Hark the Herald Angels Sing

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Steve Husting

Some of the most enduring hymns contain a treasure-trove of scripture framing the whole. So it is with “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” It was written by Charles Wesley, with classical composer Felix Mendelssohn adding the tune. Charles, drawing from his rich reservoir of Bible knowledge, wrote this marvelous composite of scriptural truths concerning the birth of the Son of God. Who is He? What did it mean for the Son to become flesh? To what end did He come?

These truths are boldly sketched, dipped into the Word of God to paint the pages a colorful rendition of His advent. Let’s examine this hymn, then come and worship. 

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Make the Good News Known

Posted on December 11, 2021 by Steve Husting

In His last days on earth after His resurrection, Jesus’ final words included this commandment: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15). 

In this statement, our Lord is revealing the scope of the good news. It’s not for the Jews alone, but everybody. All the world; all creation. No place is off limits. To the uttermost parts of the earth. 

He is telling us to continue the work He started. His mission included the proclamation of the Kingdom of God. The gospel/good news is found in its immediacy—the kingdom is now, “at hand.” Today is the day of salvation. The King has already come. Kingdom blessings can be retrieved by faith, now. 

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Thanksgiving in Israel

Posted on November 19, 2021 by Steve Husting

God gave several yearly feasts for Israel to observe as a nation. All the biblical feasts center on remembering the work of God in the history of the Jews. Most of the feasts are celebrations and times of thanksgiving. (None of their holidays commemorate people like we do, such as remembering Noah building the ark or Moses at the burning bush.)

Their feasts can give us ideas of how we can give thanks to the Lord this month, or more often. Specifically, how does the Lord want us to remember Him? The yearly Feast of Passover gives us ideas on how we can remember God with a grateful heart this Thanksgiving. (Feast of Passover: Exodus 12:1-13, 21-25, 42). 

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Isaiah 8 Meditation: Signs and Wonders

Posted on November 5, 2021 by Steve Husting

This is my chapter breakdown for Isaiah 8:

1-8 Prophecy regarding Maher-shalal-hash-baz: Damascus and Samaria will fall by the Assyrian invasion soon
9-15 Fear the Lord, not what the people fear
16-18 Being a testimony to God
19-22 Look to God and live, not to spiritists and the dead

What do you fear? The coronavirus taking your life? Government conspiracies against you? The nation’s financial collapse (or your own)? The erosion of your freedoms?

Just before 722 B.C., the Jews in the divided kingdom feared danger because of the oncoming civil war, especially since northern Israel made an alliance with a foreign power, Rezin king of Aram, against southern Israel.

God’s instruction to His holy ones then are the same to us who hold fast to Him today. “do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread” (Isaiah 8:12 ESV). What then should we fear?

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America, America

Posted on October 23, 2021 by Steve Husting

Despite what you read in the media, it’s not about race: it’s not about White versus Black or any other people group. It’s about sin. Our national anthem prays: 

“America! America!/God shed His grace on thee,/And crown thy good with brotherhood/From sea to shining sea!” 

By God shedding His grace, His own power to change those who acknowledge Him, people grow to respect others in spite of racial heritage. He molds us after His own character, the one who “so loved the world” (John 3:16), and imbues us to “crown thy good with brotherhood.” 

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Meditation: Called to speak the things of God, Isaiah 6

Posted on October 16, 2021 by Steve Husting

God was looking for someone to bear witness of the Lord to a Jewish people who would “Keep on looking, but do not understand” (Isaiah 6:9). That person will speak and the hearers will not respond. How would you like such a job, knowing people will be upset over your words, or just uncaring? You would throw out all your maxims and formulas for “success;” they won’t work. God has set the course of Israel. Judgment is coming no matter what. 

You won’t be able to rely on your hearers’ feedback to find your identity. No “Like” votes will strengthen your heart. Other speakers will always enjoy more popularity than you will. 

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“Who are you to judge me?”

Posted on October 8, 2021 by Steve Husting

Have you ever heard words like these when you pointed out a problem you saw in someone? “You’re not supposed to judge me,” they told you. “The Bible says so.” 

Does it, though? What does the Bible say on this topic? Do believers have any guidelines on judging others? Yes. Let’s go over a few of them. 

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What More Could God Have Done?

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Steve Husting

Sometimes we can invest a lot of our time and attention on a person or group, only to see no good results come from it. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the Lord recounts the care He took to form a successful vineyard. But it resulted in bad grapes.

The Lord asked the Jews, “Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard” (5:3). With this rhetorical question, He invited them to review His covenant. If they would honor Him by keeping His commandments, not going after other gods, and dealing with sin through the sacrifices, then:

  • They’ll be blessed in the city and country.
  • Their offspring and their beasts’ offspring will be healthy.
  • Their enemies will run away from them.
  • He will make their barns overflow with food.
  • They will bless other nations and not be in debt to them.
  • It will be apparent that God is in their midst and favoring them. (Deuteronomy 28:1-14.)
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Will There be a Revival in the End Times?

Posted on September 4, 2021 by Steve Husting

Some believers in the Pre-Tribulation fold believe that 144,000 Jews will be preaching the word to others in a tribulation period, and that’s where the revival happens. Revivals can happen at any time in history when the conditions are right.

However, I find in the Bible that people will diminish in their affections to God. Matthew 24:9-12 talks about church persecutions increasing because “the love of many will grow cold.” 2 Timothy 3:1-9 speaks of “perilous times” in the last days where church-members’ godliness is only on the outside and people live for their lusts. 2 Peter 2 warns about “false prophets” who will do much harm in the church.

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Working in the End Times, Mark 13

Posted on August 29, 2021 by Steve Husting

Mark 13 Chapter Breakdown: 
1-4 The great buildings will be torn down 
5-13 Times of persecution of believers 
14-23 Tribulation in the days of the Abomination of Desolation 
24-27 The Son of Man comes and the angels take away his people 
28-32 The span of time is short; He is right at the door 
33-37 Warned to be alert, to keep serving 

Message: 
Faced with the coming period of persecution, Mark 13:5-13, the Abomination of Desolation and tribulation vv. 14-23, before the Lord comes and the angels snatch us away, vv. 24-27, according to the sequence the Lord lays out in Mark 13, what are we to do? 

Sell our belongings and wait on a mountaintop? Head for the hills and hide? Pray more often? Thankfully, we don’t have to guess, for the Lord tells us how to get ready. We are to continue to work as faithful servants, busy at the tasks He has given us, vv. 33-37. When He comes, He will reward us according to our labor. 

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