God’s Providential Care for Us (Vitringa)

This is one of the best books on Christian spirituality I've read: The Spiritual Life by Campegius Vitringa (d. 1722). Vitringa was a Reformed theologian who rubbed shoulders with other solid theologians such as Herman Witsius. After studying theology and the biblical languages, Vitringa became a professor of Hebrew and theology at the University of …

Wait For His Seasonable Aid (Music Monday)

It's been a while since I did a "Music Monday" here on the Reformed Reader. While thinking about this, it didn't take me long to find a good hymn from William Cowper's "Olney Hymns" in his Complete Poetical Works. It's called "Jehovah-Jireh: The Lord Will Provide." The hymn is based on Genesis 22:14 [Abraham named …

Jesus Does All Things Well

This morning I was studying Mark 7:31-37. This is the story of Jesus healing the mute/deaf man (c.f. Is. 35:4-6). Afterward the crowds were amazed and kept saying, everything he does is wonderful; he has done everything well! (NLT, NET). Here are some of J. C. Ryle's encouraging devotional thoughts on this phrase in Mark …

Esther’s Sketchy Story and Our Situation (Jobes)

Chapter two of Esther will never be made into a Hallmark movie. Nor will it be the basis for a song on positive Christian radio stations. It's a pretty sketchy story. King Ahasuerus, the powerful Persian ruler, was a voyeur who sometimes drank too much, had an anger problem, and slept with many, many women. …

To Christians Who Are Suffering

One thing I try to avoid on this blog is talking about myself. I am somewhat of a private person and I don't like putting much personal information in public places like this blog. But sometimes my blog posts here are directly related to things I'm going through in my own Christian walk (e.g. joy, …