The Bible is clear in declaring the truth about humanity: we are all sinners and held under the dominion of sin. There is nothing righteous in us to commend us to God. Yet it is only when we acknowledge this honest, divine assessment of us that we can find the ultimate solution.
It is never right to do wrong. This simple, biblical truth puts to rest all the justifications and excuses for sin. No one is exempt from God's standards or from His judgment. Excuses will not take us to heaven; only the grace of God can do that.
The Bible was given to the Jewish people as a sacred trust to be cherished, read, learned, lived, and declared among the nations. Can we, as Christ's followers, do anything less with God's Word?
Many Jewish people in Paul's time scrupulously adhered to religious ritual, believing, like so many today, that this is enough to gain God's acceptance. The apostle rejects such thinking and points to the truth that only a heart changed by God finds acceptance with Him.
Does your life attract people to the Christian faith or turn them off to it? It is important to remember that the reputation of God's people in the world affects the way people in this world view God.
God is impartial. His righteous standards do not change, and they are applied to every person equally. We can offer no excuses for sin and unbelief. Our only option is to repent and place our faith in Jesus Christ.
God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience are abundant, and all people benefit from them. Enjoying these common blessings, however, does not grant immunity from His righteous judgment. In fact, these blessings should draw us to Him in repentance.
Before condemning others, we need to take a close look at ourselves. Our sins may not be as glaring as those of others, but they are clearly revealed in the illuminating light of God’s perfect holiness. That calls for genuine humility and compassion toward others.
Those who abandon God quickly spiral downward into a depraved mind that justifies, approves, and applauds evil. It is a sad reality we can observe today, but just as real is the hope that is always present in Jesus Christ.
Psalm 51 records David’s heartfelt confession after his sin with Bathsheba, and Stephen Davey explains it as a model of genuine repentance. He begins with David’s petition—a plea for mercy based on God’s steadfast love. Aware of the weight of his guilt, David asks God to blot out his transgressions, wash away his iniquity, and cleanse him from sin. The second step is admission: David accepts full responsibility, refusing to blame others and acknowledging his fallen nature. His sin, he admits, flows from the sinful heart of humanity inherited from Adam. Next comes restoration: David pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God,” recognizing that only divine power can renew what sin has corrupted. Finally, his resolution is to teach others from his failure—to lead sinners back to God through honesty and repentance. Davey concludes that true confession involves humble honesty, complete dependence on God’s mercy, and a transformed resolve to live transparently before Him, proving that no sin is too great for God’s restoring grace.
Psalms 42–44 open the second book of Psalms, where Stephen Davey explains that God invites believers to pour out their hearts to Him with complete honesty. The sons of Korah—descendants of a rebel who chose faithfulness—wrote of spiritual dryness and discouragement: “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Davey notes that even when God seems silent, He is never absent. These psalms teach believers to trust and wait for the Lord, declaring, “Hope in God; for I shall again praise Him, my salvation and my God.” In Psalm 44, this personal trust expands to national suffering as Israel endures consequences for sin yet clings to God’s covenant faithfulness. Paul later cites this psalm to remind believers that suffering is not abandonment but evidence of spiritual maturity. Through these lessons, Davey encourages believers to be honest with God, steadfast in hope, and confident that even in dry seasons, God remains their salvation and strength.
In The Voice of Creation (Psalm 19:1–8a), Stephen Davey contrasts Carl Sagan’s hopeless view of a silent universe with David’s joyful proclamation that creation declares the glory of God. Davey explains that the heavens continually reveal God’s signature, wisdom, and grace—a universal testimony to His power and creativity. The beauty, complexity, and order of nature point unmistakably to a Designer, but this general revelation alone cannot save; it must be joined with the special revelation of God’s Word. David moves from calling God El (Creator) to Yahweh (personal Redeemer), showing that Scripture revives the soul, makes the simple wise, and causes the heart to rejoice. Davey concludes that while creation proves God’s existence, His Word reveals His character and plan of redemption. Believers, therefore, should worship the Creator revealed both in the world around us and in the inspired Word that leads us back to Him.
This lesson from Deuteronomy 16–26 emphasizes God's righteousness as the standard for all of life. Moses reviews the importance of righteous leadership—judges, kings, priests, and prophets—who are called to uphold justice and truth. God's laws are revisited to guide Israel in holy living, covering areas like inheritance, morality, and societal order. These commands act like protective boundaries, showing how a righteous person should live. Finally, Israel’s worship is tied to gratitude and public acknowledgment of God's faithfulness. The lesson encourages believers to live righteously, not just privately but visibly, so the world sees God's wisdom and character through them.
Psalm 19:8b–14 teaches that God’s Word is flawless, enduring, and deeply valuable—more desirable than gold and sweeter than honey. Unlike the temporary treasures of this world, Scripture enlightens the heart, exposes sin, renews fellowship with God, and guides believers in righteousness. David celebrates the Bible as a timeless revelation that cleanses, corrects, and delights those who cherish it, reminding readers to treasure and obey God’s Word as their greatest source of wisdom and joy.
