Posts by Josh Moody

Leviticus 14-15, Psalm 42, Matthew 19:1-15, Acts 26:1-18 Psalm 42: The psalm begins with a beautiful, famous picture—“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God” (42:1)—but the reality behind that picture is rather starker than is often considered. The point that the psalmist is making is in the same way that…

Leviticus 11–13, Psalm 41, Matthew 18:15-35, Acts 25:13-27   Psalm 41: There are many motivations for generosity: a response to what Christ has done for us, an expression of genuine kindness, and even if somewhat less positively, the motivation of looking good by doing good. Charity is motivated by many wells of desires deep within the human heart.…

Leviticus 8-10, Psalm 40, Matthew 18:1-14, Acts 25:1-12 Psalm 40: For U2 fans, this psalm is made more latterly renowned by a song they sang named “40”—whose lyrics are modeled on that of this song. But whatever the entrance way that leads you to this psalm, you are blessed if you linger here and learn its…

Leviticus 5-7, Psalm 39, Matthew 17:14-27, Acts 24 Psalm 39: There are few things more provoking than someone acting in wicked foolishness—especially when they seem to get away with it. Perhaps you are facing some trial or trauma, and it is made worse by the “presence of the wicked.” Not only was what happened bad, but there are…

Leviticus 1-4, Psalm 38, Matthew 17:1-13, Acts 23:12-35 Psalm 38: Sin has real effects. Here David outlines the way his sin has impact, even on his physical state. Perhaps there is some sin that you are toying with in your mind. Surely it isn’t that bad. Surely God will forgive me. Surely no one will notice. But here…

Exodus 38-40, Psalm 37:23-40, Matthew 16:13-28, Acts 23:1-11 Psalm 37:23-40: Having told us to fret not because of the wicked, David now celebrates the path that is open before those who follow the Lord. Perhaps you wonder whether it really is worth it to commit your life to God. Perhaps there is some challenge that you are facing…

Exodus 35-37, Psalm 37:1-22, Matthew 16:1-12, Acts 22 Psalm 37:1-22: When people attack us, a range of emotions rises up within us. One of the most common is to “fret.” We worry what will happen to us. We are concerned as to whether we are safe. We fret about the impact on our career, or our family, or…

Exodus 34, Psalm 36, Matthew 15:21-39, Acts 21:27-40 Psalm 36: Why people act the way they do is a fascinating topic. Why do we act the way we do? It has driven the concerns of psychology, history, sociology, and much else besides. Have you ever wondered why it is that you do certain things or what it is…

Exodus 32-33, Psalm 35, Matthew 15:1-20, Acts 21:1-26 Psalm 35: What do you do when you have people who are out to get you? It is hard to go through life without any kind of conflict whatsoever. To some extent, we expect that there will be times when we come across people who don’t like us or who…

Exodus 30-31, Psalm 34, Matthew 14:22-36, Acts 20:13-38 Psalm 34: The context of this psalm, we are told, is extraordinary. Read the story in 1 Samuel 21:13. Evidently, whatever God’s sovereign rescue means, it does not mean something that is in contradiction to David taking initiative-bold, strange initiative-to the extent of pretending to be insane to save his…