israel was to be a light to the nations and be a conduit for Gentiles to come to faith in the one true God.
We see the unique calling in the Abrahamic Covenant. The promise to Abraham in Genesis 12:3 exhibit’s God’s plan to bless the nations; the Messianic blessing is for all the world. All peoples on all the earth – seventy nations at that time- would be beneficiaries of the promise.[13] So it could not be clearer that God intended to use Abraham as a channel of blessing to the entire world. The election of Israel was for a universal goal— the redemption of humanity. The challenge is how Gentiles comes to appropriate the blessings of the new covenant we previously mentioned. After all, the context of both passages has to do with Israel. Just because the promises about are made to the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, we can’t logically conclude others are not able to participate just because they aren’t part of Israel. The Jewish Scriptures reveal that Gentiles would be restored to God through Israel’s end-time restoration and become united to them.[14] References to the new covenant foresee Gentile involvement and blessing. [15] The prophet Isaiah illustrates that Gentiles will receive the “trickle down” blessings:
Also the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, To minister to Him, and to love the name of the Lord, To be His servants, everyone who keeps from profaning the sabbath And holds fast My covenant; Even those I will bring to My holy mountain And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; For My house will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel, declares, “Yet others I will gather to them, to those already gathered. (Is. 56:6-8)
God’s planned for Israel to be a light to the non-Jewish nations from the beginning. Thus, Gentile believers are grafted into Israel’s new covenant (Romans 11:17). As Michael Kogan says:
Has Jesus brought redemption to Israel? No, but he has brought the means of redemption to the gentiles—and that in the name of Israel’s God—thus helping Israel to fulfill its calling to be a blessing to all peoples. A Jewish Messiah for the gentiles! Perhaps, as I have suggested, an inversion of Cyrus’s role as a gentile Messiah for the Jews. Israel is redeemed by engaging in redemptive work. Perhaps redemption is not a final state but a process, a life devoted to bringing oneself and others before God. To live a life in relationship to the Holy One and to help the world to understand itself as the Kingdom of God—which it, all unknowingly, already is—is to participate in redemption, to live a redemptive life. This has been Israel’s calling from the beginning.”[16]
But even though the nations of the world have been allowed to participate in the new covenant, we see God will fulfill his promises to Israel. Though Gentiles are experiencing spiritual blessings during Israel’s partial hardening, this will escalate with national Israel’s salvation.[17] Though Israel that has been partially hardened, there will be a future group of Jewish people who will experience salvation.[18]
#3: The Resurrection is Important to Jesus being a Prophet like Moses
In the New Testament, the Greek word for kingdom is “basileia” which is considered a present reality and involves suffering for those who enter into it. [19] However, the kingdom is futuristic and involves reward [20] as well as glory. [21] Jesus’s inauguration of the kingdom of God included not only the dispensing of the Spirit,[22] but also the ability to perform miracles. But if the kingdom is breaking into human history, then the King has come. Deuteronomy is a pivotal text that speaks about the first coming of the Messiah:
The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.This is according to all that you asked of the Lord your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, or I will die.’The Lord said to me, ‘They have spoken well.I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. (Deut. 18: 15-18)
To be like Moses, the prophet Moses speaks about will have to be a “sign prophet.” Of course, the Torah clearly states even if a prophet’s signs and wonders do come to pass but the prophet leads the people astray to worship false gods, he is a false prophet.[23] So the ability to do signs and wonders is related to being a prophet of God. While actions by other prophets including Ezekiel and Jeremiah show some significant parallels to Jesus, Jesus is closer to the actions of the Jewish sign prophets such as Moses. We see God used signs to convince Moses of his divine mission: God says, “Certainly I will be with you, and this shall be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God at this mountain.” [24]
When Moses asks God, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me?” the Lord gives Moses two “signs”— his rod turns into a snake,[25] and his hand becomes leprous.[26] Moses “performed the signsbefore the people, and they believed—they bowed down and worshiped.” [27] As far as Jesus being a sign prophet like Moses, we need to remember the word “sign”is reserved for what we would call a miracle. Nicodemus said of Jesus “We know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him” [28]“Sign” (Gr.sēmeion)is also used of the most significant miracle in the New Testament which is the resurrection of the Messiah from the grave. Thus, when asked for a sign, Jesus repeated this prediction of his resurrection.[29] Not only was the resurrection of the Messiah a miracle, but it was a miracle that Jesus predicted.[30]
#4: The Resurrection is Important to Jesus Being a Priest in the order of Melchizedek
One text vital to understanding the priestly work of the Messiah is in the following text: Psalm 110:1-4:
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying, “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power; In holy array, from the womb of the dawn, Your youth are to You as the dew. The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:1-4)
Who is qualified to be a priest in the order of Melchizedek? While David did perform priestly functions, he could not be a priest forever because he died and remained dead. If the figure mentioned in Psalm 110 is David’s son, how could he be a priest forever and die? He would have to not die. The individual must be a descendant of David, but one that is greater than David, and he must also serve as priest in some way outside of the qualification of being a Levite.
Here the Psalmist answers saying the priest would be of the order (not the line) of Melchizedek. The word Melchizedek is derived from “melchi,” which means “king” and “zedek’ which means righteousness.” Therefore, Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” Melchizedek was, as you recall, was greater than Abraham because he existed prior to Abraham. In the Tanakh, the priest was anointed in his role as a mediator between God and the Jewish people through his ability make to make atonement for the whole people (Lev.4:26; 31, 35; 5:6, 10;14:31). By doing this, the priests “sanctified” the people which allowed them to come into God’s presence. Another priestly function in the Tanakhh was to pray or make intercession on behalf of the people. The Messiah’s resurrection is the basis for his priesthood because in that life he can be the “priest forever” (Heb 7:17) who is typified by Melchizedek and portrayed in Psalm 110. Here we see the purpose of the Aaron-Melchizedek contrast: to establish the permanence of the Messiah’s priestly ministry. One can see how Psalm 110 is stressed throughout Hebrews which is related to the endlessness of the Messiah’s priestly office.
[14] Ps. 87:4-6; Is 11:9-10; 14:1-2; 19:18-25; 25:6-10; 42:1-9; 49:6; 51:4-6; 60:1-16; Jer. 3:17; Zeph. 3:9-10; Zech. 2:11); G.K. Beale and B. L. Gladd, Hidden But Now Revealed: A Biblical Theology of Mystery (Downers Grove: IVP Academic. 2014),186.
8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.
Sweet Evening Hymn! I shall not sit up to watch through fear, but I will lie down; and then I will not lie awake listening to every rustling sound, but I will lie down in peace and sleep, for I have nought to fear. He that hath the wings of God above him needs no other curtain. Better than bolts or bars is the protection of the Lord. Armed men kept the bed of Solomon, but we do not believe that he slept more soundly than his father, whose bed was the hard ground, and who was haunted by blood-thirsty foes. Note the word “only,” which means that God alone was his keeper, and that though alone, without man’s help, he was even then in good keeping, for he was “alone with God.” A quiet conscience is a good bedfellow. How many of our sleepless hours might be traced to our untrusting and disordered minds. They slumber sweetly whom faith rocks to sleep. No pillow so soft as a promise; no coverlet so warm as an assured interest in Christ. O Lord, give us this calm repose on thee, that like David we may lie down in peace, and sleep each night while we live; and joyfully may we lie down in the appointed season, to sleep in death, to rest in God! Dr. Hawker’s reflection upon this Psalm is worthy to be prayed over and fed upon with sacred delight. We cannot help transcribing it. “Reader! let us never lose sight of the Lord Jesus while reading this psalm. He is the Lord our righteousness; and therefore, in all our approaches to the mercy seat, let us go there in a language corresponding to this which calls Jesus the Lord our righteousness. While men of the world, from the world are seeking their chief good, let us desire his favour which infinitely transcends corn and wine, and all the good things which perish in the using. Yes, Lord, thy favour is better than life itself. Thou causest them that love thee to inherit substance, and fillest all their treasure. Oh! thou gracious God and Father, hast thou in such a wonderful manner set apart one in our nature for thyself? Hast thou indeed chosen one out of the people? Hast thou beheld him in the purity of his nature,—as one in every point godly? Hast thou given him as the covenant of the people? And hast thou declared thyself well pleased in him? Oh! then, well may my soul be well pleased in him also. Now do I know that my God and Father will hear me when I call upon him in Jesus’ name, and when I look up to him for acceptance for Jesus’ sake? Yes, my heart is fixed, O Lord, my heart is fixed; Jesus is my hope and righteousness, the Lord will hear me when I call. And henceforth will I both lay me down in peace and sleep securely in Jesus, accepted in the Beloved; for this is the rest wherewith the Lord causeth the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing.
Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 1-26 (Vol. 1, p. 37). Marshall Brothers.
Verse 8.—It is said of the husbandman, that having cast his seed into the ground, he sleeps and riseth day and night, and the seed springs and grows he knoweth not how. Mark 4:26, 27. So a good man having by faith and prayer cast his care upon God, he resteth night and day, and is very easy, leaving it to his God to perform all things for him according to his holy will.—Matthew Henry. Verse 8.—When you have walked with God from morning until night, it remaineth that you conclude the day well, when you would give yourself to rest at night. Wherefore, first look back and take a strict view of your whole carriage that day past. Reform what you find amiss; and rejoice, or be grieved, as you find you have done well or ill, as you have advanced or declined in grace that day. Secondly, since you cannot sleep in safety if God, who is your keeper (Psalm 111:4, 5), do not wake and watch for you (Psalm 127:1); and though you have God to watch when you sleep, you cannot be safe, if he that watcheth be your enemy. Wherefore it is very convenient that at night you renew and confirm your peace with God by faith and prayer, commending and committing yourself to God’s tuition by prayer (Psalm 3:4, 5; Psalm 92:2), with thanksgiving before you go to bed. Then shall you lie down in safety. Psalm 4:8. All this being done, yet while you are putting off your apparel, when you are lying down, and when you are in bed, before you sleep, it is good that you commune with your own heart. Psalm 4:4. If possibly you can fall asleep with some heavenly meditation, then will your sleep be more sweet (Prov. 3:21, 24, 25); and more secure (Prov. 6:21, 22); your dreams fewer, or more comfortable; your head will be fuller of good thoughts (Prov. 6:22), and your heart will be in a better frame when you awake, whether in the night or in the morning.—Condensed from Henry Scudder’s Daily Walk, 1633. Verse 8.—“I will both,” etc. We have now to retire for a moment from the strife of tongues and the open hostility of foes, into the stillness and privacy of the chamber of sleep. Here, also, we find the “I will” of trust. “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” God is here revealed to us as exercising personal care in the still chamber. And there is something here which should be inexpressibly sweet to the believer, for this shows the minuteness of God’s care, the individuality of his love; how it condescends and stoops, and acts, not only in great, but also in little spheres; not only where glory might be procured from great results, but where nought is to be had save the gratitude and love of a poor feeble creature, whose life has been protected and preserved, in a period of helplessness and sleep. How blessed would it be if we made a larger recognition of God in the still chamber; if we thought of him as being there in all hours of illness, of weariness, and pain; if we believed that his interest and care are as much concentrated upon the feeble believer there as upon his people when in the wider battle field of the strife of tongues. There is something inexpressibly touching in this “laying down” of the Psalmist. In thus lying down he voluntarily gave up guardianship of himself; he resigned himself into the hands of another; he did so completely, for in the absence of all care he slept; there was here a perfect trust. Many a believer lies down, but it is not to sleep. Perhaps he feels safe enough so far as his body is concerned, but cares and anxieties invade the privacy of his chamber; they come to try his faith and trust; they threaten, they frighten, and alas! prove too strong for trust. Many a poor believer might say, “I will lay me down, but not to sleep.” The author met with a touching instance of this, in the case of an aged minister whom he visited in severe illness. This worthy man’s circumstances were narrow, and his family trials were great; he said, “The doctor wants me to sleep, but how can I sleep with care sitting on my pillow?” It is the experience of some of the Lord’s people, that although equal to an emergency or a continued pressure, a reaction sets in afterwards; and when they come to be alone their spirits sink, and they do not realise that strength from God, or feel that confidence in him which they fell while the pressure was exerting its force.… There is a trial in stillness; and oftentimes the still chamber makes a larger demand upon loving trust than the battle field. O that we could trust God more and more with personal things! O that he were the God of our chamber, as well as of our temples and houses! O that we could bring him more and more into the minutiæ of daily life! If we did thus, we should experience a measure of rest to which we are, perhaps, strangers now; we should have less dread of the sick chamber; we should have that unharassed mind which conduces most to repose, in body and soul; we should be able to say, “I will lie down and sleep, and leave to-morrow with God!” Ridley’s brother offered to remain with him during the night preceding his martyrdom, but the bishop declined, saying, that “he meant to go to bed, and sleep as quietly as ever he did in his life.”—Philip Bennett Power’s ‘I Wills’ of the Psalms. Verse 8.—Due observation of Providence will both beget and secure inward tranquility in your minds amidst the vicissitudes and revolutions of things in this unstable vain world. “I will both lag me down in peace, and sleep; for the Lord only maketh me dwell in safety.” He resolves that sinful fears of events shall not rob him of his inward quiet, nor torture his thoughts with anxious presages: he will commit all his concerns into that faithful fatherly hand that had hitherto wrought all things for him; and he means not to lose the comfort of one night’s rest, nor bring the evil of to-morrow upon the day; but knowing in whose hand he was, wisely enjoys the sweet felicity of a resigned will. Now this tranquility of our minds is as much begotten and preserved by a due consideration of providence as by anything whatsoever.—John Flavel, 1627–1691. Verse 8.—Happy is the Christian, who having nightly with this verse, committed himself to his bed as to his grave, shall at last, with the same words, resign himself to his grave as to his bed, from which he expects in due time to arise, and sing a morning hymn with the children of the resurrection.—George Horne, D.D., 1776.
Verse 8.—“Sleep.” “How blessed was that sleep The sinless Saviour knew! In vain the storm-winds blew, Till he awoke to others’ woes, And hushed the billows to repose.
How beautiful is sleep—
The sleep that Christians know!
Ye mourners! cease your woe,
While soft upon his Saviour’s breast,
The righteous sinks to endless rest.”
Mrs. M’Cartree.
Spurgeon, C. H. (n.d.). The treasury of David: Psalms 1-26 (Vol. 1, pp. 41–43). Marshall Brothers.
Expression of Trust (4:8)
COMMENTARY
8 The enemies diligently pursued vanity and deception in an attempt to frustrate the king and bring down his glory (cf. v. 2). Others may have asked where prosperity had gone (v. 6). David was not worried about the outcome. He was concerned, but not anxious, about the people (vv. 3–7). He committed his way to the Lord as he went to sleep. The enemies may have vexed themselves on their beds (v. 4), but he experienced “peace”—the peace that comes as a blessing from God (Nu 6:26). His confidence in Yahweh “alone” is the reason for his peaceful sleep. The expression “make me dwell in safety” connotes not only the absence of enemies and hostilities but also the presence of peace (Dt 33:28; Jer 23:6; Eze 34:25, 27–28; 38:8, 14; Hos 2:18; cf. Mic 7:14). It has an eschatological dimension, as it looks for God to act as the faithful Shepherd, ensuring the security of his people. He alone can fully restore his people to the full experience of his covenantal blessing (cf. Jer 32:37).
VanGemeren, W. A. (2008). Psalms. In T. Longman III & D. E. Garland (Eds.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Psalms (Revised Edition) (Vol. 5, pp. 112–113). Zondervan.
Ver. 8. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.—Signs of a quiet spirit:— In the text are two subjects. David’s privilege or happiness itself. The ground or foundation of this his happiness. In the letter and proposition of it, we have the comfortableness and advantage of natural rest. In the scope and drift of it, we have the comfortableness and advantage of God’s favour. The security and fearlessness of a godly person, who is in the love and favour of God, and hath this evidenced and made good to his soul. He is one that is free from all inordinate disturbance, and disquietness of spirit. Those who are reconciled to God, and in His love, have privileges beyond others, so as “in patience to possess their souls,” in the midst of the greatest outward trouble. This is grounded upon that persuasion which they have of God Himself, and of His affections towards them. It is implied, that none can well thus compose themselves, but those which are thus affected. None can lie down in peace and sleep securely, but those who have made their peace with God, and are in favour with Him. A guilty conscience can never lie down in quiet. Great estates in the world are, for the most part, occasions of great distraction and disquietness of spirit, and such as are subject to break men of their natural rest. Why could David sleep with his estate, rather than his enemies with theirs? Because his was sanctified and sweetened to him by the love of God. Note the ground of the godly man’s composure. “Thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.” The blessing itself—a safe and secure habitation. As we desire to dwell safely, let us be careful to dwell holily: and that includes piety and religion; justice, honesty, and righteousness; peace, friendship, love and quietness of spirit; charity and giving to the poor. This blessing flows from God Himself. It is not a business of mere casualty, there’s a providence in it. Not a business of mere endeavour, it comes by the blessing of God. (T. Horton, D.D.) How to close the day with God:— This may be understood, either figuratively, of the repose of the soul, in the assurance of God’s grace, or literally, of the repose of the body, under the protection of His providence. The Psalmist having given the preference to God’s favour above any good, having chosen that, and portioned himself in that, here expresses his great complacency in the choice he had made. Those who have the assurances of God’s favour toward them, may enjoy, and should labour after, a holy serenity and security of mind. It is the privilege of good people that they may be thus easy and satisfied; and it is their duty to use the means appointed for the obtaining it. The Psalmist, after an anxious day, now retires to his chamber with the words, “I will lay me down in peace, and sleep.” Here we have David’s pious thoughts when he was going to bed. Observe his confidence in God, his composedness in himself. Doctrine: As we must begin the day with God, and wait upon Him all the day, so we must endeavour to close it with Him. Let us retire to lay us down. Some sit up to do mischief to their neighbours; others sit up in pursuit of the world and the wealth of it; others sit up in the indulgence of their pleasures. But let us lay down with thankfulness to God, and with thoughts of dying; with penitent reflections upon the sins of the day, and with humble supplications for the mercies of the night. We should be convinced of it that we are still contracting guilt. We should examine our consciences, that we may find out our particular transgressions of the day past. We should renew our repentance, for whatever we find has been amiss in us. We should make a fresh application of the blood of Christ to our souls, for the remission of our sins, and the gracious acceptance of our repentance. We should apply ourselves to the throne of grace for peace and pardon. Let us also lie down with humble supplication for the mercies of the night. We must pray, that our outward man may be under the care of God’s holy angels, who are the ministers of His providence. We must pray, that our inward man may be under the influences of His Holy Spirit, who is the author and fountain of His grace. And when we lay down, our care and endeavour must be to lay us down in peace. Let us lie down in peace with God; for without this there can be no peace at all. Let us lie down in peace with all men: we are concerned to go to sleep, as well as to die, in charity. Let us lie down at peace with ourselves. But when may we lie down in peace at night? If we have, by the grace of God, in some measure done the work of the day, and filled it up with duty. If we have by faith, and patience, and submission to the Divine will, reconciled ourselves to all the events of the day so as to be uneasy at nothing that God has done. If we have renewed our repentance for sin. If we have put ourselves under the Divine protection. If we have cast all our cares for the day following upon God. Having laid ourselves down in peace, we must compose ourselves to sleep. It is by the power of God’s providence that we are kept safe in the night. (Matthew Henry.) Sleep:— Sleep is the image of death. Jesus Christ abolished the terrors of the first death, the death of the body. In the text is not a prayer of David, but a determination on his part. To a certain extent, peaceful sleep depends upon ourselves. A peaceful state of mind has a great deal to do with the power of enjoying God’s gift of sleep. And, similarly, a peaceful death depends on ourselves. There is such a thing as the quietness of a stupefied conscience. How may we, as far as conscience is concerned, carry out the resolution that we will lie down in peace?
By doing all that in us lies to preserve a peaceful conscience during the day. Begin the day with earnest prayer. Our morning prayers may show us what we wish to be, but the temptations of the day show us what we are. Our consciences cannot but be injured, if we are guilty of faults and errors during the day, and take no account of them at the close of the day. Self-examination gives an earnestness and a reality to the prayer for pardon. If it be true that the last sleep of all makes the sleep of each night more solemn, it is also true that each night’s sleep makes the last sleep of all less strange. What is each day but a picture of the whole life, and each night but a picture of death? Then we must do all that in us lies to preserve a peaceful conscience during the years of life. (W. H. Ranken, M.A.) The Christian good-night:— This is one of the many verses in the Bible, especially in the Psalms, which must come home to every heart of man, if read with any degree of simple faith. It sets full before us the most comfortable and refreshing picture of a devout, sober, honest person, after his day’s work is ended, his passions kept in order, his sins repented of, and his prayers seriously said, laying himself down to his night’s rest, in the full consciousness that he is neither alone nor unguarded; that as there has been a merciful Eye watching over him, a mighty Hand stretched out to guard him through the dangers and temptations of the day, so it will be with him in the night also. This entire rest and tranquillity of God’s faithful servants, when they lay them down on their bed at night, is beautifully expressed in the text, “I will lay me down ‘all together’ ”; all my powers of mind and body agreeing, as it were, one with another; not torn by violent passions, by desire on the one hand, and remorse on the other. How catholic, how universal is the thought expressed by the Psalmist. There is no one condition of life that it suits better than another. The need of taking rest is an universal law of God’s providence over men here in this lower world. As death, so sleep may be truly called a great leveller. As sleep is the image of death, and as the slumber of every night is a kind of sacramental token of that last long sleep, these words may be used for a dying Christian also. Only a Christian has a warrant from Holy Scripture to regard death as no more than a quiet sleep. The Father, acknowledging them as His children, receives them at their death into the everlasting arms. As all the blessings which we have or hope for depend on the Passion of our Lord and Saviour, so this blessing of taking our rest, whether in our bed or in the grave, seems to bear an especial relation to the mystery of the burial of Jesus Christ. Our warrant for our hope is that the Son of God died for us, bought us to be His own in such sort, that we should be really joined to Him, mystically made members of His body. As members, inseparable members, of the Man Christ Jesus, we hope to have our bodies buried with Him; and for our souls, our true selves, we hope that when they pass away from our bodies they may be with Him that day in Paradise. Except we have this hope in us, we cannot apply to ourselves the comfortable words of this Psalm. How is it that in sleep, and still more in death, Christian men may humbly depend on a peculiar presence of our Lord Jesus Christ to guard them?
Because He is King, who has promised, “He that keepeth thee will not sleep.”
In this act of lying down comes in the remembrance and the power of our Lord’s sacrifice. That deep sleep of His, on the Cross and in the grave, has sanctified and blessed the sleep of all penitent Christians for all time to come, whether in their beds or in the bosom of the earth. Sin and its punishment, disease and misery, is the great disturber of sleep. Then to have a reasonable hope, grounded on a good conscience, that blemished as you are with many infirmities, you have not forfeited the blessing of Christ’s death; this is the secret of good nights, and a comfortable death-time. Again, we are taught in Holy Scripture to regard the Holy Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ as one very especial safeguard for the sleeping, until they wake, and for the dead, until they rise again. (Contributors to “Tracts for the Times.”) A good night watchman:— I have noticed in the books of travellers, this observation, “We found it exceedingly difficult to obtain a tent-keeper who could keep awake at night.” One gentleman speaks of discovering a thief in his tent, and when he went outside to call the watchman he found that the man had gone so soundly to sleep that he could only be aroused by one or two gentle kicks. When a man has been travelling with you all day, it is unreasonable to expect him to keep awake through the night to take care of you. Hence the beauty of the words, “Behold He that keepeth Israel,” &c. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Exell, J. S. (1909). The Biblical Illustrator: The Psalms (Vol. 1, pp. 86–89). Fleming H. Revell Company; Francis Griffiths.
4:8. David’s confidence that God, and God alone, will fully provide all that is necessary for his good enabled him to lie down and sleep even in the midst of his distress. This may well allude to David’s experience when God intervened to save his life by putting Saul and his army into a sound sleep (1Sm 26:12). In two other OT passages, God brought a deep sleep onto someone in connection with sovereignly meeting a great need (cf. Gn 2:21; 15:12).
Rydelnik, M. A., & Vanlaningham, M., eds. (2014). Psalms. In The moody bible commentary (p. 763). Moody Publishers.
† 4:8 — I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Jesus once slept soundly on a boat that pitched and rolled wildly in a stormy sea. Why? Out of exhaustion? No, because He knew the Lord would keep Him safe. God wants Jesus’ kind of confidence to take root in us.
Stanley, C. F. (2005). The Charles F. Stanley life principles Bible: New King James Version (Ps 4:8). Nelson Bibles.
Exceptionally rare Tropical Cyclone Senyar kills over 300 across Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand A low-pressure area developed over the Strait of Malacca on November 22, 2025, and gradually organized into Cyclonic Storm Senyar on November 26. The rare low-latitude system made landfalls in northern Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, producing extreme rainfall and catastrophic flooding across Indonesia, Malaysia, and southern Thailand. At least 316 people were killed and thousands displaced before Senyar weakened into a low-pressure remnant on November 28.
Almost half of the countries in the world ban or restrict the Holy Bible An analysis by the organization Open Doors revealed that the Bible is banned or restricted in 88 of the world’s 195 countries, meaning that nearly half of all nations limit access to the Holy Scriptures. Among the most serious cases is China, where—despite its image of economic openness—state control, direct government intervention, and social surveillance mechanisms continue to persist.
Witkoff, Kushner to offer Ukrainian land to Putin in Moscow meeting – report The United States is set to recognize parts of Ukraine as de facto Russian, sources told The Telegraph on Friday evening. The report stated that US President Trump will send special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow to make a direct offer to Russian President Putin.
Six IDF soldiers wounded in clash with terrorists in Syria Israeli troops carried out a targeted overnight operation in southern Syria to apprehend operatives from the Jaama Islamiya terrorist organization, encountering heavy gunfire that left six IDF soldiers wounded, three of them seriously, the military said on Friday.
Australia lists IRGC as a state sponsor of terrorism The Australian government announced on Thursday that it has listed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a state sponsor of terrorism. In a statement, the government said it had committed to taking this step following the assessment that the IRGC had orchestrated attacks against Australia’s Jewish Community, on the Lewis’ Continental Kitchen in Sydney in October 2024 and the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne in December 2024.
AI Toys Tell Young Kids to Start Fires and Initiate Sex Talk: A Stark Warning to All An AI-powered teddy bear was pulled from the shelves after it was recorded telling children how to find and light matches – “hold the matchbook and strum it like a tiny guitar” – and even drifting into sexual roleplay and spanking. FoloToy’s Kumma bear also directed kids to knives and pills. Watchdogs are critically concerned that this isn’t a one-off, and warn that this could be an early warning of the dangers of exposing young people to AI tech in general. The toys are designed to be especially sticky, taking effective tech from social media apps, limiting parental controls, and quietly harvesting kids’ data. What on earth are we doing?
A Heart of Gratitude Mark Alexander “To the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be.”
Turkeys, Trump, and Really Giving Thanks Nate Jackson The annual White House turkey pardon was an opportunity for Donald Trump, the showman, to shine. The holiday is a chance for all of us to take stock.
The Growing Pro-Life Cause Sophie Starkova There’s good news: Last year, 2,775 pregnancy centers provided a total value of over $452 million in medical care, support, education, and material goods.
Ozempic and the ‘Body Positivity’ Metamorphosis Emmy Griffin Big-girl celebrities have slimmed down, abandoning the “body positivity” movement in a very physical and public way. Is nature finally healing?
Clinton Judge Sides With Democrats Douglas Andrews It shouldn’t shock us that James Comey and Letitia James were granted legal reprieves based on a technicality, but the Trump DOJ seems like it can’t shoot straight.
Giving Thanks: This weekend, when many folks are looking for the best prices on gifts, please consider a gift that pays far greater dividends than retail discounts. Our primary objective at The Patriot Post is to ensure that the legacy of Liberty is extended to the next generation. Please support our mission to keep the message of Liberty loud and clear. Thank you for your support. —Mark Alexander, Publisher
A New Low in Political Messaging Jack DeVine Six Democrat members of Congress want U.S. military service members to be on-the-spot arbiters of all directives from their commander-in-chief. How will that work?
The Age of Selective Legality Michael Smith From street protests to courtroom disparities, Americans are witnessing the slow undoing of a stable legal order.
A Real Russian Scandal Goes Worldwide Michael Swartz X recently added a location feature, exposing countless bot accounts and leading to broader questions about social media.
QUOTES Persona Non Grata “Wouldn’t it be the most perfect MAGA fairy tail if [JD Vance] finally sees the light that he needs a white queen [Erika Kirk] instead of this brown Hindu?” —political pundit Joy Reid Defamation “Isn’t it obvious … that Trump was involved with Epstein?” —”The View” co-host Joy Behar Lack of Self-Awareness Awards “I know that Donald Trump will probably come after me again, and my attitude is going to be the same. I’m innocent, I am not afraid, and I believe in an independent federal judiciary.” —former FBI Director James Comey “A message has to be sent that the president of the United States cannot use the Department of Justice to target his political enemies.” —James Comey The BIG Lie “It’s always a relief when a branch of government does their job! This is a win for Comey & AG James, but ALSO the American people! Sadly, in Trump’s America, it is clear that we all must now pray for the safety of the Judge. In Trump’s America, following the law is an act of courage… while breaking the law, on his behalf, is demanded.” —Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) Shot/Chaser Q: “Do you believe President Trump has issued any illegal orders?” —ABC News’s Martha Raddatz A: “To my knowledge, I am not aware of things that are illegal.” —Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
If the president hasn’t issued illegal orders, then members of Congress telling the military to defy the president is by definition illegal. —JD Vance Leftist Lunacy Minnesota is a better place because Somalians chose to live here. We are stronger because of it. —Gov. Tim Walz (D) Somalis have always seen themselves as a fabric of this nation. —Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) Pearl-Clutching I want to drag every single ICE agent that’s been wearing a mask in front of a Senate subcommittee, make them take their mask off, and explain to the American people what the hell they’ve been up to. … Organizations that are used to kidnap Americans are not organizations that should exist in the future. —Senate candidate Graham Platner (D-ME) Letting the Mask Slip I hate the city. I hate the bachelorettes. I hate the pedal taverns. I hate country music. I hate all of the things that make Nashville. … I hate it. —Tennessee congressional candidate Aftyn Behn (D) in 2020 Gender Cultist As women who can give birth — men and women who can give birth — we can maybe leverage that as collective bargaining. —Aftyn Behn in 2020 Demagogue It is time for Democrats to embrace a sweeping, aggressive, unvarnished, unapologetic, and altogether unmistakable platform of pure economic rage. This is our only way out of the abyss. —Democrat strategist James Carville Eat the Rich? If you can’t live in a country with a 40% tax rate on your income above a half-million dollars, then go, dude; we don’t need you. Go somewhere else. … Go to Switzerland. —James Carville What Could Possibly Go Wrong? I want us to be able to vote by phone. —Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) Celebrating Terrorists [Convicted cop killer] Imam Jamil Al-Amin was a hero of the civil rights movement and a victim of injustice who passed away in a prison, jailed for a crime he did not commit. We pray that God rewards him with paradise for his good deeds and the injustices he suffered. —CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad
President Trump is shutting down Venezuelan airspace “in its entirety” amid a surge in drug trafficking from the South American nation, he announced Saturday morning.
Remember that T-shirt with Che Guevara’s image back in the day? Or the picture of Fidel Castro in somebody’s dorm room? Castro destroyed Cuba so much that people drowned in the moat between the socialist island and the capitalist mainland. But never mind that! Coolness and “vibes” cannot be slowed down by economic data and history. In fact, math and history are very uncool, as you know.
But here’s some math you might be interested in. Politico recently ran the headline: “Poll: Capitalism is out … and socialism is in,” which featured some Gallup numbers to back up the zeitgeist “vibes” around the rise of Rep. Alexandria-Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and of course, New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani (D).
The poll found that Americans’ positive view of capitalism has declined to just 54% while the positive view of socialism has increased to 39%. In fact, 66% of Democrats now favor socialism, a 16% jump since 2010. Another survey found that young people — the eternal arbiters of “cool” — favor socialism more than the average American. A Cato/YouGov poll found that among those aged 30 and under, 62% favor socialism and 34% favor communism. Socialism is undoubtedly in style.
It’s worth noting that socialism isn’t popular because of what it is for as it is for what is against. High prices, corporate excess, student debt, health care costs, the seeming indifference of the ruling class — all understandable sources of frustration. Socialism excels at highlighting problems. Finding solutions? Not so much. Hating capitalism is en vogue, and in some cases understandable, which has in turn made socialism the hot new trend. But like so many trends, you end up looking back with regret. Mullets, jorts, need I say more? But trends have another quality about them. No matter how bad they are, they often end up coming back, socialism included. But instead of leaving you with some cringeworthy photos to look back on, socialism wrecks your country.
“As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly” Proverbs 26:11.
Consider North Korea and South Korea. One embraced a free market system, and the other embraced a government-controlled economy. One is starving, and one is prosperous. Or, closer to home, Venezuela, which was a wealthy country not long ago. Now it struggles to keep food on its grocery store shelves and medical supplies in its hospitals.
Venezuela has the largest crude oil reserves in the world, and yet it has managed to kill productivity by punishing free enterprise. When I went on a mission trip to Lima, Peru, a few years ago, I was surprised to see many Venezuelans with stories of how grateful they were to have escaped. Imagine making the most oil-rich country in the world a cautionary tale — only something as cool as socialism could accomplish that.
Consider the squalor of Chinese peasants under communism compared to the relative wealth of residents in Hong Kong’s free market(ish) economy. And the collapse of the Soviet Union, which also has abundant energy resources but kept its people in meager conditions via a command economy, speaks for itself.
Don’t forget Cuba, which has vast, fertile soil, but after nationalizing agriculture, now has to import the majority of its food. And the government food rations only cover about half of the residents’ needs. In Cuba, medicine isn’t rationed, but severe shortages effectively make it feel that way. For a recent episode of the “Outstanding” podcast, I interviewed Yoe Suarez, a contributor to The Washington Stand who fled socialism in his home country of Cuba. Suarez explained on the podcast that, in fact, you need to buy your own medical supplies from overseas and bring it to your surgeon if you’d like the modern luxury of an operation.”
“If you need a surgery in Cuba, you have to buy the things that you are going to use in that surgery. Needles, to do the stitches, the, the gloves for the surgeons — outside of Cuba. If you have family outside of Cuba, you call them, and you tell them, ‘I need this, this, this, this, this. Because I’m going to be in a surgery next week.’ And if they send you that, you can go and give all that stuff to the medical provider, and he will perform the surgery [on] you. Because the system is collapsed — the system is just collapsed because inflation — because there are bureaucrats running the thing, not actual doctors, not actual people who are interested in providing health care.”
Socialized medicine sounds so fun!
Beyond that, Suarez warned against a familiar lie: it won’t happen to me.
“You know what? In the 60s, Cubans said the same. We said, ‘We’re not the USSR. We’re not the Soviet Union, we’re Cubans. And Cuba has a big economy [and] has good relations with all over all countries in the area.” And in the 90s, Venezuelans said the same. ‘Ah, but we’re not Cubans. You know, we’re Venezuelans. We’re full of oil. We have riches. We have gold and diamonds. We have an amazing economy.’ And I hope New Yorkers are not the next. … They are not going to be just a link in that chain in that long chain, that saying: ‘We are not Cuban. We are not Venezuela. We are New Yorkers.’ Because you know what? It doesn’t matter how good your economy [is] if you give it to the wrong person and the wrong ideas, it will collapse.”
Socialism doesn’t work economically, despite all the great speeches and youth rallies. The math doesn’t add up. But beyond that, socialist countries inevitably turn totalitarian. They lock up dissidents, crack down on religious freedom, and increasingly expand the government until it crushes all freedom and economic growth. Our friend Mr. Suarez had to flee the country, because the government was going after him for his investigative journalism. Communist China is aggressively persecuting the church now, as they did in the Soviet Union. Among the many allegations against Venezuela’s government, torture is among them. I could go on.
Imagine a terrible trend that is trying to come back in style. Now imagine that trend would take your freedoms, throw you in jail, and make you broke. Welcome to 2025 and 2026, I’m afraid.
Socialism is cool again. No use denying it. But “vibes” as a decision-making metric is best reserved for fashion, entertainment, and that new coffee shop downtown. When choosing how to govern a country [and] prevent mass starvation and widespread poverty for your grandchildren, it is better to let the level-headed lead the way, even if they come across as nerds. Turns out math and history are pretty important to running a country, even if it kills the mood.
So no matter how good looking AOC or Mamdani are or how high house prices get, there are better answers to these real problems than socialism. As they say, humanity has been there, done that, and… well we tried to get the T-shirt, but they were being rationed.
Family Research Council is a nonprofit research and educational organization founded in 1983, dedicated to articulating and advancing a family-centered philosophy of public life.
Nearly Half the World Restricts or Bans the Bible, Report Warns
An analysis by the organization Open Doors revealed that the Bible is banned or restricted in 88 of the world’s 195 countries, meaning that nearly half of all nations limit access to the Holy Scriptures. Among the most serious cases is China, where—despite its image of economic openness—state control, direct government intervention, and social surveillance mechanisms continue to persist.
In the middle of Dearborn, Michigan an entire crowd chants “Death to America.” Rashida Tlaib, when asked, refused to condemn it. Not a word of reproach. Not even a hollow gesture of concern. Her silence wasn’t neutrality — it was tacit approval. Instead she whined about islamophobia. Deport them all. What are we doing to ourselves?
Representatives of European Union member states reached an agreement on Wednesday in the Council of the EU to move forward with the controversial “Chat Control” child sexual abuse regulation, which paves the way for new rules targeting abusive child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on messaging apps and other online services.
“Every year, millions of files are shared that depict the sexual abuse of children… This is completely unacceptable. Therefore, I’m glad that the member states have finally agreed on a way forward that includes a number of obligations for providers of communication services,” said Danish Minister for Justice, Peter Hummelgaard.
The deal, which follows years of division and deadlock among member states and privacy groups, allows the legislative file to move into final talks with the European Parliament on when and how platforms can be required to scan user content for suspected child sexual abuse and grooming.
The existing CSAM framework is set to expire on April 3, 2026, and is on track to be replaced by the new legislation, pending detailed negotiations with European Parliament lawmakers.
EU Chat Control laws: What’s in and what’s out
The EU’s efforts to make scanning of private messages compulsory suffered a setback earlier this month, when mandated client-side scanning was removed from the latest proposal draft. Wording was also added to ensure that providers were not unduly burdened with detection obligations:
“Nothing in this Regulation should be understood as imposing any detection obligations on providers.”
In its latest draft, the EU Council keeps the core CSAM framework intact, but service providers would also have to cooperate with a newly established EU Centre on Child Sexual Abuse to support the implementation of the regulation.
While the latest EU Council text removes the explicit obligation of mandatory scanning of all private messages, the legal basis for “voluntary” CSAM detection is extended indefinitely.
A compromise that satisfies neither side
To end the Chat Control stalemate, a team of Danish negotiators in the Council had worked to remove the most contentious element: the blanket mandatory scanning requirement. Under previous provisions, end-to-end encrypted services like Signal and WhatsApp would have been required to systematically search users’ messages for illegal material.
Still, it’s a compromise that leaves both sides feeling shortchanged. Law enforcement officials warn that abusive content will still lurk in the corners of fully encrypted services, while digital rights groups argue that the deal still clears the way for broader monitoring of private communications and for mass surveillance, according to a Thursday Politico report.
Lead negotiator and chair of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs in the European Parliament, Javier Zarzalejos, urged both the Council and the Parliament to enter negotiations immediately. He stressed the importance of establishing a legislative framework to prevent and combat child sexual abuse online, while respecting encryption.
“I am committed to work with all political groups, the Commission, and member states in the Council in the coming months in order to agree on a legally sound and balanced legislative text that contributes to effectively prevent and combating child sexual abuse online,” he said.
The Council celebrated the latest efforts to protect children from sexual abuse online; however, former Dutch Member of Parliament Rob Roos lambasted the Council for acting similarly to the “East German era, stripping 450 million EU citizens of their right to privacy.” He warned that Brussels was acting “behind closed doors,” and that “Europe risks sliding into digital authoritarianism.”
Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov pointed out that EU officials were exempt from having their messages monitored. He commented in a post on X, “The EU weaponizes people’s strong emotions about child protection to push mass surveillance and censorship. Their surveillance law proposals conveniently exempted EU officials from having their own messages scanned.”
Privacy on trial in broader global crackdown
The latest movement on Chat Control lands in the middle of a broader global crackdown on privacy tools. European regulators and law‑enforcement agencies have pushed high‑profile cases against crypto privacy projects like Tornado Cash, while US authorities have targeted developers linked to Samurai Wallet over alleged money‑laundering and sanctions violations, putting privacy‑preserving software into the crosshairs.
Session president Alexander Linton told Cointelegraph that regulatory and technical developments are “threatening the future of private messaging,” while co-founder Chris McCabe said the challenge was now about raising global awareness.
Lekeisha Maldon is a speaker, Bible teacher, and counselor who is deeply passionate about inspiring and empowering women to lead transformed lives through the power of Christ. She has authored “Pages From My Heart: A Devotional For Women” and curated a 5-day plan titled “From Worry To Worship” on the YourVersion Bible App. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Vinewords Devotions & More, Iridescent Women, and Revell Books. Lekeisha has organized several women’s ministry events, been a guest speaker for various organizations such as InterVarsity Christian Fellowship campus ministries, and led domestic and international mission trips. Outside of her ministry endeavors, she is a seasoned IT Business consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. She holds degrees in Business Management and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling. She is married to her best friend, Charles, and is the proud mother to her beautiful baby girl. To learn more visit her website 
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