Wisdom on Friendship (1) [Family Worship lesson in Proverbs 27:1–10]

How should we navigate friendship? Proverbs 27:1–10 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that humility, gentleness, discernment, and loyalty are essential to making proper use of God’s good gift of friendship. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: This devotional explores biblical principles of friendship, emphasizing the need for humility and trust in a friend's judgment. It warns against associating with those who are easily angered, jealous, or deceitfully pleasant, while highlighting the value of a friend who offers faithful correction. The text encourages believers to remain content in their current relationships rather than pursuing ambitious social elevation. Finally, it calls for loyalty to established neighbors and friends over distant relatives or new acquaintances during times of trouble.

2026.08.31 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 27:1–10

Monday, August 31, 2026 ▫ Read Proverbs 27:1–10

Questions from the Scripture text: What shouldn’t we do about tomorrow (v1)? Why not? About what else should we not boast (v2a)? What should we do instead (v2b)? What are bad things to get buried under, and why (v3a)? What is worse (v3b)? What can sweep a man away (v4a)? What is worse (v4b)? What is difficult but good (v5a)? What seems pleasant but is worse (v5b)? What are painful but faithful (v6a)? What are pleasant but harmful (v6b)? What will lead to lack of appreciation for these good things (v7a)? What will lead to properly enjoying them (v7b)? What would happen to the baby bird in v8a? And what happens to the man in v8b? What tactile and olfactory sensations does v9a describe? What should give us the same enjoyment (v9b)? To whom should we be loyal (v10a)? And to whom should we go when we are in trouble (v10b–c)?

How should we navigate friendship? Proverbs 27:1–10 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these ten verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that humility, gentleness, discernment, and loyalty are essential to making proper use of God’s good gift of friendship.

The vocabulary of v1–22 hold the whole together, striking the theme of counsel about friendship. The same pattern repeats twice (v1–10 and v11–22), telling us to heed a good friend (v1–2, 11–12), then warning us about the harm of bad friends (v3–6, 13–16), then giving some general truths about friendship (v7–10, 17–22).

Heed a good friend, v1–2. The friend to heed has especially been the parents. The beginning of the parallel section (v11–12) indicates this using similar language to the first part of the book (ch. 1–9). But the friend in this case (v1–2) is not specified. Humility and heeding others go hand-in-hand. Here, it is specifically with respect to praise. The “day” in v1 is described as pregnant with its events; we do not know if it is a boy or a girl or what the characteristics or successfulness of the offspring will be. So, we should have the humility not to boast about that day. Similarly, there are ways in which our friend has the perspective to know whether we are praiseworthy and whether it is an appropriate time or reason to praise us. Humility and wisdom both tell us to let another man be the one to praise us.

Spare yourself the harm of bad friends, v3–6. The imagery of what one suffers from a bad friend is vivid. Anyone who has suffered betrayal in friendship can attest to how greatly painful that is. So, v3 compares what one suffers from a hot-tempered friend to being crushed by a stone or buried under an avalanche of sand. And, v4 changes the image to a raging river, or a flood, or a tidal wave, indicating that the jealous friend, who is in it for what they can get out of you, is even more dangerous than the hot-tempered friend. Then there is the friend whose “love” does not make an appearance when you are in danger and need to be rebuked. Though we mustn’t take v5 as an excuse for a censorious spirit, it reminds us that love must not be unwilling to rebuke when required. When a friend is like a surgeon, cutting out an infection or a cancer, his wounds are kind and faithful (v6a). But there are kisses that have more to do with ingratiating themselves to you than with doing you good. Such kisses seem to say “friend,” but actually come from an enemy.

General truths about friendship, v7–10. Thinking especially about rebuke, then, it is important that we develop an “appetite” for it. If we are out of appetite, then we will not want the nourishing rebukes of our friends (v7a), but if we have an appetite for the help that God gives us by such sharpening (v7b), we will find them sweet; the soul-counsel of a man’s friend should be soothing to us like ointment to our skin, or delightful to us like perfume to our nose (v9).

Finally, our friends are a good providence of God. If we disregard those whom He has placed around us, because we are ambitious to attain a higher class or social standing, then we are like a baby bird that leaves the nest before it is ready (v8). We should be content with our divinely-appointed station in life. Similarly, we owe loyalty to those who are generational friends (v10a), and those into whose proximity providence has put us (v10c). Since this brother is “far away,” there is an implication here that he is a wealthier, or perhaps less embarrassing, option. But we must not let pride get in our way. We should establish good relationships with our neighbors, since providence has put them near us. And we should have the humility to receive their divinely-appointed help when needed.

Of course, the greatest Friend that providence has assigned to us is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, Who laid down His life for His friends. He is the One Who sticks closer than a brother. To Him we must be loyal, and to Him we must go with every care, because He cares for us. Particularly when crushed or overwhelmed by the betrayal of earthly friends, we may find comfort, strength, wisdom, and gladness in Jesus.

Much of our life is bound up in relationships and interaction with those whom God has placed around us. Let us embrace friendship as a gift from God and heed His wisdom in it.

What good friends do you have, to whom you can leave it, if you are going to be praised? How are you in danger of being a dangerous friend? Who might be a danger to you as a friend? How is your “appetite” for the rebukes of a friend? Who is someone who has been a friend to you for generations? How is your relationship with your neighbors?

Sample prayer: Lord, we thank You for the gift of friendship. Give us humility to heed their wisdom. And give us discernment to recognize who would be a dangerous friend to us. We thank You for giving us Christ as our greatest Friend. Please give us to enjoy His friendship, and to be a friend like Him to others, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH520 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

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2026.08.29 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 3:14–19

Saturday, August 29, 2026 ▫ Read Ephesians 3:14–19

Questions from the Scripture text: What (v14, cf. 2:14–22) does the apostle now pick up from v1 as the reason for this prayer? What posture does he take for this prayer? What does He call God, Whom he addresses (v14b-15)? According to what does he pray that this request will be granted (v16)? With what does he pray that they will be strengthened? Through Whom does he pray that they will be strengthened? In what does he pray that they will be strengthened? What does he pray that the Spirit will do in their inner man (v17a)? In what will this root them and ground them (v17b)? What would this enable them to do, with whom (v18)? What is the thing that he prays that they will begin to know the measure (or, rather, immeasurability!) of (v19)? With what will such knowledge fill them?

For what should we pray? Ephesians 3:14–19 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we should pray for God’s glorious intentions toward us in the gospel to be fulfilled.

Heaven has been reconciled to earth, with God making redeemed sinners the trophy in which He displays His grace even in glory to the angels (2:6–7; 3:10–11). Paul began to say “for this reason” in v1, and now he picks the train of thought back up in v14, having uncovered and displayed several more facets of this glorious, multicolored diamond of the wisdom and the grace of God.

It is the glory of this mystery that we can call God Father—not only are all of the ethnicities of believers being brought together into one family on earth, but in heaven they actually appear in glory—the same glory that was being accomplished even through Paul’s imprisonment (end of v13).

Of course, a part of the blessedness of our glorious adoption is access to the family estate, the riches of God’s glory. And it is in realizing that God is building this family that the apostle now bows his knees and requests access to the family treasure. The fatherhood of the Father. The strengthening of the Spirit. The indwelling of the Son.

It must be a great request indeed! And what is all of this being requested to do? To enable the Ephesians to comprehend (to take hold of) by experiential knowledge something that our brains can’t wrap around.

He has been reflecting upon the fact that the love of Christ goes widely through all the earth to all of its families, that the length of the love of Christ began before all things hidden in God Himself and continues for all eternity, that the love of Christ reaches down all the way to those who are dead in trespasses and sins, and that the love of Christ takes us up onto even the highest throne of the highest heaven.

How could we come to take hold of such a thing? How could we come to take hold of something that will fill us, continually, abundantly, forever? Filled with all the fullness of God! (It would be blasphemy if the Holy Spirit had not been the One to say it.) What a glorious way to say continual, abundant, and forever fullness. It is not the fullness of that which is finite but the fullness of God.

No wonder, then, that the apostle makes this great Trinitarian prayer when coming with such a request. And, how much we need to consider the great necessity and glory of the church that such knowledge must come together “with all the saints.” Shall we not bow our own knees for this?

How do we grow in the love of Christ? Who must make those activities effective? Ask Him!

Sample prayer: Lord, grant us, according to the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened with might through Your Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith. Root us and ground us in love, so that we may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the widtha nd length and epth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge. Thus, fill us with all the fullness of God, in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN! 

 Suggested songs: ARP119H “My Portion Is the Lord Himself” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

2026.08.28 Hopewell @Home ▫ Habakkuk 2:6–20

Friday, August 28, 2026 ▫ Read Habakkuk 2:6–20

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things will all the people from v5 take up against the proud man (v6)? What two things bring him under woe? Who will rise up to do what (v7)? What will Babylon have done, and what will be done to them by whom (v8)? Upon whom does v9 pronounce woe? What does he think the evil gain will do for him? But what does he do to himself and his house by thinking like this (v10)? What will testify against him (v11)? Upon whom does v12 pronounce woe? Under Whose providence do those who think that they advance themselves actually proceed (v13)? What will be the end of all their efforts (v14)? Upon whom does v15 pronounce woe? What will be the outcome of their glorying in sin (v16)? What earthly/temporal instances of wrath are pictures of this (v17)? What final folly is denounced in v18–19? Why is it so ridiculous to trust in it and listen to it? Who is completely different than this? What must all do before Him?

Why shouldn’t Habakkuk fret over the apparent success of the Babylonians? Habakkuk 2:6–20 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these fifteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, despite whatever successes they may seem to have, the wicked are actually in a most unenviable condition.

From an earthly perspective, it is the peoples of the nations (v5) whom we ought to pity. But these people are the ones who will end up taking up a proverb against the proud man (Babylon) in the end (v6). Habakkuk need not fret over God’s plan to use the Chaldeans (cf. 1:5–11). They are in a most unenviable position, as the Lord’s justice stands against them.

Woe to him who takes things by force, v6–8. Though one man or nation may be more powerful than another, their power is borrowed power, and their time is borrowed time. When the bill comes due (v7), God will make the remnant of the people to plunder them (v8). All things belong, ultimately, not only to God but, under His sovereignty, to His remnant people. Don’t fret over the brute who takes things by force.

Woe to him who takes things by stealth, v9–11. This man covets “evil gain,” and he thinks to go undetected, but all creation is witness (v11). Indeed, God Himself is witness. God sees not only what is done to get the wealth, but the foolish and wicked hope that by accumulating wealth, one will put himself out of the reach of trouble (v9). One who leads according to the idea that money is a cure-all brings his family not into honor, but shame, and he sins against his own soul even more than he sins against others (v10). Don’t fret over the conspirator who takes things by schemes.

Woe to him who builds wickedly for the glory of his own name, v12–14. Babylon’s ancient beginning, Babel, is behind these three verses, and we know what came of them (cf. Gen 11:4–9). Men labor and weary themselves to establish and exalt their own name, but they will end up on the scrap heap of history, and can only accomplish the Lord’s ultimate purposes (v13). Those who operate out of such pride will be willing to commit sin to accomplish their goals (v12), but it is the Lord’s ultimate purpose that they serve: to fill the earth with the knowledge of His own glory (v14). Do not fret over the arrogant and proud who are willing to commit whatever sin they think will serve the exalting of their own name.

Woe to him who glories in sin, v15–17. Up to this point, sin was a means to an end, but here sin is its own end. He is glad to abuse whatever substance he can take, or give others, in order to silence the conscience and indulge in sin even more (v15). But the wrath of man (v17) is the smallest hint of the wrath that he will find against himself in the cup of YHWH’s right hand (v16, cf. 2Th 1:9–10). Do not envy the man who seems to take his fill of fleshly pleasure.

Woe to him who invents his own religion, v18–20. The Chaldeans’ brutality upon the nations was so lucrative that they made a religion out of worshiping it (cf. 1:15–17). But it is utter folly to trust in, or listen to, a “god” that you create (v18–19). Instead, you must trust in the uncreated Creator; and, you must keep silence before Him and listen to Him (v20). YHWH is completely other than the creature. We must humble ourselves before Him, trust in Him, and listen to Him. Do not be tempted to follow the ways of the Babylonians because they seem to have success for now. Even now, YHWH is in His holy temple; the God Who sits in the heavens laughs in scorn at the raging and plotting of the nations (cf. Ps 2:4).

So Habakkuk needs neither to fret over, nor to envy, the brute, the schemer, the worldly ambitious, the hedonistic, or the idolator. All of these are in a slippery place and shall fall all at once without remedy (cf. Ps 73:12–20). Do not fret over them; woe to them! Do not envy them; woe to them! Keep silence before YHWH in His holy temple. Trust in Him, listen to Him, and look forward, with confidence to the ultimate knowledge and praise of His glory!

Over what brute are you tempted to fret? Over what conspirators are you tempted to fret? What worldly ambitious/ successful person are you tempted to envy? Whom are you tempted to envy that take their fill of fleshly pleasure? What manmade religious practices are you tempted to think of as spiritual or instructive?

Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for reminding us that everything occurs under Your providence, and answers to Your justice. We long for the day when the wicked receive the cup of Your right hand against them, and the earth is filled with the knowledge of Your glory as the waters cover the sea. Make us to keep silence before You in Your holy temple, we ask through Christ, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP2 “Why Do Gentile Nations Rage” or TPH73B “Yes, God Is Good to Israel”

2026.08.27 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:30–42

Read Mark 9:30–42

Questions from the Scripture text: Through where did they pass in Mark 9:30? Whom did Jesus want to know it? What three things that would happen to Him was Jesus teaching His disciples (Mark 9:31)? Did they understand (Mark 9:32)? Why didn’t they ask about it? Where did He come in Mark 9:33? What did He ask them in the house? Why did they keep silent (Mark 9:34)? Whom did Jesus call to Himself in Mark 9:35? What did HE tell them in that verse? Whom did Jesus set in their midst in Mark 9:36? What did He do with that child? When He had done this, what does He say in Mark 9:37? What does John say they had seen in Mark 9:38? What does John say that they had done? that they have But what does Jesus say not to do (Mark 9:39)? Why not—what couldn’t those who do actual miracles in Christ’s name do? What does their giving praise to Christ’s name, and God’s permitting them to do miracles in Christ’s name, show about them (Mark 9:40)? What is another way that all believers show a reward that they cannot lose (Mark 9:41)? But what if, instead of doing good to someone because he belongs to Christ, they cause one of Christ’s little ones to stumble (Mark 9:42)?

Who is the greatest? Mark 9:30–42 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Christ is great, and we are all little ones be comparison—whose only greatness is Him Himself.

The Lord Jesus is patiently teaching His disciples that following a crucified Christ is all about glorifying that Christ through self-denying service to others.

Jesus was teaching them that it was all about His death and resurrection (Mark 9:31), while they were preoccupied with just how much it would be about them (Mark 9:33-34).

What a picture Jesus gave them—taking up a little child in His arms. When He talks about receiving one of the little children in His name, He is holding that child. Service to other Christians is for the sake of Him who treasures them and cares for them.

And this isn’t only true for those who have few years. The same principle applied to the disciples themselves (Mark 9:41). How great are they? No more than that little child. The greatness all belongs to Christ and His Name

That’s also the point about the miracles, isn’t it? If someone really did a miracle in Jesus’s name, it was only because Jesus had granted to him to be able to do it.

Today, there are sometimes very vocal “unity” people who might come to a passage like this and say, “See? We shouldn’t exclude anybody, and we should try to make everybody feel good about themselves like Jesus did for that child.”

How ironic it would be to abuse the passage this way, in light of Mark 9:31! Anyone who denies the truth about Jesus is definitely on the outside here, and in need of correction. And there is a whole lot of “not feeling good” that comes along with realizing how bad our sin is and what had to be done about it.

But we are also in danger of allowing a proper concern for precision to turn into personal hostility and even isolation. This can happen when we focus primarily upon another believer’s errors, or even worse, whether that believer is “with us.” The one to whom John referred was a believer, because their preaching was genuinely attended by the Spirit’s power.

Even when other believers are in error, or not with us, we must still value them as believers. So, how will we steer clear of the dangers in this passage? The answer is in the main theme of the passage: by keeping our focus upon the glory of Christ, treasuring and serving whomever He does!

Whom have you been treasuring and serving for the sake of Christ? Whom should you be?

Sample prayer: Lord, forgive us for how we have been obsessed about being the greatest, when You came not to be served but to serve, and to give Your life as a ransom for many. Truly, we have failed to have in us the mind that was in You. We have not preferred others to ourselves, or looked out for their interests as much as for our own. And, we have often disregarded whether we might be making little ones to stumble. Into what great danger this has put us! So, forgive us, we ask, for Jesus’s sake. And make us to be like unto Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN! 

Suggested songs: ARP22C “I’ll Praise You in the Gathering” or HB435 “I Love Thy Kingdom, Lord”

2026.08.26 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Chronicles 18

Read 1 Chronicles 18

Questions from the Scripture text: How does 1 Chronicles 18:1 relate this to God’s promise and David’s prayer from chapter 17? Whom did David attack? What did he take? Whom else did he defeat (1 Chronicles 18:2)? What did they become? And bring? Whom else did David defeat (1 Chronicles 18:3)? What did he take and do (1 Chronicles 18:4)? Who came to help them, and what did David do to them (1 Chronicles 18:5)? What did the Syrians become and do (1 Chronicles 18:6)? How did all of this happen? What did David take for what purpose (1 Chronicles 18:7-8)? Who heard what (1 Chronicles 18:9)? Whom did he send, with what, and why (1 Chronicles 18:10)? What did David do with these (1 Chronicles 18:11)? Along with what? Who else did what (1 Chronicles 18:12-13)? What did David do, in what manner (1 Chronicles 18:14-17)?

What is the significance of David’s military, economic, and political successes? 1 Chronicles 18 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seventeen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that David’s military, economic, and political successes are the beginning of the fulfillment of God’s promises to him. 

YHWH preserves His king. 1 Chronicles 18:6, 1 Chronicles 18:13 give the theological significance of all of these victories. It is YHWH Who is preserving David wherever He went. He is keeping His promise from chapter 17, as He both preserves David and foreshadows the kingdom of David’s Son. 

One day, it will not just be Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, Edomites, Ammonites, and Amalekites, but all nations will become Christ’s servants and bring Him tribute (1 Chronicles 18:2, 1 Chronicles 18:6). 

YHWH prepares His temple. In addition to giving David victories, the Lord is giving David the privilege of providing for the temple that Solomon will build. 

The gold shields from the servants of Hadadezer (1 Chronicles 18:7); the large amount of bronze from the cities of Hadadezer (1 Chronicles 18:8); the gold, silver, and bronze articles that Hadoram brought with him (1 Chronicles 18:10);  and the silver and gold that he brought from Edom, Moan, Ammon, Philistia, and Amalek (1 Chronicles 18:11)—all of these were for the temple. Verse 11 specifies that David dedicated these to the Lord. And 1 Chronicles 18:8 mentions the specific temple furnishings of the Sea, and the pillars, as well as other articles of bronze.

YHWH establishes David’s throne, 1 Chronicles 18:14-17. These verses are not just a clerical record of David’s cabinet. The summary in 1 Chronicles 18:14 makes it clear that this is a testimony to the justness and excellence of the administration of his government. 

The Lord faithfully fulfills all His promises. He fulfilled them to David. He has supremely fulfilled them in Christ. And He will keep fulfilling them until all has been done. Not one of all His good Word has fallen to the ground. Not one ever will. And, if you are a believer, then you may rejoice to be part of Christ’s kingdom, one of His subjects, and part of the temple that He is building.

How has Christ subdued you and made you His subject? What does this mean for what you do, and how you do it? What part do you have in Christ’s building of His church? How does the certainty of His victory, success, wisdom, and justice strengthen and gladden you?

Sample prayer:  Lord, You gave David victory on every side, and You are giving Christ victory through the whole of this age. Thank You for subduing us as His servants and subjects. Forgive us for how we have lived as if we are autonomous. Make us to live in obedience and loyalty to Him. 

And thank You for making us to be that temple that Christ is building, as He builds His church. Forgive us for our groundless anxieties that the gates of hell might prevail against it. And, forgive us for our forgetfulness that Christ has consecrated us unto Your holy worship. We bless Your Name for the greatness and glory of King Jesus, and we thank You for forgiving us and cleansing us through Him, for which we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” or TPH100B “All People That on Earth Do Dwell”

Hope for the Helpless [Family Worship lesson in Job 13:20–14:22]

What hope can Job have in the midst of his pain in this world? Job 13:20–14:22 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the believer’s hope is in God Himself, Who makes us new, forgives our sins, and desires us as the work of His hands. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional explores Job's desperate plea for God to reveal his sins and cease terrifying him, highlighting the brevity and misery of human life compared to the regenerative power found in Christ. Job's hope is the believer's assurance of fellowship with God through Jesus. Pastor emphasizes that while humans cannot cleanse themselves from sin, God offers forgiveness as the ultimate refuge. Believers are encouraged to maintain their hope in God's kindness and salvation regardless of earthly circumstances. The message concludes by urging his family to live and die with faith in Christ's covering of their iniquities.

2026.08.25 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 13:20–14:22

Read Job 13:20–14:22

Questions from the Scripture text: What two things does Job ask God not to do to him (Job 13:20-21)? What does he want God to show him (Job 13:23)? How does he regard God’s perceived silence (Job 13:22, Job 13:24)? What effect does this have upon him (Job 13:25)? In what manner is he concerned that God might be dealing with him (Job 13:26-27)? What condition highlights man’s inability to change himself (Job 13:28–Job 14:4)? Who is sovereign over him, i.e., able to change him (Job 14:5)? Apart from grace, what would be best for man (Job 14:6)? How is a tree different than man (Job 14:7-10)? How is man more similar to a lake bed or river bed (Job 14:11-12)? Since Job has gospel hope for eternity (Job 14:16-17), what would he rather have from God than his recent experiences (Job 14:13-16a)? What happens with man’s hopes and initiatives in this world (Job 14:17-22)?

What hope can Job have in the midst of his pain in this world? Job 13:20–14:22 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirty-one verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the believer’s hope is in God Himself, Who makes us new, forgives our sins, and desires us as the work of His hands.

Job is determined to trust in the Lord (Job 14:15) to be his salvation (Job 14:16). What does that look like in such painful circumstances as he finds himself? We can learn much from his basic prayers.

Don’t leave me alone, Job 13:20–22. This may sound inconsistent. Several times, we have seen Job ask that if God is going to continue to deal with him as He appears to be, just to leave him alone. But Job has come to an important conclusion: even though he cannot see it now, God is the God of gospel grace in Whom he has trusted. So, he prays that God would not leave him alone (Job 13:21a), and that God would deal with him according to grace (verse 21b). If God is your only hope, then cry out to Him not to withdraw His hand from you, but to deal with you graciously as your Hope instead of your Terror.

Show me my sins, Job 13:23-24. This is a profound little section. Job believes that it is an act of enmity (Job 13:24) when God hides His face instead of showing us our iniquity, sin, and transgression (Job 13:23). Job has repented of what he knows of. His friends have insisted that he suffers because of unrepented sin. But if Job is to repent, he needs to know what his sin is. It would be enmity indeed if God gave him over to sin to such an extent that he didn’t even know what his sin was. It might feel easier to our conscience, and especially to our pride, to be ignorant of our sin or to take it lightly. But that is not grace. If you are looking to God for true grace, then ask Him to make you know your sins.

But don’t treat me according to those sins, Job 13:25-28. This has been Job’s fear throughout: what if the Lord is actually dealing with me according to my sins (Job 13:26)? He is sovereign over the whole of our life (Job 13:27). If He deals with us according to our sin, we shall be destroyed and incinerated instantly (Job 13:25, Job 13:28).

Make me a clean thing, Job 14:1–4. Man was not created to be “of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1-2). Job is engaging the Lord in light of his fallenness. Even if God shows him his sins (Job 13:23–24), Job can’t cleanse himself from himself (Job 14:4). He needs God to give him a new nature. If the only principle upon which the Lord deals with him is one of justice (Job 14:3), then Job is done for.

Get me safely to eternity, Job 14:5–22. In the balance of the chapter, Job notes that he doesn’t have any inherent life in himself, like even the stump of a tree does (Job 14:7-8). Rather, he is like a riverbed of a river that has long since dried up (Job 14:9-12). As Ecclesiastes also observes several times, a man’s accomplishments in this life do not have “staying power” (Job 14:18-21), however much he agonizes over his endeavors (Job 14:22).

So, if Job’s life is going to be one of misery and pain under the apparent wrath of God (Job 14:13b), it would be better for him to be hidden by God in his grave (verse 13a) until the time of his redemption comes. He would rather just wait for the resurrection (Job 14:14), in which he is confident that he will know the grace of God (Job 14:15). His ultimate hope is in God and His forgiveness (Job 14:16-17). Note that, while Job is asking God to spare him the balance of the miseries of this life, it does not even cross his mind to take his own life. As he hopes in God for eternal forgiveness and blessedness, he does not even consider committing such a sin as suicide.

Instead, here he is with eternal hope in God, asking for a word from God that he might have resolved his perplexity about the pain in his life. By the end of the book, he would know God better. And we, with the cross and the resurrection as finished events, know even more fully this grace of God and our eternal hope in Him! Let us live in that hope, sure that when our hard service is over, our change will come (Job 14:14), and that God Himself will bring us out of the season of misery (Job 14:13), that He might delight in us, whom He has transformed (Job 14:15) and whose sin He has forgiven (Job 14:16-17).

What miseries are you enduring? How do you know that God is not treating you according to your sin? What hope do you have for when your life in this world is done? What hope do you have even now, as the work of God’s hands?

Sample prayer: Lord, two things we desire from You: that You would not withdraw Your hand far from us, and that the dread of You would not make us afraid. Make us to know our sins, and make us to know Your forgiveness and cleansing of sin. Since a clean thing cannot be brought out of an unclean thing, grant that Your Spirit would make us to be clean things. Give us to worship You from the new life that is in us from Christ. Come, now, and call; and, we will answer You. Desire us as the work of Your hands, covering our iniquity, and giving us to live, and work, and worship by Your grace in Christ, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace!”

2026.08.24 Hopewell @Home ▫ Proverbs 26:23–28

Read Proverbs 26:23–28

Questions from the Scripture text: What are the two components of the condition in Proverbs 26:23a? To what does verse 23b compare it? What does the one in Proverbs 26:24a do? With what does he disguise it? What might he do anyway (Proverbs 26:25a)? But what mustn’t the hearer do? Why (verse 25b)? With what does he cover his hatred (Proverbs 26:26a)? But what will happen, in what context (verse 26b)? What does the man in Proverbs 26:27a do? With what result? What does the man in verse 27b do? With what result? To what sort of tongue does Proverbs 26:28a refer? What does it do to whom? To what sort of mouth does verse 28b refer? What does it work?

What is the key to godly speech? Proverbs 26:23–28 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these six verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that a grace-changed heart is the key to godly speech.

The wicked heart, Proverbs 26:23. Our words should be good food (cf. Job 6:6–7, Job 12:11), but out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks (cf. Luke 6:45). When someone with a wicked heart tries to serve up good food, it is polluted by the dross on which it is served, like putting a nutritious meal on a filthy plate. If we wish to do others good with our mouths, we must seek God’s grace to cleanse our hearts, first.

The hateful heart, Proverbs 26:24-26. The fool doesn’t think about how God sees his heart, so he is not concerned about the hatefulness he finds within himself. He cares more about what others think, and disguises that hateful heart with gracious-sounding words (Proverbs 26:24-25). There is coming a day, in the great assembly of the judgment, when the heart will be laid bare (Proverbs 26:26). When we go to worship, if we realize that our hearts are already laid bare before God, we may be helped to think about what it would be like if the entire congregation knew our heart. They will! How we need God’s grace to change and cleanse our heart!

The scheming heart, Proverbs 26:27-28. This final section is both a warning and a comfort. If we find in our hearts that we are trying to lay traps for others, Proverbs 26:27 warns us that we are the ones whom we will end up harming, and Proverbs 26:28 alerts us to how such thinking is truly hateful to oneself. But if others are trying to set traps for us, these verses give us comfort from God, Who assures us of these outcomes. God give us grace to be honest about the schemes of our hearts.

To whom have you been trying to sound better than you are? In which area do you most need heart-help: wickedness, hatefulness, or scheming? How will you seek that help?

Sample prayer: Lord, please give us new hearts from Christ, by Your Spirit. And make the words of our mouths to overflow from the good with which You fill our hearts by Christ’s grace, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP15 “Within Your Tent, Who Will Reside” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”

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2026.08.22 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 3:10–13

Read Ephesians 3:10–13

Questions from the Scripture text: What is being made known (Ephesians 3:10)? By whom? To whom? Where? According to what (Ephesians 3:11)? How was this purpose accomplished? What do we have in Christ (Ephesians 3:12)? Through what? What, therefore, does the apostle ask (Ephesians 3:13)? For whom is he suffering these troubles? So that they may have what?

How great is God's work in the church? Ephesians 3:10–13 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God's work in the church is so glorious that it is the object of even the angels' worship. 

Ephesians 2:6–7 told us that one of the reasons for seating us in the heavenly places was so that in the ages to come God would display (in us) the exceeding riches of His grace in Christ Jesus. 

Now the apostle marvels at his own ministry, which isn’t just announcing among the nations the unsearchable riches of Christ (Ephesians 3:8), but also making the church into a display unto the heavenly beings of the “multicolored” [literally translated] wisdom of God (Ephesians 3:10). Sometimes, we hear people talk about what a “watching world” sees, and we rightly desire to be light. But the darkness hates the light. Believers who worry too much about their image before men would do well to meditate upon how we are also God’s display of His own wisdom before the angels!

Hidden in God from all eternity (Ephesians 3:9a), and the reason for creating all things (verse 9b), the existence of the gospel church displays that the purpose of God in Christ Jesus our Lord has now been accomplished (Ephesians 3:11)!

It can be difficult to persist in serving the Lord under the ordinary ministry of the elders (Ephesians 4:11–16), in the battle of sanctification (Ephesians 4:17–24), and the complexities of relationships in the congregation (Ephesians 4:25–32) and to the world (Ephesians 5:1–14), especially in the ins and outs of the daily slog in marriage (Ephesians 5:22–33), parenting (Ephesians 6:1–4), and work (Ephesians 6:5–9). 

So, the apostle sets before us the cosmic significance of our ordinary sanctification (both here in Ephesians 3:10 and later in Ephesians 6:10–20) to bring us back to Christ Himself, and the now-revealed mystery of God’s grace to us in Him. This—God’s plan from eternity to glorify Himself in Christ by being gracious to us—is what gives us not only boldness in life, but even confidence when we approach God Himself (Ephesians 3:12). It would do us good, in the midst of the daily grind, to reflect often upon the eternal plan that is being carried out in our serving God as beloved children.

This is why the apostle, rather than losing heart at his own trouble, has just rattled off 13 verses of amazement at the grace of God toward him in giving him this ministry. And this is why he doesn’t want them to be distracted by his troubles either. He knows their Christian affection for him, but what he wants them to see, in his imprisonment, not  the light and momentary affliction, but the eternal weight of glory that it is accomplishing (Ephesians 3:13, cf. Romans 8:18–23,  2 Corinthians 4:15–18).

May the Lord bless our daily worship in our homes and weekly worship in the assembly, such that we may live our lives in this world with eyes and hearts that feast upon this glory of God in Christ that is the purpose of all things!

In what situation do you find it most difficult to remember that God has planned this for His glory in Christ? How will you go about reminding yourself of this from passages like this one?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for making our lives to be displays of the multicolored wisdom of God. Please, accomplish Your purposes in us, and grant that we would remember that You are doing so. Thus, do not let us lose heart over our own troubles, or the troubles of any believer. Give us to live with boldness and confidence that we have in our access to You, and in the whole of our lives, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP98 “O Sing a New Song to the Lord” or TPH425 “How Sweet and Awesome Is the Place”

2026.08.21 Hopewell @Home ▫ Habakkuk 2:2–5

Read Habakkuk 2:2–5

Questions from the Scripture text: Who is speaking in Habakkuk 2:2a? What does He tell him to do (verse 2b)? Upon what (verse 2c)? So that who may do what (verse 2d)? What about the vision necessitates this (Habakkuk 2:3a)? What will it do, when (verse 3b)? So, what must Habakkuk, do with it (verse 3c)? Why (verse 3d–e)? Whom is he to behold/consider (Habakkuk 2:4a)? What is he to observe/conclude about him (verse 4b)? Who lives in what other way (verse 4c)? What does the proud man do in Habakkuk 2:5a–b? What doesn’t he do (verse 5c)? What does he enlarge, to what extent (verse 5d–e)? What does he gather and heap up (verse 5f–g)? 

How do believers overcome doubt and self-indulgence? Habakkuk 2:2–5 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these four verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that believers overcome doubt and self-indulgence by faith in God’s Word.  

A Word for everyone in Scripture and preaching. YHWH gives Habakkuk a vision; so why must he write it down? Because what God is giving Habakkuk to experience isn’t just for himself. It’s for God’s people throughout the ages. The “runner” in Habakkuk 2:2 isn’t engaging athletics, or even fleeing. He’s a messenger. God wants His message to His people written down so that it will be read. So that it will be proclaimed exactly. Here are the doctrine of the inspiration of Scripture and the doctrine of preaching. What Habakkuk writes is “a vision,” which is to say that it is given by God, rather than coming from Habakkuk. And what the preacher proclaims is what he “reads,” which is to say that he proclaims the written Word, rather than his own ideas.

A reliable Word to wait for. The Lord has told Habakkuk to look and watch (cf. Habakkuk 1:5), and Habakkuk is doing just that for the Word of God (cf. Habakkuk 2:1). YHWH has appointed a time for its fulfillment (Habakkuk 2:3a). Habakkuk does not know what that time is, but he knows that the fulfillment is certain (verse 3b), and its arrival will be not a moment later than the Lord has planned (verse 3c–e). As I once heard a preacher say, in my youth, “the Lord’s train may seem slow to us, but it is always right on time.”

Two ways to relate to the Word. Skepticism isn’t honest; it’s arrogant. The righteous man, in Habakkuk 2:4, lives by his faith. The way that he watches is by the Word of God. He is not discouraged, and does not doubt. Circumstances may be bewildering, but the Word of God is sure. Fulfillment may take time to come, but the Word of God is sure. And this is especially the Word of God about Jesus Christ. Hebrews 10:37–38 identifies this Word as a Person! This righteous man, who lives by his faith, is set over-against “the proud” in Habakkuk 2:4. The alternative to faith is to be one whose soul is not upright within him. It is arrogance to allow our experience or our assessment to overrule, in our hearts, what God’s Word says. The outcome of this skepticism is self-indulgence (Habakkuk 2:5). Wine easily deceives him (verse 5a), because in his pride (verse 5b), he is subject to all of his impulses (verse 5c–e). Self-indulgence is a conqueror even more ruthless than the Chaldeans (verse 5f–g). Apart from believers, there are none whom it does not overcome.

The Lord has given us faith in His Word as both the mechanism by which we come to be counted as righteous, and the method by which we live. How shall it be for you, dear reader? Will you (arrogantly!) live as one who questions God’s Word, but never questions his own impulses and desires? Or, will you live by the confidence that God’s Word is His Word, and that it shall be perfectly fulfilled at exactly the right time?

What experiences threaten to discourage you? What impulses and desires threaten to overcome you? What prescription does this passage give against those? How are you implementing what it says?

Sample prayer:  Lord, thank You for causing Your sure Word to be written down for us. And thank You for sending us messengers who proclaim not their words but Yours. Please grant that we would have faith to take You at Your Word. And make our preachers faithful to preach only Your Word. Thus, strengthen us and gladden us in Christ, Who is that Word, and the great proclamation of all Scripture. And, guard us from all pride and self-indulgence. Make us those just ones who live by faith, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP131 “My Heart Is Not Exalted, LORD” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

2026.08.20 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:14–29

Read Mark 9:14–29

Questions from the Scripture text: What did Jesus see, when He came to His disciples (Mark 9:14)? How did the people respond when they saw Jesus (Mark 9:15)? What did Jesus ask the scribes (Mark 9:16)? Who answers, and how (Mark 9:17-18)? What does Jesus call that entire generation in response (Mark 9:19)? What did the spirit do when they brought the boy to Jesus (Mark 9:20)? What did Jesus ask (Mark 9:21a)? What did the father answer (Mark 9:21-22)? What did he not seem sure that Jesus could do? What does Jesus tell the father in Mark 9:23? How does the father respond in Mark 9:24? Whom did Jesus rebuke in Mark 9:25? What happened in Mark 9:26? How do the people respond? But how does Jesus respond in Mark 9:27? What do the disciples ask in Mark 9:28? And what does Jesus say in Mark 9:29?

What is impressive about Jesus’s disciples? Mark 9:14–29 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these sixteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Jesus Himself if the only impressiveness of His disciples. 

In this passage, we run into a problem that is not so rare, even today. There are people failing to believe in Jesus because His followers don’t seem to have special powers of their own. 

While it is true that Jesus would later give them particular “signs of an apostle” by His Holy Spirit, apparently the people thought that the disciples’ inability to cast out the demon meant that Jesus was somehow gone. Notice that they are “greatly amazed” to see Him in Mark 9:15. And notice in Mark 9:18 that the man had come with full expectation that the disciples could help. Even the disciples thought they should have been able to do it (Mark 9:28).

Sometimes, we are tempted to think this way too. We look around the church, and maybe we see a bunch of unimpressive people. Sometimes, in fact, they leave exactly the wrong impression upon us. There are people still today who see that and say, “if these are His people, then Jesus must not really exist; or, at least, He must not be a Savior worth having.”

But by this time in Mark’s gospel, we’re noticing a theme. Jesus saves by going to the cross. Jesus tells us that we have to take up our own cross. Even when He says, “all things are possible to Him who believes” in Mark 9:23, He makes it plain that this “all-things-possible” is not some kind of power that He gives us, but something that goes along with a life that consists in trusting Him:

“This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Depending upon Jesus and denying ourselves. That’s the Christian life! Notice that Jesus didn’t pray and fast; He just commanded. He is the One unto Whom we pray and fast.

In the end, there were two people in that family who were deaf and mute. The father, spiritually so, needed Jesus’s help as much as the son did. He needed Jesus’s help to open his ears with the understanding of faith, and to open his mouth with expressions of faith.

We need that too, if we’re going to live a life of depending upon Jesus and denying ourselves. Let us learn to cry out to Him, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!”

In what situation in your life, do you need Jesus to give you the faith to trust that the Lord is doing and will do something wonderful for your good and His glory?

Sample prayer:  Lord, forgive us for having lower opinions of You on account of the unimpressiveness of Your people. We believe; help our unbelief! Grant that we would not seek a life of being able to do things in ourselves, but of resting upon You in all circumstances. Make us those who pray and fast unto You, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP46 “God Is Our Refuge and Our Strength” or TPH429 “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” 

2026.08.19 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Chronicles 17

Read 1 Chronicles 17

Questions from the Scripture text: Where was David dwelling (1 Chronicles 17:1)? To whom did he speak? What did he note about his house? What else did he observe? How does Nathan respond to him (1 Chronicles 17:2)? But then Who speaks to Nathan (1 Chronicles 17:3)? What will David not do (1 Chronicles 17:4)? What does He note about Himself (1 Chronicles 17:5)? What hasn’t He done/said (1 Chronicles 17:6)? Who has done what for whom (1 Chronicles 17:7)? And what else has He done for him (1 Chronicles 17:8)? And what will He yet do for whom (1 Chronicles 17:9-10)? Whom will YHWH raise up, when (1 Chronicles 17:11)? What will He establish? What will the offspring build (1 Chronicles 17:12)? How long will His throne be established? Where will YHWH establish Him (1 Chronicles 17:14)? What did Nathan do (1 Chronicles 17:15)? Where did David go (1 Chronicles 17:16)? Asking what? Amazed at what (1 Chronicles 17:17)? At a loss for what words (1 Chronicles 17:18)? What does he acknowledge in 1 Chronicles 17:19? How does he praise God in 1 Chronicles 17:20? At whom else does he marvel (1 Chronicles 17:21)? On what basis? What is the greatest thing YHWH has done for them (1 Chronicles 17:22)? For what does David now ask (1 Chronicles 17:23)? Unto what end (1 Chronicles 17:24)? In response to what does David pray (1 Chronicles 17:25)? What does he see that God has done (1 Chronicles 17:26)? Of what is he certain (1 Chronicles 17:27)?

Who builds what for whom? 1 Chronicles 17 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these twenty-seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that the great endeavor of all of history is God’s building a house for Christ, which is Christ’s building a house for God. 

There is a sense in which the whole of creation and providence is about God building David a house(hold). This is because it has been His intention, from all eternity, that God the Son (cf. Romans 1:4) would become the son of David, according to the flesh (cf. Romans 1:3; Hebrews 1:5–14, Hebrews 2:14; Ephesians 1:3–5). God is the original, and that what He builds into creation and providence is for our understanding and enjoyment of Him and His gospel. 

Good, but ignorant intentions. That is what both David and Nathan have at the beginning of this passage. David is grateful. He does not think that his prosperity is his own achievement. It is precisely because he knows that it is the goodness and greatness of God that has given him his throne, his victories, and his great house (1 Chronicles 17:1), that he wishes to do something out of gratitude to God. But he has difficulty grasping the greatness of God. We all do—and will, forever! A house of cedar is not somehow more appropriate to God than tent curtains! This is a lesson that Solomon will have learned from him, by the time he finishes the temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:37). But David isn’t the only one. His suggestion sounds so good to Nathan, that he apparently doesn’t even need to pray about it (1 Chronicles 17:2). 

It is always God Who does us good, not the other way around. So David wishes to build God a house (1 Chronicles 17:4), but God has never indicated that this is something that He desires (1 Chronicles 17:4-6). Has David not understood, yet, that it is always God Who is the giver (1 Chronicles 17:7-9)? This is true, not only for David, but for Israel as a whole (1 Chronicles 17:9-10a). So, it is not David who will build God a house (1 Chronicles 17:4), but God Who will build David a house (1 Chronicles 17:10b). 

The true house. David’s house of cedar, as big and sturdy and beautiful as it was, would end up on the rubbish heap of history. The true house would be the kingdom of Christ. By referring to a Seed/Offspring in 1 Chronicles 17:11, rather than a Son, God ties the promise of verse 11 to Genesis 3:15, Genesis 22:18, etc.. Amazingly, David’s house and God’s house are going to end up being the same house! David thought he already had a house (1 Chronicles 17:1), but now he learns that he really doesn’t, yet, because his true house is the one that the Lord is going to build for him (1 Chronicles 17:10b). The One Who builds the house in 1 Chronicles 17:12 cannot be Solomon, because Solomon’s throne is not forever (verse 12b, 1 Chronicles 17:14). 

So the house that God builds for David (1 Chronicles 17:10b), and the house that David’s Seed builds for God (1 Chronicles 17:12) is the same house! Solomon does enjoy some fulfillment of the promise in 1 Chronicles 17:13. 2 Samuel 7:14 refers to Solomon, specifically (Christ has no iniquity of His own!), but 1 Chronicles 17 leaves that portion out. By the time of 1 Chronicles, Solomon is long gone, so the focus here is almost exclusively and entirely upon Christ. This is just so for us. In all of His work in gathering and perfecting the church, God is fulfilling the promise made in this chapter. What seems mundane at first: the ins and outs of daily discipleship in the family, and weekly discipleship in the assembly, ought to shine to us with great gospel glory, in the light of this chapter.

Overflowing praise, gratitude, and confident prayer. Therefore, we learn from David, in 1 Chronicles 17:16-27, how we should be responding to God’s promise and fulfillment in what He does in our families, congregations, and the broader church. What are we, and our houses, in and of ourselves (1 Chronicles 17:16)? Nothing! But, in this promise and fulfillment, we see the greatness of His love and grace toward us (1 Chronicles 17:19). And, in this promise and fulfillment, we learn how to pray for better things than we would have asked otherwise (1 Chronicles 17:21-23)—let us learn to draw our prayers from His promises! And, in this promise and fulfillment, we learn God’s own pleasure, for the manner in which He would magnify His Name—magnifying Himself as our own covenant God (1 Chronicles 17:24). And, in this promise and fulfillment, we learn to pray with the confidence of those who are asking for what cannot fail.

How, in history, has God been fulfilling the promises of this chapter? How has He been doing so in your life and your family’s life? How has He been doing so in your congregation? How are you responding to this? How are you praying and laboring, in light of what He has promised?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You for the house that You are still building for David. And, we thank You and praise You for the house that Christ is building for You. We confess that we have often been more impressed with our personal, earthly endeavors. And, we have often been more invested in our personal, earthly endeavors. So, we have not been sufficiently interested in the progress of Christ’s kingdom, and we have not been sufficiently invested in the progress of Christ’s kingdom. In fact, we have sometimes thought of things like “cultural influence” as the advancement of that kingdom, rather than Your gathering and perfecting Your saints. Make us to remember that it is You Who are the great giver, not we. And forgive us for all of our earthly-mindedness. Give us to do even our earthly endeavors with a heavenly mindedness that rejoices over Your building of Your house, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” or TPH100B “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” 

2026.08.18 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 13:1–19

Read Job 13:1–19

Questions from the Scripture text: In what is Job equal to his friends (Job 13:1-2)? With Whom would he rather speak (Job 13:3)? Why (Job 13:4)? What would be the wises thing for them to say (Job 13:5)? Whom should they hear instead (Job 13:6)? What is wrong with their own speech (Job 13:7)? In what way (Job 13:8)? What should they consider (Job 13:9)? What is their status before God (Job 13:10-11)? How useful is their counsel (Job 13:12)? To whom should they listen instead (Job 13:13)? What would following their counsel be like doing (Job 13:14)? What will he do instead (Job 13:15)? Whom does this make to be his salvation (Job 13:16)? What should his friends do (Job 13:17)? So that they, also, might have what outcome (Job 13:18)? To Whom, will he now directly turn his attention (Job 13:19)?

What should legalists do? Job 13:1–19 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these nineteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that legalists should shut their mouths and listen to those whose hope is not in personal performance but in the God of grace. 

The counsel of each of Job’s three friends have struck the same chord: repent well enough, and you will be blessed. They have grounded this false idea upon the truth of God’s justice and righteousness—a truth that Job knows just as well as any of them (Job 13:1-2), but a truth which leads him to the opposite conclusion than they. 

Job’s only hope is in the God of grace Himself (Job 13:3, Job 13:15-16). The reality of God’s justice and holiness is one that should have terrified the friends for themselves (Job 13:9, Job 13:11). The idea that one could repent well enough to merit blessing from Him is a worthless lie (Job 13:4) that speaks wickedly of God (Job 13:7), as if someone could be good enough for Him (Job 13:8). Legalism makes too little of God’s law and justice, and too much of our ability. With legalism as their “wisdom,” it would have been wiser to say nothing at all (Job 13:5, Job 13:12-13a), and to listen to Job speak instead (Job 13:6, Job 13:13b, Job 13:17). 

And what would they hear Job say? That it is folly to wager his life upon his own repentance (Job 13:14). That, regardless of what he might receive from God’s hand, the only defense that he has before God (Job 13:15b) is God Himself (verse 15a). That he refuses to pretend to be good enough for God (Job 13:16b), as his friends purport to be, but that God Himself is his salvation (verse 16a). With God as his hope, Job is confident of being vindicated (Job 13:18), so he hastens now to address God Himself (Job 13:19).

When you consider the eternal outcome of your soul, what is your hope? In what circumstances, where you have been the one talking, would it have been wiser for you to be silent? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, You are God Almighty, Whose divine nature is on display in the things that You have made. We praise You for Your wisdom, power, justice and holiness! And we thank You have announced to us what we could not have known from the creation: Your gospel of grace. You alone are our trust! You alone are our salvation! So, receive us now, in Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. And grant unto us to worship You, not from what is from within us, but from that which is in us from Him, by His grace, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP32AB “What Blessedness” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace!”

2026.08.17 Hopewell @Home ▫ Psalm 63

Read Psalm 63

Questions from the Scripture text: Who penned this Psalm (superscript)? When? Whom does David address in Psalm 63:1a? Whose is He? What will David do (verse 1b)? When? What does his soul do? What does his flesh do? In what sort of land? For what (Whom!) has David looked (Psalm 63:2)? Where? To see what? What is better than what else in Psalm 63:3? How will David respond? How long will he do this (Psalm 63:4a)? What else will he do (verse 4b)? What will be the result for his soul (Psalm 63:5)? How will his mouth respond to this satisfaction? When else will he remember God (Psalm 63:6)? By doing what for how long? What has God been (Psalm 63:7)? Where then will David go? What will he do there? How does Psalm 63:8 describe going through life in this way? What will the result be? About whom do we hear for the first time in this Psalm in Psalm 63:9? What three things will happen to them (Psalm 63:9-10)? What will the king be doing at that time (Psalm 63:11a)? And who else will be doing what (verse 11b)? What about others’ mouths (verse 11c)?

What does it look like to have God as your own, covenant God? Psalm 63 looks forward to the opening portion of morning public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these eleven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that having God as our very own covenant God means praising Him as our Priority (Psalm 63:1-4), Pleasure (Psalm 63:5-6), and Protection (Psalm 63:7-10), all unto His Praise (Psalm 63:11).

Praising God as Our Priority, Psalm 63:1-4. The Psalm begins, literally, early in the day. The land may be dry and thirsty (Psalm 63:1e–f), but David is thirstier for something (Someone!) else. The thirst of his soul for the Lord (verse 1c) is so intense that he feels the longing as if it is physical (verse 1d). Why? Because God’s covenanted love (Psalm 63:3a) is better than life itself, and praising Him for it is the point of that life (Psalm 63:4). So this seeking is not just praying, but especially praising, as thrice repeated in the last three lines of this section.

Praising God as Our Pleasure, Psalm 63:5-6. The phrase “marrow and fatness” joins two words that usually indicate the richest portion and the choicest portion. Together, they communicate extreme delight and satisfaction. But what can satisfy a soul like this? Only the Lord Himself.

So for true pleasure, rather than filling his mouth with royal food, David fills his mouth with divine praise (Psalm 63:5b)! Psalm 63:6 finds him still licking his lips, as it were. Now, he’s sleepless through the night watches. Hour after hour passes, but by meditating upon (verse 6b)—reminding himself of (verse v6a)—the Lord, he finds himself not hungry upon his bed but well-satisfied. 

Praising God as Our Protection, Psalm 63:7-10. God has been not only loving (Psalm 63:3a) but help (Psalm 63:7a), not only pleasure but protection. The images here are as tender as they are strong: nestling under the shadow of God’s wings (verse 7), following closely behind (Psalm 63:8a), being held up by His right hand (verse 8b). There’s not just safety here, but singing (Psalm 63:7b). By contrast, the wicked are not only killed but brought low (Psalm 63:9b), as the humiliation of becoming jackal-food emphasizes (Psalm 63:10b).

Praising God through Eternity, Psalm 63:11. The demise of the wicked introduces another contrast. In the grave, their mouths will be shut (verse 11c, cf. ). But the mouths that have been full of praise (Psalm 63:5b) will continue forever. The king, and everyone who swears by Him, will rejoice and glory forever. But Who is the Him—the King or God? Yes! For Christ is the perfect King-singer of this Psalm, and it is He through Whom we belong to the Lord, delight in the Lord, are protected by the Lord, and praise the Lord—Forever!

In Christ, from early in the morning, through all the watches of the night, may praising God be our priority, pleasure, and protection!

What time of day are you more forgetful of God? How/upon what can you meditate to remedy this?

Sample prayer:  Lord, from early in the morning through the watches of the night, we are well-satisfied with Your power, Your glory, Your covenanted love, Your help… indeed You Yourself are our desire, delight, and defense! Be praised now, as You will be forever, filling Your people’s hearts with joy in Christ the King, through Whom we ask it, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP63 “O God, You Are My God” or TP63 “God, Thee, My God, I’ll Early Seek”

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Stewards of the Mystery [Family Worship lesson in Ephesians 3:7–9]

Why does God use the weak and unworthy? Ephesians 3:7–9 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God uses the weak and unworthy to steward the gospel of the riches of the glory of God in Christ. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional expounds on Ephesians 3:7-9, revealing that God chose the most unworthy individual to demonstrate that the power of the gospel originates entirely from Him rather than human merit. It defines the 'mystery' as the eternal plan where God redeems a people for Himself and gives Himself to them, a truth hidden for ages but now revealed through Jesus Christ. The text emphasizes that spiritual gifts are not personal possessions but entrusted responsibilities given by God for the benefit of the church from all the nations. By highlighting Paul's transformation from persecutor to apostle, the message illustrates that believers are stewards of this infinite treasure, called to pass it on to others with humility and responsibility. The central intent is to comfort the faithful with God's sovereign grace while convicting them to faithfully dispense the gospel to their communities.

2026.08.15 Hopewell @Home ▫ Ephesians 3:7–9

Read Ephesians 3:7–9

Questions from the Scripture text: Who had become a minister of the gospel (Ephesians 3:7)? According to what (cf. Ephesians 3:2)? By what? What does the apostle call himself in Ephesians 3:8? For what duty was this grace given him? How does he summarize the content of what he preaches among the nations? What stewardship (lit.) does this make all the elect to see (Ephesians 3:9)? Where was this mystery hidden, from when? Through Whom had God created all things in the first place?

Why does God use the weak and unworthy? Ephesians 3:7–9 prepares us for the morning sermon in public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God uses the weak and unworthy to steward the gospel of the riches of the glory of God in Christ. 

Ministry in the gospel is an assignment by grace to show bottomless depths of an eternal goodness.

First, ministry in the gospel is an assignment by grace. The apostle, who calls himself literally “the lesser least of all the saints,” says that he became a minister “according to the gift of the grace of God” (Ephesians 3:7), when “grace was given” (Ephesians 3:8) him.

Believers often think that if they tell others about Jesus, it will fall flat because of how unimpressive they are in the history of their character and conduct so far. They are correct about themselves, but that is part of the point. Ministry, as with Christ’s own righteousness which is our only standing before God, is a gift of the grace of God.

Believers also often think that they are “not up to” showing Jesus to others. But even the apostle could only proclaim Christ to others “by the effective working of [God’s] power” (Ephesians 3:7). We are not all called to be ministers of the gospel in the official (office) sense, but surely it is true that in all of your living for Christ in whatever part you do have, your part also is only by the gracious and “effective working of His power.”

Second, ministry in the gospel is an assignment to show bottomless depths. One wonders if we sometimes tune the apostle, because he always seems to be engaging in hyperbole. Our fault in that is that this apostle, even by the Holy Spirit, finds it quite impossible to exaggerate the riches of Christ to us. 

Other things that have been described to us in glowing terms have always fallen short and disappointed. But here, it is the terms that must fall short. The apostle summarizes his job as to “preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” It is something that we may dive into, and explore—one unfolding world of wonder after another—but never reach (or even see!) the bottom. On the receiving end of such a ministry, we repeatedly and continually find ourselves saying, “Amazing! Wonderful! Our God, and His gospel of His Son is still more glorious than I had ever imagined!”

Finally, ministry in the gospel proclaims an eternal goodness. As the apostle shows to all “the stewardship of the mystery” (Ephesians 3:9), he traces back the chain of custody of this glorious news. Previously, he had said that “in other ages it was not made known to the sons of men” (Ephesians 3:5). Now, he goes back beyond “the beginning of the ages” and finds that this plan of salvation goes back into God Himself.

The picture is a glorious one, and we strain to consider it. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, sharing divine delight in a plan to save unto the Father, in the Son, by the Spirit—which will come of necessity through one people, but will be out of generosity unto all the people. 

And it was this eternal plan to glorify God by grace that initiated creation itself, in which God “created all things through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 3:9). Everything that happens (including the full) from creation until now is so that redeemed sinners may see the glory of God in the unsearchable riches of the glory of Christ!

What gives meaning to our life, and significance to every role in which we find ourselves, is its participation in the plan and purpose of God in all of creation and history!

When do you ordinarily experience wonder at the riches of Christ? By what means has God appointed for you to experience that wonder, and to grow in your wonder at Christ? How will you be availing yourself of these opportunities to do so?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You for making known to us the riches of Jesus Christ. Truly, by our weakness and unworthiness, we are well-suited to show that the glory and power all belong to You in Christ. Make us good stewards of the gospel, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP40A “I Waited for the LORD” or TPH377 “Join All the Glorious Names”

2026.08.14 Hopewell @Home ▫ Habakkuk 1:12–2:1

Read Habakkuk 1:12–2:1

Questions from the Scripture text: Whom does Habakkuk now address (Habakkuk 1:12)? What does he ask (verse 12a)? What does he call Him (verse 12b)? What does he conclude about God’s people (verse 12c)? What does he conclude about the purpose of the Chaldeans (verse 12d–e)? What does he know about God’s character (Habakkuk 1:13a–b)? What difficulty does he have with God’s use of the Chaldeans (verse 13c–e)? What does he ask about men (Habakkuk 1:14)? What do the Chaldeans do that reduces the Judeans to that (Habakkuk 1:15)? But how will these Chaldeans respond to their success (Habakkuk 1:16)? What difficulty does Habakkuk express in his question (Habakkuk 1:17)? What will Habakkuk do, having asked that question (Habakkuk 2:1a–c)? What does he assume that he will need (verse 1d)?

What should perplexed Christians do? Habakkuk 1:12–2:1 prepares us for the evening sermon on the coming Lord’s Day. In these seven verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that perplexed Christians should cling to the Lord, sure of His character, and expecting to be corrected by Him.  

Habakkuk has one significant advantage over Job. From the start, God is talking to him. But this advantage has not fully resolved his problem. He knows the character of God. He has heard the plan of God. He understands the explanation of God. But he is having difficulty putting all of these together. God is sovereign, faithful, wise, just, good, and holy. It is the last of these that now gives him difficulty.

God is sovereign. “Are You not from everlasting?” Habakkuk acknowledges the difference between his perspective and God’s perspective. It is not only that God knows, and can see, infinitely more than Habakkuk can. It is that, from all eternity, God has planned what He will do. He is sovereign. 

God is also faithful. Notice how Habakkuk addresses Him. By the covenant Name, YHWH. By His covenant identity: “Holy One” is an abbreviation of “Holy One of Israel,” used of the Lord dozens of times in the Old Testament, especially in Isaiah. And Habakkuk especially addresses the Lord as his own: note how he uses the possessive “my” twice. God has affirmed that He has not abandoned His covenant with Israel, but rather is keeping it, and Habakkuk responds by holding onto God’s faithfulness to His covenant and to His people. When you are perplexed by what the Lord is doing in your life, or in the church, it is transformative to come to terms with the fact that He is the One Who is doing it (sovereign), and that it is in faithfulness to His people (you!) that He is doing it!

God is wise. “We shall not die.” God knows what He is doing. If He is the One Who is in control, and if He is acting in faithfulness to His people, faithfulness to His covenant, and faithfulness to His promises, then that means that the people of God cannot be eliminated. Surely, Habakkuk is still perplexed about some things, but one thing that he is sure about is that Israel will not die.

God is just. Habakkuk’s initial complaint was that the Lord was not doing anything about the violence in Judah (cf. Habakkuk 1:2–4). The Lord’s description of the Chaldeans has been terrifying, but it is justified. So now Habakkuk answers “O YHWH, You have appointed them for judgment.” He has learned something. He doesn’t completely understand how it all fits together, but he acknowledges that the Lord is righteous and just in whatever He does. It is part of our Christian growth to assimilate the fact that everything the Lord does, He does in faithfulness, wisdom, and justice.

God is good. He gives us the correction that we need. “O Rock, You have marked them for correction.” The noun in Habakkuk 1:12e is the root of the verb in Habakkuk 2:1d. When Judah needs rebuke/correction, the Lord gives it. When Habakkuk needs rebuke/correction, the Lord gives it. He is giving what is good for His people.

God is holy. In Habakkuk 1:13, we begin to see Habakkuk’s difficulty. How can the holy God, Whose “eyes” are too pure to tolerate evil, patiently endure for the even-more-wicked Chaldeans to be an instrument of correction upon Judah? How can He let His people be treated like fish (Habakkuk 1:14), by this ruthless nation (Habakkuk 1:15), who continuously empty and refill their net (Habakkuk 1:17), while worshiping the idol of their ruthlessness for the worldly goods that it obtains for them (Habakkuk 1:16)? 

It is important to see that, as Habakkuk, wrestles with these things, He does not do so as one who is judging God or contending with God. He does so as one who just doesn’t get it—and who hopes to receive the correction that he needs. In fact, he is eager for God’s reply, eager for God’s correction. He stands watch for it (Habakkuk 2:1a). He positions himself to see it as soon as possible (verse 1b). He watches for what the Lord will say to him (verse 1c). He even anticipates modifying his own responses based upon the correction that he expects to receive (verse 1d). What a way to describe how we all ought to incline toward God’s Word, and even to submit to it in prospect, as we look forward to it!

Due to our creatureliness, and especially our ongoing sinfulness, there is much that will confound us in the providence of God. But we may cling to Him, sure of His character, and awaiting the correction of the Word.

What current situations in your life, or in Christ’s church, are perplexing you? What aspects of God’s character are you more sure of, than you are of anything that you think about these situations? In what actions and activities are you waiting upon God’s Word for correction? With what attitude are you waiting for that correction?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we praise You for Your perfect sovereignty, faithfulness, wisdom, justice, goodness, and holiness. We confess that, when we cannot make sense of things, it is because we need correction. Please give to us the correction that we need. And please give us humility and zeal as we wait for it, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP131 “My Heart Is Not Exalted, LORD” or TPH256 “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

Hear Him! [Family Worship lesson in Mark 9:1–13]

Whom must we hear? Mark 9:1–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must hear Christ, telling us that God the Son became a man to suffer abuse and die, and that His people must expect similar experience. (click here to DOWNLOAD mp3/pdf files of this lesson) Summary of the transcript of the audio: The devotional examines the Transfiguration narrative to reveal Jesus's divine glory and authority as the beloved Son of God. It contrasts the radiant revelation on the mountain with the subsequent necessity of Christ's suffering, death, and resurrection. Pastor highlights how Peter's misunderstanding serves to correct any notion of equality between Jesus and the Old Testament prophets. This event confirms that the kingdom of God arrives through the Son's sacrificial work rather than earthly power. The message calls believers to worship Jesus alone and trust in the redemptive power of His cross.

2026.08.13 Hopewell @Home ▫ Mark 9:1–13

Read Mark 9:1–13

Questions from the Scripture text: Some of whom, did Jesus say, would not taste death until they saw the kingdom of God having come with power (Mark 9:1)? How many days later does Mark 9:2 occur? Who takes disciples up the mountain? Whom does He take? Who is transfigured before them? What happens to His clothes in Mark 9:3? Who appear in Mark 9:4? With whom are they talking? Who jumps into the conversation in Mark 9:5? What does He suggest they do? Why did he say this (Mark 9:6)? What comes and overshadows them (Mark 9:7)? What comes out of the cloud? What does the voice say? What suddenly happens (Mark 9:8)? Until when does Jesus command that they should tell no one the things they had seen (Mark 9:9)? What did they question (Mark 9:10)? What do they ask Him (Mark 9:11)? And what does He ask them in response (Mark 9:12)? What does He say happened when the Elijah prophet came (Mark 9:13)?

Whom must we hear? Mark 9:1–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we must hear Christ, telling us that God the Son became a man to suffer abuse and die, and that His people must expect similar experience. 

In this reading, the Lord is still dealing with us about our false expectations of what it will be like to be His disciples. The passage is closely connected to the preceding one in chapter 8, where Peter takes it upon himself to pull Jesus aside and correct Him (!) for saying that He had to suffer and die.

On this particular occasion, Jesus’s glory is revealed in a physical way, and Moses and Elijah appear to them, and they are talking with Jesus. What does Peter do? He says the first thing he can think of: “We should have a campout!”

The Scripture even emphasizes that he said this precisely because he didn’t know what to say. Here’s an idea: if you don’t know what to say, then don’t say anything at all! God takes over the conversation and corrects Peter: if the beloved Son of God is in the conversation, you just shut your mouth and listen. “Hear Him!”

When they hear Him, what does He say? “I’m going to rise from the dead.” They are so resistant to the idea of His death that they don’t understand what He means by “risen from the dead”!

So, they ask Him a Bible question. The scholar theologians of the day interpreted Scripture to say that Elijah would come before the Christ (cf. Malachi 4:5-6). So the disciples, now convinced that Jesus is the Christ, wonder why Elijah hadn’t come. 

Notice how Jesus points out their inconsistency before He answers. It’s like He’s saying, “So, you’ll take the Scripture seriously when it says that Elijah comes first, but you’re determined not to take it seriously when it says that the Messiah must suffer?”

I’m afraid we are often like Peter and the others: very intrigued by some fine question in the Scripture, while neglecting other things that are most plain and necessary. This most of all: this glorious Lord Jesus suffered and died for sinners!

How have you suffered for Christ, for the gospel, or for righteousness? Whom do you follow in this? How does one listen to Jesus? How have you, specifically, been listening to Jesus? What are some examples of things that you have recently heard Him say in His Word?

Sample prayer:  Lord, we thank You and praise You that You have given us so many ways, on so many occasions, to behold the glory of Christ. But still, we have often been more interested in expressing ourselves than hearing Him, or in theological curiosities rather than what He Himself has emphasized in His Word. And, when He has told us that we must expect to suffer many things, we have bristled against His Word. Forgive us and grant us tender hearts that receive His Word by faith in Him, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP22A “My God, My God” or TPH131A “Not Haughty Is My Heart” 

2026.08.12 Hopewell @Home ▫ 1 Chronicles 16

Read 1 Chronicles 16

Questions from the Scripture text: What did they bring (1 Chronicles 16:1)? Where did they put it? What did they offer? Then what did David do (1 Chronicles 16:2)? And what did he give the people (1 Chronicles 16:3)? Whom did he appoint to do what (1 Chronicles 16:4)? What people, specifically, to do what things, specifically (1 Chronicles 16:5-6)? What did David deliver, to whom, for what purpose (1 Chronicles 16:7)? What is to be done among whom (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)? What must people do, in what manner (1 Chronicles 16:10-11)? What must they remember (1 Chronicles 16:12)? Who, specifically, must do so (1 Chronicles 16:13)? Whose God is He (1 Chronicles 16:14)? What, especially, are they to remember (1 Chronicles 16:15-18)? How did He keep this covenant (1 Chronicles 16:19-22)? Who is to join in their praise, by doing what (1 Chronicles 16:23-24)? What glories, in particular, are they to declare (1 Chronicles 16:25-27)? Who are to give Him what (1 Chronicles 16:28-30)? Who (what!) else is to praise, in what manner (1 Chronicles 16:31-33)? How do 1 Chronicles 16:34-36 summarize the praise that all the redeemed creation will give? So whom does David appoint to do what (1 Chronicles 16:37)? Whom, specifically, to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:38? And whom, specifically, to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:39-40? And whom to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:41? And whom to do what in 1 Chronicles 16:42a? And whom to do what in verse 42b? And then what did all do in 1 Chronicles 16:43a? And what did David do in verse 43b?

What do we do in the presence of the Lord? 1 Chronicles 16 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these forty-three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that we delight in Him, to give Him His glory. 

The ark, especially in the tabernacle, represents the presence of God among His people. This chapter emphasizes the great joy this this is for them. The Lord, Who is blessed in Himself, makes His presence a great blessing to His people. David both gives them material provision to help them rejoice (1 Chronicles 16:3), and he functions as a prophet to make provision for them in two other important ways: particular appointments of the priesthood (1 Chronicles 16:4-6, 1 Chronicles 16:37-42), and the writing of a Psalm (1 Chronicles 16:7-36) in which that priesthood would lead the people. This Psalm is a combination of large portions of Psalm 105 and Psalm 96. It summons all nations (1 Chronicles 16:28-30), and even all creation (1 Chronicles 16:31-33), to praise Him—specifically for the salvation of His people to worship Him (1 Chronicles 16:34-35). He is the Lord of all creation (1 Chronicles 16:25-27) and providence (v14), but it is especially in covenant with His people (1 Chronicles 16:14-22) that He displays His glory. This is reminiscent of Revelation 5:8–14, where all of glory worships Him particularly for the redemption of His people. 

This redemption is not only from our sin, and from oppression, but into His blessed presence. By bracketing the Psalm with the appointments of the various orders of the priesthood, the emphasis in the chapter falls upon rejoicing before Him and praising Him. Zadok’s priestly family that offers the sacrifices, and Obed-Edom’s priestly family that are doorkeepers, get mention. But it is especially the singers and the musicians that are in focus. All of these anticipate Christ. Christ is the Doorkeeper—and the Door Himself into the presence of God. Christ is the Priest, Who makes the offerings—and the Ascension (burnt offering), Tribute (grain offering), and Peace (peace offering) by which we come into God’s presence. And Christ is also the great Singer and Musician, Who leads us in being blessed in God’s presence. The ever-blessed God is full of divine joy in Himself. And He brings us into His presence to share in His joy. And this is that for which He shall be praised, by all creation and all peoples, forever and ever! 

How much emphasis do you place upon rejoicing in God’s presence in Christ—not just entering His presence, but enjoying Him in His presence? How are you praying and working toward all nations, and the whole creation doing so? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, we see what an emphasis that You place upon our entering Your presence, and especially upon our rejoicing in Your presence. And we realize that we do not place nearly the emphasis upon it that we should. So, we have often failed to enter Your presence through Christ. And, often, when we have done so, it has not been to give You Your glory and rejoice over You in Your presence. So, for the sake of Christ, forgive us, and make us glad with His own joy, we ask in His Name, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP96A “O Sing a New Song” or TPH100B “All People That on Earth Do Dwell” 

2026.08.11 Hopewell @Home ▫ Job 12:13–25

Read Job 12:13–25

Questions from the Scripture text: What are with God (Job 12:13a)? What does He have (verse 13b)? What does Job 12:14 imply about His works? What does Job 12:15 give as examples? What are with Him (Job 12:16a)? Who are His (verse 16b)? What does He do to whom in Job 12:17? And in Job 12:18? And in Job 12:19? And in Job 12:20? And in Job 12:21? What can/does He reveal (Job 12:22)? What can/does He do with nations (Job 12:23)? What does He do to whom in Job 12:24? With what effect (Job 12:25)? 

How can Job endure his friends’ folly? Job 12:13–25 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these thirteen verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that Job endures his friends’ folly as something that comes in the providence of God. 

Legalism is a failing enterprise. The friends’ counsel (that if Job repents well enough, his fortunes will change) amounts to the idea that Job can overcome God’s recent providence by doing good. But Job knows too well that man cannot overcome God (Job 12:14). Man is nothing before droughts and floods, which themselves are nothing before God (Job 12:15). 

So how is it that the friends could fall for such deception and folly? This comes in the providence of God, to whom the deceiver belongs (Job 12:16), and Who annuls the wisdom of man (Job 12:17). Job’s catastrophes (Job 12:18-19, Job 12:21) and his friends’ bad counsel and poor discernment (Job 12:20) come in the providence of God. 

If Job is to find the light of the gospel in the darkness through which he is going, it must come from the Lord Himself (Job 12:22). If Job’s fortunes are to be recovered, it must come from the Lord Himself (Job 12:23). The sovereign Lord over all is his only hope. He raises up, and He tears down (Job 12:24-25). And Job knows that even his friends’ bad counsel comes in His providence. Dear reader, let Him be your only hope as well.

What difficult circumstances are you in? What failings of friends have you experienced? What do you need to remember about such things? If you are going to have help, from where must it come? 

Sample prayer:  Lord, if You break something down, it cannot rebuilt. And, if You imprison a man there can be no release. So, forgive us for when we have the idea that we can repent well enough to force good from Your hand. What arrogance about ourselves, and a wickedly small idea of You! Forgive us, and help us have Your grace alone as our hope, we ask through Christ, AMEN!

Suggested songs: ARP107DE “To Those Who Sail the Seas” or TPH433 “Amazing Grace!”