Posts by David Huffstutler
The Spirit’s Prayer and the Father’s Promise in Romans 8:26–30
The Holy Spirit helps us on our way to heaven. He lives within us, empowering us for good and enabling us for service, and He endeavors by praying for us to the Father. Romans 8:26–27 teaches us about the Spirit’s ministry of intercession. Some of what Romans 8:26–27 teaches is fairly clear. Our human weakness…
Read MoreThe Pilgrim’s Promise (Psalm 121)
Psalm 121 contains “the pilgrim’s promise” for us today as we journey through life toward heaven. The promise is this—the Lord is our help and keeper, whatever life brings our way. Like its companions in Psalms 120–134, Psalm 121 is “A Song of Ascents,” a song sung while ascending to Jerusalem for one of the…
Read MorePsalm 2:7 in the NT: The Announcement of a King
In Acts 13:32–33, Paul teaches that the promise of a Davidic king who would rule forever (cf. Acts 13:22–23) has been fulfilled in part through the resurrection of Jesus. Since Jesus had been put to death (cf. Acts 13:26–29), God raised Him up in order for Ps 2:7 to remain true of Him: “You are…
Read MoreNo Greater Place: Devotional Thoughts from Psalm 84
Psalm 84 holds a special place in the heart of many. Christians have come to worship and commented with the words of Psalm 84:10: “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness”…
Read MoreThe Salvation of Infants and the Mentally Disabled
Good people disagree over what happens to infants and the mentally disabled when they pass away before their “the age of accountability,” the age when a child can realize the difference between right and wrong. Some emphasize the justice of God as to how to deal with the sin of the deceased, and others emphasize…
Read MoreUnion with Christ Breaks the Power of Sin
Romans 5:12–21 describes an amazing reality for believers. We were once sinners in Adam, under the reign of sin and death. Now, however, we have received the grace of God and free gift of righteousness through Jesus Christ. We have been declared righteous by God, and grace reigns over us, leading to eternal life through…
Read MoreHope in Romans 5:1-11
In Romans 5:1–11, Paul refers to hope three times (Romans 5:2, 4, 5) and speaks to the content of our hope as well (Romans 5:9–10). The following briefly examines these mentions of hope for our encouragement today. Hope in the Glory of God First, Paul sates, “We rejoice in hope of the glory of God”…
Read MoreIn and Out of the Tomb: The Resurrection of Jesus
What follows below is a moment-by-moment summary of what of the Gospels say about what happened at the tomb with a primary focus on Jesus. In the Tomb: Matthew 27:57–66; Mark 15:42–47; Luke 23:50–56; John 19:38–42 In the evening after the death of Jesus (Friday), Joseph of Arimathea took courage and secretly asked Pilate for…
Read MoreHistorical Fundamentalism: A Personal Word
My personal ecclesiastical heritage stems from what I would call historical fundamentalism. While those two words together may not be the first phrase out of my mouth to describe myself or my church’s history to a guest at my church, it can be a helpful phrase to use if one has the time to give…
Read MoreHezekiah: An Example in Character for the New Year
In one of the Bible’s “new years,” 2 Chronicles 29:3 records of Hezekiah, “In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.” At first glance, this may seem like simple maintenance, but further study shows that opening and repairing these…
Read More