Posts by Ricky Beckett
Help My Unbelief
In the account of the boy with the unclean spirit (Mark 9:14-29), the boy’s father says to Jesus, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us” (v. 22). Jesus responds, “‘If you can!’ All things are possible for one who believes” (v. 23). Then, immediately, the father cries out, “I believe;…
Read MoreGeeking About the Psalms: Psalm 15
Who Shall Dwell on Your Holy Hill? (a direct Hebrew translation) 1, O YHWH, who shall sojourn in Your tent? Who shall settle on Your holy mountain? 2, He who walks blameless and does righteousness and speaks truth in his heart, 3, who does not gossip on his tongue and does not do evil to…
Read MoreThe Typology of Abigail’s Faith
What do we make of Abigail’s loyalty and her husband Nabal’s disloyalty to David in 1 Samuel 25? They are two unseemly characters in God’s narrative of the coming Messiah. Abigail seems an insignificant character at first, but there’s a lot more depth to her example. At the end of this particular narrative, Abigail becomes…
Read MoreThe Tomb is Not Empty
In the midst of the congregation, my pastor exclaims, “Christ is risen!” And the congregation responds joyfully, “He is risen indeed! Alleluia!” Today is Easter Sunday, or what I prefer to call Resurrection Sunday. On a Friday many centuries ago, Jesus the Son of God was crucified on the cross, our sins placed upon Him…
Read MoreGeeking About the Psalms: Psalm 14
The Fool Says, There Is No God 1, The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 2, The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.…
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