Deus Misereatur

  Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem Dale Ralph Davis Christian Focus Publications Christianfocus.com ISBN: 9781527106420; January 2021; $19.99   I used to do book reviews for a small firm in Austin, Texas. They would do publicity for self-published works or manuscripts put out by “micro-publishers.” Needless to say, the quality of the books varied greatly. I still remember one novel that was trucking along beautifully, drawing in my attention. Then, about three-fourths of the way through, at the crucial moment, there were ten blank pages with the remainder of the leaves only showing every other line. I was terribly disappointed. Therefore, I’m glad that Dale Ralph Davis, pastor, writer, and seminary professor, has completed his commentary on Luke. The first volume handled Luke 1-13 , and now the second has arrived, “Luke 14-24: On the Road to Jerusalem”. This 256-page paperback follows the same approach as the first book, right through to the resurrection and ascension o

  In our live-stream morning prayer, we are reading through Proverbs. This morning I read Proverbs 14 and a verse stuck out to me. Solomon tells his young son, “ Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness ” (14:22). In some ways it’s a typical pattern in Proverbs where evil and good are juxtaposed, where they are put together to contrast them. There are similarities and dissimilarities. Clearly the aim and results of evil and good are the dissimilarities. Evil leads astray. But where does good end up? Interestingly, the word “ meet ” is not in the Hebrew. In fact, it literally says “Steadfast love and truthfulness to those who devise good.” Those who devise good will exhibit steadfast love and truthfulness, will stub their toes on steadfast love and truthfulness, and be met on their life’s journey by steadfast love and truthfulness. But notice that the similarity is the devising. One devises evil, and the other devises good.

 [Evening Prayer guided by Psalm 6]   With those cracking under the strain of their condition we pray (…): O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath. Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing; heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled. But you, O LORD—how long ? Look upon their desperate condition, O our Father! Restore them, raise them up, and refresh them! O Lord, hear our prayer.   For those who are walking through the valley of the shadow of death or along it’s ragged rim, we pray (…): Turn, O LORD, deliver my life; save me for the sake of your steadfast love. For in death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise ? Lift them up out of the miry pit and set their feet on the Rock. Reinstate light and life that they may lift up their hands in worship and rejoin your band of believers. O Lord, hear our prayer.   For those who are weeping, often behind closed doors and out of sight, and th

  O Lord, make us have a perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness through Jesus Christ our Lord. On behalf of your Church throughout the world, as well as Abundant Life Seventh Day Adventist Church, Cathedral of Hope, Midwest City Hispanic and North Highland Community church , we pray. Show yourself strong on behalf of those who are suffering for righteousness sake, show them a sign of your favor that those who hate them may see it and be put to shame, because you have helped and comforted your people (Psalm 86:17). Reclaim those who have lost their way and exchanged your glory for their own avarice or their own ambition; Fill up what is lacking and cause your work to prosper in the hands of those who are working and serving for your honor. Look upon the President of these United States, the Governor of Oklahoma, the Mayors of Oklahoma City and Edmond, and all othe